Love Poison No Cure Needed

Kayad's Beast 2.24

“Well, I think calm will be a major improvement at the moment.” Kayad responded as their pair rolled in opposite directions as the next strike sliced between them.

“Okay, I need a minute though, and then I need to get to one of the flowers. It will work faster if I can shove it down its throat. Unfortunately, to it I feel predatory so it's not going to want me to get that close.” Sorrel explained as he backed away from Kayad to stand against a large jacaranda tree. One of the few trees that had yet to take damage. In response the branches of the tree drooped down and obscured him from sight.

“Right then, time to get serious.” Kayad twisted and dove sideways to come up in a crouch. Now that Sorrel was not near him he noticed that the attacks of the Brimstone vine increased in both frequency and ferocity as it sent more vines away from the main body to attack Kayad. He guessed that he could only call that clear evidence as to the Brimstone vine’s wariness of Sorrel. While Sorrel was active it spent an equal amount of time protecting its main body.

Kayad realised then that it would likely try and withdraw to avoid Sorrel once he moved towards it. As a test Kayad dodged one strike and shifted his claws to s***h at the vine. The strike slowed the vine but the strength of his partial shift wasn’t enough to seriously damage and thus impede the movements of the smaller vines.

Kayad glanced and the medium and larger vines as he shifted and avoided the strikes and attempted grapples the plant made at him. Then with a spring he moved three trees away and landed on a branch. Between one breath and the next he discarded his human form and let his beast free.

Kayad’s Beast stretched as a vine rushed towards it and with a snap of his jaw the vine was caught and then yanked from its roots. The remaining vines shook in place as Kayad dropped the vine to the ground. Kayad gave himself a shake settling his midnight black fur along his wolf sized body while he similarly settled his silver wings for flight. His large fox ears stood erect and swivelled to catch the sounds of movement amongst the trees.

At last Kayad’s lips pulled back on a feral smile. The damn vine had taken several swipes at his treasure so he would have to take several vines plus interest as payback. No one touched what was his.

When the vines raised and stretched towards Kayad he leapt out to meet them claws stretched and teeth bared. He slashed and bit ripping at the vines as he touched the ground. He the lunged forward again this time sinking his teeth into the large vine and tearing a chunk out which he tossed over his head. The gaping whole oozed sap as the vine attempted to pull back while Kayad snarled.

“Oh wow, that is some damage. I’m impressed.” Sorrel said as he emerged from amongst the trees directly beside Kayad. In turn Kayad yipped and then attacked again at the plant which responded by sending more  vines to attack him.

Sorrel promptly took advantage of the lightened guard around the flowers of the main body. He sprang forward and flipped over the incoming vines to land on the large vine. The wine attempted to shake him off but Sorrel was very stable as he stepped solidly to approach the largest red flower.

As Sorrel moved his plait drifted about behind him but Kayad realised that all of Sorrel’s flowers were gone. His moment of inattention had Kayad being swatted back into the jagged truck of a broken maple tree. While at the same time Sorrel raised his left hand and revealed the deep purple flower in his palm. With a slap of his hand Sorrel slammed the flower into the pistil of the red flower and then jumped left. As he twisted his body in the air Sorrel planted his feet solidly into the truck of the nearest tree and pushed off to sail through the air where he landed with a flip beside Kayad.

The vines of the Brimstone vine had withdrawn away and as Sorrel knelt down and checked on Kayad more teachers finally arrived. At the front was Dr Lester who scanned the area and examined the plant. The vice principal grasped Sorrel’s solution immediately and tossed a globe of pure mana at the vine while he approached the downed pair and stood protectively in front. Behind him came Dr Williams and Dr Northwood.

Kayad snarled to himself as he stood. Stupid teachers interrupting his time to show off. His fun interrupted Kayad pulled his beast back and resumed his human skin while pulling with his magic to reform his uniform around him. As he straightened Kayad’s vision abruptly faded out and he staggered.

Sorrel wrapped an arm around his waist to steady him as Kayad mentally sighed. So much acclimatisation and a little bit of sap from an overgrown living whip and he was still affected.

“What the... I told you to distract it not drink fifteen l****s of its sap.” Sorrel muttered as he hauled him up right and then pushed him back against the trunk of the jacaranda tree. Kayad had a moment to wonder what sorrel wanted before he felt a soft touch settle on his lips and his mind blanked.