"The last time I tried to get a scan of him Staluk chased us into a lake so I'd try to trade for a scan of him instead," Tom explained and that brought a smile to my face despite my earlier unease. "Still if neither of us tries to scan him again he won't attack us….probably." He added, grinning at me when I raised both eyebrows at him.
"That's not making me feel very confident, Tom but thanks for trying anyway," I told him, hearing him laugh as we wandered around the Forest of Life. "So I'm thinking about my next match and I have Intress and Mezzmar as well as Tangath Toborn. Do you think I need some more Overworlders?" I asked him once we paused just inside the grove and Tom scratched at his cheeks for several seconds.
"That's a good lineup but maybe I can help you though we'll need to port to a few locations. What location scans do you have now?" Tom asked me and I held out my scanner to my friend, waiting patiently as he checked out my location scans. "Huh pretty cool but you could use a few heavy hitters."
"Well since you're the expert who do you think would be a good fit?" I teased and Tom smiled at me, handing back my scanner. I soon received my answer when I found myself in Cordac Falls and I blinked, edging closer to the waterfall only to yelp when Tom grabbed my shoulder pulling me back. "Please don't do that ever again," I muttered, trying not to show how being that close to possibly falling makes me tremble.
"Sorry but you get way too close. Now if we can find Owis you'll get your scan." Tom answered, shielding his eyes from the sun as he scans the surrounding area until I see a smile on his face and I look up as something darted around the rocks surrounding the falls. "There he is now. Come on, if you want your scan you'll have to be careful not to slip." He added, hurrying after the Overworlder, and with a groan, I followed him keeping pace with Tom who managed to keep Owis in his sights.
It takes a lot out of me darting here and there, following both Tom and Owis who only paused a few times to use his telescope to scan the area. When he paused I hide behind a rock waiting until he was looking in the opposite direction before I raised my scanner taking my chance, the scanner registering him. Thrilled that I'd managed to scan a creature by myself I nearly let out a triumphant yell only for Tom to quickly clamp his hand over my mouth, stifling any sound I tried to make with a slow head shake.
Owis looked back as Tom pulled me down, hiding us both, and after the Overworlder left Tom let out a breath looking over at me as I narrowed my eyes. Uncovering my mouth he shrugged, standing once he was sure that Owis had left and I stretched, climbing to my feet.
"Sorry but you almost gave away our position. Owis might think we're Underworlders trying to sneak in via Cordac Falls, Ashley." Tom explained and I sighed, giving him a nod once I remembered how close I'd come to being stomped by Staluk. "Where do you want to head next?"
A few trips back and forth between Perim and Chaotic resulted in some new location scans. The only thing I still wanted was a scan of a creature that I hadn't managed to get which involved another trip to the Forest of Life.
"You know this is a really bad idea, Ashley," Tom commented as we walked carefully through the forest. When I just shrugged he sighed, being more careful than I was as I stumbled over a vine. Thankfully I caught my balance and ignoring Tom's chuckling I kept going finding hoof-prints which soon led us to Staluk the Overworlder pawing at the ground.
"All you have to do is get a scan of Staluk and we can port back. Just be careful." Tom told me as I held up my scanner. When I started to sneak closer to Staluk Tom covered his face with one hand, already dreading the outcome. Scanning the Overworlder I smiled only to freeze when Staluk turned his head finding me standing directly behind him and I swallowed. A few minutes later Tom and I were being chased around the forest with Staluk in hot pursuit before a noise caught his attention and once he turned towards the sound of a twig being snapped Tom took the chance to grab my hand, pulling me behind a tree before the Overworlder found us again.
Snorting, Staluk growled before he galloped away leaving Tom and me alone. At least until he found us again and as I caught my breath Tom leaned back not seeing the bush behind him until he yelped when vines wrapped around his ankles and arms, pulling him off-balance.
When I saw him fall into the bushes I rushed over, untangling the vines from around his legs. As I started to pull the vines away from his arms Tom hissed and that's when I saw that the vines wrapped around his left arm had thorns a strange green ooze now covering Tom's bicep. Finally pulling them free I noticed that Tom's left arm near his bicep had several scratches where the thorns had managed to prick his skin the green ooze seeping into his wounds. Tom, rubbing at his arm, watching as I tore one of my sleeves off using it as a makeshift bandage.
After I finished bandaging Tom's arm I brushed my fringe back, wondering why anyone would want to visit the Forest of Life if even the plants were dangerous too.
"It's just a couple of scratches. I don't see why you're making such a big deal about it, Ashley." Tom said and I looked up from my spot beside him, a slight frown on my face.
