Kshaya laid on the floor of the prison, staring at the images moving on the wall above him. The jailor projected the images, while his trusty radio broadcasted the audio.
...
"This is impossible, there is no way to convince the mushroom choir to sing from a sheet, much less make them sing my name. They just don't listen!" Lume was having a breakdown, as he fell down on the swamp floor, covering himself in mud.
"Eira, did you manage to collect the seven mud droplets? Can you help me find the statue of the frog god next? This is a easy one. "
"You are not supposed to pluck the hair from the vine, shear it instead. The task list specifically mentioned it. Start again." Dr. Korr having finished his tasks was helping out Taren, or rather pointing out his errors.
Another member who had finished all her tasks, the sixth member remained silent, observing the team members, while trying to understand the reason behind all this.
...
'Hah, that's what they get for looking down on us.' The additional commentary from the radio was welcome by the other audience members, namely the jailor, compass and the chains.
The jailor rarely every spoke, while the chains had never actually spoken. While the compass was usually arguing with the radio, today it chose to instead enjoy the show.
Kshaya remained the same as ever, observing the broadcast, carefully monitoring the team members actions.
There might be a small part in him that had made that list to simply annoy them, but for the most parts, he actually had reasons for them. Each individual task actually was not important. But how efficiently and early they could complete and achieve results would help him get a better understanding about them.
Of course, the show in front of him was just equally necessary as well.
'So are you going to make a move soon? The fourth day is almost over, they will soon be finished with their tasks in the swamp,' the jailor's curious voice inquired. It had been a long time since the facility had seen any entertainment, so the old prison was now more active than ever.
"Yes, I will first make my way into the swamp. The last task that they have been holding off on will take them slightly longer than expected. So I will help them out. After that I will go and have a talk with the Green Desert just in case."
Kshaya was aware of the regions around him and understood them greatly, as they understood him as well. The Desert was one who did not like outsiders poking around much. Unless the people traversing it were guests or visitors approved by the Desert Haven city in advance, walking through the sands was a dangerous peril.
As he watched Eira complete her final task, he rose from his position, placing his mask on his face. There was no need for the radio and the compass this time to accompany him, so he let them observe the team members.
The chains also let him know that they wanted to stay, so he simply left the prison bare handed.
This was just a simple visit to his neighbors, no need for him to think too much about it.
Deep inside the swamp, there was an alcove, that was not accessible to humans or the creatures in the swamp. This was the place where the swamp's spirit, the oldkin resided.
Kshaya slowly made his way through the swamp waters, now reaching his waist, as he appeared outside what looked like an arch covered in vines. He had been here in the past, but over the years, his visits had become more infrequent.
After arriving here, he just stood there in patience. The swamp was always aware of everything that happened inside its perimeter. It knew he was here. He just had to be patient with it.
After exactly sixty-seven seconds, the vines slowly moved aside, giving him the view beyond. It was a lake, with a island at the center. But Kshaya did not move from his place, remaining still.
"Are you not going to enter this time either, little friend?" The voice was green. "Your presence is very unique, the ground here especially remembers your steps, it likes the way you pace them."
Listening to it evoked a strange sensation, as if you were being hugged by fresh grass covered in the morning dew.
"I can't enter your alcove, Zehar. Not yet. Maybe some day." It was as if he was talking to an old friend. Maybe that was true.
"I am here today for two reasons: I need your advice regarding something, and I need a lily pad to make you an offering."
"Ah, we were wondering why you had sent those six to frolic around in my domain. Their presence has been a fun little game. So, it was to perform an offering. Going out?"
"Yes indeed, I will be making a perilous journey to the Citadel. I believe you must be aware of the happenings of that place." He tried not to sound hopeful, but he was expecting the swamp to let him in on any information if possible.
"Yes, a very moody place, if you ask us. Them oldkins are not talkative or much. They simply stick to their routine, much like a neighbor of ours." Even if the swamp tried not to, a subtle hint of poison could be felt from its words.
But Kshaya did not mind it much, he had come to learn that it was never too wise to judge an oldkin's nature or attitude by its words. They were twisted and fickle by nature.
"Alright, we have heard you, you may worry no more. The lily pad shall appear before them group, if they are to be devout."
He could hear the voice getting crankier, they were almost done with him.
"Regarding the first request, can you-"
"Keep this pebble handy, and you can ask us one question, anytime, anywhere. Now leave."
The vines once again covered the arch, hiding the small island and the lake. Kshaya could only agree in silence, turning around to leave. A pebble flew over from the ground, landing in his hand, which he kept in his pocket. His job here was done, the team would have to handle the rest here. Hopefully, they won't require him to come back here to free them up from vines-
"Hold on, are you making your way over to that old camel's? Give him an earful from us, remind him that he doesn't have long. Honestly, what is he thinking, taking the name Green from us? How can it ever embody the concept of Green. Make sure that he understands that his days are numbered..."
Kshaya did not turn around to acknowledge or answer the voice, knowing full well that the swamp was simply acting up. Swiftly, he made his way outside, towards the desert. The Green Desert, as was its name, was also the reason why it was being encroached by the swamp.
A childish reason, but Kshaya would never mention as such in front of the oldkin.
The desert wasn't named 'Green' because it had green sand, unlike the Red and White deserts, which were adjacent to it.
No, the region was names as such because of the very famous institute of learning that was situated in its center, the Desert Haven city. Of the three desert regions spread equally, only the Green Desert was habitable and open for humans. The oldkins in the Red and White regions did not allow human settlements, hence Desert Haven city was a very special existence in the Dakshin Continent.
But Kshaya's destination was not the city. The oldkin, Green, did not have a fixed abode. It liked to travel the desert, sometime helping traveler and other times scaring illegal merchant and caravans. The oldkin was a mild fellow, but at the same very strict regarding domain. The only reason the Desert Haven city and Green institute of sciences could stay here was partly because the researchers all seemed to strangely align with Green's way of life, accepting him as their religion or sort of a spiritual beacon.
Leaving the grass trail he had used to exit the swamp, as soon as he stepped on the sand, he felt a gaze lock onto him.
It was never hard to find Green, only hard thing was to convince the stubborn old camel.
Yes, he liked appearing in front of humans in the form of a camel. A camel with a green thick coat.
Kshaya walk for half an hour, before the oldkin appeared in his vision, slowly trudging in his direction. But he did not pause to wait for it, keeping his steady pace and finally arriving in front of the spirit of this desert.
"The sand likes your rhythm, chained one. But you reek of wet grass, are you trying to barter peace once more?" His voice was grainy, but not in a bad way. It felt like warm sand massage.
The camel slowly folded its legs, sitting beside Kshaya in calm.
"I am here for two requests, Old one, a simple question and permission to enact the ritual of the full moon, an offering in return of peace for until the next time moon lights the sands."
Compared to when he spoke to the swamp, Kshaya was a lot more careful and courteous with his words when facing the camel.
"So, you have decided, to partake in the journey. Worry not, for your efforts in the last few years will be rewarded accordingly. The offering shall be accepted, and your question be answered in due time."
Heaving a sigh of relief, Kshaya bowed towards the camel, turning around to take his leave. There was nothing more to be discussed, and he was definitely not going to talk to the desert about name changes or any such topics, lest it changed its mind.
"I will remind you once more, chained one. Trust not the prophecies you hear, trust not the past that you remember and certainly trust not the actions you make. May you succeed, the deserts will hope for you."
Something about the way it had framed its last warning made Kshaya pause. But he continued on, keeping the words close to his heart.
He had already made the preparations to leave this place and embark on the journey. Now it was left to see, what exactly he would face on the way.