Chapter 4. Heading Out

The portal had finally opened, and the tamer started to usher people inside. Kaz and Ash both put on a serious face as people started to walk into the gate. The duo were closer to the back, but eventually became the next ones to enter the gate. Ash and Kaz shakily walked into the gate.

The two appeared in a jungle like region within a strange environment. The sky was pitch black, while two moons hung like watchful eyes, the trees and foliage looked darker shades of green and brown. However, Ash could feel the hunger, chaos, and struggle present in the jungle. Immediately seeing a Quiver winged dragon fly, it's mouth parted four different ways as it snapped down on a squirming leech. Violence leaking from the little flies' eyes as the leech was ripped into bits to fit into the predator's mouth.

Various grasses, herbs, and flowers nestled in the environment with a beauty that paralleled it's danger. 'Mocca flower, needle weed, blood oranges? That tree...is that a freaking treant?!'

'Ok, this place is most definitely a graveyard.' Swallowing the rising vomit the two felt climbing their throats, Ash and Kaz tried to get their bearing. Space travel was notorious for being jarring.

Ash looked around and saw that people had quickly assembled into their groups. There had to be about 1,000 people here, the Demon Lilies did not seem close by. Ash wasn't trying to wait, lest he meet them and get his neck slit. He signaled to Kaz to move immediately and the two chose a direction and started to leave.

A voice called out towards the two before they could continue. Ash turned and saw that it was one of the lackies that hung around the boy with white hair. He yelled, "Stop right there, all those who enter this realm must follow the orders of the Young Master! Remove your bags for inspection and follow me so you can be of service."

Ash thought he was hearing things, unfortunately he saw that the aforementioned special individuals were shaking people down or forcing them to do things for them. The aforementioned treant was confirmed by an unfortunate kid being forced to approach it. It was mere seconds as a branch whacked the kid into a mess of flesh, bone, and blood.

Kaz dashed to the other boy before he could react and clobbered him over the head, making him pass out. Ash grabbed the map off his body, along with the bag the boy held before the two were discovered by the boy's compatriots.

"Someone is resisting! Capture them," said another of the red-eyed boy's lackeys. He had discovered the duo immediately after their attack, Ash and Kaz booked it to the jungle and set off.

Ash removed his pack while keeping a steady jog and took out a bag of dust and sprinkled it on himself and Kaz in order to cover their scent. There were people running after them, but Ash and Kaz changed directions a few times and found a great hiding spot.

Kaz came in handy as he pointed out a spot that was overlooked by Ash. The two moved forward and saw a small crevice, big enough for them to slid past. Both oblivious to a symbol above the crevice, covered by foliage.