The Return to Phantomile
~ VISION 1-14: The Mysterious Crystal ~
It was now in the middle of the afternoon, with bits of light shining shining through the giant green and slightly brown leaved trees covering the sky, as the sun was out. Klonoa, Clawford and Kio were walking down the narrow wooden platforms that were set up around the trees and high above the ground, passing by a couple of wooden homes with thatched roofs in the middle of Forlock's forest, as well as an occasional inhabitant of Forlock. During this, Clawford turned back to Klonoa while they walked.
Clawford: Hey, uh... if you don't mind me asking... who exactly is Joka? I know he summoned that monster that tried to destroy Jugpot, so i hold a grudge to him for that. But... you two seemed to have some great history together.
Klonoa then looked back to Clawford, and softly spoke up.
Klonoa: ...He was one of the people responsible for attempting to take over Phantomile so many years ago. He destroyed my home in Breezegale... killed my grandfather... possessed King Seadoph...
Clawford seemed a bit shocked to hear that as his eyes widened for a moment. Huepow then exited the Wind Ring in the Ring Spirit form and looks at the three of them while talking.
Huepow: And to even top it off, he helped to kidnap Lephise and tortured poor Granny! !
Kio: Wait... so... he is also the one responsible for letting you return to this world?
Klonoa: Could be. But... i'm not so sure.
Huepow: Me neither. He's even more arrogant than before, giving us a sloppy explanation in order to explain his own resurrection. Then again, that's much more than we could expect from the likes of him.
Clawford: I... I see...
Huepow: He definitely seems to play a part in all of this though. We'll have to try and beat the information out of him at some point when we'll cross paths again!
Klonoa: Right...
Klonoa thought a bit to himself again, thinking back on that giant, mysterious fortress he was almost captured in.
Klonoa: I wonder... would this mysterious 'lord' he now works under have something to do with all the crazy things that went down before my arrival in Phantomile...?
Klonoa then detached the Wind Ring from his belt and looked back at the ring in his hand as they were still walking, slowly starting to look a bit more serious.
Klonoa: ...No time to worry about that now. When the time comes, i'll finally get back at him myself. It's going to be personal, just between the two of us.
The three of them seemed rather surprised to hear that from Klonoa, as he then snapped back to it, and realised that the three were staring at him from what he said, before quickly attaching the Ring back onto his belt.
Clawford: Whoa...
Kio: Hold on, you're actually thinking of going up against that terrifying clown?!
Klonoa then seemed a bit confused, and then started to naively grin.
Klonoa: Hm? Of course i do. I mean... we two beat him before. We can surely do it again!
Huepow: ...Right... Although for now, it won't bother us. We got another problem to solve!
Huepow turned around and stopped, looking upward... with Klonoa, Kio and Clawford following soon afterward. In the clear daylight, they saw a giant wooden castle full with machinery surrounding it... The four of them looked in awe for a while.
Klonoa: That's the place. I can surely remember it.
Kio: Whoa! What is all of THAT?!
Huepow: That giant building there? That is the Tree Mansion of Machinery. The power source of this kingdom, and the main castle where the Chieftess resides.
Klonoa: Exactly the place where we're heading!
Huepow, Klonoa, Kio and Clawford then kept walking on and eventually got to the end of the path, which had a wooden gondola platform that brought them higher up to the top of the forest. The guard of the forlock guard who saw the four of them get on, then began to raise the platform as they went upwards. Kio seemed a bit overwhelmed while Clawford was fascinated, looking down on Forlock and the multiple paths that were all scattered across different heights.
Clawford: Wow, that is incredible... How did i never know about this?
Kio: I... I always just assumed it was a hidden village in a big forest...!
Then as Kio looked down on the residents, he started to notice a pattern of the Forlock residents. Kio then turned back to the rest on the platform.
Kio: Hey, uh... I only noticed it now, but... Don't these people all look...
Kio then pointed at the Forlock residents down below. Most of the inhabitants that they had kept passing by so far and that they could currently see now, consist of male, forlock natives with a pluck of red spikey head and two stripes of red paint on each cheek. They also wore a red and green grass tunic, and some even wielded weaponised pitchforks. Some with their eyes fully closed, and some who had their eyes opened, to which they were all green.
Kio: ...exactly the same?
Klonoa, Huepow and Clawford raised their eyebrows at Kio after he said that.
Clawford: That sounds a bit rude to say, don't you think?
Kio: No, no, i don't mean it like that! It's just that... even back at Jugpot with their soldier outfits, the people in question looked a bit different. These guys all got the same exact hair, same exact shape, same face markings... Not to mention those that do have eyes are green!
Klonoa: Now that you mention it... yeah, that is kind of strange.
Huepow: If i may, i believe it is because they are a tribe. Hence why they all try to stick to one look.
Kio: Ohh... i guess that makes more sense.
Then the wooden gondola finally reached the end, as they made it to the highest platforms there are, resting on the top of the trees itself and just above. They just walked on further ahead on the wooden path to get to the Tree Mansion of Machinery.
After walking for a while, Klonoa, Clawford, Kio and Huepow arrived over at the Tree Mansion of Machinery. There was a gondola at the end of the road that leads to the top of the tree mansion in the distance. Although the gondola was guarded by two Forlock Guards, as they both wielded a weaponised pitchfork and aimed it at the three of them... Kio and Clawford nearly fall over from their sudden attitude change, as Klonoa immediately put his hands up and waved, as they raised their voice.
Forlock Guard 1: Stop! !
Kio: W-whoa!
Forlock Guard 2: State business! Why go to Granny?!
Klonoa: Hey, hold on! We're just-
Huepow then transformed back to his true form and turns towards the two Forlock Guards himself, calmly putting his hand on his chest.
Huepow: Excuse us... I am Prince Huepow from Cress. We are here to speak with the Chieftess about urgent matters. It revolves around the latest strange occurrences.
Klonoa: Y...Yeah, what he said.
After what Huepow said, both Forlock Guards stared for a moment, before they slowly began to lower down their spears, as Klonoa deeply sighed from relief.
Forlock Guard 2: All right. Sorry for rude behaviour.
Forlock Guard 1: You all get on. Granny was expecting prince.
Huepow: Thank you so much, gentlemen.
Huepow then passed on forth between the two Forlock Guards and stepped onto the wooden gondola, as do Klonoa, Clawford and Kio. They all get on, with one Forlock Guard raising his hand into the distance to signal the as the guard of the gondola makes it go... with the gondola heading for the top of the Tree Mansion of Machinery in the distance, connected by a wire on the tree on top of the building.
