Ch.34 The Jungle of Yalti Pt. II

Prologue 

Ch.1 End of a New Beginning 

Ch.2 End of a New Beginning Pt. II

Ch.3 End of a New Beginning Pt. III

Ch.4 End of a New Beginning Pt. IV

Ch.5 Return of the Champions 

Ch.6 The Champions History 

Ch.7 Power Orientation 

Ch. 8 Into the Marsh

Ch.9 Fear of Demons

Ch.10 The Underground City of Belrim

Ch.11 Night of the Betrayed 

Ch.12 Unspoken Truth  

Ch.13 The Redbeard Pt. I

Ch.14 The Redbeard Pt. II

Ch.15 Reunion 

Ch.16 Before the Storm

Ch.17 Flashpoint

Ch.18 The Fatal Swordsman

Ch.19 Rebirth

Ch.20 Into the Abyss

Ch.21 Overseer 

Ch.22 Demon General Balor Balor Pt. 1

Ch.23 Demon General Balor Balor Pt.2

Ch.24 Demon General Balor Balor Pt.3 

Ch.25 Demon General Balor Balor Pt. 4

Ch.26 Fallen King

Ch.27 Last Wish

Ch.28 Awakening 

Ch.29 Aftermath

Ch.30 All That Remains 

Ch.31 Chances

Ch.32 Gearing Up for Yalti

Ch.33 The Jungle of Yalti Pt. I

Ch.35 Armlocke Village 

Ch.36 A Rogue Healer  

Ch.37 Moving Forward 

Ch.38 Invasion

Ch.39 Tempo Blaze

Ch.40 Scream of Liberation

Ch.41 Retaliation 

Ch.42 Green-Band

Ch.43 Green Band Pt. II

Ch.44 Serpent Pool

Ch.45 The Silent Swordsman

Ch.46 The Serpent King Pt. I

Ch.47 The Serpent King Pt. II

Ch.48 The Serpent King Pt. III

Ch.49 The Serpent King Part IV

Ch.50 Prelude to Freedom 

Ch.51 Queen of Elbaronce 

Ch.52 Bounty

Ch.53 New Horizons

Vol.1 Afterword

Ch.54 Tyranny in Darmin

Ch.55 The Pink Sea

Ch.56 Wreckage 

Ch.57 Gathering of the Most Wanted

Ch.58 World of Champions

Ch.59 Womcos Wasteland 

Ch.60 Making of a Marksman 

Ch.61 Outfit Three

Ch.62 Unspoken Truths Guild

Ch.63 Goals & Decisions 

Ch.64 Captain Butch Jones Pt. I

Ch.65 Captain Butch Jones Pt. II

Ch.66 Captain Butch Jones Pt. III

Ch.67 Dragon Foot

Ch.68 The Message Pt. I

Ch.69 The Message Pt. II

Ch.70 The Message Pt. III

Ch.71 Time Will Tell

Ch.72 A New Adventure

Ch.73 A Deserted Island

Ch.74 Chimpa's Animal Kingdom

Ch.75 A Rising Threat 

Ch.76 Devil of the Sky Pt. I

Ch.77 Devil of the Sky Pt. II

Ch.78 Vessel of the First King

Ch.79 Humbled 

Ch.80 Kanon

Ch.81 Becoming a Symbol 

Ch.82 Emergence

Ch.83 True Colors

Ch.84 Phoenix

Ch.85 Our Beginning 

Ch.86 The Sixth Member

Ch.86 The Double Agent

Ch.87 The Astlin Pirates

Ch.88 A Worrisome Threat

Ch.89 Whistling Bounty Hunter

Ch.90 Stone Island Zetra

Ch.91 Havok

Ch.92 Out of the Shadows, Darmin's Rebellion

Ch.93 The Third Brother Pt. I

Ch.94 The Third Brother Pt. II

Ch.95 Locked Away

Ch.96 Prisoners

Ch.97 Examination

&#x3C;p&#x3E;Chapter Thirty-Four:&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;strong&#x3E;The Jungle of Yalti Pt. II&#x3C;/strong&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;Lloyd noticed it before us, which saved both of our lives. It was a serpent pool.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;The stream we followed flowed into a large moat, which surrounded the ancient-looking temple. The moat was about thirty feet wide, as I noticed thousands of serpents writhing their bodies and flashing their fangs at Lucy and I. I could see some were tangled together, some were standing upright, and some of the serpents just slithered around the moat.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;The fuckin&#x2019; hell is this?&#x201D; Lloyd asked incredulously. Lucy ran behind the two of us in fear.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;That&#x2019;s... at least... a couple... thousand...&#x201D; Lucy&#x2019;s voice trailed off behind us. &#x201C;...snakes&#x2026;&#x201D; Lucy squeaked and buried behind us, as if our bodies alone would shield her from the mass of serpents.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;I looked around calmly even as I felt Lucy&#x2019;s grip tighten on my arm.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Lucy, if you don&#x2019;t let go a little, I&#x2019;m going to lose my whole arm,&#x201D; I whispered at her while scanning around. She winced and relaxed a little at the humor.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;To the left, I could see the place we heard the explosion and screams. I noticed a small, long board built to the left of us, which about a dozen men were laying around either lifeless or unconscious. They all wore tribal uniforms with tiger and zebra skin clothing. The serpents on the board fell back into the stream.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;I looked back to the large, green, and moss-covered stone temple. That is when I noticed four tribal people stood on the other side of the moat in front of the temple itself. They were looking up a massive staircase. Two people sat at the top of the temple and watched the people at the bottom. They were not wearing tribal uniforms.