Everyone, after walking for several minutes, reached the big rock's end. Zack then took out two cylindrical-shaped objects, opened them, and placed them on the ground, from which smoke came out. After waiting for some time, two huge roars could be heard: kkkeeeerrrrrrrr kkkeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrr. In the distance, everyone could see a giant light-brown color monster with blue runic shapes glowing on its body. It flew with its giant wings, deflecting the smaller rocks easily, and landed close to everyone. Its head was quite low like an insect's, and its four limbs—the front pair—had huge claws, while its back hind limbs looked quite normal, like any other animal's. Its blue shining eyes and monstrous roar made people not take this creature lightly. Another one landed beside it, raising lots of debris and dust.
"Hello there, are you the ones who called us, young friends?" the man sitting on its armored back asked, holding the reins that went till the giant teeth coming outside of the monster mouth.
"Yes, mister. Please take us to the borderland entry. One of our friends is injured, so take it slow and steady," Zack replied in a composed manner.
"Sure, sure, hop on! I will drop you a little far away from there, since today lots of guests are coming for the Princess's birthday, so it's packed jam. I am sorry for the inconvenience, young man," said the carriage man.
"Hm, okay, no problem. Let's go!"
Big Guy carried his sister carefully, placed her on the side of the sitting place, and sat beside her, putting one hand beneath her head to let her rest properly. Lurvi jumped into the carriage and snuggled sweetly beside Fia, licking her face with her little tongue and then sleeping alongside her. Sio and Gloomy sat on the other side. Sasha, Zack, and Alfie sat on the other carriage, with Tyra keep nudging Zack's hand for some attention. Usually, one carriage was enough since one carriage was big enough to carry six people, then one person usually had to squeeze somewhere—usually the three smallest of the bunch had to sacrifice: Sio, Alfie, or Gloomy. But today, they could sit freely, though they haven't showed any excitement, everyone was silent even now.
As the monster carriage started to fly, everyone could see how huge these floating rock belts were. The other side could not even be seen from here; only small red dots were visible.
"This place is so weird, right?" Alfie said while looking outside. "Rocky belts have high wind, and if you go just outside its zone, it decreases significantly, but after going more ahead, high-speed wind comes in your path again. Even the wind only flows in one direction, coming from the front of the city. That is why that snowy peak's coldness never comes here—only the humidity of the sea, making a combination of hot, humid, and windy," Alfie said while talking to himself.
Sasha, listening to this, continued, "That's because the rocks were of a volcano which makes the wind hotter. This land used to be two islands, but due to some reason it got destroyed and the volcano part became like that and that snowy peak is impossible to go to, only some people can venture there including our grandpa. About the winds, well no one knows about the wind; it is sure that wind became like this when the islands collided or maybe the wind itself was the reason for collision, but why the winds became so strong and continuous that's no one knows, Sasha said while shrugging her shoulders and she continued - There is even a place deep ahead in the ocean where it's impossible to go via any means due to very strong winds."
Zack kept listening to Sasha and Alfie's back-and-forth info on this Land of Eirs and kept enjoying the outside view.
Their destination came, and as told, they were dropped a bit further away from the main gate. Sio stretched herself a little and said, "Isn't this the first time I had place to sit? Otherwise, usually I had to sit with Big Sister Fia or Sasha."
"Ohhh, are you missing my lap, my little one?" Sasha said while hugging her from her shoulder and rocking her left and right in a playful manner.
"Moooo, Big Sister Sasha, I have gotten taller in these six months. I am not small anymore, so don't treat me like that," Sio said while moving left and right.
"Hehehe, sure, sure, our little one has grown." Sasha stopped after saying this, and they started walking toward the entrance, now talking and laughing.
