Chapter Ten: Scales and Tales

"It's so hot…" Elsword panted as she sat in the truck bed, being careful not to touch the sides after discovering the burning heat.

"Well Bethma is pretty barren, nothing compared to Sander though." Chung said, briefly wiping his brow.

"What's Sander?"

"It's a city in the desert. It doesn't rain much and it's hot sand everywhere. It's blazing hot during the day, and really cold at night."

"Wow…that sounds harsh."

"Yeah, but the natives sure are tough." Chung said. Just then the back window slid open.

"Hey you two, we're almost to town." Rena said, "You both alright back there?"

"It's too hot…" Elsword said, earning a laugh.

"Don't worry, we'll be in town soon enough and you can cool off before we head to the port. We'll be staying there for a while anyways to say hello to old friends." She turned back to her book then, leaving the back window open in case they still wished to talk.

A few minutes later the group arrived in the town of Bethma. After parking so their vehicles were out of the way the group met up and headed to the mayor's home. Standing in front of the door Raven knocked.

"Just a minute!" A woman's voice called. There was the sound of clutter and the door eventually opened to reveal Stella, the mayor of Bethma, "Hey! Long time no see you guys!"

"Nice to see you again Stella." Rena said, giving her a warm hug.

"How have things been?" Chung asked, sitting on a nearby rock lining a small garden.

"Oh same old stuff." Stella said, "But mostly the hassle with the Lizardmen."

"Oh dear, is something wrong?" Eve questioned. She had no reports of negative activity in the area. Stella blinked and realized her wording.

"Oh no, nothing like that. You see Beurak and ChaCha Buch apparently met up at some point and discussed some delicate matters. Turns out they feel like exposing themselves to human culture and vice versa. The nearby oasis has been turned into a Lizardman Cultural Center of sorts, you guys should check it out! They even offer a spiritual hike."

"A spiritual hike?" Ara was interested in that.

"Yeah. I haven't taken it myself what with my busy days but I hear it's quite the experience."

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea!" Elesis said.

"Hmm…I must admit learning about their history could be interesting." Add said to himself. Everyone but Elsword found that rather bizarre; Add came across more the kind for science and technology, not the history of a primitive tribal species.

"Well we didn't exactly leave home with a plan." Raven said, "Why don't we check it out?"

"Yeah, that spirit walk sounds like fun too." Rena said, hugging Raven's arm.

"Well what are we waiting for?" Elesis smiled.

"Yeah get going to guys." Stella said, "I got some work to do anyways, but it was great to see you all again."

"Likewise Stella." Chung smiled.

So with their new goal set the group set out for the Cultural Center. Luckily it was not a long drive from the town, with a number of signs and markers to guide them. Elsword and Chung sat together again in the back of Raven's truck.

"So Elsword, looking forward to this?" Chung asked, wanting to pass the time.

"Yeah, I don't really know anything about them though…" She hoped she wouldn't do anything rude. Chung just chuckled.

"You're not alone there, the Lizardmen have a habit of avoiding human settlements so not a whole lot is known about them. We're all probably going to learn something new today."

"I hope we have fun." Elsword said absent mindedly.

"I'm sure we will. We're going together." Chung poked her cheek innocently. However she burst into a blush and curled up at the touch. Chung blinked, "Elsword?"

"I-It's nothing." She mumbled through her knees. Chung sighed and let her be as their little convoy drove on.

Several minutes later Raven and the other drivers pulled into a small clearing in the valley they had descended into, a few Lizardmen scattered about the entrance.

"Alright, let's get a move on." Rena said once the entire gang had gathered in the clearing.

"I must admit I am curious as to what we will learn." Eve mused as they walked into the village, the residents going about their lives as normal.

"As am I, but where should we begin?" Add latched on to Eve's train of thought.

"Why don't we check out that spirit walk? After all we're here only because Stella told us about it." Chung suggested.

"And if we run into anything on the way we can divert attention, this path probably isn't going to get up and go." Lu seconded the opinion.

"Well let's find out where it is first." Raven said, looking around. He noticed a map board and they walked over to it, "Let's see…There's the market, a craftsman section, the walk is past that."

"Great, let's get a move on then." Aisha said.

