Turning into his front yard, Imuru had his thoughts solely on one individual, and her motives.
"Linira… What is she up to? Clearly she's trying to test me. 'Inexperienced' she said. She's not wrong, but no one has to know that. Pfft. At least I got her out of my hair for the time being… When she gets back, I just need to act normal…"
He halted, chin lifted, as he planned out how he'll handle Linira.
As he mumbled inaudible words, Cag, Stulte and Yosho observed in the back quietly.
Stulte growled, the sound muffled by his gag, getting more and more agitated. His heart pounded like a beating drum, glaring at the back of Imuru's head. The second he felt Cag's grip loosened on him by a miniscule degree, Stulte swept into action lunging at Imuru.
Without even a glance, Imuru casually sent a fist backwards—a minimum effort of strength, that landed Stulte right back into Cag's arms.
The Dark Devider puked in his mouth, his legs beneath him giving way from the blow he sustained from Imuru.
Yosho held a hand over her mouth, moving from behind the Cag and Stulte to prevent any further attempts of an attack on Imuru while his back was turned… though, Stulte was no longer in the position to pose any threat.
Cag gritted his teeth, infuriated by his comrade's foolish aggression.
"You damn fool."
Was the thought that ran through his mind. He removed the gag from Stulte's mouth, allowing him to cough up what was caught in his throat.
Hearing the sound of someone that sounded like they were on the brink of dying, Imuru turned his head, eyes over his shoulder, perplexed.
"?"
"EH!"
In an instant Imuru was at Stulte's side in a panicked manner. "My apologies. I didn't mean for that to happen!"
"No." Cag raised a dismissive hand. "It was his fault entirely," The Dark Devider strongly let Imuru know the blame was not to be placed upon him.
Cag felt his words clamped in his throat, his eyes widened and mouth in fearful shock.
Yosho and Imuru shot stern glares behind them, only for it to be Forcent returning home; at long last. The Ennom marched up to the porch, laying down, not once paying any attention to the situation unfolding.
"FORCENT!"
The Ennom's ears perked up, his attention drawn from the loud outburst of emotion, a look of shock on his face.
Imuru rocketed up to his feet, hands in the air in cheer. He didn't bother for the little steps leaping up the porch.
Cag fell back, trembling. "An Ennom this far from Mount Criin? Why? He follows this young man?"
Cag's mind was an ocean of disbelief, he believed what his eyes were showing. Is it a trick of the mind? So he hoped.
"Did hunting go well today?"
Imuru's eyes beamed with unblinking intrigue, bending over, hands on knees.
Forcent's expression dulled to a plain look, readapting to Imuru's enthusiastic nature. "Very successful."
"Ooh…" Imuru straightened himself, hands on hips. "You wouldn't believe what happened, when you were gone. Pure chaos." He glanced off with a cheeky smirk. "Of course, I handled it."
"Hm. To be expected. If you don't mind, I will be resting…" Forcent laid down his head, closing his eyes. "If you need me, let me know."
Imuru nodded, his gaze steadily sweeping over the fluffy form on the Ennom laid in front of him. Imuru had a sheepish look on his face, while he twiddled his index fingers.
"Yosho… Keep an eye on them. I have to… Uhm… ensure Forcent's… Heal-thy." Imuru formed a shaky excuse.
Yosho didn't question simply bowing upon Imuru's order.
Right away Imuru went and made himself comfortable, his movements gentle and deliberate, taking his place beside Forcent, sinking in a puff of snowy fur.
"Ow~..." Imuru moaned lowly in the pleasure of comfort. "Work… later…" He yawned, succumbing to slumber.
"Is that truly an Ennom?" Cag inquired, his voice trembling.
The reply to his question was swift from the standing secretary.
"Indeed it is. There's nothing to fear of Forcent, he's rather docile these days."
Cag gulped a little uncertain of what to believe. The creature is there, denial wouldn't make it disappear.
"Is it possible that…"
Cag regained his composure, standing back to his feet with a few fearful glances.
"Such a powerful force here. Are there others?"
"None I could think of that currently exist… that at least comes close to Great Imuru's strength as Forcent."
Her judgment was firm and final.
Cag nodded in a hesitant manner, another curiosity on his mind.
