Rumin could only burst out laughing. Gale was a bit upset by the reaction, but Rumin had a good explanation, catching herself before putting her thoughts into words. "I-I-I'm sorry, but I just couldn't help it sis...
It's just that I've been worrying about the wrong thing all this time and it just makes me feel silly for causing lives to be at risk because of it...." She chuckled nervously, only to be stopped in her tracks by a big hug from Gale.
"Nonsense... I didn't expect for things to spiral this badly just because I held my tongue. It was meant to be for Dad you know... You've always had so much to share with him and that made me feel that I didn't bring much to the table in terms of me."
While she could've said more, Rumin interrupted by breaking the hug. "Don't be silly sis. I know I'm more expressive when sharing news with Dad, but there's really no need to force yourself to show proof of your love for him.
We're his daughters after all. The fact that we're still alive and keeping in touch should already be proof enough that we all share a unique, familial bond with one another. Nothing could ever change that."
Her heartfelt response was all that Gale needed to hear, nodding her head in approval before shifting her attention to the unconscious Maya, who was being treated by Ermengarde. "So how's she looking?"
The Keeper seemed fixated on mending the injury best she could before uttering a response. "Truth be told, she is rather lucky for someone that lost a limb. However, there are no means of restoring it that wouldn't stick out like a sore thumb in the public eye. The less people that know about this Forest, the better..."
Her somber expression grew more prominent as the wound closed up. "My apologies for not being all that willing to fix your friend, but you have to trust me that this place needs to be kept a secret for the time being. You've already seen firsthand how dangerous it is; so I hope that was enough evidence to at least humor my personal request."
While it was true that it wouldn't be the wisest of decisions to speak of the events transpired here to anyone other than themselves, but there was concern on the girls' faces as they contemplate the plausibility of the Keeper's words. The two siblings looked at each other and sighed with compliance as Gale spoke out.
"No worries. You've already done more than enough to prove that you're not up to any nefarious acts. Our Father wouldn't have spent the time he did with you if you were a bad person. Though I think I can share this piece of information with you if you're curious about his wellbeing."
The thought of getting to know how her longtime friend has been doing lately seemed to grab her attention, waiting patiently to hear the news. Some time had passed as the girls shared laughs and conversation about the man in question. In one instance, the Keeper blushed when asked if she had any interest in the man, trying to divert the embarrassment into a different topic.
Eventually, Maya had regained consciousness, squirming in place as she came to. The environment proved a little too bright, but eventually she got her eyes to open. At first, she thought that this is what it's like to be dead, but a missing feeling reminded her how wrong she was.
"Oh? You're finally awake... We were pretty worried that you would've... You know..." Ume was the first to notice Maya due to not really leaving her side for most of the duration.
"Well you know how it is... Seriously though. Would it kill ya to get a little bit of shuteye when things had long settled down?" Maya got a weak chuckle out of Ume before sitting up to pat her friend on the shoulder.
Second to rush onto the scene was Rumin, who tackled Maya with an unrestricted hug. "Thank goodness you're okay. I mean... We knew that you'd pull through!"
Maya could only smile before taking a moment to look at her missing arm. "Seems you all had one hell of a time while I was out. Everything's a little foggy, but it sure seems that a fair bit has happened since then."
"You have no idea... Hope you weren't ready to disappoint me now that you're back." Gale's response was a little harsh, but Maya knew it came from a comforting place.
"Don't worry about it friend. You must've been really strong in order to face off against something like that and win. Just what 'can't' you do?"
Gale would smirk in disbelief. "Depends on who you're asking honestly... In all honesty, I was for certain that we'd all be its next meal. Guess I got a little lucky huh?"
Ermengarde overheard the conversation and decided to chime in with a more accurate answer. "That creature has been a resident for a very long time. Some would mistake it for a Sacred Beast but it's actually no different from the other beasts that roam these woods.
Albeit its rather interesting rate of growth. It didn't take long before it became the Apex Predator of its habitat. However, its aggression grew in tandem. Thankfully your Father happened to be spending his time in the forest for the unfortunate hand dealt to him..."
Her expression sunk a bit before continuing on. "Out of everything, that beast can only acknowledge Strength. It takes power to keep it in check and with no one putting a halt to it for so long, you can imagine how brazen it would become...
Regardless, you have my deepest thanks for putting that creature back in line. It shouldn't be an issue for a good while now. Maybe by then, a solution would present itself that doesn't require its demise."
Rumin couldn't help but to listen in. Upon finding a spot to sit, she would take a seat. "Speaking of which, where are these Sacred Beasts anyway? Weren't they supposed to be inhabiting sanctuaries like this one?"
She pointed out the area that the group was in, only to be met with a dissonant expression on the Keeper's face. "I suppose you are all still a bit too young to grasp the fullness of the situation. Many events transpired throughout these very woods... Most of which weren't for its benefit.
As you said, normally this sanctuary would've housed a Sacred Beast, but unfortunately there was a shift after the events that transpired roughly thirty years ago. All that remains now are scattered remnants of what once was..."
Rumin found it difficult to hear that something bad had befallen such powerful creatures that bore an integral history with the natural ecosystem surrounding the nation. "For something to cause something like that... It must've been a pretty big event, but why wouldn't they spread this information throughout the generations?"
While she had a point, the Keeper was more than ready to answer her lingering doubts. "I suppose I'll have to thank your Father for part of that... For the longest, these woods were segregrated from the public, leaving only the sanctuaries available for entry given the circumstances involved."
She was about to trail off, but puts herself back on track with the current subject. "Since the incident, they've all turned into Essence Crystals that are guarded by their respective Guardians. The Guardians themselves tend to be a little 'on edge' and I can't blame them. Though I suppose it's time I send you all on your way."
The group looked up to the sky, noticing that it was starting to get dark once again. The information provided left a fair bit to the imagination, but that was another thing to mull over after things sort out. Respecting the Keeper's wishes, the four girls agreed and were guided out of the woods.
"I must say that this was an 'eventful' camping trip. Honestly wasn't expecting for all of that to transpire." Ume gave her two-cents on the matter, befuddled by the entire event and what they've learned thus far.
"Yeah well... We have other things to take care of." Gale shrugged her shoulders in response, reminding everyone that the Tournament was kicking back up tomorrow.
"Yeah you're right sis! We gotta get some rest before the big day if we're ever gonna be in top performance. Can't disappoint the audience and guests that'll be spectating our matches."
Everyone nodded in agreement, taking a trip back into town before each going their separate ways to prepare for the upcoming fights. What they gained in the forest remained as a subconscious thought, waiting for curiosity to take hold and get the better of them, but for now, there was no telling of who among them would have to face one another in the ring.
The Feral Paw Tournament is upon us...