Tai woke up to the comfy floor of the library. He groggily got up, stretched, and made his way to the kitchen for food. In the kitchen was Tenma, scribbling some notes in a book.

"Where's breakfast?" Tai couldn't help but ask. By this time, Tenma would have had two steaming hot plates on the table.

"Well," he snapped his book shut, "You need to wash the dishes. Since you'll be in the kitchen, make us breakfast."

Ah, yes. The bet. He definitely forgot about the bet. He was fine with that, but he should cook too?

"I don't know how to cook." After all, cooking was for rich thumblings. The cost of ingredients alone could buy two weeks' worth of nutrient goo.

"In the stack of books I gave you, there's a cookbook. Don't worry. I'll be here to make sure you don't poison us."

Tai proceeded to make the best food he ever made in his entire life. Though Tenma said it was the most disgusting thing he had tasted in years.

After breakfast, Tai prepared himself for training. Through trial and error, he learnt that he must always prepare for the unexpected...like that time a snake tried to swallow him when Tenma left him for five minutes.

He packed his trusty sack given to him with light items. A cloth gourd, a knife, dried meat and fruits, along with other miscellaneous items.

He strapped it across his back, and went outside. Angela, the beautiful white bird, was perched on the branch, as she was every morning.

"Hey Angela," Tai caressed her neck. Her eyes squinted as she chirped happily.

"Kid," Tai heard behind him, "We're doing things a bit different today. I have something important to do, and you'll help me"

Something different? Tai nodded and alighted Angela.

...

Sadly, they did not go to the webbed branches. Tai was beginning to enjoy it, since it got easier to traverse them. But, where Tenma brought him felt different.

Wherever they were, it took them four hours of Angela flying at full speed to reach. They were now close to the string of mountains that Tai found to surround the expansive forest, including the Thumbing Kingdom.

The air was cool and crisp. The chitter of birds was not as prevalent, yet there was this faint buzz of life. The trees here felt more alive.

"From now on, whisper when you speak," Tenma's voice was low and faint. A steady wind blew from the east. "There is a special fruit that grows around these parts. I must get it. We'll be up against dangerous animals—and possibly thumblings. You better keep up kid"

Tenma sprung into action. He climbed down the tree, and Tai immediately followed. Years of experience kicked in, and instinctively, Tai followed him closely.

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They dashed into the grass once they reached the forest floor. Through the thin stalks of grass, Tai followed Tenma's trail. Wherever he went always seemed to have just enough space for them to pass through. Like that, they did not agitate the leaves, making sure their movement went unnoticed.

Not long after, Tai saw a mound covered in lush grass. At the center of the mini hill stood a mini tree. Round, orange fruits decorated its green foliage.

Tai turned to Tenma, awaiting further instructions. Tenma was surveying his surroundings, and Tai was honestly impressed. He could barely see past the grass they were hiding in, not to mention getting a full perspective with their miniature height.

"Go to that tree to the left. Make sure no one sees you," Tenma's voice was quieter than ever.

The tree Tenma spoke of was not too near nor too far from the mound. But, it stood out like a sore thumb. It would not be simple to climb it unnoticed.

Tai turned to ask Tenma a question, but then he realised he was gone. Tai got to work immediately. He took out his water gourd and poured most of it on the ground, making mud. He coated his entired body—especially his hair—with the dirt mixture.

He tactically made his way to the tree, crouching for added measure. He went to the side of the tree that was not facing the mound. He climbed, like a gecko, the textured bark of the tree. Each movement was slow and sure.

Tai settled on the lowest branch on the tree, not only to minimize movement, but to also be as close as possible to the other tree nearby. Its branch was a short jump away. It was a perfect getaway route in case he had to flee.

He laid belly-first on the branch, and waited.

Everywhere was silent. Now that he was at a vantage point, he had perfect view of his surroundings. There was definitely not enough fruits on the tree to share with everyone here.

There were snakes of at least five different species—the swiftest of their kind. In the trees nearby, squirrels, birds, lizards, laid low, like him. Beyond the mound, there was...a green leapard? Its fur naturally blended with the grass it was crouched on.

No one made the first move.

Until, a spider with exotic colours pounced on the tree from above. It nipped the stem of the orange and bounced away with the fruit. Then, all hell broke loose.

The leopard lunged, making a mighty leap to the top of the mound. A large lizard used its sticky tongue as a fishing rod, aiming for a fruit. Snakes from all directions darted to the tree. Many, many more animals that Tai did not know was there dashed to the tree.

The animals wrestled and tussled with each other for the fruits of the tree. If Tenma was there, he could not spot him amidst the chaos.

"Kid!" Before he knew it, an orange was hurled straight to him. He caught it, much to his pain due to the recoil. The orange was as tall as himself, which was considerably small.

Realizing he wasn't noticed by any predator, he tied up the orange with his rope as fast as he could. He gripped the rope-covered orange, and jumped to the nearby branch.

He jumped from branch to branch, fleeing the scene. Not long after, a brown ball was hurled at him. Tai dodged the smelly projectile. Three yellow bellied monkeys swung in from every direction and blocked his path.

They screamed at him then attacked. Tai weaved past their lanky arms. His goal was to reach where Angela landed, and escape. Luckily, these monkeys were a bit slow. The only thing of threat was those smelly blobs they threw at him.

Tai moved from tree to tree with unnatural ease. Every once in a while, he had to dodge poisonous bites, rocks, and kill any animal that was in his way.

The longer he had the orange, the more aromatic it became, the more animals chased after it. Even now, the monkeys were still chasing him, hurling their faeces at him every now and then.

Finally, he could see Angela's white plumage in the distance. Two oranges were strapped to her sides. Tenma was nearby, delivering deadly punches to the green leopard. The fierce animal was battered and bruised.

Tai gave an extra push, increasing his speed. As he was to reach Angela, he was yoinked back by an incredible force. Before he knew it, he was in the closing mouth of a creature.