The Fae’s Gambit: Frost and Circuitry [LitRPG]

Chapter 16 

"" - speech  

' ' - mental speech 

(Eldest Dryad child POV) 

I perched high in the branches of one of the twisted trees at the edge of our territory, my bark-like fingers gripping the rough surface as I watched the strange procession forming below. The creep pulsed and continued to spread beneath the gathered army, dozens of the skittering Zerglings with their razor claws, the serpentine Hydralisks with their deadly spines, floating Drones that hummed through the air, and towering above them all, a single massive Ultralisk. 

The Ultralisk was a monstrous sight tall as four humans according to the stories Ivory sometimes told us, and long enough that you could be fighting its front end before seeing its back emerge. Its body stretched nearly twenty meters in length and stood five meters high, a living battering ram of chitin and muscle. Two enormous kaiser blades protruded from its back like scythes, their monofilament edges capable of tearing through flesh, bone, and armor with horrifying ease. 

(image) 

At the center of it all stood Ivory, our... mother? Creator? The concept was still confusing to me, but the connection I felt to her was undeniable, like the roots of a great tree reaching down to the same sapling. Her distinctive hair caught what little light filtered through the canopy, and her wooden left arm that strange limb that shared the same living wood as our own bodies gestured as she spoke to the floating figure beside her. 

Jack Frost hovered near her, his form flickering between solid and translucent in that way that had fascinated me since I first laid eyes on him. He was dead—that much was clear to my senses—yet he moved and spoke and laughed with all the vibrancy of the living. A walking contradiction, like ice that burned or darkness that illuminated. 

'Where do you think they're going?' The thought was sent out through the mental space we three sisters shared, carried on winds that sounded like young saplings bending before a storm. Even in my mind, my voice surprised me with its strange timber, like the creaking of branches that had never quite learned to be silent. 

'Away from us' came the response from my middle sister, her mental voice grinding like roots pushing through stone, breaking apart obstacles with patient, relentless force. She clung to a branch slightly below me, her smaller frame allowing her to perch more precariously on the thinner limbs. Her moss-green hair caught what little light filtered through the canopy, and I could see the worry in her golden eyes. 'They leave us behind again.' 

From the lowest branch, barely ten feet from the ground, our youngest sister's thoughts bubbled up like water dancing over smooth river stones, musical and bright despite the concern threading through them. 'Maybe they go hunting? The Zerglings bring back food sometimes. Pretty food that tastes like starlight.' 

I couldn't help but smile at that. Our littlest sister had developed quite the appetite for the strange creatures the Zerg brought back from their hunts. Most of what they dragged home was deposited directly into the creep for processing, but occasionally something would catch her attention though usually the more magical creatures with fur that shimmered or meat that held traces of otherworldly energy. 

'This is different' I observed, watching as more units emerged from the various spawning structures throughout our territory. 'Too many. Too organized. This is not hunting.' 

Indeed, as I counted the assembled force, my unease grew. Dozens of Zerglings moved in perfectly coordinated groups, their needle-sharp claws glistening in the dim light. A dozen Hydralisks slithered between them, their massive forms undulating with grace. Several Queens moved among the ranks. Every timee there was a clearing they seemed to shiver before the creep around them spread faster. 

 Overhead, the bloated forms of Overlords drifted like living clouds through the tops of the trees, their multiple eyes scanning the surrounding forest. And dominating them all, the single Ultralisk waited with the patience of a mountain, its massive form casting shadows over the smaller creatures. 

This was an army. And armies were meant for war. 

'War against who?' my middle sister's thoughts crashed through our shared space like boulders rolling down a mountainside. She had felt my realization, drawn it from my mind as easily as drawing water from a well. We had no secrets between us another aspect of our nature that felt both natural and strange. 

'I don't know' I admitted. 'But whatever it is, Ivory feels it's dangerous enough to require this force.' 

