Chapter 98: We’ll run around in circles for three months

"Wen, do you understand what you’re saying? Anuwol died! We saw him when he was infected, when he died, and when he was buried. And today, he had those vine-like markings on his body. He’s gone."

Helgan understood how Wen felt. He too hoped that he could see his loved ones again, play with his friends again, and live in their home before it was destroyed. But that was only a dream at this point.

"No, you’re not listening. Anuwol didn’t resemble any of the dead! We could tell that even the beasts were dead when we fought against them. But Anuwol actively avoided us. He didn’t want to fight."

Mika placed a hand on her friend’s shoulder. "Wen."

"Fine, fine. But I know what I saw. Anuwol was more spiritual than all of us. He could bend nature to his will. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Verminus Plant only made him stronger."

"We can worry about that later," Zuna said while preparing something to eat. "For now, rest, regain your strength, and focus on making it back home alive."

---

The six of them stayed at their camp for three days, as that’s how long Itha was unconscious. In that time, they didn’t come across any threat, only wild animals, some of which were killed for the group’s dinner.

When Itha awoke, she asked about Helgan’s situation, hoping that he hadn’t died. After Zuna explained everything to her, she breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that a death didn’t occur because she was out of commission.

"And so Wen thinks that Anuwol is alive?" Itha was informed of everything that happened during her nice nap.

"Yup. Look at him, not even talking to us because he’s upset that we won’t believe what he saw." Helgan passed Itha a piece of meat for her to eat.

"Well, I think I can understand how he’s feeling. That sense of duty to save your people if they might be alive, even if it’s only one person."

"We both feel that way," Mika explained. "But we are also not going to let the way we feel get in the way of our mission."

Jol snickered. "Yeah, tell that to Mister Team Leader over here."

Helgan couldn’t forgive himself for what he had done. Regardless of the situation, he shouldn’t have lost control, especially as team leader. "I’ll admit my mistake. I lost control and nearly put the mission in jeopardy."

"As long as you don’t do it again." Jol continued to eat.

"Uhh, guys," Wen said. "About Anuwol."

"Not this again. Give it a rest, Wen."

"No, you all need to see this. It’s Anuwol; he’s coming this way. And it doesn’t look like he’s alone."

"What?"

The five of them went over to Wen to see what he was talking about and saw a large group of people coming this way, with Anuwol leading them.

"So, do you still think he’s alive?" Jol asked, getting his spear.

"How did they find us?! We’re a great distance away from the Typhon Tribe Village."

"I don’t know, but they don’t look like they’ve come to talk. We need to move, now. We’ll depart for the Neaman Tribe right away." Helgan ordered

"And lead those corpses back to our village? Are you crazy?" Jol nearly lost his mind.

"Jol is right. We shouldn’t lead them back to the village. Instead, we’ll lead them around the plains and forests until we can find a perfect opportunity to make a break for it and return to the village." Mika suggested

"Then that’s what we’ll do. Let’s move."

Little did they know that their plan would lead to three months of pure suffering and being on the run constantly.

---

[Present Day]

Kanan paced around his hut, awaiting news from anyone at this point. They had just killed the giant a day ago, and Chief Solan told him to rest up while he made plans in the meantime.

"Kanan, please sit down. Your pacing is making me feel like I’m about to give birth." Glena was eating at the table, with Viola across from her.

"S-Sorry. But I’m just nervous. And how does my pacing have to do with giving birth?" He was extremely confused.

"Because men pace when their mates are about to give birth. It reminded me of that. I’ve been a midwife before, you know."

"O-Oh, my bad."

"Kanan, how big was that giant? Was it huge, like everyone was saying?" Once the threat was over, Viola went to visit her parents, and that’s when she heard the news of what had happened.

When people were talking about how cool and powerful Kanan was, she couldn’t help but grin, as that was her mate they were talking about. She was even carrying his child.

"Oh yeah, it was huge. Like, I was probably the size of its eyeball. It was way taller than our walls. It even had four arms and looked like a monster!"

"Kanan, it is a monster." Glena reminded him.

"Right! But it was scary. I’m surprised I didn’t have any nightmares."

"I heard that you, Elder Nala, Chief Solan, and the new Elder Telah had to work together to beat it, and even then, it was a close battle. I wish I were there to watch! I could have thrown you a rock for moral support."

"Heh, don’t worry about it, Vi. I’m just happy that you’re safe. Besides, I wouldn’t want you to get hurt, especially with our child on the way."

"Kanan, promise me that you won’t get me pregnant again too quickly. I want to work by your side and help the village in any way I can. I...I also miss the mines. Arghh, my glory days! I remember when I could swing my pickaxe and split a whole mountain in half! Now I can’t even touch my toes."

Kanan didn’t know where she got the strength to split a mountain in half from, but he just went along with it.

"I want another child once I’m healthy enough to have one." Glena smiled while rubbing her belly.

"I’m getting closer to the time when I won’t be able to have children anymore, so I want to have at least four before my time is up."

"Guess I’ll be working hard, huh?" Kanan chuckled

Glena bit her lips as she looked Kanan up and down. "Very."