CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

Portals aren’t so common that we need to worry yet

~

Sky and Leaf continued down the trail away from home

Wondering how far the two of them would have to roam

They crossed a little river where Leaf thought to cool his head

And though Sky wanted to clean her clothes, she just drank instead

“Are you sure you don’t want to jump in for just a bit

The blood is starting to smell kind of bad I must admit”

“There’ll be time for laundry after we find our lost friend

Heroes aren’t meant to be clean before the journey’s end”

She carried on in haste and Leaf then followed right behind

“If you washed a little bit, I’m sure Twig wouldn’t mind…”

Sky ignored his protest and they both were on their way

Sky was worried they’d already wasted half a day

The forest grew much denser the further they walking along

But after their last victory, they felt inspired and strong

Leaf may have been frightened of the way they won the fight

But he found Sky’s victory a reassuring sight

“It’s nice that the first portal we fought wasn’t bad today

And it means there won’t be any more soon on the way”

Leaf began to feel relaxed now since though portals weren’t rare

They would never appear twice in a row here or there

“Still, be careful of monsters who may still be lurking

Complacency will kill you faster than a big bug’s sting”

She scoffed at Leaf but he just rolled his eyes at her again

Such advice was common to hear from her now and then

~ Name: Unnamed ~

Title: Wild Animal

Class: Fox [lv1]

HP

[1]

MANA

[1]

ATK

[1]

INT

[1]

DEF

[1]

SPD

[1]

Just a normal fox out trying to find some good food

Don’t worry about it, it’s not done anything rude

Just don’t try to pet it, even if it’s cute and small

They have a mean bite when their back’s up against a wall

~ Name: Unnamed ~

Title: Wild Animal

Class: Owl [lv1]

HP

[1]

MANA

[1]

ATK

[1]

INT

[1]

DEF

[1]

SPD

[1]

Just a normal owl sitting and resting in a tree

Move along and don’t wake it, it’s sleeping peacefully

This owl is a little bigger than most of its kind

But it’s not the biggest bird that you’re likely to find

~ Name: Unnamed ~

Title: Wild Animal

Class: Squirrel [lv1]

HP

[1]

MANA

[1]

ATK

[1]

INT

[1]

DEF

[1]

SPD

[1]

Just a little squirrel with its trademark bushy tail

You’ll see thousands like this while you’re walking on this trail

Thank them for the nuts they bury and forget about

Those become the tallest trees that birds can’t do without

“I’ve never used appraisal so much in a single day

How come every animals screen has so much to say”

“Father says some gods don’t choose a person they like best

Some gods wander around describing things without rest”

“What if it’s an animal that no god’s seen before

Would the status screen be blank, what are its levels for?”

“Once a human sees a creature, our gods see it too

There are myths of unknown beasts, but I can’t say they’re true”

“What about their levels, they’re all stuck at one right now

Did that monster level up with some god’s help somehow?”

“Honestly, for one so quick you learn these things so slow

Monsters’ levels come from all the things they eat, you know?”

“Wait, so if I eat a monster, will my level rise?

Not that I would want to eat evil potato fries…”

“No, a human can’t just eat something to level up

Please do not try putting some monster’s blood in your cup”

At the mention of monster blood, Leaf felt a bit sick

So he changed the topic of the conversation quick

“Anyways, I’m sure Twig couldn’t be too far from here

We should quiet down in case there’s noises we can’t hear”

Sky agree and quietly observed the woods around

Once she even tried resting her ear upon the ground

Leaf had always she was too smart and full of pride

But what he saw in her now was more of a feral side

Every time she thought of Twig her heart began to ache

She would disregard her image for her poor friend’s sake

Leaf was moved to see her dedication to their quest

But to find his friend Leaf too would journey without rest

They strained their eyes and ears for just the smallest hint or clue

Looking once or twice at every rock and tree in view

But as they focused, it was too late when they realized

On the trail ahead, two portals materialized

~