Earthblood Crossroads 7 (Patreon)

The hideous steel monstrosity bursts through the trunk of the great tree, splinters flying everywhere as its multitude of malformed arms writhe about. A giant clawed hand springs towards you faster than you can react, but suddenly you are on the ground. You hear Nelo scream. You hear Seri scream. Mehtet is silent. And then everything is.

You glance about, looking up to see your doom. Yet it doesn't come. Instead you are met with a wondrous, yet terrifying sight. The world is frozen. Scattered leaves and shards of wood float in the air like tiny organic stars. Nelo's hands grip the metal monstrosity that binds him, but he does not move. The Reaper's limbs are likewise still, splayed throughout the inside of the tree like a swarm of metallic snakes. Seri's mouth hangs open, their cry of anguish cut short. Mehtet's look of bewilderment is still locked upon where you lay. 

You notice you are not breathing. The air does not move. As you try to stand, you feel the weight of the entire world pressing back against you, yet with a firm push you move it away and float to your feet. 

"Help." A voice? No... a feeling.

You freeze, and energy surges from your body, a ray of every color imaginable flashing before your eyes. A deep vibration of life and light plays out from your very center, exploding forth towards... whom?