ONE WEEK AFTER THE BATTLE OF MURA NUNKA...
Rarely had there been such a fierce fight as the one that occurred in that remote place. A unique event in which legends became reality. Most animals witnessed the confrontation and quickly spread the word throughout the jungle. Meanwhile, the vestiges of the battlefield lingered for several days until mother nature itself decided it was time to turn the page. A great monsoon late at midnight carried away the rubble, washed away the bloodstained grass and buried the corpses of all those unfortunate ones who didn't manage to survive the battle. Heavy and incessant rain that returned everything back to the main flow of the Amazon River. Back to the origin of all things. Because from the water the jungle was born, and also in the water everything will die. That is the cycle of life in Amazonia.
The huge inert body of the mythological being known as the Mapinguari was not exempt from this fate. Every small drop of rain and every current of air gradually disintegrated the remains of what was once human. A dark-hearted human whose ambition only managed to lead him straight to an inevitable and premature death. However, among the beast's scattered organs and crushed bones, the object of his insane desire remained untouched. The amazonite, that damned jewel that caused all this mayhem, was still slightly embedded in the monster's guts. As Uyari had mentioned before, the curse of the Mapinguari cannot be erradicated, it can only be contained. And in the near future, the day will probably come when the threat will have to be stopped once again.
Suddenly, the jewel detached itself from the dead fiend's entrails and fell to the wet soil. The gleaming crimson jewel rolled down the hill until it reached the riverbank. The violent current of the water combined with the strong storm didn't take long to drag it into the heart of the river. The amazonite slowly sank lost from sight in its dark and unknown depths. Fishes and other aquatic fauna swimming around felt strange vibrations in the water, as if the object were emitting an unnerving voice to attract the attention of a new host. A poor soul destined to fall into temptation. All this, in order to be reborn and continue eating, devouring to satiate its never-ending hunger:
"MUST... CONSUME... MORE..."
/////////////
ELSEWHERE...
That same night of the monsoon, but in a completely different part of Amazonia, a pair of human figures were walking through the jungle. Two tall and athletic dark-skinned men with tribal paintings in their bodies, carrying torches and spears, dressed only with loincloths and primitive ornaments. Together they were dragging an unconscious, injured young blond boy with torn clothes and dirty bandages. But judging by the cold look on their faces, they were not the least bit concerned about the state of his health. On the contrary, they looked at him with deep pure hatred. The principles of their tribe were the only thing that kept them from slitting his throat and leave him to die. They had orders to follow.
They were a few steps away from reaching their destination: the creepy and fortified village of the Kawahiva tribe. A very inhospitable and isolated location in one of the most unsettling regions of Amazonia: Ka'irai. At the high gates of the settlement, two other men were already awaiting their arrival. As they entered and made their way through the huts, the locals watched the escorts with intrigue and uncertainty. People with a worringly decadent look. Men, women and children alike. All of them squalid and bald with many scars on their faces. Half-naked with only rags to cover their waists and pale white paint patterns on their boney skins. It was not usual for them to receive many visitors. Much less from people of the outside world like that odd-looking young man. But in the past couple of days, those numbers had slightly increased. Something definitely had happened. They knew that only meant one thing: another despicable criminal had been captured.
The escorts continued on their way until they entered the largest open hut located in the center of the village. Inside, a mature and muscular person sat on an throne made of palms. The imposing man had scars all over his body and wore a huge gray plume on his head, while an intimidating black mask covered his whole face. The place was adorned with a great number of shields, weapons and large idol statues carefully carved in wood. Representations of the very deities they worshipped, according to their beliefs. The fire on the torches was the only source of light in there. The escorts brought the captive blond boy to his knees and struck the ground with their spears as a sign of respect for the man in front of them. People soon began to crowd around the hut despite the thunderous storm, prepared for what was coming. The two men proceeded to explain the reason of their presence.
"Nde Chapai... ambue pekador oñemoguahẽ oréve ko árape. Roha'arõ ne ñe'ẽ arandu... (Excellency Chapai... another sinner has been delivered to us today. We await your wise word to proceed...)", both men said at the same time in an amazonic language.
