Location: Everfree Forest

“PUSH FORWARD! VICTORY IS AT HAND!”

“FOR THE EVERFREE!”

Aspen charged forward with the combined might of the Everfree behind his back. Since their initial victory against the abdominal Zerg, they have been chasing the remnants of the enemy army ever since. Even now Aspen could see the mountainous rock formations of the Valley of Evera’s Wrath through the trees.

It is there where the enemy lies. It is where he and the combined might of the Everfree will claim victory.

“My King! You must slow down!”

Aspen turned his head to the deer keeping pace beside him. “Captain Illia! Victory is at hand! If we stop now, then the enemy will organize their defenses for a counter-attack! We must not let that happen!” Aspen argued.

However, the Ranger Captain frowned. “I understand my King but the others are tiring and lagging behind! By the time we reach the valley your army will be too exhausted to fight!” Illia argued.

King Aspen looked behind him, and true to his Captain’s words while many of the animals charged ahead, the majority of his subjects are beginning to tire, forcing themselves to keep pace with others around them. Though the Ancient Spirits are tireless, they’re naturally slow due to their size and thus lagged even further behind than the tired Deer folk.

King Aspen soon stopped as Illia stood beside him catching her breath. “HALT!” Aspen commanded, his amulet glowing to catch everyone’s attention.

Immediately the Children of Evera stopped their charge as the rest of King Aspen’s army soon caught up. “My King! What’s the matter? Why have we stopped?” Captain Blackthorn asked, steadily regaining his breath after the long chase.

“By Captain Illia’s wise words! Everyone will have a short rest and return into formations! Once that’s complete then we will continue our advance towards the Valley of Evera’s Wrath to end the enemy that dares infest our home! Dismissed!” Aspen stated as his subjects went about catching a much-needed break.

Soon Aspen saw the towering form of Ash Bark lumbering towards him as the rest of the Spirits followed closely behind. “Heart Bearer… many thanks... for waiting…” The great spirit said.

Aspen shook his head. “There is no need for thanks revered one. My subjects needed rest, one I forgot to take into consideration while chasing the enemy.” Aspen humbly explained.

Ashbark gave a single nod. “You… cannot be faulted for… doing your eternal duty… But it is also… imperative… that we drive out this blight… from the All Mother’s forest...” The Spirit said.

King Aspen nodded. “I understand. MY SUBJECTS! RETURN TO FORMATION!” Aspen commanded, turning fully to his forces.

“YES YOUR MAJESTY!”

Soon his army organized back into their formations previous to the initial battle with the Zerg.

It was here that Aspen fully grasped of just how much their numbers have decreased. The Everfree Rangers covered less of the surrounding trees above. The druids lost nearly a quarter of their members, some of whom were masters of the natural arts of nature magic.

But the Glade Guard took the heaviest casualties as they took the brunt of the initial clashes. There are little more than half their numbers remaining, many of those who fell Aspen knew by name.

It is disheartening to see so many lost. However, his subject’s sacrifices were not in vain, his forces still stood strong, their once dwindling morale now boosted to an all-time high by the Ancient Spirits that stands around them as well as the Children of Evera that came at their most desperate hour.

Where one would see his army as a collection of exhausted deers, savage animals and walking trees. Aspen sees the most formidable army the Everfree has ever seen since the first war against the Demons of Tartarus.

With hope in their hearts and fire in their spirits they will-

Suddenly there were small but noticeable waves of vibration spreading throughout the purple mud below Aspen’s hooves. His subjects, as well as the animals and Spirits, noticed this with mixed obvious worry.

Seconds later, the vibrating mud turned into a darker shade of purple, almost violet in color. Soon after the change, the vibrations stopped just as suddenly as it occurred.

Aspen could only look at the now violet coloured ground with worried eyes. “What just happe-”

“GGGGRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOH!” BOOM!

Aspen was torn from his immediate thoughts as he snapped his gaze to the source of the loud roar. What he saw shocked him to his very core.

The Ancients Spirits, immovable guardians of the Everfree, all collapsed to their hands and knees. Even the great Ashbark fell roaring in unknown pain.

Aspen immediately ran up to the struggling Spirit. “Great Ashbark! What wrong!? What has happened to you!?” Aspen exclaimed with a truly worried tone.

“THE EARTH...! IT’S KILLING US!” Ashbark roared out in obvious pain. Shocking every deer around.

Before Aspen could comprehend what Ashbarks just said, one the deer’s behind him suddenly screamed.

“THE TREES! THEY’RE-”

However, whatever the deer had to say was soon muted out by the horrifying spectacle that is occurring right in front of Aspen.

The trees surrounding them as far as the eye could see are suddenly turning ash white, the countless leaves on their branches withered black before disintegrating into dust. Soon, horrible black veins started to trail up the trees themselves before the turning into withered black husks.

Soon, all at once, the trees started to disintegrate into black clouds of ash. The Rangers and animals situated among the trees soon screamed out in panic as many of them either fell to the ground below or jumped off on their own accord.

Aspen stood stock still, too horrified by what is occurring and too shocked to say anything.

It all happened too fast, all of these trees, both young saplings and those old as the forest itself, just vanished as if there existence suddenly ceased.

Silence took over the army of the Everfree, even the animals were shocked to silence at the shocking phenomenon happening all around them. Soon the fog of black smoke and ash disappeared, showing a horrifying sight.

All around them, for miles around, every single tree, every single bush, every single precious part of their Goddess’s home, vanished. All that remained is an entire plain covered in the same violet covered mud ending at a new forest line just leagues behind Aspen’s retinue.

Aspen continued to gaze around him, trying to comprehend the sheer loss of an entire section of the Everfree.

Soon, as if to the break the tense silence, some of Aspen’s subjects simply collapsed. Some cried out in the sorrow of what has been lost and their failure to prevent it while others simply stared out across the cleared plains, their minds couldn’t comprehend the sudden loss of precious life.

But the one most affected of all is Aspen himself. It was his duty to see the Everfree safe. It was his duty to protect their home from any who dare comes to harm it.

But now he’s standing in the middle of an empty field of violet coloured mud. Looking at what he failed to prevent.

“M-My King… what should we do?”

Aspen turned to meet the shell-shocked gaze of Blackthorn. Like every deer around him, Aspen saw just how shaken his Captain is by what has just occurred.

But above all else, he sees how his Captain is looking towards him, eyes filled with the need for direction. Soon Aspen noticed that all attention is on him, each and every one of his subjects, even the Children of Evera, is looking towards him with the same gaze his Captain is giving him.

They needed direction, they need their king.

Aspen then looked up towards the very reason for their march, their ultimate destination. The mountainous formations of the Valley of Evera’s Wrath, only a few miles to reach where the enemy lies.

Aspen’s sorrow soon turned into anger, anger turned into a righteous fury.

The Zerg. They were the cause of all this. No longer were they just content of infesting their home. They wanted to destroy it along with everything that holds the Everfree dear.

If his subjects needed direction. Then he will direct them towards their sworn enemy.

Aspen took a deep breath before speaking. “We march forward! This tragedy is caused by the very enemy we seek to root out of our home! We shall march straight into their nest and show them that what they have done cannot go UNPUNISHED!” Aspen exclaimed. This did the trick as the majority of his subjects roared out in anger, eager to avenge the tragedy that has happened to their precious home.

However, amongst those who are still wary, one voiced their concern. “But your majesty! What about the Spirits!? Their conditions are getting worse!”

True to the deer’s words, all the Spirits are still on all fours but are barely alive from the looks of them. Aspen has attributed the Spirit’s magical energies within their very being as the sole reason for keeping these Ancient Spirits alive. But even then, black veins have now spread up their legs and arms as his remaining Druids used all manner of spells to heal the ancients, but whatever the violet mud has done to them showed no signs of recovery or much less slowing down.

Even some of the Children of Evera started crowding around the Spirits, all worried for their ancient guardians.

Aspen spoke, catching everyone’s attention. “The Ancients are in no position of giving us aid. No matter how much it pains me to say this, we have to continue on without them and destroy the source of this poisonous soil! It is our only hope of saving them!” Aspen exclaimed, pointing his spear towards the valley. “Our enemy just lies within the valley! Their army is crippled and low in number! The advantage is still ours! We can still-”

However, King Aspen rousing speech is suddenly interrupted when the very earth below his feet started to shake, a very familiar tremor grew with every second.

Soon Aspen, as well as every deer, animal and Spirit saw the cause of the tremors. “By the Goddess…”

Pouring out from the lip of the craterous valley in the far distance is a venerable FLOOD of Zerg abominations. Like ants coming out of an anthill, thousands upon thousands of small figures poured down and covered the entire face of the mountainous rock that surrounded the valley.

