[CHAPTER 12: THE HUMAN AND THE SNAKE]

Mihaje tossed and turned. He couldn't get himself to fall asleep. Was he frustrated because the female didn't tell him her name? Mihaje sat up and glanced over at the corner where Bella was still sitting quietly. Her head lowered and seemed to be sleeping. Soldiers were guarding outside the entrance of the tent.
"Ugh..."
He heard Bella groaning softly and he went over to check on her. He squatted down and realized she wasn't sleeping. She was frowning and grunting.
"I need to pee," she said, "real badly."
"Piss...?"
"Yes. Do you want me to do it here?"
"I do not mind."
"I'm a woman, okay! Let me do it in privacy, at least in a bush outside."
Mihaje hissed long, pinching his nose bridge.
"Alright." He then called one of his subordinates to bring Bella out to the bushes to do her thing.
The lizard beastman who took Bella out yawned as he escorted her to the bush nearby.
"No, not here, I need a thicker bush. There, that bush over there." Bella protruded her lips, trying to point at a spot which was further away from the tents.
The lizard soldier sighed heavily before taking her there.
"Untie me so I can do my thing."
"I cannot do that. Why not I take it off for you?" Said the lizard.
"Touch me and you'll lose your head. Remember what your general said?" Bella threatened, "Untie me, I'll do it quick."
The lizard sighed long before untying the rope around Bella.
"I will not hesitate to hurt you if you try to run away."
"Don't worry, nothing sneaky." Bella grinned as she clenched on the short dagger in her hands. It was a dagger that Satria had given her before and she had kept it in her boots all this time. She put on a lot of effort in reaching it a while ago in the tent, with her hands still tied behind her.
As soon as the rope around her loosened, Bella jabbed the dagger into the lizard's throat. The lizard, who was bending down untying her rope, could not react on time. Blood gushed out from the wound on his throat when Bella pulled out the dagger. She immediately turned around and ran as fast as she could.
Her surroundings were dark. Tall trees blocking the moonlight and Bella could hardly see where she was running. Bella was panting frantically. Did she just kill a beastman? She couldn't believe it. Her hands were still sticky with the thick red blood of that lizard. She didn't expect things to go that well, just like in a movie. Her blood rushed rapidly, racing in her veins. Her heart was pounding so hard, it felt as if it would jump out of her throat.
She stumbled over a bump on the ground and kissed the dirty soil when she fell. Fuck! She cursed. She quickly got up and ran again. There were noises behind her. She knew they were chasing after her. Bella came across a large boulder with long vines covering it like a curtain. She went near it and realized it was hollow inside, like a small cave. Bella put the dagger that she was still holding back into her boots. She glanced around the small entrance of the small cave. Her hands fumbled at her sides, touching the cave walls. It was darker than black inside. She felt a crack underneath her foot as though she had stepped on a dry twig.
"What the... Ah!"
Bella fell into a deep hole and landed painfully on her side. She had hit her head during the fall and passed out shortly after.
*****
That female...!
Mihaje clenched his hands into tight fists, his body trembled with wrath. He shut his eyelids close, trying to restrain his anger. He opened his eyes again and stared down at the carcass of his subordinate who died with a hole in his throat.
That darn female!!
"General, no sign of her anywhere." One soldier came running to report.
"She could not have gone far. Search thoroughly." Mihaje hissed furiously, "Bring her to me, dead or alive."
*****
Bella woke up feeling the terrible throbbing in her head.
"Ugh..." She groaned softly as her hand touched the side of her head. There was a huge swelling and she could feel the dried blood in her messy hair.
"Fuck..." Bella cursed softly. She groped hesitatingly in the darkness. Although her eyes had already adjusted in the dark, yet she could only see her own hands when up close. She could hardly see any further.
There were piles of dried grass and sticks where she fell. She thought someone must have covered the hole as a trap to catch manoks or something, and she had accidentally fell into it.
