Return of the Mythic Bloodline

"Lady Nymeria's words are true. Although your Soulforce hasn't fully recovered yet, the depth of your Soulforce has significantly increased," Vyaghra said as he walked toward us.

"The kid has a damn unique body," Jambavan added. "He meditates for a few breaths, and his Soulforce soars through the sky."

"So the newly converted Soulforce didn't take the empty space left by the consumed Soulforce but created its own space inside me," I thought inwardly. "That's two birds with one stone."

"Guys, why are you targeting me?" I protested. "Look at yourselves. Vyaghra, why aren't you tired anymore? Jambavan, where are all your previous injuries?"

"I already told ya before, this forest supplies all the beasts with infinite energy. So we only needed some time to heal ourselves," Jambavan replied.

"Yeah, yeah, I heard you," I said, obviously annoyed. "By the way, is there something wrong in Vyoman? Why doesn't the sun ever dawn here?"

"You're seriously asking that question now, after spending so many months in the forest?" Nymeria sneered.

"Well, I don't have any previous memories of Vyoman, so I don't know how this world's mechanics work."

"Mke... mkeniks? What's that?" Jambavan asked. "Forget it, must be a new word o' this generation. As for yer earlier doubt, the Queen cast a seal on this forest that prevents anyone from leaving. The reason for the infinite energy flow here is also related to that seal. The night yer currently lookin' at ain't real. It's an illusion cast by Her Majesty."

"How much power did she possess to cast such a sealing technique over such a wide area?" I gasped.

"This skill contains the essence of the Queen's divinity," Vyaghra said. "She sacrificed her eighth tail to cast it."

"So we can't leave this place yet?"

"We have to wait for Her Majesty to wake up."

I looked down at Ume, who was still sleeping, hugging my bare chest. My robe was already gone; only my pants kept my dignity intact.

"Jambavan, do you have any more clothes?" I asked. "It's quite embarrassing to walk around half-naked."

"Do ya think I have a shop here?" Jambavan scoffed. "These robes were made of a damn special material that didn't tear even after me and Vyaghra transformed—yet you managed to completely destroy yours. That was the last piece I had."

"I heard friends help each other in distress," Vyaghra said, removing his robe. "Here, you can have mine."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold your horses," I blurted, my hand flying to cover Nymeria's eyes. "Can't you see there is a lady here?"

"I-I don't have a problem with that," Nymeria replied plainly. "I have seen my fair share of bare male bodies."

My feet buckled as if the land beneath suddenly flipped, sending me off balance. Vyaghra held me fast, saying, "Be careful not to fall."

"Vy... Vyaghra, you are my only friend—"

"You almost injured the Queen under your weight," he said, pushing me back to a standing position.

"What was I expecting?" I sighed, then, turning my face to Nymeria, asked, "Wh-what did you mean by that?"

"In our clan, men train with their upper body naked in extreme cold to make their bodies stronger, so I don't mind seeing a bare male body or two."

"Bwahahaha, if you hadn't cleared it sooner, the kid would've died of a heart attack."

"Jambavan, can't you keep your mouth shut," I hissed in low voice towards Jambavan.

"So do you need the robe or not?" Vyaghra asked.

"Ughhhh, why am I stuck between these idiots?" I shouted inwardly and then with a forced smile on my face said, "No buddy, just keep it to yourself."

"Since we can't go outside yet, should we return to fifth zone? I'm famished and I also need to bath," Nymeria announced.

"Let's do that," I said stretching my one arm while the other was still carrying Ume's adorable body.

"Now that I look at it, the air has turned a lot fresher now. The purple hue from the trees is fading as well."

"Since the Queen is cured, the forest is healing itself," Vyaghra clarified.

We began moving towards the deeper zone observing the surroundings. The land was returning to life, new leaves were sprouting on the trees, the purple smoke that surrounded the forest earlier had gone. It felt a lot vibrant and bustling now.

The moment we entered the third zone, Ruru stood in front of us at the same place where we left her.

"Were you waiting for us here the whole time," I asked.

She bolted towards me for a long awaited hug but immediately slowed down as she saw Ume clinging to me.

She gently caressed my cheek with her tongue as tears went rolled down her eyes.

I welcomed her embrace and wiped her tears, whispering, "Don't cry anymore. Your clan members, friends and Queen—everyone is safe now."

She stayed like that for few minutes before providing me and Nymeria with the ride for rest of the journey.

As we reached the fifth zone, Nymeria immediately jumped off from Ruru's back and announced, "I'm going to take bath so don't come inside."

"Pretty lady," I called with a soft smile.

"Yes, speak"

"I also need to bathe and the Amrita water is precious, we shouldn't waste it."

"What are you trying to say?"

"Umm why don't we bathe together. We could save both water and time," I offered under a mischievous smirk.

She reached closer to me, her hands touched my cheek as she spoke, "since we are at it, why don't I give you a massage as well."

An icy aura emerged from her hands freezing half of my face.

"Joking...joking...I was only jok—," I blurted but my pleads were immediately put to stop as my whole face was enveloped in ice.

She turned and walked inside after giving a quick death stare; warning me not to peek.

---

"Tch..tch...Ya know her temper so why do ya still repeatedly poke the beehive," Jambavan nagged as he melted the ice with a burning fire stick.