White Jungle - Who's There?

[YolkaEd]

Though as she approached, he actually backed away, giving her a wary look still.

[candescence]

"... What're you so anxious about?" Lilac blinked, genuinely confused.


"I'm not surprised. For all he knows, you're just being nice to make him drop his guard," Blaze retorted.


"Geez, someone's cynical... Just be warned, if you take a swing at me, I can take you down. I've beaten bigger guys than you. Heck, I've trashed huge mechs by myself," Lilac remarked to Knuckles.

[JC303]

"...that's...not really comforting...I'm sorry..." Cosmo muttered.

[YolkaEd]

"H-hey, you tryin' to start something?!" He held his fists more defensively up, narrowing his eyes as he took a step up.

[candescence]

"Ah, sorry, got a little carried away there," Lilac replied apologetically, taking a step back.


"Still, since when did you fight 'huge mechs'? And I find your claims somewhat unbelievable, even for a dragon," Blaze spoke dryly. "Last I remembered, Avalice doesn't engineer that kind of machinery, it was far beyond their technology."


"That's because Avalice was recently invaded by a ruthless warlord from beyond the stars. Arktivus Brevon. He murdered the king of Shuigang, brainwashed the Prince into stealing the Kingdom Stone for him, and would've gotten away for it if my friends and I hadn't foiled his scheme," Lilac replied... With a hint of hatred in her voice towards the person she spoke of, but also sadness. "Bastard nearly killed Milla by turning her into a monster. I made him pay for that. Almost made me want to kill him... But I'm not that kind of person. Taking someone's life just isn't right, no matter who it is."


Blaze was... Speechless. She had actually met the king and Prince Dail when she was young...

[YolkaEd]

"...uh... huh." Immediately, he began to step away from her... considerably. Quite a bit. He was not staying anywhere close to her.

[JC303]

"So, um...what were you two looking for again?" Cosmo muttered.

[candescence]

"... I'm impressed, Lilac. You're actually more capable of alienating these two by accident than I am," Blaze continued her dry tone.


"Um... My bad. I can ramble on a bit too much sometimes," Lilac winced. "But, yeah... We're looking for one of the Sol Emeralds. Clean-cut gemstones, really shiny, can't miss 'em."


"They also radiate an incredible power. As their guardian, I cannot and will not allow them to end up in the wrong hands."

[JC303]

"...hm..." She looked away at that, listening to her friends, the plants. Could they have seen something like that?

"..." and eventually her eyes widened. "...there is something like that far away in the jungle...in...that direction." And she pointed toward a certain direction. West-ward, according to Knuckles.

[candescence]

"That direction, you say...?" How did she know...? Judging by her expressions and body language, it's like she's communicating with something... Blaze briefly bowed politely, "I'm not sure whether I can trust your word or not, but I suppose that's the best we can go on right now. Thank you."


"Yeah, thanks a lot, Cosmo! Come on, Blaze, let's go!" Lilac grinned, grabbing Blaze's hand and started running in the direction Cosmo pointed in, "Seeya!"


"H-Hey, not so fast!" Blaze gasped, as she was pulled along.

[YolkaEd]

As they began to head east, he just watched them with a silent expression as he pondered...

[JC303]

She just walked, in silence.

[candescence]

((Well, this is awkward.))


As they walked towards their destination, Blaze decided to start some small talk. "Is the Prince alright?"


"Oh, him? He's fine, we weaned him off the brainwashing, with some help from his half-brother, Spade."


"I was not aware he had one."


"Me neither! And I've known Spade since my time in the Red Scarves."


"Wait, that secretive clan of thieves and assassins...?"


"Yeah, I don't associate with them anymore."

[JC303]

...she had no idea what either of them were talking about...though to be fair, she hasn't ever gone anywhere farther than this jungle for most of her life...or even seen other people.

She was still very shy about talking to any of them, but she didn't mind being near them at least.

[AnT]

Their journey ended by the edge of a cliff. However, they would be able to find a small island in the middle of a massive lake. And on that island looked like some buildings; military-like facilities. Around the island, military ships stuck out of the waters like jagged spikes.

[JC303]

And she didn't like the sight of those at all, looking timidly at their surroundings. "...um...you two know a lot so...do you know what this place is?" she asked Lilac and Blaze.

[candescence]

"Unfortunately not. It seems this is some kind of military facility," Blaze mused. "If the Emerald is here, then whoever commands it must already possess it. In that case, we will have to infiltrate."


"Well, this isn't the first base I've infiltrated. Problem is, we'll have to get close without getting detected..."

[JC303]

"...do you...really think anyone is still here?" She mumbled. "...it doesn't look like anyone is here..."

[candescence]

"Then we will have to make our approach to find out," Blaze mused, as she started heading down to the shoreline, wincing a bit from the height.


Lilac had an easier time jumping down.

[JC303]

She took a leap...

...and gracefully twirled down through the air to make a nice, delicate landing.