The scenery was lovely near Tori village.
Tall trees reaching the skies growing some strange yellow fruit on the top the two local started salivating just seeing them.
I asked Zephyr to pick some once the Emil boy told us how rare and expensive they are.
Only the overriped ones fall to the ground, and if they survive the fall, then they can be sold for high price two bronze.
Perfect ones can for ten bronze coins. It was insane price for a piece of fruit.
They said it's a fruit made almost entirely out of juice, and it's flesh sweet and filling.
My love, I quickly gathered a fortunes' worth.
I only cared about the taste, and it was incredible, like a ripe peach but a size of small boulders. It was so much juicy in there to fit in twenty large peaches.
" It delicious.." - I wasted most of the juice, but some did land on my eyes, face, hair, and chest.
I feed some to the one hand deliver them to us.
" Incredible..it would make wonderful jam. "
He seemed to like it.
The Emils never had perfect ones and seemed hesitant to eat them. Alexander called them the fruit of Ehlite.
Anna had her fun eating some, then smashing some, it horrified the two men who treasured them as gold.
" It's called Momba fruit. "
Manata, the younger of the two, told him, its name.
Zephyr picked some more, and everyone just enjoyed some momba fruits worth as much as cattle.
I decided on our way back that I asked him to gather some more. It would would be lovely to juice them or make jam like he said. Hell, even I can make jam.
And seeing him enjoy it like that..
Zephyr licked my fingers satisfied, and I felt a little fuzzy feeling as his tongue touched my skin.
" I could eat this all day.."
He smiled his eyes full of expectations for tonight.. Hmm, hmm.
---
We travelled for another three hours until we arrived.
The village had a bunch of small houses and a similar building in the middle of it like back home.
Some farm land afar but not much livestock. The two middle aged man standing guard let us in after a few words from their own.
The people started to swarm those in the front, mainly my Zephyr and our daughter, who rode in like a princess she is.
They looked intimidated by so many on horseback.
The children looked the opposite from Emets, who were always running around laughing and enjoying life without a care lately.
Those eyes had no laugh on them. They looked scared and unkempt. Hard to remember back when my own girl looked like them.
Metill sons got off their horses and went to address the crowd. From the looks about thirty of them maybe more.
" Residents of Tori village! Please let me introduce you to Zephyr Astoria, the man whose aid we seeked and received. "
He pointed at the blue haired guy and a little girl. "One of the blessed walking amongst us. And the killer of Emet the Lion King!! "
The peoples eyes were as large as gold coins, which I had never really seen.
It was quite a scene.
The people looked despondent before, but now hope visible in their eyes. Their presence become more alive.
Zephyr handed Ilianna to Lucian before getting off his black horse. He looked at me and waited patiently until my brain worked.
Right.. we are a family. What am I doing here?
I flown to their side and clutched his hand. He gave a satisfying nod, and we faced the people of Tori.
Looking at our family with awe and me with envy in their eyes.
" People of Tori village. Your leader came to me seeking help with the monster terrorizing your village for generations. I offered him a different path, and he accepted. We come to ask you. " he looked at them all carefully.
"...All of you, to let go of your pride, traditions, and the place you called home!! "
Look at him so seriously. Those eyes around us were glued to his presence.
" In return, we offer you a new one. A house we help you build, land to farm, and call your own.. a community willing to accept you. For you! " - he checked on both me and Anna. " For your families!
He let his words reach them all before he finished.
" The time to decide is now. The monster demands its sacrifice soon. I hope... you take my words to heart and understand there is no deception hiding behind them !! I'll give you time to talk it over."
He squeezed my hand and turned to Metill's sons.
" Take some time.. talk to your people. We will be waiting. "
We walked away when they called after him.
" Master Zephyr, what will you do in the meantime?"
" I'll spend time with my family..."
He put his arm around my shoulder, and we went to our group now all on foot and looking around with interest.
" Nice speech, little brother. " - he gave him a proud smile. " I'm certain it reached their heart. Not a single one will stay."
" Thank you, Alex. We gave them some time. " - he looked behind, most of the people were heading towards their shabby looking main hall. " Hopefully, the absence of their leader and his daughters, not mention his sons persuasion will be enough. "
I turned his head and cupped his perfect face.
" It will be my love. We just gained about forty new residents. "
I was sure Alexander was right.
These people looked a lot worse than Emets, even if we looked back generations or before we found Zephyr.
There is barely any man of fighting age. What other choice do they have? Their leader already agreed and picking his future home already.
Eleanor looked at the people remaining with some of the children. " This place is a bit...moody, no? What kind of divine beast is Tori anyway? "
" Don't look at me, I have no idea."
I never asked, so I couldn't answer my sister.
Alexander was ready to jump in.
" I talked to the two boys..Morriz and Manata, the younger, they talked about her. The village name Tori means great snake in their own culture. " he used a stick, for whatever reason. To draw a snake on the ground.
" They said she is over 100 ft long, and its scales reflect the sun turning her invisible. Sounds like a tough fight.. even compared to Emet."
An invisible enemy 100 feet long.
Like most snakes can probably swallowing its pray whole. I felt a sudden urge to leave. I couldn't help scanning my surroundings like all others did after hearing Alexander story.
Zephyr laughed at our nervous looks. Aside from him, only his daughter seems amused.
" Keep your wits to you. She could appear, but we are well prepared if she does. " he took a scan to but, seeing his confidence, I felt a lot better about the whole..snake thing.
" For now, stick together until they decide. Eat something, then rest."
We soon started a small fire for us and cooked some sausage and potatoes.
Zephyr wanted to check around. He could always just hop right back in a few steps. His ability was enviable for all sorts of reasons.
The power to travel incredible long distances in seconds. He fast combined it with his fighting style, creating something very potent.
I saw him evolve in real time. I felt better with each improvement his made. The more powerful the safer he is..and us.
We were seeing a few children peeking at Ilianna. She practised her kicks and punched in with her uncle and Lucian.
Seeing their little faces all in awe of seeing someone the same age or even younger, landing clean picture perfect kicks high above her own head amazed them.
I went closer to talk to them and brought some almond brittle Anna loved so much.
They took a few steps back, so I just knelt down a few feet away. " Hi there. My name is Lylly, and that little girl is my daughter Ilianna. " I pointed behind me and extended my hands, showing the candy.
" Please come and join her. She won't bite. Here I brought some sweets, take some .."
I handed each some candy and watched them walk slowly over to Anna and our group.
I walked close behind with some mothers who stayed with them. " Sweetheart, why don't you teach them how to kick right. "
" Did Father put you up to this? "
She was suspicious for no reason what so ever.
" No love but, I'm sure he would be very happy seeing you teaching them once he returned." - her father's approval meant more to her than the rest of the village combined.
"..Hmm. " - she looked at the kids and smiled a little.
She led them away and heard her introduction.
" My name is master Ilianna..."
She enjoyed it, even though she had done it for praises. The others seemed like kids. They listened but also wholly distracted, and some just ate the candy in silence.
We watched them flailing around, making my five year old annoyed quickly. She was different from the start.
She wanted to become stronger. With other kids around, it was so easy to see.
Before my Zephyr returned, the Emil brothers did.
Finally, we can maybe start helping these people and go home already. With our slower pace, it might take two more nights.
They looked distressed. " Well..the meeting ended with..mostly a success. "
Mostly, huh?