Below, Ivory raised her wooden left arm that strange limb that shared the same living wood as our own bodies, a connection that had bonded us to her from the moment of our birth from the World Tree. Jack said something to her that made her laugh, a sound like silver bells carried on the morning breeze. Then, as one, the entire army began to move. 

They headed east, toward the edge of our territory where the creep gave way to normal forest floor. I felt a sharp pang of something not quite fear, not quite curiosity as I watched them disappear between the trees. 

'We should follow them' the thought slipped out before I could stop it, carried on the wind of my peculiar mental voice. 

My middle sister's response was immediate, her root-grinding thoughts heavy with skepticism. 'Ivory told us to stay in the territory. Safe in the territory. Protected by the Zerglings that remain.' 

'But what if she needs us? 'This from our youngest, her river-song thoughts bright with possibility. 'What if other tree sisters out theer need help? What if—' 

'What if we get in trouble?' my middle sister countered, but I could sense her resolve weakening. Despite her cautious nature, she was as curious as the rest of us about the world beyond our small domain. 

I made the decision for all of us. 'We follow. But carefully. Very carefully.' 

The objection I expected from my middle sister never came. Instead, her thoughts carried a note of resigned determination. 'If we're doing this, we do it properly. No being seen. No alerting Ivory.' 

'Adventure!' Our youngest sister's mental voice practically sang with excitement, and I had to shush her before her joy leaked out into the physical world and alerted one of the remaining Zerg to our presence. 

We moved through the trees like the woodland creatures we partly were, our connection to living wood allowing us to step from branch to branch with supernatural grace. Where a normal person might have to climb down and walk along the forest floor, we could travel entirely through the canopy, our feet finding purchase on surfaces that should have been too thin to support even our light frames. 

The army below was easy to follow sixtyish-odd Zerg creatures and one massive Ultralisk moving through a forest tends to leave quite a trail. The Ultralisk's enormous size meant it had to push through obstacles rather than around them, leaving a path of broken branches and disturbed undergrowth. Occasionally, I caught glimpses of the massive creature between the trees, its blades glinting as they cut through hanging vines or low branches that dared obstruct its passage. 

As we traveled further out of the forest, something strange began to happen or rather, something strange didn't happen. Usually, when we moved through the canopy, curious woodland creatures would approach us. Squirrels with fur that shimmered like moonlight, birds whose songs carried hints of magic, even the occasional shy pixie or woodland sprite drawn by our connection to the World Tree. We were, after all, children of growing things, and the forest's inhabitants recognized us as kin. 

But today, the forest felt empty. Not dead fore I could sense the life flowing through every tree, every blade of grass, every flowering vine. But the animals were conspicuously absent. No chittering from the branches above, no rustling from the undergrowth below, no flash of movement in our peripheral vision. 

'Where is everyone?' my youngest sister's thoughts carried a note of worry, her river-song voice bubbling with concern. 

'They sense threats' my middle sister observed, her root-voice heavy with understanding. 'They flee from predator.' 

'Poor little ones' our youngest sister murmured. 'They must be so frightened.' 

Below us, the Ultralisk continued its steady advance, its speed surprisingly fast for something so massive, moving at roughly the same pace as the Zerglings despite its enormous bulk. The smaller Zerg units flowed around it like water around a stone, instinctively giving the massive creature room to maneuver while maintaining their formation. 

We had been traveling for what felt like hours when the forest began to change. The trees, while still twisted and magical, seemed somehow younger here—less settled in their strangeness. The canopy was thinner, allowing more light to filter down to the forest floor. And ahead, through the gaps between the trunks, I could see something that made my heart race with excitement and fear. 

Light. Not the green-filtered illumination of the deep forest, but actual, unobstructed sunlight. 

'An opening' I breathed, my branch-voice filled with wonder. 

The edge, my middle sister corrected, her root-grinding thoughts sharp with realization. 'We're approaching the edge of the forest.' 