With their destination determined the gang proceeded through the market place. They were not the only tourists visiting, many a stranger gazing upon the cultural makings of the tribe. Freshly made sample dishes sat in some stalls while others portrayed brilliantly woven tapestries that must tell ancient legends.

"We're here anyways, let's check out the stalls." Elesis said. As if he had read her mind Add was already examining a slender clay pot from a stall. This took the others by quite the shock as surely a scientist like him had no proper interest for such mundane pottery.

"Can I help you sir?" The shopkeeper asked, concluding his deal with another. Add, finger resting on his chin with intrigue, held up the vase he observed.

"Fine craftsmanship sir. Clearly built to withstand conditions unlike those of us modern folk. How does it work?" The silver haired intellectual pondered as he rotated it in his hand. While the merchant began to explain the process Eve crossed her arms.

"Surely a ruse." She thought to herself. She had further concerns regarding him that were more than past grudges but now the affection he has expressed to Elsword. She knew he never took a breath without an agenda bonded with it.

"Who knew?" Chung chuckled, feeling Eve's calculating thoughts. Elsword looked at him, confused about what was funny. When she looked back Add was walking back to them with the vase, seemingly having purchased it.

As they continued down the path, her friends chatting to each other, Elsword looked around in awe. The people and their clothes, the art and buildings, they all seemed primitive compared to what she first knew but also had a grandeur to them. As if no matter what the world would say they would not change their ways, the ways they were content with.

"Oh!"

"Ah!"

"Whoa!"

Then out of the blue Elsword, not paying attention to her direction, walked into a Lizardman female who was doing the same, sending the vase she carried on her head flying as they fell down. Raven saw the occurrence and shot to catch the vase but it proved heavier than he imagined and fell flat on his face. However he held the vase intact in both hands above his head.

"Elsword! Are you okay?" Elesis hurried over to her sister, helping her up as Ara did the same for the tribe member. Meanwhile Raven picked himself up just as Rena moved up to him.

"Oh my, I'm so sorry!" The woman bowed in apology.

"N-No it's my fault. I wasn't looking." Elsword said not wanting the woman to feel guilty.

"No, you were taking in the scenery as a visitor! I live here, don't have much right losing track and running into people just because it's a nice day. Oh! My vase." She turned as Raven walked up.

"Saved it, but might have a scratch or two." Raven admitted as he had caught the vase originally in his left hand.

"Oh, nothing some paint won't fix!" She said, taking the vase and setting it down as she pulled off the lid. She then held out a handful of berries, "Please, have some as a token of my gratitude."

"Oh, thank you." Chung smiled kindly as he took one. Just as he went to put it in his mouth she stopped him.

"Oh, don't eat them normally! They have a very special way of eating them for the best effect." She began to demonstrate once everyone had one, "Set it just behind your teeth and hold the stem with them. Let it sit for a few minutes and then pull out the stem and let the juices come out naturally."

"Pretty complex for a fruit." Add commented, "Wonder how it developed to be like this."

"Why not just leave it to wonder and enjoy it?" Lu sighed, "But could you spare a few more? I'd love for my servant to grow some and test with sweets."

"Of course! No special means to grow, just care for them like any other plant. They're a vine plant just so you know." She handed Ciel another small handful which he promptly bagged and stored away.

"Thank you for the information ma'am." Ciel said courteously.

"Please, enjoy your visit!" She said, setting the vase upon her crown again before waving farewell and proceeding on her way. Elsword watched her leave before putting the berry in her mouth as instructed.

"I hope I didn't cause trouble." She sighed.

"Well nothing was broken and she seemed happy enough." Rena said, wrapping an arm around the crimsonette's shoulder, "All's well that ends well."

"Exactly, so let's hurry up and get to that nature walk!" Elesis said.

"You're the last person I'd expect to be hyped for a nature walk. It's a spirit walk by the way." Aisha laughed, followed by everyone else. Elsword smiled, she had good friends. With that they continued down the walkway to the nature walk.

Okay! I am SO. SO. SO DAMN SORRY! Writer's block after writer's block, event after event, my own mind and real life have kept me from coming back here for so long that when I checked which arm Raven had for a claw I saw there's a new bloody character out! Sadly no I'm not going to be including him in this revival, but will try to look stuff up to see what his personality is like so I can include him in future stories. I'm coming back everyone, just can't be as fast as once I was with work and college combined. Thank you for your support!