Vastarael knew that the main reason why the vines were not attacking them was because of him.
Ever since he got the tattoo when he died from the eclipse in Minafallen, he asked Elyonari if he knew what flower it was since she was an elf. However, not even her knowledge helped because it was not related to Spheraphasian flora at all.
Which led him to believe that it was a Krepsuna plant and he was right.
Crimson Curtain Peonies, according to Sirithiele, are one of the five most powerful flora in Dimensium, and the weakest among the five. They have extremely high regeneration and are immune to mystic attacks. Fire, ice, plasma, anything involving using mystic skills were considered useless. Only physical attacks can harm them.
Their spores use the energy of a living being to grow and blossom inside it. In a day or two, they turn the living being into one of them but more powerful and intelligent.
But they always have a supreme peony that acts like the flora's brain, always located at the center of their vegetation. When Vastarael and Phaenora saw the Island of Peony from above, there was a massive tree at the center of island. If it wasn't for their advanced vision, they wouldn't have seen it through the mist.
The only way to go pass through the island was to kill the Crimson Curtain Peony Tree. Escaping the island was not an option.
If they used the Bioluminescent Manta Ray, all the peonies in the island below it would sense a new host and consume him and since it was a Divine Creature, if turned into one of them, it would be extremely powerful and it would kill them instantly.
The mist made it extremely impossible to run. It was a very risky move trying to run on an island of peonies that had the speed of a normal Ascender when they unleashed their vines.
And also, Vastarael was slowing them down.
Every now and then, his tattoo was reacting, causing him immense pain. Phaenora and the girl had to protect him numerous times from the peonies and it was getting tiring for them.
They had fought three thousand Sunderer Rank Krepsunas and it caused them an extremely massive case of fatigue. Phaenora had to abandon using Vastarael's essence because every time he experienced painful episodes, the tattoo would consume it. If it wasn't for his Omniphage absorbing energy from the flowers themselves, the tattoo would have drained him dry.
Having no essence wasn't a problem. However, the tattoo always consumed his essence every few minutes and if his body didn't have any left, it would then go for his soul, which was going to bring an even worse unimaginable pain for him, even though he had an endless supply of soul energy thanks to being an Aeterium.
Even though his Omniphage Ascended Form enabled him to absorb soul energy from his soul and others, it was an extremely painful process that he had to be unconscious while doing it.
And of course, collapsing now would cause more issues for Phaenora and the girl.
And once again, his Omniphage saved his life.
And using the Invisible Veil of The Ingenious Prince was a completely stupid idea. His essence was depleted and he had to use Omniphage to feed the tattoo and alleviate his pain and fatigue.
"No offense but you're slowing us down, Veneri."
Through gritted teeth, Vastarael managed a weak explanation, his voice strained.
"It's... because of this tattoo."
Phaenora's brows furrowed as she helped him sit against a tree, careful to keep him away from any vines. Surprisingly, in this island, there was no snow. It was unaffected by the curse of the Frozen God.
"You've mentioned it before, but I still don't get it. Why does it keep reacting here?"
"Because it's Krepsuna flora," Vastarael said between labored breaths. "One of the five most powerful plants in Dimensium."
Phaenora glanced around at the swaying vegetation, her hands tightening around her weapon.
"And the tattoo?"
Vastarael exhaled heavily, struggling to continue.
"It's not a normal mark... It's connected to the tree. It's... why the vines aren't attacking us directly—"
He grimaced as another wave of pain rippled through him.
"The tree knows I'm one of its own, but it also knows I'm a threat. The tattoo... it drains my essence and soul energy to maintain its link. If it wasn't for my Omniphage absorbing energy from the flowers and the atmosphere, I'd be dead already."
The young girl, who had been silent for most of their journey, finally spoke up.
"Then why don't we just kill the tree and end this?"
Phaenora let out a dry laugh, "Because, little one, that tree is a Divine Rank. Killing it isn't exactly something we can do on a whim."
Hours passed, each one more grueling than the last. Vastarael's condition worsened, the tattoo's hunger unrelenting. Even his Omniphage, powerful as it was, couldn't keep up with the constant drain.
Just as they were nearing the brink of collapse, Phaenora spotted something through the mist. It was a dark opening in the rocky terrain ahead.
"A cave," she said, almost disbelieving. "Finally, some cover."
The girl looked skeptical.
"A cave? Here? Without any water source nearby?"
Phaenora nodded grimly, "Exactly. It's odd... and that makes it suspicious. Stay sharp."
As they entered the cave, the air grew noticeably cooler, the oppressive weight of the mist lifting slightly. The walls were covered in strange markings. Runes were etched deeply into the stone, glowing faintly with an ancient energy.
Vastarael's eyes widened as he leaned on Phaenora for support.
"These... these are Resist Runes," he said weakly, his gaze scanning the symbols. "They're designed to repel mystic interference. That's why the mist feels weaker here."
Phaenora touched one of the runes cautiously, feeling a faint hum of power beneath her fingertips.
"Whoever made this place knew what they were doing. But who would bother to set up something like this on an island like this and leave?"
Vastarael's eyes flickered with recognition.
"The Raukerai..." he muttered before slumping to the ground.
Phaenora knelt beside him, her sharp features shadowed with concern.
"Hey! Don't you dare pass out now."
Vastarael forced his eyes open, though his voice was faint. Despite looking so weak, he still looked incredibly handsome.
"I have... no choice. My Omniphage needs to consume my Soul Energy to keep me alive. It's the only way to replenish what the tattoo has taken. Don't worry... I have plenty to spare. But it'll hurt like hell... and I'll be out for a while. Protect... the girl..."
Before Phaenora could argue, Vastarael's body went limp, his breathing shallow but steady.
The cave fell silent save for the faint hum of the runes and Vastarael's labored breaths. Phaenora leaned against the wall, running a hand through her white hair.
"Great. Now we've got a half-dead prince and a homicidal tree waiting for us outside. Can't we catch a break for once?"
The girl sat cross-legged a few feet away, her small face etched with worry.
"Will he be okay?"
Phaenora let out a sigh, her gaze fixed on Vastarael's unconscious form.
"He's tougher than he looks. But yeah, he'll be fine... eventually. I trust in his power a lot. He'll be okay."
The girl hesitated before speaking again, "He's... different. I've never seen anyone like him."
"Yeah, he's full of surprises, all right. Always has been. What about you? You've been quiet this whole time. What's your deal?"
The girl fidgeted with her hands, her expression guarded.
" just want to survive. I don't belong here... in this place. In this world."
Phaenora's eyes softened slightly.
"Join the club, kid. None of us do."
For a moment, they sat in companionable silence, the weight of their predicament pressing down on them. Phaenora glanced back at Vastarael, her jaw tightening.
"Rest up, Veneri," she muttered under her breath. "We'll need you if we're going to make it out of this hellhole alive. We're going to rest too."