"Maybe I am making a big deal but I don't know Perim as well as you do, Tom. It could end up more serious later but whatever." I replied with a shrug, standing before I stretched. "Next time we'll go somewhere less dangerous."
"We'll go somewhere a lot safer," Tom answered, climbing to his feet. "Come on, I'll show you the way out of the forest since I'm the more experienced player." With a sigh I followed, keeping an eye on the rough bandage job I'd done on his left arm. Originally I'd wanted to port back to Chaotic and get someone to check it but when I offered that idea Tom turned me down though he finally agreed to let me bandage it, apparently more interested in helping me get a new scan for my deck than worrying about a scratch.
Still wary I made sure to stick with Tom who led me through until we finally reached the outskirts of the Forest of life without any further mishaps. It wasn't until we started walking further into a desert that I caught Tom scratching at his arm, causing me to tilt my head to one side as I studied him. Tom, distracted by the constant itch in his arm, didn't notice me staring at him with a frown.
"Tom, is there something wrong?" I asked him and Tom quickly pulled his hand away, giving me a quick smile that did nothing to put my mind at ease. "You've been scratching at your arm for the last few minutes. Are you completely sure it doesn't hurt?" I insisted and Tom turned around, narrowing his eyes at me.
"I'm fine, Ashley so quit asking," Tom grumbled, pinching the bridge of his nose when I narrowed my eyes at him walking directly past him with my shoulders hunched. "If you keep walking that way you're just going to get lost." He called out but by then I'd already walked past the first of many sand dunes and with another eye-roll he jogged after me. I didn't get far before Tom reached me and I raised an eyebrow at him arms now crossed as he stared at me.
"If I'd known you were going to act like this I would have gone out on my own," I complained, eventually walking side by side with Tom since I knew I'd only get lost. "I was only trying to help you," I muttered and Tom sighed, unable to stop himself from scratching his arm which now didn't just itch but had begun to throb.
"I know that Ashley but I wanted to show you around Perim and get some new location scans," Tom replied, feeling a little awkward when I turned my head giving him a weak smile though when I saw that he had a hand clamped over his bandage my eyebrows shot up towards my forehead. Seeing how wide my eyes were Tom finally let out a breath, giving me a tiny smile. "So it kind of hurts now and it won't stop itching." He finally admitted.
"Let me see it," I asked and for once Tom listened, allowing me the chance to unwrap his arm. As soon as the last bandage unravelled I blinked even more concerned when I saw that the wound had turned an angry shade of red. Without thinking I reached towards his arm only for Tom to hiss the second my fingers brushed his arm, pulling his arm out of reach before I could stop myself. "Sorry I just...maybe we should port back or something."
"Not sure what would happen if I port back with this injury. I wonder if we can find a healer." Tom commented, walking directly past without looking at me and I frowned at him. "Maybe Najarin can take a look at it. He'd know what to do." He added, his voice oddly slurred as he kept walking.
When he stumbled I caught up with him grasping his right hand before I pulled it away to stop his constant scratching. Tom didn't even notice when I held onto his hand and I shook my head hoping that he'd get the hint and leave it alone until we could get someone more experienced to look it over.
"So where exactly are we going anyway?" I asked Tom who didn't answer, shivering despite the sun beating down on us as I managed to pull his right hand away from his bandage. "Perim to Tom, hello?" I teased though when he finally focused on me I chewed my lip taking in his pale features. "You look terrible right now, no offence." I pointed out, noticing how pale he looked right now.
"None taken. That way….I think….or maybe that way?" He mumbled, clearly too sick now to be of much help and I groaned in frustration pulling him back when he tried to wander away in the opposite direction. "Not really sure."
"Tom, we just came from that direction. That's where the Forest of Life was. Okay, where is Najarin? He's a Muge and a healer too isn't he?" I asked and after staring at me in silence for long enough for the sun to feel like it was cooking me Tom blinked two blue eyes at me. "We're completely lost aren't we?" I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose as Tom finally gave me a one-armed shrug.
Shaking my head, and keeping a firm grip on his right hand so he didn't walk away, I took Tom's scanner out of his pocket. After spending a few minutes swiping through his location scans I finally found one that looked similar to the location that Tom used in our first battle. "Tom, is that Lake-Ken-I-Po?" I asked him only to notice when Tom rubbed at his eyes and I finally gave up asking him, quickly taking out my own scanner before I flicked through my own location scans.
