[The Hand We’re Dealt: Tutorial pt.4]

Taking command of the situation, Kyrha let the two who were guarding the body beside her help him up while she called the others standing around to attention. After the roots released the man, the area that had been held revealed hundreds of puncture wounds. The spots were minuscule and would have been sightless, if not for the fact that they were giving off a vibrancy much like the leaves burning in the same fashion as fireflies.

Along with Ace, she recruited those unoccupied to distribute water in order to combat the roots before any more victims could disappear. Unsurprisingly, most were hesitant—bordering on reluctant when facing one so young as Ace—and even skeptical, but after seeing someone actually escape from the confines, they became a little more willing to assist. Like Kyrha, they sensed that they might have to stick together to leave the Wild Gules. Only Ace seemed to be intrigued by her decision to not venture off alone, knowing she was more than capable by herself. He seemed to have forgotten the role she was playing.

The violent hisses of the roots as the liquid splashed against the tough bark exterior numbed the scalps of those within earshot. However, like the other cases, they also surrendered, releasing those bound. Without its prey, they speedily slithered back behind the shelter of greenery as if traumatized. No longer willing to resurface. A collected sigh sounded among the wounded as they shuddered involuntarily—unable to shake off the knowledge of just how deep in the grasp of death they'd been. The couple from earlier were especially grateful, not even bothering to wipe the snot and tears pouring down their dirty skin before clapping the shoulder of their rescuer. Their bodies were still twitching from the after effects, making for a less than pleasant sight. Aside from the various glowing dots and emaciated frames, the group didn't show too much wear and tear.

Unfortunately, by the time they found those who had been dragged away, their corpse-like figures were already sucked dry and lying flat within the oversized plants. As the last drops of vitality vanished, their bodies crumbled into dust, seeping into the ground until nothingness.

Twelve of those still standing had experienced the honor of being personally caught by the forest's vampiric hunters. Honor? They were ungrateful in the face of this forced privilege. Twenty-two of the original number of gHosts remained.

~ 𝟙𝟘 ~ 𝕁 ~ ℚ ~ 𝕂 ~ 𝔸 ~ 𝟙𝟘 ~ 𝕁 ~ ℚ ~ 𝕂 ~ 𝔸 ~ 𝟙𝟘 ~ 𝕁 ~ ℚ ~ 𝕂 ~ 𝔸 ~

Several hours had passed since the tutorial had commenced. When adding on the waiting time before that, they had been in the forest for nearly a day. Under the haunting glow of the trees, Kyrha followed along the trickling streams, leading the group of gHosts and Guides. Having unintentionally become their savior, she was foisted into the position of impromptu leader. The trio from before quickly made their way forward, adopting the same pace to walk beside her.

"You seem to have recovered relatively well," she commented, glancing at the muscular man's steady gait. Head pounding and tongue dry like rough paper, she was a little envious of his energy. She was exhibiting the beginning signs of dehydration. She glanced briefly around the group, noticing the heavy steps and weary sweat-free expressions, they were long thrown into the later stages. Though her condition was much better comparatively, she had little desire to speak. But he didn't seem to get the message.

"All thanks to you," he grinned, no trace of the earlier haughtiness. "By the way, I'm Kaid. This is Sunny, and that's Law," gesturing to the girl first, then their grey-eyed companion. The wolf by his side gave a low growl in warning when it noticed Kaid showed no intention to continue. "Yeah, yeah. And my high and mighty Guide, Ulric. Then there's Cauli...we're still not sure what it's supposed to be, and finally, the trouble-making Valin." He ended their introductions with the monkey. Its lips were pursed as if having just bitten an astringent lemon. It watched them a moment before turning its head. No one caught the expression fleeting across its face.

She gazed at Kaid; he was beaming as he waited for her turn, reminding her a bit of Ace...or maybe a dog? 𝘚𝘪𝘨𝘩, 𝘐 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳. Kyrha nodded belatedly in acknowledgement. "King." Pointing to the little figure running a small distance ahead of them, "Ace."

Sunny gushed, "He's so cute. I just want to bottle him up and take him home."

"Good luck getting him to stay still long enough for that," Kyrha smirked.

Kaid tilted his head in thought. "He looks just like you. Hmm...you seem a little on the young side to be a father...maybe an older brother?" As if he had been tuned into their conversation the whole time, Ace shot back to their side.

[Dad! Look, there's something shinning super brightly up ahead.] Pulling at her sleeve, he half-dragged her, hiding his mischief behind a radiant smile of joy. Lips stretched wide and eyes turned into crescents as he watched shock pan over the spectating faces.

"Wait, he's really your son?!"

She scoffed. "Not in this lifetime." Her free hand reached over, roughly flicking him in the center of his forehead before she reprimanded, "Behave."

"That's some tough fatherly love there." Law had finally joined the conversation. His lopsided smirk revealed his amusement.

Eyeing him sideways, she rolled her eyes. "He's my Guide."

Instead of decreasing, their surprise heightened, eyes wide in disbelief. They looked around at the other gHosts' Guides—all animals—before their gaze returned to Ace. Their eyes now dissecting him as if he were a rare novelty. And in a lot of ways, he was.

Hearing the commotion up ahead, more and more of the following gHosts glanced at the little boy. Soft murmurs and whispers about the possibility of a human Guide could be heard. They embraced any distraction from their current mental and physical state. Though they were just beginning to recover from the blood loss, not only did the previous misfortune still linger fresh in their minds, but the trek itself, heat and lack of water had taken a toll on them.

When they arrived closer to the path earlier indicated by Ace, true excitement finally sparked, igniting in the form of revitalized cheers.