Magic tree goblin

Zhodan leans against the wall, deep in thought.

"We need to regroup and rethink our strategy. That display of power... it's clear he's become more dangerous than we anticipated."

The dark whispers from the garden still linger in the air, giving everyone an unsettling feeling.

The party quietly makes their way back through the secret passages, each lost in their own thoughts about the dangerous encounter.

As they emerge from the last hidden door, the morning light seems too bright after the darkness they've just escaped.

The hidden base is dimly lit and comfortable, a stark contrast to the dangerous events that just unfolded.

Yokijo collapses into a chair, her ears drooping with exhaustion.

"We should get some rest. Tomorrow we plan our next move against that wizard."

Nokai starts preparing some healing potions, while Zhodan organizes their maps.

"Get some sleep, everyone. Tomorrow we'll need to be at our best if we're going to deal with Xuhuan again. "

The room falls silent as the party settles in for the night, each lost in their own concerns about the shadowy wizard and his dark magic.

The only sound is the soft rustling of papers as Zhodan works late into the night, determined to find a way to counter Xuhuan's increasingly potent magic.

As morning light filters through the base's windows, Zhodan finally puts down his quill and prepares to wake the others.

His voice is quiet but firm as he begins to call everyone together for their emergency strategy meeting.

The group gathers around the table, each showing signs of restless sleep and lingering unease from the previous night's events.

Zhodan spreads out a map of Emerarudo, pointing to various locations that might hold clues about Xuhuan's next move.

Zhodan traces his finger across the map.

"According to the temple records, Xuhuan's magical signature has been detected near these abandoned ruins."

The tension in the room grows as everyone recognizes the potential danger.

Yokijo studies the map intently, her ears twitching with concern.

"Those ruins are known to be infested with undead. If Xuhuan is gathering there...

The unspoken implications hang heavy in the air.

Nokai's hands clench into fists as he considers the risks.

"We have to investigate. If Xuhuan is conducting dark rituals there, we can't let him continue unchecked."

The group nods in agreement, though none seem particularly enthusiastic about facing whatever awaits at those ruins.

The party prepares their equipment and supplies, each going through their usual pre-mission rituals with a sense of heavy anticipation.

Zhodan gathers his magical scrolls, his face set in grim determination.

As they move to leave, Jay stops by the door, turning back to face the others.

"Remember - we need to be prepared for anything. Xuhuan has shown us he's capable of much more than we initially thought."

The group moves cautiously through the city streets, their path taking them toward the edge of Emerarudo where the ruins await.

The air grows thick with tension as they approach the ominous site, dark clouds gathering overhead.

Zhodan's voice drops to a whisper as they draw nearer to the ruins.

"If Xuhuan is indeed raising undead armies, we could face an army of the dead. And if he's working with demons... "

The group tightens their formation, each step more careful than the last.

A sudden rustling in the bushes makes everyone freeze, hands going to their weapons.

"Hold! Something's moving up ahead... "

Yokijo's ears twitch, trying to pinpoint the source of the noise in the dense foliage.

The tree goblins emerge from the foliage, their bark-like skin crackling with magical energy.

"Watch out! They're under Xuhuan's control! "

Their vines lash out like whips, and strange magic symbols glow on their wooden bodies.

The battle with the tree goblins erupts in the forest, magic and steel clashing against nature's dark power.

One goblin targets Yokijo with a poison spell while another tries to ensnare Nokai in magical roots.

Nokai's sword glows with divine energy as he strikes at the attacking roots, burning them away.

The magical resistance helps him counter the poison spell just in time, but he's still tangled in some roots.

Yokijo's reflexes save her from a critical hit as she dodges between the trees, using their trunks as cover.

She manages to land a powerful slash on one of the goblins, but another is preparing a fire spell.

Yokijo draws her bow, aiming at the goblin preparing the fire spell while still dodging the other's attacks.

The sound of arrows whizzing through the air mixes with the crackling of magical energy and combat cries.

Zhodan casts a protective barrier around himself as he channels his magic, attempting to counter the goblins' dark magic.

One goblin manages to slip past his defenses, striking him with a shockwave spell that sends him staggering backward.

With a flash of arcane light, Zhodan transforms his magical focus into a sturdy bo-staff.

He uses it to block the next attack, twirling it expertly as he channels healing energy into his own wounds.

The magical dogs circle the battlefield, biting and snapping at the goblins while Jay counters their magic with precision.

One goblin tries to retreat but trips over one of the dogs, leaving it vulnerable to Jay's follow-up attack.

A fiery blast erupts from Jay's hand, engulfing the tripped goblin in flames.

The other goblins howl in pain as their woody bodies begin to catch fire, the smell of burning wood filling the air.

The flames return to Jay's hand, burning with intense heat but controlled now.

The remaining goblins scatter in fear, their dark magic diminished by Jay's powerful display of control.

Yokijo's arrow finds its mark in the fleeing goblins, taking down two more.

Nokai and Zhodan dispatch the remaining ones while Jay focuses on maintaining his control over the fire.

The battle ends with the last goblin destroyed, leaving behind charred remains and a few scorched trees.

Nokai wipes sweat from his brow, looking at the destruction around them.

"These goblins were no ordinary foes. They must have been enhanced by Xuhuan's dark magic. "

Jay approaches the group, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

"These tree goblins were just a scouting party. We need to move quickly before Xuhuan discovers what happened here. "