Eterra quietly stepped through the dense forest trees, stopping every-so-often to keep an ear out for any lurking predators. After their encounter, many of them were unsure.
Including Kellenas, he wasn't as confident in his ability to endure in these conditions. It was a new world, an untamed territory that's home to the unknown.
Putting them at a huge disadvantage compared to their native competitors. For some, that experience discouraged them from engaging with the wild.
But to Kellenas, this was different. It felt like a dagger-wound, carving deep into his chest and torn out without mercy. He hated loss, especially when they put trust in him. But now they were missing two Ferals.
Regardless, they continued forward until they came to a halt beneath one of the millions of trees inside Olavin-Faa. It's gigantic trunk was like a wall around that stood proud before them.
No one was allowed passage without its permission, this they knew. Some females unsheathed their claws, pressing their hands against the thick wood.
"Will we make it?" one asked.
"It's in our nature to," another responded.
Kellenas carefully made his way closer until he was right next to the giant barrier, then he pressed his head against it and closed his eyes. Unspoken myths sung in his ears, the feeling of something new.
Claws dug in and out of the tree, helping the females scale the sides as they ascended higher into the canopy. Leaving the males on the floor where they lingered.
Beastly growls echoed in their throats as they kept still, like statues waiting for their resurrection. Until they couldn't take it anymore. Starting with the alpha, he began to struggle up.
Every male slowly climbed behind the females, fighting for every single movement they made. For hours, there was no change. Only the distant screeches, thumps, and Feral responses of Olavin-Faa.
For hours, they continued to ascend the titanic tree until they reached somewhere near the top. The females took turns to assist males on reaching nearby sunlit branches.
Bright light burned their pale skins back into their tan color, reuniting them with the sun. It stung, but it was an embrace they chirped to. Their break from all the isolation.
When the males reached the top, Kellenas fell to his knees beside the elder female. She warmly smiled as her alpha hung his jaws open to the glorious sun.
This space felt like paradise, a heaven away from the hellish forest floor. Near the branch they stood on, there was another massive branch to rival theirs.
Except this one was different. It did not house the usual large greenery, however, it was almost like a pond. Because all there was on this branch was water held over the canopy by the thick leaves.
Kellenas panted, gasping for air through his gaping maw. It was beautiful, Olavin-Faa, a nightmare away from home. But one that had secret beauties hidden away beneath its endless night.
"It is beautiful up here, is it not?" the elder chirped.
"One day Eterra will come here," Kellenas ignored her. "And they will marvel alongside us, Yarno is not like home, it is better."
The elder slowly nodded, keeping the same understanding smile a mother would give to her child. She got on her knees, staring off at the same direction as her alpha.
"Moments like this are the ones I longed for in life. During my three-hundred something years, I searched for somewhere I could say was beautiful. But now I found it," she said, pleased.
Kellenas closed his mouth, placing his hands on his lap and tilting his head down. He then slowly bowed to the horizon, he was honoring.
Like an Ophus Feral, he was remembering the two they lost earlier that day, while honoring Ether for allowing them access to this strange terrain.
In minutes, more Ferals joined in. They bowed, honoring alongside their alpha. Kellenas was pleased to see Ophus' traditions had impacted them equally.
For thirty minutes, they sat in silence with their heads down. Until rapid explosions went off in the distance. Scaling up the tree they stood on until it erupted through the canopy.
Ferals growled as they shot up from their positions, getting ready for whatever was lurking above them. The elder backed away while lowering herself, it was her being submissive.
Like raining artillery, hundreds of Scaler Ferals landed around them. They wore pants and loincloth that dawned purple and red colors. Just by their presence, Eterra felt uneasy.
"You are not from here!" one of them yelled out.
Kellenas took a step forward, opening his arms to the sudden visitors. "Yet we are here to explore. We do not want bloodshed, only to experience this beautiful forest at its core."
Some of the Scalers laughed, shrugging off his broad frame and fatherly stare.
A large male stepped forward, claws out and ready. "This is not territory of a basic Feral, Olavin-Faa is home to the triumphant. Not the ordinary."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Kellenas growled.
Sunlight highlighted the pale skin of the male as he stepped closer. The light effortlessly ignited his insides, allowing them to view his organs and skeleton with relative ease.
"Every evolution in this forest is adept, keen to rip your throats out. If it ain't them, it's us," he grimly added.
A chill shiver ran down Kellenas' spine, something his Ferals related to. They stumbled back out of fear, hoping to shy away from the conflict.
But as the male approached, the other Scalers followed. Closing in on them, ready to rip them apart the second they got there.
During their slow march, the elder whispered to herself. The wishes she had, about a Tonumki celebrated in her name.
Many others whispered their final wishes to themselves, understanding escape from this situation was impossible. Some Ferals even embraced each other, holding their neighbors close to comfort them.
Kellenas was different, courage pulsed through his veins. He refused to let Olavin-Faa be the bed his corpses rests in.
With a bright green flash and a furious roar, Kellenas reached his last stance.