Chapter 78: The Ambush

Veins would be seen stabbing within the flora, adapting within the gardens to be like vines, taking over the supposed landscape. The stomach bellowed, an above them, the children would hear a groaning sound from the monster. They quickly realized that by adapting this into a full-on garden, it disrupted the bodily functions of one of the most vital organs. By ruining that organ, it effectively makes them a parasite, slowly killing the beast from within. The two children took upon their stance as the veins would flail wildly like whips, lunging in quick strikes to hit at their limbs, wounding them as a result. More whips would be made, striking at the children's body, hoping to leave some tears upon their skin. Harvard, in response, would cast a fire spell towards the area of the forest, letting the vines be burned to a crisp, as well as igniting the flora and damaging the wildlife with it. Solomon would cast a spell to set up a barrier, preventing the fire from entering, as well as the assault made on the flora, whilst having Harvard get inside to bide their time. When Harvard attempted to reach towards the Biblical Sorcerer, a strong grip was made upon his leg.

The veins were still alive, dragging the boy down to the earth, hoping to suffocate him in the dirt, whilst also trying to cook him alive with the fire going rampant. The boy can feel the heat warming up the earth, desperately trying to escape, yet the grip remained firm. More hands were made from the veins binding together to form such a shape, holding the child down more and more, burning the boy, trying to make him put it out. His eyes were closed to prevent any damage towards his sight, as he tries to think amidst the pain. He was still amazed at the idea of what his deck is now, but knows of its crux. Whilst a powerful item, it is utterly useless if one doesn't know how to properly wield it. A weapon that is finely tuned and can only work through strategy, not through brute force. The equivalent of playing a game while war was happening before him.

He would cast himself a random spell to try and distract the veins, hoping that he would be able to see and cast the needed spell to get him out of the situation. He could feel his skin sweating and body boiling by the minute. The spell he casted was of a pillar, slashing across the boy's back, yet the pillar itself being just enough to scathe the appendages, providing an opening to have the boy look through his cards while the veins maintained their focus on the pillar in question. A Pillar that has said to reach enlightenment, with its effects attracting the veins like bees to honey. Solomon would look at this display in awe, watching the veins tangle and twist themselves to capture the pillar. A Lightning Rod for magic itself.

"Ok, good, It got their attention. Let's try this out then." Harvard would mumble, still being cooked alive, casting a spell within the very earth, thanks to the likes of Solomon's Garden. The spell depicted a Rosetta Stone, a stone that carried markings which are said to be the ultimate translation for the likes of Hieroglyphs, a language lost to time. When Harvard casted this spell, the Hieroglyphs would be made within the earth, slowly being animated and acting on their own accord, the glyphs moving across the dirt, digging through its earth to give Harvard an exit, while acting as a wall to prevent the tendrils from striking at the child further. When the boy finally escaped, he'd breathe a sigh of relief through the little oxygen they have, quickly noticing everything was still in flames. He'd retreat quickly towards the supposed barrier Solomon made, catching his breath. "Alright, How are we gonna beat this thing?" Harvard would ask, out of breath.

"Well despite everything being on fire, pretty sure we can try to cut a hole deep in this stomach. If I remember it correctly, the Stomach Acids are enough to melt through full on steel. If we dump all of it down through the hole, any organs that exists below the stomach will be melted off. By that point, it would pretty much be dead on the spot." Solomon would answer.

"Ok, that's our plan then. Make a giant incision, then turn off the Garden and let it kill itself. Perfect! One small issue...Exactly How?" The boy would state, yet before his concerns were answered, the earthy veins would be seen successfully dragging the pillar to the ground, now aiming to try and strike at the barrier. Harvard would pause himself to cast a spell to reinforce the barrier just in case it would break, before continuing to speak. "Last time I checked, this is a monster that can weaponize their MUSCLES. Won't they just reattach each other?"

"Only if we let it."

"Wha?"

Solomon would showcase his example by having the barrier intensify, using the holy radiance to burn the tendrils, allowing Harvard to notice the solution. The tendrils were reacting violently to the light. Nay, they were reacting to its heat. "Your fire spell is cauterizing it. You get it now?"

"Yeaaaaaah....I get it! Like sealing the head stumps of a Hydra!" The child cracked his knuckles as he searched through his deck once more, ready to cast another spell, exiting the barrier. "Alright, I'll go make the incision. You make sure they don't try and stop me!" He would state, before leaving. He'd cover his face and mouth with his suit, taking it off, showcasing a white shirt to accompany it, with the suit being used as a makeshift neckpiece to block off any smoke. The tendrils would somehow notice the shift of movement and tried to follow suit, yet Solomon would intervene by casting another spell from his book, having the barrier expand so that they would be trapped along with the biblical sorcerer to prevent any further movement.

"Alright, let's kill this thing." He would murmur, watching the child prepare the cut.