Bo didn't have time to mull over his 6 whole points of Soul Power he got after killing the giant gray venus plant. He called out to Sera as he didn't know where she ended up after she jumped away.

“...Here.” A weak reply came from Sera hiding away.

He ran over to her voice and found Sera sitting against a tree with the gray eyed and frozen Iris.

“Shit! What should I do?” He voiced his concerns.

“...In Iris’s backpack… she should have… journal…try that.” Sera said, her voice was drifting further and her eyes began to glaze over.

He reached into Iris backpack which was already removed from her back, and rummaged for her journal. With no initial luck, he couldn't delay any further and poured out the contents onto the ground.

Eventually a book— or a few books popped out.

He opened the one labeled “Lost Forest” and luckily on the first page was an index. He flipped through to the creatures section, and quickly found the giant gray venus plant.

It seemed it was one of the common dangers of the Lost Section which is why Iris had written it in her book. Thank god she did.

He, now more capable of reading, read the page carefully not wanting to miss any details.

“The injection of venom through its vines causes intense hallucinogenic visions and puts the victim into a hallucinatory coma. If you are stung and are alone, try and find a hiding place because you won't be able to function for a few hours.”

Then he got to a reassuring bit.

“The effects should wane after 5-8 hours. The coma will dehydrate the victim so make sure if you're not alone to get fed water regularly. If you're alone, the first thing you should do when you wake up is drink water and have a light snack.”

There was more to it, but for now they looked to be safe. He needed to find a safer place to hide away and wait for the venom to run its course on them.

“Can you still move Sera?” He asked but got no response. Her eyes were gray and she was no longer able to communicate.

He had to get going, staying near this open area and the small trees around wasn't safe.

With no other idea, he hoisted Sera onto one of his shoulders and Iris onto the other. He was strong, but even then having two people on his shoulder slowed him down, especially because of the weight difference between Sera and Iris making it awkward.

He trudged along the forest having to take detours around the trees growing down because he wasn't able to wield his machete to chop through them.

After 15 minutes, he came across a cliffside similar to where they stayed for the first night. A nice place to stay for now.

He placed the two down gently and prepared the tent for them to rest in. Their faces were sweating and he remembered what he had to do.

He wiped away their sweat using a towel and fed them water from their water jugs.

It was quite a hassle trying to get them to drink but their bodies were still capable of it, it just took a bit for their unconscious self to recognize the water at their lips.

After 5 hours of constant nursing, Iris finally awoke.

“You're awake.” He said with a small smile, trying to be happy but he was exhausted.

“What happened?” She said with a drowsy face.

“You both got stung by a giant gray venus plant.” He explained. “I managed to kill it and then drag you two to a better place to rest.”

“You must be tired, here let me nurse Sera.” Iris tried to get up but she got dizzy and fell back down.

He helped Iris lay back down, supporting her back with her hands and said, “Don't worry I got it, you just rest for now. According to your journal, you should also have a light snack.”

Iris nodded and started munching on some rations he gave her.

Then it didn't take too much longer until Sera woke up and the two slowly started to regain their energy after having a light meal.

There was only one problem, they had breezed through their water reserves and were running low, they would need to find some more soon.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Bo had an idea, he could go out and search for water by himself and take the compass locked onto either Sera or Iris. He would be breaking their first rule of not separating but they were in no shape to venture out and they were running out of water.

He brought this idea up with Sera and Iris but got a mixed response.

“We should still stick together, we can manage to walk ourselves.” Is what Sera said.

Iris retorted her by saying, “If we run into another creature while we're like this then we stand no chance to escape, only Bo would be able to. I don't like the idea of separating either but it might be the only way unless we want to become dehydrated.”

After a brief discussion, they decided Bo would in fact go out and search for water, but on a few conditions.

He couldn't get too far away, so if he didn't find anything after searching for 5-10 minutes then he would come back immediately. If he somehow gets lost and doesn't return after a day, then they would no longer stay put and try to reach the end of the Lost Forest to meet up.

Since he might not find water either, they had to start rationing their reserves just in case.

