All around the clearing dozens of beasts remained standing, all looked battered and worn, yet they still remained standing. They surrounded both the tree and its guardian, yet despite the overwhelming numerical advantage none were sure of a victory here.

One must remember that their is a noticeable difference between evolution ranks. Whilst it is negligible during the first couple of rank ups it is still noticeable. However from the third and above… a significant change in power is to be expected between evolutions.

Take Violet's evolution at level 40, she gained a significant boost to her total stats. And that only repeats with a greater gain when a being reaches the level 80 milestone.

But it is not only the raw increase in stats that makes the difference, it is how these stats are utilised. Again it make a minor change during the lower evolutions but becomes noticeable at the 3rd and up.

Whilst there is no known details on exactly how much more efficient one gets at utilising their stats it can be simplified like this. Say two people had the same strength stat, theoretically they should be able to lift the same amount of weight. But what if one of them was trained on how to lift heavy things whilst the other wasn't. Naturally the one who is trained can make better use of their strength.

This same principle can be found when hitting these evolution milestones. Their body becomes better 'trained' in how to utilise stats.

So this is to say that the guardian before this assortment of disparate beasts was on an entirely different level to all of those assemble before it. So the idea of challenging this calamity before them was quite the daunting endeavour.

A moment a deathly silence permitted the clearing after the defiant rejection of the guardians presence at the hands of the beasts splayed out before it. This eternal moment of peace was broken both suddenly and violently.

Dozens of magical projectiles flew out from the assembled beasts, from bolts, spears, lances and blades of all sorts of elemental magics. Most being of the basics; Earth, wind, fire. And water. Yet there was plenty of the more specialised elements, from lightning, ice and nature. Lastly there was a singular being who lay claim to a type of magic thought lost to this world, who's power rivals that of any of the more esoteric types.

Naturally this is Violet's void.

As the numerous projectiles flew forward the guardian did not remain idle, neither did the tree.

The ephemeral barrier the surrounded the clearing shimmered once more before a secondary layer erected itself, this time closely surrounding the tree itself. At the same time some of its fruits began to glow an ominous red that reflected in the eyes of some of the surrounding beasts.

The guardian also acted, but instead of a defensive option, it instead opted for offence. Its tail whipped out with lightning speed to smash into the mighty onyx snake. It was sent flying back dozens of meters and crushed a couple of unlucky beasts in the process. A vicious wound was left in the impact point.

The snake did try to bite down on the guardian when it went to strike, but its fangs skittered off its carapace leaving only a faint scratch.

Many of the initial salvo of magics encountered the same issue as the snake did, simply washing off the near impenetrable shell of this indomitable guardian.

Yet not all of the strikes did so. A mighty ice lance found a gap in the carapaces plaiting and dug into it. A golden feather similarly peirced one such spot. Yet Violet didn't bother aiming for a weak spot, after all she commanded the void. So when her spear of void impacted in the center of a armoured plate, it didn't exactly cut through it, what it did do however was implode. In its wake an entire section of the impenetrable carapace was now simply gone.

A harrowing wail of either fury of pain erupted from the guardian after that first barrage. The sonic impact sent many of the closer beasts staggering back.

Yet the stronger stayed. And the stronger only continued their assult.

The lion chimera launched several more golden feathers before abandoning its ranged assult in favour of getting in close. Its wings unfurled and with a powerful flap it soared forwards to land on the guardians back where it proceeded to try to tear into it with golden claws.

Luna too opted to get in close as she dashed forwards and aimed to reduce the number of legs. Her spear flashed forwards, a glittering train of ice left in its wake as she struck at one of its innumerable legs.

Many more beasts opted to follow the beastkins lead and charged in aiming to work on crippling the beasts movement. The ranged specialists however remained back as they gathered their magics to continue the bombardment.

The guardian naturally wasn't one to let this go unanswered. Both ends of it began to lash out at any foe that got too close to it, some managed to narrowly avoid the devastating mandibles, others were not so lucky.

At the same time, another group of beasts who had previously been staying as far away from the guardian and its opponents as possible stirred. They had been frozen in place from fear once the guardian unleashed its presence. Even when the dragon and other champions pushed it back, they still remained locked in place. Only when they caught a glimpse of a red fruit up in the canopy above did they rouse.

However, they had no intentions of doing battle with the guardian or the majestic tree, for why would they? Why would anything or anyone want to harm such a majestic tree? In fact how dare anyone choose to go against such an existence, or challenge its rightful guardian. No they would never dream of choosing to harm such an exhaled existence.

Instead what they should do is put down the despicable interlopers that dared to invade the trees domain. Yes, yes they should aid the guardian and slaughter all who opposed the grand being that rested here. And then when all who opposed the tree and its guardian they would be able to return to the earth and help nourish the tree. As was propper, as was asked, as was required.

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