--------///----Reina's POV----\\\--------

(Eclina) " Reinaaaa! "

Even though it's been so long, i remembered the voice of the little wolf who spent time at our home and helped save me and everyone. And that young "wolf" was coming down... From the sky... While being followed by massive earthen slabs that could squash everything infront of us... My brain seemed to be stalling since all i could do was blink as this was going on. Though luckily, Mina was still capable of rational thought. 

(Mina) " Everyone! Fall back to the gates! Orven, get out of your golem form and RUN! Ava, speed buff him quickly! Eclina, don't squash us please! "

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

Espiral? I couldn't help but look back up at Eclina to see who she was talking too. That was when i saw it. In the gaps between the slabs there was a massive red, yellow and black feathered bird that was chasing behind her. It seemed to listen to what she said as it started to look around for Orven and locked onto him when it did. Then the bird steadied its body and started to dive through the gaps towards Orven. 

(Mina) " Orven, let it happen! You might not make it even with Ava's boost so don't struggle! "

That was probably true. Orven was already at the front and deeper then we were. He also was the slowest one considering the weight he carried with him. Though with Mina's order, he stopped running and waited for Espiral to come and grab, and actually lift him from the ground. Though "Espiral" seemed to fly faster then it thought since Orven was dragged a bit.

(Espiral) " I thought you'd be heavier... "

(Orven) " ... Should i interpret that as an insult..? Or praise? "

(Espiral) " Pick one. I don't care. "

While that was going on, we were all about to reach the gate when Mina made solid water steps for us to climb so we could stand at the top with her. We all made it safetly, including Orven as Espiral let him go as soon as Orven had some solid footing. Though now that he was up close, i could see that this Espiral was way bigger then i thought he was when he was just diving and carrying Orven. He had to be atleast three times my height and those wings of his were even longer.

Though as much as i was curious about Espiral, i had my focus return to the massive earthen slabs that Eclina was about to slam down onto the ground. She had already gotten to the height of the gate and was in range to slam them down. And she did. Even the ants that had started to run away just like we did, weren't able to escape as she slammed the slabs down with a deafening boom that made the ground visibly shake. 

The shaking was so fast and so strong that we almost fell off the wall. But then we were wrapped in Espiral's wings and held back from falling.

(Espiral) " I think sis used too much... "

(Reina)  "Sis? "

When i said that, he looked down at me and seemed to be reading me. He even squinted his eyes and then flared a bit of darkness on his feather crown which i didn't notice untill now. His crown shone in a black light that felt similar to Eclina's which made me unconciously flare my own in response.

(Espiral) " ... So it does feel like ours. Cool. "

(Reina) " Huh? "

(Ava) " Umm... Excuse me. But can someone tell us what's going on? "

(Orven) " I am interested in this turn of events as well. "

While they said that, Mina, Endis and i just looked at each other and back to the other two.

(Espiral) " Are they food? "

That made us flinch and look to where he was looking, and saw our kids cowering behind Orven.

(Ava) " No! Not food. Children! "

(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. "

Eclina must've finished the ants since we didn't notice her floating next to us. She came closer and landed onto the gate wall while Espiral retracted his wings. Eclina looked at the kids with a weird look on her face and then she looked over to us. Her gaze landed and stayed on me for a bit longer then the others but i felt like she wasn't exactly looking at me.

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

She seemed to be looking where Jelly's core is. I was curious about that so i reached into my pocket and took out her core. Eclina focused on that and reached out her paw towards Jelly's 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. "

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

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

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

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

When Endis said that, Espiral seemed to be dissatisfied and started to grumble about something.

(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. "

The dynamic between them was... Interesting to say the least. Ava, Orven and the kids just looked on as the "wolf" ordered around a bird more then twice its size. 

(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! "

When she said that, we all just looked at the "wolf" who had a proud expression on her face and then to the bird that was nodding at that statement. If this was any other time, then we'd probably be questioning her... But she did just come from the sky and flattened out a few miles worth of ants... So there was no reason not to believe that.

(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. "

(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. "

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

And then she hopped off the wall. Without a single hesitation she jumped and started to run on the air as we just looked at her and watched it happen. Endis shrugged his shoulders and followed while Orven looked to me with an uncertain look on his face. I just copied what Endis did and shrugged my shoulders and jumped after Eclina and him. Orven followed after me me with the kids tightly wrapped around him. Mina and Ava were staying up and spreading the good word while Espiral took flight. 