Below us, the army had come to a halt. I could see Ivory standing among the Hydralisks, her white hair bright against the darker forms surrounding her. Jack hovered nearby, his translucent form more visible now that they were approaching the brighter area ahead. The Ultralisk had stopped as well, its massive form going perfectly still as it awaited orders. 

'They're planning something' my middle sister observed before shrugging, her thoughts carrying the weight of stone. 'I can't tell.' 

'We need to get closer' I decided. 'But we can't stay in the trees much longer. Look.' 

My sisters followed my gaze toward the forest's edge. The tree line ended abruptly, as if someone had drawn a boundary with a ruler and decreed that trees would grow no further. Beyond that line, we could see open grassland, rolling hills dotted with wildflowers, and cutting through it all like a brown ribbon... 

'A road' our youngest sister's mental voice was full of wonder, her river-song thoughts bright with curiosity. 'An actual road made by people.' 

In all the stories Ivory had told us about her old world, roads had featured prominently. Pathways built by thinking beings, designed to connect one place to another. We had paths in our territory, of course game trails worn by the local wildlife, or the routes carved by repeated Zerg patrols. But this was different. This was intentional. Planned. Maintained. 

This meant people. Lots of people. 

'We need to find a tree at the very edge' I said, making the decision for all of us. 'If we're going to see what happens next, we need to be as close as possible.' 

'But the Ultralisk...' my middle sister's thoughts carried worry. 'What if it notices us?' 

I considered this. The Ultralisk she thought was intelligent not like a simple beast, but with the kind of cunning that came from being part of the Swarm's collective consciousness. It would certainly notice if three tree-children suddenly appeared in its vicinity. But it was also loyal to Ivory, and we were connected to her through the World Tree. Would it see us as allies, enemies, or something else entirely? 

'It won't hurt us' I decided, though I wasn't entirely certain of that myself. 'We're part of Ivory's family. It knows that.' 

We made our way carefully toward the forest's edge, moving from tree to tree with practiced grace. The sounds of the army below grew louder as we approached the soft chittering of Zerglings, the wet sliding sounds of Hydralisks moving through the undergrowth, and underneath it all, the deep, rhythmic breathing of the Ultralisk. 

Finally, we reached our destination a massive oak tree that stood at the very boundary between forest and grassland. Its branches stretched out over the open space, providing perfect concealment while giving us an unobstructed view of whatever lay beyond. 

As we settled into position among the oak's sturdy branches, I felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension coursing through me. For the first time in our young lives, we were about to see the world beyond our forest home. 

Below us, the army waited, and beyond the tree line, the road stretched into an unknown future filled with possibilities both wonderful and terrifying. 

My sisters and I settled into our positions among the oak's sturdy branches, watching and waiting as the army below remained perfectly still. 

'Why aren't they moving?' our youngest sister's thoughts bubbled up like water over stones, her usual musical voice carrying notes of confusion and growing restlessness. 

'They wait for something' my middle sister observed, her root-grinding thoughts heavy with patience. 

Then, as if responding to some unheard signal, Ivory began to move. I watched, fascinated, as she gestured toward Jack, and to my amazement, the pale figure simply... disappeared. Not fading away slowly as he sometimes did, but vanishing entirely in the blink of an eye. 

'Where did he go?' our youngest asked, her thoughts bright with worry. 

'Watch' I advised, sensing that whatever was happening was far from over. 

Ivory raised her wooden left arm, and I felt a resonance through my own bark-like skin a connection to the living wood that pulsed with sudden power. But instead of plant magic, something else flowed through her. The air around her hands grew cold, so cold that even from our distance I could see frost beginning to form. With movements that seemed both practiced and natural, she began to shape the gathering moisture and dropping temperature, ice forming in response to her will. 

The ice took shape with remarkable precision—first a flat surface rising from the ground like a frozen table, its edges perfectly smooth and level. Then, as she continued her work, two chair-like structures emerged from the surface, their backs and seats formed from crystalline ice that caught and refracted the dim light filtering through the forest canopy. 