"Oh... ambue? Iporã. Iporã añete. Upéicha Tupãsy Jaguarete ore rovasa jey. Haʼe opromete haguéicha! ¡Emomba'eguasu tupãsy! (Oh... another one? Good. Good indeed. So the Jaguar Goddess has blessed us again. Just as she promised! Praise the Goddess!)", said the man named Chapai, who was the chieftain of the whole tribe.
"Ndaipóri tiem ojeperde haguã upérõ. Emombáy chupe, tupãnguéra oha'arõ... (No time to waste then. Wake him up, the gods are awaiting...)", he ordered as he stood up. One of the guards took a candle and held it under the boy's nose. The smoke induced an effect that accelerated his heartbeat and woke him up almost instantly. The escorts dragged him to display him in front of all the spectators.
"Ahhhhh... uhhhhh... ohhh... what the... where... where am I...?", Marco asked feeling dizzy. At that moment, he was startled to see the chieftain's mask and the dark-skinned men standing at his sides, but he was too weak to scream. "Aaaahhh! Who... who the fuck are you...?"
"Nokuéra! Herkuéra! Péina ápe! Oguahẽma ko pekór ári pe tupãnguéra huísio! Ko inva oñeanimáma omongy’a ñande róga sagrada prese reheve! Emaña porã hese! Ani arakaʼeve nderesarái mbaʼéichapa haʼe! Ndahaʼemoʼãi pe última ves jahecha peteĩva koʼãichagua... (Brothers! Sisters! Behold! The judgment of the gods has come upon this sinner! This invader has dared to defile our sacred home with his undesirable presence! Take a good look at him! Never forget what he looks like! It will not be the last time we see one of their kind...)", the chieftain exclaimed, addressing to the people of the village. The sound of drums began to resonate.
"Reheg... reheg... reheg... (Invader... invader... invader...)", the crowd began to chant to the rhythm of the percussion.
"Wait... savages? I'm with the savages!? Where... where's Zé? She... said she was gonna... oh no...", the boy said looking around, remembering what Uyari told him a few days ago.
"Ko pekór nomereséi peón... ko pekór nomereséi rredensiõ!! (This sinner does not deserve forgiveness... this sinner does not deserve redemption!!)", the chieftain shouted.
"Reheg! Reheg! Reheg! (Invader! Invader! Invader!)", the people chanted louder, moving from one side to the other. The rhythm of the drums was getting faster.
"Ko pekór omerese añoite... SUFIRÍA HA GONIA!! (This sinner only deserves... SUFFERING AND AGONY!!)", the chieftain screamed raising and waving his arms in the air.
"REHEG!! REHEG!! REHEG!! (INVADER!! INVADER!! INVADER!!)", the crowd exploded. The tribals began to dance, jump and howl to the sky while rolling their eyes as if in a state of trance. Others played primitive instruments to invoke the deities. Soon, the quiet village became a complete madhouse.
"Jesus... w-what the hell... is wrong with this... f-fucking maniacs...", the boy said disturbed.
"Peẽ peñekondena vaʼekue! (You have been condemned!)", said the masked man pointing at him.
"To'a nde ári pe sy pochy! Ha nemaldeci remano peve! Tereho emombo chupe umi yvykuápe! (May the wrath of the allmother fall upon you! And curse you until the hour of your destined death! Go and throw him into the devil's gulch!)"
"What? I don't understand a single... Hey... no... no, let me go! Get your hands off me... y-you... you fuckers!", he whispered as the two guards took him by force and carried him away against his will. There was nothing he could do about it. Chieftain Chapai and the villagers stayed behind to celebrate the conviction. The storm grew stronger, as if the gods had effectively listened to the leader's words.
On the outskirts of the village, the men led Marco to a black ravine amidst dry trees and dead vegetation. A depressing, highly inaccessible and dangerous place with uneven terrain, surrounded by barricades, stakes, hanging cages with skeletons and other crude torture devices made of wood by the Kawahiva. But the worst of all was beyond there: there was a huge dark pit of at least five or six meters deep. An horrible hole in the ground that would be his new home. The prison where he would serve his death sentence.
