Chapter 240 Arboreus Nihil—The Root of Despair (4)
The ground in the heart of the Forest Labyrinth cracked under the pressure of ancient forces surging uncontrollably. The air trembled, and the atmosphere transformed into an electromagnetic field filled with the sounds of dimensional cracks and horrifying psionic friction. Arboreus Nihil loomed like a god of destruction, awakened from the depths of time and despair. Its form now transcended any biological shape, radiating a shimmering green-white aura, as if the very sky turned away in the wake of its earth-shaking presence.
Its trunk pulsed with unimaginable strength; its branches flailed wildly through the air like hands groping in darkness, while the crown of thorns blazed with a dazzling intensity, resembling a torch of fate illuminating the void. After enduring the combined magical assault of Armonatrix Ultima: Ascension of Light and Wind, Arboreus should have fallen. However, instead of collapsing, it grew larger, standing firm like an unyielding tower of despair.
Fitran and Rinoa fell to the ground, their bodies marked by wounds and their clothes tattered; yet, their hands remained clasped tightly—a grip of two souls that would not be broken, showcasing remarkable resilience even in the face of severe injuries.
And at that moment, Arboreus began to speak, but not with a voice that could be heard. His words penetrated their minds, scratching the depths of their consciousness and implanting a profound sense of unease:
"I am not just a tree. I am not an illusion. I am your will to surrender, born from your broken breaths and from a love that doubts itself."
And then... he attacked.
"Chrono-Leech: Bloom of Forgotten Futures"
The roots around them suddenly burst forth from the ground, coiling like venomous serpents, gripping tightly and blossoming into a colossal pale blue flower. Its large petals emitted a dazzling glow, slowly siphoning time from their surroundings.
Fitran screamed silently, his eyes widening as he watched the ground around him decay, only to be reborn in tandem. Rinoa felt her body being pulled into the future—a time where Fitran was gone, while she herself walked through an empty and desolate world.