As they emerged from the stone hallway bloodied and bruised, with Zach's makeshift bandages, the whole stone structure sank into the rock behind them, without making a sound.
They were met with an unexpected sight.
Rats, agitated and squeaking with fury, stood all around on two legs. A few, armed with rudimentary wooden spears, advanced threateningly.
Zach, with a swift leap, jumped to one that came close with a spear pointing at them.
He seized it by the neck, pulled the rat down and with a ferocious bite, he crushed its small head, continuing to gnaw with a chilling crunch, the noise piercing the silent air save for the whisper of the wind. The surrounding rats fell into an eerie silence, their beady eyes fixed on a particularly adorned rat, draped in a necklace and small skull bracelets.
Immanuel's attention snapped to the rat leader, a creature larger than its counterparts yet still below his shoulder height. He flashed in front of it. As it lunged with its spear, Immanuel flicked it away, the rat hissing menacingly, revealing a maw of yellowed, broken teeth. Immanuel tore off one of its necklaces, inspecting the item closely. The necklace was intricately woven with large, round pearls, their beauty undeniable. Each pearl shimmered with a mesmerizing blend of milky purple and gold hues.
As the rat leader began a cautious retreat, emitting a series of noises, Immanuel turned to Zach and Syl. "Zach, Syl," he began, his voice carrying a note of excitement. "We absolutely need to find more of these." He demonstrated by plucking a pearl from the necklace, tossing one each to Zach and Syl.
"Pearls," they both acknowledged in unison.
He then extracted the third and final pearl, presenting it to the retreating rat leader. "This," he announced, gesturing towards the lustrous pearl, then showing his empty hand. Placing the pearl in his palm, he inquired, "More?"
Zach, with savage efficiency, tore off an arm from the rat he was eating, the sound of crunching bones resonating as he bit down once more.
Immanuel extended his arms assertively. "More?" he demanded, his voice echoing commandingly. The rat let out a timid squeak. "Show me," Immanuel insisted, taking a deliberate step towards the creature.
The rat squealed before leading the way. Their descent was slow and tedious, as the creature painstakingly had to hang on each level to let itself fall down on the next level.
Upon reaching the ground, they were greeted by a multitude of rats. Immanuel, unperturbed by their numbers, remained focused; he knew these rats were not cultivators. The leader rat, however, had other plans. As it maneuvered amongst a group of particularly menacing rats, including one with a missing ear, it emitted a sharp squeak.
Zach, leapt into action. He jumped between the group, crushed one rat, seized another with his tail, and hurled a third like a paper airplane into an oncoming group.
Syl transformed into her beast form, emitting a threatening hiss that immediately halted the rats in their tracks.
They prostrated themselves on the ground in submission.
Zach, undeterred, bit down on another rat. "Zach, could you refrain from earning them for a moment, please? I'll save some for you," Immanuel suggested.
He approached the leader rat and hoisted it up, once again pointing to the pearl in his hand. The rat squeaked in response and began to lead the way. As the other rats gathered, Immanuel started to store the three dead rats, making them vanish into thin air. This action elicited a chorus of squeaks from the surrounding rats.
---
They meandered through the forest until they reached a rudimentary encampment. Simple structures had been fashioned from various trees, creating a primitive settlement. The area was bustling with rats, each bearing a distinct characteristic of having at least 12 nipples visible on their bodies.
Immanuel made his way to a small fire around which several rats were gathered. These rats were adorned similarly to the boss rat. All eyes within the camp, especially those wide with awe, were fixed on King Cobra Syl.
The leader rat removed several necklaces and presented them to Immanuel. It bowed its head.
"Thanks," Immanuel acknowledged. Turning to Zach, he inquired, "Zach, do you know the way back to the boat?"
"Yes. They taste good," Zach responded, still dragging a headless rat by a leg.
"I have 3 rats for you," Immanuel offered.
Zach squinted slightly at this proposition but then took the lead, guiding them away from the camp. Immanuel observed the pearls in the necklaces he had acquired: three in one necklace, four in another. The final necklace held a particularly stunning prize—a pearl as large as his fist, radiating a beautiful pink hue.