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;One man, at the right, wore an all-black jumpsuit and held a large katana. He had pale white skin like Magnus and blonde dreaded hair like mine. The other person, to the left, was a woman who wore a black dress with no sleeves or shoes either. She had green hair like Mizu&#x2019;s and pale white skin as she rested against a stone wall. The man with the dreads finally spoke out to the tribal people.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Armlocke Tribe, surrender! You never will enter the Serpent King&#x2019;s tomb, so give up before you lose anymore men,&#x201D; the pale man addressed the four who stood past the boarded bridge.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Lucy, Lloyd, and I seemed to have been unnoticed at this point. We continued to listen. &#x201C;That pathetic explosion will do no good against our great temple,&#x201D; the pale man scoffed.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;&#x201C;Brother, I think they need a lesson,&#x201D; the pale woman suggested. She snapped her fingers.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;A dozen of the snakes in the stream flew out at the four tribe members. Fangs, teeth, and writhing followed by short screams as all four collapsed in a heap of serpent bodies.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Another snap from the woman followed. The snakes dispersed back into the moat. One man out of the four tribe members finally stood up.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;&#x201C;You may try to take our lives but know this, Zeronas and Zefi! We will take yours one day!&#x201D; The short dark tribe man with a buzz cut screamed in frustration. He pulled out two wave swords and readied his fear-filled soldiers for battle.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;The serpents who flew out of the pond did not attack on sight. They gathered into a heap with another snap. They combined, as I noticed a faint aura surrounding the two combination piles.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;&#x201C;What? That is impossible!&#x201D; Lucy yelled out. I noticed Lloyd was stunned with disbelief.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;The serpents did not just combine but they formed one whole being. A being who had two tails which acted as legs. Two heads of two serpents which became hands. A serpent who formed a body to connect the four. Lastly, a serpent who created a large head, which was as big as mine.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;Both serpents were very thin until the aura surrounding him disappeared. Another snap of her fingers and the legs, arms, and body all expanded with muscle. It reminded me of the crocodilian beast from Belrim, but this being was only about Lucy&#x2019;s height.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;Those are serpent men!?&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;&#x201C;Abrin, we would love to stay and chat, but you have company,&#x201D; the woman Zefi said as her brother and her disappeared into the temple.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;The man, who shouted at the two earlier, cursed them as they disappeared. Two serpent men pincered the four tribesmen.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;&#x201C;What are we going to do?&#x201D; Lucy asked as the battle began in earnest.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;I heard the unsheathing of Lloyd&#x2019;s blades. I pulled my spear from my bag.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;&#x201C;We are going to save them,&#x201D; I responded to Lucy.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;&#x201C;How are we getting over there? Do we have to get around those things?&#x201D; Lucy said, still shaking after she looked at the serpents.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;Lloyd held both his straight sword and his curved sword with a red design engraved on the blade. He was wondering the same thing as the men started to fall quickly. The serpent men may have been outnumbered, but their speed was unreal.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;&#x201C;Lucy&#x2026; Throw me and Jai over there! I know you are afraid of snakes, so you can try and find a safer way to get across. I will not let those men get wiped out, though!&#x201D; Lloyd exclaimed as Lucy, and I looked at each other caught off guard. We shook our heads together as we prepared to launch.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;&#x201C;Just hide in a tree if you are that scared, Lucy. Your legs are shaking like crazy,&#x201D; I suggested as she tried to hide her fear.