Chapter 108 - The Root Devourer
The forest shook as the colossal serpent tore itself free.
Its body was woven from black roots thicker than castle towers.
Crimson sap dripped from its fangs, and wherever it touched the earth, life withered instantly.
The ancient trees cried out.
The World Root itself trembled.
---
The Codex of the Beast Sovereign flashed urgently.
Catastrophe-Class Beast
Name: Root Devourer
Origin:
Corrupted Heart Seed
Current State:
Incomplete Awakening
Objective:
Consume the World Root
Threat Level:
Catastrophic
---
The Blighted Treant wrapped both arms around the monstrous serpent.
Its roots dug deep into the earth.
Every muscle strained.
It wasn't attacking.
It was holding the Devourer back.
Yet cracks spread across its wooden body.
It could not endure much longer.
---
"Kai!" Selene shouted.
"If that thing reaches the World Root—"
"It won't," Kai answered firmly.
---
The Root Devourer lunged.
The Treant was dragged several hundred metres across the forest floor.
Entire hills were uprooted.
Ancient rivers changed course.
The World Root groaned in pain.
---
Pyron roared.
"Now!"
The Guardians moved as one.
Ignis descended like a falling star.
Golden dragonfire engulfed the serpent's head.
Nereus summoned towering pillars of sapphire water that wrapped around its body.
The Crimson Flame Fox leapt onto one of its horns, releasing waves of Sovereign Flame.
Still...
The Root Devourer continued advancing.
---
The Codex revealed the reason.
Analysis
The Root Devourer possesses no true life.
It cannot feel pain.
It cannot fear death.
Weakness:
Its core remains connected to the Heart Seed.
---
Kai's eyes narrowed.
"So we don't defeat the monster..."
"We save the heart."
---
Lucien raised his spear.
"Star Wardens!"
Brilliant constellations formed above the battlefield.
Caelum and the remaining Wardens created a dome of starlight around the World Root.
Lady Vesper led the Eclipse soldiers who had abandoned the Court, holding back waves of corrupted beasts.
For the first time...
Former enemies fought side by side.
---
Deep beneath the battlefield...
Kai followed the pulse of the Codex.
He reached the chamber surrounding the World Root.
At its centre floated the Heart Seed.
But now he saw the truth.
The crystal was not wrapped around the World Root.
It had pierced it.
Black roots spread from the crystal into every living tree.
---
A gentle voice echoed around him.
"Beast Sovereign..."
It was Sylvana.
"The Heart Seed cannot simply be destroyed."
"If it shatters..."
"The World Root will shatter with it."
---
Kai placed a hand upon the crystal.
He closed his eyes.
The First Ember burned steadily.
Then the Seven Star Fragments began circling him.
One by one...
The Guardians answered.
Snow from Skadi.
The strength of Ursa.
The flames of Solara.
Pyron's unwavering resolve.
Ignis's courage.
Nereus's endless tides.
Together...
Their power flowed into the World Root.
Not to destroy.
To heal.
---
Above ground...
The Root Devourer suddenly stopped.
Its crimson eyes flickered.
The Blighted Treant looked upward in confusion.
Emerald light spread through its cracked body.
The corruption began retreating.
---
Inside the chamber...
The Heart Seed trembled violently.
A faint heartbeat echoed from within it.
Then another.
Kai frowned.
"That's not corruption..."
"It's a soul."
---
The Codex responded immediately.
Hidden Truth Discovered
The Heart Seed was created using the soul of an Ancient Guardian Beast.
Soul Status:
Dormant
Restoration Possible:
Yes
---
Kai smiled.
"So that's why you couldn't destroy it."
He placed both hands upon the crystal.
"You've suffered long enough."
The Sovereign Flame flowed into the Heart Seed.
Not as fire...
But as warmth.
Tiny cracks appeared across the black crystal.
Golden light began shining from within.
Far above...
The Root Devourer screamed.
Its gigantic body started breaking apart.
The corruption was losing its source.
Yet from the crumbling serpent's chest...
A single black seed escaped unnoticed.
It drifted silently into the deepest roots of the forest.
No one saw it.
No one except a pair of crimson eyes watching from the shadows.
A quiet voice whispered,
"Excellent..."
"The first sacrifice is complete."
The shadow disappeared before anyone could sense its presence.
The battle was nearing its end.
But Noctis had already set the next move into motion.