Chapter 438 Cursed Power

The daggers sank into the back of the Dryad, releasing a louder scream. Purple energy pooled into the blade turning into silver light as it entered Keng's body. The Dryad thrashed around as vines and thorns shot at him, slamming him straight into a wall. The thorns buried themselves into him as the vines attached themselves to the wall. Glowing purple liquid oozed out of the Dryad's wounds as she shrieked. The Dryad began to chant as vines and thorns shot straight for Philip.

Philip released the bolt and continued to dart as the bolt flew straight through the thorny vines with ease. The Dryad lifted her hand and a two-layer shield appeared in front of her as a barrage of thorns turned to spinning vines. Philip slid, the vines barely scratching him as they passed overhead, as he quickly stood up and felt vines wrap around him like a whip. The momentum continued, slamming him straight into a wall as the Dryad's chant came to a climax.

"...Fseg Wrej Daeg!" The Dryad extended her arms out like she was going to hug someone. Vines and thorns ripped themselves off of Keng and the environment, cocooning the Dryad. Philip and Keng's eyes moved straight towards the Dryad.

'Crap.' They both thought. They both knew what was about to happen. The coccoon of vines and thorns began to blossom. Thorn pods blossomed across the coccoon and around the large area. The pods opened, releasing purple mist as purple and black flowers began to bloom.

"That's not good." Keng managed to wiggle his finger. He flicked it and felt the grasp of the vines and thorns turn to dust. Keng floated in the air as he spotted Philip struggling to break out of his binds.

"A… A little help!" Philip shouted. The cocoon pulsed, growing two times bigger. Keng reached and touched the wall, marking it as he flew towards Philip, slicing his binds into shreds. "Thanks. Is she… Evolving?"

"How long is it gonna last?" Keng asked. The cocoon pulsed and grew bigger, yet again. Philip gulped as the crossbow shimmered.

"Evolutions are relatively short even for Fox Spirits." Philip answered. The teal energy swirled around the shimmering weapon as a sword with three holes appeared in his hand. He gave it a twirl and strange noises began to play around him. "Shifting Forms: Ro'gal."

'Ro'gal? Is that a god weapon?' Keng thought.

"It isn't a god weapon. Long story short, Ro'gal is actually one of my many weapons." Philip answered.

"You have a crossbow, glaive and a sword with holes that produce wind noises… What else are you hiding up in your sleeve?" Keng asked. The cocoon compressed into itself, creating female humanoid's shape.

[Notice: Cursed Dryad has bloomed! Cursed energy has increased. Your Light dims.]

"You know why I'm not surprised by what's happening?" Philip grinned

"Why?"

"Ro'gal's special trait."

"What's that?" Keng asked as the vines hardened into wood. Purple and green energy seeped out of the cocoon, revealing a tall purple-skinned woman. A crown of thorns wrapped around her head as glowing blood trickled down her head. Her unamused eyes stared at the small Foxes.

"It devours curses." Philip sprinted towards the large Cursed Dryad woman. "Ro'gal: Shattering Winds." The soft whistles of wind pierced the winds with screams as he swung in the air, seemingly missing the Dryad by many feet. A second later, cuts exploded all across the Cursed Dryad's body. The Dryad screamed in pain as leaves began to sprout all around her.

She fired the leaves as Keng fired off Fox Fires to burn them. Purple dust and smoke billowed all around them, landing on Keng and Philip as they bounced around the room. The Cursed Dryad raised her hands as a Ent grew into existence. The Ent screamed as it went straight for Keng.

'It looks like she's trying to make sure I can't use my Fox Fire.' Keng thought as he jumped backwards. A leaf slashed at his cheek, drawing blood. His wound closed quickly as the blood turned purple and flew back to the Dryad. 'It's taking my blood? What is it gonna do with— ahh!' More cuts opened, instantly healing. The leaf storm had picked up in an instant and his Fox Fires were starting to not have any affect.

"Erah!" The Ent punched Keng, sending him flying. The Ent's ran forward as his branchy fingers launched themselves for Keng, piercing him before he could even react.