"Don't tell me... No no no no! Wait! Please! Don't put me in there... anything but that! I'll talk! I'll do whatever you want! Please! PLEASE I SWEAR TO GOD, DON'T DO IT!!!", he begged, kicking desperate to free himself. The guards ignored him. Without hesitation, they threw the boy into the pit.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!", Marco screamed falling all the way to the bottom. Luckily for him, the surface was wet and muddy, so he cushioned the hit.
After lying there for a few seconds, he slowly crawled to one of the corners of the hole. He couldn't make out anything, the pit was completely dark. Looking above, he managed to notice that the walls of the pit were covered with very sharp thorns, so escaping from there was practically impossible.
"Argh... dammit... I gotta get out of here... there must be something around that I could... uh? What is this...?", he said as he touched a round-shaped object with his hands. With the light emitted by a lightning, he discovered what it was. A cracked human skull.
"Ahhhhhh!! What the fuck!?", the boy shouted in horror. Soon, he realized that a lot of human bones were scattered all over the floor. He wasn't the first to be condemned to die there. But that was just the beginning of this terrible nightmare.
"Hahahahaha! My oh my... look what the cat dragged in... how did a pretty boy like you ended up down here, eh? Surely you must have done something really, really bad... or very stupid, heh heh heh...", a mysterious female voice said from the other side of the pit. There was a woman sitting there as well.
"Ahh!!! W-who's there!? Wait... y-you speak my language!?", Marco asked shocked to see that he wasn't alone.
"So it seems... aren't we lucky? About goddamn time I had someone to have a decent conversation with again... it's been a while since the last time I chatted. I've been here for so long, you see. But tell me... what happened to you, sweetie?", the unidentified woman asked. A shadow was hiding the upper half of her face.
"Oh, thank god! I'm so glad to hear that! Uhhh, well... its... its a pretty long story, actually...", the boy confessed. "I don't think you would like to..."
"It's okay, I like long stories, heh. Besides, we have plenty of time... it's not like we have any better things to do, right? I know... why don't you tell me your story and then I tell you mine? That way we'll get to know each other better, don't you think? heh heh heh...", the woman laughed.
"Uh... well yeah, I guess you have a point there. Okay. I'm so relieved to know I'm not..."
"Wanna know a little thing or two about me? I like to be in company. I also can be very patient too. And I would REALLY like to hear your story... but if you don't start talking and tell me your FUCKIN' DAMN STORY RIGHT NOW, I'M GONNA BREAK YOUR FUCKIN' NECK!!", the woman demanded furious, breaking a bone with her fist.
"Ahh!! okay, sorry sorry!! I-It won't happen again, I promise!! My-My name is Marco, by the way..."
"Name's Devana. Now, don't make me repeat it again. Start talking..."
/////////////
THE NEXT DAY...
After several uninterrupted days of heavy rain, the fury of the monsoon had finally come to an end. The dark clouds vanished and father sun Kuaras'y appeared again in the sky, just in time to show the path on the river that those unexpected visitors would navigate to find their way out of Amazonia. The long-awaited day had arrived. Just a couple of months ago, tragedy had led them to think that this place was a green hell. But now, they were all beginning to understand the inner beauty of the jungle. It was almost nostalgic.
The boat's engine was up and running. Supplies were already counted and organized for the return trip. Only a few minor navigational details were missing, which Dr. Escudero and Lucas were already taking care of. Meanwhile, Y'shaati passed the time sitting in the stern of the boat, contemplating her own reflection in the crystal clear water of the river. Still pondering her impending future. Asking herself over and over again if she was making the right decision. At that instant, a pair of small Toninaas, the friendly pink dolphins she had learned to swim with, appeared in front of the boat. As she watched them play and jump free across the river, she couldn't help but remember those happy days when her life was so much simpler. Days that will probably never come back. That brief moment was interrupted by the presence of Dr. Isabel, who approached Y'shaati for a little chat.
"My goodness! Are those Inia Geoffrensis? They're extraordinarily rare! This is the first time I've seen them with my own eyes! How fortunate! Ach, I wish I had a camera. They're beautiful... though surely ye've seen them before, haven't ye, Iara?", the female doctor asked as the animals swam away. Y'shaati turned to look at Isabel with a melancholic face.
