CHAPTER 209- TRAVERSAL

[Keeno POV]

The storm lasted another two days before slowly stopping. We all tried meditating again during these two days, but the progress wasn’t as noticeable as the first time, leading Mostima and I to look into it.  No matter how much she searched in the few books we’d found both when we first got here as well as the few that we’d luckily found while exploring, none of them said anything about what to do.  We tossed around a few theories, but when we tried them it made the results even worse. It was like there was a wall blocking our progress.  We decided to shelve the problem for later as the rain had stopped.

Once we got back outside, Muninn took to the sky with the information we were sending to Lokir. We then did our best to find the road again, but it was much easier said than done and took us most of the day. The jungle had experienced even more explosive growth with the rain. Everything was bigger, more entangled, and more lush than ever.  And, though it didn’t really bother me all that much, the humidity hit an all time high and the others were suffering, Pram being the most miserable.

When we did finally find the road, we resumed our journey for as long as we had daylight before having to set up camp again. The next day and the three weeks after that were slow as we traversed the jungle.  In this time we also noticed more changes to the land. Places where Fia’s flames burned previously were starting to sprout trees that looked similar to the main one in the city, but noticing less mystical. Others became sunken pits that were filling with rainwater becoming small ponds.

That wasn’t all, the monsters that existed before the new kinds had begun adapting at a visible pace, as if thousands to millions of years of evolution were happening every day. We were waylaid for a day when we encountered a large group of mushroom eating monkey-like things with pink fur. Though we slaughtered or evaded them as needed, their persistence was incredible. Freya, unfortunately, was at one point hit with a gas attack which lit and exploded in her face when the flames from her swords ignited it. Pram was able to heal the physical wounds, but the smell was a different story altogether.

As for the new types of monsters that had started appearing, well…let’s just say they weren’t subtle about their actions. They may have ignored or avoided us, but that didn’t stop them from making their presence and inclinations known. It led to many sleepless nights as the sounds were everywhere.  One day in the second week we crossed paths with a group heading toward the capital and warned them of the things we’ve seen so far. They thanked us, but we could tell they’d already run into their fair share of encounters, if the sloppily hidden traces of monster girls were of any indication.

At the start of what was going to be the fourth week of jungle traversing, we finally started seeing signs of civilization. The jungle seemed to have stopped in sight of the small city but stopped its encroachment and seemed to have kept itself from completely destroying the road that led into it.  We didn’t question it as we were quite exhausted of anything to do with the jungle at this point and lacking any proper sleep. We stepped up our pace and finally reached the small city. There weren’t many guards at the gate, but Mostima said that it wasn’t normally necessary for a lot to be there considering this wasn’t the most important place to guard.

The first thing we did was find a good inn. Once we did, we forewent everything else and just slept.  It was nice to not hear constant moaning and smell the faint scent of sex.  After what felt like one of the best sleeps I’ve ever had I woke up the next day.

“…Uuu.” (Keeno)

{Keeno?}

“Ehehe.  Aaaamaaa.” (Keeno)

{Yes?}

“I want my Ama’s warmth. I wanna dive in her tails and bathe in her scent. I want to taste her sweet lips and savor her. Ehehehe.” (Keeno)

{Ah…you sly vixen you…saying so many sweet things this early…and not even being aware of it…}

“Blushing Ama is cute…want to see it.” (Keeno)

{…!!! YOU TEASE!}

“Heh.” (Keeno)

{When?}

“After whatever got you all flustered.  I must be a smooth talker.” (Keeno)

{Just you wait, I’ll get you so flustered that you’ll never be able to show your face in front of people again!}

“Oh?  Are you threatening me with getting to see you and only you for the rest of eternity?  Hehehe.  I’m waiting.” (Keeno)

{Gah!}

“PffahahahahAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!” (Keeno)

{Hehehehehehehe. What am I ever gonna do with you?}

“A lotta things. But I gotta get to you first.” (Keeno)

{You’re more than halfway there.  Four tails left to go.}

“Yep, and another continent to explore. Honestly, I’m kinda excited.” (Keeno)

{That’s good…}

“What is it Ama?” (Keeno)

{Tamist may be difficult.  It being a massive swamp aside, its denizens absolutely HATE dragons, mostly thanks to the resident dragon there, but it’s ruined the reputation of all the others as well.}

“Didn’t Mum say it’s no longer a dragon?” (Keeno)

{Sadly that doesn’t matter.  And that’s not the only thing either.  Some places there are very volatile. You and Freya might have some trouble.}

“Concerning but I think we’ll manage. We have so far.” (Keeno)

{Don’t get arrogant, Keeno.  I don’t want you getting hurt by something that could be easily avoided.}

“…” (Keeno)

{Please, Keeno.}

“I understand, Ama, I’ll reign myself in.” (Keeno)

{Good, cause you need to remember, you can’t die, but that doesn’t mean the others or even uninvolved people won’t. They may have a ton of advantages, but they aren’t truly immortal just yet.}

“…I hear you, Ama.” (Keeno)

This took a bit of wind out of my sails, but it was necessary advice because I could see where she was coming from.  With this reminder, I left my room, ready to truly greet the day.

Chaos Realm:

Luna: Payto!

Hello Luna.

Luna: Glad to see you back to your normal self. You won’t be all super serious and kinda gloomy anymore, right?

Order: Not if I have any say.

Nykuro: Nye he he.  It’s impossible with me here!  I mean, who could be gloomy with someone as amazing as myself around?  It wouldn’t be very ebil of me if I don’t keep my minions happy!

Ebil?

Order: Ebil.

Luna: Cute ebil.

Nykuro: *blushing*I’M EVIL NOT EBIL!