'She makes furniture from ice!' our youngest sister's thoughts sang with delight. 'Do you think she can make snow?' 

No sooner had she finished her frozen construction than Jack reappearing beside the ice table as if he had never been gone. Ivory settled gracefully into one of the ice chairs, and Jack took the other. Despite his ghostly nature, he seemed to have no trouble sitting on the frozen furniture. But the ice table and chairs were only the beginning. As we watched, Ivory began issuing commands both aloud and through the psionic network that connected her to the Swarm. I could sense the mental pressure of her communications, each command like a wave of a lake. 

The response was immediate and coordinated. Half of the Zerglings began to move toward Ivory's position. As they reached the area directly in front of the ice table, they performed an action I had heard around our home but never witnessed: they burrowed. One by one, the creatures vibrated their muscles at low frequencies, the sound barely at the threshold of hearing. The earth and vegetation around them simply... gave way, allowing them to sink through the ground with surprising speed. Within moments, the Zerglings had vanished beneath the surface, leaving only subtle disturbances in the earth to mark their passage. 

'They hide beneath the earth' I breathed, my voice soft with amazement. 'Like seeds waiting for the right season to sprout.' 

The Hydralisks received different orders. The serpentine creatures slithered away from the main group, positioning themselves roughly halfway between the forest edge and the road. Like their smaller cousins, they too began to burrow, though their larger size made the process more dramatic. The ground heaved and shifted as they worked their way beneath the surface, creating subtle ridges that ran parallel to the road. 

The Ultralisk and the Overlords received the most interesting orders of all. Rather than taking obvious defensive positions, they withdrew deeper into the forest, using the massive trees as camouflage. The Ultralisk, despite its enormous size, managed to position itself behind a cluster of particularly large trunks blending surprisingly well with the dark shadows of the forest. The Overlords drifted further back and upward, settling among the thicker branches where their bulbous forms could be mistaken for strange growths if seen. 

'An ambush' my middle sister realized, her thoughts carrying the weight of stone and the certainty of earth. 'They prepare to trap whoever travels that road.' 

I found myself studying the positioning with new eyes. To anyone approaching along the road, the forest edge would appear empty perhaps even welcoming. The ice table and chairs would be visible, of course, along with Ivory and Jack, but they would appear to be simple travelers taking a rest. No obvious threat Just weird people. 

'Who are they hunting?' our youngest asked, her river-song voice carrying a note of unease. 

'We'll find out soon enough' I replied, though I wasn't entirely sure I wanted to know. 

Time continued its strange dance. Ivory and Jack sat at their ice table, engaged in what appeared to be casual conversation. Occasionally, Jack would gesture dramatically, drawing laughter from Ivory that carried clearly through the still air. To any observer, they might have been lovers on a picnic, or old friends catching up on recent events. 

'I'm bored' our youngest sister announced after what felt like the tenth repetition of Jack's latest story. Can't we do something while we wait? 

'Patience' my middle sister counseled. 'Good things come to those who wait.' 

'But what if nothing happens?' our youngest persisted. 'What if we sit here forever and ever and miss dinner and the warm sleeping-spots and—' 

'Shush!'' I interrupted 'Look. On the horizon.' 

Far in the distance, where the road disappeared into the rolling hills, movement had appeared. At first, it was nothing more than a dark speck against the lighter earth, but as we watched, it resolved into something more substantial a group of travelers moving steadily toward our position. 

'Finally!' our youngest sister's thoughts practically danced with excitement. 

As the group drew closer, details became clearer. A convoy of some kind multiple figures on horseback, possibly with pack animals or wagons bringing up the rear. They moved with the steady pace of experienced travelers, neither hurrying nor dawdling, following the road with the confidence of those who had traveled it many times before. 

