Chapter 213 - Bloom

"Uh. I don't know about that Mogranius. The guy used an Axe!" Clarified Nicolas. When it comes to this tree, nothing can be sure about it without proper research. If he just agreed that Mogranius can damage it without actually being absolutely sure about it, Mogranius coffin could be resting on Nicolas' conscious. If Ghosts even have a conscious that is. "Plus he used some kind of "special word" to grant him immunity against the Ghost tree." Explained the Ghost as he used his hooves to airpoke, rather adorable to watch.

"Well that's a smart approach, I doubt it is anyone we know." Quoted Mogranius, it is nice to know that even after the Ghost Tree stopped clouding his mind, sarcasm remained as a soul characteristic. As if it was genetic. Afterwards bold enough, he decided. "Eh the heck with it. I will try anyway."

Taking a few steps back and gesturing for the two to back up as well, he started it off with a little Fireblast. It can't even be considered a Fireball since it was too small and too short. Expecting the worst, Mogranius closed his eyes and raised his hands in front of him as if he was protecting himself from an explosion.

Opening his eyes, he was slightly surprised to see that the Fire didn't ignite the Tree. This proves that the tree isn't so easily set on fire, but also that he can't die if he tries to shoot again with a bigger Fireball. This just gave him less limits!

Taking a few more steps back, he tried to shoot a bigger fireball. But another complication appeared, well more like the complication was already there, he just didn't think about it yet. There are too many trees around too shoot a big Fireball from a distance. He could risk starting a forest fire just for a simple test, that's not worth it. A lot of domains have thrived because of the Forest after all and it shouldn't be damaged for a personal project, the Dense Forest Kin is safe already. He would only be shooting for himself.

So he took a different approach, same plan different position. He flew over 20 meters high and aimed at the Ghost Tree, now it is time to truly test if this tree can be destroyed without a terrible aftermath as a result. I mean, at least he won't be burning the Forest.

Forming a Sphere of Fire lasting roughly a second, he unleashed it against the tree and crossed his fingers after it, in the hopes of success. Unfortunately, the tree stood still strong. Noticing it, he wasn't a fan. "Son of a..." Out of rage he started shooting randomly spreading Fire instead of Fireballs who are a lot more directed. The Fire started spreading from 5-14 feet wide randomly and shifted sizes, against the tree.

He even started flying higher because of all of that power blasting against the tree, the wave of Fire he was constantly unleashing started draining a lot of his Stamina too. Mogranius showed no sign of stopping until Eric popped up behind him and patted Mogranius on his shoulder. "This isn't working. Don't waste your Stamina on it."

Luckily, Mogranius was willing to cooperate and tried to stop. There is one problem though, the Ghost Tree had other thoughts (If it can actually think that is.). Hence the word, "He tried to stop.".

"Eric. We have a problem!" Yelled out Mogranius louder than the roaring blaze. "I can't stop!"

Eric didn't understand what Mogranius meant and just figured that he is trying to show off again. "This isn't a time to be a Hero. You need to stop!" Tried Eric to yell as much as he can in order to be heard, trying to drag Mogranius out of trouble as if he was his mother.

"I literally can't stop." Yelled back Mogranius assuring the severity of this situation, indirectly asking for help.

Quick enough, Eric thought a little plan. And grabbed Mogranius on the arm pits, started pulling him higher after. He figured that if the Fire is out of reach from the tree, he can stop shooting. Since this problem is obviously linked to the tree, being out of reach might fix it.

Since Mogranius was already flying higher due to all of this force being unleashed against the tree, it wasn't hard to move him higher especially with an Electus as an aid. In a split second he moved around 30 meters high in the sky, but the Fire was still connected to the Tree. 

Seeing that this distance isn't long enough, Eric flew even higher until he reached up to 100 meters above the ground! Thankfully, this time it worked. No matter how powerful the Tree is, it can't push Mogranius through the limits he has with his Fire Controlling. Such continues lasting Fire can't stretch 100 meters long!

"Thanks Kid!" Showed Mogranius his gratitude and started flying on his own. The tree took a lot out of him with this little move, but he still has enough Stamina to fly. "I owe you one."

"You owe me a hundred." Exaggerated Eric joking around. "I'm always carrying you out of trouble. It should be the other way around with me being a kid and all." For a kid who doesn't talk too much, this sure exceeds his limits in many standards or aspects. I suppose it just means that he knows Mogranius long enough to be comfortable around him enough to offend him. Pure friendship.

"Yeah yeah. Less talking more flying." Reacted Mogranius to such an accurate comment, but was mostly curious about the tree and why it dragged his fire furthermore towards it, as if just asking to be burned.

Once he reached the ground, Nicolas dashed towards them, wearing a confused but also worried look on his face, he asked. "What the hell was that? Why did you fly that high?"

"Well my most believable theory is that the tree is too hungry. Souls probably aren't the only thing it consumes. I couldn't stop blasting Fire from that reason." Taking a look at the top of the Tree after, he added with a lot of irritation. "The worst part is that the tree didn't even burn!"

"Let's see how it fares against an Electus." Added Eric, ready to do quite a bold move. Even starting to form Fire around his palm, reaching out to the rest of his hand after.

"No. We can't risk it! The Tree can drain a lot more from you if you end up sharing the same fate as me." Tried Mogranius to stop Eric from doing something stupid this time, how the tables have turned.

While holding Eric back, something caught his eye. He approached the Ghost Tree closer and took a glance at one of portion, specifically where a Branch used to be. It is just a little bump on the trunk as an aftermath of a branch being cut out from it.

What caught his eye, is that something new appeared on that little bump. A small finger like branch bloomed on it stretching roughly a foot long. "Was this here before?" Gestured Mogranius at it, asking for other eyes to glance upon it. For one Eric is younger, therefore he can memorize more, able to notice something different. As for Nicolas, he claims to even have touched the tree so he must have had a better look at it until now.

"What do you mean?" Asked Eric, not so clear about what Mogranius was pointing at.

But Nicolas on the other hand, was more aware. Especially since the atmosphere for him individually changed. He felt as if he was being dragged in, but the suckage was very weak. Fightable even! He could easily walk, back but the drag was still there. "Something definitely changed. I don't remember that little branch being there, I have been looking at this tree for days."

Able to put two and two together, Mogranius specified. "Amazing. The tree drained my Fire and used it to bloom a Branch." At this point, it wasn't so hard to figure it out. "I don't think we should tamper with it anymore, it would take an eternity to grow the branches back anyway." Turning his attention towards Nicolas after, Mogranius requested. "The next time you manage to find a "Hero", please make him or her cut down this little branch. Don't let it grow."

Afterwards the two Ignites greeted Nicholas and took off towards the sky. It is the best decision for now. Fire doesn't even burn it and it seems to use anything to its advantage. This form of dark magic shouldn't be experimented with, it is the definition of demonic.

Little did they know, once Eric and Mogranius took off. Another person approached the Ghost tree and grabbed a Branch from the ground. Nicolas was able to notice this person and approached it on his Deer form, asking. "Who are you?"