They desired a home, and at that point in time, so did I, but allowed them to choose whether or not we should take this world. For if we were to do so, then it would remain as our world and we would fight any and all to keep it ours. Therefore, we would need to figure out what the native races were. If they were simply Lizard and Beastfolk, then we would be allowed to decimate all other populations. If not? Then not.

Of which led to my person pulling out a fairly sizable map of our once grand territory upon Terra, one that appeared relatively similar to this one. As to where I procured and pulled it from? Well, Such a thing has been with my person since the first siege against the Humans of our world, and was safely stored within its own pocket dimension.

In any case, such a map was created from the thread of the Wild Vines of Nubai, as they were the most hardy of any other. As such, many of our own clothing and tapestries are created from such a plant, and has stood the test of time. Whereas this one, though aged, was well preserved due to the magicks imbued within.

Such a thing was only possible with those of whom had taken the time and effort to imbue each and every thread with their own energies. Of which tended to be extremely boring for those without the patience for such a venture. As such, also created miniscule pocket-gaps which would lead to the item used to unravel, fall apart, and so on and so forth.

For the time being, this map was a tapestry in and of itself, and was laid bare upon the grass and earth in order to reveal where it is that we were. Whereupon one of my own retrieved a thin stick for my personal usage, as I pointed out the mountain which was our home. "We are here," I began, tapping the image of our home which was a part of the mountain itself. Far below was the forests which were behind us, and within such a place where large trees which housed the Gardeners. However, as stated before, such beings were not present upon this world. Or, at least, have not been here for many a cycle.

"Though the mountain is cracked, it can serve as our base for now." The point of the stick lightly drifted towards the images of enlarged trees, circling each one as my gaze turned towards my soon-to-be Chosen, "You are certain there are no Gardeners to speak of?"

"Yes, Master," spoke aloud Amira, whilst the rest of the females simply nodded in bitter agreement, "Their personal groves have long since been abandoned, and any hope of discerning their paths will be exceedingly difficult."

"A pity, to be sure," rumbled Rojaahn as he scratched under his chin with absentmindedness.

"Well, I am sure they will return one day, when we've tended to their duties for a cycle or more," shrugged Sia, then silenced herself as I continued.

"Perhaps, but for now, we need to find the nearest village of Lizardfolk. They will more than likely treat us with hostility due to those present," the stick waved in a circle above my head, then returned back towards the map. Whereupon I did tap a small section of the forest, of which contained a lake of approximately four centimetres in diametre within the image.

By the by, the map has been scale down so that one centimetre equates to half a kilometre. Therefore, four centimetres equates to two kilometres. However, the map itself was in the shape of a Lion's maw open in a roar. Of which was due to it being shaped in such a way by one of the Gardeners who enjoyed listening to the roars and meows of the felines who drifted past their grove during their evening hunts.

"We should check the Lion's Maw for any who would be deemed as such," the point of the stick then drifted over towards the east, as the lake was towards the northwest, "There may be a town still standing, though in our world, such a place was more of an outpost. Hmm," my voice hummed softly whilst the stick lightly tapped my right shoulder softly.

"Is something the matter, Lord?" wondered aloud Amira as she turned towards my person.

"I believe we shall all travel to the lake first, then venture forth towards the town, outpost, or whatever it may be in this world," was my reply, to which Brutus and Rojaahn nodded with agreement.

Yes. She was confused, but it soon came to light as to what the meaning was. For I did not wish for another instance where our group was split, especially when we were in a new land, no matter how similar it was to our own world.

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"We shall all travel to the Lion's Maw," my voice repeated as the stick's point tapped the map once more, before I began to roll it up, "After a thorough search, we shall then journey forth to the other designated space."

"Why not both at the same time?" asked Melephas, his facial features scrunched in confusion at my words.

"If you wish to journey forth to the outpost, then by all means," the stick was used to point in the general direction of their other specified area, "but you will be travelling alone where you shall be defenseless against the inhabitants of Nubai."

