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“Ack!” Cyclone let out the moment he was tackled by Kamilos.
The act was so random—that Cyclone thought it was an act of aggression. He was about to counter an attack when the tree man, Kamilos suddenly loosened his vice grip on him and did the same to Jade—and then Hurricane. It almost seemed like the old man was grateful for something they did.
“What’s this all about?” The ever-aggressive Hurricane all but hissed. But instead of a series of too cliché evil laughs and revealing of plans—which was a stupid villain protocol, Kamilos shrugged and pointed towards the group that opted to stay along with them. It was the group with the girl Jethro has been mooning over since their fight.
“So???” Jade started in confusion.
“By the Gods, I am so thankful that you are safe and that you succeeded in your mission!” Kamilos uttered in glee.
But the three did not seem convinced.
“What’s the catch?” Cyclone asked rudely. He was a bit confused at the tree-man’s reaction, first, he goes warning them against their rescue mission… now he seems to be grateful they all made it out alive. His instinct was blaring danger. He could be wrong… right?
“Along with your family whose life you saved, was one of the earth tribe’s daughters and her soldiers. And now Terriona is deeply indebted to you. I could tell you seek help, and you are not from around here. How will we return the favor?” Kamilos asked in a calm demeanor. All three of them frowned in further confusion.
“Say what?” Jethro interrupted. He was walking towards them, the rest of their cousins and Grub was following him. They looked really worn out from the near-death experience. Well, who wouldn’t be right?
“As I said, the land of Terriona is now indebted to the three of you,” Kamilos repeated. This time he was pointing towards Cyclone, Hurricane, and Jade.
“Which daughter are you pertaining to?” Hurricane asked instead.
Kamilos beckoned the doe-lady with the glorious pastel green tresses, over. “Princess Ellia! Please come over here!” (Hello Maggots! :P) Kamilos all but bellowed loudly.
The pastel green-haired lady came sauntering towards them, she was walking with an air of grace and authority. Ellia was wearing clothes fit for a warrior, with leather and fabric that fit her in the right places… She was truly imposing remarkable sight.

“What is it again Kamilos?” Ellia started rather rudely. With hands-on her hips, she gave all of them a belittling once-over. Mint could already see Hurricane bristling over the blatant insult.
“Stop the stubbornness princess and thank them for saving you and your people.” Kamilos calmly said. Ellia obviously did not like that, instead, she huffed and glared at the poor tree man.
“And why would I? I could’ve saved us all if they didn’t interfere!” Ellia insisted indignantly. Kamilos only gave her a bored look.
“Oh, really? Then why wait for us to show up and save your sorry ass before you act up?” Hurricane said in mock disbelief.
Ellia gave a low growl at the human’s impertinence. ‘How dare she? I am a princess of these lands—yet such nobody dares mock me?’ she thought in anger.
Aqua, Yellow, Emman, Mint, and Lucy were watching the exchange in amusement. It seems that Hurricane’s words caused the bratty princess to get all riled up. On the other hand-Jade, Jethro, Jullian, and Cyclone were slightly worried. It was never a good idea to cross a royalty, and Hurricane did just that without blinking an eye… Grub stared at all of them in confusion.

