~Day 111~

It was time, we had all gotten a good nights sleep, we were all as ready as we could be right now. I don't know how strong this Orc will be, I have no idea what to compare his strength to, but he beat the strongest Dark Elf here, so he won't be a pushover.

The others agreed to let me be the one to fight him and only assist if it looks like I need help. Even Tiva admitted that I was the best shot, even if it pained her to admit so. They said even though we're much closer to this Orc, it will still take around half a day to reach the island.

On the way we had a bit of time to prepare, to relax. As I sat at the front of the ship making sure my armour was secured properly I heard some heavy but short footsteps walk over to me. I looked up to see Odwiff trot over to me and sit down. He made an audible groan as he sat. "Oof! I tell ya I'm getting too old for all this." He complained as he cracked his neck.

I giggled. "Don't pretend your old, you're not a day over five hundred." I replied. He's not even middle aged.

Odwiff scoffed. "I'll have you know young lady, that I am 537, I am most definitely old." He crossed his arms and began pouting. I never actually knew how old he was, I thought he had only been alive for one or two hundred years before he started living in the village. Well, I suppose it must have been a bit over 200 now that I think about it.

Still I dismissed him with a wave of my hand. "Dwarfs can live for a thousand years, just because you're grey doesn't mean you're old."

The Dwarf exaggerated offence. "I didn't realise you were such an expert on Dwarfs. I'll have you know we Dwarfs get old quite early in to our life spans, we just stay that way for many years after that." He said with a wink.

I began to chuckle. "That's not how getting old works." I retorted.

"Whilst this conversation is very charming, we've arrived. Get ready Dryad." To our right Torvinn stood, interrupting our conversation. He turned around walking towards the plank his crew were setting up to get off the ship.

I looked back at Odwiff who rolled his eyes. "Elves, I swear." He complained as he stood up. I snorted and stood up too. The only Elves I've met are Samora and these Dark Elves, so I can't say I have too much of an opinion on their general personalities. If an entire race can have a particular personality to begin with.

We disembarked and made our way to the village, it was sitting on the coast further up with the wall open up to the waters, we could have just stopped there, but considering the situation alerting the Orc to our presence straight away isn't a smart direction to go in.

When we wound up in front of their gate, Torvinn and his sister started the usual conversation, I myself stood back listening. I heard footsteps behind me and turned to see Verros walking up to my side. "Are you sure about this? One of the most powerful Orcs in a Warband? Even for you that might be a bit of a struggle." He whispered, his eyes showed no expression, but his voice was full of worry.

I grasped his shoulder. "It'll be fine Verros. It's may be a bit arrogant to say it, but I am the strongest one here. Besides, It's more like I'm the vanguard, if the fights going well I'll be expecting you to help out." I gave him a smile and a wink.

He returned a smile to me. "You know Alvir and I will have your back. I'm guessing Odwiff too." He replied, his smile fading. "It's just them I'm worried about." He said nodding in the direction of Torvinn and his sister.

I shook my head. "They won't let us die. They lose us, they lose the battle, simple as that." I whispered back in reply. Verros frowned without retorting. He didn't seem to entirely agree on the matter.

We heard a sigh ahead of us, Torvinn walked in our direction shaking his head. "No good?" Odwiff asked.

Torvinn narrowed his eyes nodding his head. "If that wasn't obvious beforehand." He scratched his head.

"Why are so many of the families such cowards! I don't understand." Tiva who stood behind her brother kicked the floor spreading dirt.

"It's not cowardice, it's the same reason you were angry at us for killing your Orc." I stated bluntly. This Elf really does irritate me sometimes, how can she not understand the desire to protect your own?

Tiva bared her teeth as she prepared to yell, before she could however, the doors of the of the village began to open. Distracted by the noise we all turned to look at it. The ground shook lightly, as a 10 ft heavily armoured Orc stomped he way out the doors. He wielded two massive battleaxes, large enough that a human would have trouble wielding one.

He stopped looking over us through a thick metal helmet. A muffled chuckle could be heard under his helmet. "Is this it? Yurz overheard the conversation. You are the ones who killed the other guards?" The large Orc called Yurz began laughing. "Yurz told Ekri to choose stronger subordinates, they were f*cking useless." He growled.

I swapped glances with Verros who nodded at me. This guy must be quite evolved, he speaks quite clearly. Well, he still refers to himself in the third person, but that seems to just be an Orc thing. Torvinn walked forward pointing his blade at the large Orc. "We have come to kill you Yurz the Cannibal and we will not leave until our mission is accomplished." He threatened narrowing his eyes.

I'm starting to sense a particular naming style for Orcs, it's not a very nice one. Yurz let out a deep snort rattling his helmet. "Puny Elf, you can not hurt Yurz." He grinned. "NOBODY CAN HURT YURZ!" With that Yurz began sprinting at us, speed not seemingly his strength.

I saw a small figure blur past me. "Arrogant one isn't he?" Odwiff laughed gleefully.

"You're first then, halfman?" Yurz prepped his axes by his sides ready to swing, whilst Odwiff did the same with his Warhammer. As the two grew closer I noticed the Elves both in the village and with us tense up. Then when I turned back to the battle I saw Odwiff being launched in to the wall of the fort. His body rocketed through the wall, then through the otherside of the village.

