10 Spring

  John has been in darkness for quite some time. 'Plant's don't sleep, I guess,' John thinks. He had initially felt tired when his leaves fell off. However, it was just a lack of solar energy, making him feel lethargic. It was cold, and it felt like he was locked away, much like when he was a seed.

  Now John is contemplating the thrumming of the earth. His roots give him a better connection with the land than ever before. As a human, he had no talent. "All my friends left me behind," John sighs. While his friends had soared in their sects, he was still there, tending the gardens for a hundred years.

  'That's in the past,' John reassures himself. Now he is a bush on a new path. 'Perhaps I won't soar through the heavens, but I will live a long quiet life!' John thinks enthusiastically.

  The earth is the only thing in John's life for the whole winter. Its heartbeat as it moves imperceptibly to human senses can be felt through his roots. It's a strange sensation being able to wiggle through the earth. To humans and most animals, the ground is a solid object for them to stand on. However, now he can feel the earth shift as his roots move through the soil. He can sense Joe moving in his sleep and the minute changes of worms digging nearby.

  As time moves on, John feels himself becoming one with the earth. His roots move with the beat of the planet. Energy flows in and out of him like the tides bringing nutrients to the land. It is far more efficient than his previous method that consumed energy at an incredible rate. John realizes he is still thinking like a human and has much left to learn.

  John contemplates his new revelations until he notices a bit of warmth in his limbs. Buds begin to form, making John feel renewed. When John wakes from his hibernation, he sends his senses out to investigate. The world around John is once again green and full of life. Also, the life energy in the air has grown thicker, which has a remarkable effect on the local fauna.

  John also notices his senses can reach beyond the hill. To John's, surprise he can see a few small makeshift huts, around the bottom of the hill. A few recently tilled gardens are scattered around. Even though John could not see so far previously, he is sure that these homes are a new addition.

  As Joe relaxes languidly on the hill, he notices a change in the bush. He decides to walk over to the plant that has been ignoring him for quite some time. Joe Snorts, while eyeing John suspiciously.

  "Hey, what's with that attitude right when I wake up?" John complains. "Are you going to take another bite out of me? If you keep it up, I'll die for real, you know." John's rant is cut short as he notices Joe looking at him strangely. "Wait, can you hear me?" John asks while shaking in agitation.

  Joe doesn't know what to do. He feels like he is being tricked as he hears someone's voice in his head. Joe can understand some speech, but as a low-level demonic beast, he still can't speak. On the outskirts of the unbroken region, Joe reigns supreme. But in the depths of the Unbroken Region, he'd be as lowly as the humans that have recently arrived.

  "Bru," Joe complains, stamping his hoof at the plant in front of him.

  "There's no reason to get so upset, alright!" John panics as a few stomps get dangerously close to him.

  Joe angrily grunts at John in disagreement. "It's not my fault you can't speak, alright! But if you accidentally stomp me to death, you can say goodbye to your easy meals," John tries to explain to the red-eyed Demonic Bull.

  Down below, a few of the humans notice the commotion and begin to worry that the Demonic Bull will soon go on a rampage. Quickly they decide to try and appease the beast by sending a representative with the herbs they had recently picked. The herbs are part of their plan to entice the bull to be their guardian spirit.

  Anna Gulps as she slowly walks up the hill. When Anna volunteered, Arron protested. Yet Anna refused to listen, stating that, "A woman will be less threatening than a man." She looks at the small herbs with apprehension. They couldn't find anything too special since they didn't have the strength to enter the forest. "It'll be fine! We have nowhere to go this has to work," Anna encourages herself as she nears the top of the hill.

  The two on the hill had long noticed this lass coming up the hill. Both Joe and John are surprised by the bravery of this young lady. However, humans are indeed cunning creatures, so both of them eye her suspiciously.

  Anna bows deeply to the demonic beast in front of her with sweat drenching her back. "Please calm your anger, great one," her voice quakes a bit as she glances at the bull. "We bring this small offering in hopes that you will allow us to stay in your blessed land," Anna says. While bowing, she extends her hands with the offering of herbs. 'Please don't bite off my hands,' Anna prays repeatedly.

  Joe has never had subordinates before, so he is happily surprised by the offering. Snorting lightly, he takes the offering and begins to chew.

  Taking this as a sign of acceptance, Anna says, "Thank you for your benevolence." With that, she back away, slowly returning the way she came.

  "Ha, they want to make you their divine spirit!" John can't help but laugh, "Isn't that great now you won't need me to help you out anymore."

  Joe retorts to John's laughter by snorting at him and getting a glint in his eyes.

  "Alright, I'm sorry, don't eat me, ok?" John gives in. "Geez, for just being a Joe, you sure are ornery."

  The demonic bull looks at him Inquisitively, who is a Joe?

  "What you don't even know your own name?" John shakes his head at the ignorance of demonic beasts.

  Joe, however, will have no more nonsense. The demonic bull turns away and stomps about throwing a fit. After showing his displeasure, Joe sits down on the other side of the hill. He decides to ignore John for the rest of the day.