Their numbers incomprehensible to Aspen and his forces, their shrill cries and shrieks can be heard even from miles away as this hord- no- SWARM of Zerg started to rapidly gain ground towards Aspen and his forces.

With no trees or forest in their way or for them to use or to impede the rushing swarm. Aspen and his army couldn’t help but watch helplessly as this never-ending tide of Zerg charges towards them.

“M-M-MY King! What should we do!?” Blackthorn asked in a desperate, frightened tone.

“Fall back…” Aspen whispered.

“My King!?” Blackthorn exclaimed as the swarm drew ever closer.

“FALL BACK! FALL BACK TO THE EVERGLADE!” Aspen shouted out, his tone betraying his desperation.

His forces gladly complied as they soon turned to sprint back towards the forest line with all haste.

“MY KING! THE SPIRITS!” A random Ranger shouted. Aspen, as well as the rest of his forces, stopped to see the Ancient Spirits forcing themselves onto their feet, the poison in their very forms have now spread across their whole body in angry black vein-like patterns.

Hearing movement from behind him, Aspen turned and saw the Great Ashbark slowly raising himself up to stand. “Great Ashbark quick! You and the Spirits must retreat with-”

“No…”

Aspen gave the most revered Spirit of the forest a horrified expression. “No!? But Great Spirit! You MUST-”

“No… Heart Bearer… you and your kin… must live on…” Ashbark said, his gaze meeting Aspen’s own. Soon the surrounding Spirits started to slowly march towards the oncoming tide of Zerg.

A horrifying realization dawned on Aspen. “No! You can’t! If you all die then any hope of defending the Everfree will be lost! I will not allow it!” Aspen shouted out to the Ancient Spirit in a rare act of defiance. However, this did nothing to sway the towering Spirit before him.

“My kin and I… have always been shepherds… to the children of the Everfree… But the time of the ancients… has long past…” The Great Spirit said, raising a single strained finger towards Aspen.

“You have your sacred duty… to see the Heart passed down… to your successor… to continue the legacy… of the All Mother’s will…” Aspen brought a hand up to the Heart, knowing full well what the Great Spirit meant.

But that didn’t mean he liked it. “But without you! How can the Everfree ever survive!?” Aspen argued in a desperate tone.

The Ancient Spirit drew his hand back. “Heart Bearer… out of all of Evera’s gifts to this world… The Deer Folk... was her most precious gift… For the Deer Folk can love… can hate… but most importantly… can decide their own fate…” Ashbark then took a few staggering steps past Aspen and towards the onrushing swarm.

“My Kin and I… were given the sacred duty… to shepherd the Deer Folk… and if so… to give our very lives… to see you all flourish…” The Spirits said as he soon started marching along with his fellow Spirits.

“We go now… to fulfill our sacred duty… one last time… Go now… All of you… Live on and forge a new path… continue our legacy… and that of the All Mother…” Ashbark said as he soon lumbered towards the Zerg swarm.

Aspen wanted to say something, anything to change the old Spirit’s mind. But deep down he knew and understood that the Ancient Spirits are giving their very lives to uphold their sacred duty, a duty they have always upheld since the very first of the Deer Folk walked through the Everfree.

What right does Aspen have to stop them?

With tears forming in his eyes, Aspen shouted out to the Ancient Spirit, for what will be most likely the last time. “ON BEHALF OF THE DEER FOLK! I THANK YOU AND THE REST OF THE ANCIENT SPIRITS GREAT ASHBARK! MAY EVERA GUIDE YOU WHEREVER YOU MAY GO!”

The revered Spirit Ashbark replied. “Thank you… Aspen… May we meet again… by the All Mother’s side…”

With those parting words, Ashbark soon joined with the rest of the other Spirits. All thirty of these noble beings stood side by side separated by only a few meters, all facing valiantly and without a shred of fear against the oncoming tide of Zerg.

The abominations only hastened their charge with unbridled savagery towards the towering guardians of the Everfree, their shrill cries filled the air.

Soon all the Spirits spread their arms out to those standing beside them as they started chanting ancient words of magic, their very forms glowed with bright green runes and markings as power gathered within their very forms. Suddenly, hundreds of large roots sprouted from their very bodies as their arms grew and stretched towards one another. Their growing roots slowly intertwined with one another as their hands clasped with those beside them, slowly closing any gaps between the Spirits.

Soon a great wall of gnarled and intertwined roots and knotted bark is completed and started to widened out to block as much of the plain as they can, almost going hundreds to nearly a thousand meters long. The bodies of the Ancient Spirits can still be discerned among the wall, their very bodies used to hold the entirety of the wall itself.

Any view of the oncoming swarm is soon blocked out by the wall of Ancient Spirits. However, there is no time to be distracted by this amazing spectacle. Time is of the essence.

“MY SUBJECTS! FALL BACK TO THE FOREST! THE SPIRITS WILL BUY US TIME TO RETREAT! Aspen commanded as many of his subjects wiped away tears of sorrow before rushing towards the forest line behind them.

The Children of Evera soon followed, mixing in and around Aspen’s subjects, many of the larger animals carried the majority of their smaller kin, understanding that speed is of the essence for their retreat. The Hydra lumbered in long strides covering the very back of the army while the mighty Thunder Bird flew from above leading the other flocks, it’s large shadow showed Aspen that the great Eagle is still with them, despite having many chances to fly away itself.

Soon Aspen could hear the ear piercing cries of the enemy behind them followed by the unmistakable sound of wood crashing, bending and breaking. Aspen peeked behind him and sees many of the Spirits near the middle of the wall straining to hold back the Zerg, already Aspen is seeing the Zerg breaking through the gnarled roots and appearing on top of the wall.

The Spirits are holding. But for how long?

Aspen shook the thoughts from his head as he focused on what is right in front of him. The forest is but a few leagues away. They can do this; they can escape back to the Everglade!

However, Aspen’s reality was brutally interrupted when the earth suddenly exploded right at the entrance of the Everfree.

“GRRREEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”

“WHAT IN THE GODESS’S NAME IS THAT!” A deer shouted out in panic as the entire army stop dead in their tracks, just a just a single league away from the forest.

What Aspen saw coming out from the ground can only be described as a massive monstrosity of a worm, vaguely resembling a Tatzlwurm.

But where the Tatzlwurm has three separate jaws, this thing has four. Two massive ones for the main mouth and two on top of its head like antennas, both pairs are filled with hundreds of massive sharp teeth. And where a Tatzlwurm is covered in soft purple flesh and skin, this monstrosity is covered all along it’s raised body in segmented brown carapace that covered its massive form.

Soon all along the forest line, the earth erupted and five more of these massive worms roared into the air, virtually cutting off their escape. But instead of charging straight at them as he expected these monsters will do, the worms instead retreated back into the ground until only their heads remained sticking out.

This confused Aspen as did his subjects. But their confusion immediately turned into horror as each of the worms opened their massive maws and started spewing forth a virtual stream of Zerg abominations towards his army, a number of lizards, serpents, and beetles rushed towards them as Aspen’s army stood shell-shocked.

Immediately Aspen rushed towards the front of his army. “PUSH FORWARD! WE MUST PUSH THROUGH BEFORE THEY CUT US OFF COMPLETELY!” Aspen shouted, pointing his spear directly at the enemy leagues ahead of them. His army roared out in reply before charging towards the incoming Zerg.

The Glade Guard quickly rushed in front of Aspen as they charged with shields raised and spear poised to strike. The Rangers and Druids stayed behind the Glade Guards, bows and spells at the ready. Some of the Children of Evera started to rush past the Glade Guard, a number of Dire Bears and wolves outpacing the Glade Guards while the flocks started diving towards the Zerg.

However, as Aspen’s army drew near the Zerg army blocking their path, in a blink of an eye a virtual storm of deadly spines shred through his army with devastating results.

In the very first second of the initial onslaught, the vast majority of the Glade Guards fell completely halting their charge, their shields shattering as hundreds of piercing spines riddled their bodies before they could hit the ground. Many more of the Glade Guard soon fell afterward to the unrelenting barrage, screaming out in their last cries or desperately bracing their shield against such devastating fire to no prevail.

The Rangers tried their very best to return fire as well as dodge any incoming spines. However, their arrows had no effect on the enemy’s numbers and with no trees to act as cover, dozens by the second were being brutally shot down by the enemy as their screams joined alongside the Glade Guard’s.

The Druids were even in a far worse situation as they soon horrifyingly discovered that their magic over nature was useless with the purple mud below their feet. Any attempt to sprout any sort of vines were killed instantly by the violet coloured soil, no matter how much they pooled in their magic.

Even more of the already dwindling numbers of the Druids fell, screaming their last before hitting the mud covered ground.