"Oh... I-I'm sorry, dear. I understand. I know this is being very difficult, but I promise this is the best thing for a lassie like ye. Soon ye will have a real life with us. Ye will have a family again. Ye will get the love ye always deserved. Ooh, what's more! I have an idea! When we get to Madrid, I'll take ya to visit the zoo! There ye will be able to meet many animals like the ones that live here. Even some that ye've probably never seen before!", Isabel said to cheer her up.
"Zoo...? Animals...?", the blonde asked.
"Exactly! If ya want, we can also have a wee pet, like a puppy or a kitten! Since ya can communicate with animals, reckon ye'll be able to befriend them in no time! I'm sure ye'll gunnae love it!"
"Y'shaati make more friends?", she asked a little more enthusiastically.
"Aye! Making new friends brings joy and happiness. And ye deserve to be happy. I will always be there for ya, love...", Isabel said before reaching into her blouse and pulling out a small silver locket with a picture of a man. "I will also tell ye all about this person who was very special to me..."
Y'shaati looked at the small monochromatic face. "Who that?", she asked in confusion.
"He's yer father..."
"Fa-ther?"
"That's right. Well... he was yer father... I dinnae think he's still with us... but ye're his daughter. I'm sure...", Isabel said with a slight smile. Y'shaati couldn't quite grasp the significance of what that great revelation meant. She had grown up believing that every creature in the jungle had mother and father figures except her. That's how it was, and that's how it always be.
"Y'shaati have... mom dad?", she asked again.
"Indeed. Although... I must admit that I ken absolutely nothing about yer mum. But dinnae worry, together we can find out... and maybe...", just then, Lucas and Dr. Escudero appeared and inopportunely interrupted their conversation to give them a very important message.
"All right! We're ready to go! ALL ABOOOOOOAAAAAAAARD! I always wanted to say that, hahaha!", the old man laughed.
"Grandpa... was it really necessary for you to scream like that?", Lucas said embarrassed.
"What? Don't be a killjoy, my boy! This is cause for celebration! We're finally going home! Although I honestly think I'm gonna miss this place... we don't know when we'll be able to have an adventure like this again!"
"Adventure!? Seriously!? How can you say this was a... bah, forget it...", the boy sighed slapping his own face.
"Ach, excuse me but Iara and I were having a nice wee time together, so I'd like to...", Isabel said before being interrupted again by the unexpected arrival of yet another person.
"Hello everyone! I'm glad I'm not too late!", Uyari said after swinging and landing on the deck of the boat. She was using again her tribal loincloth and bikini. Y'shaati couldn't help but feel a great joy at being able to see her friend before she left.
"Uyari!", both Lucas and the blonde exclaimed as the latter sprinted towards her, completely forgetting about her talk with Isabel.
"Ah! But Iara... darlin...", Isabel whispered, strenching out an arm to stop Y'shaati in vain.
"Y'shaati think... Y'shaati no see Uyari again!", Y'shaati said pouting.
"I know, and I'm sorry. Did you really think I was going to leave without saying farewell? Ha! You're still so naive, monkey!", the brunette said grinning. A friendly and unusual expression for her. It was evident that she had been relieved of an enormous weight after the battle with the Mapinguari.
"Oh, Miss Zé! I mean... Miss Uyari! How nice to see you again! And just in time! We were just about to set sail. Uhhh... I have to suppose that you came from taking care of... that matter with...", Grandpa said in a sad tone.
"Indeed, Dr. Escudero. It's done...", Uyari replied.
"I see. I just wish there had been another way...", the old man sighed.
"You won't have to worry about it anymore. You must move on. Go on with your lives. The jungle is safe now. I just came to say goodbye to you and this brave girl. I could never have made it without her. She even saved my life...", she said turning to look at the blonde. "And for that, I thank you sincerely again. The way you fought that monster was beyond impressive!"
"Uyari strong! Uyari do pow, whoosh, bam, wham!", Y'shaati exclaimed excited imitating the punches and kicks of Uyari's fighting style.
