Clove shot to his feet as soon as he heard a pained groan. His muscles ached and his bones cracked as his fingers elongated.
He was ready to fight, yet there was no enemy to thrash. Fern was the only one here with him.
"Where…?" Fern asked weakly. She hissed as pain coursed through her entire body.
"I… Honestly, I don't know." Clove laughed just as weakly, each breath draining his energy.
He really didn't know how they got here—wherever that was. They were still in the Eserian, but the grove was nowhere in sight.
"I submitted to my bloodline and brought us here. I…think?" Clove turned to Fern. "I don't remember much after turning. The dragonflames nearly got to me, and I never really carried anyone with me as a full-fledged Inugami."
"You submitted?" Fern pressed her lips tightly together, her vibrant golden eyes dimmer than ever. "How much did you lose?"
Clove only shrugged at that. "A lot" would be the appropriate answer, but that was all he could say at this moment.
