Splatoon Manga: NightRoad

Ghost

⭐️Chapter 18: Forest

"So. I guess we just gotta explore this place freestyle now, huh."

...

The group was now walking further into the forest, still shaken from the event. They were always on the lookout for anything suspicious, on guard at all times. With the map gone, they had no way of knowing where they were truly going. They were probably going to get lost at this point too...

Cause the world might do me in

It's all right cause I'm with friends

They looked around. Seemed like just a regular forest, and yet...something about it was...magical. They'd seen regular birds and animals sure, but...the forest itself was amazing. They realized they probably should've visited this place sooner. It was a shame there were no parks within here. It would probably be super popular among the cephalopods at home.

Cause I'm giving up again,

It doesn't matter...

They wandered over to a stream they heard. It was very clear, and you could see the bottom of it. The trees were tall and green, and it made the sunlight going through them turn green. Of course, Emperor was also getting a lot of plant jokes on his end. Initially it was funny, but eventually it just got annoying. He proceeded to chase Gloves and Goggles down when they persisted. Everyone was actually having a fun time, talking about theories and shadow puns.

Had me feeling like a ghost

And it's what I hate the most

Of course, they had a small idea of where Black Forest was from the map since they all got a good look, but only some people had remembered natural formations on there as well, and even so, nobody had remembered it all. There was also no way to tell what direction they were going. Oh and also, Emperor was now SUPER protective of Prince. He wouldn't let Prince leave his sight. He literally held his hand, too. Prince sighed. He thought this was over with. He kept insisting that Emperor should stop, but Emperor would not let his little brother be taken by some forest demon or something, let alone a shadowling.

Cause I'm giving up again

This time, this time, this time...

Nana said that one way to the forest included four split paths. She suggested that when the group arrived at it, they would split into pairs: herself and Hachi, Gloves and Flip, Goggles and Rider, and Prince and Emperor. Once they found the exit out, they could alert the others via a loud noise. Hachi was initially against the "loud noise" idea, as nobody knew what lived in here and god forbid they disturb something they shouldn't have. But Nana explained that there was truly no other way, even their weapons wouldn't be able to do it, so Hachi sighed and continued walking.

This time I might just disappear

Ah yeah

(Uh)

(Woah oooh oh oh)

Hachi then remembered there was a mazelike area within the forest that was completely off course of where they wanted to go. It was attached to one of the ends of the forest paths as well. He quickly told everyone, although he did not remember what the entrance to the maze looked like. The group made a plan that if one was to find the maze, they would walk back the way they came and try a different path.