Bella sighed in frustration. There's nothing she could do in this darkness. She decided to wait for daytime and groped her way to find a spot to sleep. The hole she was in was neither deep nor wide, but it was quite long, like a tunnel. She carefully took her steps further inside until she stepped on a big pile of dry grass.
"Is someone here...?" Bella asked before mentally slapped herself. Her voice was trembling. She suddenly felt like a scene in a horror movie where a horrifying bloody ghost would appear right behind her and give her a jump scare.
Bella gulped. She sensed another presence there. It somehow felt like she was not alone. She prayed that nothing spooky would happen to her tonight.
"I will leave as soon as the sun comes up. If you can hear me, please don't freak me out. Let me have a good night sleep, and I'll leave you in peace."
Her voice and her own breathing were the only thing she could hear, it was too quiet. Bella calmed herself down as she lay down on the pile of grass. Strangely enough, she felt drowsy instantly. It might be because she was exhausted after everything that had happened today, she fell asleep almost immediately.
She could finally rest, now that she had escaped from the Moro. She would find her way back to the Tiger Palace tomorrow.
*****
Bella jolted awake when she heard a rustle. She squinted her eyes, glancing around. The place was still dark, although she could see a little better than last night, she still could not see anything around her.
"Is there anyone there?" She asked, immediately felt stupid. Why would she ask such a thing in such a situation? Was she expecting an answer from a ghost?
There was that rustle again. Soft, but clear. She wasn't alone.
"I'm harmless. I got lost and fell into this hole." She said again.
She waited for a while, but it was quiet.
"I know you're here." Bella said again, trying to get whatever that was there with her to respond.
"Hey, shouldn't you at least give a response? Don't leave me hanging!"
Still dead silence.
"You must be a retarded. Or a stupid animal. That's why you can't respond. You must be a damn manok, am I right?"
"No."
Bella almost jumped when a male's voice echoed in return. It was cold, airy, and raspy. After that, the corner of her lips curved a smile. At least it wasn't a ghost.
"Are you hurt?" Bella asked again.
She waited for a few seconds for an answer. Eventually, there was a reply,
"Yes."
Somehow, that voice sounded awfully familiar. But she didn't give it much of a thought.
"Can you move?"
"Yes."
Guessing from the echo and direction of that voice, he must be about three or four meters away from her. Bella turned at the direction of that voice and asked again,
"Can I trust you? Or will you harm me?"
"Help me, and I will not harm you."
*****
The Zov tribe had fortified their territories. More archer towers were built around the Wolf Palace, and army camps were set in every raven village within Zov territories.
Garuda had regained his strength and continued to serve the Zov, training troops and leading defense.
"Good day, general."
Garuda who was at the training field training the newly recruited troops nodded his head when Jentayu greeted him. Behind him there were several servants bringing two trays of item. One was beverages for Garuda, and one tray was covered in white cloth.
"It is odd to see you here," Garuda said, "this is not a place for a priest."
"There may be a long standing grudge between our clans, but we are now brothers in Zov. I would like to show you something, general." Jentayu gestured to the servants to serve Garuda a drink before calling the one holding the covered tray to come forward.
"What is it?" Garuda accepted the goblet offered to him and turned his gaze at the covered tray.
"This is a newly developed weapon. One of the servants at the fort invented it." Jentayu explained, taking off the cloth to show the weapon to Garuda.
"A servant...?"
"Yes, general. Surprisingly, he wasn't at all a mere servant. He is quite knowledgeable when it comes to weapon making."
"What is this?" Garuda picked up the weird looking bow-like assembly weapon on the tray and examined it carefully.
"This weapon has a locking mechanism to maintain the draw, limiting the shooter's exertion to pulling the string into the lock and then releasing the shot by depressing a lever. Enables the shooter to handle more draw weight, and to hold it with significantly less physical strain, thus potentially achieving better precision." Jentayu explained.
Garuda's eyes widened in amazement and interest.
"Would you like to give it a try?"