"Hehehehe! Your power is amazing too! You just need someone to teach you how to control it. Oh! Maybe I... ahh... yeah... right...", the brunette remembered the current situation looking at the floor. Behind her, Ikta subtly landed on the deck as well, causing the vehicle to shake due to her big size. "Ahhhh!", Lucas and the others got a little scared of that.
"Hey! I told you to stay back, you're too heavy for this boat!", Uyari scolded her feline sister. The Onsa came over and rubbed her head on Y'shaati's leg as she purred. She had already grown accustomed to her presence. "I think she wants to say goodbye to you too, hehe!"
"Ikta!", Y'shaati said bending down to pet his head. The feline proceeded to lick her face. The feral girl couldn't help but giggle as she felt the caress.
Meanwhile, Isabel just watched the brief moment of pure happiness of her beloved Iara. She wished with all her heart to be able to communicate and relate to her as easily as Uyari did. To be able to understand her and make her smile like that. That was when the doctor finally understood the truth: she could never make her happy, no matter how hard she could try. By taking her to Madrid, she would only be tying Iara to her past. That sad, never-ending painful quest to fill the void Francis Garcia left in her life. Iara would surely never be able to adapt to civilization and would live unhappily for the rest of her days. She imagined the whole possible scenario. That was simply unacceptable. She could never do that to her. She didn't have the heart to ruin her life at the cost of her own desire. Uyari's words were true. It was time to turn the page, close old wounds and move on with her life.
With her eyes lowered, Isabel slowly approached the girls. Dr. Escudero and his grandson looked surprised and attentive.
"Miss Zé...", she spoke to Uyari.
"Yes, Dr. Isabel?"
"Ye have helped us countless times since we arrived here... I ken I've no right to demand anything from ye... but I would like to ask one last favor before we leave..."
"Uh? Sure, what do you need?"
"Could ye take care of my sweet Iara for me... in my absence?"
"Excuse me? But I though you... wait... that means... are you saying...?"
"Aye. Now I ken. I see how ye look at her. And how she looks at ye. I can feel it. Ye both share a very special bond. A bond that I can't have with her... not for now, at least. So please..."
"Ahhh... well... I... I don't know what to say... I...", Uyari stammered blushing.
"Could ye do me that favor?"
"B-But of course! It will be my pleasure!"
"What...?", Y'shaati asked Isabel without knowing what they were talking about.
"Nothing darlin... I was just telling Miss Uyari that ye can stay here in the jungle with her if ye want to..."
"Ah!? Y'shaati stay!?", the blonde sighed in shock.
"That's right, love! Would ye like that?"
Y'shaati smiled and quickly stood up to tenderly embrace Isabel. That right there, was the sign of affection she had so longed for. She felt her journey was, at last, fullfilled.
"Ohhhh... I'm gunnae miss ye... so so much...", the female doctor sobbed while holding her very tightly. "But this isn't a goodbye... it's just a farewell. I promise I'll come pay ya a visit. I don't know when... but I definitely will, my sweet dear Iara..."
"Hey ladies, what's with the secrecy? Spill the beans already!", Dr. Escudero ordered.
"Archie! Ye were right, all along. We dinnae need to take Iara home. Cos... she's already at home!"
"That's what I wanted to hear! You make me so proud, Isabel! Bravo!", the old man celebrated her decision.
"Dr. Isabel! That's wonderful news! I'm so glad you finally understood! That's very mature of you! I agree it's the best thing for her. Ahhh... but... but then... that... that means... oh... oh no...", Lucas considered for a second.
"What's wrong, Lucas?", Isabel asked.
"(Crap! Crap! That means... I only have a few minutes left to tell Y'shaati my feelings for her. Argh! Damn! This changes everything! I thought I'd have more time to do it! And worst of all, I don't even know how to do it! I didn't have time to plan a strategy! Oh my gosh... now what do I do!?)", Lucas said frantically in his mind.
"Are you feeling all right, dear? You're sweating a lot...", Isabel pointed out.
"I... I... I... I... I'd like to...", before he could utter another word, Dr. Escudero put an arm around his neck to speak to him privately.
