Chapter 40: Kraken's Lair
Everyone fell into a stunned silence as Crow's head and body tumbled to the floor. To ensure the Airrider's demise, Creambell swiftly retrieved a jar from his jacket, sprinkling its contents over the fallen body before invoking his fire abilities to set it ablaze.
Simultaneously, the bandit and Kestrel carefully arranged Crow's lifeless form under the vast sky. The bandit, his hands swift and efficient, began to unveil the fabric obscuring Crow's face. Revealed beneath was a blond man with a mild beard, his blue pupils staring wide-eyed at the expanse above. The bandit respectfully closed Crow's unseeing eyes, while Kestrel, her brows furrowed, examined his features with intense scrutiny.
Suddenly, Kestrel's voice cut through the heavy atmosphere, "That's not Crow!"
The bandit glanced at her and replied calmly, "I know."
Puzzled, Kestrel inquired, "But how can that be? For years, I believed he was Crow."
"Nobody knows the true face of Crow," the bandit asserted, turning to face Kestrel. He reached for a hidden dagger, wearing a grim expression. "Yet, somehow, you are convinced this is not him."
"Yes, because I have seen his face," Kestrel responded. The bandit's eyes widened in surprise, and he released his grip on the dagger. Unperturbed, Kestrel continued, "When the King ordered the genocide of all Shapits, the soldiers executed his command without mercy, slaughtering every resident regardless of age or gender. Most Shapits perished, but some survived with severe injuries. Crow, too, bore the scars of that brutality. His face was charred, and some of his facial bones were shattered."
The bandit's tension eased, and he let go of the dagger he had covertly seized.
In the aftermath, a somber assembly surrounded the body believed to be Crow's. Despite the deceit, respect was paid with flowers laid gently upon him, and he was left at the path of flowers.
As the Airrider smoldered, dense smoke billowing into the air, the group silently passed by the path of flowers, returning to the depths of the forest. The truth of Crow's identity remained veiled, casting a shadow over their understanding of the enigmatic figure they thought they knew.
The center of the forest drew near, and the once numerous group had dwindled, scattering into smaller factions. The lone surviving bandit, accompanied by Kestrel, Finn, and Creambell, held the key to both the forest's exit and the mysterious artifact.
Butterbell and Orochi traversed the woodland together, undaunted by their surroundings, while Moonlight forged ahead, undeterred even in solitude.
After a while, Finn's group arrived at the edge of a formidable canal. Its inky waters resembled crude oil, stretching at least 60 feet in width. Creambell and Finn peered down both sides, attempting to discern the canal's length. However, their efforts were thwarted as it bent out of sight after some distance. The bandit, seizing the opportunity to enlighten them, spoke, "This canal is called Kraken's Lair."
Finn and Creambell exchanged surprised glances at the ominous name. Kestrel, who had encountered the canal on a previous expedition, added, "I know. Even I was taken aback the first time I heard its name."
Creambell, attempting to lighten the mood, chuckled, "What, does a Kraken live here?" However, his laughter dwindled as he noticed the solemn expressions on Kestrel's and the bandit's faces. His amusement turned to concern, and he hesitated before cautiously asking, "Does a Kraken truly inhabit this place?"
The bandit's response was a simple, "Yes," casting a shroud of uncertainty over the group.
As Finn observed Creambell's growing concern, he pondered why his companion seemed so apprehensive. In Finn's mind, they had already confronted the forest's most formidable creature. Meanwhile, Creambell voiced his curiosity, asking, "But isn't the Kraken a creature of Lagoon?"
[Reader Recap – Lagoon
Lagoons are the waterbodies that surround an island. There are 2 lagoons in this world – Lower Lagoon, which surrounds the Central Island, and Upper Lagoon, which separates the Lower and Upper Atoll. ]
The bandit nodded, affirming, "Yes."
Perplexed, Creambell questioned, "Then what is it doing here?"
"It's also the guardian of this forest," the bandit explained. "However, it remains passive within the water. If anything or anyone encroaches on its territory, their story comes to an end."
Attempting to ease the tension, Creambell suggested, "So, we just need to avoid going into this canal."
The bandit agreed with a nod, saying, "Yes."
Curiosity lingering, Creambell asked, "Then how are we going to cross it?"
"The landmass beyond this canal is the center of the forest," the bandit revealed. "It's a floating island that rotates very slowly. As it turns, two natural bridges emerge from the other side, connecting to our side. However, the position of these bridges changes with the island's rotation. There are only two bridges, and I don't know where the second one is."
