Cold blooded 4: The keys and the stones

Chapter 7

Tenebris' POV:

"Hey guys! I think the forest might be alive.." Ajin called out from behind the group. We all turned around, and saw that a tree root was groping him by the angle, keeping a tight grip. Still, Ajin broke free with seemingly zero effort.

"Woah!" Zaina awed. "What the-" Max was about to curse. Safe to say, we were all caught off guard. I should I've paid better attention to the shadows during that time, I had to admit. The tree roots began to slither back into the thickets of the forest.

But as quickly as it retreated, a multitude of wooden branches, roots, and and green vines came our way. Reacting as fast as we could, I set up a barrier around us. After I did that, some of them were shredded into pieces within a green and white flash.

For a moment, I saw that Majin's sword was partially unsheathed, and Max had his lightning radiate off of his body. "Damn, y'all are fast as hell." I spoke the obvious. Majin just smiled brightly as Max kept his head up with pride.

"Wait, Ajin!!" Salma shouted. I looked back at Ajin and saw that some of the plants started going to him now. He took an aghast expression, but none with shock or fear. I sighed and chuckled in clear amusement.

"What're you waiting for?! We have to help him!" Athena pleaded. Ajin's cat friend; Harlow, tried running to him, but was blocked off by my barrier. She clawed and pushed at it countlessly, but to no avail. I shook my head.

"Why're you so scared for him? He can handle himself just fine." I pointed out. "Like for real. Do y'all KNOW how powerful Ajin is?" Lisanna checked her nails. For some reason, Mango started chuckling nervously after Lisanna's remark.

"But look at him! He's getting surrounded!!" Majin pointed at Ajin, who started having his entire body covered by the forest plants. Even then, I still didn't feel worried for him. "Trust me, if there's anything, or anyone else we should save, it's the forest." Nagima commented.

As odd as it sounded, I agreed with the gender bender. "What're you on about child?" Salma ushered. Nagima pointed at Ajin again, but this time, the aroma from where stood started glowing red and purple.

And with a visible burst of deadly energy, the plants eroded into dust and ashes. We weren't even that close to him, and I felt a heavy weight on my chest. It's as if I was about to die from a heart attack or something.

Ajin walked back towards us without there being any problem whatsoever, but his expression remained blank as a red static surged amongst his purple aura. "Everyone okay?" Ajin asked. Trying to overcome the intense pressure, I gave him an A-OK hand sign.

"Alright, we should go as soon as possible-" Ajin spoke. But a larger, and much thicker pillar of leaves and greens came down on Ajin. But just with his aura alone, that grass pillar turned to split collard greens just as quick.

The shadows started giving me warnings left and right. Someone was controlling the woods. Or maybe... it was more than just one. I hopped of my shadow forged beast, and walked out of my barrier. Telekinetically, I unsheathed my sword.

"What the hell is going on now?!" I said aggravated. Suddenly, I started hearing animalistic noises deep inside the forest. "Darn it. Looks like we have a nature bender on our hands." I commented, ready to fight.

"Tenebris! You should at least let us out so we can help!" Zaina uttered. But I just pretended that I couldn't hear a thing. "It's okay guys. We got this." Ajin spoke for us. "Now. Which one you want? Animals, or plants?" Ajin let me choose.

I couldn't help but feel like deep down he saw this as a game. And to be honest, I f*cked with it heavy. "I'll take on the plants. Maybe I'll learn a few things." I smirked, stretching myself out a little bit before taking action. "Then it's the animals for me. Let's go!" Ajin posted up.

I did the same, and prepared for any, and all sorts of plants to come my way. But instead, I had to face something else. Out of nowhere, a humongous wooden monster arose from the forest, and looked down upon us.

I looked at Ajin, almost ready to ask if it was too late to change opponents. But all he did was smirk, and throw away an incoming squirrel. I sighed, having to prepare myself to fight off the huge behemoth... sort of.

Using my powers, I made a giant see-through version of myself to fight off the behemoth. I called this move King's Authority: Full Gear. So while that giant version of me was busy throwing hands, I was busy chopped my up any and all incoming plants that came my way.

To cause some confusion, I ran deeper into the forest so that the plants would somehow become entangled from their own actions. Luckily, I it did something like that. I dodged and weaved almost every single plant that came my way.

Any that I didn't dodge, the shadows I would manipulate to cut, slice, and tear them apart. One specific set of trees tried grabbing me by the foot, but I jumped up, and ran onto the branch. I ended up running towards the top of the tree, and launched myself into the air, to get a better view.

Luckily, I could see that Ajin was basically dodging every single animal that came is way without and particular effort. He either chose to dodge, or he scared them away with his energy. Bears, wolves, rabbits, lions, it didn't matter.

I smiled at his best efforts for trying not to kill any of the animals, but at the same time it felt kind of pointless. If he did kill them, it would solve both of our problems just as easily. Sadly, it wasn't over for me just yet.

As I stayed afloat thanks to my telekinesis, I slowly became aware of an incoming enemy. Quickly reacting, I caught the punch of an odd dragonblood that flew up at me from below with my bare hands.