We were running through the field of crushed ants as Eclina was running on the air. We got about a fourth of the way there when Mina and Ava seemed to be catching up to us. We slowed down so they could regroup with us and then sped back up when we were all together again. While we were going, we could see Orven and Ava constantly take glances at Eclina and Espiral. Though we couldn't really blame them since Eclina, sure we knew here, but that was when she was a little wolf and not a strange fox with six tails.

(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. "

(Mina) " Dibs! "

(Reina) " Wait a minute! "

(Mina) " Too late! "

(Reina) " Tch. "

(Eclina) " Both of you are fine. "

(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? "

That caught us a bit off guard and we didn't exactly know what to do since he was up in the air and we were running across the field of ant corpses. The only ones in the air were Ava, Eclina and Espiral himself. So, we all looked to Ava who flinched at our sudden gazes but still seemed interested.

(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. "

Espiral started to grumble again but then Ava started to scratch behind his crown which surprised him and almost made him flinch. But the more she did it the more relaxed he seemed to get. Eclina was looking over and seemed to have a smug look on her face.

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

(Espiral) " ...  I like this. "

(Eclina) " Right! "

We all looked at what was going on and just smiled. If it weren't for the sea of crushed ants then it'd be like we were just going on a stroll.

(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? " 

(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 stayed quiet and just kept flying but he seemed to be accepting it. Ava had a complicated look on her face and she seemed to be using her light to check out if he had any wounds. Though after a bit, she stopped and had a complicated look on her face. 

(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. "

Espiral shifted his eyes away from Eclina and she just smiled. At this point we were almost to the cove where the ants had rushed out from. We kept going for a bit more and eventually made it to the opening. Ava got off of Espiral and Eclina came down to the ground as we huddled around the opening.

(Endis) " Now that we're here, this looks way different doesn't it? "

(Mina) " True. At first the entrance didn't even look suspicious. Now it's a giant hole in the ground. "

(Eclina) " I don't think i've gone underground before. This is going to be fun. "

(Espiral) " We've gone into caves. Shouldn't it be the same thing? "

(Eclina) " It's close but different. "

(Espiral) " If you say so sis. Stay safe please. "

(Eclina) I'll be fine so get some rest. "

Espiral nodded and laid down by the entrance. Then he flicked his wings out once and then wrapped them around himself. A feather or two came out when he flicked them out which made me want to go pick one up just to see what Mina's mom would say about them, but i stopped for a second.

(Reina) " Eclina, is it ok to grab some of Espiral's fallen feathers? "

My party members all looked at me for saying that but Mina and Endis seemed to get an idea about why i would ask about that. Mina seemed the most interested in Eclina's answer.

(Eclina) " I don't see why not. Espiral, are you ok with that? "

(Espiral) " Go ahead. I'm not using them. "

(Reina) " Ok. Thanks you two. "

So i went and picked up any of the feathers that came out and handed them over to Mina. After we did that, we got ready to head down into the ant infested cove.

(Endis) " Finally. Time for the answers. "

(Eclina) " Pet me first! "

(Mina) " My ti- "

(Reina) " Nope! "

Mina was about to reach out but i bolted over and got to Eclina's side before she did and started to scratch behind her ears. I was prepping for this so i had taken off one of my Siellas without anyone noticing just for this moment. Eclina started to grin and her tails started to sway around

(Mina) " I've been robbed. "

(Reina) " Ah shut it. First come first serve. Not my fault you let your guard down and missed the chance to pet this silky smooth fur of hers. "

(Mina) " It is your fault! You surprised me! "

(Reina) " Nehhh. "

(Mina) " Tch. "

(Ava) " What have we gotten ourselves into? "

(Orven) " I have no idea myself. "

(Endis) " You'll be fine. "

(Ava) " Ehh. "

After sticking my tongue out at her and making her click her tongue, we started to actually move and head into the cove. Endis was pretty much dooing the least he could do to reassure Ava and Orven while doing the most for the kids, who were still clutching to Orven for dear life. Meanwhile Eclina's fur really was silky smooth and felt so nice to touch. It was pretty much the only thing i was thinking about as we started to walk into the cove.