The Children of Evera were also quickly taking massive losses. Many of the large animals were soon killed by fatal hits to the head or soon succumbed to the many spines embedded in their bodies, even the stone hard hides of the Gragadiles couldn’t hold against the unrelenting storm of spines.

The flocks of birds above were not exempted, hundreds of their numbers fell dead all around Aspen and his army, but from what he could see the flocks above soon scattered and fled in all directions. All that is left is the Thunder Bird, the mighty eagle doing its very best to dodge the incoming fire with limited success.

Aspen heard and watched all this happening around him, but he continued his charge towards the Zerg. If he can reach the Zerg, then he could distract them long enough for the rest of his army to arrive.

However, Aspen was soon tackled right behind a body of a dead Dire Bear as a brand new barrage of spines flew over his head, eliciting more screams from his army.

“MY KING! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!?”

Aspen turned to the deer currently shaking him, meeting the stern eyes of Blackthorn who was worse for wear.

Aspen’s anger rose as he ripped the Captain’s arms off of him. “I WAS GOING TO MAKE A PATH THROUGH THE ZERG BLOCKING OUR WAY! WHY HAVE YOU STOPPED ME!?” King Aspen yelled out in anger at his Captain.

However, Blackthorn did not back down as he glared into Aspen’s eyes. “YOU WOULD’VE DIED IF I HADN’T INTERVENED! OUR FORCES ARE GETTING SLAUGHTERED! WE’RE IN NO POSITION TO ADVANCE!” Blackthorn exclaimed over the storm of spines shrieking over their head and hitting their cover with the sound of meaty thuds.

Aspen’s anger soon faded when he saw what remained of his subjects. Strewn all over the field behind him are the still bleeding bodies of his loyal subjects, each corpse horribly shredded, torn apart and impaled with numerous barbed spines.

But to Aspen’s small relief, the last remaining remnants of his forces are still alive, each and every one of them taking cover behind the various corpses of the Children of Evera as the large bodies provided the only means of cover against the Zerg’s unrelenting attack. However, Aspen soon noticed the condition his army is in, many of his subjects were injured in various degrees from shallow cuts to the worst being entire limbs severed off. Soon few of his subjects succumbed to their wounds, adding to the many dead that surrounds them.

Aspen’s attention couldn’t help but draw towards the wall of Spirits in the far distance behind them. From what he can discern the Spirits were still holding, but just barely as he saw dozens of small bodies leaping off all along the top of the wall or outright tearing through the roots that held the Spirits together. Soon Aspen noticed the Zerg started streaming around the massively wide wall on both sides.

Aspen realized that they’re quickly running out of time. Soon the swarm behind them will break through the Spirits and kill them all if they don’t break through the Zerg blocking their path to the Everfree.

However, like his Captain said, they were in no position to advance any further as demonstrated when a few of his remaining Rangers popped up from cover to fire their bows, only to be violently thrown back onto the ground by dozens of deadly spines.

The situation is dire. If they stayed where they were, then the swarm of Zerg will soon overrun them from behind. If they tried to advance, then they will be annihilated by the unrelenting storm of deadly spines.

No matter which direction Aspen chooses, both options will ultimately lead to the death of his subjects as well as any hope of saving the Everglade.

But he still has to try. “EVERYONE!” Aspen shouted over the noise of the enemy’s barrage. “ON MY SIGNAL! WE’LL CHARGE THROUGH THE ZERG LINES! WE’LL-”

“SKKRRREEEEEEEEIIII!”

Aspen is abruptly cut off when the Zerg horde blocking his army’s path is almost upon them under the cover of more spines, something Aspen failed to notice before.

Before Aspen could give the order to charge, the massive form of the Hydra stomped passed and surged towards the Zerg with thundering steps.

“GGGRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” The Hydra roared as it charged towards the incoming Zerg as an innumerable number of spines pelted its massive form, shredding and piercing deep into its flesh.

The Hydra seemingly ignored the barrage of spines as it soon crashed into the onrushing Zerg horde, plowing forcefully through their numbers and crushing all those in its way into a bloody paste. However, instead of fighting amongst the Zerg ranks, the Hydra continued its charge towards the line of worm heads blocking the forest entrance.

However, even with its massive size, the combination of deadly spines and the sheer numbers of the Zerg surrounding it, the Hydra is slowly being bogged down, soon Zerg lizards started clawing up its body. The Hydra used two of its four heads to sweep and bite any Zerg off its body while using its tail to clear as much space behind it as possible, but it was clear the Hydra won’t last long.

Aspen, realizing what the Hydra is doing, turned to the surviving remenants of his forces. “EVERYONE! THE HYDRA IS CLEARING US A PATH! FORWARD!” Aspen commanded as the remnants of his army soon charged out of cover and towards the Zerg lines.

Soon Aspen’s army charged through the Zerg ranks, more specifically the now closing path the Hydra has previously cleared for them. Aspen was the first to catch up to the still charging Hydra, just in time to see dozens of beetles and suicidal rollers spitting and exploding corrosive acid all over the Hydras lower body and legs.

All four heads of the Hydra roared out in pain as the acid started to eat through its flesh. However, with one final lunge, the Hydra reached the massive heads of the tunneling worms. The Hydra then proceeded to use its heads to pry an opening between two of the massive worms, using two heads each to push the worms aside.

The worms, in turn, roared out but did nothing as they continued to vomit out even more Zerg into the growing horde. But in the end the Hyrda has done it, a clear path into the forest is made as the Hydra laid it’s tail onto the ground to act as a ramp.

Aspen immediately bounded up the tail of the massive beast before turning to those following him. “EVERYONE! ESCAPE INTO THE FOREST! DRUIDS! ON ME! WE NEED TO COVER EVERYONE’S ESCAPE!” Aspen commanded as he started gathering power from the Heart.

Soon his surviving Druids surrounded him, gathering their own magical energies while the Glade Guard, Rangers and the Thunder Bird above protected them as best they can. It soon turned into a desperate battle of defending a clear path to the top of the Hydra for the injured and remaining animals to past through and into the safety of the forest. But with their small numbers, they will soon be overrun with Zerg monstrosities.

“NOW!” Aspen roared with power as he unleashed his spell. Immediately a large fence of barbed vines sprouted forth from the poisoned earth and forced its way through the Zerg surrounding the Hydra and outwards toward the back half of his still arriving subjects. The vines created a clear path for the rest of his army to rush through, however, due to the poisonous soil, the vines were quickly dying out just as fast as Aspen is maintaining them even with the power of the Heart.

The Druids helped immensely by pooling whatever they had left into maintaining parts of the vine fence. However, the fence can only hold for so long, even with the assistance of the Rangers and Thunder Bird, the seemingly numberless Zerg surrounding them are still breaking through.

As the rest of Aspen’s forces rushed through the open corridor of vines, few of his subjects and the Children of Evera were still being picked off by the surrounding Zerg. Hundreds of the surrounding Zerg started tearing their way through the vine fence and even fewer leaping in from above. Soon their efforts became abundantly clear as dozens of Zerg creatures broke through different sections of the fences, cutting off small portions of his remaining army.

Aspen could do nothing but watch as those cut off cried out for help before being torn apart by packs of lizards, eviscerated by the serpents or melted down by the beetles and suicidal creatures. Aspen watched this happening with tears in his eyes, knowing if he tried to intervene then his hold over the fence will fail and thus letting the rest of his subjects become prey to the surrounding Zerg.

“INCOMING!” A Druid screamed as four suicidal creatures soared towards Aspen from above.

Before Aspen could react, one of the Hydra’s heads quickly covered him from above as the suicidal creatures soon exploded.

PSSSH- PSSSH- PSSSH- PSSSSSSH! “GROOOAAAAARRR!”

The Hydra head roared its last before collapsing on the left side of Aspen and his small group of Druids, showing the horrendous aftermath of its noble sacrifice.

Aspen could only grit his teeth as he surged even more power into maintaining the fence of vines. Soon nearly half his remaining forces made it up the Hydra and into the forest.

The noble Hydra continued to hold the opening as more and more of Aspen’s army made their escape. But Aspen noticed the unrelenting attacks from the surrounding Zerg is taking a great toll on its body. Beetles and suicidal rollers were covering its body in corrosive acid, serpents firing spines into its necks and remaining heads, lizards clawing their way up towards Aspen’s position, only to be met with arrow and spear for their troubles.

However, with the loss of a head, the opening started to steadily close as the Hydra is slowly losing strength.

Immediately Aspen shouted out to those straggling behind. “HURRY! THE HYDRA IS LOSING STRENGTH! OUR ESCAPE WILL SOON CLOSE!” Soon the remaining deers and animals as they rushed as fast as they can into the forest, however, even with their quickened haste there is still a significant portion of his forces still straggling behind.

“CRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”

Aspen’s focus was momentarily interrupted by a terrifyingly loud roar somewhere in the far distance. He as well as many of his still defending subjects lifted their gaze from their battle towards the wall of Spirits in the distance.

