186 An Expedition's Beginning

Along Krugi's outskirts, several parties rallied together for their trip to Yarno. Many of these were Ferals and Zegi, with very little Thawed in sight.

Many elites offered to go, including some of the newer ones. They wanted to see Yarno for themselves after hearing the rumors of a paradise up north.

Beautiful forests, vast mountain ranges, a floating island in the middle of the region with a nearly endless ocean right beneath it. All of these things, they wanted to see for themselves.

However, they knew visiting in such large groups could result in the native Legions seeing this as a possible assault. Which they didn't want, all they wanted to do was experience what Yarno had to offer.

Among these parties were Jakery, Hazen, Valentine, the new Murmosa Alpha Male called Krim, Tinzor, and Reveria. Each one had their own reasons for visiting. But their main focus was exploring.

Their parties included Scaler and Murmosa Ferals, a few Thawed, and plenty of Zegi. Each group had someone experienced with mapping areas out, a smooth talker, a strategist, and someone experienced with medicine.

When Orako and Ether arrived, the anxiousness doubled down on the entire main group. Despite them being excited for this trip, each one was just as nervous. Going into new territory wasn't easy.

"Glad you two survived the long walk from there to here!" Krim joked. "We are all in our teams already. Your own group is waiting for you two by the navy Sky Beast."

This Sky Beast was special, it carried a mutation that affected its feathers and also flight speed. Making it a little faster than all other Mountain Ascent Sky Beasts.

Upon reaching that special beast, Orako broke out into chirps. Jumping up and down along with several Scalers that begged to be brought into Krugi. They wanted the unity, and their Neddy allowed them that freedom.

"Kel-kalere? Yro, vishno? Harira abehi! (Feel it in the air? No, not yet? It's our home!)" some would celebrate.

They chanted, making sweet music for those to listen to. Each Feral blushed, showing how excited they were to return home. Especially with the stories from the Eterra branches they came from.

And before long, everyone was up in the skies. Which encouraged these Ferals to chirp even louder. It was their day, the best day.

***

By the third night, Yarno's forests were in sight. It was dark out with the only light being the moon. Which reflected its celestial beauty back down to their home.

Each Feral couldn't wait until sunrise, they wanted to flood Olavin-Faa. Storming through it like a hurricane, bouncing off trees and reintroducing themselves with the wildlife.

When it finally came time to visit, Ether discovered just how unlike Etek Dur this forest was. Because each tree was massive, towering over the earth beneath. Casting the forest floor into a permanent night.

But before he could devise a different approach, several Ferals leapt off the Sky Beasts. Diving straight through the treetops out of sight.

"Dammit, well. Hey," Ether rubbed his Sky Beast's back. "Circle this area until you hear four howls, okay?"

It screeched in response, notifying Ether he was free to leap off as well. And that he did. He opened his fiery wings mid-air, effortlessly making his way through the branches.

Through thick leaves, the Ferals managed to survive the fall. Carefully climbing down to the bottom, where they waited for each other.

Each Feral stared off in different directions, admiring the beauty of their home. Although that beauty was a very dark place.

Orako's ears turned in all directions, picking up sounds only they could hear. Everyone fell silent, which confused Ether. But he knew better than to question their natural reflexes.

After several more seconds of idle listening, the females began to growl. Taking very small steps away from the main group, claws out and ready.

Ether reached down to his waist, where Tellendor would have been. A fiery blade ignited out of nothingness as he pulled back his hand, which devolved into a blue mist that quickly became Tellendor itself.

"We are being stalked..." Orako whispered to those around him.

Some males stepped picked a partner, standing by their side to protect them if whatever was looking after them would show its head.

Off in the distance, a branch tumbled down from one of the overhead trees. Instantly followed by a deafening screech that dazed every Feral, but barely impacted Ether. He looked around, confused.

Wondering why everyone suddenly dropped to one knee or covered their ears in agony. During that moment, a beast slammed down on a Feral. It's brown wings covered them before using its legs as a catapult out of there.

Ether erupted out of the ground, bursting out into a bright flame that tackled the beast. They fell back down together, where several Ferals unleashed their own roars.

This beast was blind, so it needed good hearing to survive inside the forest. But this was something the native Ferals learned to counter through the use of their own roars and howls.

Orako jumped onto the belly of the beast, then clamped down onto its throat. He viciously tore his head back, trying to take out a chunk from its scaley neck.

But it was as tough as actual armor, not letting go so easily. Until Ether stepped in. Tellendor lodged itself through one of its wings, which was not as protected.

It effortlessly ripped right through, making it difficult for this creature to escape their grasp. Orako gave up on the throat, so he switched tactics.

Using his right hand, he delivered several swipes with his claws. Knocking its head back, thus opening its maw. Once he got a good opening, he dug his left set of claws inside.

Then he tore with all his might. Whatever this thing was, it was dead. But there was one thing Ether did not realize, he had faced off against these things before.

It was a Glyker, one of the beasts defending a Light Legion outpost. Now inside of its native territory, where it would attack the Scalers without any reason.

Orako laughed off the struggle, opening his arms to the group. "Welcome to Olavin-Faa!"