Erik and his clone moved along the beach. They kept their small forms as they walked. They stopped often to look around, checking the sky above them, the water behind, and the forest ahead. They wanted to make sure no Thaids could see them and that no dangerous creatures were following them.
The enormous trees grew closer as they moved forward.
Erik said through Instability’s mind link.
the clone said, its tiny form shifting nervously among Erik’s feathers, but his eyes never leaving the trees around and often going from one to another.
Erik said.
Erik spoke in plural because although he alone had experienced these events, the clone shared his mories as if they were its own. The clone felt like it had lived through those harrowing experiences exactly like Erik, which was why the man used inclusive language—he didn’t want the clone to feel left out. Building the clone’s confidence was crucial, as any hesitation could make their dangerous situation on Mur even more precarious.
Chimaeric Demons typically kept his sa cold deanor. Yet since the attack from the three-headed void ravagers, the clone had beco uncharacteristically fearful.
Erik had already seen the mories from the clone thanks to Instability, but not having lived them in person since he was unconscious made everything feel as if it was fake. Yet, for the clone, those monts must have been dreadful.
Erik tried not to think about that, as it wouldn’t help for what was to co.
The duo moved forward quietly. Erik, in his small bird form, flew so lightly that his claws barely left marks in the sand when he landed.
He avoided landing on rocks or other elevated spots, even if it would give him the height advantage, and that was because he didn’t know what was hiding beneath the rocks and among the vegetation sparsely growing close to the sand, and he wasn’t keen to know.
His clone nestled motionless in his feathers as they moved together, but aside from looking around, it did nothing. They stopped every few steps to check for any strange noises that didn’t match the sounds of the beach.
With each step, they got closer to the imnse trees and farther from the shores. The trees were so big that Erik could easily see the deep lines and patterns in their bark, which would make perfect hiding spots when they got there.
The problem was that they had to make sure that there were no tenants among the trees before they could claim them as their own. Yet Erik was imdiately jolted out of his thoughts when he felt the mana prickling at his skin.
Enjoy exclusive adventures from .Côm
the clone said, voicing exactly what Erik was thinking.
It wasn’t all bad. All that mana ant that brain crystal powers were easier to use, and were more effective, and that the regeneration rate of the ethereal substance was higher.
Erik studied the gigantic claw marks etched into the trees. From their angle and depth, the beast must have struck with trendous force during combat, yet missed whatever it was attacking.
That ant that not all thaids were strong enough to destroy these massive trees. The deep claw marks showed so creatures had tried and failed to break through the thick bark, suggesting that the trees were strong and resistant enough to stand against even the powerful predators of Mur.
This gave Erik hope—if these ancient trees could withstand attacks from most thaids, they would make excellent material for their shelter, and Verdant Architect would make it even better than they were supposed to be considering only the wood from the colossal trees.
Erik said,
The clone nodded.
Finally reaching the tree line, Erik channeled his mana into Verdant Architect. The power flowed from him into the nearest massive tree, connecting with its roots. These were as thick as city walls, stretching deep into the mana-rich soil of Mur.
Erik used his mind to explore the tree roots underground and the branches above.
Erik said.
The clone kept looking at their surroundings. Based on what he saw, there was nothing around at least 100 ters.
Erik nodded, and he did exactly that. He went from tree to tree and did the sa, making sure nothing dangerous was hiding inside, above, or below each of the trees.
the clone said. It ant that even if they were safe for now, they wouldn’t be forever.
Erik then went to a group of large trees that looked promising to build a hideout. Using his powers, he made the roots of several of them bend and grow together. The roots ford walls and a ceiling while moving the dirt away to create a large room underground.
Then he created separate chambers for sleeping, storage, and living quarters. The wood hardened as it grew, becoming as solid as stone while maintaining its connection to the trees above.
Erik thought about changing the material, making the walls, but that would have ant losing the trees’ endurance.
Besides, it would quickly kill the tree and would be pointless for many reasons, especially because those trees were very strong and sturdy, and they kept the place well insulated. He created hidden ventilation shafts, disguising them as natural hollows in the tree’s structure.
Erik said to his clone through their link.
Erik said.
Layer by layer, the underground base took shape. Erik reinforced the walls with multiple layers of root wood, ensuring they could withstand even the weight of massive thaids walking overhead.
The clone stared as Erik built their hideout from the tree roots. From the outside, nothing could be seen. Erik also created the entrance into one of the trees. There was a door, but one small enough that thaids would not notice that and neither destroy it.
Erik said.
Erik and his clone walked to the small door in the tree. It was well-hidden among the natural patterns of the bark, barely visible unless you knew where to look. They slipped inside, finding themselves in a narrow passage that spiraled down into the earth thanks to a staircase.
The walls of the passage were smooth and well illuminated. Erik sensed there were so glowing fungi underground and living in so of the largest spaces inside the tree, so he spread them after having made sure they were not toxic.
The underground lights provided constant illumination while remaining dim enough to allow comfortable sleep.
At the bottom of the spiral staircase, they entered their underground base. The main room opened up before them, spacious despite being completely hidden beneath the forest floor.
Erik had also furnished the space, though minimally. Bed fras grew from the floor in one chamber. The clone went to one of them and laid down, not seeming to mind the lack of mattress or bedding.
the clone said, settling into the fra.
The clone remained silent for a while.
The silence went on for so seconds.
Erik said.
The clone gulped.
Erik’s eyes were firm.
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