What was commonplace in the beast infested earth other than ruins? The answer was before YuJu's eyes, all green and colorful, a direct contradiction to the bare concrete around

This beauty was more dangerous than living in the cold and broken buildings, at least there rocks were rocks, well, most of the time

In the grown wilds however any plant could turn out to be poisonous, hiding other creatures within, or capable of killing like any other beast

Taking a step forward from the barren earth and onto the grassy earth with all this in mind he tried to focus on a very faint scent

His senses didn't disappoint, the woody bark infiltrated his nose only a few steps after his entrance, soon soaking his body until he could barely feel it before a wave of dizziness washed over

'I hate hallucinants the most'

Plants that induce hallucinations were not uncommon, it was also easy to deal with them as long as you destroyed them without approaching too close or had immunity to the poison they spewed, otherwise you could also hold your breath until you exited their land of influence, but when you could do none of the above and had to fight in their territory….simply put you would be screwed

Even so YuJu kept walking inside, not at all showing any sign of retreating, in fact he dispersed his aura and allowed the hallucination to take root in his mind turning the forest into a heavenly garden the more he ventured inside, until finally came a clearing where the glistening water came falling down into a small pool

His eyes were naturally attracted to what was within the water, vague as it may be the figure could be seen tilting their head as if feeling his approach

"What a brave man, you seem to not fear what lays in the woods"

He did not answer the soft wiper of her voice

"A quiet one are you, it intrigues me more'

Eyes of jade shone from within the water, running along his figure with curiosity written all over them

"Hmm, you seem suitable for the role I need filled, come, let us discuss your bright future within the comfort of my home"

Turning her back to him once more she waved a hand causing the earth behind the waterfall to open in the shape of a door, one with golden light shining through as if to incite any treasure seekers into venturing within

"...."

He did not move, did not answer, his eyes not registering the appearance of the door or its hidden treasures at all, only stuck to the woman's hidden body as if mesmerized by its vague shapely figure

"Hmm? What are you waiting for? It couldn't be that you want me to come fetch you"

She turned once more and stared into his piercing eyes, not at all uncomfortable by it

"So be it"

Slowly her leg moved forward, turning from a shadow under the water into a ruddy thigh that was a little plump, as if ripe for the picking

With one leg out the entire body followed, coming from under the cascading water into full view

Beauty, if one word could describe the sight then this was it

Upon seeing her his eyes finally moved, yet he did not roam the seemingly perfect body to enamor himself in its delicacy, instead his eyes moved to the mouth of the waterfall, where the sun was too bright to look anymore

"You know it's night time when I came in"

"The moon dares not shine here, only-"

"I'm not here to serve as your meal or listen to trickery, I'm here to make a deal"

"..."

There was silence, an eerie one at that as his body produced fear pheromones, trying to heighten that feeling

"No need to try and hide, you and I share a closely knit origin, let's speak on equal grounds"

"Equal ground you say, when you know not the disparity between us, little boy it's better for you to come join me, at least I'll forget about your disrespectful behavior just now"

It was still the woman who answered making his brows knit in a frown, alas the creature wouldn't listen without a show of strength, one of natural origin at that

'I don't want to risk exposing my location though'

His mind weighed the pros and cons for what seemed like the tenth time, it was by luck he found this place before someone buried it into the sinful grounds it had grown to, then decided to make use of it, but if it ruined his other plans then…

"Come now, do not waste my time little boy, you might miss your reward if I'm to be kept in wait"

The woman spoke again while flaunting her body even as he stared at the waterfall and not her, still his body reacted in the appropriate way without his consent

He cared not for her words nor the pleasurable feelings, still it helped him make up his mind

'If this thing's control is that advanced then it should be worth the risk'

With determined eyes he willed the power hidden in his soul to flourish, if only for a second before suppressing it back down into the depths

The woman did not seem surprised, that was because her face was frozen, her entire body in fact as well as the water, the wind, everything around froze except for him

The next second it all just shifted into another visual, one of more grotesque effect

Instead of the nice foliage around there was now a plethora of black and green plants emitting a rotten smell, not more foul than the muddy mix of flesh and bones replacing the water, seeping down slowly from the top of this ugly black tree before him

"Welcome my kin"

Scratchy was the voice, scratchy yet hoarse producing an uncomfortable feeling to the ears

YuJu had yet to register it however as he was lost in his senses, eyes closed and body feeling dead as dead could be

Just when the grotesque tree thing wanted to ask what was wrong his eyes opened, an annoyed gleam in them

"Anything of the matter, my kin?"

"Merely some busybodies snooping my location out during the earlier release"

"Ahh, I see, that's why you went around the bush instead of showing me your origin from the start, well, excuse my rude behavior but it's a necessity for my survival you see"

"No matter, I will deal with them as I should, back to my deal"

"Yes, I am delighted to know that a kin of mine is helping me, a root nonetheless, I must repay the favour by working just as hard in what you would have me do"

"It's nothing too hard, what I need from you is to spare my comrades who come here as well as sharing me a little of your ripe fruit"

"I would be delighted to, no need for compensation even"

That was an obvious lie if the disgustingly loathing tone was of any clue

"Naturally I will help in return, bringing you prey to the doorstep, that way you could develop quicker and stronger"

"Many thanks my kin, might I ask something however?"

"Ask away"

"Which flower do you serve"

He guessed it might ask this once the energy from Aminta's seal leaked, her signature suffocating energy was just too familiar not to recognize for any flora older than a hundred and fifty years

"Aminta"

The tree seemed to shake a bit, plants rustling around them from the direct mention of this tyrant

"I see, it is as I guessed, the fair and wise Aminta it was, a pleasure to meet one of her roots and generals mister?"

"YuJu"

"Glorious name, may you live under her rule until the grand Ascension"

So much boot licking, he couldn't stand it with the unpleasurable voice

"I will pass with my comrades on our way back from clearing the surrounding lands, expect a tasty treat once we do come"

"All I wish you is victory mister YuJu"

"Speak not my name anymore, the less known I am the better"

"As you desire, my kin"

Nodding his farewell YuJu once more cloaked himself with the smokey aura, making way toward his waiting servants

"...."

Crunch Crunch

Soon as his presence disappeared from its territory bones started to be crushed within the pool, no longer slowly turning into fertilizer but being robbed of whatever nutrient it contained before being buried underground, spread into the surrounding plants to enjoy

"Hehehehe, old prey shall be devoured, new prey shall be brought"

Creepy disturbing crying rang within the forest, the tree's own expression of joy, mad joy for the quick advancement it would soon start

The entire small forest seemed to shake with excitement along the ruling tree, finally they wouldn't have to starve in wait for new prey to show up the lawn