Anya POV:
Once we got back to the sick Devee tribe, I immediately began to prepare the medicine carefully and properly. I crushed the leaves into a powdery form and then diluted them into different cups of water, having enough for two cups for each sick Devee. One for now, and another in the morning. Once I got the medicine poured, I helped the others distribute it to the other Devee tribe members, me noticing that Marumaro's parents were also among those poisoned. I was actually surprised that Maro had so many siblings that were all the same age. That means that his parents had sextuplets after having Maro as a single kid.
"Mommy, daddy? Do you feel better?" Marumaro asked after they drank the full cup's worth.
"Easy, Marumaro. Remember what I said? A good night's rest and then a second dose in the morning. Once that second dose reaches their stomach, they will all be cured. For now, we should find a place to rest," I smiled at the anxious little guy.
"You can stay at our place, but we don't have enough beds for one of you," one of Maro's sisters said.
"That's quite alright. I'm much more comfortable just lying out under the stars," I smiled honestly to them as we then left the Devee residents to go to sleep and I saw that the sun was just about to go down in the distance. I went over to a grassy patch that was underneath a trio of trees and smiled as I calmed my body and closed my eyes. "Activating sleep mode... wake up at 7 AM," I said aloud, my body then letting me go to sleep like I had been for the past 10 years.
It was then that I entered dream mode, which was the only time that I was able to speak with my shadow, who looked at me with kindness in her eyes as always. "A penny for your thoughts?" she smiled at me.
"It's just... so much has happened in one day. And all because of Nene. Why is he doing all of these horrific actions? What has he done to Noluta during my decade-long absence?... Is my family still alive after all this time has passed... Tons of questions are wrapped in my brain and I can't find out the answers. It really is aggravating that I have been kept captive by Nene all this time and he never once told me how my family was or Noluta in general. The next time I see him or Szabo, I am going to demand that they tell me what has happened to my home during my absence," I said in all honesty.
"I hate it too, but we mustn't rush things. For now, all we can do is help the Talta residents return home and, in the process, annihilate the Land Shark that has killed so many innocents over the years... to think that Shu and Kluke have lost both of their parents at such a young age... it really is despicable," Mystic sighed at me.
"I agree. After we find their friends and family, then we should proceed north and to the east so we can get to Nene's other bases such as the Laser Fields and the Ancient Factory. I will not allow any of them to lose the Shadow power they have, nor will I allow them to be hurt by that madman's lust for power," I said to Mystic.
"As honest as always... I really wish that we could speak like this outside of dreams, Anya. I really want to practice my singing skills when you're awake, you know," Mystic admitted to me.
"How about this? I'll let you out to sing tomorrow at some point," I smiled at her.
"That would be nice," Mystic smiled back at me.
Shu POV:
When I woke up the next morning, I saw that Jiro and Kluke were still asleep, but all of Marumaro's family and he were already out of bed and out of the house. I then woke up my friends and we went up the ladders. After getting up the second one, we heard a loud yell happen from the town hall. It was Maro's voice. "IT WORKED!" he exclaimed in pure joy, me and the others smiling as we proceeded down the steps and I noticed a warp station, me placing a key in there on our way down. Once we got into the town hall, we saw that the Devee tribe was all happy and that Maro and his family were the happiest.
"Ooho! I feel so alive! Honey, I feel like we could have another child, or two! AHA!" Maro's dad smiled heartily.
"Oh dear, you're so wild!" Maro's mom smiled before both of them were tackled by Maro and his siblings in a big group hug filled with laughter.
"Dance everybody! Everyone dance! Do the Devee dance of Joy!" Maro's dad exclaimed, me noticing that Anya was in the center of an arena of sorts where everyone started to dance, me smirking when she let out her shadow and it then started to do something we didn't expect. It started to sing not only lyrics, but also music at the same time!
"Aaa-aaaah! Lala lala la la la laaaa! Aaa-aaaah! Lala lala la la laaaa!" the Mermaid sung extremely beautifully, all the Devee singing along in their own language as well and Marumaro smiling happily too.
"You have done so much for our village. Dance my people! Show your gratitude!" the elder said to us with a smile on his face as well.
The party lasted for a good 30 minutes before we dispersed, our group already having a new permanent member in Marumaro, who offered to go with us to help stop Nene from hurting anyone else. "Happy to have you along, Marumaro," Jiro smiled at him.
"So what do we do now?" Maro asked.
"First, we report back to Talta Village. I'd like to meet the natives and help you annihilate the Land Shark," Anya said.
"Any idea how to get there from here?" Shu asked.
"Gul Mountains. There should be a passage through there we can use. Only problem is that a giant rock blocks the path," Anya frowned.
"I can assist you with that," said the voice of the Devee tribe's chief as he came around to meet us. "Marumaro, learn this dance before you leave," the chief said as he then started to do a dance and I smiled at how Maro learned it quickly. "Do you got it? This is the special incantation dance that will allow you passage through the cave to Talta Village. The way through there has some powerful monsters, so make sure your group is well-prepared," the chief smiled at us.
"But of course. We will be prepared for whatever comes our way," Anya smiled kindly.
"By the way, your mermaid shadow is quite the talented singer. How does she get such a gorgeous voice?" the chief smiled.
"She's a mermaid. All mermaids are talented singers. And as far as I know, she's one of the few shadows that can speak her own mind. She just prefers to stay quiet when she comes out," Anya admitted, her cheeks flushing red slightly at that.
"Never seen you blush before, Anya. It makes you look cute," Jiro smiled. That only made Anya blush even more.
"Let's continue on before you blush anymore," Kluke giggled as we then left the village and followed Anya to the Gul Mountains.