Filled with relief upon hearing the news of Christian's survival, the group of students embarked on a fresh journey. However, the cryptic riddle of death still lingered in their minds, leaving them momentarily befuddled.
"leisurely but extremely mighty, I cudgel with a stick to beat. Beware the earth that is soft, my house isn't worth to carry," Alex recited the enigmatic verse. While these words may have been uttered once by the Carthae in their previous world, Alex's extraordinary memory was a standout among their peers. He placed the spiky weapon Jay had provided for protection on the ground and nervously bit his lip—an old habit from their past world. For him, it was a way to sharpen his thoughts beyond the reach of an average thinker. After all, their classmate's life hung in the balance, and he needed to decipher this clue to save his friend.
"What could this poem possibly mean?" Alex pondered aloud, furrowing his brow as he gazed at his perplexed classmates.
Turning to Gloyd, he asked, "Any ideas, Gloyd?" The baffled expressions on their friends' faces mirrored their own uncertainty.
Rabi, known for her vast knowledge, became the center of attention as they all turned their expectant gazes towards her. She slowly shook her head, indicating that the poem held no familiarity for her. Gloyd sighed in disappointment, acknowledging her lack of insight, and returned to his own contemplations. The group was still grasping for the elusive meaning of the cryptic verses that held the key to their classmate's safety.
When Rabi had first joined their group, Alex had harbored high hopes for her as an invaluable asset to their survival. However, when she voiced her belief that they shouldn't meddle with the laws of nature, Alex's expectations dwindled. It felt like they had lost a crucial helping hand in their dire circumstances.
Yet, Rabi did contribute by guiding them to the Carthae, and even though it offered only a glimmer of hope regarding their friend's survival, it was a precious beacon for their grieving souls. However, the Carthae's disturbing desire for someone's demise in the marshland was difficult to digest for Alex.
Considering the Carthae's apparent reluctance to provide direct assistance, Alex believed they should be content with the clue they had received. Delving further into their situation with the Carthae might only ignite another set of problems. For the time being, he reasoned, it was best to leave things as they were and focus on unraveling the mystery surrounding their friend Christian.
"Leisurely but extremely mighty..." Alex mused, trying to decipher the cryptic lines. While recalling words was indeed his strong suit, he knew that one of his friends had a knack for unraveling the meanings hidden within words and phrases.
As he pondered, his mind landed on a name: Gloyd. Alex knew that Gloyd possessed a unique talent for deciphering intricate wordplay and puzzles. He turned his head toward Gloyd, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. Gloyd's face lit up with the realization that he might have an idea that could help them unlock the meaning behind the enigmatic poem.
"A turtle! He's a turtle!" Gloyd exclaimed, his hands muffling his excited outburst as he struggled to contain his enthusiasm.
"Are you sure?" Darline inquired, seeking reassurance.
"Absolutely!" Gloyd affirmed confidently.
Alex's intuition had proven right; Gloyd's proficiency with words and their meanings was instrumental in deciphering the riddle. Alex couldn't contain his joy at the progress they were making towards saving Christian.
"How did you figure it out?" Alex asked, eager for the explanation.
"Leisurely but extremely mighty is a trait. 'Leisure' as a noun refers to the use of free time for enjoyment and is associated with being slow. 'Mighty,' of course, means powerful. Slow but powerful—both are traits that Noel described when he fought the turtle last time," Gloyd explained.
The group nodded in agreement, satisfied that they had cracked the clue and were one step closer to their goal of rescuing Christian.
"What about the other part of the poem?" Alex inquired, eager to unravel the remaining mysteries.
Gloyd, exuding confidence, replied, "-I cudgel with a stick to beat" is a description of the monster's weapon. "We can assume that the monster primarily uses melee attacks. Noel mentioned that the turtle monster wields a bloody bludgeon in its hand, which it uses to crush enemies into pieces."
"Beware the earth that is soft," Gloyd continued, "implies caution around soft soil. Considering the monster's ability to manipulate soft soils like swamps and muddy puddles, it's a warning not to approach such areas."
As for "my house isn't worth to carry," Gloyd admitted, "This part is a bit tricky. In our past world, turtles carry their homes on their backs in the form of their shells. While some might think turtles can move out of their shells, they can't. A turtle's shell is an integral part of their body, so it's impossible for them not to carry it."