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;A switch went off in Lucy&#x2019;s brain, and for a moment, her fear became her fuel. Lucy grabbed us by our arms, spun in three full circles to build momentum, and launched us consecutively over the large pool of serpents.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Lloyd and I were about twenty feet in the air. In a matter of seconds, we had crossed the moat and launched ourselves straight into the battle with the serpent men. Lloyd literally crashed into one, as I landed on the stone flooring.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;&#x201C;What the-! Who are you two?&#x201D; the shaved haired man demanded. A pale woman with brown hair and himself were the only people left fighting.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;Lloyd quickly put down the serpent man with a devastating decapitation with his blades. I threw my spear into the head of the other serpent man. The two of us celebrated a quick victory.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;&#x201C;Abrin, who are these outsiders? They must be fools if they think it is over,&#x201D; she said catching two of us off guard.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;&#x201C;What are you talking about, lady? We kicked their asses for you easily,&#x201D; Lloyd responded to her. He even kicked the serpent&#x2019;s carcass to prove his point.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;The shaved-hair man Abrin became upset afterwards, grabbing Lloyd by the collar. Lloyd held his sword closely to the man with a warning. He let go off Lloyd and seemed to have realized something.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;&#x201C;Are you the new champions?&#x201D; he asked Lloyd and I.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;We both nodded our heads as he blew a harsh breath.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;&#x201C;You will both end up like the rest of the champions. Cowering in fear from the Demon and Serpent armies,&#x201D; Abrin rudely snapped at Lloyd and I.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;&#x201C;Cowards? We already took care of one general, we came here to help,&#x201D; I stated, offended by the man&#x2019;s tone and disrespect.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x26;nbsp;&#x9;&#x201C;Brother, they could help us,&#x201D; the woman said as Abrin quickly responded.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;We didn&#x2019;t ask for their help. We can do this alone,&#x201D; Abrin said as he glared at both of us.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Lloyd and I looked at each other. I shrugged. We both assumed he was bluffing. He barely was able to hold his own against a beast that we beat in seconds. The man bit his lip and looked back at his men on the bridge.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;It is not too late, Havana, let us grab the men we can and retreat back to the village,&#x201D; He said as he turned his back on us. &#x201C;If you want to prove me wrong, help us get our people to the doctor in our village.&#x201D;&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;We both nodded our heads agreeing to help. More serpent men began to emerge from the moat.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;They carried their fallen comrades to the bridge. Lloyd went first and cleared the wooden plank bridge of the serpents using quick slashes. I cleared from behind them with long, sweeping blows from my spear. We riled up the serpent men as they attacked with greater numbers. Lloyd and I continued to knock down more of the serpents as they approached the bridge.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Abrin and Havana were able to wake up some of their unconscious but wounded men and women on the other side of the moat. Lloyd and I stood between the fallen tribesmen and the moat as more serpent men slithered out of the pools and began attacking us.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;The wounded carried the unconscious and slowly made their retreat back into the jungle of Yalti.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Whatever you two do, you cannot let the venom of those serpents touch you. It is too lethal!&#x201D; Abrin yelled out as his group was close to escaping into the jungle.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;We didn&#x2019;t plan on dying today anyways,&#x201D; I yelled back while impaling another serpent man on the point. I drove him back into a second and third. I violently kicked all three bodies into the mass of moat where they sank into the sea of serpent bodies.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;We continued to battle the serpent men who attacked until the group escaped. Lloyd and I were slowly battling our way back towards the jungle and away from the moat. The further we moved away, the fewer the serpent men became.