Creambell and Finn exchanged surprised glances. "A second bridge!" Creambell exclaimed. "But where's the first one?"
The bandit gestured toward a section of the canal behind Creambell. Turning around, both Creambell and Finn followed the bandit's indication, Creambell's eyes widening as he and Finn beheld a bridge crafted from ancient wild vines. The intricacy and sheer existence of the bridge left them in awe.
Kestrel, injecting a note of optimism, remarked, "I guess we are lucky today. First, we conquer an upper beast, and now a bridge conveniently appears right in front of us."
Creambell couldn't help but harbor a hopeful thought, "Hope the queen is as fortunate as we are."
Meanwhile, Moonlight had also arrived at the edge of the ominous canal known as Kraken's Lair. Having traversed the Deceiving Lawns without encountering any lower beasts, she found herself standing before the second bridge spanning the black water. Creambell's silent prayer seemed to have found favor in their journey.
However, one group remained — Orochi and Butterbell. Fate had not smiled upon them as generously as it had on Moonlight or Finn's group. Arriving at the canal, they found no bridge to aid their crossing, and even no knowledge of its existence.
Standing before the calm, blackish waters, Butterbell couldn't shake an unsettling feeling. "This canal is not giving me a good vibe," he remarked.
Orochi, curious and cautious, approached the canal, bending down to touch its surface. She ran her fingers through the black liquid, assessing its texture. "Hmm, it doesn't feel like oil or fluid from any decomposed living thing," Orochi observed.
As the reality of their situation sank in, Butterbell couldn't help but connect the eerie familiarity of their surroundings to another perilous adventure. In his mind, he exclaimed, "Calm waterbody where you can't see beyond the surface, situated in a forest filled with dangerous creatures. Why does it sound so familiar? Oh yes, it's the same scenario as the Serpent Forest. I'm pretty sure the most dangerous creature of this forest is present in the depths." Yet, he dared not mock Orochi, who was present right before him.
"Squid ink," Orochi declared.
"What?" Butterbell asked, momentarily distracted.
"Or maybe octopus ink," Orochi added.
"Octopus ink?" Butterbell questioned in confusion.
Orochi turned to face Butterbell, explaining, "The black color of this water is due to the ink secreted by some cephalopod. But the ink is very thick for any small cephalopod. I have encountered many giant squids and giant octopuses, but even their ink was not this thick. This leaves only one creature who can produce such thick ink."
Butterbell gulped and hesitantly asked, "And what is that creature?"
"A Kraken," Orochi replied solemnly.
"What!" Butterbell exclaimed. "But aren't they creatures of the Lagoon?"
Orochi nodded solemnly. "They are, but there's a huge possibility that a Kraken is lurking in the depths of this canal."
"Then how are we going to cross?" Butterbell inquired, anxiety evident in his voice.
"If we swim across the canal, the Kraken is definitely going to attack us. I can take on the Kraken head-on, but that will be too much of a hassle," Orochi explained. "However, I have a faster and safer way to cross."
"Let's go with the faster and safer option," Butterbell hastily suggested.
Orochi gave him a cold stare. Though she didn't appear threatening, her blank expression struck fear in Butterbell's heart. He gulped and hastily rephrased his request with a forced smile, "Please, let's go with the faster and safer option."
Orochi remained silent, walking closer to Butterbell. After a moment's contemplation, she instructed, "Move aside."
Startled, Butterbell complied, saying, "Yes, Ma'am," and quickly distancing himself a little.
Orochi, still unsatisfied, commanded, "More."
Butterbell moved farther away, standing at least 30 feet from Orochi. Seeing this, Orochi suggested, "It'll be safer if you move a little more."
"Yes, Ma'am," Butterbell responded, moving even farther until there was a distance of at least 100 feet between them.
Satisfied with the space, Orochi turned her attention back to the canal. In an instant, she was engulfed in a red glowing light. A red, scaly tail emerged from her back, and she fell to her knees while still shrouded in the radiant glow. Gradually, her body transformed into a massive red snake, resembling the one Finn had encountered in the lake of the Serpent Forest.
Turning her snake head towards Butterbell with large yellow and red eyes, Orochi hissed, "Climb on my nose."
She lowered her head to the ground, offering a perch for Butterbell to climb on. However, he remained frozen in place, his heart pounding in his chest.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone