Lian stood up from the ground with some hesitation. However scared or confused, he simply followed Ye-Estefa down the wet marbled path.

“This is beautiful!” Exclaimed Taylum from behind.

After hearing Taylums echoing voice, Lian turned backwards to see what became of Sophia and where Taylum could be, and to his surprise, they were just behind him. Taylum appeared to be taken away by the chamber's unique vista while Sophia simply scoured at Lian, seemingly hesitant to follow him forward. Lian could even hear her stomping her feet on the cobblestone path, each step with weighted contempt.

“Look you don’t have to be here. Taylum and I are here for to save someone close to me. We’re not here to make business.” Accused Lian halfheartedly.

“Save someone?” Her voice softened alongside her footsteps.

“I don’t just go into dark rooms filled with slobbering Elings for business!” She scoffed.

“So why did come?” Asked Lian immediately.

Lian slowed down momentarily so Sophia could catch up to him. Reluctantly, she caught up to his right while Taylum gladly lagged behind, utterly enthralled by the seemingly unending wild life sprouting around them.

“I…” She muttered.

“Why did you follow us Sophia!?” Questioned Lian again suspiciously.

“Usually people who fight when they first meet don’t trust each other enough to follow one another into a pitch black room filled with weird creatures.” Criticized Lian.

“Why do I need to explain my purpose in being here? Especially to you.” Snapped Sophia, her footsteps growing heavier.

After a moment of intense silence between the two, Lian felt Sophia slow down and lag a little behind him again. Both of them letting out a little groan and even a scoff.

“So? Are we not going to talk about the giant fish, the river chamber, the creepy Eling, or...uh, the LITTLE RED CREATURES WHO BLINDED SOPHIA AND I?” Commented Taylum, now caught up beside Sophia.

“No we don’t Taylum. I’M NOT HERE TO SIGHT SEE! ! I’M NOT HERE TO MAKE FRIENDS!  I’M HERE TO SEE ARMANTO SO WE CAN GET OUT OF THIS MESS AND GET THE BABY BACK! WE’RE HERE BECAUSE OF YOU! BECAUSE YOU HAD TO GIVE THE BABY TO A COMPLETE STRANGER! THANK YOU! THANKS FOR COMING WITH ME!” Ranted Lian fiercely, so fierce in fact, the Libello on his head seemingly shaped itself into some-sort of animalistic face, even making a hissing noise.

Silence abruptly wedged itself between Lian, Sophia, and Taylum with only the sounds of rushing waterfalls, insects, the croaks of some frogs around them. Eventually the baby fox in the basket joined the croaking frogs.

I took Sophia a moment to notice but Taylum lagged behind with his head hung low. It was a bit hard to tell but she noticed a glimmer run down his cheek and off his chin. Sophia felt as though she was burning with anger; her hands trembled, her feet rushed forward with intensity, her breath pumped faster, and her face grew brighter.

“Isn’t he supposed to be your friend you FUCKING JERK!” Shouted Sophia, rushing toward Lian who was just now out of reach.

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Just before Sophia cocked her fist back towards Lian, she felt a tight grip on her right shoulder, it was trembling, but it was tight enough to slower her down. Sophia looked to her right to find Taylum right next to her. Taylum was in tears and just like her, his face glowed red.

“Don’t do it.” Whispered Taylum.

Sophia clenched her lips inwards, as if she was containing a menagerie of curse words from pouring out.

“Are you going to let him do that to you?” She retaliated.

“He’s right though. I did do that. This is my fault.” Taylum admitted, softening his tone.

“You hurt his baby?” She questioned.

“No. Someone who was chased us did.” Explained Taylum, his voice somewhat strained with sadness.

“So your criminals!?” Accused Sophia, nodding her head in disbelief.

“We’re not.” Said Taylum sternly.

“So why are you being chased?” She prodded.

Taylum remained silenced. He couldn’t say anything even if he wanted to. Lian’s retaliation was enough for him to feel hopeless and hollow with guilted sorrow. He simply stared at Sophia, hoping to conjure some-sort of explanation for her...but nothing would come to be.

“So your keeping secrets as well.” She said, having become irritated by Taylum’s seemingly baseless secrets.

“Let me get this straight. This friend. This alliy. Your going to let him treat you like garbage now…” She retorted furiously.

“Whatever, this was a stupid choice, don’t follow me. I don’t need your pity.” Grumbled Sophia, just now noticing Taylums heartbroken demeanor.

What felt like a single tumultuous moment, became a widening wedge between Lian, Taylum, and Sophia, no longer was it just silence, now there was a breath of anger hanging about. Lian walked far ahead of Taylum and Sophia, even catching up to Ye-Estefa. Taylum did his best to walk closely behind him, albeit his adventurous spirit seemingly sapped from him. Sophia walked far behind both Taylum and Lian, making sure to take her time before reaching anywhere close to Lian.

“You are getting close Lian. Not much farther now.” Revealed Ye-Estefa towards Lian.

The abrupt silence made the a long walker feel even longer. Lian’s speed was beginning to give way, and his fox even grew tired of crying. Taylum limped closely behind, his head still hanging low.

As Taylum finally began reaching Lian, he curiously turned around, hoping Sophia wasn’t too far behind. To his surprise, she wasn’t. However, Sophia was covered with a tiny brown cloak over her head and and her shoulders. She was also wearing the large goggles, Lian and Taylum had noticed before.

“It’s probably to protect herself from the water.” Thought Taylum to himself, walking behind Lian who had just stopped.

“Finally your here!” Said a voice from behind a giant green curtain of various greenery.

Before Taylum knew it, he was standing right behind Lian and Ye-Estefa, both of whom stopped and stared upwards at the giant wall of vines, leaves, bushels, and fruits of all kinds. The wall appeared as if it was alive. The vines quivered and wrapped around each other like snakes, the fruits pulsated juices at times, and the leaves glistened with the misty coat of the waterfalls.

“Armanto welcomes you!” Announced Ye-Estefa.

“Please come in.” She instructed.

Ye-Estefa walked towards the wall of greens and waived her right hand at it in a splitting motion. Shortly after, a little tunnel lit-up by hanging lanterns opened up right before her. The tunnel was comfortably small with a wooden door at its end. Ye-Estefa wasted no time in walking in and Lian followed suite immediately. Taylum chose to simply wait for Sophia who was a couple of seconds behind to catch up. Sophia took a glance at Taylum waiting for her at the entrance of the tunnel and looked down immediately. Like Lian, she walked quickly into it without a second of hesitation. Taylum disappointingly nodded his head and followed right behind Sophia.

Like the wall, the tunnel was also alive. Vines whipped around like worms and the occasional fruit would fall into the path of the people who walked it. The tiny tunnel smelled of rain. Walking through it felt like walking through a misty forest at night with only bright orange lanterns filled with Fire-Musca to guide your way. As much as Taylum wanted to enjoy the sights again, he felt the pressured gaze of everyone waiting for him at the wooden door at the end of the tunnel.

“Everyone here?” Taunted Ye-Estefa as Taylum arrived.

“Good. Armanto is waiting.” She pointed down towards the ground, brushing the wooden door with gently with her wrist.