In a single horrible second, the entire middle section of the wall of Spirits exploded in shrapnel of large splinters and exploding magical energies of the Spirits that suddenly perished.

What came charging through the dust turned Aspen’s blood cold as his heart dropped to his stomach.

Even from such a far distance, Aspen can clearly see by far the most massive monstrosity he has ever seen in his life. This beast towered over all others, it’s massive crown shaped head adorned with spikes and sheer size outstrips even the Hydra’s massive bulk. The monster of a Zerg is bounding towards his still escaping army on four massive legs, each thicker than even the largest of trees surrounding the Everglade. But the most terrifying feature of this monster is it’s four equally massive curved blades for arms.

Aspen’s shock only worsened as all along the wall of Spirits, even more of these massive monstrosities crashed through the Spirits defense and trampled on their destroyed bodies as if they were nothing. Soon eight of these terrifying monsters trampled down what the remained of the wall of Spirits as they soon started bounding with earth-shaking steps towards where Aspen’s forces are currently situated.

Now with nothing to block their path, the swarm of Zerg now lead by these eight massive monstrosities are quickly gaining ground on Aspen’s forces.

“M-MY KING! ALL THE WOUNDED AND ANIMALS HAVE ESCAPED INTO THE FOREST!”

Aspen was immediately brought out of his self-induced shock to see the surrounding Zerg clambering up the Hydra’s body, the fence of vines having perished long ago when Aspen lost focus. His Glade Guards and what’s left of the Rangers and Druids fought desperately to hold back the Zerg.

Immediately Aspen shouted. “EVERYONE! RETREAT BACK TO THE EVERGLADE! RETREAT NOW!” Aspen commanded as he could see the monstrosities growing closer in the distance. Thinking quickly, Aspen gathered as much magic into his spear before throwing it directly into the Zerg horde, striking a Zerg serpent that was dangerously near the front lines.

The spear did as it intended as it exploded and blasted back a significant portion of the clambering Zerg off the Hydra. With this brief moment of reprieve, Aspen, as well as his remaining forces, sprinted off the still holding Hydra and onto the green grass of the Everfree.

Aspen turned around and saw the sorry state of the Hydra. The three remaining heads have their eyes closed and wore the same expression that can only be described as experiencing unimaginable amount of pain.

Soon, all three heads slowly opened their eyes to meet aspen’s own, eyes strained but filled with a patient expectation from him.

Aspen knew very well what the beast needed as he nodded his head in solemn silence.

The Hydra, receiving Aspen’s nod, drew its heads back, closing the gap between the massive Zerg worms.

All Aspen could hear from the other side was the Hydra giving out one last valiant roar before the sounds of stomping feet and the dying shrieks of the Zerg filled the air.

Aspen bowed his head. To give his respects to such a selfless creature of nature and prayed that his beloved Goddess will guide its noble soul to another, better, life it so rightfully deserves.

“MY KING! WE HAVE TO GO NOW!” Captain Illia shouted somewhere behind Aspen.

Aspen, finishing his quick prayer, gathered more power from the Heart as he summoned another spear before slamming it into the forest ground.

Now off the poisonous soil, a massive wall of barbed vines burst forth all along the forest line, blocking the Zerg’s advance to cover their escape.

“This won’t hold them for long! EVERYONE! ALL HASTE BACK TO THE EVERGLADE!” Aspen commanded as he and his remaining forces started their long journey back to their home, to prepare for the worst.

Location: Main Hive Cluster

On top of the mountainous wall that surrounds his Hive stood Dusk, watching with stoic eyes as the last of Aspen’s surviving forces retreated back into the forest through the gap the Hydra opened for them.

The large Hydra that accompanied the Deer Folk forces proved to be a very tenacious creature, well known among Equis for their massive size and ability to regenerate any matter of wounds within minutes.

However, when faced against his forces, the Hydra is horribly outnumbered and Dusk has many different methods of dealing with the Hydra’s apparent regeneration, acid being one of the main tools he decided to use.

But even though the large beast faced against such great odds, the Hydra refused to die as shown when the large now tri-headed serpent turned towards his forces and started rampaging in a vain attempt to kill as many of his Zerg as it can.

Assisting the Hydra from above is the venerated Thunder Bird, another well-known creature of Equis known for its considerable strength and size, said to be able to fight off fully grown dragons when provoked.

The eagle, much like the Hydra, refused to die so easily. It continued to dive down into his forces with its sharp talons before lifting off into the air and dropping any Zerg it caught in its claws to their deaths.

If one were to currently observe these two beasts of legends, then they will see creatures fighting with a fury only exhibited by animals that are backed into a proverbial corner with no means of escape. However, Dusk sees purpose in their movements and sporadic attacks, these mythical animals are content with fighting to the last instead of escaping themselves, no doubt buying time for Aspen and his defeated army to escape.

However, that all changed when Dusk’s Ultralisks arrived.

When his main force finally reached the still roaring Hydra, the first of his Ultralisks charged at the Hydra as the bi-pedal serpent is distracted by the hundreds of Zerglings swarming all over its body. A mistake that will lead to its downfall.

As Dusk predicted, the Ultralisk used its upper Kaiser blades to decapitate the three remaining heads of the Hydra before bowling over its now unresponsive corpse and started stomping the body into a bloody mess. The sounds of blood gushing, bones breaking and pounding flesh could be heard from where Dusk is currently standing.

As the single Ultralisk continued to destroy the corpse, the still flying eagle gave out an ear-splitting cry before diving straight towards the Ultralisk talons first.

However, the eagle didn’t get far as Dusk ordered every Hydralisk in the field to fire upon the diving eagle.

Immediately the Hydralisks amongst his forces fired their armor-piercing spines, pelting the large bird in an inescapable torrent of spines. Shredded feathers flew off the giant eagle as it gave one last cry before diving into a free fall. Soon the Thunder Bird soared past the Ultralisk and crashed through the middle of his forces, crushing nearly a hundred of his Zerglings and other Zerg variants.

With the legendary beasts taken care of, Dusk then ordered his Nydus worms back before directing his entire force to charge into the Everfree, their destination is clear. His forces soon met with some resistance from a wall of vines that lined the entrance of the forest, no doubt erected by Aspen in a vain attempt to cover his army’s escape.

As expected, his forces easily tore and trampled through the vines as the Ultralisks charged through the forest, clearing a path through the trees for his forces to use.

Dusk immediately sense the presence of his Broodmother approaching him from behind. “What is it Vash?” Dusk demanded, his tone betraying no emotion.

The Broodmother gave a regal bow. “My lord. I have come to congratulate you on your victory over the Deer Folk and their foolish leader. Everything went according to your well-executed strategy.” The Broodmother said with genuine praise.

Dusk frowned. “Tell me Vash. In what way is this considered a victory for me.” Dusk questioned in a serious tone.

Dusk could sense his Broodmother’s confusion. “I don’t understand what you mean my lord? You have routed the enemy from the battlefield and even now their main settlement is being eradicated by our forces sent previously before. Was this not all part of your decisive strategy for victory?” The Broodmother recounted.

Dusk’s frown deepened at what his Broodmother just said. It seems his Broodmother has yet to grasp on the possible implications this so-called victory over the Deer Folk has on his Brood.

With Equestria already aware of the Zerg presence, the last thing Dusk needed was another faction intruding in his plans further, especially when the Deer Folk are so close to his territory.

Of course, Dusk could’ve easily found the Deer Folk’s home and annihilated them outright, but such brash decisions have their potential drawbacks. In the case of the Deer Folk, if he did such an act and if any pony from Equestria finds out about what had happened, then this will no doubt eventually reach the ears of the Monarchs of Equestria, forcing them into action against him and his Brood.

They will soon draw in the other kingdoms of this world and direct their attention on his Zerg.

If such events occur, then all of Dusk’s plans of returning to the Koprulu Sector will be delayed for an untold amount of time.

So with this in mind, Dusk decided to use a more practical approach and negotiate a peace with the Deer Folk. Stating his intentions and his disinterest of fighting the Deer Folk.

So imagine his disappointment when his initial offer for peace to the Deer Folk was brazenly revoked by their king.

So when this war began, Dusk used what information he extracted from the deer he previously captured for the negotiation, Yessera, and devised many different ways to utterly crush Aspen’s forces and that of his race. Part of which was sending a large portion of his Zerg to attack the Deer Folk home, the Everglade, directly while Aspen’s forces marched to their deaths.

So when Aspen’s army emerged victorious against a small army of Zerg that he sent, he sent almost a third of his entire Brood to attack the Deer Folk’s home of the Everglade. Around the same time Dusk easily baited Aspen’s own forces into a trap and devastated their forces. Destroying whatever hope they had for a decisive victory.