*****
The beastman refused to let Bella see him. He continued to talk to her in the dark, telling her which path to go. Apparently, the hole she fell into was a tunnel underground and had an exit. Bella was curious about how the tunnel was made, but she didn't ask. She left dried twigs on the ground just in case she might get lost. Bella managed to get out to get some woods to make fire. She also found some edible plants nearby to bring back to the underground hole.
Her attempt to make fire was a total failure. Bella cursed. Everything she had seen in the movies was bullshit. Fire was so hard to make. It was next to impossible.
"The smoke will fill this whole place and we will both die of suffocation if you are to make a fire here." The beastman in the dark uttered.
"Well, at least I can see. It's a total darkness here." Bella grunted.
"Can you hunt? There are manoks in this area." The beastman said.
"I have zero confidence in my hunting skills." Bella replied, "Are the fruits not enough for you?"
"I need raw meat to gain strength."
"But you can move, can't you? Why don't you come out with me and we'll hunt together."
"I... I am still recovering."
"Do you need help? I found some plants that can be used to treat cuts and wounds." Bella recalled seeing a plant outside that looked like the ones that Abnaki uses to make a paste to cure small injury.
"I do, yes. If you do not mind."
Bella let out a faint smile. This beastman was quite well-mannered. She wondered what clan was he from yet she decided not to ask, since he didn't ask about her.
"But can you come out into the light? I have to be able to see you if you want my help."
The beastman stayed quiet for a while as if hesitating, before answering,
"I appreciate your help."
Bella went out again to pluck the plant. She clenched on the dagger in her hand, carefully scanning her surroundings before going out. She knew the Moro would still be searching for her so she had to be extra cautious.
As Bella was plucking the plants, she heard a rustle behind her so she quickly turned around with her dagger pointed outward. A manok jumped out of the bushes, shrieking. It was raising both of its arms in the air as it leaped towards Bella. Her heart almost stopped beating and she subconsciously took a step forward, instantly shove her dagger upfront, aiming at the angry ape. Blood splattered on her face and chest when her dagger thrust into the ape's sternum.
"Ah..." Bella groaned in disgust and disbelief, before turning her focus back on the injured manok.
"I'm sorry..." Bella kneeled beside the dying manok. It was gasping for its last breaths. Her heart ached at the sight of its pitiful situation as tears started to fill her eyes. She couldn't believe that she had just killed an ape singlehandedly.
She never thought she would be using the dagger Satria had given her to take precious lives. Bella had taken two lives with this dagger.
Bella closed her eyes, her right hand tracing an upright cross across her chest as she began to pray for the dying manok.
*****
Tayen slowly leaned on his back against the wall of the underground tunnel, waiting for the young female to return. His skin was shedding and he was in pain. The temperature in the snake hole had weakened his immune system that led to wound complications and delayed healing. He had been hiding in the dark for quite a long time. The sun shone its light down into the exit and it stung his eyes.
"Ugh." Tayen pressed the burnt area of his skin. He hissed long.
He had moved from his spot to the exit of the snake hole, waiting for the young female. After a while, he heard footsteps from above, heading his direction. Tayen looked up at the exit, and the female's head peeked down.
"You made fire!" She exclaimed with a big cheerful grin on her face. She then disappeared for a second before tossing in a dead manok into the hole.
"Look what I brought you." The female said again, sliding down the hole. She was smiling but her smile immediately faded when she came face to face with him. Fear written on her face as her eyes went wide.
"You know who I am, don't you?" Tayen asked coldly. She wasn't afraid at all before she saw his face. Not many had seen his face. Not from other tribes. Then, how did she know him just by looking at him?
"I think I do," she replied, "but remember, you gave your word not to harm me."
"I did. And I intend to keep that word."
*****
Bella sat down near the fire. It was already evening and the air had begun to feel colder.
"What is your name, female?" Tayen asked, "What clan are you from?"
"Bella. Isabella Montgomery. I'm a human, not a beast." She stared deep into the fire in front of her.
