In a tranquil clearing dotted with optical blossoms, the lifeless form of a formidable flora creature lay sprawled out. A haunting swirl of amethyst fog unfurls from its tail-end, compelling the 11 Wielders to retreat. This gaseous entity devours the flowers, morphing their monochrome petals into a sludgy brown residue. Gwen steps forth, analyzing the resulting concoction.

Kanji "Why the sudden tasting? It could be—"

Gwen "Hush, everyone. Be at ease. This, I surmise, is chocolate. Exceptionally pure and raw milk chocolate. There is a big emphasis on the word 'raw'."

Intrigued, Kanji analyzes the molecular composition of the mud-like substance.

Kanji "Fascinating... This entire realm feels surreal as if it's a realm torn from the canvas of a lunatic's imagination."

Sarah "More like that madman would be John Calsion."

Kanji "If that is the case, it would imply that this entire planet is under his control or to be specific, the control of The Executioners. Before going on any aggressive course, studying our environment is our priority."

Claire "Wait! Guys! Can you bring out your space suits?! I just realize I can just absorb them lol and get our syringes and bandages back."

Claire collects the space suits and reverts them back to their original form.

Amelia "Claire deary. It took you that long to realize. Perhaps you need something to munch on to refresh your blood memory."

Dave "Yo, some food would be rather dope right now. What do you think Kanbro?"

Kanji "Sure. Let me just... wait. This is problematic. I can't open my portal."

Mina "What? So how the fuck did we access our inventory?!"

Kanji "That's because your inventories are constantly open under any condition. I guess we must make do with what we have. Luckily, we have a handy ingredient right here. Amelia, get your pan ready."

Kanji arranges a few sticks into a pile, quickly sparking a fire.

Amelia "Oh neat! Who's up for some hot cocoa- Oh the bloody second! We don't have anything to carry it."

Gwen "That problem can be easily rectified. Izzy, create 11 cups and some help with wooden carving would be appreciated. Any here proficient with the skill at hand?"

Sarah and Noah grin, brandishing their tools. They approach Gwen, their faces a mask of eager anticipation.

Azan "Wow! I didn't know you two were skilled woodcarvers. I attempted it once with my dad, but gave up halfway."

Sarah "Dude, you should get some lessons from Noah! He is an amazing teacher."

Azan "Really now? I'm now very interested! What do you say, Noah?"

Mina "Oh my gosh! Can I join, too?! Pleeeeease?"

Noah "Alright, alright. Thanks for the... well, follow me and I'll show you the ropes and blade of wood carving."

Sarah "Cringe. Ha! Jk. That was pretty cool."

A blushing Noah and Gwen move deeper into the woods, making room for Amelia's cooking session.

Amelia "Okay. You guys are my audience today. I'm going to teach you how to cook chocolate in a pan without it stubbornly clinging balls deep to the bloody thing."

Claire "Amy! Language! Dave, how far have you corrupted her?!"

Dave "Two girls one cup far. What are you guys going to do about it, bros? For really though, I didn't fucking show her that cursed ass video."

Adrian "Back on topic, Amelia. How do you prevent the chocolate from sticking?"

Diana "Yeah, how does that shit work? Even good old beacon sticks."

Kanji "Normally you need an obscene amount of oil which we lack. Unless..."

Amelia "Yep, got it in one. This chocolate is rich in oil. I'm going to use a little trick. First, I need water."

Amelia grabs her mechanical soap and flicks her right finger on the center of the object. A valve opens up and pours water onto the searing pan, causing a massive smoke stream.

Amelia "Now for the chocolate."

She tosses a handful of the brown ooze into the pan before quickly emptying it. She repeats the process five times.

Kanji "Ah, I see now. You presumed the liquid was oil so you doused the pan in water. By cycling the chocolate in and out, you're slowly extracting the oil. Clever. However, you could have just asked me to extract the oil for you."

Claire "Oh, let it go, Kanji! That was pretty cool and we might need that kind of survival skill when we're on our own."

Kanji "I can't argue with that."

The sound of approaching footsteps signals the return of their friends, bearing 11 beautifully crafted wooden cups.

Dave "Hold on a fucking dicking minute! The cup gonna lit if we pour that shit into it!"

