Shadows Of Deception

A towering tree, ancient and gnarled, stood in the heart of an endless darkness. Its roots burrowed into unseen depths, pulsating faintly as though alive. Jiangshi stood motionless before it, his form barely discernible in the dim glow emanating from the tree's core. His lips did not move, yet his presence conveyed a silent exchange with the entity housed within. The air was heavy, oppressive, as though the tree itself whispered secrets only Jiangshi could comprehend.

Suddenly, a shift in the atmosphere marked the end of the unspoken conversation. Jiangshi turned, his expression unreadable, and disappeared into the void.

Thunderous footsteps echoed in unison, the earth trembling beneath the march of colossal figures. Each step left deep impressions in the ground, fissures forming as the titanic beings advanced toward the Free World. The sky seemed to darken with their approach, the shockwaves of their march rippling outward and shaking the trees and buildings even from a distance.

Inside the Free World, alarms blared at the Sentinel Headquarters. Screens displayed the massive figures advancing toward the gates. Operators frantically relayed orders, their voices tinged with panic.

Shenlog, riding atop his magnificent dragon, descended from the sky with a powerful gust of wind, landing at the gates with a thud. His dragon roared, flames licking its teeth as Shenlog dismounted.

"We hold them here," Shenlog commanded, his voice steady despite the growing tension.

Jingwei appeared next, astride a massive, battle-hardened toad. The creature's croaks reverberated like cannon blasts, its slick skin gleaming under the sun. More senior Sentinels arrived, each readying their weapons and abilities, forming an immovable line before the gates.

"Giants," Jingwei muttered, staring at the monstrous silhouettes on the horizon. "They'll crush the gates like twigs if they get through."

"They won't," Shenlog replied firmly, gripping the hilt of his blade.

The ground beneath them trembled, and the Sentinels braced themselves as the march grew louder, the titans drawing closer.

Viridona Island

Viridona was a lively island, bustling with activity. Traders lined the cobblestone streets, their stalls overflowing with exotic fruits, handwoven fabrics, and glimmering trinkets. Children darted between the legs of adults, playing games and laughing with unbridled joy. Fishermen hauled in their nets along the docks, their faces weathered but content as they joked with one another.

Above the vibrant scene, a shadow passed across the sky. Heads turned upward, faces lighting with awe as Theon descended.

"It's the Son of God!" a young boy exclaimed, his voice filled with wonder.

Others joined in, pointing and cheering. "He has come to bless us!"

Theon hovered midair, his serene expression unchanging as he looked down at the joyous islanders. Children waved excitedly, their parents bowing their heads in reverence.

But the moment of awe was short-lived.

From the ground, massive roots erupted without warning, shooting skyward in an explosion of dirt and debris. The roots twisted and coiled, towering over the island like grotesque monuments. Tiny flowers began to bloom at their tips, their petals unfurling slowly to reveal an unnatural beauty.

"What is happening?" a trader shouted, dropping his wares as the ground trembled beneath him.

"Run!" a woman screamed, clutching her child tightly.

Before they could react further, the flowers released a translucent substance into the air. It spread like a mist, invisible but potent. Those who inhaled it began to choke, clutching their throats as their bodies betrayed them.

An elderly man fell to his knees, coughing violently. Blood spattered the ground as he gasped, "Help… someone…" before collapsing.

A mother, cradling her child, began to scream as her skin turned pale. "No, please, not my baby!" she sobbed, her tears mixing with blood as both she and her child fell lifeless.

A young boy staggered forward, his wide eyes filled with terror. "Mama… Mama…" he whimpered before collapsing, his small frame convulsing before going still.

Chaos erupted across the island. People clawed at their throats, their bodies convulsing as the substance consumed them from the inside out. Some tried to run, only to fall mid-stride. Others clung to life desperately, their eyes filled with pain and confusion as they crumbled.

One by one, the islanders fell, their cries and pleas fading into an eerie silence. The roots pulsed with a sinister energy, the flowers absorbing the life force of the dying. Theon extended his hand, his calm demeanor unchanged as the energy flowed into a single, massive bloom. The vibrant flower glowed briefly before vanishing, its energy transferred into Theon.

Standing amidst the silent carnage, Theon surveyed the lifeless island. The once-vibrant streets were now littered with corpses, the ground stained with blood and despair. He muttered softly:

"FOREST STYLE: ADAMANTINE BLOOM DISEASE."

With that, Theon vanished into the air, leaving behind a barren wasteland marked by towering roots and death.