The scenery was lovely near Tori village. Tall trees reached the skies, growing some strange yellow fruit on the top. The two locals started salivating just seeing them.
I asked Zephyr to pick some once the Emil boy told us how rare and expensive they were. Only the overripe ones fall to the ground, and if they survive the fall, then they can be sold for a high price—two bronze. Perfect ones could go for ten bronze coins. It was an insane price for a piece of fruit.
They said it was a fruit made almost entirely out of juice, and its flesh was sweet and filling.
My love quickly gathered a fortune's worth. I only cared about the taste, and it was incredible, like a ripe peach but the size of a small boulder. It had so much juice in there, enough to fit twenty large peaches.
"It's delicious..." I wasted most of the juice, but some did land on my eyes, face, hair, and chest. I fed some to the one who hand-delivered them to us.
"Incredible... it would make wonderful jam." He seemed to like it.
The Emils had never had perfect ones and seemed hesitant to eat them. Alexander called them the fruit of Ehlite. Anna had her fun eating some, then smashing some, which horrified the two men who treasured them as gold.
"It's called Momba fruit." Manata, the younger of the two, told him its name.
Zephyr picked some more, and everyone just enjoyed some Momba fruits, worth as much as cattle. I decided on our way back that I'd ask him to gather some more. It would be lovely to juice them or make jam like he said. Hell, even I could make jam.
And seeing him enjoy it like that... Zephyr licked my fingers satisfied, and I felt a little fuzzy feeling as his tongue touched my skin.
"I could eat this all day..." He smiled, his eyes full of expectations for tonight... Hmm, hmm.
~
We traveled for another three hours until we arrived. The village had a bunch of small houses and a similar building in the middle of it like back home. Some farmland afar, but not much livestock. The two middle-aged men standing guard let us in after a few words from their own.
The people started to swarm those in the front, mainly my Zephyr and our daughter, who rode in like the princess she is. They looked intimidated by so many on horseback.
The children looked the opposite from Emet's, who were always running around, laughing, and lately enjoying life without a care. Those eyes had no laugh in them. They looked scared and unkempt. It was hard to remember back when my own girl looked like them.
Metill's sons got off their horses and went to address the crowd. From the looks, about thirty of them, maybe more.
"Residents of Tori village! Please let me introduce you to Zephyr Astoria, the man whose aid we sought and received." He pointed at the blue-haired guy and a little girl. "One of the blessed walking amongst us. And the killer of Emet the Lion King!!"
The people's eyes were as large as gold coins, which I had never really seen. It was quite a scene. The people looked despondent before, but now hope was visible in their eyes. Their presence became more alive.
Zephyr handed Ilianna to Lucian before getting off his black horse. He looked at me and waited patiently until my brain worked. Right... we are a family. What am I doing here?
I flew to their side and clutched his hand. He gave a satisfying nod, and we faced the people of Tori. Looking at our family with awe, and me with envy in their eyes.
"People of Tori village. Your leader came to me seeking help with the monster terrorizing your village for generations. I offered him a different path, and he accepted. We come to ask you." He looked at them all carefully. "...All of you, to let go of your pride, traditions, and the place you called home!!"
Look at him, so serious. Those eyes around us were glued to his presence.
"In return, we offer you a new one. A house we help you build, land to farm, and call your own... a community willing to accept you. For you!" He checked on both me and Anna. "For your families! The time to decide is now. The monster demands its sacrifice soon. I hope... you take my words to heart and understand there is no deception hiding behind them!! I'll give you time to talk it over."
He squeezed my hand and turned to Metill's sons. "Take some time... talk to your people. We will be waiting."
We walked away when they called after him.
"Master Zephyr, what will you do in the meantime?"
"I'll spend time with my family..."
He put his arm around my shoulder, and we went to our group, now all on foot and looking around with interest.
"Nice speech, little brother." Alexander gave him a proud smile. "I'm certain it reached their heart. Not a single one will stay."
"Thank you, Alex. We gave them some time." He looked behind; most of the people were heading towards their shabby-looking main hall. "Hopefully, the absence of their leader and his daughters, not to mention his sons' persuasion, will be enough."
I turned his head and cupped his perfect face. "It will be, my love. We just gained about forty new residents."
I was sure Alexander was right. These people looked a lot worse than Emet's, even if we looked back generations or before we found Zephyr. There was barely any man of fighting age. What other choice did they have? Their leader already agreed and was picking his future home already.
Eleanor looked at the people remaining with some of the children. "This place is a bit... moody, no? What kind of divine beast is Tori anyway?"
"Don't look at me, I have no idea." I never asked, so I couldn't answer my sister.
Alexander was ready to jump in. "I talked to the two boys... Morriz and Manata, the younger, they talked about her. The village name Tori means great snake in their own culture." He used a stick, for whatever reason, to draw a snake on the ground. "They said she is over 100 ft long, and its scales reflect the sun, turning her invisible. Sounds like a tough fight... even compared to Emet."
An invisible enemy 100 feet long. Like most snakes, it can probably swallow its prey whole. I felt a sudden urge to leave. I couldn't help scanning my surroundings like all the others did after hearing Alexander's story.
Zephyr laughed at our nervous looks. Aside from him, only his daughter seemed amused.
"Keep your wits about you. She could appear, but we are well prepared if she does." He took a scan, too, but seeing his confidence, I felt a lot better about the whole... snake thing. "For now, stick together until they decide. Eat something, then rest."
We soon started a small fire for us and cooked some sausage and potatoes. Zephyr wanted to check around. He could always just hop right back in a few steps.
His ability was enviable for all sorts of reasons. The power to travel incredible long distances in seconds. He fast combined it with his fighting style, creating something very potent. I saw him evolve in real time. I felt better with each improvement he made. The more powerful, the safer he is... and us.
We were seeing a few children peeking at Ilianna. She practiced her kicks and punches with her uncle and Lucian. Seeing their little faces, all in awe of seeing someone the same age or even younger landing clean, picture-perfect kicks high above her own head amazed them.
I went closer to talk to them and brought some almond brittle Anna loved so much. They took a few steps back, so I just knelt down a few feet away. "Hi there. My name is Lylly, and that little girl is my daughter Ilianna." I pointed behind me and extended my hands, showing the candy. "Please come and join her. She won't bite. Here, I brought some sweets, take some..."
I handed each some candy and watched them walk slowly over to Anna and our group.
I walked close behind with some mothers who stayed with them. "Sweetheart, why don't you teach them how to kick right."
"Did Father put you up to this?" She was suspicious for no reason whatsoever.
"No, love, but I'm sure he would be very happy seeing you teaching them once he returned." Her father's approval meant more to her than the rest of the village combined.
"...Hmm." She looked at the kids and smiled a little.
She led them away and I heard her introduction.
"My name is Master Ilianna..."
She enjoyed it, even though she had done it for praises. The others seemed like kids. They listened but were also wholly distracted, and some just ate the candy in silence.
We watched them flailing around, making my five-year-old annoyed quickly. She was different from the start. She wanted to become stronger. With other kids around, it was so easy to see.
Before my Zephyr returned, the Emil brothers did. Finally, we could maybe start helping these people and go home already. With our slower pace, it might take two more nights.
They looked distressed. "Well... the meeting ended with... mostly a success."
Mostly, huh?