'Merchants?' my middle sister speculated. 'Travelers? Or something else entirely?' 

The convoy continued its approach, close enough now that I could make out individual figures. Humans, definitely, dressed in what appeared to be travel-worn clothing. Some rode horses, while others walked alongside heavily loaded pack animals. A merchant caravan, then, or perhaps a group of settlers moving to establish themselves elsewhere. 

They appeared peaceful enough, but I noticed that several of the figures carried weapons swords at their hips, bows slung across their backs. Not unusual for travelers in dangerous lands, but it suggested they were prepared for trouble. 

'Do they know what waits for them?' our youngest asked, her musical thoughts now carrying notes of concern. 

'How could they?' I replied. 'The concealment is perfect.' 

As time passed eventually 

The convoy was close enough now that I could make out individual details. It wasn't just merchants as I had first thought—this was a mixed group. I could see traders with their pack animals and wagon, yes, but also armed guards in leather armor, their weapons clearly visible and well-maintained. Several riders wore the look of seasoned warriors, their movements speaking of combat experience and constant alertness. 

'They look dangerous' our youngest sister observed, her river-song thoughts carrying notes of worry. 

'Everyone looks dangerous when they carry sharp things' my middle sister replied with her typical pragmatism. 'The question is whether they mean to use them.' 

As the convoy drew nearer, I watched their leader—a man in his middle years with gray-streaked beard and the bearing of someone accustomed to command—raise his hand to halt the group. They had spotted Ivory and Jack at their ice table, and were clearly debating their next move. 

The conversation among the convoy members was brief but animated. I could see gestures toward the forest, toward Ivory's furniture, and toward the road ahead. Finally, their leader made a decision spurring his horse forward while signaling for three others to accompany him. The rest of the convoy remained where they were, hands resting meaningfully on weapon hilts. 

The four riders approached slowly, their mounts' hooves making soft sounds against the packed earth. As they drew closer to the ice table, I could see Ivory and Jack shift subtly—not threatening, but alert. Ready. The lead rider, a weathered man with intelligent eyes, drew rein about twenty feet from the table. 

______________________________________ 

(Ivory POV) 

*Few minutes before* 

The ice furniture had been surprisingly comfortable, considering it was literally frozen water sculpted into functional seating. I leaned back against the crystalline chair, feeling the cool surface against my spine as I watched the forest around us. Jack sat across from me in his own chair, one leg crossed over the other in a casual pose that seemed at odds with our current situation. His spectral form caught the filtered sunlight streaming through the canopy, creating an almost ethereal glow around his white hair. 

"You know" he said, crossing one leg over the other, "when I imagined being dead, I never pictured sitting on ice furniture in a magical forest waiting for who-knows-what to show up." 

I smirked, letting my gaze drift upward to the trees where I could occasionally catch glimpses of movement. "Could be worse. At least the company's decent." 

"Flattery will get you everywhere." Jack's grin faded slightly as he followed my gaze. "They're still up there, aren't they? The kids?" 

"Of course they are. It's good for them to get out seeing more of the world beyond the clearing." I leaned back in my chair. "They've been cooped up for too long." 

Before Jack could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps and wagon wheels reached us through the forest. The convoy was finally here. 

I straightened slightly, adopting a more formal posture as the first figures came into view. A substantial group looking to be made up of traders, by the look of them, with armed guards and heavily laden wagons. They moved with the practiced efficiency of experienced travelers. 

The convoy halted about Sixty yards away, and I could see their leaders conferring among themselves, clearly debating how to approach the unusual sight we presented. After several minutes, four figures separated from the main group and began walking toward us. 

When they were close enough for comfortable conversation, I stood and raised my hand in greeting. "Travelers, you are welcome here. I offer you the protection of xenia while we speak." 

The lead figure a tall man with graying hair and the bearing of command paused, his brow furrowing slightly. "I'm sorry, what?" 