"ODWIFF!" I yelled.

A soon as I yelled however I saw a thumb pop up out of the debris and a distinct Dwarfs laugh. I sighed relieved, Dwarves really are the toughest.

Yurz released an approving grunt. "Yurz will have to deal with him later." He turned back to us a grin on his face. "Now who's next."

I looked behind me at Torvinn who nodded readying his weapon, it seems we have a similar idea. I turned to Alvir and Verros to make sure they were ready. Then I charged, the others following me closely behind. A grin rose on Yurz's face. "We have a fast one." He laughed. His eyes followed me easily even at my top speed, as I reached him he swung one of his axes down at me with unnatural speed, I raised Mushroom shield to block the attack.

A loud clang resided around us as he cracked my shield. I was sent flying backwards, but managed to land on my feet creating a cloud of dust. Just as he began running at me again, a birage of arrows his his right side as a few archers we brought began shooting, they bounced of his armour, but one pierced his bare hand.

He let out a snarl as he changed his target ripping the arrow out of his hand in a gush of blood. Two other Elves stood in front of the archers with greatshields poised. Yurz carved through their shields and bodies with ease, the top half of their bodies fell to the floor, as the archers began to panic. "Damn fools." I heard Torvinn cry out behind me as he ran at the Orc.

I leaped from my landing spot flying towards Yurz, with his attention set on the archers, he didn't see me coming. With a powerful swing Skullcrusher connected with his back, he let out grunts of pain as the thick armour cratered and dug in to his back. His body flew forward over the archers smashing it's way through several trees.

I looked down at my hands, they were shaking, the hurt. His body was heavy and tough enough to hurt to hit. "He's so strong." I commented looking back up at the Orc pulling himself up.

Torvinn looked concerned as he stared at me. "Then why do you look so happy?" He asked concern in his voice.

Oh, am I grinning? I guess I am. Verros tapped Torvinns shoulder. "Just roll with it." He replied sighing. I'm not that bad, am I?

Yurz began laughing again, dusting himself of like nothing happened. "A cheap blows still a blow." He commented. He started walking towards us again, his weapons out stretched. I sprinted at him again narrowly avoiding a swing of his weapon. I tried to swing, but his other axe came at me before I could react properly, but I still managed to deflect it.

I jumped backwards out of his reach before he started running at him again. Then he stopped in his track groaning in pain, Verros managed to catch up to us and had thrust his spear in the Orcs side piercing his armour. "You little!" Yurz began turning to swat Verros before being pelted with more arrows. Then the rest of the Elves turned up, Torvinn swung his sword cutting into the Orcs armour and piercing his skin lightly. In the distance I heard the yell of a Dwarf as Odwiff stood back up ready for another fight.

We had surrounded the Orc, all of us wailing on him, I dropped Skullcrusher and activated Earthen Armour on my fists to create my gauntlets and attacked him from the front to keep his attention. Blood spurted out of his large body from every angle as I weaved in and out of his attacks, giving him damaging jabs whenever I saw the opportunity.

I began seeing anger grow in his eyes through the helmet, it even looked as if his eyes began to glow red. No wait, they definitely began glowing red, as did his body. "What is..?!" Torvinn exclaimed halting his attack. Yurzes muscles began to pulsate and grow, his veins rose to the top.

Odwiff's eyes widened. "HE'S A RAGELORD. F*CKIN' LEGGIT!" Odwiff yelled as he jumped away, with quick reaction Verros, Alvir and I managed to jump away in time, but Torvinn and Tiva were caught in a strange blast of energy emanating from Yurz. Torvinn luckily just bounced across the floor a few times, but Tiva was slammed in to the side of a building crying out in pain.

Yurz did not seem to be fully conscious anymore, he responded to Tiva's cries of pain by charging at her a blood curdling scream escaping his lips. A red glow escaped his eyes, it looks almost as if they were on fire. He began sprinting towards her slumped and groaning body. Torvinn tried to intercept him, but he was too disorientated to even stand.

I clicked my tongue and ran towards the lumbering beast, activating Mushroom shield between him and Tiva. Before my eyes, however, he smashed through the shield with ease. A Ragelord, huh? I guess he deserves that title. A second tongue click escaped my lips, I sprinted past Yurz who seemed only focused on Tiva who was only a few feet in front of him. I didn't have enough time, I dived in the way of Yurzes attack just as his axe began to fall. A sharp pain ran down my back as I felt his axe rip through my flesh, the tip of the blade poked out my stomach.

I coughed up blood, but I was still good to go. I felt his axe being pulled out of my body, my health sat on [5110/10989], that one attack did a lot of damage, this beast is powerful. He lined up for another attack, picking up Tiva I rolled out of the way, his axe crushed through the wall of the house like it was cutting through fog.

I looked down at Tiva gritting my teeth, she was staring up at me mouth open. "Can you move?" I asked hurriedly. The condition I'm in I can't fight and protect her.

"Y- You saved me." She whispered, confusion in her eyes.