---
Immanuel found solace in the walk back, despite the lingering exhaustion from their recent battle. The energy he had expended was significant, and his flash during the confrontation was nearly the last of his reserves. Yet, he felt the warmth of the day enveloping him like a comforting blanket, the earthy scents of life rejuvenating his senses. Syl, who had reverted from her beast form, walked in front of him.
"That works amazingly well, transforming with your robes" Immanuel commented with a smile.
"I was ready to abort the transformation the first time, if I heard even a single rip," Syl admitted.
Amazed, Immanuel exclaimed, "You can do that? My God! Why—"
"Who is your God?" Syl interjected, her tone laced with exasperation.
"It's just a saying from where I'm from," Immanuel quickly clarified. "I don’t personally believe in any god or gods."
Syl appeared genuinely shocked at this revelation. "What do you mean, you don't believe? Don't you believe in the air, the trees, the energy pulsing within your chest?" She glanced skyward briefly at the suns, murmuring, "The lifebringer."
"Let's clarify what we mean by 'God,'" Immanuel suggested, noticing her frustration.
The question seemed to vex her, the first time he had seen her genuinely frustrated. He didn't enjoy being the cause of her frustration. Before she could respond, he posed another question, "Could you and I become Gods if we continue to grow in power?"
Her response was thoughtful. "Yes, potentially, we could."
"Good. Then I believe in Gods," Immanuel concluded. "Immortal beings born within the vast universe, wielding power over cosmic forces."
"Yes, yes," she responded, a flicker of a smile crossing her face. 'Good,' Immanuel thought to himself, pleased to have found common ground.
“There are also others…” Syl was searching for the right word, “Forces. Elements of the universe like the God of the gaps.”
Immanuel's curiosity piqued. "The God of the gaps?" he repeated, intrigued.
"Yes, maybe you know her by another name?"
"No, it means something different where I’m from." he clarified.
Syl elaborated, "The God of the gaps is the entity that allows the integration of nature's various elements and forces. It's the process by which food transforms into our flesh, water into our blood, air into rain. Neasha the God of the gaps, as we call her, bridges these impossible transitions."
Immanuel asked with a warm smile, "Have you ever met her?"
Syl shook her head. "No, we see her everywhere."
"Can you talk with her?" he continued.
"You can listen, but she is not an individual entity. She exists in the transitions, in the gaps, not as a body," Syl explained with passion.
"So, she's a force of nature?" Immanuel tried to understand.
Syl searched for the right words. "No, not a force. She is nature itself, or rather, the essence that enables nature to exist." Her face lit up with satisfaction at this description.
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Immanuel nodded, appreciating the idea "Beautifully said."
She smiled at his words. In the midst of the jungle's Immanuel paused, aware of Zach's presence somewhere ahead. He leaned in closer to Syl, their proximity intensifying the moment.
"Very slow," he whispered gently, bridging the gap between them with a tender kiss. Syl, reciprocating his affection, mirrored his movements. The intensity grew as Immanuel wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer. He deepened the kiss, exploring her mouth with his tongue. This spontaneous act drew a laugh from her. She playfully pulled back, licking his nose in return, prompting laughter from Immanuel as well. They embraced warmly, reveling in the joy of the moment.
The jungle enveloped them in a peaceful buzz, its warmth a divine reprieve from the castle's refrigerator-like chill. Immanuel burst into laughter, his joyous echoes weaving through the forest's tapestry.
Suddenly, Zach leaped into their embrace, joining in the group hug. They remained like that for a short while, before eventually breaking away to continue their journey through the verdant jungle.
----
They finally reached the beach and could see only the masts of the ship peeking out as the only visible parts amidst an expanse of brown hills scattered around the reef.
“What the fuck are those?” Immanuel asked, his voice tinged with exhaustion.
“Let’s take a swim and eat something before we check,” Syl suggested.
Zach, shifting into his boy form, meandered into the water, diving down with ease. Immanuel, noticing the layers of blood, grime, and sweat coating him, shed his tattered robe, a pang of regret striking him as he realized it was his last. He hesitated, contemplating whether to remove his blood-soaked cloth underpants.
“Imm,” Syl called out, busy digging in the sand, “can you get me some wood, fish, and a rat?”
"I'm not eating those rats," he answered, searching through his storage to pull out everything.
'Syl and Zach are always naked,' he thought as he self-consciously slipped off his underpants.
