Faris tilted his head a bit and his eyes slowly wavered up to find Aiko’s expectant ones.
"She is gorgeous. Why do you think I lost my mind when I saw her for the first time?"
A shy smile skidded down to Aiko’s lips.
"She adores you too."
’I love his smile, tell him,’ Aiko’s fox spirit whispered in her head.
"She says she loves your smile," Aiko said with a wink, tilting her head on her shoulder.
"Really? Bring her forth," Faris cheekily asked. Aiko let her shine through her eyes. The fox’s ears sprouted on her head, and her long, swishing tail erupted. It wrapped around the thick branch as she hung herself upside down from it and stared at her mate with big, needy eyes. Her long ears flickered.
Faris eased himself off the tree trunk and moved closer to half-shifted Aiko. A lazy smirk melted onto his face. Taking her face into his hands, Faris gave her the cheekiest smile he owned. Her heart thudded in excitement as he softly placed his lips against hers and murmured tenderly.
"I love your smile, your scent and your unique coat. You are one of a kind and you are mine."
She purred and glided her hands into his hair, deepening the kiss with him.
They had hardly melted against each other when the earth underneath them began to shake.
They abruptly broke apart, wondering what had happened. The ground split open and a huge pitcher plant erupted out, much larger than the tree, others were sleeping on.
The loud rumbling sound woke everyone up.
"Get down from the tree," Faris shouted as he pulled Aiko away from the branch.
Razial and Siroos had jerked awake and quickly assessed the situation as the huge plant scuttled towards the tree, its roots acting as legs and feet. The upper part was one giant green mouth with yellow liquid oozing from its sides.
This was a sight of nightmares.
"What’s happening?" Cassandra asked in alarm, still sleepy as she clung to Siroos. He jumped down from the tree with her in his arms.
"Something, ominous."
Razial tried to do the same but was way up and couldn’t jump from such a height. Lotus had woken up too and trembled seeing they were almost stuck in a hellish nightmare with a carnivore plant ready to devour them.
"I will buy them some time." Seeing that Razial wouldn’t be able to make it, Faris rushed forward and attacked one of the plant’s roots with his axe.
Cassandra had awakened fully and quickly covered her companions with her shield. But before she could do it, the plant clasped one of its branches around Faris’s waist lifted him and tried to toss him inside his mouth.
"Nooo!" Aiko fully transformed and attacked the plant, sinking her sharp teeth into the branch that was gripping Faris and hurling him around.
Siroos let Cassandra down and frantically ran towards his brother. The plant dropped him in that instant and Siroos was able to catch him before Faris would hit the ground.
"You good?" Siroos asked his stunned brother as he let him down. Faris could only nod, too shocked that he was taken captive by a giant plant. Aiko had landed by his side and was nuzzling his hand, ensuring her mate was safe.
The plant ignored the puny humans and rushed forward towards the tree. Cassandra had formed a ball of energy in her hands, it pulsated as she was ready to destroy this carnivore plant.
Lotus and Razial had joined her, still shocked at what was happening. The plant opened its gigantic mouth and began to devour the tree they had been sleeping on. Cassandra halted her action while others watched mesmerised at what was taking place.
The plant’s munching sounds erupted in the night air as everyone gathered around, too confused by the sight.
"Om nom!" It went on and on, devouring the branches, leaves and then the tree trunk.
"I have never seen a more bizarre sight before and I have seen quite a few," Siroos remarked, unable to take his eyes off.
"I was about to blast it with my energy and then remembered we are in their territory. He only went for Faris because he attacked him first. I think it just wished to reach and eat this tree for whatever reason."
The CAFLRS didn’t know that this particular tree sowed its seed into the soil. The seed would grow into a plant inside the soil and remain dormant. When its specific age was reached, every animal, insect and species living on the tree would leave it—exactly the reason they found the tree secluded.
The plant would erupt forth, eat its parent plant and take its place, becoming the new tree.
Faris softly patted the black and blue fox behind her ear, thanking her for coming to his rescue. She hadn’t wasted a single second to leap and bite the plant.
"Am I still dreaming or awake? Whatever is happening right before my eyes?" Lotus rubbed her eyes and Razial placed his hand around her shoulder, bringing her closer to himself.
"You are awake, Loti."
Once the plant had devoured every last part of the tree, it comfortably settled in its place. The roots which it had been using like feet and legs, pierced the soil and wriggled inside, anchoring it firmly in its place. The huge mouth it possessed began to elongate into hundreds of smaller branches and leaves began to emerge.
The sight was like seeing a miracle happen.
Everyone just stood there quietly and watched the transformation happen, too stunned to speak.
Once it had fully grown the tree swung its branches left and right. A soft melody rang out as if calling forth someone. Soon flying creatures began to emerge and settle on the tree.
They sang happily with it as if they were one big happy family and these people were the intruders.
"Well, there goes our sleeping place, I don’t think this tree will be too keen on letting us sleep on it anymore," Faris huffed.