A Rest : don't want to journey anymore

A gentle breeze caressed Daisy's face, prompting her to open her eyes, which had grown heavy with exhaustion. She was met with an empty space where the Orange King Aerlio had stood, its majestic presence now replaced with an eerie silence.

The sudden disappearance left her bewildered, wondering aloud, "Why are you leaving? Aren't you going to eat me?" Her voice trembled slightly, revealing the fear she had tried to conceal.

Her thoughts swirled in a mix of confusion and awe, questioning why the creature had spared her life. Was it a sign of kindness, a trait uncommon in the animal kingdom? She pondered this as her gaze drifted to her fox, Ace, who seemed to embody the opposite qualities.

His piercing gaze and sharp teeth made him a formidable hunter, and she couldn't help but wonder if he would have attacked the Orange King Aerlio if given the chance.

Just then, two bulky shadows descended upon her, knocking her to the ground in a friendly embrace. "Guys, I'm fine, I'm okay, vonle (let go)!" she exclaimed, trying to wriggle free from the tight grip of her companions.

Tera, the larger of the two shadows, stood up, laughing awkwardly, and offered a helping hand, her fur fluffed up with excitement. Meanwhile, Ace clung to her, refusing to release his grip, his paws digging into her skin with an intensity that made her wince.

As she tried to push herself up, her fox's weight threatened to crush her, leaving her gasping for air. "Daisy, I thought I was going to lose you, Da.isyyy..." Ace whined, his voice trembling like he had just lost his favorite meal.

His hot breath washed over her face, his tail wagging furiously as he nuzzled her cheek, his eyes shining with a mix of fear and relief.

Tera's laughter filled the air, a deep, rumbling sound that echoed off the cave walls. "Sorry, Daisy! We got a bit carried away!" she exclaimed, her voice still chuckling as she helped Daisy to her feet.

Ace, still clinging to her, refused to let go, his paws wrapped tightly around her waist like a furry belt. Daisy smiled, her face flushing with a mix of embarrassment and gratitude, and gently pried Ace's paws loose, ruffling his fur in a playful gesture. "It's okay, guys. I'm really okay."

The air was filled with the sound of heavy breathing, a mix of relief and concern. Daisy's heart still raced from the encounter with the Orange King Aerlio, and now her loyal companions were showering her with affection.

She smiled, her face flushed, and her eyes shining with gratitude, "I'm okay, guys. Really, I'm fine." But Ace wouldn't let go, his grip only tightening, as if he had finally found his precious treasure.

"Oh, Daisy, we were so worried that you would have gotten eaten!" Tera exclaimed, relief washing over her face like a wave. "Thank goodness, girl, your luck is really good. If it was someone else, I wonder if they would have been a meal for the Aerlio or something."

Tera's words were laced with concern and gratitude, her eyes shining with a mix of emotions.

Daisy laughed awkwardly, her face flushing with a strange mixture of emotions. "Yes, you're quite right, I really am lucky." She smiled, her eyes sparkling with a hint of wonder. It was true what Tera said - she was lucky. If it had been somebody else, they would have been part of the Aerlio's king's menu. From birth, her mother had told her that she was lucky, and now she realized just how true that was.

Ace's face contorted with determination, his heart racing with fear. "Daisy, I'm so scared, I don't want to lose you. Let's go back home, let's not go to the dry lands anymore." He gave up, his resolve crumbling like sand.

He didn't want to go anymore; he didn't want to lose his Daisy for something that had been calling him.

Tera, sensing the tension, intervened, her voice calm and soothing. "Now that we're safe, let's close the cave and have a rest." She began searching for a comfortable spot to settle down, her movements gentle and reassuring. Daisy smiled in response, her eyes softening as she began preparing a place to rest.

But Ace felt ignored, his face darkening with a scowl. "What the hell, Daisy? I'm saying that we should go home!" He exclaimed, his voice rising in frustration. He was the one who had wanted to come, but now he didn't want to go anymore.

His words hung in the air, a mix of fear and determination that left the others in no doubt about his resolve.

Tera's search for a comfortable spot ended when she found a soft, grassy patch nestled between two large boulders. She gestured to the spot, and Daisy nodded, her eyes already drooping with exhaustion.

Ace, still grumbling under his breath, helped gather some dry leaves and twigs to create a makeshift bed.

As they worked, the sky above grew darker, the stars beginning to twinkle like diamonds in the night sky. The air grew cooler, carrying the scent of damp earth and moss. Finally, their bedding was ready, and they settled in, their bodies weary from the day's adventures.

Daisy snuggled into the leaves, feeling the softness envelop her like a warm embrace. She closed her eyes, her mind still reeling from the encounter with the Orange King Aerlio. Tera and Ace flanked her, their bodies a comforting presence in the darkness.

As they settled in, the forest around them grew quiet, the only sound the distant hooting of an owl and the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze. The three friends let out a collective sigh, their bodies relaxing into the stillness of the night.

With a final glance at the stars above, they closed their eyes and let sleep wash over them, their dreams filled with visions of the Orange King Aerlio and the wonders of the dry lands.

The cave, once a place of uncertainty, had become a sanctuary, a place of rest and refuge in the midst of their journey.