Force of Nature
The trip to the Big Tree is not an easy journey. The land is the territory of the elves. They have eyes everywhere. There is little room to breathe. Jessica and Zhang Jiao are now facing the enemy Mages that uses Force of Nature spells. The treants and the wolves are attacking the group on the ground, while elven archers attack from above.
Using treasures that are picked on the way, Jessica is able to recover insane amount of mana points and buff her magic to deal more damage. Zhang Jiao passively defends the party with his skills. Abel somehow helping by throwing smokes, which distrupting the archer's line of sight.
They kept the momentum going and rush to their final destination. More enemies appeared and the plants are now attacking with spores and pollens. Jessica leveled up to 55 in the battle. She powers up her INT for more damage and mana points, and upgraded her Fireball to the max, evolving it into Explosion, a spell that explodes on impact with wide area effect. It is a powerful spell that destroys the treants that come in their way.
Zhang Jiao observes Jessica. She isn't acting like before. He can see her resolve to survive. Not for her own sake, but for a stranger with unknown origin. He wonders what really drives Jessica. "Fighting against an army is such a stupid idea, but witnessing it first-hand, she has the chance." he mumbled under his breath.
They cleared all obstacles blocking their way and reached the Boss Room. The Big Tree is as big as a castle. The Gate drives out those who desires to hurt the Elf Queen. "Mortal. Go on ahead. I will not let them stab you in the back." Zhang Jiao said and stays outside, making his stand. Jessica could only nod and then opened the enormous gate. Abel follows her.
"Human, You shall be imprisoned and suffer all day long of your lifetime." threatened by the Elf Queen with Dominating Aura. Jessica is quite surprised by the fact that the Elf Queen can speak English. "Your majesty. This peasant will be challenge you to a sacred duel." Jessica said with such enthusiasm. She always wanted to say that line when confronting a demon lord someday.
The Elf Queen seems to be impressed to see a intruder being polite and knows their place. "Very well then. I will gladly accept your challenge, if you can clear my trials." said the Elf Queen. The stairs begin to show up leading upward. This trial is essentially tower clearing, where Jessica's mission is to clear all trials that is placed per floor. This excites her. The Elf Queen turns into dust. That is the Avatar spell, where one can project their image to another location. Abel quietly follows Jessica.
Jessica faces many traps on the way, battles that requires her to outsmart the Elf Queen's creations, defeat the guardians that defend a floor in battles, and many more. Jessica is able to keep going physically, but her mental health deteriorates over time. Her spells are noticeably taking longer to shoot, and weaker than it's prime. "How many... how many... how many darn stairs... huff... I gotta... oh cmon!!" she shouted angrily. She got pissed for getting played at.
Abel is getting worried. She wanted to speak to Jessica, but she can't convey her thoughts. Despite being tired, Jessica recklessly keeps going. She is currently addicted, to fighting. She keeps saying something ominous. In her mind, her thoughts are filled with Hardwork. The health potions aren't helping her condition, but making her numb from sensation. The corruption is spreading all over Jessica. And it is visible to Abel's peculiar Lavender eyes.
"Jessica. Jessica! Jessica!!" Abel shouted loudly, with tears falling down her eyes. She grabs Jessica's garb as tightly as she can. She is crying. Jessica faintly hears it. The dark clouds almost got her sight. She listened to the cry of a child. "Abel..." she mumbled quietly. She gently pats the young elf's hair, gently stroking it and hums a twinkle twinkle little star song.
Jessica almost blew her fuse because of the addiction. Her mind is correctly set. She looks at the crying little girl, who awfully resembles a certain elf. "I almost let the flow carry me to the depts of abyss. I forgot that I am a Mage. The one who controls the flow of battle. I am not gonna follow that bitch get away with it." Jessica said with the newly found determination.
"Elf Queen! You do not honor my request but instead, tortured me to face this hundred trials that never end. You're a heretic! A demon wearing the skin of someone else!" Jessica mocked the Elf Queen. This angered the Elf Queen. "I'm always the Elf Queen! How on earth did you think I wear someone else's skin?! That's disgusting and unmoral!" she screamed angrily. The force of nature slowly disappeared, revealing a big dome. In front of Jessica, there lies the Elf Queen, comfortably sitting on her throne. "I hope you are prepared to face your crimes in this realm." said the Elf Queen. This actually gives Jessica a headache from guilt because her words are true.
"Even so, you're existence is a threat to my realm." said Zhang Jiao, appearing behind Jessica. He is unscathed from the last battle against the army of thousand enemies. Jessica can see that Zhang Jiao is much stronger than before. His Realm is now Peak Ensoulment Stage, and has mastered all the spells he acquired to their full potential.
He looks at Jessica then said, "Never listen to demons. They twist your perception in order to conquer you. The path of ascension is to challenge all odds and become powerful to create new fate." "I will be needing a holiday. Let's finish all the work and get our rewards." said Jessica with her eyes on fire. Abel quietly cheers for the both of them in the sideline.