"Ah...The law of hospitality," I explained, stepping forward with my hand extended. "You will be safe while we talk, I offer some food and we just talk. It is more complicated then that but it does not really matter for now." 

The man's expression shifted to one of interest. "An old custom. I haven't heard it invoked in... well, in quite some time." He stepped forward and clasped my hand firmly. "I accept your hospitality, and offer mine in return. Captain Marcus Blackwater of the Silver Chain Trading Company." 

"Ivy" I replied simply, not offering a family name. We released the handshake, and I gestured toward my ice furniture. "Please, be comfortable. Would you care for refreshment? I'm afraid I don't have much to offer at the moment, but..." 

Blackwater glanced at the ice chairs with obvious curiosity. "Thank you, but we're well-supplied. I confess, I'm more intrigued by your... unique accommodations. This is quite remarkable craftsmanship." 

"A useful skill in warm weather," I said with a slight smile, settling back into my chair. Blackwater took the remaining ice chair, while his three companions two men and a woman remained standing in a loose semicircle. 

"Indeed. And what brings you to these particular woods, if you don't mind my asking? This isn't exactly a well-traveled route." 

I tilted my head thoughtfully. "Business, much like yourself, I'd imagine. These lands have their own opportunities for those who know where to look." I paused. "You all look like strong individuals, What manner of goods does the Silver Chain Trading Company deal in?" 

"Oh, a bit of everything " Blackwater replied easily, though I noticed his eyes never stopped moving, cataloging our surroundings. "We specialize in items that are difficult to acquire through... conventional means. Rare materials, exotic artifacts, specialty goods for discerning clientele." 

"That sounds like profitable work " I observed. "Dangerous, too, I'd imagine." 

"All the best business ventures carry risk." He smiled. "The key is knowing how to minimize it while maximizing opportunity." 

We continued this careful dance of conversation for several minutes, each of us sharing just enough information to seem forthcoming while revealing nothing of real importance. Blackwater spoke of trade routes and market conditions, while I offered vague details about traveling and exploring new territories with meeting new species. 

It was when one of his companions a thin man with five eyes spoke up that the atmosphere began to shift. 

"Captain" the man said quietly, "perhaps we should discuss the more specialized aspects of our business." 

Blackwater's smile took on a sharper edge. "Ah, yes. You see, Ivory, while we do trade in conventional goods, our most profitable ventures involve... shall we say, unique acquisitions." 

Something cold settled in my stomach. "Unique how?" 

"Living acquisitions" Blackwater said, his tone remaining conversational despite the weight of his words. "Rare creatures, magical beings, entities with special properties. There are collectors willing to pay extraordinary sums for the right specimens." 

The temperature around us seemed to drop several degrees, though I wasn't sure if that was my doing or simply my body's response to what I was hearing. "Specimens." 

"Oh, don't look so disapproving" Blackwater chided gently. "We're providing a service. These creatures often live in dangerous conditions, struggling to survive. We offer them safety, care, and purpose. Their new owners provide them with comfortable lives." 

"In cages" I said flatly. 

"In controlled environments suited to their needs." He waved a hand dismissively. "It's really quite humane, all things considered." 

The careful politeness I'd been maintaining began to crack. "Captain Blackwater, I think we may have different definitions of humane." 

"Perhaps we do." His eyes gleamed with sudden interest. "Speaking of which, I couldn't help but notice some movement in the trees above us. Young ones, if I'm not mistaken. Tree-born, by their magical signature. Dryads, perhaps?" 

Every muscle in my body went rigid. "I beg your pardon?" 

"The children hiding in the canopy" he clarified, his smile never wavering. "Quite rare specimens, Treefolk. Especially young ones. They're remarkably adaptable, and their connection to nature makes them valuable for any number of purposes." 

"Captain, I strongly advise you not to make whatever offer you're considering." 

Instead of backing down, Blackwater's smile widened. "Oh, I wasn't planning to make an offer. Market rate for kids is far too high for a simple transaction." 

