Liam walked over to the tiny [Lesser Stone Elemental]. The creature only came up to his knees in height but he was guessing it was more deadly than its size let on since it was Level 13 when he checked, almost as high as him. That being said, he had seen first hand that Levels weren't the be all and end all, having fought up over 10 in the catacombs. He had yet to see where the Elementals fell on the natural power scale but he felt it would be quite high by how they had claimed such a large area for themselves.
The rock creature gestures for him to follow and, seeing no reason not to, he followed it. They didn't travel far, but it took him into another residential area and down a couple of the streets to a varied group of other Elementals lead by a [Greater Plant Elemental] that was a twisting, humanoid shaped mass of thorned vines and colourful petals. Unfortunately, there wasn't a sound aligned one among the group otherwise they would be able to communicate a lot easier. As it was, there was a word spelt out in bright flowers that poked up through the cracked pavement.
HELP?
He looked around at the gathered creatures and nodded. Whatever they needed help with was sure to be more of a thrill than the lone beasts he had seen prowling around. Besides, it might be nice to have backup for once, though he would have to mind his weapon around them.
They practically buzzed with excitement when he accepted, the Fire Elementals crackling with greater intensity and the ice ones becoming so cold that the ground under them became covered by a thin layer of frost. Then, at the direction of the line [Greater Elemental], they began leading him further into the rows of houses.
The group continued until the houses gave way to a park. It wasn't particularly big but it was ringed with trees. Trees that now, after the apocalypse had swelled in size until they formed a solid, towering wall of silver wood. Sharp, bronze leaves formed a dense canopy that dissuaded him from attempting to climb it before he even made am attempt to.
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He got closer and, as if he had suddenly crossed a threshold, all the noise he would expect from nature rushed to hit him all at once. Golden birds tweeted from the treetops and the leaves rustled in the wind. The [Greater Plant Elemental] went ahead of them and layed a thorny vine upon a tree trunk. A low hum passes between them before the tree began to shift and bend with a creek. It touched the next tree along and did the same, the two moving in opposite directions to make a heart shaped arch for them to pass into the park through. Liam hesitated for a second, still being wary of the unknown, but when the Elementals went one by one under the arch he followed behind them.
He stepped through and was immediately greeted by a kaleidescope of colours. Gigantic plants of all types and hues covered almost every inch of the park, with narrow game trails cutting their way through. The leading Elemental seemed to be much more vibrant and full of life in this environment as it led the way. Wherever it went, the flora parted to make enough space for it with an almost deferential attitude. At least this place wasn't a type of dungeon, as no notification had popped up to inform him if it. He would take that little thing.
They travelled for a while, too far. Sure the park had been quite large for its place next to a residential area, but the silver bark wall on the other side seemed no closer despite them walking towards it for the last quarter if an hour. Something strange was going on with the size of this place. He was pulled out of his thoughts by the procession stopping. A rustle in the plants a stones throw away pulled his attention as each of the elementals prepared for a fight. They tensed in anticipation as the rustling grew closer. It got nearer and nearer, still out of sight but getting louder as the distance shrunk. He may not know Elemental body language, but he could tell they were nervous. His own nerves were pulled tight and ready to react to whatever may come.
Then, it jumped out at them. His axe descended towards it, only to stop a few centimetres above its head. Sat there, unaware how close it had just been to death, was a tiny, red furred squirrel. Or perhaps it hadn't been about to be split in half as it jumped towards and right through Liam's leg, phasing through it like it wasn't there, to pass them by and go right back to rustling through the leaves. Why it didn't just ghost through the plants he didn't know but he supposed with an ability like that it would be able to survive most predators unless they took had some kind of mutation or System Ability.
The absurdity of it almost made him laugh out loud, they had all been so on edge over a squirrel, but he held it in since they were in unknown territory. They re-took stock of the situation for a few seconds before continuing, all of them having expected a fight that never came. They relaxed a little now that the perceived danger was over but remained alert. After all, the expedition was just beginning.