Stepping into the warm water, he found solace. Coral and stones lay beneath, yet they could not pierce his toughened feet. Zach chased after the fish, albeit without success.
"This is heaven," Immanuel murmured, drifting languidly with his head down in the water. 'This is divine,' he thought, letting the sun kiss his body while he floated, embraced by the soothing sounds of the water.
He dove, reveling in the sheer freedom of his nakedness in the water. A tiny seahorse-like creature, which darted into a purple coral as Immanuel approached, caught his eye. He swam with strong, graceful strokes, exploring the vibrant life among the corals.
Then, he spotted Syl, diving deeper toward the coral, also naked. Swimming towards her, he watched as she plucked a green plant and ascended.
Emerging above water, she triumphantly held the plant aloft. "These are good, find a few more and we've got a meal," she said, smiling and floating on her back towards the beach.
As Immanuel watched Syl stride towards the shore, he activated his focus, transforming the scene into a slow-motion movie scene. He observed the intricate details: the way her feet imprinted the sand, grains clinging to her heel, and the elegant play of muscles along her legs leading up to the gentle curve of her backside. He noticed the rhythmic swing of her arm, and how droplets of water converged into tiny rivulets trailing down her spine. His gaze lingered on the flawless contour of her form, captivated by the natural grace in her movements. With a smile, he shook off the trance and dove, momentarily disoriented as he inadvertently swallowed water, his attention still partially fixed on the shore. He refocused, with a shake of the head, resuming his search for more of the green plant.
---
Walking out of the water, Immanuel noticed Syl now donning her robes. He walked over to where his tattered robes lay, checking his inventory and finding a less damaged ninja suit. Before changing, he pulled a towel out of his inventory, wrapping it around himself and sat down by the fire.
The aroma of roasted fish and chicken filled the air. Handing Syl the vegetables, he watched as she skillfully chopped them up and arranged them in the oven.
Lying on his back, Immanuel savored the sensation of the warm sand against his skin and the gentle breeze caressing him. As Zach emerged from the water, carefree in his naked boy form, Immanuel was preoccupied with feeling his front teeth, a near-compulsive action, when he suddenly shot up. "My teeth are growing back!" he exclaimed, feeling the unmistakable sensation of new growth. "Yes! I won't look like a 15 dollar blowjob anymore!"
"What-" Syl began, but was interrupted as Zach sat down beside them.
"There are crabs or something near the ship," Zach reported. "They're completely encased in their shells. We can maneuver out of the bay without hitting them." He paused, then added, "They didn't attack me, even when I touched their shells."
Syl's suspicious glance lingered on Immanuel as she began to distribute the food. The meal, devoid of salt, herbs, butter, or oil, tasted like a meal fit for a King.
They ate in contemplative silence until Zach, tearing flesh off a small rat bone, asked a question. "Talk to me about the fight," he said, his tone serious.
A wave of guilt washed over Immanuel. "I didn't stick to the plan," he confessed, his voice tinged with remorse. "When I approached the archers, I ended up among the soldiers just as their arrows were landing. They were shooting their own men. I thought I could exploit that, create chaos with friendly fire." He paused, looking at Zach, who listened intently. "But when you called us, the archers were still a threat, nearly got us killed."
"It was a good idea," Syl interjected. “How did you know we had to destroy the big one?” Syl asked Zach.
Zach, reflecting on Syl's question, replied thoughtfully, "I noticed a delay in the big one's reactions whenever the zombies switched targets or initiated new attacks. He was always a fraction slower. It might have been a deliberate tactic, concentrating his focus on commanding his minions. But when he hit me in the shoulder, I knew we could take him down together."
"I was engaging the soldiers, they were slow but tough to bring down," Syl added.
Zach nodded. "Long-range attackers like archers are always a priority to neutralize, but your instincts were good, Immanuel. Usually, enemies hesitate to target their own. However, I did expect the archers to be neutralized when I signaled the attack on the general."
Immanuel felt a sense of relief wash over him as he processed their responses. "So the lesson is, if the plan changes, make sure to communicate that change," he concluded.
Syl nodded in agreement, then after a pause. "There will always be opportunities too good to pass up in a fight," she mused. "So, what's next? Do we search for the next dungeon?"
Immanuel summoned the compass, then, feeling the weight of exhaustion, said, "I'm too tired to deal with this now. Let's sleep and check it in the morning." He stored the compass away once more.
