Prime Originator

Great Forest Outskirts, frontline defense.

The billowing fires of the forest were ever raging, producing an endless mass of black fog that filled the skies in significant volumes.

Even so, the forest fire spread was slow, entirely under the elven warrior's control. By sending a steady stream of Wood Energy into the burning trees, they could preserve the trees' life while they continue to burn.

At this moment, Third Princess Thessalia arrived at the scene with her personal guards and frowned at the madness. 

The trees burned brightly while hot embers scattered everywhere, causing the temperature of the surroundings to increase significantly. 

"How cruel…" A female elven guard said, looking at the sight.

"They must be suffering great agony but have no way to express it." Another elven guard said, sympathizing with the burning trees.

Although none of them could hear it, they felt like the trees were crying in pain from being burned alive consistently. 

After all, trees were also living things.

"Third Princess Thessalia!" 

An elven warrior quickly noticed Thessalia Elafaran's arrival and came over to greet her promptly, drawing the attention of the other nearby elven warriors.

In a short moment, they followed suit and greeted, "Third Princess Thessalia!"

"At ease!" Princess Thessalia said. 

Shortly after, she gazed ahead at the smoldering flames solemnly and said, "I have come to take command of this area. You will listen to my orders!"

"Yes, Third Princess Thessalia!"

The elven warriors saluted obediently with cupped fist gestures before a higher-level elven warrior stepped forward and respectfully asked, "What orders do you have for us, Third Princess Thessalia?"

"You will put out the fire immediately!" Thessalia Elafaran said firmly. 

"Yes, Third Princess Thessalia!" The elven warriors nodded and said, "Right away—"

Suddenly, the elven warriors paused and widened their eyes with startled expressions as they registered the Third Princess's order. 

"D-Did you say put out the fire, Third Princess Thessalia? It will be difficult to start another fire once we put it out!" An elven warrior repeated for confirmation. 

Thessalia Elarafan's eyes shined with a fierce glint before she barked, "I will not repeat myself a third time! Put out the fire, and clear the way for me!"

"I will take a look at the plague that frightens you all so!" Thessalia Elafaran added resolutely.

"It's dangerous, princess! I don't think this is a good idea! This rat tide is nothing like we have ever seen before! There's just no end to them!" A male elven warrior warned.

Smack!

Thessalia Elafaran slapped the warrior across the cheeks, causing the male elven warrior to tumble to the ground and spit out some blood along with a few of his teeth.

Shortly after, she glared at the elven warrior on the ground and said coldly, "I do not need you to tell me what and what not to do!"

"Do you think burning the forest is the solution to the problem?! This is a passive stance! While we exhaust ourselves and harm the Great Forest, the rat tide takes no damage!" 

Once the elven warriors are drained of their energy and the fire is extinguished, they would be too weak to even put up a fight against the rat tide!

"Open the path!" Thessalia Elafaran roared. 

The elven warriors were immediately startled into action. 

"Fetch the water!" A high-level elven warrior barked towards his subordinates.

The other elven warrior quickly went and fetched the buckets of water prepared to extinguish the fire. 

A section of the burning trees was extinguished quickly, creating an empty gap in the ring of fire before the previously erected vine walls were revealed. 

The elven warriors used their wood manipulation to take down the vine walls that wrapped between trees like a tight net shortly after. 

Once the vine walls were removed, a mountain of scorched rat carcasses came rolling down in pieces. 

Thessalia Elafaran had a grim look, feeling repugnant by the sight of the charred rats. 

Nevertheless, she waved her hand for the personal guards to move the carcasses out of the way, clearing the path outside the Great Forest. 

"You, come with me." Said Thessalia Elafaran, pointing her finger at a high-level elven warrior. 

The person shortly answered, "Yes, Your Highness!"

"Where are the rats?" Thessalia Elafaran asked shortly after they exited the Great Forest. 

The distant lands of green and grey felt empty with no beasts in sight—at least, that was what Thessalia thought. 

The elven warrior shortly pointed into the distant grey field and said, "Those are the rats."

The grey plains in the distance could be moving at a visible rate, drawing closer to the point that Thessalia Elafaran could discern their true appearances. 

The rat tide had initially left in search of other prey to devour. However, the rat tide immediately came rushing back when they picked up the scent of elves in the open field.

Thessalia Elafaran's pupils shrank with alarm.

"This is the rat tide? It's much bigger than I have imagined." She said seriously with a stern look.

The elven warrior gazed at the incoming rat tide nervously and asked with an urgent tone, "W-What are your orders, Third Princess Thessalia?" 

"We retreat!"

Shortly after the group retreated back into the forest, Princess Thessalia barked, "Stop extinguishing the fire! Quickly erect the defenses! We will make our stand here!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

A new vine wall was quickly erected, closing off the cleared path in between the burning trees.

Within moments, the rat tide returned and slammed into the vine walls, snapping a few vines in the process.

However, the elven warriors poured Wood Energy into the vines and allowed the vine walls to quickly repair themselves. 

At the same time, the numerous grey Wingrats quickly piled on top, crushing each other in the process while thousands more began lunging over the vine walls from the top of their brethren!

"Kill them!"

Princess Thessalia roared.

Numerous vine whips immediately lashed out at the Wingrats in the air, dicing them into pieces and scattering their flesh and blood.

"Do we have a battle plan, Your Highness?" Asked One of Princess Thessalia's close personal guard.

Princess Thessalia observed the surrounding before she said, "We will construct three adjacent vines walls; two long and one short, forming a rectangular box and funnel these rats in for the slaughtering!"

"Relay my orders at once!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"