Hyena

Sublime has been the most prominent description of this world thus far. Teeming with the true abominations and yet, utterly harmless if maneuvered correctly. You are likely recounting the gravity defying monster. However, on their trek to the north, the Guild encounters a surprisingly similar monster once again.

Lucky for them, it is a far cry from the potential disaster that they previously faced. Much, much smaller in size, roughly about the length of the Guild’s heads, and still capable of some form of flight. Several of these micro abominations drift away near the forest floor, floating about 1 to 3 meters in the air. Light green and white, were their primary colors, cylindrical with round ends. Also featureless, the only indication of any type of eyes or ears, were two small black dots on one of the ends.

The most eccentric part of this monster are its likely hundreds of soft, flexible thorns that it covers itself in. Each one a bright green with somewhat sharp dark purple tips. It is safe to assume that a creature such as this one may be poisonous. Closely examining them, they appear to slowly discharging a clear, mucus-like substance. Difficult to say what exactly, but whatever it is, it also drifts in the air, and eventually falls to the ground.

“It's amazing how many Creatures just float.” The boy remarked with curiosity.

“Yeah, it's something else, huh? But be careful, this Sabbath is somewhat dangerous.” Luna mentioned. “Oh yeah, we call any group of Monsters a Sabbath.” Luna soon realized that the boy likely did not know the terminology.

“Kind of a spooky name, but I suppose it makes sense.” The boy chuckled. “I am curious about what helps them float.” The boy then pondered.

“Sorcery!” Bulan announced with a gleeful hop.

“That would make sense, but there still must be a scientific explanation.” The boy remarked, not very impressed by the idea, as he pondered.

“‘Scientific?’” Luna questioned.

“Yeah, ya know, the Science of explanation, Methodology, Experimentation?” The boy explained to the clueless Luna.

The Party was very quiet, even Luna, the most talkative. These four young women had zero form of understanding from the new subject. They remained silent, with a blank stare forward. Contemplating this new way of thinking.

“Oh!” Luna yelped with awareness. “Isn't ‘Science’ that old religion that wanted to have all of the answers for everything?” She explained.

“Religion? I guess, but you said that there are theories about that monster from yesterday? You even mentioned that it evolved!” Confused, the Boy wanted to rationalize Luna’s statement.

“Is that scientific?” Still failing to grasp the idea, Luna questioned it, as the Guild stopped walking.

What the boy fails to recall. Luna’s 'theory' was still utterly contradictory. Hardly scientific if there are conflicting results in experimentation and observations. Still, this statement that Science has now earned the title of a Dead Religion is fascinating. It is hard to determine if the Party is simply ill-educated, or that this world has abandoned the hope of truth. Though, this all makes perfect sense, in certain angles. When this world is inhabited by such logic defying creatures. Why would anyone trust in a system that can't explain such Visible Atrocities?

“Luna help me with this word!” Bulan, on the somewhat sandy forest floor. She suddenly demanded assistance.

“Okay, let's see… Air… P-Pa-sir… Air Pasir! That’s it!” Luna slowly pronounced the name of an island on the map they had.

“Oh! You’re amazing!” Bulan quickly praised. “That’s the closest Village Island, I’m running low on snacks.” Bulan soon explained as she held with her bandaged hand, what appeared to be a type of brownish-white rooted vegetable.

“Thanks, here, you can have some of mine.” Luna gave some of her food to Bulan.

“Cheese!” Bulan happily took the food Luna provided.

“It's good that one of us can read.” Purnama prompted.

“Ah, I've only read like five books.” Luna shyly remarked.

“Monster expert, map expert, and caring.” Selene celebrated with a calm delight, as she leaned toward Luna, with her arm behind her back.

“Wait a minute, wait a minute.” The boy stunted the Party’s charming chatter. “You're the only one that can read? Wh-Where do you learn stuff? Aren’t there Schools?” The boy quickly followed with confused questions.

“Are you talking about libraries? That’s where I read the books.” Luna explained.

“Well, sort of. A school is a place that you’d go to every day or so to learn things about the world, and history.” The boy still failed to understand the Party’s clear lack of education.

“That sounds like something only Sects can offer.” Selene mentioned.

“Hey, yeah.” Luna agreed.

“Sects, you mean… Never mind…” The boy sighed, with the sound of defeated confusion. “Just how far is the place of the Rebellion?” The boy then asked.

“Kinda far.” Selene then extended the map.

