Chapter 110: Roots of dominion

One week later. Seven days had passed since Korrath’s biomechanical Avatar crashed down, a colossus of chrome and ember now nothing more than twisted metal and scorched earth. Seven days had passed since the Forgotten City shuddered beneath the fall of Korrath’s biomechanical Avatar, seven days since Clayton felt the raw, molten pulse of Genesis Embers flood his core, surging and boiling until his being resonated with undeniable strength. Now, standing atop a crumbling skyscraper, overlooking the battered expanse of New Chicago, Clayton felt an intense, primal satisfaction. Before, the Forgotten Atlanta Expanse was just a ruined city. But now, after the baptism of the clash between Clayton and Korrath, two Verdant Lords, the ruined city was more. Below him laid a city reshaped by war, battle-scarred yet brimming with potential. Scarred but reborn, forged from the flames of war. Destruction and creation, they say it’s a cycle. Clayton confirmed it. Every Verdant Lord in existence got hold of their territory by completing a Genesis trial, a quest to weed the true challengers from the weak. And now, Clayton joined the exclusive tier of Verdant Lords who survived the 2nd Genesis Trial, becoming a true ruler, a Luminous Seed Awakened. This city... it was now his city. Beneath him, he could feel the city’s pulse, a rhythmic beating that resonated deep within his core. It was a silent proclamation: this was now his dominion. Clayton’s Aphid Network had flourished spectacularly in the aftermath of the battle. Exactly one hundred and fourteen Behemorphs now served him, their minds intricately bound to his own through a vast tapestry of Genesis Embers. He felt their thoughts, sensed their desires, and commanded their loyalty with an ease that astounded even himself. With every passing moment, the threads of connection thickened, deepened, forging a bond unbreakable by anything short of annihilation. Clayton felt like a true ruler. From his vantage, he could sense each node; a complex tapestry of Ember-charged consciousness bound directly to him. With each heartbeat, the threads of his dominion pulsed, a web of emerald intent stretching across the city. He was stronger now, unquestionably so, his Genesis Embers fully saturated, six thousand vibrant, molten pulses thrumming in synchrony with a vibrant and fierce energy within his Heartseed Core. Power surged through him in relentless waves, a testament to his rapid and fierce evolution into a true Verdant Lord. But, that aside, he was stronger due to a different reason now. He was no longer just an Initiate Ember Verdant Lord. Now, he was a true Luminous Seed powerhouse, a true Verdant Lord. Reading his intentions at the moment, the system lit up with a notification. DING! ~----~ [Status Update!] [Awakened: Clayton Hunt] [Rank: Luminous Seed Verdant Lord] [Genesis Embers: 0/6,000] [Aphid Network: 114 Behemorphs] *1 Spore Plague Lord. *23 Thornweave Sentinels. *2 Emberflame Drones. *49 Thorn Hounds. *22 Emberwings. *5 Emberclaw Sentinels. *12 Flameveil Stalkers. ~----~ Clayton’s total Genesis Embers reset, back to 0 out of 6,000. But it didn’t mean that he lost all the Genesis Embers that he’d amassed through months of hunting since returning from Echoterra. No, his Awakened body absorbed it all during his evolution to the Luminous Seed rank, strengthening him even more, taking him to a whole new level of power. And by resetting, it opened a new avenue for him to get even stronger. Clayton finally focused on what was below him. Below, his companions were hard at work securing their victory. It’s been 7 days already, but there was still work left to be done. Remnants of Korrath’s army were still left in the city. Even after 7 days. Hunting them down had been hard, but they made progress every single day, after making sure that their route out of the ruined city was blocked. With Clayton’s Aphid Network always active, and his Hive-Sight a menace, escaping out of the city unscathed was an impossible task. Even more now that Clayton’s Aphid Network now had over 100 Behemorphs. BZZZ! Torren moved methodically across the ruined battlefield, his Pyreaxe cleaving through the lingering remnants of Emberclaw Sentinels with precise brutality. Each swing was measured, controlled, yet carried an explosive force that left molten slag in its wake. Veyra fought alongside him, still in temporary possession of Regalia. WHOOSH! She fired thorn-tipped arrows in swift succession. Watching Veyra fire arrows at enemies never stopped being fascinated to Clayton. He was endlessly fascinated seeing her in action. Her precision was flawless, each arrow hitting its mark, embedding deep into fleeing biomechanical drones. The moment that the leader of the army died, the army of drones and bio-mechanical