I sighed, I don't have time for this. "Well, you can hate me a little less later, for now you need to run." I stated calmly.

She sat stunned under me, before noticing something behind me. "Look out!" She yelled. I turned quickly, but it wasn't quick enough, Yurzes axe was already bearing down on me, I raised my arms to protect my body, then a loud cracking sound resounded in my ears, and his axe never hit.

Moving my arms out of the way, I saw why, the axes tip floated inches from my arm, his arm held back by some sort of black leather wrapped around it, so that's what that sound was, a whip. "Trouble with Ragelords is, they ain't got no awareness of their surroundin'." An unknown voice commented. I looked past Yurz to see the owner holding on to the other end of the whip. A tall white haired Dark Elf, muscular, but lean. His hair was short and spiked, a pair of goggles sat on his forehead. He had a small tuft of hair on his chin, and his face was rough, showing years of mercenary work. He wore black leather armour and nothing on his arms. In his other hand was a short sword.

Without wasting anymore time I jumped out of the way whilst Yurz still stood restrained and carried Tiva over to her brother. He looked at me with gratitude. "Thank you." He forced out. I shook my head then made my way back to this new Elf who was struggling to pull the large Orc.

I grabbed the whip a little further up. "Gial I presume? Need a little help?"

Gial Smirked. "I don't rightly know how I feel asking help from a lady with a hole in her, but this big fella is a might too tough for me." I nodded back at him and turned back to Yurz. We both yanked back on Gials whip lifting the giant Orc high of the ground and spiralling towards us. He hit the ground in a huge cloud of dust creating a small crater from his sheer weight.

"Do you think you can get his helmet off?" I asked Gial without turning around.

"Judging by the particular design of his helmet, I do believe I can Ma'am." Gial replied happily. Indeed, Yurz's helmet had an odd ridged design down it's sides meaning Grial could get a good grip, if he was good enough with his whip. I've never seen one in action so I don't quite know how versatile they are.

As Yurz began to clamber to his feet I began sprinting towards him again. "NOW!" I yelled. A loud crack echoed around me as the whip flew past me and wrapped around the ridges of Yurz's helmet. With one swift motion Gial wrenched off the helmet leaving Yurz's face exposed. I had enough time to notice it was just as scarred as I expected it to be before I reached him. Without leaving enough time for him to recover I grabbed his sides, pulled my head back, and slammed it in to his.

With he holding on to his body Yurz's body couldn't fall backwards, instead his head did, twisting backwards in a way that was clearly unnatural. An audible crack resounded from his skull and neck as the bones inside broke and contorted. After a few seconds I let go of his body, which slowly fell backwards creating another cloud of dust as it landed.

I walked around his body to his head which now lay on the floor, a large hole in his head made his brain matter and skull visible underneath. I placed my hand below his nose to find him still breathing. He really is terrifyingly tough, then again I would probably still be alive in his case too I think?

Without much strength left, I activated Earthen Armour on my right hand for one gauntlet and crushed his head with any strength I could muster. After seeing how mushed his head had become, I concluded that he was definitely dead this time.

Unsurprisingly, his death gained me more than just one level, however four levels was not what I was expecting. Just this one death grew me from [Level 94] to [Level 98] on top off that Alvir grew from [Level 2] to [Level 11], nine levels. I'm certain I would be dead if I attacked him on my own.

"No mercy for the strong?" I turned to see Gial grimacing slightly at the state Yurz was in.

"Ouch, he's got a point lassy, ye could have been a wee bit gentler with his death." Odwiff was also walking over followed closely by Alvir and Verros. Further behind them limped Torvinn, Tiva and the other Elves that came with us, the still living ones that is.

Verros sighed as he saw the corpse. "Expect that often with Ellena." He smiled weakly.

I blinked a few times a bit flustered. "I just wanted to make sure he was dead, this seemed like the quickest way..." I mumbled defensively.

Gial whistled. "Quickest way? That may be the case Ma'am, but the quickest way ain't always the shiniest." He replied.

I knotted my brow. Shiniest? What does that mean. I noticed it earlier too, but Gial seems to speak nothing like the other Dark Elves, in fact he doesn't speak like anyone else I've ever met. I turned towards Torvinn who also seemed confused.

"Anywho's, on to business." Gial clapped his hands. "First, I must apologise for not asistin' you all sooner. I had to be sure you had enough strength to backup what you be proposin'." Gial lightly bowed his head with a cheeky smile.

Torvinn blinked, seemingly a little confused. I saw Odwiff stifling a laugh out of the corner of my eye. "No, uh thank you for your help, I think we fared off better thanks to you regardless." Torvinn bowed his and his sisters heads lightly.

Gial waved him off. "It's nutin'. Sides' none of my people helped. Seems with Yurz around they lost all their danglies if you catch my drift." Gial mimed holding up something between his legs and winked.

Torvinn and many of the other Elves wore expressions of shock, whereas Odwiff wore one almost opposite. His... Interesting way of speaking wasn't what caught my personal attention. Mentioning the fact that these Elves were scared of Yurz did. Dark Elves, born mercenaries and not meant to be scared of anything were scared, and Yurz wasn't even the Orcs strongest warrior.

