God's Tree

Chapter 52 A close call

Kaelred, having finally cleared the last of the undead minions, rushed to his side.

The lich clicked his tongue. "Two against one? Hardly fair."

Kaelred smirked. "I thought you liked a challenge."

The lich's skeletal fingers twitched.

A surge of dark energy exploded outward.

The force sent Argolaith and Kaelred flying backward, slamming them into the base of a gnarled tree. Their weapons clattered to the ground beside them.

Argolaith groaned, pain lancing through his ribs. He had barely enough time to register the sound of footsteps before the lich was standing over him, blade poised for the kill.

"This is where you die," the undead sorcerer whispered.

Time seemed to slow.

Then, instinct took over.

Argolaith rolled to the side just as the blade came down, barely missing his skull. He grabbed the nearest rock and hurled it at the lich's face.

It did little more than annoy him, but the distraction was enough.

Kaelred surged forward, his sword flashing in the dim light. The blade caught the lich across the ribs, sending him staggering back.

The undead sorcerer growled, dark energy crackling around him.

"You persistent little—"

Before he could finish, Argolaith was on him.

He grabbed his fallen sword and drove it forward with all his strength.

The blade pierced through the lich's torso, pinning him against a nearby tree.

The lich let out a sharp, rattling breath. He looked down at the sword impaling him, then up at Argolaith, an unreadable expression flickering across his skeletal features.

"...Interesting."

The glow in his eye sockets dimmed slightly.

Kaelred, breathing heavily, stepped forward. "Is he... dead?"

Argolaith shook his head. "He's undead. I don't think 'dead' works the same for him."

They watched warily as the lich slowly reached for the sword in his chest. With deliberate, almost lazy movements, he pulled the blade free and let it drop to the ground.

Despite the damage, he was still standing. Still watching them. Then, to their utter confusion, he chuckled.

"Impressive," he mused, inspecting the cracks in his exposed bones. "You wounded me. A rare feat."

Argolaith and Kaelred tensed, expecting him to retaliate. But he didn't. Instead, he sheathed his blade and took a step back.

"I've seen enough."

Argolaith narrowed his eyes. "What does that mean?"

The lich tilted his head. "It means you've earned my curiosity."

Kaelred scoffed. "Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

Argolaith shuddered. "Never again."

He set to work, first slicing the meat into thick cuts before marinating it with crushed moonvine leaves, which enhanced the meat's natural flavors while also providing restorative properties.

He then sliced a few goldenroot bulbs, their fragrant oils mixing with the meat as he seared the cuts over the fire.

Kaelred, not one to sit idly by, took a bundle of bright-blue mana sprouts and began preparing a side dish.

"Figured I'd make something too," he said, plucking the tiny leaves and tossing them into a pan. "Mana sprouts sautéed in troll fat. Should boost our energy for tomorrow."

The aroma that filled the air was intoxicating.

The sizzling of meat, the earthy scent of magical herbs, and the rich, savory undertones of the troll fat blended into a meal that not only smelled divine but promised to replenish their strength.

As they cooked, the tension from their earlier battle faded into the background, replaced by the simple pleasure of a warm meal shared between friends.

"So," Kaelred mused as he stirred the mana sprouts, "we got our asses kicked today, but at least we walked away from it."

Argolaith chuckled, flipping the meat. "Barely. That lich isn't like anything we've fought before. He's stronger, faster... smarter."

Kaelred nodded. "And he's still out there. Watching us."

Silence settled between them for a moment, the only sound being the crackling fire.

Eventually, Argolaith spoke. "We need to get stronger."

Kaelred smirked. "That's obvious."

"No, I mean really stronger. We're heading into the unknown. If a lich like that wanted us dead, we wouldn't have walked away. We need to push ourselves past our limits, train harder, fight smarter."

Kaelred let out a low whistle. "You're serious."

Argolaith met his gaze. "I have to be. We've barely scratched the surface of what's out there."

Kaelred sighed. "You're right. But at least let us enjoy this meal before we start planning to kill ourselves with training."

Argolaith grinned. "Deal."

They finished cooking, plating the meal onto large wooden slabs.

The first bite was met with an immediate sigh of relief—tender, juicy meat that melted in their mouths, the perfect balance of rich and savory.

The mana sprouts had a slightly crisp texture, carrying a hint of sweetness from the troll fat.

"This," Kaelred said between bites, "is leagues better than travel rations."

Argolaith chuckled. "It's the least we deserve after today."

They ate in companionable silence, their bodies slowly regaining strength with each bite.

The magical properties in the food worked wonders, restoring their stamina and sharpening their senses.

As they finished their meal, Kaelred leaned back against a tree, letting out a satisfied sigh. "Alright, now I'm ready for some sleep."

Argolaith nodded, stretching. "Yeah, we should rest. The journey ahead won't get any easier."

They set up their sleeping spots near the fire, ensuring their weapons were within arm's reach.

But as Argolaith lay down, staring up at the sky through the gaps in the trees, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

The lich was still out there.

And he wasn't done with them yet.