The Noble Widow's abode is distinct to what i was expecting, having the layout of a circular stronghold.
Tents and temporary encampments are arranged inside the hollow habitable wall, maximizing the functionality and efficiency.
{It's too lively}.
The guards posted above the arched entrance seem nervous, and the sentries in the watchtowers are slow to spot us, announcing late the return of their Lady.
"It's out?". Questions the Noble Widow, «Shlayla Subborn». Her dismissive demeanor in the verge of sighing with exasperation, though not at the guard's, or the sudden silence permeating the outpost after the previous bustling cacophony.
Shlayla gazes up at the yellow sky, the bright clouds darkening to an unnatural shade of shimmering black. "So naive…".
Natvoshka interrupts. "Problems with a descendant?. Discipline is always the solution".
"Not with «Sehey». Discipline seems more like a reward…". Shlayla does a gesture with her hand. Ten warriors divided in two rows hurry their steps to escort her. "Please excuse me. I must fetch my heir before it rains. Enjoy the banquet…".
"Don't rush, Noble Subborn". Intervenes Natvoshka. "If speed is required, a small group is always a better option, instead of a retinue. The Pretty Boy and Little Volttair can track down, and bring back your descendant before the precipitation begins".
"I'll leave it in your hands". Shlayla says, uncertainty and reverence clashing with her motherly instinct to sprint into the wilderness to save her children.
"Don't stray, Coprophage". Mocks Esdren, running towards the thick groves.
Dredging the trail left by the aforementioned Sehey. It's evident that we are not the only ones aware of his presence in the forest.
{This footprints are strange, as if the weight in each step varied the center of gravity, which makes no sense. The way each creature walks is deeply rooted in its habits. The length of the strides, the pace, and force of the foot strike. Everything influences it, that's why changing shoes feels strange, because a known pattern is forcibly altered}.
Our tracking leads us to a clearing among the trees, where a frenzied fight had place not long ago.
Lying on the ground, there's a sword covered in black ink, near it, a bloodstain on a rock's edge, and the obvious signs of dragging a body, destroying the vegetation in the vicinity, but denoting an easy hint to follow.
{More strange footprints}.
After the ambush i undergo at the Blue Meadows, my senses are overworking, analyzing if we are walking into a trap.
Ahead, behind bushes, is hidden the entrance of a subterranean cavern.
Inside lies Sehey's unconscious body, with a quadrupedal creature glistening with black ink, hovering on top of the Heiress, seemingly devouring her face.
Though a second glance reveals the beast is regurgitating ink from it's snout into Sehey's mouth.
"Get away, filthy animal". Scornfully screams Esdren, alerting and haltering the creature's doings, swapping it's focus, and aggressively rushing towards me.
"«Blast»".
From Esdren's palm is channeled and emitted a blue ethereal sphere, hitting the monster's chest, bloating the animal's whole body like a balloon, exploding in a massive surge of thick tar, staining the entire cavern.
The explosion of super thick ink comes into contact with me, sliding completely off, like water touching an hydrophobic material.
"What is this?!. I can barely move!". Esdren complains, he is stuck, or rather, «She» is glued to the cave's wall.
"I can't use Emts neither". She comments, noticing the change in her voice, and trying to take off the black substance with her left hand, getting adhered to it.
"Argh!. Why is this sticky thing not affecting you too, Coprophage?!".
"How could i know?. I'm an amnesiac. Remember?". Despite the mockery, my brain is already searching for a viable and concise answer, because Sehey has been caught by the tar too.
{I don't think it's the bodysuit, my face touched the tar, and i didn't get dirty, nor gender swapped. The only viable option i can think of, is the lube. Because Esdren said the Emts didn't work either, so the Stats are not a viable solution}.
Focusing a small drop of natural lubricant in the tip of my index. I see my finger pass through the tar, discovering a few inconveniences.
{If i «Touch» this substance, there is no real interaction, sliding off me without contact, but the lube is completely repelled}.
My surprise is elevated, because for the first time in my life, the lubrication doesn't serves as a miraculous, direct panacea.
{Maybe if is drinked, the repulsion effect could work from within their bodies to free them}.
Bending my palm to mimic a bowl, i produce a little blob of lube. "Drink this".
"What is it, Coprophage?".
"A possible solution".
"Where did you get it from, Coprophage?".
"Isn't obvious?".
"Is… , Is your sweat, Coprophage?!".
"Something like that…".
"Ew!. You are gross, Coprophage!".
I walk closer to Esdren.
"No. Don't get near to me, Coprophage!. Get away from me!".
"What a damn spite to call me like that. Shut up and drink it already". I hold the delicate, not longer effeminate, but actually feminine jaw of Esdren, forcing her mouth open, pouring the lube's blob in, and sealing her lips with my palm, so she has to drink it. "How can you be so imbecile?. We were told to go back before it rains. «Is not obvious why?»".
She stops struggling, gulping the lube before i retire my hand from her pouty mouth.
"The clouds contain this sticky alchemical brewery!".
"Good. At least you're not a complete idiot. How are you feeling?, and i'm not talking about your new body. Is the blob working?. Can you move?".
"Very little, Coprophage…". She looks to the cave's opposite side. "Don't waste your time on me. It's doable for you to free Sehey, and get out before this sticky thing rains upon us. I'll be fine, go and do it,Coprophage!".
"There is an alternative…".
"What other option do we have?".
"Well… , Let's say i have a way to produce bigger and better blobs, but i will need your assistance".
"What do you mean, Coprophage?".
Instead of replying to Esdren. I make disappear the groin area of my bodysuit, exposing my deflated manhood…