But was this considered a victory for his Zerg? In Dusk’s eyes, it was more of a risk than anything.

Dusk felt no joy, just disappointed at this needless war.

Dusk scoffed. “Strategy? A strategy implies that I used my time accordingly to prepare my forces against an enemy of equal or greater strength.” Dusk then gestured towards the open field of creep. “In this so-called war I barely used what you could call strategy. Our enemy had no hope from the start of ever achieving victory. Their weaponry, use of magic and war tactics were easily countered, and our losses can be easily replenished within minutes. No… I did not use a decisive strategy to obtain this disappointing victory. I merely showed those fools exactly what I promised them when they decided to revoke my terms of peace.” Dusk explained, his tone laced with stern annoyance and hints of disappointment.

Dusk continued to observe his forces advancing deeper into the Everfree. Recalling back to how the events that played out during this war.

When Aspen decided to attack Dusk’s Brood directly, Dusk initially sent a small force of 2,200 Zerglings followed by a hundred Hydralisk and thirty Roaches to test their army’s capabilities. He refrained from sending anymore as he wanted to gather as much information on the Deer Folk’s way of war and to see how capable they were in battle. Plus, it was all part of his overall plan in showing the Deer Folk just how hopeless their war against him is.

He oversaw the battle personally, directing the Zerg with little effort on his part and holding back his elite Zerg until he felt the need to test Aspen’s forces further. Dusk’s goal was to test Aspen, to see how he would react and counter his Zerg during the flow of battle and to see the capabilities of each individual Deer Folk as soldiers of an organized army.

When the battle was well underway, Dusk at first was intrigued how Aspen’s forces managed to hold back the vast majority of his Zerg. The King of the Everfree used a purely defensive approach, mainly relying on a wall of constantly regenerating vines to hold back his Zergs and thus forming his army to support/exploit such defense.

When Dusk moved his forces around the wall to hit their exposed flanks, he observed how the animals and the wooden wolf constructs, aptly named the Forest Guardians, charged and fought back against his flanking Zerg, just goes to show the level of intelligence of this world’s wild fauna as they can discern ally from enemy.

Throughout the battle, Dusk had observed each of the different soldiers of Aspen’s army. The Glade Guards were the frontline and had extensive training far superior compared to what the Royal Guards of Canterlot are trained in. The Everfree Rangers were expert sharpshooters as each individual are skilled archers in of themselves as shown when many of Dusk’s Roaches and Hydralisk were blinded by the accurate shots from these same Rangers. Lastly, the Druids were magic users as they were maintaining both the main defense and healing their injured.

But even with these skilled warriors and magic users on their side, Aspen’s forces were still made up of intelligent beings with individual thoughts and emotions. No matter how devoted Aspen’s army may be to defending their forest, even the most devoted of his soldiers can still feel fear, anxiety, and hopelessness, causing them to soon rout from the battlefield or disobey their king’s orders entirely in favor of their own decisions.

In short, Aspen naively led his army against Dusks’ Zerg. A highly evolved alien species who have faced and survived against far greater threats and have no concept of emotions, individual thoughts, numbers, and self-preservation.

So it was to no surprise when his small army of Zerg, sent to simply test Aspen’s own forces, nearly routed them from the battlefield. Though his forces had taken nearly half casualties such numbers can be easily replenished, thus the battle was in Dusk’s favor as Aspen’s army have taken casualties of their own.

Before Dusk drew his attention away from the battle, the strange beings aptly named the Ancient Spirits suddenly intervened.

The Ancient Spirits intrigued Dusk when he first saw them. The very essence of the forest manifesting into a physical shape and form of large walking trees as they exuded powerful magical energies.

Dusk observed and noted how these Spirits were surprisingly robust, mostly in part due to their rapid healing factor which immediately healed all wounds, rivaling even his Roaches.

With such an ability, these beings of wood and bark were able to shrug off Hydralisk spines and Roach acid killing his Zerg with their wooden hands or crushing them underfoot with their root-like feet.

In short, these Spirits were something that even the Zerg has ever encountered before. The only thing that came mind were the Xel’naga constructs that protected the Xel’naga tomb of Ulnar, but comparing the both was far-fetched in it of itself.

With the Spirits’ intervention along with an entire army of animals that came with them, his Zergs were outnumbered as his more elite units were either dead or dying.

However, despite this Dusk got all the information he needed from the Deer Folk. All that was left was to clean up all that remained and to show King Aspen and his Deer Folk the folly of their hubris.

And what better way of ending the Deer Folk than to show them how truly hopeless their situation really is.

So when Aspen’s army gave chase to his retreating Zerg and neared his Hive Cluster, not realizing just how deep they were in his territory, Dusk sealed their fate.

Dusk flipped the proverbial switch and reverted the creep covering his entire territory back to its original function.

What followed after can only be described as satisfactory.

Every single tree, every single plant life touching and feeding off of the Zerg creep simply wilted away and died. Soon leaving nothing but miles upon miles of creep covered plains surrounding his Hive Cluster.

And right out in the open, just a few miles away from the safety of any trees, was Aspen’s army. Now seemingly smaller and more vulnerable than ever before.

The creep also had a profounding effect on the Spirits themselves from what Dusk saw. At the time, Dusk deduced the Spirits drew their power directly from the earth, and since his creep kills all life that uses it for nourishment, it also poisoned the Spirits themselves.

So with Aspen’s army out in the open, helplessly exposed, Dusk sent in his entire Brood for the kill. What followed was history.

Vash nodded. “I see my lord. They were truly foolish to reject your merciful offer, even after you explained to them why such an offer was made. But this war was inevitable. These Deer Folk attacked our Brood first; their arrogance was their downfall.” The Broodmother said.

Dusk nodded in reply. “Indeed Vash. The Deer Folk forced my hand all those days ago. Yes, you can say it was inevitable Vash but at the same time I offered their king reasonable terms for peace and yet he chose war out of some clouded ideals to protect this land of vegetation.” Dusk explained.

He continued. “Now because of this, I run the risk of the Equestrian Monarchs catching wind of this war and what has occurred. They’re no doubt already making plans to confront me, but this will only force their hands to an eventual war. That’s why it’s imperative that every last Deer Folk in the forest dies along with their city.” Dusk finishes with a stoic frown.

Dusk could sense questions clouding his Broodmother’s thoughts. “Speak Vash. Say your thoughts.” Dusk commanded almost impatiently.

The Broodmother obediently spoke. “If you were going to kill all the deers to prevent any word of this war leaking to the equine monarchs, then why haven’t you killed the deer king and his forces when you had the chance? Our Nydus Worms alone could’ve crushed the Hydra along with the deer’s remaining forces.” Vash questioned.

Dusk frowned. “Simple Vash. I wanted him to see the full weight of what his actions had wrought on him and his people. I want him to despair and regret the day he denied my offer of peace. Killing him too early would have denied him of that punishment. Also by driving him back to his city. My Zerg will surround the last remnants of the Deer Folk and annihilate them. Ensuring none of their numbers escaping.” Dusk explained.

The Broodmother nodded in understanding. “I see now. Is that the reason why you had me command a third of our Brood to directly attack their nest?” Vash questioned. Dusk previously ordered Vash to send multiple Nydus worms directly into the Deer Folk’s home of the Everglade. So far they have been sieging the forest settlement and broken through their defenses the last Dusk checked.

“Yes. How’s the attack fairing?” Dusk questioned.

Vash took but a single moment to respond. “Our forces have broken through their defenses with minimal losses and by your orders are combing through their city for stragglers and razing the entire settlement. It also appears the last remnants of resistance and all those who survived are gathering in front of the large white tree. Shall I order our forces to pursue?”

Dusk turned his head to look at the Broodmother over his left shoulder. “Give the order. Hunt down the last remnants of resistance and kill all of the Deer Folk. By the time Aspen returns, his precious kingdom and his people will be destroyed.” Dusk said in a cold emotionless tone as he turned his gaze back towards the forest in the distance.

“Notify me once it’s done.” Dusk ordered. “It shall be done, my lord.” Vash said with a bow. Soon the Broodmother made her way back towards the Hive.

Dusk continued to stare towards the rising smoke in the horizon. The same area where his Zerg are laying total devastation on the Deer Folk and their home.

‘This all could have been avoided. Now you will be nothing but a king over ashes, Aspen.’ Dusk thought as he soon turned and made his way back to his Hive, preparing what’s to come next.

Location: Everfree Forest

Aspen bounded through the forest as fast as his legs could take him. His exhausted body screaming for rest, his over-taxed lungs burning for air.

But he didn’t have the time nor luxury for rest, this goes same for the rest of his subjects that are forcing themselves to run as he is. They are already slowed down as it is due to the injured, but they were still covering much-needed ground quickly.