"Is it true? The Guardian of the forest is no more."
There it was; it came out and Yosho gave a light smile.
"The Guardian no longer exists… I presume. Whether it simply left or another issue came to be, no one's certain. But… why brood, when Great Imuru is here to ensure prosperity that will surpass the reign of Guardian's."
Cag's head dipped, everything settling in his mind. "What unfortunate luck… Another powerful force…"
In the region of the forest, where the trees held that green-shade on their leaves, thinned at their base and grew spaciously apart, Erinot was exploring around, following his nose to the direction it leads.
His senses were highly heightened. Even with trees the area was far too open, with very few bushes or thickets to offer concealment. Every step felt exposed.
Yet, the region held a profoundly tranquil feel. The only sounds were the small, rhythmic chirps of hidden insects and the gentle, constant rustling of leaves high above—a peaceful melody.
Drawing closer to his destination, the quiet and natural ambience of the forest drowned out swiftly, replaced by the echoing of voices, grunts and the fall of trees.
From a distance his eyes landed a site of Orcs knocking over trees… Some simply uprooted them with their bare hands.
It didn't take long for him to be noticed, one in the midst of barehandedly plucking a tree from the ground. The Orc didn't make a sound, or movement of a muscle for a few seconds, discerning Erinot with his eyes.
The Orc squinted, the three others hard at work soon followed his line of attention to see what had caught his interest.
Breaking this little stand still Erinot bowed his head; the Orcs did the same. They were back at work, Erinot not an seen as an enemy.
Peeking out his head a little from the ground, someone had their predatory eyes on them without their knowledge—a lizardman.
The lizard man swiftly went back underground after taking note of this interaction. Moving through the ground was like sand to him, thanks to the lizardmen's natural Gift [Earth Shifting].
The lizard man traveled deep down, until he fell out into an area. It would've been a dark tunnel, but lined the walls were torches that illuminated the surroundings.
He placed the palm of his hand on the wall, tapping it three times in a row. In almost an instant, Lizardmen came forth from the wall at his call.
The three that came were quick to question the reason for such urgency in his call.
Kigaru was quick to address them upon their request.
"Orcs have moved into our territory. The brutes have been causing mass destruction of our land. Worse yet, they are working with Persudos it seems."
Kigaru ensured to have it sound like the end of the world, pointing upwards animated and eyes wide.
The largest lizardman Crun, in front of the group crossed his arms across his chest. "You've been to the surface?" He made a step closer. "You didn't cause any trouble, did you?"
"Wha-t?" Kigaru eased back to create some space between them. "Me? Noooo…"
Crun sighed, satisfied.
"Good. Try to keep this to yourself. I'm not interested in watching over you for another week."
"That is your concern?!"
Kigaru expressed, heated. His fists tightly clenched, quivered from the sheer irritation of his reaction.
"Our land is being burnt above us and you worry of babysitting duty?" He leaned over right, to address the other lizardmen behind Crun. "Can you believe that?" He inquired, his tone hushed.
"Pfft." Crun scoffed, hearing not a word to be believed.
"Such an exaggeration—"
Kigaru marched up to Crun, and stared up at him with the piercing intensity of his golden eyes, a stiff look of displeasure printed on his face.
"Then why don't you take a look? Even then, aren't you concerned with what the Persudos are up to—"
Kigaru paused.
"Erinot himself was up there."
This sent a cold shiver up the Lizardmen's spine. Crun blinked, his rigid posture now shaken and loosened.
"A~a… Erinot? You're certain? That Persudos doesn't ally with anyone or anything."
Crun tried to mostly convince himself. Ignorance was bliss in this situation, he didn't see the Persudo himself.
Kigaru knew he'd get this exact reaction; albeit he didn't expect them to be this rattled.
"Is this Erinot, that bad?" Kigaru asked himself, scratching his face lightly.
"Certain as a great seer."
"If that's true…"
Crun gaze drifted off, and mumbled words faded out, finishing his sentence in his mind.
"Let's move," He said to the lizardmen behind him, as they retreated into the walls before Kigaru could get another word out.
Some time had passed, as the evening glow began to sweep over the forest. Erinot laid observing the Orcs at work, his demeanor awaiting.