Meanwhile back over in the dark, unknown region of Vodania at the giant fortress... A few of the blimps were flying around the fortress. The giant, ominous lion with blonde fur wearing a black an dark red robe and iron gauntlets, walked up into giant launch station's tower. It seemed like a few mechanical Nighty-Knights were currently building up on top of the rocket, as it was still incomplete, with the top half missing. They were carefully doing a run with a few scientists around the rocket that looked like lighted pink-flaming candles with rubies for eyes, wearing labcoats. Then when the lion stepped in, one of them immediately ran on over to the lion, properly kneeling down.
Scientist: Master Hue!
Hue: Speak, minion. Give me your report.
Scientist: The Nightmare Crystal seems to be a bit behind on development, but... The progress on the Nightmare Missile is perfectly on schedule. We're making sure it's destructive force is so powerful, it can even break through a small moon!
Hue then deeply sighed.
Hue: That is not enough for the rocket. We need to have enough power to break through a nightmare sun. Triple-check every singular internal component and external components to make sure they exceed at least the base levels.
Hue then glares over the scientist with a serious look, as the scientist began to tremble a bit.
Hue: We must not fail. Got it?
The scientist then immediately got back up, and properly saluted while still trembling a bit.
Scientist: Y-yes sir! !
Then the scientist ran back on over to the mechanical Nighty-Knights who seemed to be slacking off a bit by dozing off, as the scientist yelled at them while running right for them.
Scientist: Hey, you two! ! Get going you lazy louts! Master Hue needs every piece of metal to be as properly polished and sharp as possible! Every sprocket, every bolt, every pipe! The rocket must be completed on time! !
Then one of the Nighty-Knight engineers wakes up with shock and turns back for the scientists.
Nighty-Knight Engineer: Okay, calm down! We get it!
Meanwhile as the two were arguing, Joka then appeared out of thin-air behind Hue's back after he had snapped his fingers, and immediately bowed down to Hue in a really fashionable manner.
Joka: I'm back, Lord Hue!
Hue let out a confused grunt as he then turned around, seeing it was Joka, and then he began looking down upon him.
Hue: What is it now my servant?
Joka: Good news. I found the brat!
Hue then seemed rather surprised to hear that coming from Joka, and raised an eyebrow.
Hue: The Dream Traveler...?
Joka: He must've went back to Phantomile after that escape he made from this fortress. Isn't that a funny coincidence!
Hue: And?
Joka: Well... I first ran into him when i attempted to retrieve that mysterious treasure. He made rather quick work of my Golden Knight.
Hue: I see... so, how is your progress with Phantomile going despite of that somewhat... 'tough', run-in?
Joka: You see... i was finally starting to warm up by going for Jugpot first, and uh... he then killed my Rampant Lango.
Hue: The Rampant Lango?! He died? ! ?
Joka: Ho ho, so it seems... well, that's too bad. I was just trying to test the waters with that little brat and all. The corruption put on them from your magic, seems to have made both their strengths and weaknesses much more vital... The backs of Lango's have always been known to be rather frail.
Hue then deeply sighed, before he starts to get a bit more fierce at Joka.
Hue: ...Very well. I will give you one more attempt at this, Joka. Ghadius trusted you, so i will do it too. I will even give you a fraction of my army to be commanded at your word as i see some potential from you... But i want to see Phantomile squashed, along with that annoying, pesky Dream Traveler! Got that?!
Joka's face lighted up, as he seemed really grateful to Hue's offering.
Joka: Oh my lord... Thank you, sire! Thank you for the generous gift of giving me extra forces...
Joka then turned around, walking off from the launch station, and faintly said to himself while wiping his smile off his face...
"...Too bad you weren't there to know the truth, Hue. Phantomile will never be the same again, starting from today... once i'm done with them all, you won't be the same either. My legacy starts here."
While Klonoa, Huepow, Kio and Clawford were waiting on reaching the top, they all just stood still as the gondola was going rather slow, not even being halfway there... After a while Klonoa yawned. Then a while after that, Clawford rubbed his eyes. Then a bit later after that, Kio eventually turns towards Klonoa.
Kio: Hey, uh, Klonoa... about that air board... Can i maybe get back on that topic? I really need to know.
Klonoa: Hm?
Kio: You said what it is, but not exactly WHERE it came from.
Huepow: Yeah... you said it was from... Joilant, if i remember correct? But what even is the kingdom like? You also said they were kingdoms based on emotions in Lunatea, but how could they have something so advanced and for what purpose?
Clawford: Hmm... now i'm kind of curious myself. Seeing as i never got to hear from people speaking of myths in person.
Klonoa: Oh, right... i did say i would get back to that at some point when we weren't focussed on our journey. Well, if you're all that curious, i might as well just blabber out what i know right now... we got a few minutes to spare.
Klonoa cleared his throat for a moment, before looking back at Huepow, Clawford and Kio.
Klonoa: See... Joilant is like... a really joyful amusement park, except people actually live in it. There are rollercoasters, ghost houses, merry-go-rounds, and various other attractions all over the place.
Kio then scratched his head, as does Huepow.
Huepow: I... I'm sorry but i'm kind of lost on what any of that means.
Kio: What's an "amusement park"?
Klonoa then scratched his own head bit as he started to get confused in his own head for a moment.
Klonoa: Oh, right... this place doesn't have any of that yet... Well, you see... It's like an area... specifically meant to have fun. Anyway, that board was just meant to be meant for a jungle slider attraction. That was it.
Kio: So... such a revolutionary board is just meant for... entertainment and nothing else?!
Klonoa: I... I really don't know how to explain it any other way! I think it was meant for that? We sure got a lot more important use out of it though once Popka decided to um... "borrow" the board outside of the attraction.
Clawford: So he stole it.
Klonoa: Y...Yeah, basically. Not that me and Lolo were aware of that until much later in our journey.
Kio: I think i understand now...
Clawford: Also, what was that about a guard bot you mentioned before?
Klonoa: Oh, um... right... It's like... a mechanical lifeform. So much like a monster, except not alive.
Clawford: How though? How can it move if it's not alive?
Klonoa then pointed at the Gondola and then the mansion in the distance.
Klonoa: It is kind of like how these machines move, except done internally. ...I guess.
