Winds of Freedom

Chapter 39: Red vs. Green

Chapter 39: Red vs. Green

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Shang Tu Island - Pangu Forest, Noon Hours

The setting sun cast a golden glow over the lush expanse of Pangu Forest, its light filtering through the dense foliage and creating a serene atmosphere. The forest was calm and tamed, with an aura of ancient wisdom, as though it had borne witness to countless centuries of history.

Three figures made their way through the underbrush, the peaceful sounds of the forest accompanied them. They moved with purpose, their footsteps soft but steady, determined to find their objective.

"Hmmm, is this really the place, Sherlock?" Amy teased, glancing playfully at Milla, who was intently sniffing the ground and surrounding plants as though on the trail of some elusive clue.

Milla perked her ears up, a gleam of excitement in her eyes as she looked back at Amy with a smile. "Yep, yep! We're going in the right direction, Watison!" she replied, bounding forward a bit.

"Watson Rose!" Amy corrected with a laugh, shaking her head at their little game. It had been quite entertaining to play their own version of detectives. Their investigation had led them here to this expansive, sacred forest, thanks to Milla's keen sense of smell.

"Are you two done playing?" Neera interjected, her tone tinged with impatience. Her gaze scanned the surroundings, eyes narrowed as she took in every detail. She didn't have time for childish games-there was too much at stake.

Amy gave her a sheepish smile. "Oh, don't worry, Neera. We're just having a bit of lighthearted fun."

"Fun. At a time like this?" Neera replied, her expression unchanging, her tone dry and unamused.

"I know, I know," Amy said, her voice becoming more serious. "We need to find the Magister as fast as possible, but we can't be all gloom and doom, we have to maintain a positive attitude!" Her face softened with a smile as she glanced at Milla. "Besides, thanks to Milla, we're able to follow the Magister's trail in no time thanks to that spare robe of his."

Milla beamed at the praise, her eyes bright with pride. "Uh-huh! It was so easy to catch his scent! It's practically still fresh. And even though there were other smells mixed in, I could track it easily!" She wagged her tail in excitement. It had been a bit challenging when they were back at the palace, but as they moved through the forest, the scent had grown clearer with fewer obstacles.

Neera's stern expression softened as she watched the two, though she tried to mask it with a sigh. At least they were making progress. The three of them were the only ones available for this crucial mission while Gong took charge in their absence. "I suppose progress is being made," she muttered, conceding reluctantly.

Amy sensed Neera's frustration and placed a reassuring hand on her arm. "Neera. I know you're eager to find him, but we need to be patient. We promised that we will find him, and we will" She gestured toward Milla, who sniffed along the ground with intense focus, her tail wagging furiously.

Neera sighed deeply. "You're right, it's just..." She hesitated, her worry almost breaking through. After a pause, she deflected, her attention turning to their surroundings. "It's just... Pangu Forest? Why would the captors bring someone here?"

Amy nodded thoughtfully. "Hmm, yeah, if I remember correctly, this place is sacred, right?" She recalled stories from her tour, the legend of the forest, and its mystical significance.

Neera's expression softened further, her eyes reflecting a hint of nostalgia. "This is indeed a sacred place, where the legendary dragon is said to have first descended upon our land in the ancient times before these islands were known as Avalice." Her gaze became more distant as she spoke, as if she could see the stories coming to life around her. "Actually... it makes sense. If they wanted to hide someone or something, this would be the last place anyone would look."