Amelia "Honey, it's not that hot. Here."

She pours everyone a cup of hot cocoa, and they sip, noticing the sun nearing its zenith.

Kanji "Hmm... Time appears to pass normally here. But I suspect only a few minutes have passed in the real world. Now that my thoughts are organized, I have a plan. We need to understand the size of this planet. Are there only faunas or floras here? What's the terrain like?"

Gwen "That's quite amusing, as I've already got the answers to all your questions."

Kanji "Ah, so that's what you were whispering to Izzy during our descent."

Gwen "What?! You saw that?! I was being incredibly discreet. I instructed her to launch a part of herself from the RV. Thankfully, that piece escaped just before your impromptu nanocapsule encased the vehicle. The biomass she launched orbited the planet for roughly 20 minutes, or halfway through our previous fight before landing. I've learned some fascinating facts. Firstly, the planet is small, its diameter equivalent to the length of The Netherlands from north to south, specifically 321.41344 km."

Diana "How the fuck did you measure that?"

Gwen "You give me too much credit. That was Izzy's doing. She's a quantum computer after all, although the calculations took some time. I received the data as Azan was busy, bisecting his cup for the twelfth time."

Azan "It was hard!"

Mina "Hey! Cheer up Azzy! Practice makes perfect!"

Azan "You don't know how many times I have been told that. Sorry, Gwen. You can continue."

Gwen "Continuing with our planetary geography. There are only three landscapes or "biome" you may call them, each bordered by towering walls. These terrains blanket the entire planet like a patchwork quilt on a tennis ball. First, we have the forest we're currently in. Second, an ocean studded with islands of various sizes. Lastly, a region of unfamiliar stones, shiny mysterious metals, and ancient ruins. Each landscape houses a sprawling city at its heart, shaped like the omega symbol. Regrettably, there wasn't enough time to examine the city's inhabitants."

Kanji "No need to worry, Gwen. You have done enough for us."

He moves in for a hug and her face flushes with a bright red along with a subtle smile.

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Claire "Wow, I need to step up my game!" "Kaney, this isn't a time for hugs. Hugs can come later-

Kanji rushes toward Claire, toppling her to the ground just as a pair of feline claws slice the air where her face had been moments before.

Azan "Is that a yellow panther?"

Mina "Everyone, keep an eye on it! This type of creature prefers to use stealth and ambush its prey."

Dave "Alright bro! Check this shit out!"

Dave casts a buckshot of pebbles, hitting around the panther's legs.

Dave "UNO! UNO! UNO!"

The pebbles levitate, colliding, and disintegrating the panther's leg in the process.

Diana "Alright, Icarus. I admit that was cool but I'm gonna steal the show now. Come here, big guy!"

She charges against the side of the panther, which growls as it tries to pivot. They come face to face. It swipes down on her chest, scraping the shining gold plates. She clenches her teeth and uppercuts the panther into the air. Sarah and Mina unsheathe their weapons—

A metallic disc whirls through the beast's head, followed by a machete blade.

A final growl as the body splits into two-

Another growl echoes from deeper within the forest. Then a third. Then a fourth. And another. And another.

Noah "It keeps going! How many are there?!"

Kanji "My device shows there are about 128. Wait... one of them is significantly larger than the rest. Do they have a leader? If so, we should target it!"

The panthers emerge and encircle the wielders. One unusually large one steps forward.

Its monumental figure towers as high as the arboreal canopy, and the intricate pattern of silver and gold fur refracts the illuminating light. Ruby-tinted eyes, reminiscent of gemstones, fix their gaze on the group, its palpable aura of authority putting them in a state of unease. Yet, one remains unfazed... Claire ventures forth tranquilly. She scrutinizes the behemoth, pacing around it, her friends cringe in fear for her, but Kanji and Gwen allay their apprehension with a comforting glance. The alpha panther observes the petite human, yet maintains its stoic stillness. The lesser panthers recede as she identifies a predicament—

A large, rust nail is entrenched in the creature's left hindlimb.

Claire "Oh, you poor thing. Here. Let me help."