Huepow then snapped to it, and seemed in awe.
Huepow: Ohhhhh, now i get it! Wow... those things would be really freaky to see in person.
Klonoa: Yeah... It was like... huge. REALLY huge. When we realised it was nearly indestructible, we began to run for it like crazy all over town...
Then the gondola finally reached the top, as Klonoa turned around... But then Kio spoke up to Klonoa one last time before they were about to get off.
Kio: Wait! But... how did you even beat such a machine?!
Klonoa stopped... before slowly turning back around, and he seemed a bit flushed.
Klonoa: ...With luck. I made the guard bot crash head-on with a train and hung onto the rails.
Klonoa then turns back around and began to step off, as Kio scratched his head.
Kio: A train...? Rails? What even is any of that?! Uurghh, so many questions!
Huepow just shrugs it off as he smiled up and began to step off of the gondola too.
Huepow: It is better to just not ask too much information.
Clawford: I kind of hope that we'll maybe get to see all of it for ourselves at some point...
Clawford then stepped off too... Kio just shakes off his confusion, and then began to step off too.
Kio: Tch, we better...
When they got off, they found themselves on a large wooden platform with various colors of paint on it, that circled around a large totem pole with a platform on it. On the platform around the totem pole stood an older forlock woman with red and slightly pink hair, wearing a green and pink dress made from grass, a golden bracelet, and also a necklace of teeth. She also carried a wooden staff that had a skull on top of it. Klonoa and Huepow immediately recognised her from a distance, and seemed rather surprised. Meanwhile the wooden gondola gets pulled back to where it came from. The forlock woman gently waved both Klonoa and Huepow in the distance...
Granny: I was expecting Huepow. Honor to see you again.
Huepow then bowed down, as the rest quickly followed.
Huepow: No, it's an honor to me for being let in here, Chieftess.
Granny: Who you bring with you?
Huepow: Oh... Just an old friend of mine who wanted to see you.
Granny: Friend?
Granny then looked on over to the side of him, as she spotted Klonoa... Klonoa looked up to her, as he smiled a bit.
Klonoa: Good to see you are still alive and kicking, Granny.
Granny deeply gasped, and accidentally dropped her staff down to the ground below...
Granny: No... can not be... tale was true...?! Let me see closer...
Granny then slowly wandered on over to Klonoa in the distance, as she carefully pulled his cheeks.
Granny: You are real... Klonoa, you back... thank heavens...!
Granny seemed so relieved, as Huepow then got up from kneeling down, and turned for Granny.
Huepow: What tale are you talking about, ma'am?
Granny: Tale spoke of a strange dream's return when world in peril. Involves ultimate nightmare...
Klonoa: The ultimate nightmare?
Granny: Yes... Ultimate nightmare, thousands of years old. Want to turn into a god.
Kio: A god?!
Huepow: A god...? Wait, so there is no hope?
Granny: But something ultimate nightmare fret from plan... is strange dream. He want to kill all strange dreams so nothing stop him. Golden warrior beat ultimate nightmare before and never get beaten again...
Klonoa: A strange dream...? So this ultimate nightmare... fears me? I'm kind of confused...
Huepow: What exactly is this 'golden warrior' you're speaking of?
Granny: We not know. All know is it was strange dream like Klonoa. Legend says it was strong.
Clawford noticed darker clouds were starting to settle in as they were talking, and he was going to attempt to speak up about it, but then stopped himself short and thought to himself...
Clawford (Thinking): No... This is crucial to these two. I can't bother them now...
Huepow: I see... do you maybe know what this ultimate nightmare's plans are? What exactly is he going to do?
Granny: Tale described summoning forth a nightmare sun... Come to hunt down all dream worlds, piece by piece. With nothing to stop it... Summoning forth using dream crystal.
Huepow: A Dream Crystal?
Granny: Dream crystal is old, ancient stone that control power of dreams to user's will they see fit. Nightmare cant use it but tale otherwise says ultimate nightmare will... Believe to be manipulation.
Klonoa: A crystal that controls dreams to the user's will...? Granny! !
Granny: Hm?
Granny then slowly turned back to Klonoa, as he seemed a bit more leaning towards her.
Klonoa: Do you think it is possible to jump between different dream worlds with them?!
Granny slowly scratched her head, as she seemed confused.
Granny: Well... if exist like said in legend, then possibly.
Klonoa then reached for his pocket, and grabbed the mysterious, triangular crystal and held it up to Granny.
Klonoa: Is... Is this it?
Granny looked closer... as she loudly gasped, and backed off a few steps, holding her breath.
Granny: No... Can not be...! !
Klonoa then seemed to get a bit more excited.
Klonoa: So is it true?!
Granny: Yes... Klonoa. This is dream crystal.
Klonoa dropped in awe, as a few tears actually began falling from happiness. Klonoa then began to fully light up as the tears were still falling. Huepow's face lighted up as well, as the two of them then excitedly grabbed each others hands and jumped a bit up and down in a circle , while naively laughing. Granny softly smiled too. Meanwhile, Kio and Clawford seemed a bit confused on the manner while looking at both Klonoa and Huepow enjoying themselves..
Klonoa: H...Hahaha... Hahahahaha! We found it! We finally found it! !
Huepow: Being able to summon you back through that mysterious portal in the fortress makes so much more sense now too! Gosh, i am just so happy about all of this! !
Kio: ...Is it me, or do they both seem much more... child-like, than even one of us two?
Clawford: I guess that's what gives them the strength to push on.
Kio: Even though as a child i would just give up when i scraped my leg or something...
Then they stopped jumping and turned back to Granny together, Klonoa wiped his tears away and put his Dream Crystal back into his pocket.
Huepow: So... how exactly do we use this Dream Crystal, Chieftess?
Granny: Right. So... me not know how works, but legend said it activate in strongest dream signal.
Huepow: Strongest dream signal?
Then BOOM! ! ! suddenly a loud crash and trembling happened from what was presumably below in the forest. The five of them tried to stand their ground until the rumbling stopped... They all seemed concerned.
Kio: ...What was that?!
Clawford: I knew this was going to happen at some point...
Huepow: At some point? What do you mean?
Clawford then pointed at the skies in the distance, as they saw that dark grey clouds were already covering half of Forlock, and very slowly started to cover the tree mansion as well.
Huepow: Oh, right... Joka's still on the loose, and ready to take over all of Phantomile piece by piece. We'll fend him off of here for now, right Klonoa?
