Chapter 88: Treacherous journey [12]

Words : 1020 Updated : Sep 20th, 2025

DING! ~----~ [Behemorphs Slain: 8 Ashveil Raptors (Luminous Seed)] [Aphid Network Losses: 3 Initiate Ember Minions] [Genesis Embers Acquired: 83 (Team Kills)] [Genesis Embers Acquired: 317 (Aphid Network Stampede Harvest)] [Genesis Embers Total: 4,164/6,000] [Aspect Strain: High] ~----~ Clayton had gained out of this gamble than he ever expected. In just 1 night, though he lost a few minions to get here, it was still worth it since his total Genesis Embers swelled by almost 2,000. That was a figure he couldn’t even earn in months. It was worth it. The team collapsed on thorn-riddled ground, the gorge a twisted wasteland of lava and spines. Clayton’s Hive-Sight confirmed the Aphid Network’s haul, losses heavy but worth it. Territorial Sentience pinged Ashen Covenants’ Ember Witches, their rituals clearer, and a Scorched Clans camp nearby. Torren, panting, gripped his Pyreaxe. "Clayton, those roots saved us again". By now, his trust was absolute, awe tinged with less questions after coming to his own conclusion that Clayton must have a Verdant Warden rank Aspect. Clayton smirked, stowing Regalia. "Just a guy who likes digging". He pocketed the Embers, Nexus’s pulse quieting. Veyra, wiping ash, grinned. "You’re full of it, but I’m glad you’re here". Her trust was complete, probing gone. Lorn patched Soren’s cuts, voice soft. "Kaelin, you listened for once. Good". Kaelin nodded, chastened. "Thanks, Lorn. Clayton, you’re a beast". Clayton rolled his eyes. "You’ve said that a million times already". "That’s because you’re really a beast!" Clayton chuckled and waved a hand dismissively. "Ok, ok, I accept". Soren, Emberblade sheathed, spoke low. "My brother’d call this a nightmare. You’re our spine, Clayton". The others stared at him, slightly concerned now by how frequently Soren mentioned his long dead brother. He’s not contemplating death, right? Clayton instinctively shifted closer to him, so that in case of a suicide mission in motion, he could stop it on time. Torren rallied them. "Stampede’s done. We rest tomorrow, then push on". The team nodded, bonds forged in fire, dawn breaking. And finally, the long night came to an end. ... Day 16. The team rested in a sheltered ravine, the Earthcore Nexus’s pulse a dull throb. Clayton sat, Shedskin cloaked, Regalia in spear form, Thornshade Dagger at his hip. The Aphid Network, now reduced to just 40 minions, hunted stragglers, Spore Plague Lord adding Embers, losing one minion. Torren’s team recovered,masks off, Mycoglyphs steady. The thorn-choked wasteland, terraformed by the Thorn Crowns’ clash loomed outside, lava cooled, thorns towering. Torren sharpened his Pyreaxe, voice calm. "We survived hell, without a single casualty too". His voice was bubbly and upbeat. "I still can’t believe it!" "I didn’t believe it before, but I do now," he looked at Clayton, smiling. "You’re my lucky card Clayton. You’re our edge". Veyra, nodded, restringing her bow. "You’re one of us, secrets or not". Lorn smiled, tending Kaelin’s wounds. "You’ve grown, Kaelin". Kaelin grinned, pride softened. "Thanks to you, Lorn. Clayton, too". Clayton groaned. "Can you both stop acting like a goddamned couple?" Lorn froze, then silently shifted away from Kaelin. Kaelin glared at Clayton, making Torren and Veyra to laugh. Soren, quiet, carved a thorn shard. "Brother’d like you, wanderer". He referred to Clayton. Their bonds solidified, the team a strong unit. They took the day off to rest, attend to their injuries, ease their Aspect strain, and fully recover from the exertions of last night. And of course, a rest day in Clayton’s books is a story-telling day. Once Clayton urged Torren, he relented easily. "So, tell me, where did I stop again?" "You stopped at the territory and influence of the Scorched Clans". Clayton said smiling, eyes gleaming with curiosity. Clayton’s enthusiasm to hear his stories excited Torren to no end. "Well, I already told you almost everything to know about the Scorched Clans. So let me tell you about their strengths and weaknesses today". "The Scorched Clans have a lot of strengths". "They’re highly mobile, they mostly have fire-resistant Aspects, and some of their higher-ups, the Scorchlords have techniques to tame Behemorphs. Their brutal combat prowess aside, I’ve seen Flameveil Stalkers tamed by Scorchlords". "Wow!" Now, Clayton was even more interested. "They also have Awakened with Aspects that give them blacksmithing experience, the ability to craft Scorched Relics that rival Verdant Artifacts in power". "Also, their knowledge of these regions and terrain give them an edge in a field battle or encounter". "But... just as they have strengths, they also have weaknesses". "They’re not omnipotent". While Clayton continued his story, Veyra made a fire where she began roasting the already cut flesh of one of the Luminous Seed Raptors that they encountered and killed last night. The smell of roasted meat made the story even more tantalizing. Torren was more motivated to talk. "One of their major weaknesses is their decentralized structure. Their decentralized structure leads to infighting among bands. It’s not rare to see Scorchlords fighting against Scorchlords". "Also, their fire obsession makes them vulnerable to water, or spore-based Aspects". "Also, their overreliance on raiding strains their alliances with other factions, like the Ashen Covenants". By the time Torren got to this part of his story, the roasted meat was already cooked, and they had a feast. Ah, they enjoyed their rest day. ... Day 17. The journey resumed. The team trekked through the wasteland, thorns parting for fungal ruins. Hours into the journey... And then, Clayton’s Territorial Sentience pinged something... a massive carcass ahead, the defeated Verdant Warden Thorn crown (50 meters, spiked carapace shattered, Thorn Crown spent). Its Mycoglyph-etched hide glowed, a Codex fragment pulsing: "Thorn Crowns, born of Nexus’s wrath, reshape Earth to its will". Ashen Covenant’s rituals echoed stronger, a Scorched Clans shrine smoldering nearby. Torren knelt, awed. "This thing... Nexus made it". Veyra touched the hide, whispering. "Ember Witches might know more". Kaelin, cautious, scanned for threats. "Why have other Behemorphs not consumed it yet?" "Maybe they’re scared". Torren mumbled. Soren carved a thorn trophy, voice low. "My brother’d call this a god’s grave". Clayton, Shedskin cloaking his power, smirked. "God or not, it’s dead. Let’s keep moving".

Chapter 88: Treacherous journey [12]

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