Here you go, ch. # 12.

Chapter 12: To Listen

"Purit Peak," said Leniox, "that is where we must go."

"Purit Peak- located in the northern part of the Qulox Mountains. Approximately 1 mile altitude and roughly 2 days journey from here."

Here she paused and looked at Leniox who smiled.

"We will have to travel through Geverda and approach the Qulox on the east side. Make our way through the Pass of Conit until we reach the Rogu Path. Take that up the mountainside until we reach Purit Peak."

"You seem to know exactly where we're going," Leniox said.

"Well, Grand Warrior Hearuw had us study Creto's geography very closely. He also had us study Chozo lore and history, poetry, and, of course, survival skills. And I think that the last may come in handy right about now." Samus pointed out.

"Well then, let us get going," Leniox suggested.

"Let's," replied Samus. With that she led Leniox out down the cliffside where there community lived and down into Gerverda.

Gerverda was located between this cliff of Chozo establishments and the Qulox Mountains. It is a grove of tall and ancient trees, their broad leaves creating a clear path underneath them. Sunlight danced with darkness on the bare forest floor, and a silence filled the space from ground to canopy. In the distance other Warrior& Astronomerpairs could be heard, but their sounds eventually merged with the quiet.

The human and Chozo made their way through the grove easily and quickly. By high noon Samus was sure they were half way through Gerverda. It was at this time that they reached a small clearing.

The trees formed a circle here and light poured into it. Brown dirt covered the clearing, and Samus noticed there were no footprints in it. There is something here though, despite the lack of evidence, I can feel it.

Samus chose to not show her apprehension and continued to lead Leniox through the clearing. She became very alert and gripped her staff tightly. Something is watching us, she thought. There was no visible danger but every pore of her body was saying otherwise.

Despite her feelings, Samus and Leniox got to the other side of the clearing without a problem. Was I overreacting? She asked herself. It was a change in this endless stream of trees, big deal. I just got a little frightened at the idea of having to fight something, right. No. I was right, there is something there, I know it.

"Are you okay Samus," asked Leniox.

"Yes," said Samus.

"I can sense that you have become, ah, agitated," Leniox said.

"I'm fine," insisted Samus, but she knew that Leniox did not believe her.

"Okay, maybe you're fine but I am not," said the Chozo. "I am famished."

"Oh…" said Samus. She had forgotten that she also had to feed her charge not just guide him.

Peering around Samus looked for some sort of food. Maybe there are some fruit trees… and to her luck there was. Standing further up their path was a Doda tree.

"Well my good friend, you are in luck," she said and then marched over to the tree.

It was a tall tree, but its branches started low and were excellent for climbing. Samus nimbly scaled the tree and returned with three Doda in her hands. She handed two to Leniox and kept one for herself.

Leniox skillfully peeled the orange skin to reveal the lavender colored flesh. I love these things, he thought. A pleasant smell filled Leniox's nostrils and he quickly devoured the first of his Dodas.

"Wow, you were hungry," Samus laughed at Leniox, for at the moment, the Chozo found his face covered with Doda juice.

"Just like at home," he commented, referring to eating Dodas for lunch during his classes.

"Yes, just as messy," said Samus who started to eat her fruit.

It took two more rounds of climbing the Doda tree before Leniox was content to move on. Samus though, was glad for this break from their traveling. She preferred to have lunch as friends than to travel as escort and escorted.

The sun was far behind them, in the east, when Samus stopped to check her bearings. If I'm right, then Gerverda ends right over this little hill. She looked up the hill, and then she and Leniox climbed it. At the top Samus saw she was right.

As they emerged out of Gerverda they could see the Qulox Mountains, which seemed to stream on forever. Samus could see the Pass of Conit, and she pointed it out to Leniox. The pass was narrow and rocky, and there were boulders everywhere. Great ,she thought.

"The Pass of Conit," stated Leniox with little emotion.

"Yep, that is it. Looks like great fun," Samus joked.

