The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

"Damn it all, chase them!" Daman's roar was thunderous, shaking the very air. His heavy steps pounded the earth as he and his brothers gave chase. "Don't bother with them. Get out!" Neasilis and his comrades were reluctant, but they had no choice but to surrender, their voices booming in urgent defeat.

Boom... boom... boom...

The thousands of trees grew larger and larger, each over ten meters thick and a hundred meters tall. Their vines were spreading rapidly over the city walls and sealing every gap. The sprawling miles of walls were encased securely. Each great tree continued to sprout hundreds of thick green vines, spreading and intertwining tightly with each other. A green wall was swiftly taking shape.

The floral sea in the sky spread rapidly, billions interweaving, forming a vast barrier over ten kilometers wide, an awe-inspiring sight poised to connect with the wildly growing green trees and vines. From afar, onlookers inhaled sharply, marveling at the sheer energy required to create such a massive protective barrier. The Floral Enchantress Commander was worthy of being one of the Northlands' overlords. She's usually reserved and silent, but when she made a move, it was a sight to behold.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!

Neasilis and his companions rushed desperately to the city walls, heedless of danger, leaping and darting forward. Taking advantage of the twisting vines that had not yet fully sealed, they sprinted through the gaps, one by one, escaping to safety. But not everyone was so fortunate. One poor soul misjudged his direction, pausing briefly to survey his surroundings, only to find the vines closing in around him from all sides, trapping him within an impenetrable green chamber.

"Open! Open, I command thee!" he bellowed, striking at the vines with his chillwave sword, but the thick tendrils were as tough as iron, utterly unaffected. They continued to grow, eventually entwining him so tightly within their mass that he was crushed to death.

Over fifty Master Mages had joined forces to invade Stormcast, yet thirteen perished in battle, and only a little more than thirty managed to escape. Nine unlucky souls reached the city walls only to find the vines had grown into a formidable tree barrier, intertwining with a sea of flowers high above.

"We're doomed..." They turned pale with fear, frantically scattering to find another way out. Some dashed into the inner city, seeking a place to hide for the time being. Against the Mollen family's hunting party, the idea of escape was folly-it was already too late.

Daman, with three formidable warriors in tow, quickly surrounded one of the escapees. "Heh heh, fancy a game? Will you face us alone, or shall we take you on one by one?"

"Cowards!"

"Pah! Bring on the torment!" Daman roared, swinging his iron cudgel down with crushing force.

"The Floral Enchantress Commander has finally taken action," cried the Mallister family, tears of joy streaming down their faces as they looked upon the cascade of falling petals. At last, they could breathe a sigh of relief.

"Her protective barrier ought to hold for three to five days, but who knows where Alavin is now," Celesse said, not sharing their optimism. The situation was just beginning, and the Floral Enchantress Commander's hesitation was a sign of the other Organizations' likely stance.

"By my reckoning, it should be soon," Mariela mused, unsure what kind of reinforcements Alavin had gone to fetch, but with Godfred at his side, they should be returning shortly. In her heart, she did not wish for Alavin to return, yet she also hoped he would bring back a surprise.

"First, tell me what happened. Why has it come to this?" Balder asked, still not fully apprised of the situation.