Chapter 293: The Elven Sentinels Part 1

The desiccated ents stood no chance against the hellhound because just getting close to it makes them take damage. The hellhound would just stand near a desiccated ent and it would immediately get caught in flames. Some even tried attacking as a group but the desiccated ents would just combust in flames because the hellhound would become the incarnation of hellfire.

Kanlaon is dealing with the lush ents using his mastery over two opposing strong elements. Kanlaon would summon frost using his new found powers for the ice element. Kanlaon would then use an intense heat wave to melt the frosted parts of the lush ents. This proved very effective as simple heat would not make the lush ents combust.

The hellhound and Kanlaon could endure the attacks of the ents because of the large shield value they have. But since the shield is attributeless, the shields applied by Charon easily get chipped as it has no elemental resistances. The ents attacks are often powered by their wood element so the shield applied by Charon takes extra damage from the added attribute damage.

Levin Cloud, Charon and Saena did not stay idle though as they had other ways to support the team. Charon and Saena use their evasive abilities to taunt and divert the attention of some of the ents so that the team will not be overrun. Levin Cloud use his crowd control abilities that have short cooldowns in order to ease the burden on the attackers.

Crowd control abilities that have short cooldowns rarely offer damage due to their great utility. It is of great usage but the drawbacks is that it could also be easily dispelled with enough tenacity of fighting spirit. The crowd control skills that Levin Cloud used are mainly for movement suppression like Mudpit and Thorn's Grasp.

The greatest hurdle of the battles occurring is the Ent of Malediction. One swing of its arm dealt a quarter of the shield covering Adrian and Sirius. It was easy to dodge the attacks of the Ents of Malediction but the assist of the other ents make dodging troublesome.

The ents would plant their branch arms into the ground and roots would immediately surface below the Adrian and Sirius. The roots would definitely crush any that it latches upon as a nearby boulders become crushed upon contact. Adrian and Sirius do not want to test the crushing force of the roots that the ents make.

Adrian summoned his twin dagger Pysche Armament as he needs mobility when fighting multiple monsters at once. Adrian used Soul Emergence and reappeared behind the Ent of Malediction. He then activated Soul Impale which made his dagger glow in an eerie light. He also enchanted the daggers with nether energy to make it more lethal.

Adrian struck the back of the Ent of Malediction and it emitted a low rumble cry. The wound might be small but the pain that the Ent of Malediction is something it felt in his soul. The Ent of Malediction immediately protruded thorns on its back before Adrian could puncture it with the other dagger.

Adrian had to use Blink to get away but a nearby lush ent struck him because he transferred close to it. Sirius used this chance to try and topple the Ent of Malediction but it did not even budge like a tree firmly planted in to the ground. Sirius tried biting the Ent of Malediction but it did not feel pain in a sense where a human would feel pain.

Sirius tore of the bark from the Ent of Malediction's arm but it recovered in just under a minute. Adrian rose up from the ground and attempted what he did once more but the thorns were still behind the Ent of Malediction. Adrian still went through with it because the shield given to him has yet to disappear.

Adrian once again activated Soul Impale and it the Ent of Malediction once again emitted a low rumbling cry. The thorns though successfully blew away Adrian's remaining shield that protected him from damage. Sirius use this chance and use his shadow to make spikes so that he could impale the Ent of Malediction.

Dark shadow spike rose from Sirius' shadow and impaled each limb of the Ent of Malediction. The shadow spikes then became tendrils that tried pulling the Ent of Malediction to the ground. Sirius looked like he was struggling to pull down the gigantic ent as it was putting up a great fight.

Adrian can also see that the hellhound and Kanlaon's shields have already been broken. It seems that despite being at an elemental advantage, the quantity of the enemies makes up for it. Fortunately with the support of Saena and Levin Cloud, about 80% of their damaged health is returned.

Adrian could no longer attack the back of the Ent of Malediction due to the thorns it protruded which is why he decided to change strategies.

"Sirius, keep the Ent of Malediction busy while I thin out the herd." Adrian commanded via Soul Link.

Adrian wanted to use his powerful skills but they also have long cooldowns. The enemies they are facing now are just a warm up. Adrian is acting like he did not notice the gaze with intense hostility directed at them so that the other enemies will be oblivious.

Sirius obeyed his master's orders and kept the Ent of Malediction busy while Adrian helped out Kanlaon with the lush ents as they were the closest. The lush ents were much difficult to kill due to them having access to healing magic. The lush ents would suddenly burst into a healing light once their health drops to a certain level.

Adrian would gather up Soul Essences while Kanlon brought the lush ents' health to a certain level. Adrian would then use Soul Emergence with Soul Impale then add the nether attribute to the attack to make it fatal to the lush ents. Cries of the fallen lush ents soon filled the surrounding which garnered the attention of the Ent of Malediction.

The Ent of Malediction used its full strength to break free from Sirius' shadow bind. So powerful that it managed to lift Sirius off the ground which made the Demon Wolf lose control of the shadow. The Ent of Malediction tried saving his brethren but it dealt more harm than good. Adrian easily evaded its attacks and the Ent of Malediction damaged the lush ents instead.

Seeing its kin being hurt by itself, the Ent of Malediction used its area of effect skill. The bark on the Ent of Malediction became darker and it planted its feet towards the ground. The earth then suddenly became a darker hue as if it was polluted by miasma. Adrian then received a notification.

[You are now standing on Cursed Ground.]

[All stats will be reduced by 10% and movement will be slowed down by 40% for the duration.]

The movement slow became so crucial because the previously avoidable attacks are no longer avoidable. Kanlaon, Sirius and the hellhound started getting more damage that the supports could even heal. The worst thing that happened is the sound of footsteps marching towards them.

"It seems that they are no longer satisfied by being spectators." Adrian thought as figures of elves wearing soft metallic green armor came to their view.

"The Sentinels!" Levin Cloud gasped as he did not believe that the stories were actually true.