Without having to stop at Oxcross, and going straight through Frostfell with a little help from Juma who they had met there, Meyara and Adriel's journey became much easier and shorter, at least until now. Even so, the sun was almost setting when they were more than halfway to Dawnlake village.

Right. They headed for Dawnlake village according to the directions given to them in Oxcross. Despite everything they witnessed from the people, they had no choice but to follow the Chieftain's advice.

“I haven't changed my mind. I still stand by my opinion that we should not listen to what the Oxcross leader says," said Adriel while combing his rain-stained hair. He glanced at Meyara who was completely dry and protected behind a makeshift leaf umbrella. Subconsciously, he heaved a sigh of relief at the sight. “You haven't forgotten what they did to Warren, have you?”

“Whatever happened between Oxcross and Warren, I'm sure it's only on a personal level. They won’t hurt anyone but Warren.” In stark contrast to a few moments ago, Meyara was much calmer and more perceptive. She simply threw away her umbrella after realizing that they were no longer in the rain zone. “Otherwise, why would they entertain and treat us well when we come to their village?”

“I'm sure they're already planning something.”

"That plan is none of our business and we don't need to think about it," she answered coldly. “Quicken your steps! We don't know what we’ll encounter in this area at night. We'd better find a safe place immediately."

The area they were in now was completely different from any place they had visited before. Meyara was busy counting the number of stray dogs and cats roaming around only to lose count halfway. It was not without reason that she paid attention to animals that usually live in the open. She just felt there was something strange about the animal's appearance.

Domestic wild cats should have fairly long and slender tails, with four strong legs for running and jumping here and there. However, the cat that was watching them from a distance had a very short and rounded tail, resembling a rabbit's. Their fur falls out and thins, revealing reddish skin and dry sores. They also walk with a slight limp, some even walk with one leg lifted or dragged. Made it difficult for them to move from one high rock to another.

The dogs were no different, in fact they were even worse. Meyara grimaced when she saw that a dog had a fairly deep wound on its neck. She was sure that whatever object was attached to the dog's neck had almost taken its life.

Apart from all that, it was the attitude of the animals who kept glaring at them in hiding and were very easily startled that made Meyara most suspicious.

“Wildlife is really difficult for sure,” Adriel said when he realized where Meyara had been focused all this time. “They probably fight with each other a lot.”

“That's not something you get from a few fights.” Meyara wanted to argue, but she decided not to because she didn't know how Adriel would react. After all the courage the young man had shown, Meyara still wasn't sure how much fear the man could bear.

“When I was little, my father took me to the south border of Deterville. You know, the place where the animals were exiled after the tragic incident that happened to the Warren family.” Adriel was silent for a moment until Meyara nodded her head. The young man told his story enthusiastically even though his steps were clearly slowed due to fatigue and the heavy burden on his back. "At that time, I was afraid to see the animals butting heads and even biting each other. I wanted to separate them, but my father said they were just playing around and there was nothing to worry about."

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"Then is the appearance of those animals also the same as these animals?"

“No. As far as I remember, they didn't even have any obvious wounds.”

That only confirmed Meyara's suspicions.

She didn't have time to dwell on it when their steps were stopped abruptly by a strange sound that suddenly reached their ears. It wasn't to the point where they had to cover their hearing in pain, but it still had an annoying high pitch that could make anyone feel disturbed. Meyara felt Adriel's gaze on her while trying to find the source of the sound.

"What is that? Is there Abiku around here too?" Adriel asked as he grabbed some dry wooden sticks he found, preparing to start a fire whenever necessary. Even though he actually didn't want to light a fire in a barren place that only contained rocks and withered trees.

“No. I'm sure Abiku doesn't sound like a little girl.”

Meyara was sure the sound came from not far from them, but the sudden roar and vibration under their feet made her have to lie down first. Adriel followed her movements frantically. The shaking continued until it became large enough to force them to get up and run to a more open place.

Landslides and rolling rocks made them run in zig zags. Meyara no longer knew which direction they were walking. It seemed like they had strayed far from their proper path.

"This way!" Adriel pulled Meyara's hand following the direction the animals ran. The young man screamed when one of the cats bumped into his leg accidentally. “They definitely know a safe place. In fact, the animal should know the signs of impending disaster!"

Meyara just followed Adriel's rational directions. She had half a mind to rescue a small puppy that was unable to run fast, but Adriel was holding one of her hands so tightly that she couldn't move freely.

A large rock rolled towards them from a short cliff nearby. The sound when it hit the dry tree roots was terrifying. Meyara's eyes widened. The two of them were already overwhelmed and could barely run steadily amidst the shaking of the earthquake. They actually didn't need any more obstacles.

Without thinking much, she grabbed Adriel's hand and changed the direction of their escape. Ignoring the young man's screams of protest until she found herself slipping and hanging on the edge of a cliff.

“I said this is a dead end! Why won't you listen to me?” Adriel shouted desperately. He groaned as he pulled Meyara using both hands. Once the girl’s midsection was secured, he lifted her to a safer ground. The earthquake had stopped some time ago without them realizing it.

"Sorry. That was my first earthquake. I never knew that dealing with it was much more difficult than I thought.”

“I’ve never experienced an earthquake either. You do know I'm younger than you."

Meyara scoffed. She stood up immediately, ignoring the slight pain stinging her shins. "Okay, Mr. Younger-Than-Me, what do we do now? Your fresher brain will definitely have brighter ideas than mine."

It was clear how Adriel was secretly happy to hear the praise. He tried to hide his grin but failed as both corners of his mouth turned up to his cheeks. He cleared his throat awkwardly. "First of all, I think we should ask her what's wrong."

"Her?"

"Her," he repeated. His index finger was now pointing at the curled up girl hiding behind a large fallen tree.

As if on cue, the girl in question raised her head. Her dirty face was decorated by many scratches, and her lips have a slightly raised shape at the upper end. Her dry auburn hair almost resembled the rocks around them.

Meyara lost her own voice when she saw her. Especially after she realized the girl's left hand was missing. The short sleeves of her shabby shirt hung down, showing that there was nothing inside.

"Help me, sir," the girl whispered when Meyara and Adriel approached her. “Save … save my family. Don't let them be sacrificed, please.”

***