I wonder if we can win this battle? "Still, I can assure you that we're all in for this particular venture. By my guess y'all be headin to the Elves east of here next?" Gial interrupted my thoughts.

Torvinn nodded in reply. "Yes, after we patch up the injured and... Bury the dead." He said turning to look at our dead.

Gial placed his hands on his belt nodding slowly. "I understand, my people will help you bury your dead and it would be amiss of me not to offer y'all lodgin's for the night." Gial replied sympathetically.

Torvinn thanked him and began heading towards a few Elves that were wearing what must have been healers robes. Tiva limped next to him holding on to his side, she looked back at me a few times with a complicated expression. I kind of hope that doesn't mean what I fear it means.

As a few of the villagers ran towards the Elves corpses, Gial turned to the rest of us. "As for you? A hardy Dwarf, a child of the Mountain clans, a powerful wolf and a clearly fast healin' Dryad won't need and wounds attendin' to I presume?" As he looked over each of us we shook our heads. None of us had wounds that required attention and the hole in my stomach had already begun to visibly shrink. He clapped his. "Good, fancy a drink?" He grinned.

...

It was a good night of drinking, Gial brought wine he found on his travels as a Mercenary and played a strange Dwarven card game with Odwiff. I just drank with Verros who could hold his wine well for someone who probably shouldn't quite be drinking. Either way, by the time night rolled around we were all in high spirits, but also tired.

I rolled in to bed with a load of my mind, the worst of the Orc guards was now behind us, only two more remained and from what Torvinn has told us, they should be much easier than what we just experienced.

~Day 112~

With everyone healed it wasn't long before we left for the next village, Gial saw us off and promised to get his people ready for the battle to come. Odwiff seemed a little down that he wasn't coming with us, the two of them seemed to really hit it off.

We made it to the next village late morning, we were lucky in that it was quite close to the final village we had to liberate. The fact is the Orcs inspection occurs tomorrow, so we have to be on our way back tonight. The plan was to sleep on the ship, which wasn't a brilliant idea as it wasn't made for long voyages. There were no beds and not too much room, but it wouldn't leave us much time otherwise.

That's if we can reach both villages today of course. Which seemed very possible judging by how quickly the village agreed to our terms and how easily the two Orcs inside went down, well, I say easily, Odwiff and I took them on one each and neither of us got many injuries.

I didn't level up of the Orc I killed which was... Unfortunate. Still, we headed for the next village which we reached in just about half a day.

Or at least we almost reached it, unfortunately we couldn't quite make it all the way as a large group of about twenty Orcs stood between us and the village. When we spotted them we rushed to hide in the undergrowth in the forest. It looked like one Orc from the village was discussing something with what must have been the leader of the Orc group. I turned to Torvinn.

"Is that one of the inspection teams?" I whispered. He nodded in response. "Why are there so many of them if they're just inspecting?" I asked.

Torvinn grimaced. "As a precaution. Ekri isn't stupid, she knows there's a chance we'll fight back so all inspection groups have enough men to fight back just in case." I turned back to look at the group.

"Should we take them out?" Odwiff proposed to the group. Everyone looked a little unsure. "Okay, just look at their leader, he's probably a Captain in the Orcs army at most, see how he's just a little larger than the others?" It was true that he was nowhere near the size of Yurz at least.

Torvinn scratched his chin thinking. "I hate to say it, but I do agree. Defeating them would be easier than defeating Yurz. It would also have the added benefit of putting a dent in the Orcs total forces." He commented. For those two to agree, they must be sure.

"A very small dent." Tiva mumbled. I was surprised to hear her say anything, she had become a lot... Quieter today.

I looked around at the group. "So it's agreed then?" They all poised ready. "Do we have a plan?" I asked.

Torvinn made some sort of hand gesture towards the two archer Elves. "Even though we have the element of surprise, it won't mean much if the Orc facing us sees us before we can reach the group. So I thought we could use these." Torvinn motioned towards the archers arrows which had some sort of porcelain bomb on the end instead of an arrow head.

"What are they?" I asked. Narrowing my eyes.

"Light bombs." Torvinn answered. "They're filled with a certain magic that makes them explode with light when they hit something solid. In the past they were used to find enemies hiding in the treeline at night. Now, we can use them to blind the Orcs." He signalled them to aim their bows.

"Sounds good, when you're ready then." I replied facing back to the group of Orcs I pulled Skullcrusher out. If they're not too strong should I activate Mushroom Shield I wonder?

"Loose." Torvinn whispered. The two arrows sailed over our heads silently, then hit the ground before the Orcs had time to notice them. Around them the ground and air turned to a bright light consuming them in it, from our distance it didn't have enough effect to blind us. In a line we all ran out of the brush and charged towards the Orcs.

Alvir and I reached the group first, he bit one of their heads clean of whilst I managed to pick up two of them with Skullcrusher crushing their bones and flinging them away. Just behind us Verros leaped up behind one thrusting his spear straight through his skull and pushing his body to the ground. Torvinn and his sister worked together to make quick work of another whilst Odwiff laughed joyfully toppling a few Orcs twice his size.

