Chapter 13: Revisiting Viper Manor

The souls floated away, far up in the sky. Our sphere lifted up out of the water and landed in Kid's hands.

"Let's go, mates,"

'Mates.' It's been a while since she's said that. 'Mate.' The only word I can remember Kid saying that we were acquaintances…friends…or maybe something more.

The four of us walked to the gates of Kilika Woods.

"Be careful, ya?" Wakka spoke, "There are poisonous creatures and plants in there. One touch and you're lying on your death bed,"

"Yeah, whatever," Kid walked a few steps and examined the three paths ahead, "Any fancy on how ta go ta the temple?"

"Uh…yeah, I think so," Wakka scratched his head.

"Let us take separate paths. Wakka and I will take the left path, Kid and Serge will take the right path, okay?" With a slight nod towards me, they were off.

I knew what Lulu and Wakka were doing. They were trying to get Kid to speak to me again. Somehow, they knew. They knew Kid didn't want to talk to me. They knew she was mad. Was it that obvious? 'fraid so.

Kid was ahead of me as we grazed down the pathway. Twists and turns were around every corner.

"Sure is pretty weird in here," I said, trying to spice up a conversation.

"Whatever," That was all I could get out of her. Soon enough, we came to a dead end. A lake was spotted directly ahead.

"How about we go for a swim?" I, yet again, tried to get her to speak.

"Ya kiddin'?! We don't know what's in the-OW!" Kid bent down to her ankle.

"Kid! What's wrong?!" I came down to her level.

"Bloody he-!"

"Kid! What's wro…" I stopped myself. Inches away was a snake with diamond shaped pupils.

From my years of experience of wild creatures, I know diamond shaped eyes are bad news.

"Don't make any sudden moves," I said, still keeping my eyes on the snake.

"Whaddya…" Her voice trailed off. She too, was looking at the snake, somewhat dazed.

"Let us get up, slowly, and walk away," I whispered. Kid shook her head.

"I can't, mate,"

"Why not?"

"I've had this feelin' before. I remember it all too well…You remember what Wakka was sayin' a lil' bit earlier?"

"Yeah…"

"Well," She seemed quite happy, "I've been poisoned,"

Oh no! Not again! Last time this sort of thing happened, we were trapped on the balcony of Viper Manor. Riddel was captured in Kid's arms, The Viper wishing for his daughter back, and Lynx…he threatened to take our lives. 'Chrono Trigger!' That still rings through my mind. When Kid refused to get rid of Riddel, Lynx threw the dagger. The one inflicted with poison, only cured by Hydra Humor, the rarest medicine in El Nido. Kid nearly died.