Klonoa then turned back to Huepow and nodded his head as he smiled. Meanwhile Clawford looked on over into the distance and then pointed.
Clawford: I think the commotion happened... northwest from here.
Huepow: Thank you for scouting it out Clawford. Let's go, everyone!
Granny: But this place too high. Gondola will take too long... You can never reach time!
Klonoa then looks over to Granny and pointed at his Wind Ring attached to his belt, as his ears flapped a bit.
Klonoa: Don't worry Granny, we don't need one. We'll just jump right in and take care of it.
Huepow then grabbed Kio again by the ear and dragged him over to Klonoa, as he tried to resist, with no luck.
Kio: Ohhhh no. I am not going in there again. That place is freaky! !
Huepow: It's just a ring! Now get in! !
Kio: Why you prince-
Huepow then casually threw Kio into the Wind Ring, as Clawford immediately jumped in himself... then Huepow got in as well. Klonoa then got himself into position on the other side of the long, wooden platform, and deeply breathed in and out once, looking over the huge forest ahead of them in the northwest direction and grinned. The sun still was shining a bit over Forlock from where they were.
Klonoa: ...Let's go.
Klonoa took one step... then another... and then began to build up his run, up until the very edge. Then when he reached it, Klonoa crouched down in his run, and released, jumping as high as he could, and stuck out his arms behind him while he jumped, yelling out out of excitement as the sun shined above him one last time before the clouds kicked in...
"WAHOOOOOO! ! ! ! !"
Klonoa then started to fall down into the forest below towards the northwest direction, with the clouds starting to cover the entire sun from where they were... Meanwhile, Granny walks close to the edge where Klonoa jumped off of, and smiled to herself.
Granny: Careful, and good luck... Klonoa.
As Klonoa started to fall through the trees leaves of the giant trees and back into the forest with a more serious look, he saw that a few trees within Forlock are falling over in the distance, and that any attached wooden paths and homes came crashing down from those respective trees. Even a few of the Forlock residents on the paths were slipping off of the high platforms or just came crashing down from it.
Klonoa: Ngh... what is going on here?!
Meanwhile, Klonoa swiftly dodges everything that came flying at him during his fall, until he started to get close to the ground way below the residental area... then when he was less than ten meters before hitting the ground, he quickly raised his ears and flapped them as high as he could to send himself a little upward again and stop the high speed of his fall. Then he then did a quick front-flip to get back into his regular jumping position. When he landed on the ground, he started to swiftly slide forward a few extra meters before coming to a full stop. Klonoa deeply breathed out in relief when he fully stopped.
Klonoa: Wheeeewww...
Then Kio and Clawford jumped out of the Wind Ring as Kio still seemed a bit annoyed, yelling right at the Wind Ring.
Kio: That is the last time i will ever get in there, Huepow!
Huepow (Wind Ring): That is Prince Huepow when you take that kind of tone against me! !
Kio then violently shook his head for a bit and just casually looked back at Klonoa.
Kio: Anyway, nice moves there, Klonoa. Very stylish.
Then they heard another loud boom as the area was rumbling in the distance... Klonoa and Clawford immediately looked over into the direction of where it came from, as a really large tree was about to fall over right onto them.
Klonoa: W-watch out! !
Klonoa then immediately jumped out of the way to the right as was Clawford and Kio to follow after. But when they were expecting the tree to fall over... it didn't. It seemed to just be fidgeting in place for a while. The three looked confused, as Klonoa detached his Wind Ring from the belt, and they slowly walked on to the other side of the tree... when they walked past it, they saw what seemed like a regular teenage Forlock guard wearing the same exact clothes as the others, with his eyes closed. But he was wielding what seemed like an iron spear with a wooden stick, stuck into the ground as the ground just before the tip of the spear was raised on top of the broken tree roots, keeping the tree in place as opposed to falling over. The iron spear's tip also seemed to have dozens of dirt particles floating around it while this was happening. This forlock guard seemed to be putting his all into it to keep the tree in place, as the three of them stared in awe.
Forlock Guard: Nrrrrghhhh...!
Klonoa: Whoa...!
Kio: Is he... controlling the ground?!
Then the Forlock Guard pulled out the spear, as it raised the dirt even higher permanently in place, correcting the tree's angle back to the way it was. The Forlock Guard, being dead-tired, began to sit down and sighed, as the three of them just kept staring.
Huepow (Wind Ring): Whoa, what was that?
Forlock Guard: Why i become a guard back then? Not want this at all...
The Forlock Guard then turned around, and seemed a bit shocked to see the three of them.
Forlock Guard: Ack-! Who you travelers? It is dangerous here!
Klonoa: Well... see, we heard something going down here. So we came here to stop it.
Forlock Guard: Stop monster? Will not work.
Clawford: What do you mean?
Forlock Guard: It knock down trees. Our village utterly doomed. Cannot do this alone.
Huepow then exited the Wind Ring as his Ring Spirit form and turned towards the Forlock guard.
Huepow: We could try to chase this monster down before it wreaks any more havoc. In fact, your skills seem like they could come quite in handy for our journey!
The Forlock Guard just sighed even hearing that from Huepow.
Forlock Guard: Do not understand? Dont want to be guard anymore. Have been guard since child. Me wanted to become cook years ago! Been dream!
Klonoa: Your dream was to become a cook?
Forlock Guard: Yes... dream ruined because it not make enough profit up in trees, and business fail. Had to go back to job as guard. But now made it as veteran guard due to many years! Now i have Earth Spear, and high responsibility to protect forest, even if dont want to!
Klonoa: But why don't you just-
Before Klonoa could talk any further though, Huepow immediately pulled him away from the rest and started to talk privately with him.
Huepow: Shhh... Don't try to give him any ideas.
Klonoa: Why not? I mean, he seems to hate his job.
Huepow: We're a bit short on hands, especially now with Joka coming to attack us all. Just... Allow me... I know a way we can get him on our side.
Klonoa and Huepow then turned back to the Forlock guard, as Huepow started to speak up.
Huepow: So, what is your name, kind sir?
Tikosu: Tikosu. Veteran Guard.
Huepow: Okay, veteran guard Tikosu. I've got a special secret to reveal to you.
Huepow then got closer to Tikosu and whispered.
Huepow: I am the prince of Cress... since we can symphatize with your true goals never getting reached, we would like to offer you this.
Huepow then held out his hand towards Klonoa, as he just seemed confused.
