Freedom Planet: The Fire Garnet
Chapter 5: การเดินทาง (The Journey)
In the early morning, Lilac convinced Coral to allow her to retrieve the device that Torque lost, Coral allowed them on their journey under the condition they return in time before the Royal wedding begins in Chiang Mai. Soon before Lilac's group began leaving, Coral warned that even though the civil war ended, beyond the province borders of Surat Thani it is filled with danger and instability. Lilac and her friend's thanked Coral for giving them a map and a translator to navigate the country, and begun their way into the war torn Sikhiu Province.
เมืองผี ปาย, จังหวัด สีคิ้ว (Pai Ghost Town, Sikhiu Province)
Carol: "Man just look at this place, it's completely decimated."
Torque: "The Princess did tell us anywhere beyond the Capitol provinces have not yet healed from the Civil War. We need to keep our eyes peeled, the people around these parts are not very fond of foreigners."
Torque looks at his tracker.
Torque: "The device is a ways to the southeast of the country in the Songkhla province, it is in Srisati controlled territory. We need to be very careful and not let anybody know who we are working for, If they find out they might take us for spies."
The group walk through the ghost town, buildings damaged and weeds growing all over them. This town was abandoned during the civil war, and mass unmarked graves surround much of it. Just as they reached towards the end of the ghost town Carol heard a slight noise and caught a scent, instantly realizing they were not alone. But before she could warn them in time, a masked wildcat dressed in red bandit attire armed with a poison tipped crossbow on top of a ruined building spoke in a demanding tone.
?: "H̄yud, mị̀ ŷāy h̄rụ̄x c̄hạn ca ying!"
Torque: *reading translator* "She's saying don't move or she'll shoot us."
The Wildcat noticed the language Torque spoke, and chose to speak in his language.
?: "You aren't from around here, who are you?"
Torque: "My name is Torque, this is Lilac, Milla, and Carol. We mean you no harm."
?: "Wait..."
The wildcat lowered her crossbow staring at Carol, then took off her red mask. Carol saw the Wildcat's burn scar above her left eye, and realized it was somebody she was familiar with.
Carol: "Pekoe, Is that you?"
Lilac: "Pekoe!?"
Pekoe: "Yes, how the heck did you get all the way down here?!"
Carol: "It's Coral, she needs our help, we have been trying to retrieve a device to make sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands, If it does it could jeopardize our family, the marriage alliance, and event the whole world itself.."
Pekoe Tea jumped down the building, standing significantly taller to the rest of the group, she was in her mid-twenty's.
Carol: "Pekoe, why did you leave us like that?"
Pekoe: "I didn't have a choice, people were sent to kill you and I had to throw them off to protect you, I left you in good hands with Lilac. That is why I left the red scarves."
Pekoe wearily looks around.
Pekoe: "There are people after me, we have to get to the storm drain quickly, follow me."
Pekoe and the group entered a hidden entrance to a storm drain underneath the building, as they descended down the storm drain Pekoe used a light to help guide Torque, Milla, and Lilac through the dark and wet tunnels of the abandoned towns storm drain.
พ่อ, พายุ ท่อระบายน้ำ ที่ถูกทิ้งร้าง (Pai, abandoned Storm Drains)
Torque: "So, now that we're down here, would you like to tell us who is after you?"
Pekoe: "Ukrit Srisati's men, they have been hunting me down for a long time now, I evaded them shortly before meeting you guys and mistaken you for one of them, I'm sorry for earlier."
Torque: "It's alright, If I was in your position I'd be on edge as well. So where does this tunnel lead too?"
Pekoe: "It leads to a passage way into the jungles of Nong Khai province, there is a trail that will lead us to Mukdahan, a town up in the top of the trees."
Milla: "A city up in the trees?, Oh that is so cool!"
Carol: "We gotta check this out!"
Lilac: "It's out east as this map says, so It'll bring us closer to our destination in Songkhla Province."
Pekoe: "Word of warning, stay right behind me, the jungles of Nong Khai province can be a real death trap to those who are not prepared, do exactly as I say and you guys should be fine."
Leading the group through the passage, the group pass a cave spring with an opening where vines hang down on a greenish-blue pool of spring water. The group enjoyed the scenery as they were led out the exit and into the incredibly tall jungles of Nong Khai, many of the trees were above 1,000 ft. easily. As they were led onto a path by Pekoe, they began their way through the dimly lit jungles in noon of day on their journey to Mukdahan...
เส้นทางไปยัง จังหวัดมุกดาหาร, ป่าของ จังหวัดหนองคาย (Path to Mukdahan, Jungles of Nong Khai Province)
Carol: "Wow, how tall can these trees get?"
Pekoe: "I'd say about 1,500 feet, the tallest part of the Jungle is in Mukdahan, which is towards the center of this jungle. It should be about twenty more miles from here."
Carol: "This is gonna be so exciting!"
Pekoe: "Quiet, we don't want to draw any undesired attention onto us."
Carol:*smiles* "Oh, sorry dude."
Pekoe: "This jungle is filled with dangerous predators, we need to keep a low profile. We will be heading near the Sukhothai ruins on this trail, stay close to me and don't do anything stupid."
As the group continued down the path to the village above the trees, they encountered ruins covered with vines and having been flooded by the river in the jungle. It's red crystals illuminate the pillars and the temple, making the place look like ghosts are haunting the place.
Pekoe: "Don't try to grab any of those crystals, this place is cursed and booby-trapped."
Lilac: "I'd never figure you for being superstitious."
Pekoe: "Trust me, I was stupid enough to try It once, these ruins are a lot more dangerous than they look."
As the group was about to pass by the ruins they heard a deep heavy hiss from above, a huge snake-like creature descended slithering from the trees, It had six eyes that glowed in the dark just like the rows of crystal spikes on It's head. It opened it's mouth showing four fangs, the bigger two in front and a pair of fangs 2/3 the size of the front pair close behind them.
Pekoe: *lights torch* "Quick, follow me!"
