Several hours have passed since then and not much has happened since. Three of us had gotten drowsy enough to warrant Lucet suggesting sleeping. We had all agreed to that and pulled out the blankets and proceeded to lay down.
But why…WHY THE HELL ARE ME AND LUCET AWAY FROM THE CARTS BY OURSELVES!
(''Come on dear, just a little further and we can stop!'')
Let me summarise the events that led us here. First, she told everyone to sleep and woke me up after some time. She told me to hunt with her since she was feeling hungry, which in truth I was too since we had seen no animals around the cart.
Wait…I can't use magic so why am I here? Maybe she wants some company, though even then she could've asked Alia…actually on second thought, you can't hold up much of a conversation with him. I'm sure she will be the one doing the hunting. Right-
A hand flew before my face pinning my body against a large root. Her face was pinker than roses and her eyes were as hungry as a wild boa ready to pounce on its prey. A strawberry-coloured tongue slid across her hot-red lips, they parted and drew closer to my own.
What is up with this woman?! I desperately threw my arm out to stop her, which only worsened the case for me as I felt something incredibly soft in my grasp. This couldn't go worse than this!!
(''Can you feel it Abby?'')
Feel what? Her…melons? Yes I can definitely feel that.
(''The thunderous roar of my heart beating with enough ferocity to burst through my chest. It beckons for your embrace Abby, so why not heed its call?'')
Whether or not I heed its call or not I listen to it is not up to me, even if I say no you definitely won't let me escape. Void was right, she was more dangerous than we thought originally.
Her free hand pushed against my chest, slowly meandering its way down past my stomach. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.
(''H-Hey didn't we say that we would take things slowly? Let's calm down for a minute and go back to hunting…'')
Pfft.
(''Hahaha'')
(''You think we actually came out to hunt? You are more innocent than I thought. Very well I'll guide you through it.'')
Through what?!
(''Lucet. Through what?'')
Her lecherous smile cracked further along the pink blush, I could faintly make out the circles of madness in her eyes. Like a hyena, she attempted to take me over.
(''I'll guide you on your path to becoming a man of course dear.'')
Ghh-
I can't let this happen, not yet…not with her!
My arms rebelled as they had been pinned against the tree by her monstrous strength. One of her slender arms rendered my whole body helpless, leaving the other arm to its own devices. Slithering around my body, searching for something…the buckle to my belt.
No
No
NO.
I swung my right leg at her head only for it to be met with the palm of her hand. It was enough though…for my left foot to be met with her head which knocked her off balance. For a brief second, she lost her footing and I managed to slip out of her restraints.
The dense foliage proved to be incredible cover to hide from the huntress seeking my innocence. She wasn't far from my current hiding spot, every step she took resulted in a loud crack informing if I need to move.
(''Come out, come out wherever you are!'') Her voice crept closer, caressing my ear while checking every individual bush like a predator.
Why does it have to be now that I can't use magic?! This would be the perfect environment. Especially now that the lamperts have dimmed down, perfect for darkness magic. I could even bind her in thousands of roots and run back towards the cart.
(''You can't utilise magic Abby, so why don't we use this opportunity to grow closer. Body and mind. So come out dear.'')
A long creak followed by a close thud shook the surrounding ground. This doesn't feel like a lover trying to find her partner, no this feels more like a…manhunt.
How do I escape a goddess that has aeons of experience in battle? Wait…can't she see my frin signature through the foliage? I think she can't detect me because of my bruised veins that can't flow any frin.
Void could I have a little help?
(''You called boy? Oh, I see your situation, sure I'd be happy to help.'')
Thank you. I can't begin to explain the terror I felt a few minutes ago. You are absolutely right, this woman is dangerous.
(''I'm always right. But we have no time to idly chat like this, we have to escape back to the cart. So follow my instructions down to a T.'')
I nodded my head up and down as fast as my neck would allow, though there wasn't much need for that as Void could just read my mind. My muscles had practically fully healed since earlier so they will be my tool for escaping this huntress.
Her plans flooded into my mind, every path and action was now visible and clear. Like floating red arrows pointed at every foothold and grappling handle. Thanks, Void!
(''Thank me after you escape her boy. Just follow the pathing I presented you with.'')
I wrapped my hand around a low swinging vine, tugging it to make sure it could support my weight. My feet lifted me into a standing position, still hidden by the tall shrubbery, I started creating momentum by running in circles.
One…Two…And three! I never felt so invigorated by running up a vertical surface without magic! This is awesome!
(''Don't let it get to your head boy. The second she notices you the clock starts.'')
Roger that Void. What's my next move?
All of the red arrows pointed towards a branch that was positioned just ahead. In comparison to most other branches, this one was rather low to the ground.
From up here, I could make out everything below, even the wandering Lucet, checking every bush with a light formed around her palm. Its brightness dwarfed the nearby lamperts, though not much light got in from them, to begin with.
In front of me was a path of randomly placed branches stretching to the end of the jungle wall where the large opening of the path was. It would take a little while to parkour through it all but as long as I go unnoticed by her then it will be a breeze.
Ugh.
Even a single jump was tough enough to wind me slightly. If I could use magic this would've been a walk in the park, getting to the cart would happen in the blink of an eye. But I have to resort to this grunt parkour while being hunted down by Lucet.
(''Abby! I'm sorry, so please come out and let's head back together. I promise not to do anything!'') Her voice reverberated throughout the trees, eventually being carried up to me. Surely she doesn't think I would be that stupid. Who in their right mind would go back after she tried to pull something like that…
Now that I think about it…most people would. They wouldn't have even left in the first place. But not me, I have someone who I want to grow old together with. Zeraf will be the first and only person that I will…do it with.
The all-familiar burning sensation fired up in my heart spreading to my cheeks, I couldn't contain my smile at the thought of finally being together with Zeraf. God, if only I confessed to her at the tavern we could have been lovey-dovey the whole time! Well outside of her being passed out for several days and waking up only to swipe at my life.
No time to dwell on the past now, if I don't make it out now there will be no future! The next branch was quite a bit closer, a small jump was all it took. It was thick and at the merging point with the tree, there was a large tree hollow that led downwards. A weak flickering light danced on the walls inside of the hole.
I peeked my head through to find out that it expanded on the way down. A ladder was stuck to the side leading down to a large opening, that's all I could make out from this distance though.
Nowhere was written about ladders and lights being found inside trees. I've been using Nature magic for several years now, but never have I sensed something like this. When I get my frin abilities back I need to revisit this to pick up on any frin signatures.
(''Boy.'')
Void? What's up? Sorry for sticking around and not moving, this just piqued my curiosity so I looked down in it-
(''Yeah yeah, shut up.'')
Rude.
(''I need you to go down, this way you can escape her. Plus, you wanted a great adventure right? No better opportunity than exploring a secret not even recorded on maps.'')
You are damn right Void. Let's do it!
(''First, let's leave a message for Lucet first telling them to wait until we get back. I'll teach you a new spell that is used among assassins to deliver untrackable messages.'')
But I thought I couldn't use frin because of my veins!
(''I healed your veins enough to do small things again. We must do this quickly before she picks up on your signature boy. Picture a piece of paper, one as dark as me, the void. Then picture the message you wish to convey-'')
(''You know what just let me do it.'')
In my hands was a rectangular piece of paper inscribed with a notice of our absence. I folded it into a small plane and threw it down towards Lucet.
Now quickly let's head down and begin our new adventure!
(''You betcha boy!'')