The thin, translucent leaves of his tree swelled, its razor-sharp edges yawning into a gaping maw, drooling with corrosive liquid.

He pushed the tree to become more vine-like, more predatorial, all while the unknown black vines continued its barrage. But now, Tai was able to strike back.

Tai's plant, now very much like a tree with wobbly strings as limbs, became filled with muscular power, slipping out of the black vine's grip with ease.

The hungry maws clamped down on the vines, their acidic saliva eroding it. Limb after limb fell to the forest floor.

With the newfound energy, Tai directed the plant to create more maws. They were responsible for eating the fallen limbs.

As the auxiliary maws slurped the wriggling limbs of its enemy, Tai could almost hear the black vines scream out in pain. Of course, not physically.

As the plant chomped down on the enemy, Tai's muscles regenerated at a rapid pace. His body now felt warm, alive.

Though his plant had already eaten fifty vines and was growing at a rapid pace, his opponent seemed to have an innumerable number of appendages.

Despite the overwhelming numerical advantage, the black vines moved in a crude manner, never employing any complex tactic, and Tai used this to his advantage.

Pressing towards his enemy, Tai spent fifteen minutes devouring one plant after the other.

After devouring them all, Tai reached a huge stump-like cylinder. Feeling around in the darkness, his now gigantic plant encapsulated the cylinder and chomped down with relish. Bite after bite the enemy plant "screamed" in pain until there was silence.

Tai left his plant to eat to its heart's content as he took in a deep breath then sharply exhaled. He killed it. He killed an enemy that he should never be able to kill.

Tai sat within the pocket space within his carnivorous vine, and relished in the thrill of victory.

A sudden rush of energy invaded his body through his link with the plant. Tai sent a signal, expressing his confusion. After the plant's explanation, he sent a signal of gratitude. It gave him a third of its energy to express its gratitude and allegiance to him.

The rampant energy traveled through his body like it possessed a mind of its own, strengthening every atom of his being as it made laps through his blood vessels.

A month later.

Tai stood atop the massive blanket of leaves and vines that drenched the entire area beneath in darkness. His vine-plant that brought him to the surface waved goodbye and descended. His hair was a mess, and various unknown substances clung to his skin.

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His hand held his trusted dagger as if it were second nature. Though he should be safe, he scanned his surroundings continuously, his mind prepared for any danger.

The new year would begin tomorrow, if he counted accurately. He would see Tziporah again.

The crow of a bird screeched behind him, and without hesitation, he ducked. A torrent of wind rushed above his head, carrying the talons and ugly visage of a fiesty bird. The avian creature shifted gears and made a u-turn, diving once again in an attack.

As the bird dove in for the kill, Tai jumped with spectacular timing, lodging his blade in the bird's chest and ripping it out of its flesh in a clawing motion.

Blood sprayed on his face, yet he was unfazed. He closed his eyes and continued to attack the floundering bird with precision no less than if his eyes were open.

In one minute, he was where he stood before, nonchalantly cleaning his blade. In the distance, a white spot with wings rapidly approached.

"Congratulations on not dying, kid!" Seeing Tenma, a wide grin involuntarily spread on his face. If it was not for Tenma's thorough lessons, Tai would've died a long time ago.

"I can't die before I kick your ass," Tai jumped onto Angela's back. The bird chirped in displeasure, obviously due to his dirty appearance. Tai chuckled.

"Oh? You've grown balls." Tenma sounded impressed.

Tai tactfully kept his mouth shut. Tenma wasn't afraid to give him a beating of a lifetime. He would bide his time until he was strong enough.

Taking in the wind as it dried the blood on his skin, he peered below at the green blanket that hid many horrors. Some of them he was fortunate to escape from, though many more died by his hands. He will come back someday to settle the score.

Tai entered Tenma's home. Everything looked so familiar yet so foreign. He felt like a savage that finally found civilization. He almost forgot how to use the shower.

"Get some rest kid. Tomorrow, you will finally get to enter a village and see that friend of yours."

The next day arrived quickly.

Tai and Tenma sat on a low-hanging tree, waiting for the moving village. Tenma did not ask what he went through, or how his skills improved...and Tai did not tell him.

Soon, a herd of elephants appeared from the foliage, each having a mini-town on its back. The moving village arrived.

Tai followed Tenma's lead and leaped onto the elephant's head. The animal in question did not react. The followed a 'trail' painted on its head that led up to the village's entrance. However, there was no gate to speak of. Based on what Tenma told him, a thumbling could enter the town from any direction, except from above. They would be fined on the spot.

Tai closely followed Tenma as they passed peddlers, shops of various kinds, inns, and much more. Eventually they passed the noisy crowds, reaching a quieter area. Tenma led him to a house that could be considered opulent compared to other buildings.

Painted on the door was a symbol of the sky village.

"This here kid, is the house for the girls of the sky village. You stay out here."

Tai raised his brows at Tenma as he sauntered into the 'girls only' club.

Tai sat on the ground, near the door. The ground was dirtless and featured the flat gray back of the elephant.

After ten minutes, Tenma strolled out with a beautiful girl with gentle hazel eyes. Her clear skin perfectly complemented her raven-black pixie hairstyle. Of course, the iconic scar marred the side of her face. As soon as their eye met, her eyes were filled with tears.

Tai grinned widely and dragged her into a bear hug. They kept like that for a minute. Tziporah pulled away and immediately wiped her tears clean while donning the usual blank expression. However, her puffy eyes betrayed lingering affection.