“The scent of blood still lingers on her despite trying to wash it all off.”

“I noticed”, he responded.

“…I don’t like how close she has been trying to get to you. And something has been off about her especially over the last two weeks.

She keeps whispering to herself.”

“What do you mean?” Sofia’s revelation caught his interest.

“She has started to talk to herself, a lot. No, talking isn’t right. It’s more like she is fighting with someone who isn’t there. The others too, everyone who took your serum are showing the same behavior.”

Kaden held a sour expression on his face the rest of the evening till he was finally relieved.

Mist’s Reach is section of jungle with colossal trees deeply rooted into its uneven terrain and hidden by a heavy dense fog. Many explorers are tempted by the undisturbed ruins and abandoned tree cities rumored to be within. If you plan on venturing into the Reach, you had best be well prepared.

- Excerpt Korin’s Jungle Survival Guide

A smile welled up on his face as he walked over to Gion, Padvor and the rest.

“You look happy boy”, Gion commented. “This section of the Jungle is very dangerous you know. Usually only high-born led expeditions travel into the Reach. Their magic lets them see through the fog and they help guide the rest. Even then most usually get lost never to be heard from again.” He had gotten use to her lectures by now and almost enjoyed them.

“Yes mom”, he chuckled being careful enough to whisper those words under his breath. “I know we plan to put Alia’s group on the outside to keep us herded together but I also have this”. Kaden reached into his bag and pulled a small locket sized pendant.

“I am not into the jewelry boy but thank you. I shall treasure it.” He noticed her words didn’t seem to match her actions as she immediately reached for it.

Still smiling, “It’s called a compass, my people use it to navigate both land and sea. It will always point in the same direction.” He explained the use of the device to all of them bring out several more he had made before they left the village. The others listened intently as a sense of relief washed over them. The truth was that they weren’t sure how they were going to navigate this leg of the journey and would have avoided it if they could. The few preparations they made beforehand had left a lot of things up to chance and luck but they had no choice. They were truly desperate.

“So this is why you were beating those iron needles with the hammer”, Rakhail staring at his new compass. “I cannot tell you how many times a device such as this one would have helped me. Your people are great inventors.”

Once the supplies, tools including the new compasses were handed out to the rest, they were finally ready to venture forth into the fog filled Jungle. “Remember to walk soft and make sure you always keep burning powder close at hand. Use it sparingly and only when absolutely needed.” Rakhail made sure he emphasized the word, “only”. The powder was all they had to defend themselves against certain types of insects that inhabited the area. “Let us pray to the Jungle Mother that we do not have to face any Spine-Crawlers or Devourers.”

“Alia get your group in position, everyone else to the center. Stick close, report everything.” Gion’s spoke with the commanding authority of a veteran Estarte. “Remember your training and we’ll get through this.” The villagers quickly organized themselves, Alia’s group spread out surrounding the rest of them as they slowly ventured forth into the fog.

A well-hidden dark pair of blue green eyes secretly peaked at them as they disappeared into the Jungle.

-Sometime later-

“Her ew Rea Heyt?” Bas taped on his blue glowing spear furiously while demanding an answer from Whacor. The witch-doctor from tribe Blood-grass raised his hand as a tiny scaled creature barely the size of a human palm landed on it. Clasping it tightly “Pea ks”, he commanded. The creature started at Whacor with its dark blue green eyes as it slowly disintegrated into a glowing green mist.

“What are they saying?” Julius the youngest of the three former captives now hidden amongst the tribe spoke in a hushed voice.

“Quiet”, Faustinus spoke looking around making sure no one overheard them.

“I just want to know what they are saying, is it about the ones we are chasing”, Julius’s obstinacy was definitely going to get them into trouble.

“Consequences be dammed Julius, Jungle Mother bearing witness, I swear, I will strangle you. Right here, right now.”

“Shut it, the both of you”, Gaius the oldest of the three finally cut in. “What I can make out, he’s telling them that they entered Mist’s reach. That or something about bedding his mother. I can’t really tell.”

Julius’s eyes widened, “Mist’s Reach! Do they have a High-born with them? They must have or else how are they going to…”

“I don’t know about any High-born but I doubt it.” Gaius broke in interrupting Faustinus a second time, “Don’t be so green, why would a High-born live in a little village like that. More likely it is something that fella from the Ghost Core thought up.”

“We don’t really know if they have someone from the Ghost Core, it’s all a guess”, Faustinus protested as Julius nodded in agreement.

“Don’t be daft, those false trails with death traps built in are typical Ghost Core tactics. What do they say, preparation is half the battle or something like that. He’s a smart fella too, that Spine-back attack to slow down the tribe and don’t forget that Para flower trap. That was just brilliant, he must have been a commander.” The three fell silent for a while. Even Faustinus had to agree using the initial Para Flower smoke to force the tribe to make a detour just to lead them into the real trap was brilliant.

“So how are we going to escape?”

“I can barely see anything”, Saba wined. “This was fun at first but I keep falling over every rock and shrub in this place.”

“It’s not so bad, think of it like a game of hide and seek”, Alia smiled.

“An unfair game of hide and seek, you can still see.” She stuck out her tongue towards where she heard Alia’s voice.

“I can only see a little further than you can, I can feel my way around though. And I’m more to your left.” Alia continued to tease Saba.

“Quiet”, Gion commanded. “This isn’t a pleasure hike.”

“Three Devourers, still far but I don’t think they felt us”, Lara’s call halted everyone in their tracks. The entire group had to remain frozen in place as to avoid causing any vibrations that may draw in the subterranean predators.