"Seriously guys," Louise called out to the rest of the Royal Trio in a trembling voice. "Is it really necessary to climb massive branches like these?"
"No, but it'll be faster this way." Lycia flashed a bright smile from ahead of the line.
Louise take a glance at the ground below. Actually, they're so high up that the ground was barely visible. Just other super huge branches or massive bunches of leaves. "How far along are we?"
"Nearly there. We just need to cross this rackety bridge of vine here." Lycia replied ever so casually.
"You say that like it's not dangerous. We're literally betting our live's worth on the quality of these old vines!"
Cyane laughed at Louise's rant. "These things are reliable, Louise. Don't fret so much. Lycia and I have been on so much of these that we're certain this one's safe."
"Uh...how certain?"
"Judging by the quality of the vines...55%." Lycia informed after taking a peek at the vines.
"Hmm, good enough for me." Cyane shrugged.
"What the- are you kidding?!"
"Come on Louise, ease up. This bridge isn't so dangerous. In fact, I'm going to do a cartwheel!" Cyane raised both of her hands in excitement.
"Uh, Cyane I'm not sure that's such a great-"
"Too late. WHEE!" Cyane cartwheeled all the way through the bridge. And surprisingly, she made it to other end of the bridge. "See, it's safe. Go on, try it!"
"Nu-uh, no way. No way am I stepping on that bridge. Whether it's walking, running or even while doing cartwheels."
Lycia giggled and snatch on of Louise's hands. "Well in that case let's just do it together."
"WHAT?! D-doing it together will increase the weight and the chances of the bridge collapsing!"
"Hm, too late."
Indeed, while Louise spluttered all of his worries out, they're already well on their way through the bridge. It's clear that Louise disliked the altitudes for his hand gone all clammy and he gripped the frail railings all the way. Thus, Lycia did all she could to keep his stress levels under control every step of the way. And luckily they made it! Just in the nick of time though, because....
CRACK...SNAP!!
The frail bridge broke. I mean it should eventually. Louise was somewhat happy about this incident however.
"See, I told you it was gonna break!! Haha!!"
"Well, better be grateful we're not on it when that happens. Come on, let's move on."
The trio continued to scale up the tree's solid trunk and finally reached the fruit bearing boughs. On it, some more vines dangled down from it. Since there are no other way down but the vines, Louise can already sense the next challenge. They're going to rappel down the trunk using one of the not-so-trusty vines available.
"Vines again?" Louise sighed.
"Well if you don't want vines, we have other options." Lycia responded with a shrug.
"Ooh, did you bring sturdier ropes?" Louise jumped in excitement.
"Yes and no. I do brought sturdier ropes but it's not long enough, you know?"
"Then what are our other options?"
"These!" Cyane jumped onto a nearby seed pod. "All we need to do is sit all snuggly in here and hold on tight. And then someone will cut off the stem and off we go!"
"How's that safer than the vines?" Louise gulped.
"Just pick one, buddy. It's either that or the vines."
"I guess I'll be fine if I hold on. Besides, Cyane's already in position so I guess it'll be rude asking her to stand back up again to go on the vines."
"Don't worry, Louise. I won't mind the rush of air that comes with the vine option." Cyane's face lights up.
"Ehh...not for me, thank you." Louise timidly scooted over beside Cyane to make room for Lycia.
"Mind doing the honors, Lycia?" Cyane handed a dagger to her.
"I don't see why not? Hold on tight!" Lycia began to dug the dagger's blade through the seed pod's stem and just as the last sinewy bit is off the hook, the seed pod plummets down to the ground at an incredible speed.
Louise let out a small yelp as he loses balance and fell on top of Lycia. The girl is utterly flabbergasted and shocked but choose not to scoot him away. Instead she chuckled and held him close to her to prevent him falling over the edge. The scene is punctuated by a series of giggles from Cyane who seems to enjoy the view in front of her. Finally the seed pod landed with a dull thud and Louise, who just realized what he's doing, leapt off the seed pod first.
"Oh my gosh, I am so, so sorry, Lycia. I-I didn't mean to I-I lost balance and stuff and I-" He rambles on and on before Lycia stopped him.
"It's alright. Don't fret about it." Lycia waved her hand casually.
"Well that was erotic." Cyane commented amidst her fit of giggles.
"Shut up." Lycia elbowed her on the ribs. "He just loses his balance. What's the big deal?"
Cyane rolls her eyes and walked ahead of them as Louise attempted another apology. "Really, Lycia. You don't have to be so modest. It's all me to blame-"
"Oh, shut up you little human." Lycia jabbed her index on Louise's lips to stop him from talking any further. "Don't take that girl's words seriously. I ain't mad. And if you won't shut up, I'll be angry for real. So for the better good of both of us, kindly shut up." Louise gave her a swift nod before continuing their quest for the temple.
YOU ARE READING
Lost
FantasyLouise Walker, the step prince and the royal squire, expected nothing weird or unusual about his archeologist aunt's monthly visit. However, he's very much mistaken when his aunt presented him The Medeis Scroll filled with ancient runes. Louis, who...
