Rana and Rudra were back at the spot where they encountered the humanoid creatures. By foot, It had taken them almost 3 hours to reach this ground. Previously they had used their jeep, it would squeeze through until halfway which reduced a considerable amount of travel time. This area was supposed to be on the safer side, but the sudden appearance of the creatures here had changed their views, in this forest, there were no safe zones and they strongly accepted that fact now.
Rana adjusted the compass on his watch and looked towards the path the creatures had gone to. The path they had taken was towards the mountain range of section F which was further south from where he stood. The X mark was in the east direction, which meant they wouldn't get to follow the path the creatures took.
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Questions like what those creatures were, why they were here, and what they needed were confusing him. Also, should he chase the creatures or should he get back to his original plan? Rana, a bit indecisive at the moment, took a second to evaluate the situation. The creatures were dangerous and they moved on a path that was never walked by others. The map showed no information in that direction. Even if he walked that path, there was no guarantee that he would find anything useful. Proceeding to the X mark was the certain choice. The destination where he believed he could find some certain clues. So it was decided that they would proceed with the initial plan.
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According to Rana's calculation, it'd take a 12-hour hike to reach the X mark, maybe more depending on the terrain. He hadn't explored that area all that much. But he was going to do that anyway now. Rudra picked up a diary and pencil from a pocket of his rucksack and started jotting down the most noticeable things that filled his view. It would become useful in the future if they manage to survive, besides simply walking just didn't feel right for him.
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It seemed that the path had been cleared for them. They had been making safe passage for a while. On their way, they noticed trees that were more than 700 years old, giant centipedes, monkeys, birds, anteaters, snakes, and even a herd of elephants. Rudra scribbled down these details in his diary, he was making his own journal. Of course, the path was cleared, but not for them. It could have been the work of those creatures, Rana reckoned. He remembered the roar of an animal that gave them time to prepare themselves. Whatever remained must have already been consumed by the other animals.
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Along the way, they had to kill a leopard that jumped on them, they had to hide from a giant bear, they killed a rabbit for its meat and that became their lunch that day. The path was becoming more unstable and difficult as they progressed. They had to ascend and descend the earth and take roundabouts to escape from an ant nest. It was taking up a lot more time than they estimated. Both men had indeed become tired. It had become evening, the sun was bright red and they still had a lot of ground to cover. The tallest peak in the mountain range of section F had come into their view. It is at least 4 more hours away, Rana calculated.