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Leeroi smiled. No one understood him like Psykgi did. She remembered everything, she was always there to back him up, and she always knew the right thing to say. She was right, this forest was like an RPG. And if it weren't for the fact he'd promised to find the rebels before Eridia, he would trot off the path with Psykgi to find that secret weapon. And they'd have more fun than any of the other trolls here. They'd have a great time on their own and everyone would be jealous.

Suddenly, he felt dizzy.

Save for Psykgi's voice, the sounds around him tuned out of focus. Psykgi wrapped herself around Leeroi, and he stopped, paralyzed. His little hands grabbed Glitch's fur tighter. He was close to ripping her hair out, but he didn't want to. Normally he wouldn't care, he'd done it plenty of times before. So what was different now?

Leeroi's bile sack fizzled. It felt like that one time he stayed up all day on nothing but a diet of Busthind Brew, and found himself totally incapacitated from fizzy soda the following night. The only thing was, he hadn't drank any soda. Maybe it was a side effect of Psykgi's power-up? Either way, Leeroi was confused, and kind of scared.

He felt happy, there was no doubt about that. But it wasn't his usual kind of happy, the one he got from climbing mountains or playing games— the one he got from winning. No, Psykgi was making him feel a different happy. Not a thrilled happy, but a content kind of happy. Calm, was that what it was called?

The fizzy feeling bubbled up from his bile sack to his chest, finally catching like a lump in his neck. He reached a hand up to scratch it, only to be alarmed at how hot of a temperature it was. When did— When did that happen?

Something was seriously wrong with him. It had to be the power-up. There was no other explanation for it. He doubled over, grabbing Glitch's horns tight with his hands. "I... I think I'm gonna be sick..." He mumbled out, unsure of what to do. Glitch stopped moving, jerking her head slightly with worry for the boy. She let out a small bleat to urge Psykgi to help.

Seeing Aandes prior to this unanticipated outing had done wonders for Rasali’s mood. Even if they hadn’t met under the best of terms, she knew he was there for her (at a relatively safe distance) and he knew she hadn’t died in another subterranean bloodbath. Rasali breathed slow, calming breaths, whistling quietly through her teeth. The girls she was travelling with seemed nice enough as well.

Rasali made sure to nod and wave at Aerona’s mention of her and took note of Luxara and Forera. As far as she knew, Rasali was the only member of the team with prior rebellion experience. Perhaps that would be for the best. The girls were clearly battered, but nothing like what Rasali had witnessed after the showdown with Errade. Their group was downright spirited.

Spirited and with good taste in nicknames. Rasali found herself chuckling at Aerona’s enthusiasm. Sweeps ago Rasali would have killed to have been in a gang like this. Even now, as jaded as she’d become, it was a little exciting. Mostly terrifying, but if they all survived, they’d have a great story to tell afterward.


Together the group trekked through the bog. Rasali idly wished she’d invited Kappadad along on this latest mission. He’d likely enjoy the moisture and plant life. Then perhaps he’d let Rasali ride on his back so she wouldn’t have to wander through a swamp in sandals. Rasali roped her damp hair into a bun on the top of her head and slapped at yet another mosquito. The sound of sloshing footsteps were going to haunt Rasali in her sleep for the rest of her-

…Those weren’t just her footsteps. They weren’t Forera’s either, and the two of them were too far from Luxara and Aerona as of the last fork for them to be the culprits. Rasali held out her hand and gave Forera a look of concern. These steps were quick, light, and close.

Too close. Rasali could only whip her head to face the noise as two highblooded children emerged from the bushes. Rasali gaped. Children? Rasali knew she was but a child when she started getting involved in all this nonsense, but this was her first time approaching the situation from the perspective of an older troll. Ganyma was right. This totally was ridiculous.

Rasali squared her shoulders and regarded the kids—namely the bossy-looking purpleblood. ”This is really no place for a couple pupas like you.” These children had several castes on Rasali, but what she lacked in status she made up for in height and weight.

One altercation later, Rasali had all but picked Eridia up and dropped her unceremoniously in the deep, sticky mud. Her lusus would likely be distracted for a while trying to retrieve his charge from the goop. Forera could handle the other one.

Azrael Mortis vs Forera Serpen

Forera didn't even wait for the blueblood to get the chance. As soon as he opened his mouth to speak, the teablood shoved him out of the way, definitely not in the mood to encourage or even talk to a kid. "Go find something better to do than waste our time!" She snarled at them, walking away eagerly.