The country of Hiro was located to the east of the Island of Dimona although Hiro, itself wasn't an island. Sous had to take a long bridge that could only be crossed by ways of walking or teleporting...or flying. Needless to say, Sous' wings came in handy.
It was a dreary place, nothing but rain whence Sous landed, having her to take refuge quickly, but the locals were nice even if the language they spoke wasn't one Sous was familiar with.
What stood out to Sous though were the colorful greenery that the country had which included the wisteria trees on the lone path to the witch of Vania. There were other trees too such as the cherry blossom trees, or as the locals called them: Sakura.
Clink, clank.
Sous entered into a tavern known for its green tea. She sat down on straw circular mat and was served by a beautiful Omega in a traditional robe of the country.
Tea wasn't something Sous drunk often if at all. She was polite enough to drink it but was quick to request for a glass of warm blood. To wish the good looking waitress obliged.
While in the tavern, she kept her eyes on outside but figured the rain wasn't going to be letting up any time soon. She paid for a room and went up a wooden latter to the second floor where the room was located to the right.
Tap, tap!
Sous went to the door and saw the Omega standing before her with a tray of more work blood. In her broken Atin, she offered Sous the drink. Her face was flushed and she kept her eyes down, baring her neck to Sous. The Omega wanted to mate.
"I have a mate," Sous said, and the young Omega understood. Younger Omegas seemed to fancy older Alphas more especially ones who looked like they fought in battle.
"There is a hot spring...just..just down the..trailing. You will...find-find joy," she said to Sous. Sous gave her a small smile and nodded her head.
The Omega left and Sous took the glass of warm blood to the window. The rain had slowed to a drizzle, mist rising from the cobblestones below. She sipped the blood, its coppery tang sharp against her tongue, a familiar comfort in this damp foreignness.
Outside, the wisteria blossoms hung heavy and purple, dripping rainwater onto the moss-covered stones beneath. Their sweet, almost cloying scent mingled strangely with the damp earth and the faint woodsmoke from nearby chimneys.
The Sakura trees, their pink petals mostly shed, stood like skeletal sentinels along the winding path she'd glimpsed earlier.
...
Sous walked under the canopy of the bridge and got to the hot spring. There was a small ledge for her to step down from and foliage surrounding the spring. Sous disrobed and stepped into the water.
"Awee," she let out, allowing the water to hit her body. "Wow," she said. She splashed the water onto herself while also watching the rain.
Hiro was quite peaceful, a place of wolved and vampires, not much else besides for maybe a few humans. Anyway, the hot spring allowed her to reflect on many things: life, her children, Kara, Tany, Zan, her missing son, Pamoen, Zhiliary.
The water washed away all of her sins, completely freeing and cleaning her up. She walked back to her room and went in for the evening.
The next morning, Sous woke up to the sound of birds chirping. She got out of bed and went to the window. The sun was shining and the sky was blue. She smiled. It was a beautiful day.
Knock, knock!
Sous opened the door to see Shadow leaning on the door frame.
"Shadow!"
"Well, well, well, so they had you come along after all, uh?" He said tapping his shotgun.
Sous laughed. "I came on my own. I'm not sure whats going on with Tany but...I'm not liking it," she said.
The Omega male entered into Sous room and looked out the window. He turned to her and began to clean his guns and rifles he had on him.
"Where's Shadow Jr?"
"She's with her mate. She got him pregnant... an accident, she said," Shadow laughed shaking his head.
"What did you say?"
"I said she should have been wrapping it up instead of hitting it raw," Sous nodded her head at her mentor.
"You know," she started. "Fednora is pregnant too. Imma about to be a grandsire."
Shadow got up and hugged Sous. The tall Alpha leaning over him. "I'm so proud of you Sous!"
Sous smiled within his hug.
...
After eating breakfast and taking supplies for the journey, they departed. Sous had found out that Shadow could speak the language: Neseo. A lovely language with five vowels and numerous constanants. With the information, Shadow was able to receive, they knew which portion of the jungle they were headed.
An artifact all the locals knew about but no one dared to touch.
The jungle swallowed them whole, thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, a stark contrast to the misty tranquility of Hiro's villages.
Shadow moved with practiced silence, his boots barely disturbing the mossy undergrowth, while Sous scanned the canopy above, her wings tucked tight against the humid press of foliage.
They followed a barely-there trail marked by faded prayer flags-strips of bi-metal cloth that chimed like distant bells when the wind stirred. Each step felt heavier, the air thick with the promise of rain and something else, something ancient that prickled Sous's skin.
She adjusted the strap of her pack, her fingers brushing the hilt of her dagger. Ahead, the path narrowed into a gully choked with vines, where the light dimmed to a murky green twilight.
She wondered who they would come across on this new journey. Even wondered if Tany would appear and show herself, something she was terrified of doing: seeing and fighting. She shook her head-no more thoughts.
Shadow paused, pointing at a cluster of stone amulets half-buried in the mud, offerings, perhaps, or warnings. Their journey was just beginning.