A/N: Yo. I'm Updating. It's been a minute. Ye.
"Hey Raya! Over here!"
Sisu waves and catches their attention. They smile and make their way over.
"If it isn't the man from another world. Cam, good friend, how've you been as of lately?" Benja asks before embracing him in a friendly hug.
"Benja, it's good to see you man. I've been great, just moving through life as usual."
Cam returns the hug before shortly pulling back to a handshake. He then looks to Raya and smiles.
"I swear you were taller before? Wasn't he Benja?" she asks.
Benja strokes his chin in thought before responding.
"Indeed he was."
"So..I shrunk? How is that possible?" he asks, amused by the sudden observation.
"You tell me? Or is it that I got taller?"
"Well. Maybe. Did you?" he asks, shrugging his shoulders.
"Hmmm. I don't know. You still look shorter though. Doesn't he Sisu?" Raya asks.
Sisu looks at him with curiosity.
"Actually, now that you've mentioned it-"
"Alright, hold up. Now ya'll want to debate over height? I can tell you truthfully; I did NOT get shorter." Cam debates in a half amused half annoyed tone.
"Ehh, I'd have to disagree." Raya says with a cheeky grin.
"Yeah, I honestly think Raya's right." Sisu responds with the same smirk.
"Don't make me go back and bring out some measuring tape." Cam responds, half tempted.
I chuckle to myself as I eye the scene. I notice Benja spot me and approach me.
"Hello, you must be Cam's friend. I'm Chief Benja, but you can keep it at Benja. What's your name?" he asks and sticks his hand out.
I make sure to greet him with a respectful, firm handshake and good eye contact. Especially now knowing who this man is.
"Hello Benja, my name is Jared. Cam brought me here for the weekend to hangout and meet some friends."
"Well, that's wonderful Jared. Glad to meet you. He hasn't returned in a while and we were starting to get slightly concerned. How have you liked your stay in Kumandra so far?" he asks.
I take a quick second to mentally reflect before responding.
"It's been...incredible. I've never felt like I feel right now before. It's so...strange. But not in a bad way what so ever. I mean, I literally traveled through a portal. I can't even begin to fathom that all the way. And...dragons. Something that would be qualified as 'fake' in my world. Is a regular resident among this land."
Benja nods his head in understanding and gives me a warm smile.
"I understand part of where you're coming from...except for the portal of course. After returning to my normal form from stone prior to 6 years. I was awestruck and blown away by the sight and presence of the creatures that most people equally lacked the true understanding of. As was everyone else around me. Their 500 year absence had many in the same mindset. Even I can admit that sometimes it was difficult to maintain belief with how much doubt there was. In the end, I'm glad that Kumandra is now a place that can create that feeling and realism for you. It will always be a place that represents peace and unity."
"I can imagine. That must've been crazy. You've done a great job of keeping the world in a better light. I'm glad to have the opportunity to be here and experience all of this. Don't know who I'll tell first back home." I respond, thinking of my family and how shocked they would be.
"I appreciate that Jared. You and Cam are great people. You are both free to bring along anyone you choose." he says before patting my shoulder respectfully.
I smile contently. A new feeling of comfort and trust eases any anxiety that could've been lurking at the back of my mind.
"Thank you, Benja. I'll remember that." I respond.
He nods his head in approval before calling to Raya. Interrupting her playful debate with Cam.
"Raya. Come over here. Cam brought a friend." he says whilst waving his arm toward me.
Raya and Cam approach me while still mumbling in debate, causing me to chuckle.
"You see what these two put me through Jared?" Cam says as he points to Sisu and Raya. They both respond with a small laugh.
"Yeah, seems like a lot to deal with. You never know though. They might be on to something." I respond.
"See? You get it. I'm Raya by the way. Welcome to Heart Jared." she greets me in a friendly manner and sticks her hand out to shake mine.
I smile and shake her hand in return.
"Nice to meet you Raya."
"You too."
"She's the one you've gotta watch out for. She's no joke Jared." Cam says in a whisper beside me.
"Whatever he said, don't listen. He already doesn't even remember his own name." Raya exclaims, making the group laugh.
"Oh, so now I don't remember not only my height, but my name too?" Cam wonders with amused disbelief.
"That means you're getting brainwashed every time you come here. Or, you just have a terrible memory...I guess." I add.
"Must be the second one then." Sisu proclaims, revealing a side-eye from Cam. She sneaks a giggle that almost goes unnoticed.
"Hehehe" Cam mocks, "That's great. Anybody else hungry? Cause, I think me and my boy here are pretty hungry." he says, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
I suddenly feel my stomach make a strange noise. Clearly, I am hungry as well.
"It must've been all that flying then." I notice Amba suddenly say next to me. Apparently dragons can be very sneaky too.
I look up at her and smile. She notices and smiles back.
"I'd have to agree. I've been looking forward to your cooking the whole distance here Chief Benja." Juule enters the scene with Pura and Aramis following.
Everyone seems to be looking to Benja for the word. He doesn't fall under the pressure though, and tells everyone what they want to hear.
"Well, let's not waste any further time then. Into the temple."
He swiftly guides everyone into the awaiting temple, and it seems that almost everyone suddenly has a pep in their step. Except for Amba and I, who decide to truly take our time and lag behind.