That's when I saw him make a subtle hand signal to his companions. 

Everything happened at once. 

From the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of figures materializing in the trees above—six of them, moving with supernatural speed toward where the children were hidden. In the same instant, two more figures appeared directly beside me, their hands already moving to tear scrolls from their belts. 

"[SLEEP]!" they shouted in unison, and I felt the magic slam into me like a physical blow. 

I tried to fight it, tried to resist, but the spell was too strong and too sudden. The world went dark as consciousness fled. 

The world tilted sideways as the sleep magic slammed into me like a physical blow. My knees buckled, and I felt myself pitching forward toward the ice table, my vision already darkening around the edges. The last thing I registered was the satisfied smirk on Blackwater's face as consciousness fled. 

I came to just as my forehead struck the crystalline surface with a sharp crack that sent spider-web fractures across the frozen tabletop. The impact jarred me fully awake, stars dancing across my vision as I pushed myself upright, one hand pressed to my throbbing head. 

Jack was gone from my sight the absence felt like a missing limb, a cold emptiness where his presence should have been. 

I straightened slowly, my hand falling away from my forehead as I took in the scene before me. Blackwater and his three companions were mounted on horses now, riding at what could generously be called a brisk trot back toward their convoy. Not galloping in panic. Not fleeing in terror. Just riding with the casual confidence of people who had completed a successful business transaction and were returning to collect their payment. 

They weren't even worried. 

The realization hit me like a physical blow. To them, I was just another obstacle they'd overcome. Another problem solved with the right application of force and magic. They'd taken the children and they were riding away like it was nothing more than Tuesday's work. 

A low chuckle escaped my lips, dark and humorless. The sound seemed to come from somewhere deep in my chest, carrying undertones that didn't sound entirely human. My vision sharpened with crystalline clarity as fury flooded through my veins like molten metal. 

"How absolutely precious" I whispered to myself, my voice dripping with venom. "Father would have been ecstatic for corrections with this mistake." 

The ground beneath my feet began to shift. 

It started as a subtle tremor, the earth responding to the pressure radiating from the Swarm. But as my rage built, the tremors intensified. The spot where the zerglings had been hiding suddenly began to crack and buckle as dozens of them stirred beneath the surface. 

This was personal. 

"Mission parameters" I said aloud, my voice carrying the crisp cadence of a military briefing even as my lips curved into a predatory smile. "Secure targets. One survivor for interrogation." 

I paused, letting the words hang in the air like a death sentence, my gaze fixed on the distant figures still riding casually toward their convoy. 

"FETCH!" 

At the sound, I saw Blackwater's group finally react. Heads turned, horses shied, and suddenly their casual trot became something much more urgent. But they were still maintaining formation, still confident in their escape route. 

I launched myself forward, my legs pistoning beneath me as I sprinted after the mounted slavers. As I ran, something unexpected happened. The magic that had been dormant since my transformation suddenly stirred to life, not because I called it, but because my body remembered patterns from another life. Without conscious thought, energy began to flow through the same network pattern that was embedded in my skeletal structure when I was Julius, somehow it seems my body remembered. 

Behind me, the forest exploded into motion. 

The ground where the Ultralisk had been resting erupted like a volcanic geyser in the forest. Earth and stone fountained skyward as twenty meters of armored muscle burst from its concealment, its massive blades cutting trees with each shake. The creature's emergence was so violent that ancient trees simply toppled over from the shockwave, their roots torn from soil that had been turned to powder by the beast's awakening. 

All along the forest floor, concealed positions suddenly revealed themselves in explosions of organic matter. Zerglings that had been lying dormant beneath the leaf litter burst upward like deadly flowers blooming, their chitinous hides glistening as they shook off dirt and debris. The sound of their emergence was like a hundred landmines detonating simultaneously sharp cracks of displaced earth followed by the distinctive chittering battle-cries of the swarm.