Her fingers encircle the top of the foreign object, and she commences extracting it, the beast's limb jerks as the nail dislodges, spattering crimson onto the floor. The towering panther observes Claire as she swathes the wound with a bandage, undisturbed. Relieved of its discomfort, the enormous feline reciprocates with a friendly gesture of a lick.

Claire "Okay. Okay. That's good enough, boy... or girl?"

Gwen "It's female, Claire. As is the entirety of the pride. Fascinating... panthers are not typically social animals. Yet another contradiction to our preconceived notions."

Claire "Guys! I have an idea! What about we ask these cuties to show us around the forest?!"

Gwen "A clever decision. They are likely more versed with this terrain than we strangers. First, we must fortify our bond with these panthers. Claire, attempt to mount this majestic beast."

Claire "Err... Okay. Come here, big girl-

Without a moment's delay, the regal panther hoists her up and Claire slides down onto its neck.

Claire "Yay! Your name shall be Leana!"

A contingent of ten more panthers advance and the other wielders mount them. The pride commences their journey through the eerily silent forest. Mina discerns claw marks on some of the passing tree trunks.

Mina "So this was their territory but that plant thing scared them off."

Sarah "I mean I kinda understand why. That fucker was like a plant hydra."

Noah "More like a bell hydra!"

Sarah "That is a sick name."

Gwen "Bell Hydra. The name has a certain flow to it, and it's conceivable that explorers could christen a creature thus. But a creature's moniker involves more than appearances. That brings to mind an unanswered query. How did these giant felines comprehend us with such ease?"

Kanji "Perhaps their brains have evolved to understand gestures, or maybe they were previously in contact with humans and, as such, grasp our language. My hypothesis leans towards these felines having encountered the city dwellers. We... should steer clear of it for now. Our priority should be understanding the terrain and using it to our advantage when necessary. If you agree, please raise your hands."

The team unanimously endorses his proposal.

Kanji "Alright, let's see what we can find out here."

They learned that the lifeless zone they were in extends north of the city and spans all the way to the northeast. Despite the absence of fauna, they encounter a peculiar form of vegetation. It's a thorny, spiky bush composed of lead, with pores that emit poisonous gas. Gwen instructs Izzy to collect a substantial sample before analyzing its content.

Gwen "This gas is alcohol-based, but I can see it has the potential to cause instant carcinogenic effects upon skin contact. If we weren't immune, we would be doomed right now."

Diana "So you're saying this is cancer gas? Damn, that's nasty. You're not planning to take it. Are you?"

Gwen "Of course, a chemical weapon like this could prove to be quite handy. Let's condense it first. Izzy, if you would."

Emerging from Izzy's back are two test tubes. She then starts to absorb the surrounding gas, filling the tubes. The quantum computer spins around, emitting a buzzing sound.

They obtained two vials of carcinogenic alcohol.

As they tread southwards, to the east of the city, they encounter a myriad of small rodents and insects, none pose a significant threat. Progressing further south, they're halted by a battalion of large sentient pill bugs, brandishing spears and clicking their mandibles in an intimidating rhythm. Leana emits a thunderous roar, causing some bugs to retreat. However, One brave bug steps forth, raising its spear skyward, initiating the others to charge.

Leana's mighty swipe halves the incoming mass, their bodies littering the surroundings in a gory spectacle.

Kanji "Alright, Claire and I can handle this one. Let's see if your aim is improved."

Claire "You bet it has. I haven't been slacking you know. Watch this!"

A salvo of eight crossbow bolts finds their mark, diminishing the pill bug ranks to ten. The commander signals with a crude, bony horn, causing the other bugs to shield themselves, curl themselves into balls, and roll forward.

Sarah and Noah's mount is knocked out.

Sarah "Damn it! No, Jera!"

Noah "Bruh, you called her, Jera?"

Sarah "Yeah after my old pet spider."

Kanji ensnares two pill bugs with his chain and sends an electric current coursing through them. Swinging them like a makeshift flail, he hurls the electrified corpses into the charging bugs, interrupting their momentum. The bugs collide with the nearby trees, falling to the ground in a daze. Sarah and Noah rush in, decapitating them all.

Sarah "That's for Jera! You disgusting bastards!"

A pair of panthers saunters up to the wielders, nuzzling against their faces in a gentle greeting.

Sarah "Welcome, Jera two."

