I continued jogging. On the way, I had to make several sharp turns, slow down or even completely stop to not alert nearby predators. Of course, sometimes I didn't even realize predators were lurking. I didn't have an omniscient sense that could help me find each one surrounding me, so I had to be extra careful, extra silent.
Luckily, I didn't encouter any Unboud Creatures during my one kilometer jog and managed to reach an area inside the jungle where I could peek at the vast empty space without trees the lake resided in. However, I wasn't able to get close. Because I saw something that made me shudder.
Leisurely sitting on a boulder was an animal with orange skin and black stripes, it resembled a large cat.
A tiger.
'Damn thing....'
I gritted my teeth in frustration. Why did it have to be a tiger of all animals? If it was another bear, maybe me and Isabella would of been able to defeat it. But a tiger....a tiger was far more fearsome. Not just because they were Supremely intelligent, but also due to their Agility, speed and dangerous amount of hostility compared to bears. Adding a blessing to the mix that it could use? It would just make the fight even more unfair.
Of course, we could ambush it, catch it off-guard and maybe kill it. But not at the moment. Im spent, exhausted. Our stomachs may be fool, but the thirst is still there. Especially for Isabella due to her curse. I need to find a way into the lake without agitating the tiger.
'What to do, what to do....'
I observed the tiger from inside the bushes, lost in thought. Our only option right now is to likely take a detour, but who knows what kind o other dangerous animals are hiding in those unventured paths inside the jungle? It could something much worse than a mere tiger. So, im not willing to take the risk. The only option is to move around the Tiger without alerting it....
'Yeah, that is our only option now....'
I sighed and shook my head. Taking one last look, I turned around and jogged away, making my way back to the camp. I need to relay this information to Isabella. With her ability to become one with the wind, she might be able to weave out a path for me to use without alerting the tiger.
________________________________________
A few minutes later, I have arrived to camp. Breathing heavily, I slumped to the ground, sitting down unceremoniously on the grass, right infront of Isabella. She seemed to have finished working on the Loincloth, using the rest of the materials to create something else for her— a less revealing outfit, perhaps.
But I didn't have time to ponder what type of garment it is.
"Whats the matter?"
Isabella turned to me and inquired. I lingered for a few minutes, before explaining.
"A tiger. There is a tiger blocking our safest path to the lake. I need you to survey the area and find the safest way for me to move past it without alerting it."
Isabella seemed shocked. Then, she got lost in thought, before nodding her head.
"Okay. I'll try."
Then, she went back to working on the garment. I was curious, so I couldn't help but ask.
"What are you....uh, crafting?"
Isabella glanced back at me once again, an amused expression on her face.
"It's called a tunic. Something that was very popular in Ancient Egypt in both men and women."
I titled my head to the side, an incredulous expression on my face.
"A....tunic? Where did you get the wool for it? And a thread? How....how do you even have all this stuff?!"
Isabella broke into a melodious laughter at my bewildered. A wide grin on her face. Without saying anything, she manipulated the wind around her, that slowly manifested into a supple figure with long blond hair and ruby gem-like eyes. A duplicate of Isabella.
"My mastery over my Blessing has improved the past few days. I haven't been sticking around doing nothing, you know. This duplicate of mine has been hunting animals for materials. Did you think I enjoyed leaving my body practically bare for you?"
I was stunned into place. I just keep on underestimating this wicked women, don't I? She has been working behind the scenes too, while I was working on myself. It made sense. If she stayed idle doing nothing, I would of been pissed with her. But still....I liked being the leader for once! I resisted the urge to pout and simply sighed.
"Well....that's good. But why haven't you brought any meat with you?"
Isabella's mood soured.
"My duplicate isn't perfect. It can only carry one thing at a time. So, I had to make a decision between meat and wool. I went with wool."
Wow. Her competence has me feeling useless.....why did her Blessing have to be useful? Not to mention, she possessed so much knowledge. To be able to craft a makeshift tunic without the fancy machinery from the modern era is pretty amazing, even if I didn't really understand how she is doing this.
But then I grew slightly annoyed.
"You really chose wool over food?"
Isabella's eyebrow twitched.
"Yes, I did. Got a problem with it? Or are you just a nasty man who doesn't want me to cover up?"
That made me shut up, my face burning up.
"No, im not! I didn't even look at you that way! I was always wary of you to do so, dammit!"
Isabella laughed out loud and shook her head, going back to sewing the tunic. She seemed to be creating two of them. One for me, the other for herself. With the one for herself being the main priority. Regardless, I was pleased. Maybe she really is worth trusting, after all....
"I'll check the area later. Let me focus on this task first. Plus, creating duplicates out of the wind doesn't mean I share my senses with them. Matter of fact, they are mostly independent and only report to me what they have seen after coming back. Also, it's very draining on my innate spirit. So, it's best if I go and check for a way to walk by the tiger myself."
I nodded my head. I was just about to suggest doing that, but I didn't need to. Isabella seemed like a very experienced individual. It was these types of moments that makes me realize how little I really knew about her or how experienced she is. It's easy to forget with her easygoing and casual attitude sometimes.
"Alright.....I guess I'll just rest, then. Im exhausted."
I slumped back against the trunk of the fallen tree, leaning my back against it and slowly closing my eyes. A deserved rest after an exhausting training session was in order.
You never know how long these peaceful days will last.