Selene showed the boy their map of the world. There are hundreds, if not thousands of islands, and clusters of Archipelago spread throughout the map. With only four or five islands that are likely stable enough to populate several million citizens. As for the rest of the islands: closer to thin flower petals strewn onto the map, much less of a naturally formed landmass.

Another interesting aspect about primitive maps such as this, is that they’ll typically show symbolic creatures as a sign of a dangerous area for travel. As it is known, literacy is a luxury for many primitive civilizations, thus, symbolic creatures instead of words. Except, this map shows none of that. Nevertheless, considering that the Guild has been traveling on the many beaches and coastlines, it's likely that the map they have is fairly accurate and navigable.

“So we’ll be heading… um.” Selene paused to locate the island Bulan wants to go to, thankfully, Luna pointed it out for her. “Right, Air Pasir. Then we’ll move to this one, Afulu. Then we'll travel to Breivik, and follow this line of islands, then Nordskaget won’t be much further.” Selene explained as she pointed at every location they’ll need to go.

“Alright…” The boy said, studying the map.

“S-Selene… I’m pretty sure it is going to rain this evening. It will be wise to prepare for it sooner than later.” Purnama then approached Selene to express her concerns.

“Yeah, I thought so. I can just barely smell the shift in the air.” Selene mentioned. “Okay, I’ll go look for some shelter, while you keep with the nightly camp routine.” Selene instructed, as the Party agreed.

Selene went deeper into the forest as the others went to the coastline.

“Wait, aren’t we going to set up camp back there?” The boy asked.

“Oh, no, as the moon gets fuller, it's safer on the beaches. Not to mention, it's easier to hear and see on beaches too when it rains.” Luna smiled.

“Everything really seems to revolve around the moon, huh?” The boy remarked with a somewhat critical tone.

“Correct! Beyonder!” Bulan jumped in front of the boy to explain. “As you mentioned, monsters will mainly reveal themself at night time. However, this is only scratching the surface.” Bulan explained with excitement, yet maintaining her reactionless face. “Sorcery is one of the most important aspects about this world—”

“It's not that important.” Purnama interrupted Bulan’s speech.

“Ah! Quiet you!” Bulan blushed. “As I was saying… Selene is correct that I am the Master of Sorcery and the reason for that is because of the Moon.” Bulan clarified. “You see, I was born on the night of a perfectly full Moon, and depending on the placement of the moon, that will determine the potency of your Sorcery.” Bulan completed.

“Yup, Selene and Purnama were born on sunny days, while I was born at dawn, so I actually have some potency, but nothing like Bulan.” Luna mentioned.

“Whoa, do you think you can show me?” The boy asked with curiosity.

“Humph, of course!” Bulan chuckled at the request. “Stand back!” Bulan then readied her staff as it started to glow, and the others stept back.

Invisible energy soon bellowed around Bulan, manifesting a force that only she has access to. Quickly wrapping around her staff, then she started to speak in hushed tones, too quiet for anyone to hear. She then yelled with eagerness as a powerful gust of wind fled the top of her staff outward into the direction of the forest in front of her. Ravaging the many tree branches, shoving around many loose leaves and sand for several minutes. Once the wind dissipated, Bulan’s eyes began to circle in a haze.

At first glance, Bulan appeared as if she wanted to impress the boy. However, this type of display felt like an intimidation tactic. Who's to say? Bulan seems to be the youngest of the Party, at least mentally, so it is still possible that she did want to impress this stranger.

“Ah! Bulan! Why would you display so much potential?!” Luna made a quiet holler and quickly went to Bulan, as she fell to the ground in a drained daze.

“Ahh sorry… I wanted to strike fear in the eyes of the grand…” Bulan’s voice rattled as she mentioned with some exhaustion.

“Geez…” Luna sighed, as she handed Bulan some food. “So, Bulan is kind of our Secret Weapon, having just high potency, but comes with a cost in that it is sometimes very energy exhaustive. So, people like Bulan have to get a lot of nutrients, which is why she is always eating.” Luna promptly explained.

“And is why her height hasn't changed since we were children.” Purnama chimed in, nonchalantly.

“I said quiet!” Bulan yelled as she dropped her staff to throw sand at Purnama.

“Yeah, yeah, come on.” Purnama remarked as she picked up Bulan and placed her on her back.

“Also why we are perfectly fine with going to an extra stop, so we can get our Bulan at full power.” Luna smiled, as Bulan buried her face in Purnama’s back with embarrassment.