Noah "You do know the first Jera is still alive, right? But then again, this place will probably disappear soon anyway. Fine. My ride shall be named... Tera."

Sarah "Jera and Tera sound like a perfect combination for some sort of drink lol."

Kanji "Focus! Guys! We still have the South and West to explore. Let's move out!"

Upon reaching the south, they're met by a swamp teeming with mosquitos, leeches, and regular crocodiles. The Panthers adeptly navigate through the mangrove canopies to avoid the threats.

Suddenly, a gargantuan leech breaches the water's surface, seizing Tera.

Noah "NOOOOOOOOOOOO! Tera! Fuck! I'll kill you!"

Just as his fury threatens to consume him, Sarah leaps from her mount, catching Noah and holding him in a tight hug, quickly quelling his rage.

Noah "Maybe I did overreact a little. Sorry guys!"

Sarah "You idiot! Think about your own life! Even if you don't feel pain, you can still die!"

Gwen "Both of you calm down. Tera's sacrifice has revealed one of the dangers within this swamp. Let's proceed with caution."

Further west, they encounter a bizarre spectacle. A stack of 20 frogs, standing atop a pentagon of lilypads. Gwen, with her unique eyes, notices an oddity. The frog's legs appear fused together. As the creature locks gazes with the group, its tongues lash out, aiming for Leana. Diana leaps from her mount, almost crushing it under her weight. Mid-air, she lands a powerful punch on the lashing tongues, but they stubbornly cling to her muscles and start to reel her in.

Diana lands on the frog's lily pads, causing the creature to lose its balance.

Diana "Take this!"

Her fist hammers down on the creature, reducing it to a bloody, slimy pillar of flesh. However, the tongues refuse to release her, drawing her closer and closer. Tumors form over all its body and from them grows a set of sharp teeth.

Chomp. They chew on her arm and a sharp pang of pain causes her to fall over.

Adrian "Hang on! We're coming!"

He jumps down, protecting Diana with his shield while Azan scoops up Mina onto his saucer, circling the frog. With The Heart Striker in her grasp, she plunges the blade into the horrid creature's back. She can see the red pigment of its skin draining out into her machete but—

Mina "It's not enough! Take this! Aging!"

As the creature crumbles into dust, Mina aims the blade at Diana.

Adrian "Hey! What the hell are you doing?!"

Mina "Don't worry! This weapon can heal people. Just trust me."

She stabs Diana's arm.

Diana "Ouch... Hold on, I'm starting to feel better now."

As she withdraws the weapon, the wound closes, leaving no trace of the injury. Kanji, along with Dave, musters their strength to carry Diana and leap back onto the mounts. Diana brushes her arm in frustration, gritting her teeth.

Adrian "Don't be upset. I should be the one feeling that way. I should've told you the details about that thing down there. It's my fault!"

Diana "What?! No! It's my fault! I jumped in without thinking. Don't blame yourself. Blame me! I'll be more careful next time."

Adrian "Diana... Okay. I can trust your words, right?"

Diana "Nope. Hey boss! We are going to the west of the city next, right?!"

Kanji "Yes, but be careful. I apologize for not reacting sooner. I assumed you could handle that by yourself. That lapse of judgment cost us. From now on, we work as one mind."

They look at each other and nod, approaching the western regions.

Kanji "Hold on! These trees are fake. They're made of plastic-

?? "Help! Someone! Help me!"

The wielders carefully hide within the bushes and observe the scene from a safe distance. The Panthers follow their example, keeping an even greater distance. They glimpse an injured man, his clothes torn and his skin smeared in dirt. Towering over him are five colossal, mutated humans. With antennae and mandibles protruding from their faces, three pairs of arms, the right side holding a sickle, a gauntlet, and a knife made of steel. The left side holds bronze round shields with an insignia of a ten-legged ant. These soldiers are clad in strange green metal-plated armor.

Their sickles converge, striking the helpless man.

Dave/Diana "Those fuckers-

Kanji "Dave. Diana. Stop. We can't fight just yet. Stick to the plan. We need to explore the other biomes before we take care of them. Just hold in your anger everyone.

Suppressing their frustration, they follow Kanji deeper west, towards the sea.

(To be continued)