Philip, on the other hand, easily managed against the leaf storm. The twirling of the blade allowed for him to create a sound barrier around him that would disintegrate anything around him. He noticed small amounts of glowing blood flying from Keng. The blood swirled above the palm of the Cursed Dryad's hand, growing bigger and bigger as time went on.

"Discordant Screech." Philip lifted his blade up, speaking through one of the sword holes as a blast of noise fired off. The leaves immediately shattered as he dashed forward. "Maestoso (Majestically)." Ro'gal lit up as Philip grew closer to the large Dryad. Flowers and trees began to sprout with thorn pods. The pods fired at Philip as his blade continued to sing its song, slashing through the air.

For a moment, chaos ran rampant around Philip. The Ent was gaining on the injured Keng while the Cursed Dryad continued to grow everything around her. Rog'al released its light, sending out a shockwave around Philip. The Ent lost its footing and toppled forwards as thorns and twigs immediately turned to dust. Philip's speed grew slower as he slashed the air a couple more times. Ro'gal shrieked with each strike, tearing wounds into the Cursed Dryad as Philip slowed.

This was one of the biggest things about using Ro'gal. He could strengthen himself and take a slower speed upon his body or he could quicken himself and make himself weaker. Using the tempo of Maestoso made him slow down two times but strengthened his attack twice the amount in return.

,m "Blooming Cage!" The Cursed Dryad spoke. A bulb with large petals sprouted beneath Philip's feet as he slowly pulled Ro'gal back towards him. The petal walls lifted up, trapping him as purple energy fired from the large black bulb.

Keng groaned as his injuries began to slowly heal. He was definitely feeling the strange effects of his "light" dimming.

'This curse can affect my power and light? Why doesn't it seem to affect Philip's?' Keng wondered. The Cursed Dryad spoke in some strange language and he watched as Philip became trapped in some sort of flower prison. Purple lights went off and the screams of Philip grew loud.

"Philip!" Keng shouted. He began to sprint forward when the Ent's branchy fingers blocked his way. Philip swung at the branches, his daggers barely making a dent. The branches exploded straight for him, slamming against the wall as the branches continued to push upwards, holding him in place.

The Cursed Dryad removed her eyes from Philip and looked at Keng. She had thought Keng would be the problem, but her guess was wrong. Philip's attacks had caught her by surprise. The "weakest" one had easily hit her with attacks that shouldn't have hit her with. Now that Philip was trapped within the Blooming Cage, she could kill two bird with one stone.

"To me." She beckoned the Silver fox. The branches wrapped around him as she motioned with a finger for him to come to him. "To me." Keng watched as everything began to pull towards her. The Ent flew back to its master as Keng was tugged along. Philip's screams died and the bulb was slowly making its way to the Cursed Dryad.

"Silly, Fox." The Dryad chuckled. She wrapped her large hands around him and brought him close to her face. Her large eyes stared at him in amusement. "You dare come into my territory? You do not know what you face. I am the Curse born from hatred of this tree and its beloved Dryad. I am the hatred born from the curse that dominated these lands for centuries. I am much more powerful than you think I am, Fox. Once I devour enough poor souls, I'll walk free from this cursed tree and do what the Conqueror couldn't do. I'll kill you all!"

The Dryad lifted Keng up as she opened her mouth. She began to unwrap her fingers, leaving a pinch hold on Keng as she tilted her head backwards.

SCREEEE!

"ARGH!" The Dryad released her grip, clutching her ears and she turned her mouth away from him. Keng began to descend, flying straight for her chest.

"Keng…!" Philip shouted. Keng wrapped gravity around his body and flew away, noticing a bloodied Philip. He was keeping himself up with Ro'gal.

"Philip…!" Keng gasped.

Holes. He saw loads of holes in the Hybrid. Blood poured out of the young man as Keng landed and ran to the falling Philip.

"Philip!" Keng grabbed Philip. Philip's weightforced Keng to kneel as he held the injured Hybrid. "Hold on! I'll heal you!" Light began to glow. "Everything will be fine. I swear!" The light slowly wrapped around Philip, slowing the bleeding.

"Keng…" Philip whispered. "She's… She's…"

"YOU ANNOYING PEST! DIE!"