Milbong Rainforest (1)

The Deev River had its source in the west, in the icy Shadia mountain range of the distant Denwen Empire. This was a wide, fast-flowing channel that traversed the entire Milbong rainforest, crossing the Gerda mountain range and flowing into the Gulf of Kikimora to the east.

The banyan trees of the Milbong rainforest were characterized by being colossal, having a diameter of more than 50 meters and reaching heights of hundreds of meters, making it possible to see them from the borders of the three neighboring kingdoms.

Its reddish wood was so resistant that it was impossible to cut it with normal instruments and, instead of leaves, the cups were full of aromatic flowers of snowy colors throughout the year. The thick branches and roots of the banyan trees extended everywhere, creating great distances between each one, and above, the canopies joined together to form a natural roof that cushioned the fall of the constant rains, protecting the vast majority of the fauna and flora. For these reasons, many beasts sought shelter in the rainforest.

A few kilometers from the Gerda mountain range, a small camp was located on the other side of the Deev River. Usually, one or another herbivorous beast must have been grazing and delighting in the fruits scattered on the ground, but there was no trace of life in the vicinity at that time. But it was to be expected after having experienced two intense earthquakes.

Three camping tents stood at the base of a tree; the colors of the fabric blended in perfectly with the surroundings, and their sizes went unnoticed among the dense foliage.

A few meters ahead there were remains of a campfire which embers were out, and to one side, far from the tents, three beasts were hunched back to back. The leather packsaddles they wore tight around their backs contrasted with their thick white fur now smeared with dirt, while their vigilant postures as they scanned their surroundings indicated their high state of alert.

These beasts were called helmi. They had slender, elongated bodies that complemented their agility and dexterity, yet were robust enough to carry twice their weight. Besides being excellent mounts for traversing territories with uneven terrain, they have an extraordinary sense of smell, and their snouts are equipped with sharp fangs.

Suddenly, the crunch of quick footsteps on the grass echoed through the area, cutting through the deathly silence of the rainforest. The helmis immediately turned their heads in the direction the noise came from, producing low growls as they prepared to take action.

The footsteps stopped a few meters from the camp, just behind the wide trunk of a tree. The sound of cloth rustling reached the ears of the helmis, which immediately recognized the scent of the human behind the banyan tree. Still, none of them let their guard down, visibly restless by the impetuous aether that swept through the rainforest. 

If it weren't for their special training, the three would have fled far away, abandoning their masters.

A few minutes later, a man dressed in a dark red uniform appeared from behind the tree. He raised one of his hands and his short nails were replaced by sharp claws, which he used to cut the vine-like roots falling from the treetops that stood in his way.

When he approached the camp, sigils in the grass flashed in a flicker before fading away. He continued walking without giving it much thought while undoing his claws and returning his hand to normal. Once in front of one of the tents, he probed inside, sensing the presence of three different aethers. His brow furrowed in displeasure, but he quickly wiped all traces of emotion from his face.

"Elisha, I'm coming in," he announced in an overbearing tone. Without waiting for the other person's response, his hand removed the fabric that served as a door and went in.

The tent's interior was much larger than it appeared on the outside, all due to a dimensional enchantment that allowed the space of a defined area to be modified and enlarged. 

The man then examined the mess before his eyes. Several jewelry boxes were lying on the carpeted floor, their contents scattered everywhere; earrings, bracelets, brooches, and chokers, among other luxurious accessories, all being hurriedly picked up by a girl wearing the typical grayish uniform of the maidens who belonged to the Sacred Creed, a congregation of believers who worshiped deities called eloah.

Recognizing the man's voice, the ochre-blond-haired maiden shuddered with fear. She instinctively hunched her back, with her chin almost touching her chest, and tried to pick up the scattered objects more quickly while diminishing her presence as best as possible.

He ignored the maid as usual and continued taking long strides towards the center of the tent, where another woman sat, clad in a thin white robe that covered every inch of her skin, but this could not hide her captivating presence, which was not appropriate for her young age of nineteen.

The area around her was neat and clean; the wooden table was filled with small appetizers, perfect for eating in one bite, and the cup of tea she held in her hands still gave off a faint mist.

The scene of the young woman peacefully enjoying her rest, ignoring the disorder around her, was quite dissonant, but no one commented on it, as if the situation were completely natural.

"Elisha," he called her again, stopping in front of the table.

Elisha raised her gaze in his direction as if she had just become aware of his presence. Her pale pink eyes widened, revealing her surprise, and her cheeks colored with a subtle blush, accentuating her daintiness.

"Mael!" Elisha exclaimed jubilantly, setting the teacup down and then standing up to approach the man whose overwhelming presence seemed to cut through even the air.

Samael's mint green eyes stared at Elisha's figure, scanning every inch of her clothing. Seeing that everything was in place, Samael averted his gaze to the man standing silently behind her.