As the timer counted down the number of beasts entering the central region only ever increased. Whilst many were slain during the vicious battle that was taking place under the glittering branches, the influx of combatants ensured that the war never stagnated.

As the timer dropped below 30 minutes a dragon with obsidian scales rose from her rest, around her various beasts also rose. Eager to follow their leader into the inevitable fray.

The beasts that had been infected by the madness of the fruits raged, their unbridled ferocity acting as an unofficial third force in this final act. For whilst they seemed to fight everything, they would somehow never battle each other and simply pass the other infected by to instead attack anything else.

Their were a few stand out combatants present.

Surrounded by a pile of slain foes a hulking beast prowled in the shifting shadows. Its head was that of a great lion, yet its fangs protruded out viciously, crimson blood marring its otherwise majestic visage. Its body was covered not in fur but feathers, their golden glow muted in the darkness. On its back two might wings sat, pressed down against its flanks. And its tail swished menacingly before snapping out and opening to reveale the maw of a snake as it clamped down on a beast that dared to try and sneak up to it.

Elsewhere a serpent with onyx scales lashes out with immense speed as its range peirce the hide of a passing monkey. The monkey didn't even seem to notice that it was already dead as it continued its mad charge forward. Only to fall to the ground, it is only then it notice that half of its body has rotted away.

A disparate group of beasts hold another section, stalwartly fending off any foe foolish enough to approach. Floating in the centre of this group is a being made of ice. It's crystalline body reflecting the dancing lights above. Spears of ice shoot out to impalle the approaching foes, whilst walls of ice similarly are raised to shield its allies from incoming attacks.

And on the far side of the tree a dragon with blue scales and lightning crackling along its body dashes from one foe to another, whilst a woman stands still as orbs of water float around her. Together the duo lay waste to all who approach them.

And at the base of the tree its guardian lays. The dancing lights above reflect from its muted carapace and reveal the form of a monstrous centipede. It's easily wraps around the entire base of the tree, yet it has not awoken from its slumber nd it will continue to sleep until it's strength is needed.

**

Violet halts once more at the edge of the treeline, glancing back at her trusty group of beasts she is unable to hold back her excitement at the battle to come. By her side Luna similarly appears to be in good spirits, whilst her shoulder is still a touch tender she already has full movement back. As she demonstrates by spinning her spear be letting it rest on her uninjured shoulder.

The two observe the battlefield once more before moving forward one last time.

A roar is loosed from the adolescent dragon, it echoes around the battlefield momentairily halting the combat as all beasts present feel the presence of a true apex creature. Her aura washes out and makes her intentions clear. 'I am here, and I will win!'

Then she and her cohort of beasts charge forward.

Bolts of void, ice, wind and stone fly out ahead of them and tear into the side of a group of the maddened who are currently battling a group of the locals.

Limbs are shredded, bodies peirced and lives are reaped from that first clash. Yet it is only the opening salvo in their assault, more bolts fly out before a giant wolf and its pack separate from the main body and charge forward. On their flanks follow 4 feline beasts, two on each side. And at the back of the formation a mighty beast towers above them all.

Violet and Luna charge forward, not at the front for the first time as they had both been overtaken by the wolves and cats. But they were not worried for they know that battle would be one thing that they will not be short on soon enough.

A lightning filled maw closed down on the head of an unfortunate doe in the throws of madness. Its skull pops like an overripe watermelon under the wolf's powerful jaw. Its pack mates similarly pounce into the flank of the herd of infected deer.

Noticing the new foes all of the herd not currently engaged in battle turn to face the new foes. Yet they are met with magic and claw as Violet unleashed a beam of void that slices through flesh and bone alike. At the sides the cat beasts tear into the legs of the larger beasts and halt their frantic movements.

As the beasts collapse they are summarily impaled by spikes of earth courtesy of the large boar. A blade of wind flashed forward to separate the head for the body of a doe that escaped the initial assult.

A large ape pounced through the line of enraged deer to try and assult them from within the herd only to be met with the spear of ice that flashes forward and slices through its tough body. The beast tried to respond, however, it was too slow to put up any meaningful resistance to the masterful assult unleashed by the leopardkin. In a matter of seconds the corps of the ape collapses to the ground.

Lastly the Void Dragon also joined the fray, her claws tear through her foes with remarkable ease thanks to the thin coating of void. Her tail whips out to crash into the head of a bounding monkey and sends it sprawling back into its encroaching comrades. This is swiftly followed by a spear of void that chases after the stunned simian and impales it through the chest.

Then a echoing explosion rings out when the spear detonated and blasted back the surrounding beasts whilst showering them in the devastated body parts of the impaled monkey.

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