"Fuck!" he cursed as he spat out blood from the impact of hitting a tree behind him. "Damn it! two of them?" He dodged again to the side as yet another tail struck his former position. "Three!? No." He jumped on the trucks of trees left and right, with such speed and accuracy that looked impossible for a human to achieve. He took a position up the highest tree and looked below. His eyes widened in shock. "Shit! shit!! shit!!! How are there that many? I thought we had already killed at least a dozen of them."Aesir felt depressed. The workload just multiplied. "Madeline had better give me a holiday or something when this is over." Below him were at least nine Inkanyambas. Each one struggled upon itself to get the 'delicacy' that was Aesir. He closed his eyes slightly and then his breathing suddenly changed, his stance too had changed. For a faint second, it looked like the world around him had slowed down. he leapt into the air and as he descended he opened his eyes promptly.

As soon as the Bishop came back, he has not been the same. Locked up in his room for several days, he had done nothing nor agreed to see no one. Food had been continually sent to his room but he did not touch them. At times, the servants and guards would hear him scream in rage and fear. The shattering sounds of malware hitting hard surfaces could also be heard from time to time. No one knew what had happened. All they knew was that the high ranking members in the region had come together for a hunt against the rebel tribe of monopods and the abomination that was a Writer with airships and even a helicopter. This was supposed to be an overwhelming victory. Especially with a beast such as the Acting Bishop taking charge. This event was supposed to be a testimony told in meetings of the supremacy of the mighty Grootslang. Another medal around their neck, and the flesh and bones of a Writer as the shining medal plate. There was even a small celebration for anticipated victory bef

Since the event with the Inkanyamba, things have been going rather smooth. This was because of the subtle division of labour. Derek and Aesir handled the surroundings and took care of creatures such as the Inkanyamba and any other creatures that the Grootslang had planted in the area. Madeline was strictly in charge of administrative duties. And lastly, Lydia and Tiny helped with rebuilding the village.After all, was set and done, it was drawing time for Derek and his friends to continue on their journey. But now Derek faced another problem. What was the assurance that once they left, the Grootslang will not come back for their revenge? This was a problem Derek had pondered a solution to for a long time now.It was very early hours of the morning. Derek had not been able to sleep at all last night. He sat in the branches of a high tree and stared into the distance. His mind was filled with possible solutions he could implement. He even considered the possibility of in

A few minutes later, Tiny's bathing suit had been peeled from her body. She stayed underneath the water in embarrassment. But then the next topic attracted her attention."Do you think what Derek said is true? I mean about an origin rune existing inside him." Madeline asked Lydia.Even though Lydia was not there, she had been updated. "Actually, I had known about that for a while longer than you guys.""Serious?"Lydia nodded. A thought came to Madeline's mind and she asked, "Bastet!?"Lydia nodded again. "You guys don't understand. It is true the origin rune is a treasure, but as it stands, it cannot be removed from Derek's body. And as long as they don't know about it, he should be safe.""They!?" Tiny asked."Yes! 'They'. The royal family and noble houses." She took a deep breath in and then she continued. "You guys have barely met them. And I am truly grateful for that. If possible, I would advise that you run when you meet one. E

Please come inside, let's have some tea and pray for your friends. The chief led Tiny into a hut. The hut was decorated beautifully in animal skin and paintings of a strange-looking animal with several horns on its head. The chief saw her eyes fixated on the drawings of the creature and smiled slightly. "This is not the first time that visitors have become victims. There is a creature that leaves in these parts." He pointed to the painting, "Deep within the earth. It is called a Zullezu. Meaning the lonely one." He opened a little pot and brought out some tea leaves. After grinding them gently, he put them in a sieve and added some hot water. "Sugar or honey?""Sugar, please!" She replied."Honestly, it is rather very peaceful and has even contributed richly to the fertility of the earth. Some villages around even worship it. Zullezu is recognized as a mother to the earth. But around this time of the year, things are always not so peaceful. You see, this land used to b