Leon landed on solid ground outside the forest as Throenia flew then out of it and exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Well, we actually made it. The Living Forest didn't eat us. At least I don't think it tried."
Throenia descended beside him as her wings vanished.
"Indeed. We have escaped, Leon Richinaria. It appears the forest has released its hold on us. Most curious, though I suspect it was not accidental."
Leon glanced at the floating red hologram ahead that emerged the second they landed.
"Huh... looks like it says 'Success: Escape the Living Forest.' Well, that is not World System Axia, is it?"
Throenia frowned slightly, studying the display. "It is not. This system... I have never encountered its type. I cannot discern its origin nor its purpose. We must proceed with caution, lest we walk into unknown perils."
Leon tapped the side of his chin, glancing around at the meadows stretching beyond the forest.
"Yeah... and I don't sense any of my Dynasty around either. You don't sense yours?"
Throenia shook her head. "I cannot. There is no trace of Dynasty Andelaris in the vicinity. It is most troubling. How are we to locate our kin if even our senses fail us?"
Leon pulled out his System and checked the latest message from Vastarael. He sighed.
"Well, looks like my brother left me some instructions. Says we walk through the meadows until we reach a town. That's where we're supposed to learn more about what the hell's going on."
"It seems your brother guided this encounter as well. That is... fortuitous. And you trust him?"
Leon chuckled, scratching the back of his head.
"Trust him? He's the one guy I trust the most. Honestly, I think he's been keeping me alive this whole month in that forest. If it weren't for him, I'd probably be Krepsuna food by now."
Throenia studied him for a long moment. "I apologize if my demeanor earlier seemed impolite. I did not intend offense, Leon Richinaria."
"Don't sweat it. You were just cautious, and I get that. Honestly, I'd be the same if I was a Divine being with six wings and a harp."
"It is... reassuring to hear you say so. Prudence is rarely well received, yet it is necessary in these circumstances."
Leon laughed, shaking his head. "Well, we're out now. The forest didn't kill us and my brother's got a plan. I say we keep moving before it gets dark."
Throenia nodded solemnly, lifting lightly above the ground as she prepared to fly.
"Very well. We shall proceed together. Your brother's guidance will serve as our path. I trust your judgment as well, Leon Richinaria."
"Heh... glad to hear it. Let's just hope whatever's waiting in this town doesn't try to eat us."
Leon watched Throenia ascend into the sky. He took a running start and on the first leap, he summoned Soul Energy into his legs. The moment his feet left the ground, the energy erupted, launching him hundreds of meters into the air. When he landed, the Soul Energy absorbed the kinetic shock and propelled him upward again. With each successive jump, he gained momentum, inching closer and closer to Throenia. Even though she was faster, he was closing the gap.
From above, Throenia noticed the acceleration. A fleeting smile crossed her serene face. His jumps were perfectly timed, allowing him to cover distance with breathtaking efficiency.
Then, through the shifting layers of sunlit mist of the meadows beyond, she saw a carriage advancing slowly. Her wings spread wider as her speed doubled instinctively. The carriage, she realized, carried envoys. As she approached, she saw the cause of immediate alarm. Krepsunas of the Scavenger Rank swarmed around the carriage, tearing at the guards. The guards bore injuries. The passengers of the envoy were visible now, huddled and trembling, trying to shield one another with panicked desperation. Even from above, Throenia felt the sickening weight of fear and despair radiating from the group.
She dropped from the sky, wings folding slightly as she landed in front of the Krepsunas. Her six wings shimmered with a soft, glow. She raised her hand.
"I shall handle this. Fear not, for the Scavengers shall find no victory today."
Without another word, a crescent-shaped slash of Pure Divine Energy surged from her palm. It cut through the horde, incinerating the Krepsunas instantly. They turned to ash before they even touched the earth. Sparks of white-gold energy danced across the ground, highlighting the devastation in a surreal luminescent glow. The remaining ground trembled slightly, reacting to the immense power she had released.
The survivors of the envoy froze in shock.
Leon landed next to her with one hand gripping the severed head of a Krepsuna he had dispatched mid-leap.
"A horde was coming our way so I finished them off. Though I must say, I'm amazed you can use Divine Energy in a place that rejects it."
Throenia turned to the group,
"Are you all unharmed? Speak, for I wish to know if any of you are in pain."
The envoy members attempted to respond but what came out was not a language Leon, Throenia or anyone outside their realm could comprehend. Leon's brows furrowed.
"Uh... I don't understand a word. Sounds like they are trying to tell us something important but I... I can't make sense of it."
"It is of no consequence. Their words shall reach me in their own fashion."
"Guess we better move. There might be more of those things sneaking up. I do not like the sound of that language."