Dryad watched as Vex hammered out the details of their agreement with the humans of Durant. Like humans everywhere, they bickered at the slightest details!

Sadly, for them, Vex was a demoness. Out of all the races Dryad could remember in her racial memories, demons were the worst sticklers for contracts. Trying to out bargain a demon was like trying to wrestle Ancient Dragons with both hands tied behind your back, in short, it never ended well.

Flaring her Aura, Dryad accelerated her speed moving out of the cavern. With precise use of her aura she was in faster than lightning in water. She made short work of the maze that led into the cavern, and shortly was outside standing at the top of the enormous mountain. Gazing at the surrounding land she was pleasantly surprised to see forests as far as the horizon reached.

Staring straight up at the blue sky overhead, Dryad bent down before leaping upwards, ascending faster than an arrow in flight. From her elevated position she managed to see the bare edge of the vast forest that surrounded them. Tiny dots were marching towards the edge of the forest, most likely the enemies the humans spoke of. As she reached the summit of her jump, Dryad opened her hands, from which small seeds, and a plethora of pollen swelled outwards in a massive cloud.

Landing back on the mountain moments later, she watched the effect of her handiwork carried on the winds below.

At first, nothing appeared different, until a small darker green color started to mar the forest landscape. With rapid speed, the dark green colors began to take over the surrounding forest land, like a drop of ink in a bottle of water. Within minutes the entire forest surrounding the mountain had been altered beyond recognition.

Dryad closed her eyes, and reached outward with her senses. Tree was able to directly manipulate energy, but Dryad still required a medium in order to channel the vast powers of Life her race controlled. While her Tree went the route of pure energy, the powers of a dryad were still intricately linked with biologics. The seeds and pollen she had released were agents that allowed her to bend the nearby forest to her will. Focusing, she released a controlled massive burst of Life into the forest around the mountain. Anyone watching would have seen a massive green glow flash for several minutes atop the mountain’s peak.

Snapping her eyes open, Dryad smiled, “From now on, the change from normal to primal will be unstoppable.”

There were only benefits to altering the surrounding forest into a primal woodland. To any dryad, a forest was the same as a deadly blade was to a warrior. Both were weapons that would do immense damage in the right hands. If the monsters that Garvon had said numbered in the millions were foolish enough to enter her primal woods, then the battle would be over before it began. Sleeping glades, changed monsters, fairy brigades, the list of possible causes of death and decay were endless.

Nodding to herself in satisfaction, Dryad flared her Aura once more, speeding back to the cavern Tree was in.

Vex didn’t say anything about the short break that Dryad took, and none of the humans were stupid enough to ask. It was clear they were in full retreat now while bargaining with Vex, and couldn’t spare time to wonder about what Dryad had been up to.

Approaching the succubus, Dryad said, “One thousand miles mostly safe, one hundred absolute.” Vex instantly understood what she meant, and turned to the human Elders, “Within one hundred miles we will promise absolute safety to your race.”

Shocked expressions flowed across the human Elder’s faces as they heard the words. Garvon asked politely, “Is there a time limit on this protection?”

Vex raised one eyebrow in question to Dryad, who shook her head negative.

“There is no limit, as long as you keep up with the payments. Rare metals, rare magic items, crystals, souls, slaves, and all manner of herbs, spices, and plants. Exactly in the quantities we previously discussed. Think hard, the longer you delay bargaining here, the more at risk your own family, friends, and colleagues are.” Vex said, her sapphire eyes gleaming with a cold light.

Just because this planet would most probably end up within Tree’s leaves, like Vespar, meant there was even more reason in milking it dry first. Dryad agreed with the logic Vex had explained to her earlier. There was a small possibility of something on Durant existing that could aid Tree in recovering. Even though it was highly unlikely, Dryad was willing to massacre entire species if that was what it took. She’d just have to blame the resulting mess on Vex, the perfect scapegoat, when Tree recovered. After the humans finally agreed to Vex’s terms, they left to begin moving their race to the safety of Dryad’s protection.

“What do you think we are dealing with here?” Vex asked as both of them stared at the sleeping Tree.

“My memories are disjointed, due to Tree being an Aberration. However, didn’t most unclaimed planets secretly align with a Divinity or Demon?” Dryad said, glancing at the succubus.

Vex smirked, “Indeed. The further and more out of the way a planet was…”

“…the more likely it’s aligned with a Demon. That would also explain why the ‘Librarian’ was able to survive. Whatever demon is attempting to take control of this world wouldn’t want to damage a possible member of their race, if they could help it.” Dryad said, her tone amused.

“Regardless, when the slaves arrive…” Vex said, her tone turning hungry.

“…we can finally eat a few dishes in style…Sister.” Dryad said, as a smile flashed across both women’s faces.