Ever since their horrendous defeat, Aspen and what remains of his army fled from the Zerg controlled territory for only Goddess knows how long.

Each and every division within Aspen’s forces took crippling losses. His Rangers were depleted from their original number of 700 to a little over than a hundred left, all exhausted of arrows and morale. His Glade Guards took the heaviest casualties going from 600 to a mere handful of these brave souls remaining. His Druids’ losses were nearly crippling in their own right as only six of their members remained, most of the masters and adepts that he took are dead, their knowledge and skills forever lost.

As for the Children of Evera that were with them before, all of them dispersed into the forest long ago, losing what will they had left to fight as survival instincts took over their actions.

But despite these horrifying losses, there is only one thing plaguing Aspen’s every thought above all. If they stopped, even for a moment of rest, then that is more time for the swarm of Zerg behind them to catch up and less time they have to warn the Everglade.

“KEEP RUNNING MY SUBJECTS! WE’RE ALMOST TO THE EVERGLADE!” Aspen barely managed to shout out, like the rest of his army Aspen is near to collapsing from over exhaustion.

Aspen received a few replies from those nearest to him, all too exhausted and no doubt shaken from what has happened previously to put any real effort into their reply. After all, they are fleeing from the very monstrosities that mercilessly killed their fellows and routed all of them into this desperate escape in the first place.

Then as if to remind them of the nightmarish monstrosities chasing them for the third time since their retreat, a single horrifying roar tore through the air drowning out any other noise.

“CRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”

“RUN! HURRAY! THEY GAINING ON US!” A panicking Glade Guard screamed from behind as those around Aspen forced themselves to run even faster.

Many of his subjects collapsed onto the forest floor, too exhausted to continue. But even still many of his deer’s tried their best to carry as many of the collapsed with them, risking themselves of falling behind from the rest of the group.

But not all could be saved. Many were left behind as a result, their fates only added to Aspen’s heavily weighted mind.

Aspen kept his pace as those behind him started to bound past him. “STAY TOGETHER! *GASP* KEEP YOUR CALM! WE MUST NOT CREATE PANIC WHEN WE ARRIVE IN THE-”

“MY KING! SMOKE! SMOKE FROM THE EVERGLADE!” Cried out Captain Illia, who was sent ahead to scout out a quicker passage for their retreat.

Immediately all exhaustion forgotten as Aspen surged forward, easily overtaking many of his subjects around him. Immediately he pushed through the gathering crowd of his own subjects as he finally laid eyes on the Everglade, something he would soon regret ever doing.

The very gates that led into the Everglade, large ornate doors magically shaped with artistically carved wood, unbreached since it was first erected, were utterly shattered. Pieces of what was once the glorious gate of the Everglade laid scattered all over the ground. Through the gates lies their beloved home in the midst of devastation as few of the trees that the Deer Folk called home is engulfed in flames. The very streets were filled with the dead, both Zerg and many of the Deer Folk alike as their blood painted the grass.

However, what caught Aspen’s sole attention were the Zerg rampaging through his city, destroying and killing all those desperately escaping the carnage. Aspen watched in horrified silence as the Zerg were climbing up trees and breaking into homes as those hiding within soon joined the chorus of screams that filled the air along the noise of the roaring fire.

Aspen nearly collapsed onto his knees. This… this was all his fault. If he had left more soldiers behind- if he had stayed in the Everglade instead of seeking the enemy-

Soon Aspen was literally shaken out of his thoughts by a deer beside him. “MY KING! THE EVERGLADE IS BURNING! WHAT ARE YOUR ORDERS!”

Aspen snapped his gaze to Captain Blackthorn before quickly schooling his features. He had left the Everglade and its people with Arch Druid Rosera, one of his most capable advisors. If the Zerg pushed this far into the Everglade, the survivors will most likely retreat towards the Tree of Evera for a last ditched defense but also for their final fall back plan to evacuate the Deer Folk.

“CRRAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”

With the encroaching swarm behind them there is no time to lose, Aspen shouted out to his surrounding forces. “MY SUBJECTS! AS ONE! CHARGE INTO THE EVERGLADE! WE MUST REACH THE TREE OF EVERA!” Aspen commanded, snapping his subjects out of their shocked daze.

Soon his forces quickly formed into a tight formation with the few remaining Glade Guards as the vanguard while the Rangers, Druids and those still injured supported closely from behind.

Aspen stood at the very front of their formation as he thrust his spear towards the Everglade. “FORWARD!” Aspen exclaimed as he leads his forces into the Everglade, soon charging through the shattered gates and into the city itself.

As expected their valiant charge did not go unnoticed.

“SKKRREEEEIIIIIIIII!” A Zerg lizard perched on a fallen tree ahead let out a feral war cry, soon hundreds of rampaging Zerg poured in from all over, between the trees, leaping from above and even unburrowing from the path ahead of them. It is as if the Zerg had anticipated their arrival.

Thinking quickly, Aspen gathered power from the Heart before unleashing a torrent of barbed vines towards the charging Zerg blocking their way. Soon the vines tore through the Zerg horde in front of him as a clear path is made towards the Great Tree.

“PUSH FORWARD! DO NOT FALTER! FOR THE EVERFREE!”

“FOR THE EVERFREE!” The Deer Folk roared in reply as they charged through the cleared path.

The summoned vines did as they intended as Aspen and his forces managed to charge towards the Tree of Evera with little difficulty, Aspen growing more vines ahead of their path as the Zerg shrieked and roared around them.

Soon Aspen could see the Tree of Evera. Fortune favors him as the Great Tree remains unscathed and untouched by the surrounding fire. However, Aspen immediately saw a small force of Glade Guards holding the large hill up towards the entrance of the Tree while Rangers and Druids used both arrows and vines respectively to hold back the Zerg trying to force their way up the hill.

Leading the defending force from behind is the floating form of Arch Druid Rosera, her eyes glowing bright green with nature magic as tree roots glowing with runic marks surrounded her and the defending Deer Folk in a protective barrier.

“HOLD THE LINE LOYAL DEFENDERS OF THE EVERFREE! WE MUST RESCUE AS MANY OF OUR OWN AS WE CAN!” The Arch Druid commanded as her roots reactively caught over a dozen Zergling leaping towards the Glade Guard from above.

It was at this point Aspen saw what the Arch Druid is defending. From an open side to the defenders far left the Glade Guard were covering a steady stream of Deer Folk escaping the onslaught. Both young and old, mothers and sons too young to fight streamed through the defended opening and up into the safe confines of the Great Tree, the path was also covered by over branching roots, covering the retreating Deer Folk from deadly projectiles.

However, though the defenders are putting up a valiant defense, Aspen can see they were being whittled down from the relentless attacks from the surrounding Zerg streaming in from every possible direction.

If they don’t receive aid soon, then their defenses will surely fall.

Aspen raised his spear towards the defenders. “ALL FORCES, FORWARD! FOR THE EVERFREE!”

“FOR THE EVERFREE!” His army roared out as they quickly charged to aid the defenders.

“MY KING!” Rosera shouted out in surprise as Aspen summoned a venerable tide of barbed vines to clear out a direct path to the defenders. Zergs screamed and shrieked as the newly sprouted roots rushed through their ranks, killing many and clearing a path. The Zerg immediately clawed at the newly sprouted vines, trying relentlessly to get at the newly arrived Deer Folk. However, Aspen’s forces soon joined with the remaining defenders as the ranks of defending Glade Guards opened to let Aspen and his forces through.

Those who were not injured from Aspen’s retinue immediately joined with their fellows with the defense, holding back the relentless Zerg. The Rangers soon replenished their arrows from the defenders as their arrows soon joined the continuing volley. The Druids rejoined with the rest of their order as they soon poured their magic to maintaining the wall of roots and vines keeping the Zerg swarm at bay. The few Glade Guards reinforced their fellow brethren at arms, filling in the gaps in their formation.

Aspen is immediately greeted by the Arch Druid, relief clear in her expression. “Your arrival could not have been any more perfect my King!” Rosera said.

“Where is my son? Where is Bramble?” Aspen demanded in a stern tone.

“The Prince is directing those inside alongside Captain Yessera. They are leading our people to the roots of the Tree of Evera.” The Arch Druid answered.

Aspen somberly nodded. “I see. So you have enacted our last resort.” The king said in a low tone.

Rosera nodded as she immediately directed more of her roots to push back the growing horde of Zerg. “Yes! As you can see, the Zerg have broken into the Everglade. We tried to hold the defenses, but there were just too many even for the Ancient Spirits that fought valiantly to the end. Now we’re gathering as many of the surviving Deer Folk into the Tree of Evera as we can, but if this continues I fear we will lose the Everglade.” The Arch Druid said, her tone hiding her shame and regret.