Zack walked silently, watching the border of the city. He could see the giant wind blades that helped to reduce the pressure on the city by absorbing half of the power of the wind, but they also had a certain range; higher winds couldn't be stopped. And those glowing machine towers that were placed all over the border of this city—24/7 they glowed in power with many big crystals on top and spiral lights which kept rotating around the tower, protecting it from the winds. They say because of this, we people are not changing into monsters, but it doesn't work on full power most of the days. Only on the ceremony that happens every six months does it go into full power. The rest of the days, people have to go occasionally to see the Energy Absorbers, who with their little machines treat us, since people could feel if, because of some reasons, their Greynet energy has increased, so they can have treatment there. But there are still cases when unpredictable things happen. As Zack thought this, he looked at the peaceful-looking Fia sleeping beside her brother. Sighhh! I wonder why this happened. She was full of energy last week showing no signs of overdose. I didn't see her for several days, and today this happened. And I don't know why my power can help neutralize the so-called GREYNET energy, but it only works on people who I am close to. I have tried several times to help others, but it never worked.
Zack gave a long sigh and looked at those Absorber machines. But as he was going to turn his head forward, his mind froze. It was like everything around the world had stopped. He couldn't breathe; his one step was moving so slow that it looked like it was frozen in place. Everyone else also looked frozen. But then he felt a cold death aura from behind, he tried to look at the source, but his eyes were stuck and barely could move sideways. With the corner of his eyes, he could only see a faint silhouette of a person walking casually, like strolling in a garden, then jumping casually to the top of the high border of the city and looking at the horizon. His hand was glowing from a dark blue ice color; a bluish smoke was rising from his back. He never looked at Zack, jumped from there, and vanished.
"Ah—hah—ahhh—hah—ahhh—ah." Zack didn't realize he could already breathe now. He kept looking at that huge city wall which was jumped so casually. Such deadly dark power. Who was he? Zack thought in panic.
"Za."
"Zack."
"Zacckkkk."
"Huh, what…" Zack snapped out of it. "What are you standing there like a stupid man ? Come here, we are getting late," Sasha said while waving hard.
"Hmm, they are so ahead already? And seeing their reaction, they haven't noticed anything suspicious. Even Tyra and Lurvi, who are more sensitive to strange energies, didn't show any signs. Was I hallucinating??"
"Yes, commmiiinngg!" Zack shouted clearly and increased his pace while keeping looking at the place where that person jumped from.
He didn't ask others and just made an excuse and kept walking. I have to confirm myself, Zack thought to himself, closing his fist in determination. He didn't want his friends and family to get hurt.
After walking for a while, the group came to the entrance.
"Wooowwww, so many people with different styles coming to our city," Gloomy said while looking in amazement.
Sio slightly hid behind Big Guy, clearly not liking so many people.
The others normally observed and kept walking.
Seeing a bunch of kids coming, and with an injured person, many people noticed them, even the borderland guards. One of the leaders of the group, seeing this, started running and shouting.
"Hey, you bastard, what happened to my cute little daughter?" A big man with rough curly hair tied as individual chunks, wearing martial arts slightly baggy trousers and a tight blue-and-white fitting half-sleeve jacket with yellow cloth tied to his upper back, with other straps coiled around his body, and wearing a rough brown clothing as his inner clothing that reached till his wrists. As he ran in worry for his daughter, lots of chains on his neck bounced, flicking his rough beard, and with a gentle rough face, he ran while tears falling from his eyes like a heart broken maiden.
"What happened to her, son? Who did this? Tell me! And what happened to her clothes? Why are you silent? Tell me, you bastard of a son!!!!"
"Calm down, Esjar. Let the little kid speak," a calm old voice sounded beside him. No one noticed how he came behind him.
"Grannddppaa!!"
Zack and Sasha spoke at the same time, their eyes fixed on an old man who stood out starkly from the rest of the city's crowd. In a place where people preferred light, tight-fitting clothes to beat the heat and move easily in the wind, this man wore a slightly thick grey sweater over matching innerwear whose hem, cut into several rectangular strips, flapped wildly in the breeze—clearly unsuited for the climate. His heavy pants and high-ankle boots made him look cool but oddly out of place. Still, he wore the same leather straps as the others, crossing in an X over his chest. With his overgrown, rough beard reaching down to his Adam's apple, unkempt bed hair, and a pair of glasses perched on his nose, he looked every bit the image of a carefree, roadside grandpa but with a weird aesthetics.
"Hey, kids, did you came back now? It looks like you have encountered some problems on your little adventure," said Grandpa while observing Fia.
Sasha came happily, hugged her grandpa's arm, and said, "Yes, we did. Fia suffered from Greynet energy overdose. Thankfully, everyone helped, and Zack was able to treat her."