The group absorbed Gloyd's analysis, gaining a deeper understanding of the clues provided by the poem, and it seemed they were on the right track to navigate the challenges that lay ahead.
"The last time Noel talked about this particular monster," Alex chimed in, "he mentioned that it appeared like a man wearing tattered clothes. He was perplexed by the fact that the turtle lacked a shell on its back, yet it possessed incredible defensive capabilities."
The group fell into contemplative silence, the gravity of their situation weighing heavily on their minds.
"If Noel's claws were ineffective against the turtle," Ivan reasoned, "we need to brainstorm ways to defeat it without relying on penetrating its tough skin."
Gloyd's expression turned pensive as he spoke up, "I have a plan, though I can't be certain it'll work. I haven't personally encountered the monster, but with Kent by our side, we might have a chance."
As Alex locked eyes with Kent, he couldn't help but wonder if she still carried the burden of blame for Christian's abduction by the Eartheaters. He hoped she had moved past it, realizing that her unique abilities were now crucial to defeating the turtle monster. Her full capacity was the key to overcoming this looming threat.
"We shouldn't waste any more time," Alex urged, his tone resolute. "We need to find the marks Noel left to get back on our original path. The silver lining is that we're still heading toward the enemy we initially set out to confront. This time, losing isn't an option, because losing would mean losing Christian too, and I won't allow that."
"Neither will we," the group echoed in unwavering unity, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead with determination and purpose.
The determined students readied themselves and retrieved their weapons from the ground, ready to embark on their mission to rescue their endangered friend.
As they moved forward, Alex couldn't help but glance back at Rabi, who was still trailing them with her petite footsteps. "Are you going to help us?" he inquired, even though he already anticipated her answer.
Rabi's reply was as expected, "No, I cannot."
Alex smiled warmly, his appreciation evident in his voice. "I figured as much. Nevertheless, I want to express our deep gratitude for your assistance. Without you, we would never have learned about our friend still being alive."
Rabi acknowledged Alex's words with a nod and then bid her farewell to the group. "I wish you all the best of fortune. Until we meet again." She smiled as she continued walking. Vines from a nearby tree slithered toward her, shrouding her body until she gradually faded into nothing.
The students exchanged amazed glances, captivated by Rabi's incredible abilities. With newfound determination, they resumed their journey, fully aware of the challenges ahead but united in their quest to save their friend.
Kent assigned three of the guards to search for the marks Noel had left on a tree, hoping they were still visible. As they set off on their mission, Kent suggested a brief rest under a nearby tree, its leaves providing a welcome shade from the scorching sun.
A gentle, cool breeze enveloped them, caressing their parched skin, while the air felt almost edible as it brushed across their moistened lips, carrying a sweet taste.
Alex gazed up at the sky, where the clouds painted a vibrant turquoise canvas that seemed to radiate hope. They watched as the trees swayed gracefully in response to the wind's gentle dance, a soothing sight for their weary eyes.
Reflecting on their past world, Alex couldn't help but contrast it with this tranquil scene. In their previous reality, the hope of experiencing such a serene environment would have seemed unrealistic. Their world had been dominated by clinking metals and unyielding concrete, with even the distant provinces, once described by their elders as teeming with trees, birds, and fertile soil, now nothing more than fading memories. It was a world where wearing a mask was the norm, a defense against the invisible threat of viruses lurking in the air, ready to seize lives without warning. The contrast between then and now was stark, and they cherished this moment of respite amidst nature's beauty.
Alex blinked, captivated by the wonders of the new world they had found themselves in. If this realm were free of the menacing monsters that devoured humans and creatures alike, it could have been a sanctuary, a place where they could peacefully nurture what nature had to offer. However, this was not the case, and that realization underscored what he saw as his role in this world: acquiring extraordinary powers to protect themselves and others. Lost in his contemplation, he eventually settled into a restful state.
A whooshing sound disrupted their reprieve as the three guard bees returned to the students and their queen resting under the tree. Kent immediately flew over to receive their report, and they conveyed that they had spotted what seemed to be the marks Noel had left.
"Let's go," Kent announced. They swiftly rose to their feet, grasping their weapons, and followed the guard bees toward the discovered marks.
As they walked, Alex remarked, "We don't appear to be retracing our old route—the one we followed yesterday."