As the group realised what had begun to happen they had already lost half their number. I dodged through an attack of a few of them and found myself in the middle of five, swinging Skullcrusher around me like a hurricane I took them all out.

I quickly turned to slide under the leaders shield bash, leaving Skullcrusher in one hand I grabbed one of his legs with my free hand to trip him up. As he fell to the ground Verros drove his spear through the Orcs chest ending him.

With their leader dead and their morale destroyed, it didn't take long to finish of the rest. All twenty dead, in what felt like the blink of an eye. Torvinn and Tiva were exhausted, but the rest of us had barely broken a sweat.

Alvir had gained five levels to put him at [Level 16] which is good. However, more importantly I reached [Level 100]. It was finally time for me to evolve again. I really am going to evolve before the battle, I should count this a blessing. As usual there were several options for me to take in Evolving.

[Evolution now available: Mushman Knight]

[Variant evolution now available: Mushman Greater Guardian]

[Variant evolution now available: Mushman, Magnus]

[Variant evolution now available: Mushman Rockhead]

[Evolution now available: Lesser Elder Treechild]

[Evolution now available: Cission Hunter]

[Evolution now available: Oak Ent]

[Variant evolution now available: Ent Earth Caster]

[Evolution now available: Sunned Floskin]

[Evolution now available: Dryad Sister]

[Variant evolution now available: Dryad, Arbor Ferrous]

[Evolution available: Venu Prowler]

Well. That's two Mushman variants available, one Ent and one Dryad. Four variants when even one is rare. Although, to be honest I've already made up my mind. The Dryad variant, Arbor Ferrous, it has a similar name to Virga Ferrea. So I'm going to assume it's the next level of evolution.

I know it's odd, but everyone's told me how rare I am, how it's important that I am what I am, so I'm going to follow this path, even if I am very curious about the others. What is a Magnus? That's what I'm most curious about. Rockhead is pretty self explanatory, probably something to do with me headbutting... A lot. As for Ent Earth Castor, something to do with my earth magic probably?

"Ellena?" I snapped back to reality, or at least realised that I was just standing still staring in to space. I turned to see it was Verros who called to me, he looked worried as the others did.

I shook my head. "Sorry, I just reached level 100 so, I was uh, looking at my options." I smiled shrugging my shoulders.

Verros' eye grew wide. "You're going to evolve!?" He asked excitedly. I nodded my head bashfully.

Odwiff began laughing heartily, tapping my arm. "Well this calls for a celebration!" He turned to Torvin. "Elf, d'you think they'll have any beer for us to take back with us?"

Torvinn looked a little irritated but nodded his head. "I'm sure they won't mind after we saved their village. The Dryads evolution is a cause for celebration after all." He sighed.

Odwiff looked taken aback. "I'm surprised you care Elf." He cooed in a mocking voice.

Torvinn waved him off as he began walking towards the village. "It just means more power on our side for the battle, nothing more." Tiva began running after him, but stopped just in front of me.

Her face was red and her brow was scrunched up. "For the record. I.. I also don't care!" She shouted before running up to her brother. I scratched my head. So is this how she's going to be from now on?

Odwiff shook his head tutting. "Elves and their damned pride." He scoffed. I also shook my head with him, Tiva's pride especially is really getting in her way.

Anyway, after talking with the village chief for about an hour we were ready to depart. The chief was kind enough to give us plenty of beer just as Odwiff wanted and he also quite readily agreed to help us. Once again, not that he had much choice.

As we set off we began on the beer, I told the others what choices I had for evolution. It seems no one had heard of either the Mushman Rockhead or Magus, of course why would they? One of the weakest races doesn't garnet much interest from warriors. However Torvinn had heard of the Ent Earth Caster which was exactly what I thought it was. There was also the mysterious race that i'd never heard of there, the Venu, which Odwiff had heard of. It's apparently quite a rare creature found in jungles of the Demon Continent. It's very cat like and can control multiple vine like tails across it's body. A creature of the Nature Attribute just as all my other choices are.

Of course, no one had heard of my choice either, though they all did agree with me that it should be my next step. Torvin was very practical about it, if I changed now it would take me a while to get used to my new body an abilities, which we don't have enough time for. Odwiff just thought it meant I'd be able to smash things... Even more.

So... When night came I had solidified my decision, since I didn't want to rip my clothes in case I got bigger, I set up my bedroll on the other side of the ship to the others with Alvir and Tiva since she was the only other woman. I stripped naked which caused Tiva to blush and look away, I wonder if this really is that much different to being with the guys?

Still, I got in to bed, in a very good mood. I actually managed to evolve without putting myself in mortal danger first this time, a step up from fighting an army of Goblins or bleeding out at the bottom of a cliff to say the least.

With nothing else to do, and excitement in my heart I tried to get to sleep, as tomorrow I'd wake up a changed woman... Literally.

~Day 113~

I woke up feeling... More? That's the only way I can describe it, just more. I opened my eyes and looks at my hand. It had become bark, quite literally my hand and my arm up to the joint at my elbow had become bark. I touched in with my other bark skinned hand and it felt like bark too, very tough bark, but I can feel with it just like normal skin. Certainly an odd feeling.