"Is this true?" asked the father of the muscle siblings.
"Yes, Father. Fia is okay. She will wake up after some time," Big Guy said with a nod.
"Sighhhh! You guys scared me. Thank you, Zack." He took Zack's hand and shook it vigorously, making him go into vibration mode.
"Haha, it's okay, Uncle Esjar. Everyone is fine, and friends are present to help each other in every situation, so don't worry and relax," Zack said while trying to escape from the grasp.
"Oooooo, such a good kid you have there, Grandpa Arnet." He hugged Zack tightly and kept saying thank you with some snot and tears on his face. Zack could only console him while others just kept laughing silently.
Uncle Esjar finally freed poor Zack and turned around, bowed to everyone, and said in a loud and clear voice, "Thank you, everyone, for keeping my daughter safe!"
Everyone just smiled and nodded.
"Son, go to your mother's. I will come back soon to check on her. Today is a busy day, so I have to explain them properly before coming back. I will go and call you a carriage."
"Hmm." Big Guy nodded simply and his father ran back like a storm.
"Grandpa, what are you doing here at this time? Are you going for the hunt?" Sasha asked like a little kid not some mature group leader.
"Yes, dear. With such an increase in people, we need more manpower for various things, so I am doing some extra work." He patted Sasha's head lovingly.
"Hmm, don't work too much, Grandpa. I will also help from tomorrow," Zack said concernedly.
"Oh, my boy, don't worry. Your grandpa is still strong enough to fight five armies alone," Grandpa said while thumping his chest.
Everyone laughed heartfeltly.
With so much commotion, people naturally started observing this group. In them, many people noticed the girl getting carried by a guy, and they couldn't but notice her beautiful naked lower half. As the wind blew, the shirt fluttered slightly, enough to reveal the below part of her ass curves, making people gulp some saliva. Fortunately, the night had already come, so people couldn't really get a clear look, but just seeing her beautiful long legs and her whole sexy thigs with full of muscle and slight glimpse of unknown made many men present here feeling something growing inside their pants .
In one of the coming carriages, there was a girl nearly 18 years old looking at the group of friends sharing hardship and laughing together. Siggghhhh!!
"Chieftess Anihoa, we have reached the City of the Land of the Eirs!" the maid interrupted her observation while saying this.
"I can see that, Nima," she said while dropping the curtains of her carriage and looking at Nima, who was wearing a colourful white-and-green maid frock with white tights till her thighs and a cute smile that made her lovable in every aspect. She said, "Looks like not many came from the STRAELAND EMPIRE. Most of them are from nearby countries who are in the jurisdiction of that hegemons empire."
Chieftess Anihoa said this while playing with her very long vine-like green hair, which was wavy and curly with some braids in between and some flowers at the side of her head, making her a beauty of nature. She was also wearing a long skirt which looked like overlapping white petals resembling soft feathers or flower layers, forming a flared skirt which attached to her half-shoulder-length tight white vest with beautiful designs on it. Her small boobs made a slight cleavage, and her naked shoulders added to her charms. Also, vine garlands seemed to be wrapped around her neck, waist, and upper arms, decorated with tiny yellow-green flower buds.
"It's understandable. For such a remote island, no one wants to cover the whole sea filled with dangerous monsters to come to such a place," said the maid, dissatisfied.
"Well, that's why being weak is a sin, my little maid," she said while sadly smiling. Clearly, they were forced by the STRAELAND EMPIRE.
"Hmph, we are the only ones here. Those bastards are looking down on us so much!" Maid Nima cursed angrily.
"Haha, calm down. It's good to take a break. What is the plan for now?" Chieftess Anihoa asked her maid.
"Hmm, first thing, we have to get ourselves some dresses suitable for this place," the maid replied, looking sideways.
"Aahh, I forgot." She touched her open hem part near her knees, remembering the embarrassing situation when she first arrived. Her long skirt got topsy-turvy just as she put her foot on this land; her naked leg, her naked thigh was clearly open for the public to see. If I was a bit late to sit down and hold my long skirt, then no one would have married me in future. Thinking this, she raised her curtain again and saw Sasha's clothing, which was fully tight, showing her full body curves. Her round perky ass shape was open for all people to see, yet she didn't mind the ongoing gazes, clearly ignoring it.
