Bloom

It took several days for Dryad to finish her meals. Once the final human was completely devoured she returned to the alcove she’d left her new Grove Guardian in. Nudging the human awake with her toes, it was the work of a short moment to strip, clean, and re-attire him using the surrounding plants.

Now his clothing was replaced by form fitting wooden armor. Several minutes had allowed her to remember the Rune method that Tree used to enchant. The wooden armor held an eye searing assortment of red runes upon its surface after she was done. Since she didn’t plan on having more than a small elite group of guardians, there was no need to spare any expense.

“U-Um, miss…uh….plant…boss?” the human asked.

“Hm, what is it?” Dryad replied, continuing to use her fingers to carve runes on the armor.

“Are you ok? Your skin seems…”

Dryad glanced down at the silver-white skinwood that formed her flesh, “You mean the red plant tattoos that are snaking up and down my limbs and torso?”

“Uh…yes?”

“Don’t worry. Those are a natural result of the blood corruption. It’s an evolutionary path of my race. The end result is greater power, and in my opinion, an easier path to feeding.” Dryad said, shaping the last Rune before stepping back.

“Now….what was your name again?” Dryad said as she surveyed her handiwork. Space, Time, Agelessness, Shield, Movement, Speed, Strength, these and more dotted the Grove Guardian’s armor.

“Samuel, mi’lady.” Samuel said.

“A human name doesn’t suit you anymore. Since you are my first, let’s go with something that’s easy to pronounce. Nightshade, yes, that’s your name now.” Dryad said, rolling the name off her tongue with ease.

“As you wish…Mistress?” Nightshade replied with an unsure tone.

“Don’t use that appellation, it will cause confusion with Vex’s subordinates. Call me by my name. It isn’t like there is another dryad to confuse me with.” Dryad said, with a quick grin.

“Understood.”

“Let’s go. If I’m finished feeding, there is no way Vex isn’t done already.” Dryad said, as she started moving towards the Library.

“Dryad, my, my family?” Nightshade asked, hopeful.

“They are on the way shortly, by the time we are done with Vex, I should sense their arrival. If not, we can get a message out from one of the mages staying at the quarters I provided for them. Don’t worry, we take care of our own…when we are around…” Dryad said, sparing a small prayer for the family members that were not with her and Tree at the moment.

Given enough time they would be able to re-unite with those they had left behind through the various places they had been too. Dryad could already sense Tree starting to recover from the infusion of life due to her meals. Now that she had successfully started down the path of evolution for her race, she could provide the perfect symbiosis for Tree.

As they arrived at the Library the figure of the pinstripe suited demon, the Librarian barred the way.

At a raised eyebrow from Dryad, the demon said, “Mistress is…putting the finishing touches on a pet project she has.” Dryad narrowed her eyes causing the poor demon to hurriedly add, “I’m sure, she’ll be done…soon!”

Sighing in annoyance Dryad decided to let the poor demon have a break, “Fiiiiine. Let’s go inside and you can keep me entertained…what was your name?”

“Snix, Ancient One.” the demon said, pleased to be known.

“Did you just call me old?” Dryad said as she walked into the Library.

“N-No, it was a term of resp-” the demon stuttered out in that interesting accent.

“Just kidding.” Dryad said, flashing a smile as she moved to the plush table and chairs nearby. The faint smell of humans still in the air told her this was likely where Vex had finished most of her meal. Seeing as how there wasn’t a single bed nearby, it was likely she had used the Kiss. Dryad shook her head, using the Kiss was the same as the fast food version of eating. Without savoring the meal, eating became just another task to be done!

Taking a chair across from her, the demon glanced at Nightshade who stood respectfully behind her, “May I ask, what is that?” the demon said, curious.

“He’s my new Grove Guardian. They will be a small group tasked with taking care of the area around Tree. I’m sure since Vex has a new pet, she won’t mind me having one either, right?” Dryad said, her eyes shining brightly.

Snix coughed before saying, “Of course not, Mrs. Dryad!”

“Just call me Dryad, my name is enough of a title for those who know.” Dryad said, getting tired of the demon’s constant attempt to find a respectful name.

Relief flashed across Snix’s face as he said, “As you wish, Dryad.”

Before the conversation could develop into small talk, Dryad heard the faint sound of footsteps approaching in tandem. Turning, she watched as Vex and the young earth mage Elder’s apprentice walked out from the bookshelves nearby.

The young man was now visibly altered. Where before there had been softness and fear, there was now tranquility and disdain. The young man’s clothing had changed as well, he was wearing robes that wouldn’t look out of place on any archmage. Demonic symbols of power were spread in glowing purple across the hem, and around the cuffs. Each symbol provided meaning, exactly like the Runes on her own Guardian. Other than the fact that she didn’t appreciate the color black as much as Vex did, she had to approve of her taste in fashion.

“Creating soulstealing heartthrobs Vex?” Dryad teased as she finally took a good look at the succubus.

“A pet reflects the owner, I can’t have people thinking my standards are low.” Vex said, as she approached the table to sit down opposite Dryad. “Besides, I see you’ve made one of your own.” she said, glancing at Nightshade.

“Not that I don’t trust you, but well, you know how Tree is…” Dryad said, shrugging her shoulders unapplogetically. She may consider Vex a close friend, but she never forgot the fact she’s still a demon.

That’s why Nightshade’s armor would allow him to hold out for up to an hour against Vex’s entire faction.

Dryad was confident if she couldn’t return to Tree before an hour was up, she would already be dead. Besides, just like Vex, she had never actually gone all out before. Tree usually took care of things, allowing her to enjoy playing around. Now that the other half of her soul was sleeping, and recovering, it fell to her to ensure nothing unfortunate occurred.

“Blood Dryad?” Vex said, staring stiffly at the blood red tattoos that contrasted Dryad’s silver-white skinwood.

“It was necessary.” Dryad replied, her tone sad.

“…I see.” Vex said, recovering from her shock. “This is how you plan to deal with the unknown demon’s forces. It should force you into the second phase of evolution, correct?”

“Tree deals with energy, it falls to me to ensure any biological issues are handled without allowing it to delay his recovery.” Dryad said, her tone hard. “As I’m sure a race as old as you can understand…”

“…Blood Dryads are the war machines of the Grove.” Vex said, her tone unfathomable.

Dryad nodded, her eyes hard. “It won’t be forever. I can feel Tree growing in power as he deepens his understanding of Time’s Shadow. Once he has enough mastery, and awakens, this sacrifice will cease to exist.”

Vex raised one eyebrow, “Are you certain?”

“…No, but it doesn’t matter.” Dyrad said, pausing briefly before replying. “Even if he cannot do it once awakening, I refuse to believe he won’t eventually have a solution.”

Vex nodded, “He’s nothing if not an Abberation. A piece of Chaos given shape and form. There isn’t anything such a being cannot do, given enough time.”

Dryad smiled, sharp teeth showing. “Tree will have as much time as he needs with me around.”

Vex decided not to continue down that path of conversation.

“So, have you decided what you want to do once we find whoever is attempting to take over Tree’s next meal?” Vex said.

“Eat them of course. I’m sure you won’t mind, right? It’s pretty obvious this demon isn’t as…tractable…as others.” Dryad said, glancing at Snix when she finished.

“Indeed.” Vex said.

“No mercy?” Dryad asked.

“No mercy.” Vex agreed.