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Jai! Lloyd&#x2026;&#x201D; I heard a faint voice cry for help to our left. My eyes widened in fear.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Lucy was pinned beneath a wriggling mass of snakes. One snakeman held her firmly down while three separate serpents&#x2019; bit into her neck, arm, and thigh. She screamed in agony and passed out.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Lloyd reacted faster than I could. Just as the three were going to strike again, a flash of steel severed their heads while the red blade ripped through the serpent man&#x2019;s entire body like a piece of paper.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Jai, grab Lucy, follow the path they made for us. I will cover you!&#x201D; Lloyd shouted in an authoritative manner. This didn&#x2019;t seem like a good time to contradict, so I picked her up and started running towards the Jungle of Yalti.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;I carried Lucy in my arms. Lloyd fought them off one by one. I escaped with her into the jungle along the path the tribe people created.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;I had caught up to the tribesmen who turned and looked at Lucy.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Is she with you? How many bites?&#x201D; Abrin asked.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Three, please you must help her! You said it was lethal?&#x201D; I questioned him as I worried about Lucy.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;The man turned around and continued to run towards their village in silence. I became frustrated and began to yell questions at him in frustration.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Jai, relax,&#x201D; Lloyd said, sheathing his swords behind me. &#x201C;Yelling won&#x2019;t get her help.&#x201D;&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;But&#x2026;&#x201D; I started to protest as Lloyd ran ahead of me to the man and quietly chatted with him.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;I looked at Lucy who began to fade into a state of unconsciousness.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Don&#x2019;t worry, Lucy! Lloyd and I are going to save you!&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;The woman who was with Abrin slowed down to match my pace. She was not holding anyone, so I was curious as to why she slowed down.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Abrin is uptight and the leader of a resistance force against the serpent army. He might seem arrogant, but he wants to protect us. On his behalf, thank you for saving us. If not for you two, we would have died there.&#x201D; The woman Havana said smiling.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Of course, it&#x27;s our job,&#x201D; I responded a bit harshly between breaths. Running while carrying someone isn&#x2019;t easy.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;You two didn&#x2019;t have to help us, but you still choose to do so. I will make sure you get your friend some help,&#x201D; she whispered before running to catch up with Abrin. The jungle opened to a small clearing. At the far end, a village came into view.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;We continued to hurry to the village, as we approached a large, wooden gate that was built around the base of a line of trees. The doors quickly opened as I saw dozens of people standing by the entrance. An older man walked out in front of them all.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Hold it their outsiders! Abrin, get everyone inside!&#x201D; the old man barked.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;

&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;strong&#x3E;A war that has caused a continuing rift between two worlds!&#x3C;/strong&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Mysterious rifts open around the globe, transporting regular people to another world. On a normal day a teenage boy, Jai Marshall and friends are sucked in. The group is forced to serve as champions of the world. This sequence of events is not at random considering Jai&#x2019;s older brother Omar was formerly a champion of this world. Jai will do anything to ensure the safety of his friends inside a world where the unexpected is constantly broadened. Even though the group is equipped with ancient abilities from past champions, the task they have been given is a great mountain to climb. Can Jai and his friends survive this world?&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;

AFK 