Chapter 76

When the idea of a vampiric tree crossed Aurelia's mind, she laughed to herself. What could a tree do to a person? How did the trees become vampiric in the first place? She let the thoughts bounce around her mind.

Daisuke turned to her, "I laughed the first time I heard it myself. My assumptions almost got me killed. After that, I never took any job handed to me lightly, and neither will you."

"Hmmm. Like the Al' Miraj. One would think the horned rodent is harmless and cute. I know I thought so, and then it pulled a full-grown cow through steel bars with little effort," Zinjo moved closer to Aurelia while he spoke.

Aurelia enjoyed his protectiveness. She did not require protection any longer, but to know he cared endeared the action to her heart. "I forgot about our first encounter with the Al' Miraj.

"Your tale illustrates the point well," He paused, "Can I ask you both a question?" Daisuke fluttered ahead of them, spread his wings, and hovered

"By all means," Aurelia stopped while she opened and closed the parasol.

"Why stop and help Lord Nian and the Yanhuo? You came to the far east to accomplish a task and were in no way obligated to help anyone," Daisuke's demeanor and tone added seriousness to the question. His eyes remained fixed on Aurelia.

"Aurelia has shown uncommon kindness on our adventure. She chose to make friends over enemies. The princess has put her life on the line to do the right thing. She's an example I strive to follow," Zinjo's voice echoed without ego or a trace of flattery.

"Is this how you would characterize your journey?" Daisuke turned to Aurelia.

The Tengu's gaze burned through her like hot lava. Rather than answer with yes on the spot, she took a few minutes to contemplate her response, "Some things I did because it involved our objectives. Others because empathy matters, especially to those in power."

"Your words match your thoughts, good princess." Daisuke pointed to a clearing just ahead of them, "The vampiric tree awaits."

***

The leaves and plants blackened in the presence of the vampire tree. The insects and birds fled the area in droves. It reminded Aurelia of the spider demon's lair and changes the evil wreaked on the vegetation there.

Daisuke stopped them about ten yards away from the rotted clearing, "It sleeps for the moment. They respond to vibrations which means the tree will wake once we enter the clearing," He pointed to the blood-red vines draped over the branches, "We call those Xuè Gégēn, and they act like the trees arm and the primary way the tree captures prey."

"Should we be on guard from the roots as well?" Zinjo asked as he drew the ancestral partisan.

"Sometimes, but the Jubukko will only do so if forced, as the roots feed on the blood trapped in the soil. One more thing, Jubukko haves eyes with the ability to stun a potential victim if you gaze into them long enough," Daisuke warned.

"What is the tree's weakness?" Aurelia drew Lion's Fang and prepared to attack.

"Divine fire. We'll have to burn the stump as well to prevent it from growing back. We are fortunate, the Jubukko is still young, and the trunk is about two feet thick. With some teamwork, we should prevail," Daisuke seemed pleased with his speech.

***

Aurelia and Zinjo leaped out of the underbrush with roars. The tree's bloody eyes opened, and the crimson vines began to slither like a constrictor down the red bark.

"Get to it, my love," Aurelia shouted as she severed the vines.

Zinjo swung the partisan again and again into the trunk. The tree began to bleed the same way a human did from wounds. It splattered on his face and mane. "It's regenerating faster than I can cut, dark princess. I need help."

Daisuke fluttered over to them and joined Zinjo, "Do your best to guard to us. I will aid your mate."

The tree tested the limits of Aurelia's combat ability. No matter how many vines she cut, four more took their place. She used the parasol as a defense in concert with her strikes. Fighting multiple opponents caused Aurelia to tire quicker. "How much further, you two." She dodged a vine and slashed it in two. It wriggled on the ground, drenched in its juices.

"A few more solid chops should do it, dark princess," Zinjo shouted.

"Are the eyes opening yet?" Daisuke added.

Curse words filled the air as the pair of males chopped directly in front of the eyes. She refused to lose either of them. Aurelia lunged at the tree blade first and drove the Lion's Fang into the bloody amber eye. The vines altered their course to cover the eye from further damage.

"Hurry," Aurelia shouted, "We won't get a better shot at destroying it." She ran through the vines, slicing them apart. The creak of wood and snap of bark heralded the end. The eye suspended itself in shock as it toppled to the forest floor.

Daisuke began to chant and used bizarre hand signals. He formed a triangle with fingers on the final syllable. Get out of the way, Zinjo. If you catch fire, we'll never be able to put you out."

Zinjo's eyes opened wide at the cone of white flame rushing toward him. He darted to the left and flattened himself against the ground. The fire missed him by a hair, and the tree burned to cinders in seconds.

Aurelia held her breath and waited for Zinjo to rise from the dirt to his feet. She knew he survived, but it didn't change her worry for him. When the flames burned away, grotesque hands gripped the remaining wood and ripped them down into the earth, never to rise again.

"Dirt tastes horrible," Zinjo spat large clumps of earth and licked his fangs clean of it. He stuck out his tongue, "It will take weeks to get the taste out of my mouth," He complained.

Aurelia tackled him down and kissed him several times, "Does that taste better?"

A sly grin crept over Zinjo's face, "I know something else that would cleanse my palate of the filthy muck. The taste of your..."

The princess kissed him again, "Later, my love. I don't think we want to shock Daisuke, do we?"

Zinjo laughed, "Perhaps not."

Daisuke cleared his throat, "While love is a splendid thing. I agree with Aurelia. You two in the throes of passion is not something I want to see."

Aurelia rose to her feet and sheathed her sword, "Sojobo awaits, assuming he will hear us out."

She turned her back to Daisuke. Zinjo rose from his back and pointed at Daisuke. "I think we may have found him, dark princess."

Aurelia whipped her head around and shouted, "Who are you?"