Kent responded, "The guard bees found a new trail for us to follow."
Maeje interjected, "So, we did get lost and ended up in the Eartheaters' territory last night?"
Alex clarified, "I wouldn't necessarily say it was the Eartheaters' territory, because Rabi mentioned that they shouldn't have been in the marshland in the first place. This suggests that the Eartheaters may have ended up in the marshland instead."
With an understanding nod, Maeje continued to walk, knowing that they had to press forward on this unexpected path to achieve their goals.
"This is exhausting; we need to be swift to reach Christian as soon as possible," Kent declared, instructing the guard bees to carry her fellow classmates. With a two-to-one ratio of movement, they soared through the air like the very wind itself.
"Keep your mouths shut if you don't want to accidentally swallow insects during the flight!" Kent warned her classmates sternly as they embarked on their airborne journey. Heeding her advice, they followed Kent's lead, and before long, they arrived at their destination.
Examining the surroundings, Alex noticed the same claw marks etched onto a tree. "These marks, they could be Noel's," he remarked, running his fingers over the distinctive carvings.
The guard bees pointed toward the adjacent trees, conveying without words that the marks continued in that direction. Kent directed the guard bees to position themselves, one in the rear and two on either side, while she took the frontline, preparing for any potential threats. The students, reassured by their newfound guardians, felt a newfound sense of security as they pressed forward.
They continued their journey, following the marks etched on the trees and passing by various trees and swamps that were typical in the marshland. Alex proposed that it might be better to continue walking instead of flying, considering they still needed to meet Noel halfway to the enemy's territory. According to Noel, that location was fifteen kilometers west from the hive, while the enemy's territory lay thirty kilometers west of the hive.
"Are we halfway there yet?" Darline inquired as she trudged along.
"I believe so," Alex responded, gauging the distance based on their current location.
"Where's Noel?" Ivan wondered aloud.
"I expected him to be here, waiting for us," Maeje added.
"Could he have grown tired and 'ghosted' on us? Although, I'm not sure that concept applies in this world," Gloyd quipped.
Kent, however, was visibly anxious. "I doubt it. The marks lead here, but there's no sign of him. What could have happened?"
Alex suggested to Kent that she should command her guard bees to scout the area for any trace of Noel. "He knows the bees are under your control; it shouldn't pose a threat to him," he reasoned, sensing the tension among their companions.
Kent swiftly commanded two of her guard bees to scout the area, leaving one behind for safety. The remaining bee hovered nearby as the other two took off to investigate.
While they waited, Kent suggested, "Let's rest here while we wait."
Alex, concerned for Kent's well-being, urged her to relax. "You haven't had a proper rest in a while. You don't need to be so anxious about it. If the Eartheaters return, we know how to deal with them, and we can't afford to lose anyone else. So, don't worry; take a break." He reassured her, and Kent decided to transform back into her human form and reclined against a nearby tree. Alex followed suit with a smile.
However, their moment of peace was abruptly shattered when Kent abruptly stood up, her expression filled with worry.
"What happened?" Alex rushed over, mirroring her concern.
"The bees... they're..." Kent struggled to speak, her face growing pale.
"What?" Alex's own worry deepened as he pressed for more information.
"...killed," Kent managed to say, her voice weak.
"How?" Alex demanded, his concern turning to alarm.
"Another monster. We need to get out of here," Kent declared, her worry palpable. "Something that can take out the guard bees from a distance and in an instant is not something we can handle. We have to go."
The group followed Kent as they hastily retreated from the location where the bees had likely been killed. Kent summoned two more bees, reviving the fallen guard bees, and they assisted the team by carrying them while flying. But their efforts proved futile as three enormous black birds blocked their path, creating a formidable barrier that prevented Kent and the others from escaping. The birds' massive wings flapped forcefully, pushing them back as the birds emitted an eerie cry, "Conk-a-reeeeeee!"
Despite their resemblance to crows, these gigantic birds were different from the Carthae. They lacked the ability to speak, and their eerie sound carried a sinister aura. Alex noticed a reddish spot on one of the birds' wings, which set them apart.
As he looked at Kent, expecting to see fear on her face, he was surprised to find her grinning. Behind her, a lance materialized, and she looked at Alex with determination.
"Let's add this to our collection," Kent said, her confidence unwavering as they prepared to face these formidable foes.