"Psst!"
"Wh-what?"
"Easy my boy, I know what you're thinking... go ahead! It's now or never! Don't be afraid! You are just one step away from becoming a man! You've come this far, you can't turn back now!", the old man motivated him by speaking in his ear.
"Ah... do you... do you really believe that, Grandpa? But how do I...", the boy asked.
"Do what comes from your heart. Declaring yourself to a girl is easy! Just address her as the queen she is to you! Treat her as such! Don't forget that!", the old man answered winking an eye.
"Oooh! Oh-okay! Thanks grandpa!", Lucas turned around with more confidence in himself. Just then, the boy walked towards Y'shaati to tell her what he had kept to himself for so long. Uyari and Isabel listened closely.
"Uhh, hmm... eh, Y'shaati... I... I want to tell you something very important... so-something I've never told to anyone..."
"....", she remained silent, staring at him.
"Since... since the day I first met you, my life changed forever. I had never met a girl like you before. Let alone one who saved my life countless times. A girl so cute and so brave, almost like an angel sent down from heaven. A wild angel. All those days and nights we spent together. All that I taught you, and you taught me... I think those were the best days of my entire life!", he confessed taking her hand.
"I was so lucky to have found you! You helped me so much! And since then I... I couldn't help but feel something growing on me. What I mean is... you make me very... I-I mean... I feel... ggghhh... aargghh... gaaaaaaagh...", Lucas groaned as if he was having a stroke.
"Lucas!?", she asked worried.
"IWANTYOUTOKNOWTHATILIKEYOUVERYMUCH!!!", Lucas exclaimed before kneeling down and taking one of Y'shaati's feet in his hands and kissing it gently with his eyes closed.
"AAAAAAAAAH!!! LUCAS!!! WHAT IN GOD'S NAME YER DOING!?!?", Isabel cried out scandalized at the sight of the boy's action. Even Uyari blushed a little. Y'shaati wiggled her toes and tilted her head in confusion as she felt the boy's lips touching her foot. She didn't know the meaning behind that intention. She considered that perhaps it was a common display of affection from the civilized world.
"Ah? Is it wrong? B-b-b-but Grandpa told me to treat her like a queen! I-I-I thought that...", Lucas babbled still holding Y'shaati's foot.
"Oh geez son, it was just an expression! I never told you to do that, hahaha!", Dr. Escudero grinned nervously as he scratched the back of his head. Meanwhile, the wild blonde crouched to stare at Lucas in the eyes.
"Lucas...", she spoke in a serious tone.
"Ah! I apologize! I shouldn't have done that, it wasn't appropriate! I don't know what I was thinking... ugh, I'm so stupid, I just wanted to tell you that, hmpf...", Y'shaati interrupted Lucas by covering his mouth with one finger, just to tenderly lick one of his cheeks. That was for her the closest thing to what in the civilized world would be considered 'a kiss'.
"Y'shaati like Lucas too...", she said.
"Ahhhhh... really!?", he asked.
"Y'shaati and Lucas... friends forever!", she said with a cute smile.
"Friends? Ah... yes of course! Friends! Though we'll be far apart... we'll always be friends... it's a promise, monkey girl!", Lucas vowed smiling as he held back the urge to cry. A small tear ran down his face. The two shared a lovely hug before taking separate ways.
/////////////
Later, with the course set, the ship finally set sail. As it slowly pulled away from the river's edge, Lucas and Isabel waved goodbye one last time from the stern of the ship. From below, Y'shaati dipped her feet in the water to wave her arms in great joy like a child. Sitting on Ikta's back, Uyari also said goodbye with a more mature and solemn expression.
"Goodbye Y'shaati!!! Goodbye Miss Uyari!!! Please take care!!!", Lucas shouted at the top of his lungs.
"My dear Iaraaa!!! I hope ye remember me... with the wee gift I left ye. I'll see ya agaaaain!!!", Dr. Isabel shouted with great hope in her heart.
"Byeeee!! Byeeee!!", Y'shaati screamed jumping up and down.
"Farewell! May the gods and the allmother bless you!", Uyari prayed for the safety of their friends.
