The Married Life Of Immortals

Once both Bane and Lysia reached the tree, they could see Wei Nam Lee dragging a black handled paint brush to make red marks on the ground. Though, Bane's eyes were drawn to the strange massive boar that was being dangled from a tree with glowing rope. The massive beast's neck was cut, and there was a bucket underneath that was catching the blood.

"Where did the big pig come from?" Bane asked as Lysia and him walked over to see the progress.

Wei Nam Lee stopped dragging the brush and looked up at Bane, wiping sweat from his brow with his sleeve. "Ah, Brother Bane and Master Lysia, you have returned. It is good to see you are safe, but I had to go get Mizuage to hunt that Black Horned Boar King. I needed the spiritual beast blood to draw the Nine-Pointed Purple Dragon Grasp Array, and the stuff I have is of a lower quality. I also wouldn't have had enough to draw something of this size."

Lysia nodded approvingly at Wei Nam Lee's explanation. "Good thinking. The spiritual beast's blood will enhance the potency of the array. Is Mizuage back with you?"

Wei Nam Lee glanced around and spotted Mizuage emerging from the shadows of the forest, carrying a bundle of herbs and roots. Mizuage's expression was grim, his usual arrogance replaced with a focused determination as he joined the group.

"I found what you asked for," Mizuage said curtly, handing over the bundle to Wei Nam Lee. "Let's get on with this. The longer we linger here, the greater the risk."

Wei Nam Lee nodded in agreement, his demeanor calm and methodical as he resumed his task. He dipped the brush into the bucket of spiritual beast blood and began carefully tracing intricate symbols on the ground around the Nexus Tree. Each stroke of the brush seemed to imbue the ground with a faint, pulsating glow as if the array was awakening under his skillful touch.

As Wei Nam Lee worked, Lysia and Mizuage kept watch, scanning the perimeter for any signs of disturbance or approaching danger. The eerie stillness of the clearing was punctuated only by the soft rustling of leaves and the occasional distant cry of unseen creatures. During this time, Bane and Eve watched while the other recorded every stroke Wei Nam Lee made.

"This is some serious magic," Bane remarked quietly, his eyes fixed on the glowing symbols taking shape on the ground. "I've never seen anything like it."

Wei Nam Lee nodded, his concentration unwavering as he continued to inscribe the intricate symbols. "It's a specialized array designed to contain and neutralize the energy flow of the Nexus Tree without disrupting its fundamental structure. If all goes according to plan, it should create a temporary barrier that will dampen the tree's power."

"Temporarily? That doesn't sound like a solution for the problem," Bane said, looking side-long over at Lysia who had an expression that said she knew this was a waste of time.

Wei Nam Lee stopped what he was doing, and put up his hands. "Wait! This isn't the only thing! This is just to seal it! After the Nexus Tree is sealed, we will have to deal with the Tree Spirits, or you will all have to. I will have to start the second array once the first is active. During that time, we need to get rid of the Tree Spirits."

Bane sighed and then nodded. "Should be easy enough with the three of us."

"No," Mizuage said. "The moment that the first array is activated, every spiritual beast within three miles will be drawn to this surge of spiritual energy. The elf and I will have to take care of them, and you will be responsible for fighting the Tree Spirits. Normally, you shouldn't stand a chance against them, but your recent development with Mana should be more than enough."

"Wait! You want me to fight them alone?" Bane demanded but then looked to Lysia, but her nod didn't help. "Can you at least tell me about them?"

"Ask the voice in your head," Lysia said and then spread her arms. Bane could see the mana in the area, even though it was thin, be drawn towards Lysia.

Shaking his head and turning back to the big glowing tree, Bane looked up and eyed the guardians who were now all staring at him. 'So? What do you know about these things? Any suggestions on how I am supposed to fight them?'

Eve's voice resonated in Bane's mind, her tone calm yet filled with the weight of experience. ‘The Tree Spirits, or Tree Guardians as they're sometimes called, are formidable opponents. They possess a deep connection to the Nexus Tree, drawing strength and resilience from it. Each Guardian is a unique amalgamation of spiritual energy and elemental affinity, shaped by the Nexus Tree's influence.’

‘As for their abilities,’ Eve continued, ‘they excel in elemental manipulation, often wielding powers of earth, wind, water, and even lightning. Their attacks are swift and precise, capable of manipulating their surroundings to trap and overwhelm their opponents. Additionally, their bodies are resilient, with bark-like skin that offers natural protection against physical and magical attacks.’

Bane listened intently, absorbing Eve's insights. ‘What about their weaknesses? Every creature has one.’

Eve paused briefly before responding. ‘Their connection to the Nexus Tree is both their strength and their vulnerability. Severing this connection weakens them significantly. However, this is no easy task, as it requires disrupting their spiritual link while navigating their powerful elemental defenses.’

Bane frowned, contemplating the challenge ahead. ‘I can't use spiritual energy, nor can I cast spells. The best that I can do is use my mana veins to make me stronger and faster, and the enemies a bit slower like with my fight with Ezio. I also have Agarta, Kyōka, and Yume, but can I use them somehow to cut that connection?’

Eve considered Bane's question, her thoughts aligning with the capabilities of his astral soul weapons. ‘Agarta's knives could be crucial here. Their ability to alter trajectory mid-air could help you target the Tree Spirits' weak points or disrupt their attacks. Use them strategically to create openings or to aim for vulnerable spots like their eyes or joints, where their bark-like armor might be weaker.’

‘As for Kyōka and Yume,’ Eve continued, ‘their combined abilities could provide both offensive and defensive advantages. Kyōka's blade, infused with lunar energy, can enhance your strikes, but you should remember to gauge your strikes; you don't always have to fully charge each attack. Yume's illusions might help you create diversions or confusion, but you would be better to only make partial illusions of your strikes. Doing this is likely to disrupt the Guardians' coordinated attacks and give you more of a chance to defend yourself.’

Bane nodded, taking in Eve's advice. ‘So, Agarta for precision and disrupting attacks, and Kyōka and Yume for enhancing my strikes and creating chaos. This will let me fight them, but how do I disrupt the link between them and the Nexus tree? Something tells me that if I can't do that, I am not going to have a hope of beating them, period, even with all of my weapons and tricks, right?’

Eve's voice resonated in Bane's mind, guiding him through the strategic use of his astral soul weapons. ‘To disrupt the link between the Tree Spirits and the Nexus Tree, you'll need to target the nexus points where their spiritual energy converges. These points are usually located at the base of their bodies, near their roots. Agarta's knives can help you with this; aim for those nexus points to sever or destabilize their connection to the tree.’

Bane nodded, visualizing the strategy. ‘So, I'll use Agarta to target their nexus points and disrupt their link. Once they're weakened, I can use Kyōka and Yume to capitalize on the openings and finish them off.’

‘Exactly,’ Eve affirmed. ‘Remember, precision and timing will be crucial. The Tree Spirits are formidable opponents, but with your weapons and agility, you have a fighting chance.’

As Wei Nam Lee completed the Nine Pointed Purple Dragon Grasp Array and activated the first barrier around the Nexus Tree, the air around them crackled with restrained energy. The symbols glowed with a soft purple hue, indicating the array's activation and readiness.

"We're ready," Wei Nam Lee announced, stepping back from the completed array. "The barrier should contain the Nexus Tree's energy flow temporarily. Mizuage and Lysia will handle the spiritual beasts drawn to this location, and I will prepare the next array. Bane, your task is to deal with the Tree Spirits. Remember our plan and stay focused."