Bo set off waving goodbye to the two and left the cave, the compass now locked onto Iris’s position.

Not wanting to get lost, he would try to walk in as straight of a line as he could.

Thankfully shortly after he left, he heard the sound of water running and ran over in the direction.

There in front of him was as nice of a stream of water as you could get, he could even spot tiny fish swimming in it.

He opened up the two water jugs he brought along, and filled them up with the water, once he got back they would boil the water and then it should be safe to drink.

The forest was silent except for the sound of the water glugging as it entered Bo’s water jugs and the tiny splashes of fishes as they hopped out of the water.

He took in his surroundings and even though they had just been through a life threatening experience, he smiled. This place was truly one of a kind.

The fish in the water were almost crystal clear to blend in with the water as they swam amongst the colorful algae and plants that lived in the streams waters. The plant life is vibrant and colorful in the water unlike the dull colors of the plants above ground.

An upside down tree hung down on the other side of the stream and its leaves flowers bloomed in a gray blue. Little white and blue butterflies fluttered through the tree branches sucking the flowers' nectar.

It was a serene experience.

Beep Boop.

He was interrupted by a familiar sound near him and turned to his left to see a scavenger android reaching down into the water also filling up a container with water.

This android was a little different than his old self, but vastly similar. It was small and had a rectangular head and body floating off the ground. It had intense glowing ‘eyes’ that turned towards him and registered his presence.

The two sat in an awkward standoff until Bo broke eye contact and got ready to leave after his water jugs were full. Bo didn't want to risk running into a crosser that wasn't friendly so he took one last look at the android and ran back to Iris and Sera following the compass.

Luckily it didn't take long to find his way back and the first thing he saw was their relieved smiles once they realized he had made it back.

He boiled the water and now they had enough to last them for a few more days unless they got stung again— which he crossed his fingers they didn't.

They took the rest of the day to recuperate, not wanting to run back out into the forest at half strength.

***

After a night's rest, they woke up rejuvenated and ready to head back out. They were lucky that the giant gray venus plant’s venom wasn't long lasting, and worked its way out their systems quickly.

As they got up to leave the cave a familiar android and an unfamiliar man was waiting outside looking at them. He was a large man, both tall and wide with a contrasting gentle face.

Bo, Iris and Sera simultaneously materialized their badge weapons ready for conflict but the man put both his arms up and waved.

“I'm not here to fight!” The man said with a comforting grin. “I work at the sanctuary and my android notified me that there was a new face in the forest.”

“I was wondering if you guys wanted to come join me as I head back to the sanctuary?” the man asked.

The three looked at each other, not sure if they should trust the man's words.

“Of course it's only a suggestion, you don't have to come if you don't want to.” He said. “I'll head back now so if you wanna tag along, feel free.”

The man turned around and slowly began to saunter off, giving them time to decide what they should do.

Bo and Sera looked to Iris to decide she would know best. She deliberated for a bit before saying, “Okay let's follow him, but be prepared for it to be a trap.”

They trusted her judgment and promptly jogged to catch up with the man who turned and smiled at them when he saw they were following him.

“It actually isn't too far away, especially if you know the shortcuts.” the man said. “Oh I haven't told you my name yet have I? You can call me Jorron!”

He chuckled to himself and continued leading them along the foggy trials of the forest.

They were on edge the entire way back but with Jorron’s constant chatter talking about random things from interesting plants he'd seen to the intricacies of politics on Arcon, their worries were lessened.

They didn't even notice the sanctuary until they were directly in front of its metal gate. Beyond the gate was a large front yard with a few colorful flower gardens and vivid ornate decorations that seemed to have no real purpose but to please the eye. Once in the front yard they could actually see their surroundings since the fog was somehow not able to get through the gates.

The sanctuary was not a standing building but one built inside a mountainside and from the outside all you could see were dimly lit windows illuminating the wooden interior.

Looks like he didn't lie, Bo thought.

“Welcome to the sanctuary, I hope you enjoy your stay!” Jorron boisterously laughed and opened up the front door for them.