The next day…
Dawn broke through the horizon once more, lighting up the land and shimmering in its blazing inferno. Yawns resounded in the camp as men and woman alike awoke from their slumber. Their minds were hazy yet they had to work. They stepped out in a daze, the soft grass brushing against their feet. As the rose, Arthur and Matthew approached the supreme commander who was with the generals and lead scientists.
She glanced at them, a small grin tugging at her lips. Then, she headed towards the main tent and rest followed. Once they were inside, they sat down.
"From what I've heard…" Nyx broke the silence. "It's a rainforest and it has new species of animals."
Lancelot nodded. "One we could confirm was a new species of snake, it was like the anaconda but thinner and longer."
"Exactly. So, that's why we're separating this expedition into two." Nyx replied.
"How should we do it? Who do we bring along?" David questioned.
"Hmm…Let's divide the units in half. We'll take ten from each." Nyx leaned back, crossing her arms. "The generals and scientists will stay while the lieutenant generals and I will explore that forest."
"But supreme commander." Sterling stepped forward. "What about the barrier you've made around us?"
"Nothing to worry about." Nyx assured. "It doesn't need me to work but let's move the camp a bit further back so, we have more space. It's a bit crammed here."
Everyone in the room nodded – no objection.
"Great! We'll move the camp after breakfast. Then, you four." Nyx pointed at Lancelot, Sterling, David and Charles. "You'll prepare the things we need, understand?"
"Yes, mam." They responded.
"Also, David. Can you a make mental link between all of us?"
David raised a brow. "I can but…the hub would be too overwhelmed."
"Don't worry." Nyx assured. "I'll be the hub."
***
Breakfast passed by in a flash yet the enforcers couldn't rest. They deflated their tents and moved them farther away from the rainforest and near the river. Nyx took down the veil and moved with them. Once far enough, they inflated them again but not all of them. The generals, lead scientists and some enforcers were packing things into a bag, seemingly for the expedition group that was about the explore the rainforest. After a few minutes, they were finished.
They zipped all the bags as the enforcers started to gather. Ten officers of the AEOC and another ten from the PEOC. They hoarded bags, tents and other supplies onto their backs. David approached Nyx who was putting up the veil once more. The translucent dark veil expanded and covered the area like a dome, stopping the energy disruption from malfunctioning the devices. The supreme commander turned around, locking eyes with the general.
David approached her and placed his finger on her forehead. Instantly, he activated his attribute, making Nyx the hub. Nyx's mind immediately expanded. She felt lighter and a bit dizzy but it was all manageable. After that, David let go of her and began connecting the other enforcers to the hub. As he did so, Nyx approached the scientists, tucking her hands in her pockets.
"So, how long do you it'll take?" She asked.
"…Probably two months if its the size of the amazon rainforest." Sterling estimated.
"Okay, then. we'll see you in two months."
David finished connecting everyone to the mental link and stepped back. Nyx lead the enforcers, passing them and strolling forward. The officers followed their supreme commander with grunts and heavy stomps. Sterling trailed them with his eyes until they exited the barrier. He sighed and lowered his head.
"Good luck…" He muttered under his breath.
***
Nyx and company approached the forest. Fog blurred their visions as the soil beneath their feet became moist. Only the wind blew, mud splattered and birds chirped. The forest was…silent…silent as one could be. They were only left with their thoughts and nothing else but…they all felt a presence. Arthur gulped, cold sweat rolling down his faces. Was it from carrying heavy bags or was it something else? He couldn't put his finger on it.
Maybe Nyx felt it too. That unease in the air that he had felt before. Just like before, he heard a low growl in the distance except…
'No – no – no…'
It was louder this time like an elephant blowing its trunk in a deep grumble. The team froze but Nyx didn't. She stopped and turned around.
"Why did you guys stop?" She asked.
"Did you hear a growl, supreme commander?" Matthew replied with another question.
Nyx chuckled. "Are you afraid of a little growl? That was unusual but you're with me. No need to fear anything."
"Okay…"
"Now, come on! We need to find a campsite!"
Nyx treaded through the mud and the enforcers followed suit. Eventually, they escaped the fog and were met with evergreen and wet trees. Moist soil, insects and little puddles under their feet while leaves brushed against them. After a few minutes, they approached a small river. Nyx glanced to the side – no other way to cross. She sighed, opening a portal and pulling out the specter.
The shadows lined themselves on both edges, creating a bridge. Nyx waved the scepter and pointed it. The white orb radiated immense light before dissipating. Trees rustled in the distance as if something massive was approaching but Nyx didn't pay it any mind. Nyx threw the scepter back into the portal and shouted.
"Get moving!"
The officers grunted, carrying heavy loads across the unbreakable bridge. Nyx heard another growl but again she shrugged it off.
'It's probably nothing…'
After a few minutes, all of them were on the other side. Nyx stepped onto the bridge and began walking. She raised her head and saw something strange. The enforcers were looking at something with fearful eyes. Nyx raised a brow and looked beside her as well. She lifted her head and froze. It wasn't an animal or a bird no…a massive crocodile that was probably thrice her size standing on its…tow hind legs.
Green scales and light undertone with massive claws that could crush bones. The beast growled once again, raising its claw and swinging it at the supreme commander. The enforcers closed their eyes but…nothing. No blood – no scream – no flesh splattered on the ground. Arthur laughed nervously as he watched what was happening in front of him.
"Sometimes even I forgot how strong she is…"
The beast stood, without its arm. The color of the river shifted to red in an instant. The reptile screamed and hurled another fist at Nyx. Yet, its effort turned to dust.
"I'm surprised. Another chaos mutated animal? That's the third one." Nyx commented.
As her words fell, the reptile's chest tore apart into two exposing its heart. Controlling the shadows, she picked up an enforcer's katana and stabbed it. The crocodile stopped moving – freezing in its place like a statue. She washed the katana in the water, letting the beast fall as she crossed the bridge. The shadows collapsed back to their original state as she returned the Katana.
"Continue on." Nyx waved, passing the officers. "I think I see a good spot to camp."
'I'll tell Sterling about this later.' She thought as she stepped into an open plain.