"Yes, great fun."

The beginning of their journey through the Pass of Conit wasn't too difficult, but night was coming, and Samus pushed them hard to find a good place to camp. She easily made her way along the rocky pass. Leniox, a Chozo of good size, found the pass more difficult but was able to make due.

Soon they found a good place to camp.It was flat and dry andshielded from the winds that would ravage the pass at night. Samus went to find something to start a fire with, while Leniox ate some Dodas he had brought with him. Leniox sure loves food, she thought as she left him.

Samus could remember passing a dead tree, the only one in the pass, earlier. As the sun set she found the tree and started to rip its limbs off. We need fire, to keep us warm and ward off creatures, she said mentally as the tree became a pole.

The sun was gone now, its last rays pale gray on the horizon. She could see Leniox up on their ledge and started to go that way, a bundle of kindle in her arms. It was at that moment she heard it.

A low growl from behind her made Samus stop in her tracks. Oh no…then it leapt.

Samus jumped away from the creature and her firewood went flying. She landed and got to her feet just in time to dodge another pounce. She could she the glowing eyes and dark outline, it was a Cruneo. A small but dangerous creature, catlike and hungry.

"Leniox!" she screamed as the Cruneo lunged for her. This time she twisted away andhit its back with her forearm. The creature emitted a rough cry as it corrected itself.

"Leniox my staff!" she cried. She could hear Leniox struggling down the rocky path, but for now she was on her own.

The Cruneo got to its feet and started to circle Samus, feeling her out. Samus pivoted, always facing the creature. Come on, try me, she thought.

Once again it leapt onto her, and this time Samus wasn't quite fast enough. The creature's claws caught in her robe and she was dragged to the ground as the Cruneo landed.

Thinking fast and not caring if she hurt herself, Samusaimed a kick at the creature's face. Her barefoot collided with the furry jaw and she heard a sickening crack. She ripped herself free and stood on her shaking legs. The Cruneo roared in pain and Samus could hear Leniox approaching.

"Samus!" he yelled. Avoiding the Cruneo, the Chozo ran to Samus and gave her the Orcios staff.

Using her heightened eyesight Samus peered into the dark and could she the Cruneo readying for another round. She quickly put herself between it and Leniox, her staff at the ready.

The Cruneoskillfully slithered around to Samus's left and jumped. It was clearly trying to get Leniox,but Samus would have none of that.

The Cruneo was in the air, when a well timed hit from her staff sent the poor creature to the ground. It landed with a thud and took its time getting up. When it did it gave the pair a loathing glance and retreated.

"Quickly," Samus wasted no time. "Get the firewood and get back to the ledge."

Back at their ledge Samus had a good-sized flame going. The fire cast shadows on the rock besides them, but also spread light around them.

"What was that Samus?" Leniox asked after several silent minutes.

"A Cruneo," Samus answered. "But we don't have to worry about them now. It won't come back, not with the fire here."

"Good," said Leniox.

Being alone with a good friend, Samus felt like she was back at their secret spot. The fire warmed her body as the night air was chilled. She felt good, very good, despite the latest scare.

"Doyou know thereason why we Astronomers do what we do?" asked Leniox out of the blue.

"No, but I'd guess it would be to study the stars.Right?" replied Samus.

"Yes and no. The universe is full of secrets, full of unbelievable things, Samus. I want to uncover those secrets. You see, my dear friend, ifyou listen hard enough, you can hear those secrets.My training was to learn how to listen the right way. The cosmos will yield their secrets to those they deem ready and worthy. That is how all of the Chozo's prophecies have been uncovered, they were given to us."

Leniox paused at what he had just said and Samus sat in wonder.

"I think I will retire for the night. Wake me when you need to sleep," he said and then went to sleep.

Later in the night,as the fire began to burn low, Leniox relieved her. The Chozo was not used to such things but kept his watch. He looked at his friend with caring eyes and then looked to the stars. As he did, the fire burned to mere ashes, but still the creatures stayed away.