Aspen digested this information before shaking his head. “The Everfree is lost anyway. Right now as we speak an unstoppable swarm of these abominations will soon flood into the Everglade. We must evacuate our people to safety, that should be our primary concern.” Aspen said, his decision final.

At that moment Captain Illia approached both Rosera and Aspen, immediately bowing to one knee. “My king! There are no more deers coming in! What are your orders?” The Ranger asked.

Aspen knew the implications of what his captain is asking. Though the thought of leaving dozens of survivors who could not make it is disheartening to Aspen, as king he must make decisions on behalf of those who are still alive within the Tree of Evera.

So with a heavy heart, Aspen gave his order. “Retreat all remaining forces back into the Tree of Evera! NOW!” Aspen ordered as Illia immediately sped away, giving the order for retreat.

Soon the chorus of retreat orders filled the air amongst the defender ranks.

“FALL BACK!”

“RETREAT BACK INTO THE GREAT TREE!”

“LET’S GET OUT OF HERE!”

Soon entire rows of Rangers and Glade Guards filed past Aspen and into the Tree of Evera. Both Aspen and Rosera covered their retreat by growing more vines and tree roots to hold back the voracious swarm of Zerg.

Lizards threw themselves at the twisting and crushing wall of vegetation, serpents fired an uncountable barrage into the roots and vine, hitting many of the retreating Deer Folk. Dozens of armored beetles and suicidal rollers started to douse the vines and roots in corrosive acid, soon opening a massive gap through the constantly sprouting plants that Aspen and Rosera could not hope to keep up.

BOOOOM! “CRRAAAAAAAAAAH!”

Aspen eyes widened as he sees the monstrous form of the four-armed monstrosity in the distance smashed through what remained of the gate in an explosion of splinters and wood. Soon the massive beast charged through the streets, toppling over trees and crushing any obstacles in its path into dust. The massive monstrosity of a Zerg is followed closely by a venerable tide of Zerg as they flooded into the Everglade shadowing the monster’s charge.

Aspen immediately snapped out of his shocked daze as he saw the last of the Deer Folk entered the Tree of Evera. “ROSERA! WE MUST GO NOW!” Aspen exclaimed, not waiting for the Druid’s answer as he pulled the stunned Rosera into the confines of the Great Tree.

Aspen threw Rosera in front of him as he quickly spun around and poured magical power into the entrance of the Tree of Evera. Soon from both sides of the open entrance the massive form that makes up the Great Tree soon closed the entrance, just as the massive monstrosity and the first of the Zerg was upon them.

CRASH! “CRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”

The entire side of the recently closed entrance buckled and violently bent inwards with a loud crack of broken wood as four of the monstrosity’s massive blades pierced through the closed entrance, showering flecks of splinters and wood dust all around Aspen and those still behind him.

Soon the four massive blades were violently torn back out from where they came from, leaving four large gaping holes.

“CRRAAAAAAAAAAH!” CRASH!

Aspen immediately backed away as the indented entrance of the Great Tree bent even further, showering even more splinters onto the halls of the Great Tree. The four blades of the monstrosity once more pierced through the closed entrance as the magical energies flowing through the Great Tree is working actively to heal whatever the monstrosity is inflicting on the closed entrance.

But even though the Tree of Evera is mighty in its own right, Aspen can tell the Great Tree will not hold long against the Zerg.

Aspen did not wait for a third strike as he immediately turned towards those still with the entrance halls of the Great Tree. “EVERYONE! MAKE YOUR WAY DOWN TO THE ROOT CAVERN! THE ZERG WILL SOON BREAKTHROUGH!” Aspen ordered as every Deer quickly made their way towards to said chamber.

Aspen noticed Rosera still on the floor where he last threw her. “Rosera! What’s the matter? Are you injured?” Aspen asked, his tone hiding his worry.

“The Great Tree of Evera… It’s screaming out in pain…” Rosera said as she shakily stood on both legs.

Aspen understood what the Druid meant, but before he could speak another crash of the closed entrance sounded throughout the halls followed by a bellowing roar of the monstrosity outside.

Aspen schooled his features on the shaken Druid. “We have no time for this Rosera! We must make our way towards the Root Caverns at once!” Aspen said as Rosera nodded. Soon both King and Druid made their way through the halls of the Great Tree and down deep underground.

Soon both Aspen and Rosera entered the Root Cavern, one of the most sacred rooms within the Tree of Evera. Calling the Root Cavern a room is putting it lightly, the cavern of dirt and stone is vast, it can hold all those who call the Everglade their home with room to spare. Sprouting down directly from the ceiling and spread out all over the cavern floor are the very Roots of the Tree of Evera, each tendril emitting a soft blue light of pure magic that brightened up the entire cavern.

The Root Cavern are used mainly by the Druids of the Everglade. Both masters and aspirants, since ancient times, came to this sacred cavern in order to commune with the very energies of the Tree of Evera, and through it to peer into the vast ocean of magic that flows through the very earth itself.

But the most important aspect of communing with the Tree of Evera is to connect to the other Great Trees of the world.

In the long past, the very first of the Great Trees were believed to have first sprouted since the creation of the world and are connected to one another through the very roots of the world itself. Though the Tree of Evera was not amongst the first nor the very last, it is still one of the Great Trees that survived throughout the untold millennia’s.

Throughout the untold past, many of these Great Trees became lost, either through great catastrophes or through the misguided ideals of the lesser races. Those that still stood to this day are connected to one another through the very roots of the world.

If one takes the time to understand these Great Trees, commune with these trees as the Deer Folk did, then one can tap into the very flow of the earth itself and travel almost instantaneously to the other Great Trees.

This is the very reason why Aspen and Rosera gathered all those who survived in the Root Cavern, this is the Deer Folk’s last resort in saving what remained of their race.

As Aspen walked through the mass of Deer Folk, barely over a couple hundred of his subjects were left, something that weighed heavily on Aspen’s mind.

Each of his subjects looked towards him as the crowd of deers made way for him. Fear and hopelessness marred their expressions, the sounds of the screaming and crying filled the air every time the cavern shook as rocks and dirt rained from the ceiling above.

Soon Aspen and Rosera approached the very roots of the Great Tree, the sight of what’s left of the Druids communing with the tree itself caught his sole attention.

“FATHER!”

Aspen is then suddenly hugged around the waist by his son, one that he immediately returned.

After a few seconds, Aspen pried off his son at arm's length before looking directly into his eyes. “Bramble. Are you hurt?”

Bramble shook his head. “No father! I’m fine! I should be asking you that! With what’s happening out there I thought you have…” Bramble said no more, the reason for his worry is clear to Aspen.

Aspen then hugged his son once more. “I’m sorry Bramble for making you worry. I did fail, I failed to prevent all of this from happening, failed to save the Everfree, to save our home. But it’s not too late to save you all.”

Aspen then broke the hug as he with Bramble in tow made their way over towards the communing Druids. “Druids! Do we have any possible destinations to get our people to safety!?”

One of the Druids, a young Doe, approached Aspen and bowed her head. “We have your majesty. But as you know, many of the Great Trees that the Tree of Evera is connected to are now few and far in between. It also takes a considerable amount of time to prepare such connection, so we were forced to find the closest one that could see the survivors to possible safety. But…” The Doe hesitantly trailed off.

Aspen had no patience for this. “Out with it! Is the location safe for our people’s escape?” Aspen demanded. The Druid yelped and immediately answered. “It may be safe your majesty! But the Great Tree we’re communing to is very young, just recently grown. It’s located in the pony settlement near the Everfree.”

Aspen's eyes widened at this information, but the shaking of the cavern and the cries of his subjects finalized his decision. “Then it will have to do! Open a path to this tree at once!” Aspen ordered as he turned to address the rest of the surviving Deer Folk. “THE REST OF YOU! BE PREPARED TO MOVE! TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!”

Soon as one the Druids spoke words of magical power to commune with the very roots of the Tree of Evera. Soon one of the massive roots rose from the ground, creating a massive archway in front of the surviving Deer Folk.

Aspen stood in front of the archway alongside his advisors and son standing beside him, what’s left of the defenders of the Everglade surrounded Aspen and his close companions, all prepared to do their sworn duty.

Soon the entire root that made up the archway glowed with magical power as a swirling blue portal appeared, filling the entirety of the archway in its bright glow.

As soon as the portal opened Aspen turned to his subjects. “THE PORTAL IS OPEN! GLADE GUARD! SECURE THE OTHER SIDE! THE REST OF YOU FOLLOW THROUGH!”

Soon the crowd of Deer Folk moved and bustled with activity. The Glade Guards immediately filed into the portal, the portal rippling with activity.

Soon the rest of the Deer folk started making their way through the portal as Aspen stayed to make sure that all of his subjects make it through.

