After bit of bickering between Seraph and Igor again, the two pairs left to recommence their missions. Larmore and Seraph left for Fiilar to look for Orpheus, while Barbara and Igor left for the research institute which is in a secret place.
"I hope we don't meet any unfortunate incident again, the last one was very exhausting, not to talk of Igor's suicide act, ugh ". Seraph said.
"That boy be very reckless and annoying sometimes ".
"Hahaha, that is why you two are siblings and you are there to knock the sense into him". Larmore said.
"Yeah".
"Igor is a kind kid, despite the situation, he still thinks of saving people. He is a good kid". Larmore said.
"You are right, i can remember when we are in the streets, he would see some children get beaten and he would go to their aid, then he'll get beaten too till i go to their aid. It a sweet memory ". Seraph said.
"I just hope one day he won't give me an heart attack jumping in front of danger whenever he sees one ".
Larmore smiled remembering his own children and family, the happy moments they shared together and the sad ones too. Even though they are not together now he is happy that they are safe with his mother in law.
Both Seraph and Larmore walked past the street they once troded when the dragon attack took place. Now they are at the entrance of a forest where there was a signpost saying: "Beware of mutated lifeforms".
They both stood at the entrance, motionless for sometime and feeling quite uneasy.
"Should we take a detour, that sign kind of scare me". Seraph said.
"I wish there was a detour route but Fiilar has always been a place where it has just one route in and out of the march land, despite it size. I'm afraid we have to pass through this forest". Larmore replied her.
They both took a deep breath before venturing into the forest. Some time has passed but there was not any threat to them in what ever way.
"Why did the signpost at the entrance say there were mutated lifeforms in this forest, we haven't seen anything, everything is normal, the plant and trees are normal, the ground is normal even the animals we have been encountering are normal". Seraph said.
"Well, there is a reason why the post was made there, do you think it was only we Theronite that mutated". Larmore asked.
"Well we are no longer called Theron but I don't think we are the only ones that mutated, did the plague affect the lifeforms surrounding us and other nations too "?Seraph said.
"As for other nations, they were never affected only those that were in our nation during the plague got infected. While most plant and animals were not really infected like us, some got the plague and they changed radically and such is that " Larmore pointed to a purple flowered plant.
Seraph looked at the flower and was a bit confused, the flower looks like any other normal flower.
"Isn't that just a normal flower "? Seraph said.
"Oh, i thought the knowledge of various mutated plants and animals was shared to everyone, i guess not ". Larmore said.
"Well, that is a pitcher plant. You can recognize it with it unusual large petals and long vine like stalk". If you get closer you will see the sharp edges in the flower ".
"There is a saying on that plant, it goes 'a great source of water, if you dare '. Anyways let's just stay as far away from it as possible, it will gobble you up within seconds ". Larmore said.
They walked a few meters away from the pitcher plant and Seraph saw an intriguing plant.
"That plant is mutated isn't it ". Seraph said pointing to an orange flower with dragon like heads.
"Yep, that is a snapdragon". Larmore replied.
"What are the authorities looking at, these plants should have been taken to the research facility ages ago, stay clear from any unusual plant or animal".
"Why is that plant called a snapdragon"? Seraph asked.
"Well, it flowers are snappy and it fearful traits... It breathes fire like a dragon that is what gave it its name".
Unknown to either of them, a creeping plant as been tailing them since they sighted the snapdragons.
"Err, count Larmore, can you please stop poking me". Seraph said.
"I told you not to call me count anymore, plus I'm standing right beside you, there is no way i can poke you without you seeing me". Larmore replied.
"Then who is poking me". Seraph said.
"Oh no, no...no...no. Seraph run"! Larmore shouted. He held her by her wrist and start to run.
"Why are we running" Seraph said a bit worried.
"I should have noticed it sooner, what was poking you is not just any mutated plant, it's the man-eater, we have to get away as far as possible unless it vines will catch us". Larmore said running.
They both were running as fast as they can but suddenly they stopped abruptly. In front of them was numerous vines intertwined together tightly blocking any passage.
Behind them were vine that were moving like serpent towards them. They both saw this.
Seraph without any hesitation start to cast spells towards the vines.
"Feeling for freedom and direction, i appease to the wind, move with your mighty strength and clear out our path".
Strong wind with tremendous power was blowing, cutting off the vines but the vines seems to be a bit resilient, they kept coming together blocking any path.
"How are we going to pass, the vines won't let us through and there are vines wanting to catch us, what are we to do". Seraph said becoming restless
"I don't know". Larmore's face was screaming nervousness and fear.
The vine tailing after them soon caught them and tied their feet and was dragging them towards the deeper part of the forest.
"Argh". Seraph screamed.
'is this how I'm going to die, i didn't even get to say goodbye to Igor, i hope he forgives me for our little bickering earlier, Igor I'm so sorry , i can't continue this journey with you ' Seraph thought as they both were being dragged.
'i just found a reason to live, now I'm going to die? I wish i could see my children one last time ' Larmore thought.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a beastoleptoceras came and slashed the vines off Larmore and Seraph and carried them to a tree branch then it dissipated into dust soon after.
"You two must be outsiders, it's quite a common knowledge here not to walk on the ground but on trees". A red haired young man said standing in front of them.