Chapter 289: The Warden and the Grove.

Those who tried to run were instantly snatched. The sharp roots coiled around them and their half life beasts like giant python coils, locking them in place.

Only Zyra and Bianca remained untouched, standing as frozen as stone statues while the rest of the group squirmed and yelled against the crushing grip.

Neil fumbled for the knife at his belt, preparing to slice through the root pinning his torso. "I wouldn’t do that, if I were you. You are just going to piss off the damn thing even more." Zyra warned without moving an inch.

A sharp chime echoed in her mind, [Host, this is a plant-type beast that falls in the category called the Warden. It guards hidden treasures and protects whatever it considers vulnerable. Do not release your beasts; if it feels threatened, it will crush them and your friends.]

Zyra lifted her eyes toward the main trunk, and a chill ran down her spine. The tree was horrifying. Rising high above the ruins, its bark was twisted like rotting black flesh, covered in pulsing red veins. At the very center of the giant trunk, the wood groaned and warped, forming a giant, angry face with hollow eyes that stared down at its prisoners.

Neil was completely speechless. "I’ve traveled everywhere," he wheezed, his face turning red under the root’s pressure. "I’ve seen fire dragon hatchlings and red phoenixes_ but a plant beast? This is a first." He looked at Zyra intensely. "Also, help."

Zyra kept her head perfectly still, her voice cool. "I guess that old myth wasn’t just a myth after all."

Milly’s eyes widened through the dust. "Wait, the legend of the Hidden Mountain of Stones? Could it really be right here!?" She had gone limp, and stopped struggling.

Why did you break my root?! a voice bellowed.

To Neil and the others, it was just a terrifying roar, accompanied by tree branches slapping stinging sand into their faces. But to Zyra, the words were crystal clear.

System, how do I fix this? Zyra asked internally.

[This is an emotional beast, Host. It existed long before the apocalypse. An extinct tribe used to worship these Wardens. I detect more buried around here. Try worshiping it_ you don’t have to actually believe in it, just act.]

Zyra moved instantly. The Warden’s wooden face snapped toward her, and a heavy root shot out like a spear_ only to freeze inches from her chest as Zyra dropped to her knees.

"Forgive us, mighty guardian!" Zyra pleaded, bowing her head into the sand. "We are ignorant travelers! We beg for your mercy and forgiveness for damaging your root! Whatever you ask of us, we shall do."

"What is she doing!" Neil asked.

Before she could stand, a swarm of thinner roots wrapped around her, coiling like a wooden web and lifting her into the air.

Bianca’s hand instantly flew to her sword hilt. Zyra shook her head frantically. Don’t!

Elfy pinched her lips tight and tried to wriggle free, but the tree tightened its grip on her ribs, making her squeak like a squeezed toy.

[Its anger is fading, Host. It’s calming down,] the system chimed.

Zyra let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.

The Warden leaned its monstrous face closer, its wooden brows furrowed in confusion. You_ you carry deep fear. You are worried for your life. Why?

A single drop of brown sap dripped from an overhead leaf, falling straight onto Zyra’s forehead and sinking into her skin.

[Warning: Oath Sap detected in Host’s system. You can tell nothing but the absolute truth.]

Zyra’s chest heaved. A lump formed in her throat, and tears choked her voice as the sap forced the truth right out of her. "People are hunting me!" she cried out, her eyes shining with raw emotion. "I was treated unfairly, framed, and forced to run for my life_ but they won’t stop chasing me! I came here looking for poison roots just to evolve my beast so I can survive better. So that it can survive too. Even if I die, it should have a fighting chance and live on freely in the wild."

The Warden’s terrifying expression softened. The sharp bark smoothed over, and it gently lowered Zyra back to the sand, uncoiling its roots from her waist.

"You are willing to sacrifice for your beast." tree growled, its voice sounding like rustling leaves. You value it, which means you value the life of others, not just yourself. Many humans have come for help at my roots but they were selfish. Many have died here. This earth has known more blood than water. Child, you are worthy of my protection.

Zyra wiped her cheek, looking up at the towering plant beast. "If you want to protect me_ would you like to become my contracted beast?"

Behind her, Neil, Bullet, and the rest of the crew stared in utter disbelief. A plant beast wasn’t an egg you incubated in a warm nest or a pup you raised on high grade meat_ this was a grown, damn-ass giant tree! A tree could not become a half-life beast!

Zyra released the aura of the beast domain, for she knew seduction was what it would take. What sentient tree would not give up a desert for safe, fertile land.

The Warden let out a long, heavy sigh. I accept.

Beauty jumped for high. [Ding! Contract initiated... Beast Bonding Complete!]

Suddenly, the Warden’s big branches bowed low toward Zyra. We shall protect you fiercely, Master.

Zyra raised an eyebrow. "We?"

The Warden’s wooden lips stretched into a wide smile. Me_ and my family.

Rise! the Warden commanded.

The ground trembled and exploded! Dozens of tiny twigs scattered across the desert swelled, bursting into big, roaring tree guardians that filled the horizon.

"Holy moly!" Neil yelled, dangling from a branch.

[Bonus Perk: By bonding with the Alpha Warden, you have contracted the entire grove. Congratulations host on contracting a rare beast. Resonance has gone up to 50% You have received 300,000 resonance points, a system upgrade and an upgrade in the system shop to include plant nutrients.]

Zyra couldn’t help it_ she burst out into a loud, joyful laugh, looking around at her brand-new army of wooden giants.

"Hey! mother master!" Elfy shouted, waving her trapped legs. "We’re still prisoners over here!"

"Oh, right," Zyra smirked. "Set them down gently."

The roots relaxed, dropping everyone to the ground, thought the trees made sure to catch them inches from the sand for a soft landing.

Milly dusted off her boots, looking back and forth between Zyra and the giant forest. "What_ what just happened?"

Bianca rolled her eyes, smacking Milly on the back of the head. "You almost got us killed, you dumbass. I knew we shouldn’t have let you tag along with us. Everyone on this team knows to follow Zyra. If she says walk, you walk. When she says jump, you jump, no questions asked."

The lead dragon snake hissed. "Didn’t you have questions when she told you to follow me?"

Meanwhile, Etania fell to her knees, clutching her hands in prayer. "All Hail the Divine Soul Maiden. Even the trees bow before you."

Zyra groaned.

Neil and Milly exchanged a long, thoroughly confused look.

"Divine...." Neil began

"Don’t." Zyra warned him sternly. She glared at Etania. "You either stand up or I let the tree eat you."