CHAPTER 54: WALK

".... He can’t make oars with any other wood?"

"Uh.... No, he told us in very clear, very forceful terms. He has specific requirements for his oars, one of which required wood from that specific tree."

"So we are going to fetch that wood so that he can make his oars, and then we can set sail."

"Don Don Don! Bingo. For that you can travel with us free of charge, we will cover for you."

"Hold on, wait a minute, why would you do that?"

"Do you have 2 gold coins to give him?"

"Two gold coins!? For a short ferry ride!?"

"I did say stealing even considering the situation. Anyway, so I assume no?"

"Uh..."

"Don’t worry at all. I told I could help you. What are friends for afterall. All we need is a little help with the wood situation."

She laid out clearly, smart enough to not tread the lines of pride even after supposedly establishing their relationship, as she said with a happy face.

"Hmm... well.. I guess I can do that.... As long as it isn’t anything unseasonable."

Noctis nodded slowly, understanding her way of looking out for him a bit pleasantly surprised.

"But of course. We just needed another competent hand. You’re definitely one! Not to mention you’re awakened."

She finished with a bitter sting in her voice at the awakened part.

Noctis knew she didn’t have the energy in her like him and the knight.

"So we are going there then?"

He said quickly.

"Yes. We are just going to attend that."

"Well then, I would need you to tell me... what exactly is so sinister about this high seas."

"Let’s just get there first. Meanwhile, tell me this..."

***

As the three walked upon the little dry and safe land between the overflowing river and the forest, numerous jaguars and monkeys stalked them.

However whenever any of them tried making a move, the knight quickly sacred them away with a wave of her qi infused slash.

The two teens didn’t have much to worry about as Regina was more than capable of handling any beasts that were weak or stupid enough to be at the outskirts of the forest.

They spent their time leisurely chatting with each other.

"So where is this village of yours?"

"It’s not too far from the other side of the river, about a day’s walk."

"That close hmm... then it’s probably near the manolie forest in the mara diyara region.

No wonder you don’t know anything about this country. It probably seldom gets any visitor other than lost travellers.

Not to mention these floods ,it probably has no outside influence in a long time. How did you end up here?"

"Yeah probably. Well.. I’m not too sure but I think I fell into a river and drifted to a strange place, the next thing I know I’m in this forest. Lost and hapless."

"Interesting. We were also near the forest when it started raining and we had to find a cave to hide in.

Somehow we all lost consciousness in the cave and woke up here.

If it weren’t for this compass, specifically made to locate my father, we would never have made it out."

"I see. That is an incredibly useful tool. I wish I had something like that."

Noctis said as he looked at the heavily ornamental compass.

"It is. So how did you get out? From the look on your face when I found you, I thought you had a meeting with a demon."

"That... well... It was a bit troublesome but I managed somehow."

Noctis replied a bit awkwardly, averting his eyes from the girl.

"Hmm, It’s fine if you can’t tell me. Everyone has secrets, but you must tell me how you awakened your qi at such a young age.

You must not be more than 14 years of age, around the same age as me, even a year or two younger, but I can’t do it, no matter what!"

Cora nodded in understanding, respecting his hesitation, focusing on another matter instead.

"This energy that Regina is using with her blade right? Well I was out hunting one day and I just found it running through my muscles the next day. I’m not even sure."

Noctis said while shrugging his shoulders.

"Absurd! Is awakening that easy? My father says one must go under immense hardships and training for you to be able to use your life force as your power."

"I mean... it was a hard hunt?"

"No fair!"

Cora puffed her cheeks and stomped her feet in indignation.

"Young lady, we have reached the location."

Regina suddenly said, interrupting Cora’s tantrum as she had to turn serious.

Noctis scanned the area.

From one look, one could tell a small settlement stood there once that had been submerged wholly with brownish water as the river covered the all three directions from where they stood.

Another thing that took his attention was the section of water that stood out in the middle and western region.

Unlike the water from the river, which was brownish white and was moving quickly, this section of water was deep but strangely capturing radiant blue colour.

Slowly moving inch by inch as if an ancient monster slowly creeping up towards them.

"So according to the description provided by the ferryman, this should be the small settlement along the banks that harvest and make use of the woods that he needs.

So the tree must be one of those that are submerged in the ocean tide in the west."

Regina explained.

"The tree? You mean he wants a specific tree, not even the tree from a specific species?"

"Nuh-uh, are all of us the same just because we are human, he had said."

Cora quipped lightly.

"So how do we know which is that tree?"

"He told us how to identify it, Regina knows what to do."

"Indeed. But we have to go under the water as the method has to do with the roots of the trees."

"As in, you need to see the roots that are above ground to identify?"

"That is correct."

"So what’s the problem?"

"The sea."

Cora butted in instead of Regina as she showed a rare dead serious expression.

"HOW?"

"It eats those that dare enter it."