"Good thing I traded for it not long after I entered Chaotic. Now if I figure out how to get you to Najarin without getting us lost that would be perfect." I muttered, looking over at Tom before I grasped his hand in case he wandered away again though when he started coughing I started to fear the worse. Once I managed to get Tom to port himself to Lake-Ken-I-Po I followed, reappearing in view of a lake where a massive castle jutted out of the water.
I grasped Tom's arm practically dragging him towards the steps that I could see in the distance. We climbed up the series of steps which mainly involved me pushing Tom the whole way and once I caught my breath I noticed Tom leaning against the door, panting despite the fact he'd barely put any effort into walking. Shaking my head I pulled off my jacket, slipping it over his shoulders in an effort to keep him warm though if he noticed he didn't react.
"I didn't think we'd make it all the way up here. Especially when I had to practically carry your sorry behind the entire way." I tried to joke but Tom wasn't listening, still using one side of the door to keep himself upright. "Come on, you know Najarin. How do we get his attention?" I asked getting a blank stare for my answer and I groaned wondering how I'd let myself get talked into porting to the Forest of Life a second time. "Probably knocking would help?" I muttered, reaching up just as the door slowly opened and I blinked finding myself face to face with Najarin.
"Yes, can I help you?" Najarin sighed, looking down at me as I cleared my throat. Before I could both get my head around seeing Najarin up close and think of a good enough reason as to why I was there he looked over at Tom who was sitting on the rock surrounding the now open doorway staring into the distance.
It only took a few minutes before we were inside and as the castle doors closed I kept Tom steady, my left arm wrapped around his waist while I kept my right draped around his shoulders. Even with me guiding him as we followed Najarin, Tom could barely manage to put one foot in front of the other and that worried me even further.
Especially when we finally arrived in Najarin's study I could hear Tom's heavy breathing after I managed to get him to sit in one of two chairs I frowned, not liking how washed out Tom's face looked right then. "Now tell me everything that happened, Ashley was it?" Najarin asked and I took a deep breath, finally turning away from my friend before I explained the whole story starting from our trip into the Forest of Life.
As Najarin listened he frowned, immediately turning to his desk once I finally finished my attention moving back to Tom who had his eyes closed now the jacket I'd given him wrapped tightly around his chest as he shivered. "Do you remember what colour the plant was that scratched Tom?" Najarin asked me and after some careful thought, I nodded. As soon as he showed me a large bound book I brightened, understanding completely.
"The flowers were yellow with purple spots and there was this weird green ooze that Tom got into his wound after he scratched himself on their thorns. He kind of fell into them really." I explained, watching on as Najarin flicked through several pages until I saw a page with the same flowers and something written that I couldn't understand. Seeing Najarin frown I felt my heart sink already knowing that he had very bad news.
"The flowers themselves are harmless but their secretions are toxic. If they get into an open wound they can cause an illness that can prove….fatal if left untreated. There is an antidote but it must be administered soon." Najarin told me and I nodded, looking around the study only to hear the Muge sigh and I swallowed, already dreading what was coming. "Sadly I need a certain plant that only grows in the Forest of life. Once the petals are crushed they produce a cure for your friend's illness."
"I'll get it and be back before you know it," I told Najarin who held up a hand before I could walk away. "What's wrong?"
"Do not be hasty. That location is very dangerous, especially for Chaotic players." Najarin warned but I shook my head, looking over at Tom who had his eyes closed now. "But since I can tell you can't be dissuaded take this and return with the leaves of a plant that has red petals and black spots. With it, I can make an antidote but you must make haste." He added, handing me a small pouch that I clung to tightly.
"I'll be careful. Please look after Tom until I get back." I answered and Najarin nodded, walking back to check on Tom as I ported back to the Forest of Life. "I just hope I make it back in time," I whispered once I arrived back at the Forest of Life. Steeling myself I headed through the location keeping my eyes out for the plant that Najarin told me about after I checked as many flowers as I paused in my search, brushing leaves from my hair the result of an unfortunate trip into a bush.
"Where is it? If I don't find it soon who knows what'll happen to Tom?" I whispered, getting more and more anxious as time wore on. While I searched Najarin kept a close eye on Tom who had finally fallen asleep, shivering uncontrollably.
"I hope Ashley returns soon, Tom Majors. Otherwise…" He trailed off, sighing to himself as I quickly dashed through the forest every second that I didn't see the plant made me break out into a cold sweat.
Finally, I saw a bush and as I carefully approached it I saw a red plant, my heart beating wildly as I raced over to it not noticing that this one had yellow stripes. I had barely reached it when I saw something and I just managed to dodge to one side as a vine snapped at me. Rolling I stumbled to my feet only to feel something touch my ankles and I yelped as another vine snaked around my legs, pulling me off the ground. I let out a yelp barely managing to keep my grip on both my scanner and the pouch Najarin had given me, swaying back and forth.