Zach added, "Let's get back before nightfall. I want to be careful with those crabs; they might be nocturnal and could start moving around, causing trouble."
After finishing their meal, they gathered their belongings and pulled the speedboat, hidden under leaves, back into the sea, ready to navigate their way back.
----
As they approached the ship, Syl halted the core drive, transitioning to manual navigation. She slipped into the water, guiding the boat with a careful hand as she maneuvered between the giant crabs that peppered the sea like colossal anthills.
Upon reaching the ship, Zach leapt effortlessly aboard. His bony wings materialized, and with a powerful flap, he ascended onto the deck. Immanuel observed the wings closely, noticing the translucent membrane within their bony structure.
Envying Zach's aerial ease, Immanuel secured the boat to the anchor and ascended the chain to the deck. The familiar sensation of the ship beneath his feet felt like a homecoming, until a pungent odor assaulted his senses. He opened the hatch, and the stench of rotting fish hit him with overwhelming force. "Fuck! We forgot the fish," he cursed.
Feeling responsible, Immanuel descended hastily, his breath held. In the cargo area, he struggled against the urge to retch as he stored the larger pieces of fish and cut others to fit in his storage. Syl soon arrived, armed with buckets of water and towels, and began assisting in the cleanup.
After removing the rotten fish, Immanuel pondered whether to dispose of them into the sea. An irrational concern about keeping the spoiled fish in his storage crossed his mind. Yet, he decided against discarding them into the ocean, not wanting to attract any beasts now. Instead, he fetched more buckets of water, determined to help Syl with the cleanup.
Even after their efforts, the residual stench lingered in the air. "This will linger for some time," Syl remarked, a note of resignation in her voice, as they faced the aftermath of their oversight.
"Let's just go to bed," Immanuel suggested, still holding his breath from the pungent smell. "I need a dive first," Syl declared, and they both headed to the deck. Zach had already retreated to the bridge, door firmly closed. Without hesitation, Syl stripped off and dived into the water. Immanuel followed suit, shedding his clothes and jumping in after her.
In the crystal-clear water, Syl dove deep, swimming towards one of the large crabs. She skillfully maneuvered in the water, making delicate adjustments with her arms and legs to maintain her position. As they got closer, they could see thousands of fine hairs protruding from the crab, sweeping over the seabed like an industrial vacuum cleaner.
Syl turned to Immanuel, her smile visible even underwater. He responded with a thumbs-up, which she misinterpreted as a signal to ascend. Breaking the surface, they swam back to the ship. "This sign means 'all good'," he explained, showing her the thumbs-up gesture again. "Ah, I thought you wanted to go up."
Feeling thoroughly exhausted, Immanuel headed straight to bed, grateful that Syl followed. They lay down, succumbing to sleep almost instantly, their minds and bodies weary but at peace after the day's events.
----
Waking to the hum of the engine, Immanuel found Syl at the helm, expertly navigating the ship. The door to the bridge was open, allowing Zach to shout instructions from his position. The anchor was already lifted, and the speedboat secured on board, surrounded by an array of large dead birds on the deck. Immanuel promptly stored them all.
"You went hunting," he remarked to Zach, who simply nodded in confirmation.
Syl maneuvered the ship, deftly handling levers and buttons in what appeared to be a complex operation. Outside, Immanuel noticed the crabs stirred by the core drive engine, moving sluggishly towards them, posing no real threat.
"Left!" Zach's voice cut through, guiding Syl's maneuvers.
Confident in their control, Immanuel checked the navigator, confirming it still pointed towards the temple.
As they navigated between the lumbering sea behemoths, they soon found open waters. Syl turned down the engine, and together they hoisted the sails. Immanuel checked the navigator again as they passed the island; it steadfastly pointed towards the temple.
"It's pointing towards the temple. So the squiggly lines are dungeons," Immanuel mused aloud. "Can you pick another symbol?" Syl asked from the captain's chair.
Selecting a random symbol, he found it pointed back the way they came. Choosing another, resembling a stick figure without a head, he handed it to Syl.
"Let me navigate around the reefs, then we can adjust our course," Syl suggested, eyeing the navigator.
“Let’s anchor further down the island. I want a few days to hunt, make sure we have enough in storage.” Zach added.