695 FAFO 11
Hovering above the massive cylindrical shield, Aron glanced at the timer Nova had projected for him. Only seventy-three seconds remained.
"Let's do it one more time," Aron muttered to himself. With determined precision, he moved the shield to a location near the previous one, preparing to unleash another massive nuke within the shield, intending to shake the entire planet once more.
Just as Aron was about to begin feeding mana into the fire rune for another massive attack, thousands of magic cycles materialized around him. Each one was targeting him with a different type of attack, showcasing the full extent of the tree folks' power when focused on a single target.
That too can act as one, Aron responded calmly, his demeanor unshaken as the myriad of magic cycles closed in on him, unleashing every conceivable type of attack from the magic system taught to the Proximians.
Lets make it a worthy final act, Aron said, resolutely choosing not to rely on his overgeared shield. Instead, he decided to face the incoming attacks head-on, aiming to make this confrontation a legendary moment that would be discussed for decades, if not millennia. He wanted to push himself to the limit and create a scenario that future awakeners could aspire to.
{I will be supporting you,} Nova responded. She activated specialized nanomachines within his body, further enhancing his already extraordinary concentration. Time seemed to slow down around him as he began his preparations.
Aron quickly set to work, activating hundreds of basic runes in his vicinity. As these runes came to life, he braced himself for the storm of attacks converging on him.
The activated runes each had specific targets assigned and locked onto them, thanks to Novas precise guidance. Each incoming attack was met with a carefully chosen counterattack, tailored to exploit the weaknesses of the original assault. Fireballs were intercepted by water spells, lightning strikes by earth-based defenses, sound waves by silencing runes, and many more. The scene unfolded like something out of a high-stakes action film.
Explosions of various colors and sounds erupted around Aron as his defenses neutralized the attacks before they could breach a two-hundred-meter radius around him. Within this protective zone, he countered any magic cycle attempts and defended against anything that emerged from outside.
For over a minute, Aron maintained this impenetrable barrier, all while keeping a close eye on the timer ticking down. His focus was unwavering as he continued to fend off the relentless onslaught, preparing for the final phase of his plan.
As the timer counted down, Arons focus remained intense.
7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
We are done, was the only message that was sent to him.
Aron, having just sent out his final rune, paused and addressed Cypress directly, Okay, I think its enough.
Instantly, the magic cycles that had been materializing deactivated, and the area returned to its peaceful silence. The chaotic scene of destruction was replaced by an eerie calm, with no visible signs of the fierce battle that had taken place. Despite the amount of water evaporated during the confrontation, the ocean had more than enough to replenish it, leaving no trace of the earlier conflict.
..
..........
The two tree folks, Mangrove and Oak, were left in stunned silence as they processed what had just occurred. They had been closely monitoring Arons battle with Cypress, initially impressed by his ability to hold his ground against the relentless attacks. They had expected that, with such a high level of focus and concentration, it was only a matter of time before something would slip through his defenses and lead to his downfall. But when Aron casually instructed Cypress to stop and she complied, it was as if their entire understanding of the situation was upended.
Did I hear and see what I think I heard and saw? Mangrove asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Yes, you did, came the response, but it was not from either Mangrove or Oak. Instead, it came from Aron himselfthe very individual they had sought to defeat, kill, and ultimately recreate his body for their own use.
Before the tree folks could fully grasp their shock or react, they found themselves gathered in the timeless meadow, now with an additional presenceAron. This was a significant shift from the usual five members of their meetings.
So this is what we call the timeless meadow, Aron said, offering a slight bow to the three tree folks who had joined him, each with mild smiles on their faces.
But first, lets stop the chaos, Aron declared, extending his hand dramatically. As if responding to a universal command, he shouted, STOP. Instantly, the giants and dark elves ceased their attacks in perfect unison, as though they had received direct orders from their elders.
Return to normal and help the injured, Aron continued. This command, too, was obeyed immediately, though this time the control over their minds and bodies was returned to the individuals themselves. They swiftly understood what had transpired, and without complaint, they began to assist the injured, working to restore order and bring the situation back to normal. The once chaotic battlefield began to settle as the combatants turned their efforts toward healing and aid.
The tree folks stood in stunned silence, their mouths agape as they struggled to comprehend the spectacle before them. Their advanced processing powers churned relentlessly, yet they found themselves at a loss. No precedents existed for such a situation, and no viable hypotheses could be formulated.
Arons actions defied all their expectations and understanding, leaving them grappling with the reality of his capabilities and the implications of what had just unfolded. The sheer impossibility of the scenario had rendered their analytical faculties ineffective, leaving them in a state of bewildered disbelief.
Aron shifted his focus back to his metaphysical presence in the timeless meadow, his calm demeanor and serene smile contrasting sharply with the chaos he had just resolved. I can see you have many questions on your minds, he said smoothly. Dont worry, Ill answer them before delivering the punishment for the attempted betrayal.
His words carried a sense of composed authority, as if the extraordinary feats he had just performed were nothing out of the ordinary.
Some of the tree folks, still grappling with the enormity of what had just happened, awaited his explanations with disbelief. Others braced themselves for the inevitable consequences of their actions.