Before long, the boat was out of sight on the beautiful horizon. Without much else to do, the brunette invited the blonde to ride Ikta with her so they could both leave the river as well. And that, was the closing scene of this improbable, dangerous and yet fantastic adventure. This had turned out to be an unforgettable experience. Each of them had learned a great lesson in the end. They were all now a better version of themselves. And all that remained was to live until the day they would meet again, if fate permits. A fitting conclusion to the convergence of two different worlds.
However...
Unbeknownst to anyone...
Someone had been observing these events... From the very beginning...
/////////////
While traversing the jungle on their way to Uyari's home, Y'shaati and Uyari discussed what the two of them would do together from now on, now that they shared a common purpose. But then, something unforseen happened. A huge gray gorilla suddenly stood in their way. Ikta barely managed to skid on the ground to avoid colliding with the ape. Startled, Ikta produced a warning growl.
"Whoa! Hold on, sister! Easy... stay on guard!", Uyari ordered, waiting for the gorilla's imminent attack. She knew that facing an ape of that size wasn't an easy task. This would be a tough fight. However, before an unnecessary conflict could break out, Y'shaati quickly made a nimble leap from behind to position herself between the black jaguar and the gray gorilla.
"No! Stop!", the blonde exclaimed with her arms outstretched in both directions.
"Y'shaati! What are you doing!?", the native girl asked.
"Stop! No hurt friend!", Y'shaati replied.
"What? This gorilla is your... friend?", Uyari asked again in surprise. Y'shaati had already recognized him. He was Na'ek. That gray ape she had met years ago and with whom she had a hard disagreement several months ago when she had just met Lucas. At that moment, the ape approached Y'shaati to communicate in primate language.
"Ook ook... uhh ohh ahh ook... (Little monkey... a while it's been...)", Na'ek greeted.
"Ooh ook!? Uhh ahh ook? (Na'ek!? What Na'ek doing here?)", Y'shaati asked stunned.
"Ohh ahh ook ohh... Uhh ooh ahh ahh... (Na'ek looking for Y'shaati for a long time... Na'ek want to talk...)"
"Ook ooh ahh? (Na'ek still mad at Y'shaati?)"
"Ooh ook ooh. Ook ook ahh ook... ahh ooh... (No. Na'ek come in peace. Past is past. Na'ek want to make amends... in private. That's all...)"
Y'shaati reflected the proposal for a few moments. She never thought she would hear those words coming from Na'ek's mouth. Apparently he was willing to swallow his pride and settle their differences peacefully. It was an opportunity she couldn't pass up. The blonde turned to Uyari to explain the situation.
"Uhhh... Y'shaati must... do... something...", she admitted.
"Oh... it's... fine, I guess. I understand. You have unfinished business... monkey business, I presume. I have no problem with that...", Uyari said.
"Uyari okay?", Y'shaati asked.
"Yes, I'm okay. Go with him. Look. Can you see that little basin over there? I'll meet you there at noon when you're done. Ikta and I will be waiting for you down there, okay?"
"Okay!", Y'shaati said nodding.
"Go now, monkey!", the brunette said, fully trusting on Y'shaati's word.
Once settled, the savage girl turned around and ran away from there, accompanied by the gray gorilla.
/////////////
LATER...
The day had passed like a sigh and the time for Uyari and Y'shaati to meet had come. The native girl along with her feline sister arrived at the small basin where they agreed to regroup. Uyari had full confidence that Y'shaati would be there, but instead, what she found there was a reality check that made her consider her greatest concern: in the waters of that basin, Y'shaati's clothes were floating, with no other sign of her whereabouts. As if she had simply vanished into thin air.
"But... what's the meaning of this...?", Uyari wondered as she reached over and pulled those garments out of there. She looked all around her for clues. There were none.
"Y'shaati! Are you here? Y'shaati! Y'shaati!!", Uyari asked shouting louder and louder. No one answered.
"Y'SHAATI! WHERE ARE YOU!? THIS ISN'T FUNNY!! Y'SHAATI!! Y'SHAATI!!!!!"
~End of 3rd Arc~