Hu... Man? Tayen pursed his lips as he repeated the word in his mind.
"Not a beast...?" He thought out loud.
"No. I'm not from this world."
"I guess that explains your otherworldly beauty."
It was probably a lame joke he was trying to pull, but she didn't laugh. She was still in shock after discovering that the half naked beastman she befriended for the past few days was actually a snake. Worse, the leader of all snakes.
She recognized that pale skin, that long blood red straight hair and the blood red snake eyes of his, which were identical to Mihaje's. Even their voices sounded alike. No wonder he sounded familiar.
"You must have met my brother." Tayen murmured again. Judging from that hateful look in her eyes, she must've met him.
Bella didn't respond, she was busy mashing the leaves of the plant she had plucked earlier, using two flat stones. After she was done, she went to his side to apply the mushy paste on his wound.
"Ssss...!" Tayen hissed harshly. His fists clenched and his body trembled in pain.
"This might sting a little." Bella uttered.
"You should have warn me first. I could have hurt you." Tayen hissed again, his clenched fists were shaking.
"I am shedding." He explained, his voice was cold but gentle. Now that she was close to him, every time he opened his mouth to speak, Bella noticed his black forked tongue.
A snake is even more likely to strike while they're in shed. Bella heard that information before in the Animal Planet. Sigh... She should've watched more of that channel.
"Your skin is badly damaged, and your wound is inflamed. Without proper treatment, it will get worse." Bella stated as she examined his wounds and cuts.
"It will heal. I am a snake, after all."
Bella shook her head slightly, applying more paste on Tayen's wound.
"I am Tayen," he properly introduced himself before asking, "and what are you doing in the forest, Bella?"
"I was running away from your people."
Tayen froze when he heard her reply. Soon, he chuckled silently.
"Why would my people chase after you?"
"Because I was with Gaharu."
Tayen's face immediately twitched when he heard that name. Was she trying to get herself killed? Doesn't she know that Gaharu and him are sworn enemies?
*****
Gaharu and his troops attacked another village that was Moro's territory. It was an easy win, the strongest warriors of Moro weren't there to defend the territory. He was venting his anger and went on rampant, even though Sora and Abnaki had tried to calm him down, promising a plan to get Bella back unharmed.
He returned to the Leopard Fortress after the small victory to check on the progress. The fortress was built according to his idea. However, the construction was quite slower than he had expected.
Sepatu and Igu explained to him that they were focusing on new weaponry. Building devices that can break fortifications.
"Siege...?" Gaharu raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, my lord. We also have your idea of a primary offensive weapon in front-line combat into action and already working on it." Sepatu replied.
"Soon, we will be able to break into Moro's main." Igu added.
"Good. Very good." Gaharu nodded. His hands clenched into tight fists and he gritted his teeth whenever he thought about Bella. He hoped for her safety.
Wait for me, Bella. Please stay alive.

*****
"Why won't you eat?"
Bella covered her mouth and nose using both her hands. The metallic smell of blood made her sick. She didn't even want to watch how Tayen ate the ape raw. It was even more disgusting than gory horror movies.
"I'm good. You can have it all."
"I am in debt to you, Bella. I have not eaten for a very long time."
Ah, snakes can go months without food and water.
"You're welcome. As long as you don't forget that you've promised not to harm me." Bella muffled with her hands still covering her mouth and nose.
"I gave you my word, and I intend to keep it." Tayen assured her again. This female seemed to have a trust issue, Tayen thought. Or only towards him?
Bella nodded, still back facing Tayen. She didn't want to witness such an awful scene. His face must be covered in manok's blood now. Ew.
Come to think of it, Tayen was a lot more kind than how the Ra tribe had portrayed him to be. He was more of a gentleman than Mihaje too. To be precise, a well-mannered beastman. Somehow reminded her of Abnaki.
"Will you help me with one more thing?" Tayen asked after he had finished his meal.
"What?"
"Return to the Snake Castle with me."
"Whaaaat...?!"
*****