August 17, Year 1 of the New Calendar
Misty Lake
Lakeside Village
After the initial landing battle, the water wraiths in the lake had launched several more attacks over the past few days.
Howling severed limbs literally crawled toward the Expedition Army's defensive lines.
The sight frightened many bugs in the provisional army out of their wits, so the Ashen Clan took the field once again.
With its firm resolve and strict discipline, this army might be shaken, but it would still do what had to be done.
As the lake surged, foul-smelling slime and ubiquitous Blueblood Vines spread unchecked, while the Lifeseeds scurrying everywhere kept appearing in an endless supply of fresh seeds.
Fortunately, after a period of repairs, rudimentary defenses had been completed in Lakeside Village.
Flesh and blood naturally could not breach a line defended by sharp blades and powerful cannons.
But after every water wraith attack, their corpses became fertilizer on the beach, sprouting dense tangles of blue vines.
Their blue, butterfly-shaped leaves even trembled gently in time with the waves, giving off a faint glow.
An unsuspecting bug who saw them would probably think it was nothing more than a beautiful view.
Sadly, this place was a blue hell. Several warriors who had tried to clear the plants had already been bound by the vines, forcibly injected with Lifeblood, and infected to become new hosts.
Thankfully, Soulfire continued to prove effective against these plants.
Casters specializing in the Soulfire Arts scattered their flames, and the sea of blue wailed in agony until only ashes remained.
But the water wraiths would always return, and so would these plants.
After several attacks, the atmosphere in the temporary camp had grown deeply oppressive.
Gron could only hold his ground. Neither the Ashen Clan, which excelled at frontal assaults,