Aunties

We continue walking through the forest, checking a few holes on trees and other places here and there as we see them, trying to find my aunties place, always coming up disappointed however as they don't turn into anything more other than a very small gap in the tree, or some random ditch. That was until we came up against one hollow tree.

"It's not my aunties place... But it does look interesting, so let's check it out anyway!"
We all walk inside, with me in the front. Inside was completely hollow, with some kind of stair case spiralling up.
'I'm getting a weird feeling...'
We start going up the stairs, looking around us for any changes.
"Woah... This honestly looks very cool. I've never seen a hollow tree before."
Sparo looks around as we walk, before saying.
"They're quite rare. But this is interesting... There must be many here..."
We turn towards him, and noticing our confusion, he continues..
"This tree, it must be filled with residents."
I look at him with blank eyes, and then look up as I get a weird feeling again, only to notice what seemed like hundreds of squirrels staring right at us from above.
We all freeze, shocked, until one of them approaches.
"Are you here for our home?"
'I feel like if I answer wrong they will swarm us...'
"J-Just visiting, I uhh... Am a fan! Of huge trees I mean."
The squirrel nods and then says.
"You can look, but that's all."
After that he spits on the ground as he keeps staring.
I nod, before quickly turning around and pushing everyone back down as I quickly say with an awkward forced smile.
"Well I've seen all that I've wanted to see. Your home seems like a lovely tree, we'll be going now."

We rush to reach outside and I turn around, only to see all the squirrels now right at the entrance, staring at us.
I slowly wave to them and keep walking, the group following behind as Makito asks.
"Did you dislike that tree?"
I quickly shake my head.
"No. Were you not paying attention? I just had a very bad feeling about those creepy squirrels."
'We need to get out of here and find my aunties fast...'

...

After getting out of there in a rush, it takes some time until we finally reach a fairly large cliff, with a huge hole for an entrance, which is when I excitedly yell to everyone.
"This is it! We're here!"
'Can't believe it took so long just to find this. Well I only came here when I was incredibly young...'
Lunaris steps forward and says.
"So this is where your family lives?"
"Yeah, it took me a while, but I finally remembered! Come on everybody. Oh, and let me do the talking when we go inside okay?"
They all nod, giving each other confused looks, before we finally enter. Inside, everyone looks around as we slowly descend, seeing the very tall walls around us, when Lunaris taps me on the shoulder.
"This place looks... Huge! Why are we visiting your aunts again?"
I give her a smile and proudly say.
"Because... I'm interested in seeing any caves she may suggest!"
"Oh... I'm surprised your parents didn't give you some suggestion or something."
I flinch when she says that.
"Right... They must have forgot, they're so clumsy."
I let out an awkward laugh as we keep walking.
"In any case, I just want to hear if they might know something."
'I really should have listened to them before... I didn't expect this to be such a hassle.'

...

After some time we finally reach the end of the tunnel as we come up to another hole in the wall.
"My aunts are through here, they're super cool! Now remember what I said, no talking, got it?"
They nod again, and without hesitation I step forward with the rest following behind me.
Stepping inside, the room was incredibly large and slightly flood to my ankles, with glowing vines covering the walls all around us, overgrown.
"Aunties! Heyyyyy! I'm here for a visit!"
Suddenly the whole ground shakes, with some rocks falling from the ceiling, as slowly a huge form rises out of the water. Pitch black scales covered this incredibly huge being with long wings. Five long necks stuck out from the top of the body, each with long crimson hair on their heads, along with some scars on their long snouts.

"Hmmm? What's this?"
"Oh, it's our dear niece sisters!"
"So it is..."
"Who are those behind her though?"
"Idiot. They're her minions clearly."
Each of the five heads spoke, until finally it was my turn.
"Uh, yes! Minions..."
I turn around to introduce them.
"They're Lunaris, Makito, Sparo, and... Huh?"
I look around, not seeing Eris anywhere among the shocked group. Then in the distance, by the entrance, I can hear slight sobbing.
"It appears you were followed, shall we take care of it for you?"

I quickly spin around to face my aunties as the sobbing suddenly grew louder.
"No need! That's just my last, very scared, minion. Eris."
"Very well then."
"Don't listen to this moron anyway, she's so violent. What have you come for?"
"Maybe to play! I'd like that! Let's all play together!"
I struggle to stop my aunties from speaking, until finally I can continue.
"No, not that! I'm on a journey! ...For a home."
The middle head rises as her eyes widen.
"I see. You have grown."
'Not until I find my own cave I'm not...'
The leftmost head starts moving wildly in happiness.
"Finally leaving the nest! Shame you can't play, but we can help there!"
Suddenly the head to the right of the middle one comes down and stares at me closely.
"I guess you're at that age..."
I nod.
"Yes... So do any of you have any suggestions? Do any of you know anything?"
When I ask that, the cautious head to the left of the middle one comes down slightly, and asks.
"Didn't your parents suggest any? There's no way SHE would have forgotten."
'Damn it.'
I flinch and struggle to come up with anything when suddenly the rightmost head shouts at the others.
"Were you all always a bunch of idiots or have you simply forgotten?! She doesn't want an answer, she wants a push."
She then turns towards me and nods.
"She always did like doing things herself."

Silence comes over the room, the only sounds being of everyone behind me exchanging looks and shuffling in place while my aunties thought of something, until finally the middle one began.
"There IS an interesting place. The valley of the wind. It's not too hard."
The other heads turn towards the middle one and nod in agreement.
"I see... Valley of the wind huh? Does it have a lot of cave options there?"
They stay silent for a moment before the rightmost head begins speaking.
"No answer will be given, you must discover that yourself. That's what you want, right?"
She lets out a small laugh and I join in.
"You're right! So which way is it?"
The head to the right of the middle one immediately says.
"Back where you came... Go around this cave... Continue forwards, past it. Follow the breeze."
I look down, trying to memorise it.
"Go back and go past this cave... Got it! Thank you so much aunties! You really are the best! I have to go now!"
They nod and I begin walking back, with the rest quickly moving along too, giving me curious looks, when suddenly the cautious aunt asks.
"I'm curious. Your mother."
I turn around and look at her.
"Yes? What about her?"
"She mentioned... Eggs, right?"
My cheeks immediately flush and I try to quickly rush the group out of there as the head then suddenly laughs.
"Hahah, I figured she would. I'm sure it was embarrassing. Thanks for bringing us a laugh too."
I finally get them all out of the room and quickly rush out of the cave with everyone, hearing their laughter growing distant behind me as we did.

...

I take a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself.
"I forgot about the cost too..."
I sigh and continue talking to myself.
"Classic aunties."
"They were huge! Not like Rako at all!"
"Indeed, that was unexpected I must admit."
"Unexpected? MORE LIKE SCARY! I was so sure I was going to be devoured..."
As the group keeps talking among themselves about the encounter with my aunts, Makito approaches and asks.
"That was amazing! Are YOU going to become a massive dragon like that?"
I look at him awkwardly and say.
"No, I'm not going to become like that... Those are just my aunties, that's all."
"What about your parents? Are they like that too?!"
I do a quick stretch and motion for everyone to follow as we begin walking past the cave, laughing as I answer.
"Oh, not at all."
"Huh? Then how are-"
"Anyway, let's not waste any time and go!"
'After that I'm more determined then ever to find a home! I wonder how this valley of wind will be like...'