Kamilos himself was shocked at the brash behavior the human displayed in front of the princess, but he chose to conceal it—not forgetting the fact that they were still indebted towards these people, and the princess herself was nowhere near being kind nor grateful towards the ones who saved their lives. The human indeed had a point.
“It is your fault that we are all here in the first place! Take responsibility princess, it is your duty to do so.” Kamilos said in a stern manner. Mint and the others stood agape at the exchange. The old man just scolded the princess in public! The princess in return realized her stubbornness was not going to lead her anywhere but deeper trouble, she decided to concede with a pout.
“Fine!” She started forcefully. Then she breathed deeply before continuing, “I am sorry for being rude. On behalf of my soldier’s life and my own, I thank you in the deepest crevices of my heart—and I princess Ellia agree my kingdom owe you for saving our lives.” She finished with a small bow. But not before throwing Hurricane a malicious smirk.
Nobody seemed to notice the exchange—or if they did then they paid it no mind. But instead of being angry for the fake apology and gratitude, Hurricane smiled widely as if planning something.
“Now that I think about it. You are right; indeed, you owe us for saving your lives. Now, what shall I make you do for us?” Hurricane said too sweetly.
“Don’t push it.” Princess Ellia countered. Hurricane ignored the statement, instead-she threw Kamilos a look as if saying…’Leash your princess, tree man.’ Kamilos glared at the princess and that had her backing down temporarily.
“Now, hoomans…the decisions are yours to make—in the meantime, I deem this forest is no longer safe for you and your own. Those daughters of Arachne who escaped might call allies and come back for you. I think it best if you come with us. I assure you are to be treated with utmost importance and receive grand accommodations and security within the palace. Please accept our invitations.” Kamilos ranted.
Hurricane looked at all her cousins, “Family meeting.” She uttered. All of them huddled before her, each had a different expression on their faces.
“How about it guys?” Hurricane asked her cousins.
“Well, it’s free food and bed—and food. So, I guess I’m all in it.” Mint spoke first.
“But what if they’re plotting something against us? That blasted princess sure is in bad blood with us.” Aquamarine said next.
“She’s right. We must think of our safety. We are too weak right now to fend for ourselves in case they’re up to no good.” Cyclone reasoned with a serious face.
“I’m hungry and super tired. And that’s my decision.” Lucy uttered next. Emman stared at his sister in sympathy—indeed, they are all hungry and tired. He nodded to affirm her statement.
Yellow was about to give a sassy remark, but Aquamarine shushed her. Jade only shook her head at her cousins and sisters. Jethro and Jullian remained silent-times like these meant they’re up for anything.

Hurricane sighed. It was a tough decision. But she had to put their welfare first. And right now, what they need is a three meal-worth of food and a good night’s sleep. God knows it’s been more than twenty-four hours since she last rested. Hurricane turned to face Kamilos, the princess, and the others.
“We’re in.” That was all she said. Kamilos smiled warmly and gestured they started their way.
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As they hiked their way towards the earth tribe palace-like what Kamilos had said, Jade and the others have been hounding him questions about the place. And Kamilos has been attentive in answering them so far—much to the princess’s dismay.
“So, what you mean is… this place is some sort of prison?” Jethro said in between munching his apple. Because they have not eaten anything since yesterday, Hurricane and her cousins asked Kamilos and the Princess who was leading the troop to take a detour and get their supplies first.
Kamilos immediately agreed to say their welfare is in his best interest. Obviously, the princess reacted oppositely and demanded her feet hurt from all the walking. Hurricane scoffed at that while coughing maliciously—something that suspiciously sounds like “brat” and “weak” were heard in between her coughs. Hurricane’s actions did not escape Yellow, Emman, and Lucy’s attention and it caused them to giggle uncontrollably. It seems that Hurricane was intent on crossing the stuck-up princess. Jethro, Jullian, Jade, Mint, and Aqua could only pray their headstrong cousin will not ironically get her head… well severed for that matter.
“Yes hoomans. The infinite forest is placed in the heart of Terriona. It is called infinite because of its ability to trap creatures in the seemingly endless forest. Once you go in, you cannot go out-unless given permission to… that is why it is a strategic place to put deviant creatures in.” Kamilos replied to Jethro’s previous query.
“If what you’re saying is right, then how come the Earth Tribe’s princess is inside the infinite forest? I believe that’s unheard of, right?” Hurricane asked and threw the said princess a cunning smile.
“It’s none of your business okay? Besides, you were all here too. So, don’t go putting this on me!” Princess Ellia heatedly argued in a defensive manner.
“In a manner, she is right. Why are you all here child?” Kamilos asked. Since Hurricane was the obvious leader, the question was thrown at her. Everyone was starting to get feeling uneasy.
“That’s it. We do not know why or how… It just happened—we are currently searching for answers as we speak.” Hurricane answered vaguely. This caused the princess to raise a brow-clearly doubtful of Hurricane’s answer.
“Is that so? True enough, I have seen hoomans before but that was a very long time ago… back when Terriona was still connected with the Central Kingdom of Titania. Yes, it was only one time—just to catch a glimpse of the royal family… but that one time taught me a lot of things. But my point is, I do not believe you’re from these lands—better yet, from this world.” Kamilos said with a faraway look.
“What’s gives?” Cyclone asked in a challenging tone.
“What do you mean?” Kamilos replied with a frown.
“I meant how could you tell?” Cyclone asked again. This time in an understandable manner.
“From the garbs you wear. It is obviously not from this world. And I don’t believe the Central Kingdom would be that advanced in terms of clothing in just sixteen years… that kind of progression can’t be that possible!” Kamilos answered. They all nodded in understanding.

