Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 43: Willow's End

I didn't know how to feel about this. Kazu's suggestion of using his staff's ability to burn down the vines was pretty risky considering that we were surrounded by a wall of trees, but the fact its power was able to nullify the vines' regeneration would allow us to get through the [Black Willow's] defenses and charge in with a full-frontal attack. Regardless, I decided to go through it not just because of our limited time here, but also for Kazu and Bai Hu's sake as well. We had endured everything that crazy tree had thrown at us in this battle and right now, it's payback time!

[Kazu, are you ready on your end?] I mentally asked through the game's whisper feature as a precaution to avoid getting any attention from the monsters.

[All ready! But are you sure that this plan is going to work?]

[Trust me. I've seen like plans like this in movies and I only need your staff for the second phase of this plan. If you can do it again, then it will be a success.]

We had done some tests not long before while we were concealed in another [Mana Barrier] and right now, the monsters were still looking for us due to Kazu destroying most of their vines. We used another [Smoke Bottle] to cover our tracks and to ensure that we were able to split up and get into our positions for this phase. After that, it's all up to our old lady luck to see through this fight's climax.

[Okay, if you're confident about this plan, then I'm ready. Just give me a signal when you're ready!]

With Kazu prepared, I figured it was time to teach those tree monsters not to mess with the Palmer brothers. Of course, I needed to get their attention.

"Hey, you dumb vines! Everyone says that you're tough enough to beat Bai Hu. Yet you can't even kill a kid and a teenager in just a few seconds? Just how slow are you?"

I didn't know if I should cringe at this or slap myself for that lame insult, but it had provoked them enough for them charge towards me and began trying to break through the barrier. As they did that, I took out my bow and two arrows and aimed towards the sky. And once the barrier broke after a few seconds, I unleashed another [Arrow Shower].

"Kazu, now!"

Using one of the [Physical Enhancement] abilities, I took a step back away from the vines just as the arrows from my [Arrow Shower] rained down on the [Malevolent Vines] right in front of me. But that was not the only attack we used against those monsters. Once the last arrow struck one of the vines, several bolts of lightning flashed and shocked them all from behind before setting them on fire, causing them to flail in pain. However, not all of the vines caught on fire as some of them quickly charged towards me, at which I quickly ran. Unfortunately for them, I headed straight towards Kazu who was standing at the ready.

"Did any of the vines escape your attack?"

"Yep," I replied. "Guess we're moving on to Phase 2. This means..."

I took out another arrow, but instead of loading into my bow, I handed it to Kazu and said, "It's time we set them ablaze."

Kazu nodded as he took it and tapped it against his staff. Once he did, its stones began to glow as it gave off a small spark on the arrow and ignited the tip with a small flame. Once he handed it back to me, I quickly loaded it into my bow and with precise aim, I released the bowstring, letting the fire arrow fly towards and strike through the vine, setting it on fire as the vine flailed and thrashed wildly.

"Hah! It's working!" I exclaimed and smiled at this.

"Yeah! I know trees burn easily, but I never imagined my staff's power could disable its regeneration abilities as well!" Kazu added. "But this is our chance to strike back!"