horrors became leaderless. They instantly lost the bulk of their lethality. Kaelin danced through the shadows, dispatching the fleeing mercenaries with the silent grace of an assassin. His movements were an elegant dance of death. They were tired, exhausted, but the work still had to be done. Nearby, Soren’s blade burned white-hot, searing through corrupted constructs with unwavering determination. Meanwhile, Lorn tirelessly maintained her healing vines, weaving protective barriers and repairing the damage inflicted upon her comrades. After watching for a while, Clayton no longer stayed idle. He jumped. He allowed gravity to guide him downward, roots blossoming gently from beneath his feet to slow his descent. And then... Thud! He landed softly, drawing the attention of his companions, who turned to face him with respect and pride. Clayton let out a barely concealed sigh. Just like Torren once bugged him, pleaded and begged for him to stop calling him ’boss’, now it was his turn to beg his friends to stop viewing him different. From the moment that Clayton evolved, becoming a Luminous Seed rank Verdant Lord, everything about him changed. His power, his presence, it aura, it all changed. If he didn’t actively try to contain his aura, the mere mistake of carelessly being in his presence was suffocating. Since then, they all changed the way they viewed him and addressed him. Of course, Clayton was against it but it didn’t matter. Their ways was set. He sighed again. "We’re nearly done," Torren said, sweat streaming down his soot-streaked face. He rested the Pyreaxe over his shoulder, embers flickering off its blade. "There’s barely anything left of Korrath’s forces". Clayton nodded solemnly, casting his gaze across the battlefield. "Korrath will finally understand his limits". His gaze was gold. "This city is beyond his reach now". Torren smirked confidently. "When you were still just Initiate Ember, he had a chance. But as a Luminous Seed?" He grinned. "He knows..." "With your Aphid Network and newfound strength, he’s bound to think twice about challenging us again". "I bet he’s still cracking his head to know what rank your Aspect is". Clayton coughed. Veyra stepped closer, adjusting her grip on Regalia, her expression contemplative yet proud. "Seeing how fast you’ve grown, how powerful you’ve become... it’s incredible". "You were born for this, Clayton". ’Can you snap out of it already?’ Was what he wanted to say. But he just smiled faintly, the praise touching something deep inside him. "Thank you, Veyra. But strength alone isn’t enough to hold a city". "I can’t rebuild the Scorchpaths. But here, with my Rootsite, I can actually do something". He looked into the distance. "I need something more". Torren straightened, determination flaring in his eyes. "Then claim it completely". "Huh?" Clayton looked at him. Torren shrugged. "I mean, conquest is just the beginning. To secure our victory long-term, you need roots. Real roots". Clayton looked intrigued. "What exactly do you mean?" "An enclave," Torren said with resolve. "A place like Verdis Hold. A safe haven, a place where survivors can gather. Most Verdant Lords do it, why can’t you?" "It would give us purpose, security, and dignity". "Under your protection, Clayton, they can rebuild. You wouldn’t just be their conqueror; you’d be their leader in a dead world". Clayton felt a spark ignite within him, resonating deeply within his Heartseed Core. "An enclave..." he mused, tasting the word, feeling its rightness. Veyra placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, a gentle warmth in her gaze. "Torren is right. You don’t just command power, Clayton... you inspire trust". "People will follow you willingly. I’ve seen it in your eyes". Clayton’s eyes traveled slowly across his companions, warriors who had fought, bled, and endured unimaginable hardships by his side. Maybe not unimaginable, but still harrowing. The battlefield around them, though devastated, suddenly whispered a quiet promise of renewal and growth. "Then it’s decided," Clayton declared firmly. "We’ll build this enclave together. We’ll forge a sanctuary, a new beginning. Here, our roots will anchor deep, strong enough to withstand any storm". Torren extended his hand, eyes gleaming with fierce pride. "To the Verdant Lord, then." He grinned. "Our leader, our protector". This time, Clayton didn’t flinch. He grasped his friend’s hand firmly, sealing their vow. "To our new home". The rest of the team gathered close, their faces lit by determination and unity. In that moment, amidst the ruins and wreckage, a profound silence settled; a solemn, unspoken pact solidifying their commitment to the future. The Forgotten Atlanta Expanse, though battered and scarred, had finally found its ruler. Clayton’s enclave was ready to rise.