Another thing I noticed about my arm was that my muscles were smaller, I still had large muscles, but they were much smaller than they used to be. I got out of my bed and looked down at my body, I noticed that my feet and legs were in the same situation as my arms and that my body in general was less muscular. Which also meant my breasts were larger, not a side effect that I hate.

Finally was my face, a nearby handy bucket helped with that, what I saw did shock me a little. Sprouting out of my head were.. Horns? Is that what they are? I felt them, they were branches, or roots? Either way they were made out of wood and they stuck out of my head like horns, or I guess they're more shaped like antlers. Other than that, my face had become a little slimmer making it look even more beautiful, not to brag or anything. My hair was the same, but two bangs of hair hung down in both of my ears. My skin was also now slightly darker.

From what I can see that's all that's different. I guess I'd best check my stats?

[Name: Ellena]

[Age: 112 Days]

[Species: Arbor Ferrous, Dryad]

[Height: 7'-6"]

[Sex: Female]

[Title/s: Kin of Ellephwen, Wolfmother, Slayer.]

{Level: 1] + 7

[Health: 25899/25899] + 14910

[Mana: 4870/4870] + 2657

[Stamina: 20555/20772] + 11432

[Hunger: 6994/20772] + 11432

[Attack: 18792] + 10223

[Defence: 28472] + 16121

[Magic Attack: 4826] + 2550

[Magic Defence: 11568] + 6204

[Skills: [Pain Resistance lvl 10 (Max)] [Poison Resistance lvl 8] [Mind Resistance lvl 2] [Venom Resistance lvl 7] [Night vision lvl 10 (max)] [Amplified Vision lvl 9] [{Mushroom Helmet lvl 68}] Up! [tough stomach lvl 7] [Unarmed Combat Expert lvl 8] Up! [Polearm Journeyman lvl 10] Up! [Demifoot lvl 7] Up! [Warriors Heart lvl 43] Up! [Warriors Will lvl 30] Up! [Warriors Strength lvl 35] Up! [Greater Regeneration lvl 6] [Guardian lvl 10 (Max)] Up! [Dryads Charm lvl 11] Up! [Skinning lvl 5] [Tanning lvl 4] [Leatherworking lvl 4] [Carving lvl 2] [Earth Magic lvl 7] [{Wolfmother lvl 10}]Up! [{Pillars Aura lvl 5}] Gain! [Ironbark Skin lvl 2] Gain!]

Okay, wow. A big boost there, also I'm even taller now!? That means I'll have to make myself some new armour and clothes, although I think my old clothes will work for now at least.

Looks like I've maxed out another skill though, Guardian is it? I thought I might unlock something for maxing it out, then again I thought it would have more than ten levels too, oh well. I also have two new skills, Ironbark, which looking at my arms and legs isn't hard to figure out and Pillars Aura... Which is a unique skill... I have a new unique skill, how and why, and what even is it? What does it mean by Pillar?

"Mmm." I nearly jumped out of my skin, next to me Tiva was still sleeping off the beer from last night whilst Alvir sat at my feet happily wagging his tail. I had temporarily forgotten where I was. I also kind of forgot that I'm naked...

After quickly putting on my old outfit, which was a bit of a tight fit now, I made my way to the main part of the ship. Verros, Odwiff and Torvinn stood talking around the ships wheel. "Uh... Good morning." I waved.

Verros began turning around. "Good morn- Woh!" He jumped slightly startled as did the others. "Well... At least I can recognise you."

Odwiff nodded a wide grin spread from cheek to cheek. "Aye lass. I can understand the lads surprise, you've become even more beautiful." He winked.

I chuckled. "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." I replied.

Torvinn cleared his throat. "Yes well, I hope you have newfound strength, Dryad the battle grows ever closer." His eyes showed annoyance.

I sighed. "It certainly gave me quite a boost and two new skills. One is just defence the other is a unique skill." I explained.

Torvinn's eyes grew wide for a moment. "A Unique skill?" He asked bewildered.

I nodded. "Not my first either, this one's called 'Pillars Aura', anyone know anything about it?" I asked with little hope.

Odwiff tapped on his shoulder cross armed, but shook his head. "No lass, the whole point of unique skills is that they're unique, or largely unique at least." He replied. I sighed in agreement, I won't find out what this is for quite a while it would seem.

Odwiff clapped his hands. "Still, let's focus on the now. We're a few hours out of the village, so we need everyone awake. Lass, since you're they only other lass, can you wake up the Elf?"

I nodded and left to the back of the ship. Tiva seemed a little shocked from me waking up, in fact she hid under her sheets. When she did eventually lift them up, her face seemed almost entirely red, even with her darker skin. Eventually I coerced out of bed, then we just had to wait until we got back.

When we did it was quite a warm welcome... From most of the village anyway, it's sometimes easy to forget, but those two Elves that died had family. Family who were now just being told what had happened to them. They were given the Elves possessions and ran off to morn their dead.

For the rest of the village the fact that we were successful was more than a call for celebration it was a call for hope.

