Kulipari: Seeds and Weeds

Remains and Roots

"Do we have to wear this?" Dingo questioned, pulling at the mud-soaked cloak she was forced to wear.

"We are playing a part, Kulipari." Husk said patiently. "Poor villagers paying tives to the swamp queen for our continued survival. Be grateful you only pretend; other have had to live it."

They'd come to a village now--one built completely on docks. Animals of all kingdoms tried to elk out a living in the mucky ruin of Darkan's kingdom. Many were unhealthily thin and pale. A few eyes turned to the outsiders entering their home, only to turn away with a nod of respect when they saw one of the snakes among them. But a few openly scowled at the Kulipari 4, Deral, and Corah. 

They all shared a look, but as the snakes didn't offer an explanation, they didn't ask.

Sac and Parasite stared for a moment, before shaking their heads. "It is so weird hearing the word Kulipari."

"So you two weren't raised knowing what you were either?" Burnu questioned.

They were making their way through the swamps, swamps much different from that from which they had been under Darkan.

Rubble from his destroyed kingdom littered the ground, but even through that had only happened months ago, they were now overrun with vines, holding it tight like a dying man.

Or a greedy tyrant. Which this land knew far too much of.

"No, we sorta knew. But when we met Kuli, everyone called them Kulipari. So much that its what we most associate with the word." Sac explained.

"Hence the shortening of my name!" Kuli called back.

They were leading their little parade. Cloud slithered at their side, acting the prisoner. He was their key to getting close to Quoba.

"You've been pretty quiet." Kuli noted, eyeing Darel.

The blue sky king sighed. "We lost a friend--Pigo--the last time we came here."

Corah sighed from behind him. "He'd be so proud of Stinger."

"Would he?" Burnu asked, crossing his arms.

"Burnu." Ponto said in a warning tone.

"Stinger is no Marmoo." Husk spoke up. "Pigo would be proud. You all should. You raised him as his father never would."

"Have you guys seen Stinger?" Deral questioned.

They had all been desperate for word of their scorpion prince since he'd left Nova Australis.

"Seen." Kuli laughed. "We're basically poison siblings. He helped us out, we helped him a little..."

"So we were just the last people you came to?" Wilka said dryly.

Kuli shrugged. "You guys seemed busy with your own problems."

"But of course, those have become ours now. All of the Amphibalands."
Parasite grumbled.

Silence regained, a mix of grief, guilt, and fear of what was to come.

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The swamp's air was too thick to see through, like a hilla monster's skin. Kuli halted, making everyone else stop in their tracks. Cloud on the other hand slithered around them in concern.

This would have scared the Nova Australians before, but after riding on the reptile's back, they understood now that this was just one way he showed his anxiety.

"What are we waiting for?" Burnu asked, fidgeting with his boomerangs. "This is a good way to get ambushed."

"We're waiting for Quoba's 'door keeper'." Husk sneered.