Dryads

Hino keeps attacking Myla relentlessly. She chains her attacks, creating a flurry of punches and kicks. Myla keeps on the defense using her shield to block them all. Hino steps back and reaches her hands out. She has her palms facing Myla as the water on her arms flows to her hands. Before all of the water reaches her hands, Myla steps forward. She raises her sword above her head, causing Hino to step back. Myla quickly swings her shield into Hino's chest. She used her sword as a diversion to get her to look up. I think with a smile as Hino buckles over. The water around her hand quivers as she starts to lose focus. Myla kicks Hino's chin before pulling her sword back. Hino raises her hands and the water turns into a cylinder. It starts from her palms and is about two feet long. It's about a foot wide and facing Myla. Myla looks at it confused before something clicks. She lowers her sword and raises her shield. Immediately after, a ball of water shoots out of the cylinder. It crashes into Myla's shield and breaks her guard. It knocks her shield away and leaves her exposed. Hino lunges forward, water surrounding her boots and gauntlets. The water enhances her speed, and is clearly from a spell. She swings her fist at Myla's face. Myla steps back as Hino goes for a kick. Myla can't dodge or block and falls to the ground. Hino reaches out and casts another spell. This one surrounds Myla in water. The water binds her, causing Myla to sigh and let go of her weapons.

"I give." Myla says bitterly. Hino releases Myla before helping her up.

"Hino wins! Great match you two." Asami says while riding her Wolf up to them. "Will you be participating in the next round Hino?"

"No, I'm not too comfortable with contests. I just wanted a chance to fight Myla without holding back like we do in practice." Hino replies causing Asami to nod.

"Then this next round will be between Mavis, one of our new members, and Penny, one of the Silver Garden's newer members." Asami says while pointing to the two. As they enter the arena someone taps my shoulder. I turn and see Liz behind me.

"Eric, can you come with me? The Dryads want to talk with you." She asks me.

"Yeah, I'll be back in a bit Luna, Innu." I say telling the two bye before following Liz. We go to one of the waiting rooms. Since everyone's already changed, no one will interrupt us. Although I do notice Liz locks it behind us. Treena and Layla are sitting on the couch against the back wall. "What'd you want to talk about?" I ask them while sitting down on one of the two chairs.

"We wanted to ask about your Forest Core. The one in your Domain that we gave you." Treena asks while Liz sits on the other chair.

"What about it?" I ask a little confused.

"Has it started acting up or doing anything odd?"

"No, not that I know of. Why?"

"Liz said that it looked like it was getting ready to create a Dryad. But we don't know how long it'll take to mature. We know this isn't the best time. But we need to tell you what to expect and do." Layla says.

"What do you mean mature?" I ask her.

"We Dryads don't just pop out of thin air. When the Forest Core that creates us, creates us. We are born inside a tree. This tree is very special, as it's comprised of Mythical material. However, we take the mana making it Mythical to mature. That's partially why we needed to talk to you sooner rather than later. Since there was a chance you'd cut down the tree without knowing what it was." Treena says.

"Yep, but there's more too. Once the Dryad inside has absorbed enough mana, she'll come out. At this point, she'll be full-grown. She'll know what she is and her role in the forest. However, there's a problem with newborn Dryads. They can't control their power. They could try to help a dying plant and end up causing a surge in the forest's natural growth. So you'll need to keep an eye on her." Layla adds.

"What about the tree after she's been birthed or left it? Could I cut it down then?" I ask.

"Yes, but why would you? As I said, we absorb the mana that makes them valuable. At that point, it'll be no different than normal wood. It might even be worse if she takes all of the mana." Treena asks.

"I know, but I wouldn't cut it down for wood. I'm just concerned that it might grow on a path or Ramias farm. I might need to cut it down if it's somewhere in the way after she's done. But would she get upset by that? I'm not sure if she'll be attached to it." I reply causing her to nod.

"Then that'll be fine. We don't get attached to the trees we come from. We often remove them to make way for more trees. Since they don't have any more mana, they don't help the forest grow as much as ones with mana would. Anyway, we've taken enough of your time. We just needed to tell you about this now." Treena replies before walking toward the door. She opens it and we start to walk back to the stands. Before we get there, Flare runs up to us.