Leoth, the large Elf left in charge whilst Torvinn was gone gave us a quick report on his end. It had simply been quiet, the Ex-slaves had begun construction on their housing using the walls the Orcs set up. Many of the villagers helped them. There was also a stockpile of makeshift weapons and armour in the middle of the village and a few newly forged blades.

For the rest of the day we all just rested, it had been a long week with a lot of killing so we were all feeling at least a little mental exhaustion.

Well, it was the plan to rest all day, but we all had to keep an eye out for the Orc inspection. Which arrived a little after dinner and wasn't quite what any of us expected.

"There's just one?" Verros commented as we stood on the rampart above the gate. Indeed, ahead of us a sole Orc walked towards us. He was slimmer and shorter than any Orc I've seen before. He wore light armour which looked like it was designed for ease of movement. Sheaved at his hip was a sword with a design that I've never even heard of. It looked to be thin, long and curved and sharp on only one side.

"This is bad. That's Wrok." Torvinn sounded very worried.

If this guy makes Torvinn worried even in his high spirits, then I think we should be worried. "Who exactly is Wrok?" I asked hesitantly.

Torvinn took a deep breath. "He's Ekri's personal bodyguard, and probably the strongest member of her army. Maybe even stronger than her..." He replied.

Oh... Yeah, that does sound worrying. "Well what's he doing inspecting us?"

"Just to be extra sure, Ekri sends him to one village every month instead of the usual patrol, I didn't think it would be our turn today." Torvinn replied cursing in Elven.

"Well Elf, what do we do?" Odwiff cut in, keeping his eyes solely on Wrok his hands tightening around his Warhammer.

Torvinn shook his head. "No fighting, the Dryad might be able to beat him, but it would involve a lot of deaths on our side too, we should preserve our strength."

Odwiff nodded. "But what if he doesn't agree?" He asked still staring at the Orc.

"Wrok's really nice! He's always treated all of us well." Tiva cut in pouting slightly.

"Mmm. It's true, he may let us off and just go back." Torvinn replied confidently.

As Wrok reached our gates, I prayed that they were right, as I'm not exactly used to this new body yet.

Wrok looked around, looking us new face up and down before turning back to Torvinn. "Wrok wishes to speak to Gralk, where is he?" He asked, placing his hand gently on the handle of his sword.

"He's dead, Wrok." Torvinn wasted no time telling the Orc.

Wrok gently sighed and let go of his blade. "So it's finally happened, Ekri's gotten just what Ekri wanted."

Torvinn looked confused. "What do you mean got what she wanted?"

"Ekri wanted the Elves to rebel, it would mean she could finally wipe them out in glorious battle." Wrok didn't sound like he agreed with his master. "It would be best for the Elves to run, Wrok will say that you're already gone when he got here." He spoke almost elegantly, but he still missed parts out.

Torvinn seemed to get slightly flustered, he quickly caught himself however. "E-even so, she won't be expecting to have to fight every Elf in the Dead Isles will she? We've liberated every single one." Torvinn stated.

Wrok narrowed his eyes. "Every one?" Torvinn nodded in reply. "Then, Yurz is dead?"

Torvinn nodded again. "Yes, thanks to the Dryad." He pointed at me.

Wrok turned to look at me. Why is Torvinn bringing me in to this? "So the Elves have allies, allies strong enough to kill Yurz." I saw a bead of sweat run down Torvinns forehead as Wrok seemed to ponder something. "Ekri ordered Wrok to kill Elves in situations like this, however Wrok not certain of his own survival and letting Ekri know of Elf rebellion must take priority." He concluded.

Torvinn breathed a ragged sighh of relief. "Then, you'll spare us?"

Wrok shook his head. "This is not sparing, Wrok will tell Ekir, battle will come." He promised.

"That's exactly what we wanted." Tiva chimed in, a cocky smirk plastered on her face.

Wrok sighed once again. "So be it." He turned around and began to leave back. "Wrok truly wishes Elves luck." He stopped for a moment without turning back to face us. "Wrok doesn't even now who he wants to win." He once again sighed and carried on walking.

"Torvinn, I believe we just avoided a pre-battle defeat." Leoth said collapsing against the walls fencing.

Torvinn nodded in agreement tapping Leoths shoulder.

I looked towards Verros who shrugged, neither of us knew how strong Wrok was, so the situation wasn't quite a tense for us, but judging by their reactions we should count ourselves lucky.

Afterwards Torvinn explained to us what would happen from now on. It will take two days for Wrok to reach Ekri and tell her the news. Then it will take around two weeks for Ekri to rally and supply her army as some are out sailing, hunting etc, etc.

In that time we need to get word to all the chiefs about our meeting spot, AKA Miracle Island, the south coast to be exact as Ekri lives on the north. As far as we know at least. He's told us to just train and prepare in the mean time.

Which was exactly what I intended to do, for tonight at least, I just felt like sleeping, evolving takes a toll on the body, I'm both starving and very tired. So after eating a second dinner, I headed for bed. tomorrow, I'll start preparing.

~Day 114~

First things first today I decided to make new clothes. I found where the Elves had kept all of my leatherworking equipment and started work on a new shirt. My current shirt and leather chest armour are just too tight, same with my leggings so they're the most important. I found a nice spot by the bridge where the sun would stay bright all day and got to work. It was true that we had to prepare for battle, and ideally that would be levelling and getting stronger, but we all needed a rest day before anything else.