"I don't need this right now. Tom's in danger and I need to get those petals." I growled as I struggled to free myself. The vines only tightened and I groaned, suddenly afraid once I realised I had no way to free myself. "I should have paid more attention to Najarin's warnings and now Tom's going to pay the price. What do I do?" I muttered, looking at the vines with my eyes narrowed.
When I heard a twig snap in the distance I froze, something I didn't think I could do as I swung back and forth but when someone leaped into view I blinked eyes widening as Intress appeared. In the blink of an eye, she rushed towards me and I yelped as her claws tore through the vines keeping me trapped, which freed me and also sent me crashing onto the dirt floor which made my head and back ache.
"Najarin told me you were looking for a rare flower, Ashley," Intress explained as I climbed to my feet, ignoring for the moment my aching back and head. "But this forest is dangerous, especially to Chaotic players."
"Yeah, so I've noticed on more than one occasion. I could use all the help I can get." I replied, following Intress who showed me to a small grove that contained several flowers in full bloom including one with red petals and black spots. This time I approached the plant very carefully though when this one didn't launch an attack on me I breathed out, plucking several petals.
"Thanks again for your help, Intress. I'd better get back to Tom and Najarin. I just hope I'm not too late." I thanked her and she nodded, waiting until I ported back to Najarin's castle before she left the forest. As soon as I reappeared in Najarin's castle I handed off the pouch and as Najarin headed away to make the antidote I wandered over to Tom.
"If Intress hadn't shown up I don't know how I would have gotten back," I whispered, unsure if Tom could hear me right now. "Man that crash landing really did a number on my back but I'll rest it once I know you're going to be okay," I added, settling back on the only other chair as I waited for Najarin to get back. After what seemed like an eternity Najarin returned with a small bowl and a brush and as I watched he moved to Tom's side. Unwrapping the bandage he looked over at me, beckoning me over and after I straightened I limped over.
"You might want to hold him down. This will be very painful." Najarin said, giving me time to pin Tom's arms to the seat before he applied a strange green ointment. A few seconds passed before Tom's eyes shot open as he gasped but when he tried to move I held him down shaking my head when he tried to push me away.
"Tom, this is for your own good. Just stay still okay? I know it hurts but this needs to be done. Besides if you'd listened to me earlier….forget it. Just hold still." I insisted, ignoring him when he growled at me sweat beading his forehead. Soon his struggling weakened and he relaxed, passing out as Najarin finished applying the antidote to his wound. "Will he be okay?"
"All we can do now is wait and hope," Najarin answered, returning to his desk and when I released my grip on Tom's arms I let out a shaky breath. "You should follow Tom's lead and rest, Ashley. I will keep watch over your friend."
"Thanks but I feel fine." I lied through when Najarin raised an eyebrow at me not breaking eye contact for several seconds I rubbed at my eyes. "Alright, you win. Just for a few minutes." I finally agreed, kneeling beside the chair that Tom currently occupied before I leaned back against the wall. Shaking his head but with a faint smile on his lips Najarin left, coming back a short time later with a blanket.
I had only planned to rest for a few minutes but when I heard a familiar voice I cracked open my eyes, blinking once I discovered I was sitting on the floor for some strange reason. As I tried to figure out why I'd chosen the cold floor to sleep on Tom chuckled.
"Took you long enough to wake up, Ashley," Tom told me with a faint grin though when I struggled to my feet he frowned. "You okay?" He asked me, blinking when I reached his side.
"After what I went through to save you, the Chaotic you anyway, 'okay' isn't the word I'd use, Tom," I grumbled, leaning against the chair before I stretched my legs to work the ache out of them. "Still it's nice to have you back."
"Najarin filled me in when I woke up. So you really went back to the Forest of Life just to save me?" Tom asked, concerned when he climbed to his feet. "Hey I'm fine now thanks to you but why didn't you ask for help from Kaz, Peyton, or Sarah?"
"I knew Najarin could help but I was so panicked I just didn't think about anyone else. Yeah, I should have asked them but I was so worried when you started getting sick I couldn't think clearly. Guess I don't react very well under pressure." When I chewed my lip Tom nodded, draping my jacket over my shoulders. "You were shivering and it was all I had," I explained, not knowing that my face was red when he grinned at me giving my shoulder a squeeze.
"Hey I'm grateful but I didn't know how brave you were. Next time I promise I'll listen when you offer your help." Tom answered and that brought a smile to my face.