Over the course of a week, Sete traveled with the boys through the corrupted forest.
Many times, the young woman discussed a good place to set up camp, in order to establish a base to house all the heirs, grow food and survive. Thomas used to talk about a mountainous region further south, where they could hide from the E.G.O. agents, but they would also need land suitable for planting, which caused some disagreement.
Vez also used to give his opinions to Sete, talking about an intercession region further east, where there were mountains, but also rivers — which could be decontaminated — and enough space for orchards, vegetable gardens and everything else.
Spring suspected that he was giving her some kind of hint so that she could meet the other seasons more quickly, but she didn't dare question him for fear that he would change his mind.
Thomas also had enough time to practice with his powers and explain that E.G.O. was an acronym for Environmental Government Organization, an entity created and run by the unified government of the mortal world in order to supposedly study and solve the environmental crisis caused by the corruption of nature. The strange thing is that this organization kidnapped heirs for no apparent reason and, according to Vez, was involved with evil deities such as the End and Chaos.
— Did you hear that? — Kai suddenly stopped among the dead plants, holding the sleeves of the other two individuals, who also stopped to pay attention.
Sete frowned and pushed the boys back, positioning herself protectively in front of them. She observed the surrounding gray vegetation carefully and signaled for the teenagers to remain silent.
— There seems to be something watching us. — The young woman murmured as she used her powers to summon a spear made of intertwined roots from the ground beneath her feet.
— Something? — Thomas' voice shook as he whispered in fear, and the dead foliage nearby rustled in a frightening way.
When they least expected it, Sete spun her spear — far sturdier than something made of untreated wood should be — and blocked a dark, twisted figure that leapt towards the trio. The boys didn't have time to shout or react, they just watched the girl looking in all directions in alarm.
— There are more of them coming, be careful and stay behind me. — She warned, tense, the spear twirling deftly in her hands. — Thomas, concentrate and try to use your powers as we practiced. If I can stop time for a few seconds, I'll be able to get rid of these things.
As soon as she finished speaking, the thing attacked again. It must have been about two meters tall, thin and distorted, almost as if it were made of darkness and smoke. There was no face on its black head, just deep, troubled eyes, almost as if they offered a prelude to the imminent end.
Spring exchanged a few blows with it, her skill with the spear was unquestionable, although she couldn't quite remember how she had learned to fight like that.
Finally, Sete dodged one of the shadow's attacks and landed a sharp blow to its chest, causing a shuddering grunt to leave the creature as it crumbled into the air.
However, the moment it disappeared, three more identical things leapt out of the bushes, surrounding the young woman and the two boys.