--------///----Eclina's POV----\\\--------

When she heard my shout, she looked up and saw me coming down with my massive earth slabs. She even mouthed my name which meant she recognized me! That made me happy since i was a little worried about being forgotten. Though while i was coming down, i heard Mina start shouting more and even towards me, something about not crushing them.

(Eclina) " I know! I know! Espiral, get the slow man out. "

I could see the former big golem trying to run but he was way too slow and would probably end up flattened. So i called out to Espiral so he could get the slow man out and i could squish the bugs. They were even running away! The massive sea of bugs were running away and trying to get back to their homes. Too bad i wasn't going to let that happen.

As soon as i saw Espiral taking the slow man away, i slammed my slabs against the field and squashed all the running ants. Then i used whatever chunks broke off to chase after whatever ants i didn't manage to squash and pierced them through. I broke off the slabs that were on the ground and turned them into a storm of shards and sent them out towards whatever was left. Though while i was doing this, i heard them having a conversation about something though i was too busy taking care of the ants to pay too much attention to whatever it was.

I was paying more attention to the bugs that didn't want to be squashed. There were even some that tried to either play dead or try to dig down to escape that way, though all i had to do was reform some of the shards into a smaller slab and slam it down so either the slab itself or the shockwave from the slab killed them. I took my time and then started to head back to the wall where everyone was. That was when i heard them start talking about basilisks.

(Espiral) " Really? Hmm... Ok. I don't think we ever ran into a basilisk in the forest. That's interesting. "

(Eclina) " We didn't but they're there. "

And they were. There was a section of the forest, in the mountains, where a massive cave system was hidden. Mr.Garris told me about it before and how that cave system was tied into the lairs of the dragons, basilisks, real wyrms, and the other dragon species that lived in the forest. We were never actually allowed to go there since we weren't exactly or anywhere near a dragons level or even the other types, unless they were minddless, where even in that case there would still be a gap, so we never saw any of them with our own eyes. We just had to take his word for it that they were there.

Though aside from the Basilisk conversation, i was more interested in seeing Reina and everyone else. I already knew Mina and Endis but the other two were new so i gave them a look. The slow man was a beastkin that i've heard about but just not gotten to see yet. And the girl... Was also a beastkin? I didn't really feel it from her as strongly as the other person but i guess she was. Then i looked over at Mina and Endis to see how they changed.

Endis looked a bit more... Mature? I think? While Mina looked more domineering and confident. She didn't look that much older, but she did feel like a bigger person then she was before. I couldn't help but look at the mark on her neck, which papa told me about one of the times he came over. He mentioned that Mina could be able to compete for it in a few years if she kept improving at the rate she was. I didn't know what that meant since no one had ever told me about what that or the marks meant, so i just set it aside.

Then i looked at Reina. She was way different. She was taller, had a more mature figure and a different feel around her. When we first met, she seemed weak. Very weak. But now, it felt like if i held back, she could last a minute or two against me. Which is essentially a different world apart from her original self. Especially considering that by holding back, i would still hit really hard with my normal physical abilities. But then there was something else that was getting my attention.

Something Reina had was giving me the sense of nature... But different. I couldn't figure it out. Whatever it was, it was something that i felt like i knew but had a different feeling then it was supposed to haave. Like the ogres from before. Reina noticed and gave me a questioning look so i said what was on my mind.

(Eclina) " I feel something... I just don't know what it is. It feels like i should but i don't know. "

That seemed to get her attention and then she started to move her hands into her pockets. Then she took out a slime core.

(Eclina) " Ouu! It's a slime... But why's it like this? I can tell it's alive but i don't know what it's doing. "

(Reina) " She's evolving. "

(Eclina) " Into what? I don't feel any elements coming from i- her. "

(Reina) " She's turning into a Demi-slime. It's a slime with intelligence and a human form. "

(Espiral) " I've never heard about that. What about you sis? "

(Eclina) " Me neither... I don't even think Mr.Garris knows about that. "

And that's whhat i really thought. Mr.Garris knew about a lot and he would talk to us about anything we didn't know and teach us stuff. He would go into boring things that he deemed to be interesting. Which happened a lot. So if he never brought up a slime evolution that i didn't know about, then maybe he didn't know. And that in itself made me want to find out more.

(Ava) " Umm... Hello? We're still in the dark. Can anyone please explain anything instead of carrying on with an entirely different conversation? " 

I didn't know who she was, but when she said that i couldn't help but think she was right. Me and Espiral did just come out of nowhere and just started talking to Reina, Mina and Endis. I could understand her uneasiness.

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(Mina) " We probably should deal with the cove first. We have to confirm if there was a queen that came through. "

(Endis) " Then how about we multitask? We can all just head over to the cove and explain on the way. "

I didn't see anything wrong about that so i nodded at that. Though Espiral wasn't satisfied and started to grumble.

(Espiral) " Sis doesn't have to go i could just deal with it on my own... "

(Eclina) " it's fine. You need to get some rest anyway. "

(Espiral) " But si- "

(Eclina) " Rest! If you don't then i'll get mad! "

(Espiral) " ... Fine... But i'm staying close by! "

(Eclina) " No doing anything though, ok? "

(Espiral) " Yes sis. "

I made sure he understood and watched him nod his head. Everyone else seemed to be paying attention to us but it didn't really mean muuch to me.

(Reina) " Should we head out now? "

(Mina) " Hold on. We have to let the people know that we'll be heading to the cove and to wait for us to say we're back. "

(Endis) " Then you and Ava can do that while we start heading over. "

(Mina) " Fine. We can catch up easily anyway. "

(Ava) " But... Should we bring the kids or leave them here? "

(Eclina) " They can come. Nothing is stronger then me in that place! "

And i could say that with confidence. After living in the forest for five years, growing and fighting against stronger beasts while mastering my tails and elements, i was strong enough to deal with a majority of the things on the continent aside from dragons or the upper races like a phoenix. So unless there was a ancient sea creature sleeping at the bottom of the cove, then i wouldn't lose to anything in that place. So what were a few kids to guard? Nothing. I could do it in my sleep. 

