We found you

As the quake of the explosion subsided, Adeola rushed back into the forest. She dashed her way through the branches, her heart beating fast, an effect of the thought that something could be wrong with Walter.

Due to her pace, she got to the area of impact in no time. It was vast. She began walking to the center of the explosion. On her way there, what she saw, widened her eyes in shock. The bodies of the cannibals were splattered all over the ash that circled the vast area of impact.

She quickly snapped out of it and continued searching for Walter when her attention was caught by a very wide, deep crater not too far ahead.

Adeola took careful steps towards the crater, wondering if Walter was inside when a man, covered completely from head to toe, in ash, walked furiously out of the crater. His left eye shone with bluish splendor so brightly as he walked, making Adeola know it was Walter.

As Walter walked out of the crater, his eyes fell on Adeola whose hair was a tangled mess. Her chest heaving with ragged breaths, and her skin glistened like polished wood because of how much sweat she had on her skin.

Where she stood, her heart kept pounding like a drum. Walter noticed everything on her body. He felt a little empathy, but struggled real hard not to show it. He kept frowning to mask his emotions.

"I told you not to follow me, didn't I?"

"That's a little hard when you keep exploding."

"Aren't you the one who took me to that house that made me explode?"

"Well, it saved you from the cannibals didn't it?"

"That's not the point…why're you even here? What do you want from me?"

"Well…"

"I'm waiting."

"I came to check if you were alright. And why you.."

"As you can see, I'm fine."

"You look like you were in coal."

"What are you talking about? It's just ash."

"You're black all over."

"That's a racist statement."

"That's not what I meant." Adeola said, trying to contain her smile.

Walter who was also aware also struggled to contain his as he frowned, making it even more awkward.

"But I think you're taller…yes, than the last time I measured you up."

"You're not serious."

"I am…And I think I know why."

"Why?"

"Your knee grows."

"What?"

"Your negros…get it? As in Latina, Hispanic…."

On hearing those words, Walter clutched his stomach. He tried his best to stifle the laughter he felt coming. Put his hand on his mouth, and shut his eyes from seeing Adeola's goofy face. On taking a few more breaths, he contained his laughter.

"You're out of your mind, Adeola." Walter said.

"Common, that was a good one."

"I mean, it wasn't bad." Walter said, walking away.

"Walter, stop."

"Goodbye Adeola."

"What the-" she ran towards him, who had his back turned and kept walking forward. On getting to him, she used her sickle to deflect an arrow that was shot at him from his right. Before her feet touched the ground, she swatted another one shot from the left. On landing, she pushed him, again evading another arrow.

They looked around, there were more cannibals. They all began firing arrows.

"This way!" Adeola yelled, holding Walter's hand, while running through the woods. The arrows kept flying past them as they ran out of the forest and into a rocky, deep slope and into a valley. Arrows were no longer being shot, and the valley was suspiciously quiet. It didn't take long before they realized that the valley was a trap. They looked up on the rocks that gave the valley its walls. It was filled with cannibals of different sizes. They were larger than usual men, and didn't speak any words.

They all arched their arrows in unity as they aimed at Adeola and Walter.

"We're cooked. Literally." Adeola said, while both her and Walter positioned themselves for battle as they scanned through the perimeter. Right then, multiple of Jotunheim's flying bats crashed into the rocks that the cannibals arched on.

One by one, their impact shattered the rocks, crushing most of the cannibals. While the others fled, the slug hounds chased and feasted on them. As Adeola and Walter stood at the center of the chaos, the bats surrounded them, forming a circle around them.

The whistle of the commander began to sound. He walked past the bats, and walked towards them both. He had his right arm bandaged, while his left carried his whistle.

"Finally, my Prince, we have found you."

"Who are you?" Walter asked.

"I'm your servant, my Prince. The King has been wanting to see you ever since."

"Then why didn't he come himself?"

"It would be appropriate to allow him to explain himself. Come with me, my Prince." Jade replied. "My Prince, isn't this the sister of the warrior who brought you here?"

"Yes, she is."

"I've been itching to kill every member of her family." He said, taking a sword walking towards her with real intent.

"Wait." Walter said.

"My Prince, I cannot let anyone involved in dragging you into this hell live. They must all die."

"Wait, please."

"She is not on your side, Walter. The transitionists are master manipulators. They are worse than parasites. They get what they want at your own detriment. It's always wise to do away with them." He said, getting closer to Adeola, who in fear, began taking steps backwards to increase the distance between them.

Walter put himself between her and him.

"You're right. But you need to calm down. The transitionists are evil spirits with the sweetest tongues, yes I know, and I also know they are selfish, and use whoever they want to get to their goals. I know, but we are going to need her if I ever want to return."

Jade looked at Adeola who stood frightened behind Walter and said to her, "Your days are numbered."

Adeola could feel the distaste in his voice.

"Tie her hands, and let's get going. We have found the King's beloved. We need to be fast about it too. Soldiers of Nether aren't too far behind." He concluded as they mounted their beasts and soared their way to the Kingdom of Jotunheim.