"I have my lightning; I'll be fine," his body turned to leave, but stopped when he heard Rojaahn's comment.

"If this world is any like our own, then it'll have several colonies of Storm Beetles."

"Which are?" asked the Human, dreading the answer which was to come.

Of which was picked up by Shauu, whose facial features contained a glimmer of contemplation as she thought long and hard, "Storm Beetles," she muttered softly. Of which led to her eyes brightening as such a creature dawned upon her mind, "Weren't those the annoying insects which ate lightning during the storms?"

"Yes," growled the other with a deep frown, "They interfered with all of my experiments, and I had to ask our Master for special permission to slay those which came to close to what was mine."

"Enough," I commanded, turning my body about so that I, at least, would begin the trek towards the Lion's Maw, "You either come or you do not, I care nothing for it." As such, I and mine left the area, leaving the Human to his own devices.

However, the moment he found himself truly alone, he called out to us, "Wait up, will you?" To which we did not, nor did we slow our pace in order for him to come upon us more swiftly.

In any case, our journey through the forest was as quiet as one would expect, especially when a group of twenty and three beings made their presences known to the creatures within. Of whom each stayed as silent as they could, for fear of their own deaths if we were to spy their persons. For such a thing was common with all creatures, as they would prefer to hide rather than be eaten.

Though, we did come across a blue haired ape who "Ooked" and screamed at us for a time. For it believed we were there to challenge it for its territory, and would not leave us be until Sia became rather angered by the noise. Whereupon she did give chase to it, and easily caught the creature by the neck. Afterwards? Well, she tore it out in front of the many eyes which were hidden all around our persons.

Yes. This did stir many more hapless blue apes to fall upon our position, but I did allow our newest member to use his own strength to combat them. Of which did scatter after two of their number were electrified, but not due to the magicks therein. No. For such a spectacle did call upon the Storm Beetles from their home.

Such a place, by the by, was deep under the earth. All one was able to glean from them, however, were their large pincers which were as long and as sharp as Amira's scythe. Whereupon they did grapple the bodies of the electrified apes, and dragged them down into the earth. Thus, vanishing from our sight.

Or, rather, from the Mage's sight. For the creatures were still visible, if one were to know where to find them.

For instance, the areas which the beetles call home always have white spotted, blue toadstools growing nearby. Such flora contained traces of electricity which were fed off of the remains the Storm Beetles took to their homes. As such, one was able to pick them for various experiments, potions, or weaponry. However, one must be careful to never touch the cap of the toadstool, as such an action will electrify the body to the point of stunning it. Thus, rendering them unable to do much as the beetles come for your person.

After such a show, and explanation to my supposed brother, did we resume our journey. All the while, I had to explain to his person on what to watch out for. For he sometimes found himself in quite a few predicaments. Such as finding himself upside-down from Snare Roots, sinking into a Pit of No Return, and many other hidden traps.

Yes. Such a thing was amusing to we who were familiar to the area, but what was truly hilarious was him trying to play a prank upon our persons. Such as not telling us about the toadstool patch we walked right into. Here, he stayed upon the edges with a large grin upon his features. When asked what he found so amusing, he pointed to the flora around us. "See?" he called out, believing he was safe, "Blue spots on white, which means you'll all be visited by your beetles."

"Blue spots on white?" Rojaahn and Shauu's eyes widened as they stared about their persons after exclaiming as such. Upon noting the truth of it, did they each come to my person in begging for a pair of satchels. Once they received such a gift, did they begin to uproot each and every toadstool they could find.

"What?" Melephas was confused, as he continued to stare at the pair's enthusiastic uprooting session, "What's going on?"

"These are Blue Spotted Shrooms, Melephas," I grinned up at his person, who replied with a frown, "They are a delicacy to those who know how to prepare them. As such, Shauu and Rojaahn, who are of the Bear Beastman tribe, are experts when creating dishes around the Shrooms."

"In other words," Amira grinned, slapping the Mage's back hard enough to cause him to fall face down upon the ground, "Thank you, Human, for the meal you've gifted us."