His patience was great, and he stood upon the sight of his long awaited guest; Orc General Nudge of the Real Mountain Orcs Rebel Group.
The General was armoured for conflict, whether gauged towards him or potential outside force, was yet to be seen.
"Leader of the Grand Pack; Erinot."
General Nudge greeted, the distance closing between them.
"It's a pleasure to meet you again. I had recommended you to my lord and he was very eager to meet you."
The General spoke highly, it was only natural, as this personal request came from his lord.
The two didn't waste much time speaking in the area, leaving promptly.
It soon became clear that Erinot had entered the Orcs' outer sphere of influence—a palpable shift in the air where the ambient energy felt heavier, more territorial. His own influence would decline the further he went, and danger grew sharper with each step, worsened by the fact he'd come along.
Erinot didn't particularly mind though. He was here to try diplomacy; or at least, the rough approximation of it, done the way he imagined a certain obnoxiously kind person might have attempted it.
When they reached their destination, the forest fell away completely. The area was cleared of trees, and they stood at a vantage point overlooking a large, bowl-like depression in the earth. Below, nestled within it, lay a small, fortified settlement of Orcs—huts or timber and hide, watch-fires and the distant clang of a forge.
General Nudge and Erinot skirted the edge until they found a rough, sloping path leading down into the depression. The moment Erinot started his descent, attention locked onto him. Orc sentinels straightened, hands moving to weapons, their broad faces turning toward the intruder with unmistakable vigilance.
Escorted through the area of rough looking huts, Erinot received untrustworthy gazes from the Orcs he met with eye contact. Some simply observed the Persudo, blank unjudging expression on their weary face.
A somber walk, where the air was musty, and the area a gray morphing of sorrow.
On their straight path, Erinot now focused ahead, having now reached the doors of their leader.
Two Orc's stood guard by his hut, very similar to that of his own people, to the point of being indistinguishable.
General Nudge stepped forward, bowing down on one knee, he called forth his lord.
"My Great Lord, I have Persudo you wish to speak with: Erinot, Leader of the Grand Pack." His voice measured with quivering loyalty, and a deeply bowed head.
"Thank you!"
An earnest voice rumbled from the darkness. The lord of these stepped from his hut, out into the light. He stood at an imposing height of 6'4", a mountain of muscle and menace. Had a simple black cape that covered half his back, and a vicious slash scare that carved its way across his left eye, that still held sight.
General Nudge rose to his feet, and stepped back, giving Erinot the position up front to the leader.
"Erinot," He said bowing, his tone hushed.
"I am Orc Gull. Leader of the Rebel Group Real Mountain Orcs—"
Gull squinted, tilting his head subtly.
"You… came alone?"
"As a sign of trust."
Erinot answered, hoping he would've pointed it out, as this was still very strange to even him.
Gull flinched, not once expecting he'd hear those words… It was very comforting. A little weariness he had his eyes batted away with brightened positivity.
"Let's go for a walk, and speak of future plans."
Gull said this in a sharp twist of upbeat joy, his body gesturing loosely.
Erinot accepted, his ears perked up.
Leaving the grounds of the small settlement, the pair walked side-by-side as they began to discuss future plans.
"You wish to make peace with the powers of the forest? Do you not?"
Erinot inquired, his expression unreadable and eyes observant.
"I do. My loyal General: Nudge, had prepared this meet up with a mysterious individual. Considering what he spoke to was an Ennom I'd imagine this person must hold quite the might."
Gull's words were laced highly in intrigue, faint hope, and surfacing anxiety, an easy read for the Persudo.
Erinot couldn't help but smirk a little. It was quite the situation; he knew it was very unnecessary anxiety… but of course, so it is when you're in the dark. He didn't want to judge, nonetheless he couldn't stop himself from finding it absurd.
"Wash away your anxiety… Unless, you're scared of hugs?"
Erinot asked, a casual and kind dismissal.
Orc gasped, his mouth left agape, and eyes a strained confusion. He began words but stammered over them, unsure what to say.
To all intents and purposes the conversation glided between the two, any initial tension a false forecast of anticipation.
…
….
For a short while at least. Unbeknownst to them, the opposing and most dominant force in this forest region already had eyes on them.