Suddenly the cavern stopped shaking as roars of the monstrous Zerg could be faintly heard through the entrance of the cavern.

Like fire, the Deer Folk started to panic as every deer pushed and shoved one another to get into the open portal, Aspen as well as his advisors and the remaining defenders tried to quell the chaos and at the same time rush as many of the remaining Deer Folk into the portal as safely as they can.

“EVERYONE! QUICKLY! INTO THE PORTAL! LEAVE NONE BEHIND! HELP THOSE IN NEED!” Bramble shouted out to the crowd as Aspen watch in stoic silence.

The Deer Folk. Just days ago were proud followers of their beloved Goddess Evera and loyal protectors of the Everfree are now reduced to fleeing from their home, to leave behind everything they have ever known just to survive.

Aspen then turned his attention towards the entrance to the Root Cavern. Even above all the panicked commotion, Aspen could still hear the ever-growing roars and bloodthirsty cries of the Zerg flooding throughout the Tree of Evera. Soon they will find this cavern and if that happens then his people, his loyal friends and most importantly his son will have no time to close the portal on the other side.

And if the one leading the Zerg gained access to the Tree of Evera and its secrets, then it will surely follow his people through the portal and finish what it started.

That cannot happen. Not while Aspen can still do something about it.

Aspen, making his decision, turned to Bramble who is still directing Deer Folk into the portal alongside his teachers, mentors and the most trusted companions Aspen had the honor to call friends.

At that moment, Aspen did not see the worry in Bramble's eyes or the eyes of a scared fawn like many of the other Deer Folk. No… he saw eyes filled with conviction and determination, determined to see their people safe and determined to see to their safety even if it means risking his own life.

Such devotion to their people… to his people… is worthy of a prince. Of a king.

Aspen looked down as the Heart of the Everfree as he held the amulet in his right hand. Both pride and sorrow filling his heart at what he is going to do.

What he is sworn to do when the Heart was passed down to him all those years ago.

“Father! That’s the last of the survivors! We need to go now!”

Aspen raised his gaze from the Heart to his son, who is now standing in front of him, eyes filled with worry and hand outstretched to take his.

Aspen then turned his gaze to each of his most trusted companions. His eyes silently telling them of what he has decided and what must be done.

His advisors, his most trusted friends, Blackthorn, Rosera, and even Yessera all gave him looks of sorrow before nodding their heads in solemn acceptance.

“What’s wrong father? Why do you all have that look on your faces?” Bramble asked, his voice grew worried.

Aspen kneeled down to meet his son eye to eye, for what will be the last they will ever do. “My son… tell me. What is a king sworn to do above all else?” Aspen questioned.

“To care and protect those underneath him.” Bramble answered.

Aspen nodded. “Now tell me. What is the Bearer of the Heart of the Everfree sworn to do above all else?” Aspen questioned once more.

Bramble answered. “To protect the Everfree…” Bramble’s eyes slowly widened as he slowly shook his head. “No…”

“My son… I have failed in my duty to protect our home. But I can still ensure the safety of our people. To save the future of the Deer Folk. And it starts with making sure you survive.” Aspen said.

Bramble frantically shook his head. “No… no, no, NO! Father, please! You don’t have to do this! We can still make it through! We can-”

“I’m sorry my son…” Aspen interrupted. “But if the one leading the Zerg manages to harness the Tree of Evera for their own. Then nowhere is safe for our people.” Aspen then placed both hands on Bramble's shoulders. “That is why I have to stay behind. To make sure they can never use the Tree of Evera for such purpose.”

Tears welled up in Bramble’s eyes, his lips quivering. “But you can’t! Who will lead the Deer Folk!? Everyone still needs you! I still need you, Father!” Bramble cried out as tears fell from his face.

Aspen slowly drew his hands back to the back of his neck, soon unclasping the Heart of the Everfree from his neck. He then, in stoic silence, clasped the sacred relic of the Deer Folk around Bramble’s neck before placing his hands on Bramble’s cheeks, wiping away his son’s tears.

“No, you don’t my son. I see in you what my father saw in me, what your mother believed you can be. I am sorry, as your father to place such a heavy burden on your shoulders. I wouldn’t do so if times were not so desperate or you were not prepared.” Aspen then stood, his somber expression turned serious as he looked at his son, who met his gaze with tearful eyes.

“I! Aspen! King of the Everglade and the Heart of the Everfree will relinquish my titles and the Heart to my chosen successor! My son Bramble! Let it be known underneath the Tree of Evera that a new King and bearer of the Heart of the Everfree has been chosen.” Aspen announced as all of his loyal friends soon bowed to a still shocked Bramble.

Bramble shook his head. Tears flowed freely down his eyes. “No… father I can’t-”

Aspen, for the first time today, gave a genuine smile towards his son. “I have always been proud of you my son. Though I have never been the best of fathers, know that I have always been proud of what you have become.” Aspen said as he soon turned to face the entrance of the cavern. “Take him and go.”

Before Bramble could speak, Blackthorn quickly lifted the young fawn onto his shoulder and rushed towards the portal along with the others. Granting their King his one last wish.

“FATHER NOOOOOOOOOO!” Aspen heard his son cry out. His own tears flowed freely down his face as he soon heard the telltale of the portal rippling followed by silence.

Aspen bowed his head as he let out a shaky sigh. “Goodbye, my son. I will see your mother soon.”

Immediately the silence was replaced with the faint roar of the Zerg. Aspen could hear them; they were closing in on to his position.

With not a second to waste, Aspen immediately wiped away his tears and used his own magical skills to close the portal. Soon the swirling portal disappeared as the root lowered itself back onto the ground.

Once that’s finished, Aspen approached where all the roots of the Great Tree met the ground. He then placed both hands against the glowing roots and magically tapped into the Tree of Evera.

His vision soon swirled into the very essence of the tree, his very thoughts and being become one with the Great Tree. The tree accepted his presence, he felt its pain as the Zerg rampaged all throughout its great form, its anger at the fate of those who it came to call as family, its sorrow at those who fell defending it to the last.

Then in a single moment, the tree understood what Aspen wanted, what needed to be done. So with a sense of acceptance and what felt like a last farewell, the Tree started the process to its own destruction.

Aspen is immediately then forced out of the Great Tree’s influence. Soon after regaining his sight, he then noticed the very roots of the Tree of Evera glowing brighter than ever before as a faint hum could be heard.

Aspen placed a single hand on the nearest root and immediately felt the mass build up of magical energies within the root. Soon, the Tree of Evera will die but not before destroying the Everglade and all the Zerg that dared to infest it in one last act of defiance.

Aspen then turned to face the cavern entrance, standing resolutely as the glow of the roots flooded the room in bright light. Soon the constant roars and screams of hundreds of thousands Zerg abominations filled the cavern.

Soon enough dozens upon dozens of Zerg poured from the cavern entrance, hundreds more burrowing out of the walls and ceiling before dropping down onto the ground and making their charge towards him.

But it was too late. Aspen’s stared defiantly at the incoming Zerg, his task done as a sense of fulfillment settled his thoughts.

“For the Everfree.” Aspen whispered as his vision flashed white.

Author's Note

Hey everyone. Another quick chapter just as I promised.

Now to answer any questions you readers might have.

1. What happened to the forest?

I know many of you reader may already know what has happened but I will re-explain what has happened. Dusk lead Aspen’s army deeper into Zerg territory and reverted the Zerg Creep back to its original function, which kills all plant life that feeds off it.

Hence why the trees withered and died and the Spirits weakened greatly.

2. Why did the Spirits survive for so long on the Creep?

The Ancient Spirits are not your usual trees, they are formed from very powerful and ancient spirits of the Everfree. Their very forms are molded and filled with magic, so they didn’t die outright but instead they are essentially poisoned and weakened.

3. Why is Hydra so tanky? Hydralisks, Roaches and Banelings should’ve killed it easily at first.

The Hydra is a massive beast in the MLP Canon, towering over everything really by a good hundred feet. With something that big it can take a considerable amount of punishment, especially from small projectiles such as the Hydralisk Spines and the acid from Roaches and Banelings.

However, that doesn’t mean these same attacks have no effect. I think I did a good job of expressing just how much pain the Hydra was in while sacrificing itself to save Aspen’s forces.

4. Why did Dusk let Aspen escape?

Dusk already explained why he let Aspen escape. He wanted to punish Aspen, to make sure he sees the full weight of his decision of going to war with the Zerg and the consequences that follow. Also, he wanted Aspen and his forces to be at the Everglade so Dusk can simply kill all of the Deer Folk in one fell swoop.

However, that did not happen as intended. You will see how Dusk will react to this in the next chapter.

Thank you for reading and supporting this fic. Leave a comment, review or suggestion below.

See you readers next chapter.