Alvir obviously joined me straight away, but got bored very easily, so I let him go hunting. It was how he relaxes after all.

Later on I was joined by Verros and Odwiff who both came to fish, a hobby that they share I guess? Although I don't remember Odwiff being a massive fisher before. We just spent the whole day listening to tales of Odwiffs adventures. I swear a few of the tales changed from when I used to hear them, but that might just be Odwiff getting old and forgetting certain details.

For instance I don't remember him saving 'the most perfect Dwarven princess that immediately fell in love with him' before, that seemed to be new. Whilst we were resting by the river, Torvinn and his sister relaxed by helping the ex-slaves with building. Which I'm not quite sure is thought of as relaxing by most people.

By the end of the day I had managed to finish a full set of clothes, a bit more fancy than my last. Although it will probably be ripped sooner rather than later, so I don't know why I spent so much time on it.

For dinner Odwiff showed Verros how to prepare fish 'the Dwarven way', which seemed to involve a lot of beating it with a hammer. Alvir came back in time just for dinner, which is thanks to his nose no doubt. He had grown two levels today, I'm interested in how, there's not exactly powerful wildlife here. I was going to search for a dungeon to spend the next few weeks in, since just hunting creatures out here won't do me much good.

When night rolled around we all went to bed feeling a little less exhausted.

~Day 115~

For the others, it was time to get training, for me I still had armour to make. As much as I love my leather coat and chest armour, it just restricts my movements now, my old clothes and armour are either two baggy or two tight depending on width or height. Especially my chest armour which now feels very tight around my chest...

Anyway, that was my fun task for the day, Verros, Odwiff and Alvir had a much better task, finding a dungeon. Of course they were going to kill anything hostile whilst they searched, but that wasn't their main task.

I sat by the same spot I had before, but this time I was joined by a different group. A few of the younger ex-slaves seemed very interested in me... As a climbing frame.

I didn't really mind, well, I might have done a little when they were yanking on my antlers, it made it a bit difficult to keep 100% attention on what I was doing. Which in leatherworking is sort of crucial.

With their distractions I managed to build a new leather coat by the end of the day, a large black leather coat. With full sleeves and fur lining arms, and around my neck. I also made sure there was plenty of armour as well as fur inside the coat. It'll keep me warm and protected this time.

There wasn't really enough time to make anything else, but I don't even know if I will. I'm very defensive, that is what I am. So why do I keep using leather armour? Why don't I use some sort of metal armour? I mean, I do want to keep up my speed and manoeuvrability, but that doesn't mean I can't have some bit of metal protecting my body.

I don't know where to start making it myself though, so I'll need to find a proper blacksmith at some point. Finally use all the money the Queen gave me all that time ago.

That's something to think about later though. Odwiff, Verros and Alvir came back with no luck, Alvir had levelled up once again, but there was no sign of a dungeon. We may have to look on nearby islands too it would seem.

I'll be joining them tomorrow anyway, maybe we should split up to cover more ground? Well that's something to discuss with the others tomorrow. For now, we'll just enjoy another tasty Dwarven meal of beat up animal corpses. The Dwarven way of cooking is interesting indeed.

After another surprisingly delicious meal, we all headed to bed without thinking too much on what we just ate used to be. Tomorrow will be my first time fighting in this new body, I haven't even tested out my strength yet, but it seems I can at least control it as I didn't accidentally break a needle whilst sewing or something.

I wonder if I'll be able to control it is combat though? I won't lie, I'm excited to test out my strength, I think tonight, I'll fall asleep grinning.

[Name: Ellena]

[Age: 114 Days]

[Species: Arbor Ferrous, Dryad]

[Height: 7'-6"]

[Sex: Female]

[Title/s: Kin of Ellephwen, Wolfmother, Slayer.]

{Level: 1]

[Health: 25899/25899]

[Mana: 4870/4870]

[Stamina: 20772/20772]

[Hunger: 20772/20772]

[Attack: 18792]

[Defence: 28472]

[Magic Attack: 4826]

[Magic Defence: 11568]

[Skills: [Pain Resistance lvl 10 (Max)] [Poison Resistance lvl 8] [Mind Resistance lvl 2] [Venom Resistance lvl 7] [Night vision lvl 10 (max)] [Amplified Vision lvl 9] [{Mushroom Helmet lvl 68}] [tough stomach lvl 8] Up! [Unarmed Combat Expert lvl 8] [Polearm Journeyman lvl 10] [Demifoot lvl 7] [Warriors Heart lvl 43] [Warriors Will lvl 30] [Warriors Strength lvl 35] [Greater Regeneration lvl 6] [Guardian lvl 10 (Max)] [Dryads Charm lvl 11] [Skinning lvl 5] [Tanning lvl 4] [Leatherworking lvl 5] Up! [Carving lvl 2] [Earth Magic lvl 7] [{Wolfmother lvl 10}] [{Pillars Aura lvl 5}] [Ironbark Skin lvl 2]]