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Chapter 40: Blood leaf legacy 2!
The thick jungle air was alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant animal calls, a symphony that both comforted and unnerved Tessa.
The locals moved with a fluid grace, their bare feet silent against the damp earth as they led her deeper into the verdant landscape. She could feel their excitement around her, a fervor that was both infectious and overwhelming.
As they navigated the dense underbrush, Tessa caught glimpses of vibrant flowers and exotic fruits, their colors almost surreal under the dappled sunlight. But her mind was focused on one thing—Adrian. The image of his pale face haunted her as she recalled the blood that had stained his hands. I have to hurry.
The tall woman, whom Tessa learned was named Nyala, walked beside her, her dark eyes shining with a mixture of reverence and curiosity. "You have the mark of the Moon Goddess," she said, her voice melodic yet simple. "You be carrying spirit of our ancestors."
Tessa glanced at Nyala, bewildered. "I'm just a girl from Earth. I don't understand what you mean."
Nyala smiled softly, a look of understanding crossing her features. "It no be knowledge that make you, but your blood. You tied to us, by destiny."
Besides her poor grasp of the human language, Nyala carried a grace that couldn't be put into words. It could only be felt. She was also the undisputed leader of these group of locals who seem to have found a living god in Tessa.
Before Tessa could respond, a loud crack echoed through the jungle. The locals froze, their expressions shifting to alertness. Tessa's heart raced; it felt like the very air around her thickened with tension.
"Stay close," Nyala urged, leading Tessa deeper into the thicket. They ducked low, blending into the foliage as they approached the sound. Tessa's mind raced with thoughts of the danger they faced, and the chaos that could unfold.
"Is it safe here?" Tessa whispered, anxiety creeping into her voice.
Nyala nodded, her face serious. "For now. But we must move quickly. There be danger all around."
The mention of danger sent chills down Tessa's spine. She glanced back in the direction they had come, a surge of fear tightening her chest. I won't let anything happen to Adrian.
As they continued their journey, Tessa's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. She couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The locals moved with an instinctive awareness of their surroundings, their eyes scanning the jungle as if they were attuned to its every secret.
"Why do you worship me?" Tessa asked, trying to make sense of their reverence.
Nyala exchanged glances with her companions, a glimmer of pride in her eyes. "Our legends speak of two celestial beings—the Sun God and the Moon Goddess—who come back to lead us in our time of need. You look like one of them. It be a sign."
Tessa blinked, feeling the weight of their expectations pressing upon her. "But I'm not a goddess. I'm just trying to save my friend."
Nyala's expression softened. "To us, you be both. Your presence here be a gift, a chance for our people to regain our strength. With the blood leaf, you will heal him, and bring balance back to our land, and fulfill what be written... you." her face contorted slightly as she tried to find the correct ways to frame and apply the best possible diction from the the little bit of vocabulary she had stored up in her mind.
The weight of their hopes began to settle on Tessa's shoulders, a responsibility she wasn't sure she could bear. "I need to help Adrian first. He's the one who's hurt."
Their journey continued, and the deeper they moved into the jungle, the more vibrant it became. Sunlight streamed through the canopy above, illuminating patches of colorful flora. Tessa felt a pulse of energy in the air, a connection to the land that was almost palpable.
After a tense silence, they arrived at a grove filled with delicate purple leaves that shimmered in the sunlight—the Blood Leaf. "We found it, The other ones me... tell you... about" Nyala declared, her voice filled with triumph.
Tessa rushed forward, her heart pounding. She knelt to gather the leaves, her fingers brushing against the smooth surface. "This will help Adrian, with this amount, I can finally make a sufficient quantity of antidote," she breathed, relief flooding through her. "We need to get back to him."
As they turned to leave, a rustling sound erupted from the jungle, causing Tessa's heart to sink. The locals immediately formed a protective circle around her, their expressions shifting to fierce determination.
"Stay alert!" Nyala commanded, her voice low but firm.
Tessa's heart raced as she scanned the surroundings, her mind racing with possibilities. What if we were followed? What if the danger was already here?
The locals exchanged tense glances, their eyes darting from shadow to shadow. Tessa could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins. "What do we do?" she whispered urgently.
Nyala's gaze remained fixed on the underbrush. "We wait. We be strong. You be Our moon goddess. Our ancestors sent you... to watch over us."
As they held their ground, the air crackled with tension. Tessa stood at the center of the circle, the Blood Leaf clutched tightly in her hand, collected in a crudely invented make-shift sac.
She felt an overwhelming urge to protect not only herself but also the people who had shown her kindness and hope in this perilous moment.
"Let them come," she declared, her voice steady. "We won't let anyone take us."
With her words echoing through the jungle, the locals joined her in a chant, their voices rising to a powerful crescendo that resonated with the very heart of the land. Tessa felt a surge of energy flowing through her, a connection to something greater than herself.
Together, they stood strong, united against whatever threat might emerge from the shadows, ready to face whatever came next.
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To be continued...
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