Huepow: Umm... Klonoa?
Klonoa: What? What do i need to do?
Huepow: Throw me your pouch!
Klonoa then with a bit of hesitation, threw his pouch full of dream stones towards Huepow, as he caught it and held it up.
Huepow: We would like you to join our group and help us fight for Phantomile until Joka's army is defeated. We're willing to pay you fifty dream stones for it. More than enough to be able to start a proper career for yourself, right?
Klonoa: Fifty?! But those are from me!
Huepow: Ssshhh... i'll pay you back later...
Tikosu then tried to reach out to the pouch, as Huepow pulled it away from him.
Huepow: But! You'll be paid only after you've helped us fight until the end, Tikosu. So what will it be?
Tikosu then thought to himself a bit.
Tikosu: Hmmm... Make sixty.
Huepow: Deal!
Huepow then held out his hand and gave a handshake with Tikosu, as Huepow tossed the pouch back to Klonoa. Tikosu then stood back up and turned towards Klonoa, Kio, and Clawford, despite his eyes being completely closed.
Tikosu: Me Tikosu. Nice to meet all.
Tikosu then saw Klonoa as he stopped for a moment and thought to himself, before saying the following.
Tikosu: Wait... you familiar...
Kio: Wait, how can you recognise him if you don't look with your eyes?
Tikosu: Can sense it. Not rely on sight.
Klonoa seemed a bit confused as he raised a genuine eyebrow towards Tikosu.
Klonoa: Hm?
Tikosu: Anyway, arent you key kid?
Klonoa: The key kid?
Tikosu: You know... Back when Forlock dying many year ago, door locked near home. I gave kid with blue cap and long ears key.
Klonoa: A key...? Wait a moment...
Then as Klonoa realised it, suddenly he gained a brief flash in his memories...
In the dying forest of Forlock as the young Klonoa just walked back from a locked door, a voice arose.
Voice: Stop!
The young Klonoa seemed confused and stopped where he stood. Then as he looked to the house next to him, the young Tikosu wielding a weaponised pitchfork walked on up to him from behind the wooden house close to the locked door. Then he aimed his pitchfork at Klonoa while he yelled.
Young Tikosu: Intruder! Who are you?!
The young Klonoa immediately jumped up in the air from shock and started wave his hands to try and signal him to stop.
Young Klonoa: Wha... wait! I'm Klonoa from the Wind Village... on my way to see Granny.
The young Tikosu then lowered his spear.
Young Tikosu: Oh... Sorry. Strangers, wandering around recently.
Young Klonoa: Strangers?
The young Tikosu pointed at the door behind Klonoa's back, which had an image of a key engraved in it, as Klonoa looked at the door as well.
Young Tikosu: Door with picture of key, need key.
The young Tikosu then threw a golden key towards Klonoa as he caught it.
Young Tikosu: Use this key.
Young Klonoa: Okay... Thank you!
Young Tikosu: But one key, one door. Forget not.
The young Klonoa then nodded towards Tikosu.
Young Klonoa: Right!
The young Tikosu then began to crouch on his legs, as if he was getting ready to jump.
Young Tikosu: Then... farewell.
The young Tikosu then jumped, and stuck his tongue out as far as he could towards Klonoa, and began to fall down to the ground below, as he yelled out towards him...
Young Tikosu: See-ya! !
The young Klonoa just looks down to the dark pits below where Tikosu was falling, as he seemed genuinely confused, but eventually turned back to the locked door with the golden key in his hand. The memories then began to fade back to the present...
As Klonoa quickly snapped back to it in the present, he turned towards Tikosu as if nothing happened. Klonoa still seemed a bit confused, albeit somewhat glad.
Klonoa: So that was you? That's a pretty funny coincidence... I didn't we would run into each other like this again!
Tikosu then grinned a bit.
Tikosu: Neither here.
Then Tikosu's stomach began to growl a bit, as he deeply clenched onto it. The others seemed concerned.
Tikosu: Nrghh...
Kio: What happened?!
Klonoa: Are you okay Tikosu?
Huepow: Do you need your wounds treated?
Tikosu: Nghh... No... just... real hungry...
Klonoa: Hungry?
Klonoa then looked back at Kio, as he immediately reached out for his backpack's last remaining box of food... the leftovers of the carrot stew. Kio then walked on over to Tikosu, as Klonoa started to look a bit concerned, as was Huepow, with their eyes both rolling at Kio.
Kio: Here, Tikosu.
Klonoa: Are you really willing to feed him those carrots?
Huepow: Please, don't try to scare him away from us with your disgusting cooking.
Kio then looked a bit frustrated in a comical way back at Klonoa and Huepow, while yelling.
Kio: Zip it you two! This is all i have left! !
Kio then handed down the food to Tikosu, as he just looked down on it for a bit...
Kio: Besides, take the word from someone who's aspired to be a chef... it's not that bad!
Tikosu then shrugged a bit, grabbed the fork and took a large bite from the box's carrot stew, as Klonoa, Huepow and Kio awaited in anticipation... while Clawford just stood there with a bit of a blank face. Then as Tikosu carefully bites and swallows it down, he starts to smile a bit. Kio's seemed to be glowing up out of excitement.
Kio: And?!
Tikosu, then with a smile, confidently says...
Tikosu: Taste terrible.
Kio: Wha-
Kio's excitement quickly turns into shock, as he falls on his back in a comedic way from the absurdity.
Tikosu: Carrot raw and soggy, stew not thick enough, but... can resist. Fill stomach at least.
Tikosu then began eating on further, as Kio slowly got back up and just seemed a bit mad at Tikosu.
Kio: Come oonnn... you too?!
Then before they could argue any further, they head another loud boom in the distance, as the area began to tremble. They all seemed shocked. Eventually Clawford pointed further up the east.
Clawford: I sense it came from that way!
Tikosu: This is bad... me been slacking from Gluttonous Bolm by talking with you...!
Tikosu then immediately ate the entire box in a few seconds, and caught up with his breath after just finishing the box. Then he throws it back to Kio as he caught it, before grabbing his Earth Spear that was attached onto his back.
Tikosu: Help me defend forest! Forest in danger by plant monster!
Klonoa: Plant monster?
Tikosu: No time explain! Need to go!
Clawford: Right... We're here to fight off the invasion, after all.
Huepow then jumped back into the Wind Ring, as Clawford pulled out his Water Sword from his sheath. The three of them started to run towards the east direction, with Kio still trembling a bit as he saw then running off without him...