***

Garvon stared at the hundreds of young, fit, men who had been ‘volunteered’ by their respective families. Although it pained him to do this, the needs of the many outweighed the needs of the few. As compensation, every family that contributed their men were guaranteed entrance into the Dryad’s lands. Although he hadn’t asked, it had been easily apparent how much the succubus desired meals. If the stories the Librarian had once told about her race were true, the only consolation would be that most of these young men would die in absolute bliss.

“Sir, we are ready to transport them. Shall we begin?” a sub-leader of the Earth faction asked respectfully to the side.

“Do it.” Garvon said, closing his eyes as if to conceal the fate of those he was sending to die from view.

***

Both women had claimed their respective territories while waiting. Vex took claim to the vast Library filled with strange energies, books that were rather uppity, and shelves that appeared endless. Dryad on the other hand took control of Tree’s cavern, and the maze leading into it.

Without delay, Dryad started to alter her territory to more accurately reflect and comfort Tree while he slept. Moss covered every inch in a soft green glow, while providing a thick carpet underfoot. Flowers, some benign, and others lethal dotted the landscape with a plethora of color relieving the endless green. Trees were grown in the cavern, using the lava as sustenance. Each of these trees glowed black with thick red veins, providing a sharp contrast to the glowing white Tree in the center. Vines were artfully run from one place to another, providing the appearance of veins that pulsed with Life.

When she was finally finished, Dryad was rather impressed with her Grove. Even the lava itself contributed, being the easiest place to dispose of her meals after she was finished. Almost as if it was planned, a human arrived to tell her dinner was served.

***

Samuel watched the rest of the young men who had volunteered from all walks of life. Some were nobles, others rich merchants, a few craftsmen, and lastly a large portion of peasants. He was among the few craftsman that had volunteered. Word was, as long as a man volunteered, his family would be guaranteed safety in the invasion.

Having served on the front lines for his year of military service, Samuel had no illusions about the value of life. When the chance to guarantee his wife, son, and daughter’s safety arose, he leaped at it.

Now though, he was having second thoughts. Samuel couldn’t think of any reason Earth mages would be used to transport them. Mages were the top of the food chain, and here they were being treated like nothing more than servants.

The leader of the mages had gone to inform someone about their arrival.

Samuel was using the time to look at the tunnels around them. Reaching out he touched the moss feeling the incredible softness. For a moment he blushed thinking about how it would be fun if his wife was here to ‘experiment’ with him. Such a soft moss definitely had many applications.

As strange scent made its way into his nose as he noticed a nearby red flower. Following the scent, he came closer to the flower and breathed deeply. His blood boiled, it was like he was young again, strong, and full of life. Another flower nearby released a relaxing scent, calming the blood rushing about in his body. Samuel thought this place couldn’t be all bad, after all. Moments later he managed to glance around, and fear rushed through his veins.

All the surrounding young men, who were not mages, were lying prone their bodies sedated into oblivion.

A soft noise near the tunnel entrance alerted him to the arrival of the Earth mage leader.

“Wha-?” Samuel managed to get out before he saw the woman being escorted by the Earth mage.

His mind ceased to function for moments as all he could do was stare at her inhumanely perfect form. She was dressed in a strange green flower speckled dress that reached down just enough to provide contrast to her legs. Silver skin glowing with health surrounded emerald eyes that glowed with power. Samuel was quite sure that she was the second most beautiful woman he had ever seen, the first of course being his wife.

“Forgiveness, my lady. I did not realize there was a potential mage among them. Shall I…?” the Earth mage said, clearly starting to sweat in fear.

It was obvious that Samuel was supposed to have been sedated like all the rest, but due to the tiny amount of mage blood in him, he had managed to resist. It was barely enough to aid him in blacksmithing, yet here, it was enough to sentence him to death. He had no illusions, what was happening here was not something the masses would approve of in any way.

Before he could blink the gorgeous woman was right before him. Inhuman emerald green eyes watched him with a speck of interest.

“Do you desire…Life?” the creature asked him. Samuel started to tremble, when she was this close, it was clear her power dwarfed anything he’d ever heard of. The sensation of being next to a towering tree was stronger, even though she was clearly a human.

Samuel hesitated for a moment before the thought of his loved ones flashed in his mind, “YES! Please! I want to live, I have a wife, son, a daughter, please don’t kill me!”

The woman stared at him for a moment before smiling. “Congratulations. You and your kin, are now, mine.” A hand reached out and touched his forehead, as pain started to destroy his world he heard a voice say, “Bring the rest of his family to me. They are now guardians of my Grove, and will be treated with the same respect I am.”

Samuel couldn’t hear the response, as darkness claimed him.