(Reina) " Are you going to tell us what happened to you when we go? "

(Eclina) " Huh? "

(Endis) " You know... I'm curious about that too. "

(Orven) " Had something happened? "

(Eclina) " I don-... Oh! I changed but it's just not done yet. "

I didn't get what they were talking about until i realized they were talking about when i used to be a wolf.

(Reina) " What's th- "

(Espiral) " Sis. I don't think it's ok to say anything else. "

(Eclina) " Do you think so? "

(Espiral) " Mhm. Too many people around. Wait till you get to the cove. "

He had a point. Aside from Reina's party, there were still some guards around that kept their distance. That and i didn't exactly know the bird girl and the lizard man. So it was right to wait till we were far away and got confirmation that they were trustworthy.

(Eclina) " Mhmm... Ok. Let's go! "

So i hopped off the wall and started to head to the cove. If we couldn't talk here then there wasn't much reason to stay here in the first place. I didn't go too fast so they could all follow me without being left too far behind. And they weren't. When i turned around, i could see all of them, except for Mina and the bird girl, following behind me. I was running on the air since i didn't want to get any blood on my fur since that would be annoying to get out. 

While we were going, i felt Mina and the bird girl coming back to us. I looked over and felt some air on the both of them so they probably had a speed boost from the bird girl. Though the bird girl herself seemed to be relatively fast on her own and had a good grasp on flying. But when we were all together again, Endis started a conversation.

(Endis) " So, everyone's here now. Aaand we're far enough away from people, so think you can start now? "

(Eclina) " If everyone wants me too, then i can. But i demand pats in exchange. "

And i wanted them. Mr.Garris couldn't pet me, Espiral couldn't pet me and the Dryads were too afraid to do it. Well it wasn't that they were scared it was more that they were afraid to do it badly and not the way i'd like it. But now that we were here, i could get pets from who i wanted.

(Mina) " Dibs! "

(Reina) " Wait a minute! "

(Mina) " Too late! "

(Reina) " Tch. "

(Eclina) " Both of you are fine. "

And they were. Mina pets just fine and Reina is good too.

(Reina) " Ha! Suck it! "

(Mina) " Tch. I tried atleast. "

(Espiral) " Is petting that good? "

(Eclina) " You can find out now. Someone pet him! "

(Espiral) " Huh? "

Though i did want Reina more since she felt more like one of us because of her darkness. But i wouldn't mind Mina giving me attention and pets first.

(Reina) " Ha! Suck it! "

(Mina) " Tch. I tried atleast. "

(Espiral) " Is petting that good? "

(Eclina) " You can find out now. Someone pet him! "

(Espiral) " Huh? "

Espiral was confused since he probably didn't expect me to call him out like this. But with everything that he's done, i'd be fine with waiting for my turn and giving him a break to experience petting. Though after i said that, they all looked to each other and then to the bird girl. She was the only one in the air aside from me and Espiral so it was the most reasonable idea to have herr give Espiral pets. Unless we stopped, which we weren't going to do.

(Ava) " We better get answers, ok?! "

(Mina) " We're going to get them soon anyway. "

(Ava) " Fine... But i can't pet the best while i'm flying. "

(Espiral) " Then land on my back... I guess it's fine. "

(Ava) " Uh. Ok. "

And that's what she did. Espiral slowed down so she could catch up and land on his back. Then she tucked her wings in and moved her hands but then suddenly stopped.

(Ava) " Where do i start? "

(Eclina) " Behind his crown! It's his soft spot! "

(Espiral) " Sis! "

(Eclina) " You'll thank me later. "

But the bird girl still looked a little reluctant. She had a little form of surprise show on her face, probably with how soft Espiral's feathers were. Espiral had started to grumble again before the petting started, but when the bird girl started to scratch behind his crown, it  surprised him and almost made him flinch. But the more she did it the more relaxed he seemed to get. I couldn't help but look over to him with a big grin as he seemed to start realizing how nice being pet was.

(Eclina) " Hehe. See? I told you. "

(Espiral) " ...  I like this. "

(Eclina) " Right! "

The others had been looking over at the scene and they all had smiles on their faces. Aside from the basilisk kids. They were still scared out of their minds. But, oh well.

(Endis) " If you come down and let someone on your back, you can get pet too you know. "

(Eclina) " I know. But him first. He needs it more then i do. "

(Mina) " Needs it? Did something happen? " 

I thought about whether i should say it or not for a second, but then i just decided there was no reason not too.

(Eclina) " Yep. He wanted to bring me here faster so he overworked himself and flew too fast. He got close to papa's speed but he hurt himself doing it so i'm making him do nothing until he get some rest. " 

(Espiral) " But we're here aren't we? "

(Eclina) " Not the point! I don't like you hurting yourself like that! So just stay back and rest, we'll do everything else! "

Espiral looked at me and we just stared at each other for a second before he moved his head away. He seemed to understand that i was right and just stayed quiet for a bit. Though the bird girl on his back seemed to be worried as she started to use some light to look over his body. But then after a bit she stopped and looked confused.

(Ava) " But i don't feel anything wrong? "

(Eclina) " Because i kept healing him before he would get hurt. "

(Espiral) " I won't do it again. "

(Eclina) " Yes you will. I'll just get mad at you the next time you do it without being able to not get hurt. "

That got him and he just shut his beak. We kept travelling from there and eventually we reached the place all the ants had come from.