Kio: ...I... i can't fight them... I don't have the strength...
Kio then started to clench his fist a bit.
Kio: But... I can at least watch them up close... If i can't even do that, then what is the point in having come along...? I can fend myself off...!
Kio then began to try and run after them, following them from a distance.
When they arrived further to the east of Forlock, they saw another giant monster in the distance, over an open area where the cloudy sky was shining gray light upon. It appeared to be a 10 meter tall plant monster with a round chrome and diamond exterior covered by grassy veins and sharp thorns, and red roots inside of the shell. Next to this plant monster, there were knocked over trees, destroyed homes and paths, and overall a lot of debris. The plant monster screeched out to the skies. Meanwhile, Klonoa, Clawford and Tikosu carefully watched while hiding behind a tree, as they glared on over to the Gluttonous Bolm further ahead.
Klonoa: Is that the monster causing all of this?
Tikosu: Yes... giant plant monster... knock over trees, destroy homes, eat people. Soon will move and destroy more of forest if not stopped.
Huepow (Wind Ring): Something about it seems familiar, too... What's the monster called? Or its supposed weakness?
Tikosu: Nobody know. We survivor not figured out. Exterior unbreakable. Grow poisonous thorns.
Clawford: It grows poisonous thorns?
Then as they were all still talking, they noticed another group of five regular Forlock guards from the north trying to sneak up on it as well. They all turned their attention to them, as Tikosu then seemed to become a bit concerned.
Tikosu: Oh no...
Clawford: What?
Tikosu: They going to try to attack monster but not know danger!
Tikosu then tried to get the attention by carefully whistling towards the group of Forlock guards, as they all looked at Tikosu now. Then Tikosu, trying to be as quiet as possible, waves with both hands and points away from the monster to indicate the danger that awaited them. They then stuck their thumbs up and began to sneak up closer to the plant monster by trying to hide behind the debris as cover. Tikosu facepalmed, and deeply sighed.
Tikosu: Disaster start soon... for them.
Then the Forlock guards all split up around the surrounding area to try and surround the monster from all angles. Then one yelled.
Forlock Guard: Ready...
Then they all got up and held their weaponised pitchforks in a throwing position, as the leading Forlock guard quickly yelled...
Leading Forlock Guard: NOW! THROW! ! !
Forlock Guard 1: RIIIIGHT! ! !
Forlock Guard 2: Go! GOOOO! ! !
Then four of the Forlock guards immediately threw their pitchforks right at the plant monster's exterior from all sides, with the leading one throwing one at an angle to try and hit it from above... All of the spears' edges broke without even leaving a scratch on the extrerior. But then as the pitchfork was about to hit the plant monster's open top, it quickly used one of its vines to detach from the exterior, and caught the pitchfork. Everyone stared in shock, even including Klonoa, Clawford and Tikosu.
Leading Forlock Guard: ...What?!
Clawford: How...?!
Then the plant monster threw the pitchfork with its vines right back at the leading Forlock guard, as it stabs him through the chest, and he painfully drops to the ground, quickly dying from the sudden blood loss and impalement... The remaining Forlock guards all then began to tremble and tried to scatter all through the forest, but then the plant monster knocked down a tree using one of its larger vines, causing the thick and large tree to fall down and collapse onto three of the other Forlock guards, killing them instantly. With the remaining Forlock guard falling over and tripping from the commotion, as the plant monster started to close in on it... the Forlock guard tried to crawl away and quickly get back up but it was already too late. The plant monster grabs the Forlock guard by the leg and drags him back to itself, as the Forlock guard began to scream in fear.
Forlock Guard 2: No- NO! SPARE! ! PLEASE! ! ! !
Then the plant monster began to hang the Forlock guard above his top just by the leg, and then let him fall, as he screamed in agony, before being completely devoured from inside the plant monster. Clawford seemed shocked, as was Klonoa and Tikosu.
Clawford: No...
Tikosu: Dang... Tried to warn, too!
Klonoa slowly seemed to be getting more and more angry, as he said...
Klonoa: Nrgh... How could Joka do such a thing as this...?!
Klonoa, while he started to angrily clench his teeth out of frustration, realised something about what just happened, as he tried to shrug off the anger and become more focussed on the monster itself. He then began to walk on up ahead to the plant monster, as he activated the Wind Sword. Meanwhile, Tikosu yelled at Klonoa from the back.
Tikosu: What you try to do? You will kill self!
Klonoa: I have to defeat that monster... He can't be allowed to harm any more of these people! !
Clawford: Do you know how to, long-ears?!
Klonoa: Yeah... I think i may know its weakness now after we witnessed that terrifying sight. It seemed very protective of being attacked from above. I know where to strike, but it's going to be risky!
Klonoa then jumped over the pile of rubble from two destroyed houses blocking his way, and got into his sword-fighting position, ready to face the plant monster. Then as the plant-monster noticed him, it started to screech really loud across nearly the entire forest...
~ The Poisonous Plant-Hog ~
GLUTTONOUS BOLM
As Klonoa then slided off the piece of rubble and began running for the Gluttounous Bolm in the distance, as it wildly jumped and then leaned back, and forward as it harshly threw one of its vines at Klonoa to grab him from a distance... When it got close, Klonoa stood his ground and swiftly cuts through the vine, with half of the broken vine dropping down to the ground and then stopped moving. Then as the Gluttonous Bolm began began to prepare to run towards Klonoa, he threw another vine as Klonoa cut through it with ease. Then as the Gluttounous Bolm got close after Klonoa cut through the vine, he immediately jumped upwards, switched back to the regular Wind Bullet form of the Wind Ring, and then aimed at the top of the Gluttonous Bolm, shooting a regular Wind Bullet in it to hit the red roots. But before it could hit the inside, the Gluttuonous Bolm quickly used multiple vines to cover its open top, blocking the attack.
Klonoa: What the- ah?!
Then as this caught Klonoa off-guard, the Gluttonous Bolm used another vine to grab Klonoa by the leg, and kept him hanging for a bit... then while hanging upside down, he saw that the Gluttounous Bolm tried to slap Klonoa using a poisonous thorn, reeling back to prepare his attack.
Klonoa: Ngh...!
