In all the 4 years Juno has attended Aspar Hill Boarding School, she has never broken the most important rule.
Until today that is.
It's not like she has a choice! She's going to save Eve at all costs. Even if it means going into the forbidden Southern Rale Woods!
"Why did the monster take her here!?"
<
"Yeah I know it's a very, very magical and scary place! Isolated for the most part! Ha, Haha! I'm running straight into a deathtrap!!"
Juno decides to complain in her heart because she needs to put her fears aside in order to save her friend. She needs to do what she's always been best at.
Run!
Even with her battered and wounded body, she's still able to run. In fact, she's faster than ever before!
//Is this because of the Immortal Snakes?//
<<<<<
It's still weird to hear 12 voices at once, Juno doesn't think she'll ever get used to it. But it doesn't matter.
Not anymore.
//I've accepted them. I can't turn back, I can only go forward.//
She runs through the seemingly endless forest, the thick trees acting as barriers. It is as if they have the instinct, the need, the consciousness, to prevent outsiders from coming any closer to this forbidden forest. Of course, Juno and the Immortal Snakes pay no mind to that, this forbidden forest will make a path for them whether it wants to or not.
Only the dim light of the moon and stars light the way, but the darkness has never been a problem for Juno as she can see as clear as day.
She can see everything now.
Noodles suddenly calls out, <
"No."
Annoyed at her stubbornness it moves in front of her face to get her attention, <
She slows down but doesn't stop running.
<
She stops.
//So that's what he meant by it being worse than him.//
She doesn't waver from the snake's stare, "I'm going to find Eve, no matter the cost."
<
Hearing those words of encouragement, Juno feels as if she can start to breathe again, "Okay... Okay! Tell me everything!"
<
"Not enough?"
<
Those haunting words come back to her.
///Devour until I become you.\\\
"...What else?"
<
"It can shapeshift!?"
<
"The monster turned into someone he cared about right!? That's why he hesitated? That's why he-"
Her words get drowned by the sudden, violent shaking of the ground.
It caught them off guard!
But fortunately with her newfound power, she only stumbles slightly. It was violent but as quickly as it came, it stopped, leaving everyone shocked and confused.
"What was that!? An ekusquake* out of nowhere!?"
<
All Juno heard was "she's close."
That's all she needed to hear.
The closer they get, the more the woods around them are in ruins. It's devastating how some of the thick trees have collapsed, making it even harder to get around, and how there's no sign of life. Hopefully, it just means that all the critters must have ran away or gone into hiding.
<
With each step she takes, the more uneasy she feels.
<
Her heart stops.