"Haaahh, I can't wear such type of clothing. It's way too embarrassing," she said while sighing again.
"You were still lucky. I got so scared and came to you, not realizing my shorter open skirt was fluttering in the wind and everyone saw my cute panties," Maid Nima closed her eyes in sadness.
"Now, now, don't cry," she said gently, patting her head. "If I had known the style of this place beforehand, I would've modified our traditional clothes to fit in here—then there'd be no need to look for new ones, and you could've avoided that awful experience."
Her words were soft but carried a teasing comfort. As she spoke, the carriage drifted deeper into the city, catching the winds and soaring gracefully away.
Zack and the others talked for some time until the carriage came, with that attached same monster from before—just a smaller version of it, clearly younger, which was suitable for city inwards.
Uncle Esjar didn't come; clearly got busy. Big Guy went inside and again placed her properly.
"I will take my leave then." Grandpa patted both of them on the head and went for the hunt.
Grandpaaa take care of yourself , don't push yourself too much , if you come home after getting hurt then I will not give you any foooodddd, Sasha loudly said to her grandpa who was already way ahead.
Haha this lass, grandpa shook his hand waved her back then continue to go in darkness.
After saying goodbye to their grandpa, Zack turned and asked, "So, who is gonna go in the carriage now?" Zack asked everyone's plans, since without a carriage also, you can ride the winds and travel with the help of self-flying skateboards.
"I will go. I have had enough of wind adventure today," Sio said as she adjusted her shorts from her cute ass, which got stuck to her sweaty bottom, seeing lots of people around , she jumped in a hurry and sat down. "I will also go," Gloomy said in a tired voice and slowly got in, clearly not in a mood for more walking.
"I would have to go meet my leader at the 4th rock district. It's far away, so you guys go ahead," Alfie put his hand behind his head and said casually.
"I also have a small thing to do, so Big Sister Sasha, you can go with them. Fia and us live in the same 2nd rock district," Zack said while looking at his big sister.
"What? Where are you going now? We have to get ready to go to the palace for that witch's birthday. We will get late!" Sasha said, clearly not wanting to part with her brother.
"It's okay. It will not take too much time. Go with Lurvi and Tyra. Make sure Tyra gets registered, then wash her. Until then, I will reach home."
"Huh, you already gave a name to him—Tyra?" Sasha picked Tyra up from her side, who was just floating cutely, and looked at him, who was looking back at her with his tongue out and a grin—clearly not the same animal from before. "Sigghhh, fine. It will take some time to register him, so everyone go ahead, I will go back on my own. And don't forget, we have to meet at Big Guy's house tonight before midnight," Sasha reminded everyone and then signaled big guy to go. He nodded in understanding, and the carriage flew away generating gust of air that startled both the animal but soon they find it fun and started playing among themselves.
Seeing this, Alfie asked, "Big Brother Zack, how do you always manage to tame animals so quickly? Don't people usually have to train them for a long time before they start following their owner? And how do you convince the people at the desk that you actually trained them, since you never use the outside facilities?"
"I don't know," Zack replied, patting Lurvi on her spikes. "Whenever I'm not trying to kill them and just want to be friends, after a bit of struggle, they just... stop hating me."
As his hand brushed over her spikes, they softened under his touch—only to rise straight again the moment he stopped.
"Then I usually make up an excuse," Sasha said while playing with Tyra. "I tell them the creatures became friendly after I healed them when they were injured in the wild. They buy it—mostly because these creatures are pretty weak anyway."
She paused, then added, "Oh, I just remembered—I forgot to ask Sio if her body's okay after she hit all those rocks when Big Guy threw her. I kept using healing magic on her so she wouldn't feel the pain, but… it always stings a little."
She tapped her own head lightly, as if feeling the phantom ache herself.
"Don't worry. If Sio didn't say anything, that means she is okay. Maybe your power got stronger, and she didn't have any pain at that time," Zack reassured her.
"Hm, okay. I will ask her when she comes tonight. Let's go, everyone!" Sasha led the way to the gate of the City of the Land of Eirs.