Klonoa immediately switched back to the Wind Sword form. Then as the poisonous thorn then tried to attack him, Klonoa began to try and swing itself using his body's momentum to dodge the poisonous thorn off to the side, and then cut the poisonous thorn off. But as he did this, the poisonous thorn hits Klonoa in the left arm after being cut off as Klonoa yelled a bit from the pain.
Klonoa: Aarghh! !
Klonoa then immediately cut off the vine that was attachted to his legs, and quickly flipped around and used his ears to harshly flap away from the Gluttonous Bolm as he just kept running on ahead and crashed into another tree and stopped for a bit, while Klonoa landed back on his feet. Then as he looked back at the Gluttonous Bolm, he noticed the tree that nearly began to fall at him as Klonoa immediately jumped out of the way, with the tree crashing down onto the floor next to him. Klonoa after catching up with himself after that, looked back at his left arm as it seemed to be bleeding a bit and swelling up. Klonoa just deeply sighed.
Klonoa: Magya... This one will sting for a while...
Then Clawford arose from the piece of rubble where Klonoa ended up close to after having jumped away, as he immediately turned to Klonoa.
Clawford: Long-ears! Are you okay?!
Klonoa: Y...Yeah... I can still use the ring with my right. But i'm going to need your help with something.
Clawford then held up his Water Sword close to him.
Clawford: Gladly. So... what are we going to do?
Klonoa then looks over to the Gluttonous Bolm, as he watched it trying to get back up after having crashed into that tree, and then eventually looked back to Clawford.
Klonoa: Well... i was thinking something like this. I will draw the plant monster's attention, while its weak point is being guarded by all those vines. Then we need to cut through the vines. I was thinking you could be able to handle that.
Clawford: I see... I think i can pull that off from afar. So, what next then? Would you throw another Tornado Attack?
Klonoa: I wish i could, but... i don't feel the energy coming from my heart to pull it off. However, i know another way we can defeat it all together.
Klonoa then looks on over to Tikosu in the distance, as he pointed to himself while directly staring at him. Tikosu wanders over to Klonoa and Clawford as he held up the Earth Spear.
Tikosu: Know what to do? Tell strategy!
Klonoa: Then after the path is cut open... you, Tikosu, will launch the plant monster upwards using the ground covering the monster to make it lift upwards, and then make it flip on its side.
Tikosu: Make flip?! But monster too heavy!
Klonoa: It's worth an attempt at least. You corrected trees back into their original place, so this should be possible!
Tikosu: ...well, alright. Will give shot.
Klonoa: Great. And then at last as the monster's top is revealed, you, i will come back and immediately run up to the monster... and then... uh...
Huepow (Wind Ring): Fire the Fully Charged Wind Bullet right into it!
Klonoa: Right, fire a Wind Bullet with everything Huepow got into it. Any objections?
Clawford: No. That plan seems perfectly fine as is.
Tikosu: Nuh-uh.
Klonoa: Alright, then... let's go! Tikosu, Clawford, get ready into your positions!
The three all split up, with Klonoa starting to charge the Wind Ring and running right for the Gluttonous Bolm, as Tikosu began to crouch down and hide onto the closest pile of rubble and Clawford began to hide behing a couple of trees further up north. Klonoa started to yell at the Gluttonous Bolm close by as it finally got up and seemed to be getting a bit furious, with its exterior glowing red. Then it decides to jump up really high in the air beyond the tree tops to the surprise of them all.
Klonoa: What?!
Tikosu: Where it go?!
Klonoa, Tikosu and Clawford kept staring into the air, but then Klonoa noticed the big shadow of the Gluttonous Bolm underneath him... As Klonoa started to run away, he noticed the shadow kept following him with a little bit of delay while it was still really high in the air... Klonoa scratched his face a bit, as he then realised started to yell towards the both of them in hiding.
Klonoa: Tikosu! Clawford! This might be a bit sudden but switch your plans!
Tikosu: What?! I need to send plant monster flying first?!
Klonoa: Just trust me on this... It will come falling out of the sky soon and try to crash onto me!
Tikosu: Crush?!
Klonoa: Yes! So... please, time your attack well and make him launch away in less than a split of a second!
Tikosu: Hrngh... will try...!
Tikosu then fiercely held his Ground Spear up with both hands, as he stuck out the tip of the spear to the bottom, and started to faintly chant to himself.
Tikosu: Great leader of forest, grant power of earth, and beneath...
Then the tip around the spear began to glow. As Klonoa started to look upwards, he prepared himself for the Gluttonous Bolm to fall back down. When he finally eventually does appear to come falling from the treetops, he was going to crash right on Klonoa... Klonoa immediately yelled.
Klonoa: Tikosu! NOW! !
Less then a few meters left before the Gluttonous Bolm falls down, Klonoa quickly rolls away from the Gluttonous Bolm, as Tikosu then with all his might jumped to the ground while holding his spear, and fiercely stabs the ground with both hands... the energy of the Ground Spear began to flow further up ahead in less than a split second, right under the ground of the Gluttonous Bolm, just a few meters before hitting it... then, the piece of ground very quickly arose, and sent the Gluttonous Bolm flying a few meters back up into the air, as it was slowly spinning up onto its top while falling back to the ground. Then Klonoa immediately turned to Clawford.
Klonoa: Clawford! Now's your chance! ! !
Clawford held his Water Sword close to him, heavily breathing, as a stream of water began to surround his blade. Then as Klonoa slowly got up, Clawford began to quickly run towards the Gluttonous Bolm close to them, and jumped right up to the flying monster without any time to waste, swiftly slashing its exterior and the top in a horizontal way, while yelling...
Clawford: WATER SPIN! ! ! !
Clawford cuts right through all of the vines covering the top, and most of the vines and thorns that were around the exterior. Then as he dropped back to the ground, Klonoa quickly held up the Wind Ring with his right hand, and aims it at the top of the Gluttonous Bolm as the vines all broke down and opened up the inside. Then Klonoa's Wind Ring started to fully glow one more time.
Klonoa: Fully Charged... WIND BULLET! ! ! !
Klonoa then shoots the Fully Charged Wind Bullet right at the red roots inside of it... As the Fully Charged Wind Bullet then hits and sends the Gluttonous Bolm nearly flying further down the forest while screeching out of pain, Huepow then quickly exited the Fully Charged Wind Bullet in his true form with the energy rapier as it had just hit the Gluttonous Bolm...
Huepow: Taaaakeee THAT! ! !