“Ironically, we all came from an alternate planet we call Earth. And in that world, there are no creatures like you… just plain animals and humans. And if ever there are… they are just a bunch of hearsay and not proven true. We call them supernatural creatures. A figment of imagination… a part of your fantasy.” Emman said. They thought he was going to stop there but they thought wrong. “And why do you keep saying hoomans? You are pronouncing it wrong! It is obviously HUMANS!!! It is pronounced as hee-you-mans. I do not mean to be rude but please do change it. It’s horrifyingly disturbing.” He continued in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Emmanuel Blacksmith!” Hurricane bellowed in aghast. All his cousins sported the same expression, except for Lucy who is giving them her signature facepalm expression.

“What?! I just had to—he was repeating it incessantly!” Emman reasoned indignantly.
“That was way too harsh bro. Like savage-harsh.” Jethro commented. Yellow nudged Emman with her elbow, silently whispering that he asks forgiveness for his rudeness.
“Listen Emman, this is not the right place and time for that. And you also did it in the wrong way. That and he is obviously older than all of us combined—therefore his presence enough calls for respect. What you did was wrong. Now ask for forgiveness.” Hurricane explained sternly.
Emman, now realizing his mistake—hung his head in shame. “I am deeply sorry Kamilos. I realized my mistake. It was really horrible of me.” He apologetically said. Kamilos waved the apology off with a smile.
“It matters not, child. You were right—pardon my old age… I guess I’m still following the old ways of speaking.” Kamilos said with a chuckle.
For the whole duration of their travel, with little to no stops, Emman has been unusually quiet. It seems he was greatly affected by what happened. His cousins decided they let him be for the time being. Even Grub was looking glum. After a few hours of walk, they arrived at the forest’s border. It was a long wall dressed in vines and other vegetation. At first glance, anyone would dismiss it as hardened vines sticking on a giant boulder. But as they grow closer, it was leaning next to nothing but thickened and hardened vines.

The princess touched the vines and murmured something in another language. Then all of them were advised to take a step back as the vines slowly untangled themselves like slithery snakes. It happened for a while before a path opened.
“Woah! This is so rad!” Jethro commented—truly amazed at the display of magic before them. All of them were in awe of the seemingly surreal experience. Had they been on earth, situations like these would have been just a dream. But then again, they are not.
One by one they passed the path. As each person enters, a bright white light shines throughout the hole in the wall. “That is a portal,” Kamilos said the moment another soldier passed through and the light blares. All of them nodded in amazement.This time, Kamilos gestures they enter the portal next. Yellow was feeling giddy and quite a bit scared, but she passed through anyway. The white light almost blinded her, but it was nothing to what she saw the moment she stepped out.
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After the last one of the soldiers went out of the portal, the vines immediately slithered back into its place like it was untouched and moved a few minutes ago. Jade stared at the view before her. They were currently standing at the top of the hill—with the portal thingy at their back, and a thick forest at the foot of the hill. At a distance, Jade could see a great big ocean glistening beautifully by the big sunset—which was now, bathed beautifully with a myriad of colors. She also spotted rivers connected to the sea, its other end vanishing within the forest.
“Let’s go?” Kamilos asked them the moment he sees the princess already bolted down the hill with her soldiers running along her sides. After a minute of ranting about going slowly as surely, precautions and whatnots, they started on their way.
Obviously, nobody listened.
If they were amazed at the aerial view, then the view inside the forest cannot be measured with words. It was simply wonderful. Each tree was blessed with lush-full greenery. On each gigantic branch lies a small hut—in fact, all trees were littered with thousand other huts. Each hut has some sort of railing-less stairs that hugged the trees in a spiral manner. Each tree was connected with each other by a hanging bridge made of wood and sturdy vines. It was obvious, the people here live simply but contented.
Upon arriving at the gates of the palace which was another wow-worthy place, they were greeted by two arrogant-looking centaurs. The Blacksmith children were awed yet again because of the creatures before them. Jade could already tell these two were trouble. They threw the newcomers an interested glance but sneered distastefully at the princess.
“Oi, so the prodigal princess is back again!” One of the two centaurs said in a mocking tone. They were both girls—a mutated version of the mean girl’s movie.
“Princess Kaya, Princess Kalissa.” Kamilos greeted with a bow. All of them copied the action. “I see we have…visitors,” Kaya said with distaste.

‘So, these two were also princesses?’ Jade thought with a frown—confusion rampantly clouding her thoughts.