Children of the Eath

Before Jade even had time to process what happened, Cairo had lunged right at her from below. His kunai glistening an orange glow as the air itself seemed to crisp up.

However, just moments before her abdomen was slashed, Jade flew away, fluttering away like a leaf in the wind.

Cairo clicked his tongue as he attempted to give chase. Though, the forest had other ideas. A wall of reptilian scales slithered from the depths, coiling around several trees.

Along with it came a flock of jet black ravens. Of course, they were at least 10 times the size of regular ravens. Then a sudden roar arose. One that put the rest of the animals to shame, their movements growing erratic as they recognized the call.

From the shadowless underground jungle, the blue lightning bugs softy illuminated the black striped fur of a beast as it prowled in silence. Stalking it's prey.

Briefly Cairo's eye met with its own. The two tugging at each other as if to decree which was the stronger of the two.

Then it lunged through the shadows it's orange fur glistened as it's maws were wide open ready to sink it's meter long teeth into Cairo's flesh. Just as it clawed into Cairo, or at least what was supposed to be Cairo, the image rippled and disappeared while a misty atmosphere took hold.

The tiger looked around, it's large eyes wide, as if to track down anything and everything that could be food.

It's ears rustled and the Tiger turned back, the figure of Cairo standing right behind it, with his cheeks blown up.

The next second, with a crackle, the air combusted before the tiger, engulfing it in a dancing melodic flame as it rushed to beat itself against the trees to put it out.

Though before it could, a thin line caught it in it's move. Completely disbarring any thought of fleeing from its mind as all four of its limbs became useless.

As the tiger tried to pull itself free, it watched as Cairo stepped atop the wire, balancing with ease.

The one-eyed man crouched down right before the Tiger's head, looking deep within it's eyes, before a swift slash completely sent the world spinning.

The beast's head rolling through the grassy field.

Cairo stepped down, tensing his jaws as the snake began coiling closer and closer to him.

"Come out, shorty!"

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Naren's eyes faltered as he held back a yawn. His body already moving towards Yuna as he disregarded Jade for a split second.

In that split second, Cairo attacked, but luckily Jade was able to evade.

Naren, slid through the grass, grimacing as he tried to ignore the ghastly roar that escaped from deep within the jungle.

He grabbed Yuna, quickly running as he watched animals of titanic proportions running erratic throughout the jungle. Jumping over what must've been the body of a giant snake as he evaded a low flying raven.

Then, before he knew it, he was in the one place he didn't want to be.

Naren, slid right into the enormous opening on the calcite wall. His skin immediately growing colder with goosebumps layering beneath his stiff hairs.

But, even in this scenario there was a positive.

He watched curiously as no animal dared come close to the cave. Their faces full of horror as their bodies stiffened with every step they took near, until they finally let their instincts kick in and scurry back.

Staring at the princess in his arms. Her pale face flushed as it scrunched in, her breathing heavy and challenged. Naren thought about what he had right now.

He had the ability to get rid of his chain.

If she dies here, then he doesn't have to worry about whatever commands she'll have for him. He won't have to worry about her at all. To make matters better, Naren also wouldn't have to worry about getting to the Tomb of Atlas as long as he can figure out how to get the marble from Jade.

He stood in silence for a moment.

Normally, Naren wouldn't hesitate to take the easiest route.

"What do I do?"

"Lousy shorty. Somehow gave me the slip!"

"UWAH!"

Naren jumped back almost dropping Yuna at the sudden voice, inwardly cursing at those silent steps of his again.

Cairo slightly chuckled with a flame blistering on his finger.

"Jumpy ain't ya?"

Naren didn't answer.

Instead, he looked intently at Cairo.

A moment of silence filled the dimly lit cave as Cairo tilted his head.

"Whassup wit you, piss-eyes?"

Naren never thought about it before. After seeing off Alice and Bjorn all those years ago, it seemed like it had caught up to him. The internal want and wish of all humans.

Why he was so hesitant to leave Yuna. Why he was so infuriated with Vera leaving. Why he felt at ease with Cairo calling him 'piss-eyes'.

Naren had started getting cozy being remembered.

He knew it was a hopeless want. Something that would only lead him to despise his choices, and something that would inevitably be wisped away into regret.

Yet, here he was.

Still wanting to make memories.

Here he was staring at someone who didn't forget him.

Naren smiled.

"I want to save Yuna."

Cairo scoffed.

"Well ain't that some."

He looked deeper into the cave, seemingly feeling the same pressure and presence that Naren, Jade, and all those animals had felt, before speaking up again.

"Dunno if shorty's jus lucky or if she knew all this before drinking herself silly."

Naren tilted his head.

"What?"

Cairo pointed deeper into the cave.

"The Bloodbane's mad picky. Only wanna grow hugged by it's sugar daddy..."

Suddenly, Naren remembered a certain Fairy tale he'd been read. A tale about beings known as the children of the Earth. Children who would often times play tricks on humans as they saw them destroying the Earth. They would appear as enormous eyes staring, until eventually dragging them down.

He remembered how their bodily fluids were capable of cultivating both plants and animals bringing about extreme and unnatural environments.

At the same time as Naren made the connection, Jade crouched inside a bush, her legs shaking as she stared inside the darkness of the enormous entrance.

There weren't even any lightning bugs hovering around the entrance. Instead it gave off an ominous premonition of dread.

Jade thought about the marble that must've been lost somewhere, but shook her head using all her strength.

That didn't matter right now.

She had to make sure that those two, The Stain of Musashi and Eye of Janus were alive. She had to bring them back to Nero alive.

She absolutely had to.

With all her willpower, Jade rose and took a step forward. Her knees almost buckling while blood trickled down her face.

"I...I-I have to..."

Inside the cave, Cairo continued to explain to Naren who's eyes were already wide before he could even get the revelation out.

"Punk ass plants, cradled around those damn sleeping Giants."