Huepow immediately stabs right into the red roots of the Gluttonous Bolm with as much thrust as he could put into the energy rapier... The Gluttonous Bolm then dropped silent, as it just kept falling down to the ground... Huepow then jumped out of its mouth back towards the rest of the group with his back turned to the Gluttonous Bolm, as the exterior started to grey really quickly, fall apart into two, and then loudly exploded, as Klonoa, Clawford and Tikosu watched it explode from a distance. After the explosion died down a bit, Tikosu sighed and began to sit down to the broken tree close by. Meanwhile Huepow turned back to the three of them, and smiled.
Huepow: I knew all those fencing lessons would really pay off some day.
Klonoa chuckled a bit as were Clawford and Tikosu. Then Klonoa then dropped to the floor as his arm started to hurt a bit more from the poison. Huepow seemed shocked and immediately kneeled down to Klonoa as he held out his own hands to use his healing magic.
Klonoa: Magya! !
Huepow: Oh, i'm so sorry for not healing it sooner than just now...!
Klonoa: It's okay, Huepow... It would've taken too much time to really heal during a fight like this.
Eventually Kio comes walking back to the four of them as they were enjoying themselves from their victory and after Klonoa's arm was healed, to which Kio just sighed to himself.
Kio: I... I really wish i could've helped too...
Klonoa, Huepow, Clawford and Tikosu then confusingly turned towards Kio.
Tikosu: What to worry about? You haul important stuff. Gave me food, keep me going.
Kio: Wait, really?
Huepow: Yeah. Like... your cooking sucks and you're not really the bravest of the party, but you're a natural survivor.
Klonoa: You haul all the important supplies. That's not something to just shrug off. You're a vital part to our group!
Kio: ...Really? Well... that's glad to-
Kio faintly started to smile, but he then suddenly thought back on what Huepow said about his cooking and comically seemed a bit annoyed at him.
Kio: Hey, what was that supposed to mean?
Huepow, Klonoa, Tikosu and Clawford all laughed it off for a bit. Then suddenly Huepow gasped.
Huepow: Wait... Joka said he would conquer every kingdom, one by one...
Klonoa: Oh right... He attacked Jugpot first... then Forlock...
Huepow immediately began to run up north, as the rest immediately followed...
When they just exited the forest, Huepow looked on further across the skies and the plains in front of them, as the dark clouds are currently covering Jugpot further to the east, and have also covered the entirety of Forlock now... Then they also noticed small portals in the sky opening where the clouds were covering, with multiple various Moo's and other nightmare creatures falling down in the further distance.
Klonoa: Oh no...
Clawford: So all of this is just the beginning for us...?
Huepow: Ngh... he lied about conquering the kingdoms one by one!
Klonoa: It's always been in his nature...
Huepow then quickly turned towards Klonoa.
Huepow: Klonoa! If we hurry we can still make the dream crystal warp you to Lunatea!
Klonoa: Hold on, we don't even know where to find this dream signal!
Huepow: No need. I already know exactly where we need to go.
Klonoa: Y-You do?!
Huepow: Mhm... the same place i've always been able to summon you forth towards Phantomile.
Huepow then pointed upwards to the cloudy skies, as he smirked.
Huepow: None other than the top of Cress, the Moon Kingdom.
Klonoa: We just need to go to the top of the Moon Kingdom?!
Klonoa seemed a bit excited, but... he then looked on over towards the clouds covering Phantomile, as he seemed to be getting a bit concerned and looked on over to Kio, Clawford and Tikosu. Kio though, seemed to just be looking over further to the north, into the distance.
Klonoa: But... hold on... Is it really okay to just leave you guys to handle all of this chaos?
Clawford: I mean... i will die trying to fend them off, if i have to.
Tikosu: Same. Paid to fight to end. Will fight.
Kio then suddenly began yell, as Klonoa and Huepow turned towards him out of concern while Clawford and Tikosu just seemed confused.
Kio: AAAAAHHH!
Klonoa: W-what is it, Kio?!
Kio then pointed ahead towards the clouds, and then to Breezegale in the farther distance.
Kio: I-I just realised... The wind village is in danger too! They don't even expect any of this! !
Huepow: Don't worry! I will handle it by myself when we made it to Cress! We just need to go now while we can, Klonoa! !
Klonoa seemed to be really confused within his mind about all of this, as his head started to hurt and he held his hand up to his head.
Klonoa (Thinking): What... What do i need to do...? I can't... i can't even decide...
Klonoa gets a brief flash of Lolo who had her back turned against him while looking over the seas of Lunatea... and then another sudden one of his own house in Breezegale exploding, and holding his dying Grandpa in his hands, as Klonoa suddenly snapped back to it, and his eyes widened... he calmly let his hand go from his head, as his headache disappeared... they all awaited a response.
Huepow: Klonoa...?
Klonoa then turned his head towards Huepow.
Klonoa: Sorry, Huepow. I can't let the Wind Village fall again. After we're done though, we'll immediately head back for Cress, okay?
Huepow: ...I understand.
Klonoa turned his head back to Clawford and Tikosu, as he said the following...
Klonoa: Clawford, Tikosu, you two stay behind and go back and forth between the two kingdoms together. Jugpot can take a punch due to its height, but Forlock is somewhat fragile.
Clawford: Understood, long-ears. Leave it to us.
Tikosu: Will fulfill duty. Kingdom wont fall under watch. Good luck!
Klonoa then softly smiled.
Klonoa: I am so, so sorry for having to leave you two behind like this...
Clawford: No, it's understandable. You have your own personal goals to follow. But... i want you to grant me one thing.
Klonoa raised an eyebrow, as Clawford smiled himself.
Clawford: ...Please come back to Phantomile in one piece. I won't forgive you if you don't.
Klonoa then smirked a bit.
Klonoa: Right... i won't disappoint.
Klonoa held out the Wind Ring, as Huepow jumped into it, and then attached the Wind Ring back onto his belt. Then he turned his head towards Kio, and yelled.
Klonoa: Kio! Let's go! !
Klonoa then began to run up to the northwest route, as Kio confusingly stared back at the north where Breezegale lied and then back to the northwest route Klonoa was running to, as he quickly followed.
Kio: W-wait, what are you doing?! The wind village is to the north!
Klonoa: What do you mean? The wind ruins is a shorter route! We'll be there much faster if we go this way!
Kio: W-well... if you say so! !
The two of them began to run for it as hard as they could towards the ruins of the Wind Kingdom in the further distance along the dirt path.