Waking up the next morning was surreal. She didn't panic about what happened; instead, she revelled in it. She no longer thought about whether she needed to do this or that.
She accepted what life had to offer, and it made her feel like a new person. She didn't unlearn all the things she learned previously. It only opened a world that was previously closed.
She didn't mind this new world. It was a place she would be for the foreseeable future. The sooner she adapts, the better.
She woke up to Xeno cradling her.
He looked much better than yesterday. She herself felt rejuvenated.
Side effect of drinking beast cum? Who knows?
She only knows that she feels good.
"Ready?" she turned to Xeno and asked.
There were people waiting for their return. She didn't want to make anyone worried.
The journey back to the cave was much easier. Visibility was great, as though the heavens themselves were waiting for them to go back and treat people.
The closer they got to the cave, the lighter their mood became. Especially Visha, because she finally looked at the reward she got for finding the Glimmer-Moss.
The system didn't provide her with a way to use it. It only told her where to find it, so she was having a hard time thinking about how to use it. She thought about having them eat it, which would be the most likely choice.
The problem with that is she didn't know how much or how little it would take.
Now, the reward fixes the problem. She received a book of recipes. Apparently, it's from someone called the Hearth-Keeper. The first page of the book has that person's pseudonym.
Whatever the reason the system gave it to her, she would cherish it.
The cave came into sight, and Visha completely relaxed.
She was home, or at least home for now. Her thoughts were that they would need to leave the cave at some point. Not realising she had referred to the place she once wanted to leave desperately as home.
Xeno, with his super hearing, was the first to hear the conflict. He cradled Visha and ran towards the cave. Visha, who couldn't hear anything, wondered why Xeno suddenly took off running.
It wasn't until they got close that Visha realised there was trouble. A new group of beastmen was trying to get into the cave.
The barriers and traps set up around the cave worked well. Some were trapped and stuck, unable to move. But some were able to escape it.
She watched the people trying to enter the cave. She saw her own people defending the cave with the few people they had remaining.
Her temple couldn't help but throb. There were already people she had a problem with in the cave. Now she had to consider how to deal with this new set of people. She didn't feel equipped to handle such a thing.
The two groups saw Xeno running back with Visha in his arms. His mother, Willa, smiled but didn't move. Her stance remained defensive.
One good thing so far is that she and Xeno were able to provide a distraction. A fight hadn't happened yet, which she was grateful for.
As Xeno put her down, she asked Willa what was happening.
"They came and wanted to stay in the cave. We told them we don't have room, but they insist on coming in."
Visha stood to face them. She didn't need to guess who the leader was. A tall, hulking man stood before her. A scar running from the cheek to the nose. His eyes were screwd. She knew he wouldn't give up the cave easily.
There was a water source nearby. The place was warm enough, and they had more people. Visha wasn't ready for a fight. She knew, however, that the others were willing to fight for this place. Only because they didn't know there was a better one.
Before she and Xeno left, Xeno went exploring. He found that the place they stayed was the entrance of an underground cave. There was water there, and while a little cold, she could use ever-embers to warm the place.
He also said that within the big cave, there were smaller caves where families could live if they wanted to.
So, fighting for this cave wasn't something she wanted or needed to do.
The trouble is, they needed time. They couldn't let these people know about that place. She also had to cure everyone in the cave. Or at least have them strong enough to leave.
Visha didn't show fear as she talked to the leader. She knew if she did, it would not work in their favour.
"We found this cave first. What gives you the right to take what's ours?"
"Right? Our people are stronger. There is no right. We will fight for it. I was already kind enough to ask instead of killing your people. And you, little female, are lucky. Had you not been scented, you would have been my next wife."
She saw his eyes narrow, appraising her as if she were merchandise, something that could be bought and sold.
Her eyes flickered. She realised not everyone on the Beast Continent valued females the same way Xeno and Uri's tribe did. Uri's tribe seems to have the most sacred meaning attached to mates. Xeno's tribe is more flexible.
This one is only willing to leave her alone because of her scent, which she assumed was Xeno. She blushed a little at the thought that someone could smell him on her.
"Our people are sick; they can't be moved. If you're willing to give me some time to wake them up, I'll give you the cave."
The people defending the cave balked at her. They didn't expect her to give u the cave so easily. Where would they live?
Nimo and Kit's mothers walked to Visha.
"What are you doing? We can't give them the cave. Where are we supposed to stay?" Heta hissed.
Willa was more understanding. Visha made a promise to her, and she didn't think Visha would leave them to die. There must be a reason. She didn't see anything, just watched Visha, hoping to see something she didn't understand.
"I know you're angry," she spoke softly, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, "but this is the only thing we can do. We can't fight them. I don't want anyone getting hurt. It would be better to give it up than suffer losses. We'll find a way."
She threw the bag in her hand to Xeno, who was still standing beside her.
"Go feed it to them, quickly."
This was some of the Glimmer-Moss she had picked. The rest was in her inventory.
"Why are you doing this?" Heta asked, tears threatening to break free. "Nimo is sick. You know that. I can't let anything happen to him."
Visha patted her hand soothingly. "Trust me. If you don't believe me, believe in Xeno and Uri. Uri will wake up soon, then we'll be able to leave. Trust me."
Visha tried to convey as much sincerity as she could without seeming as though she already had a plan. She knew when those people woke up, it would be a whole new fight.
She wouldn't ask for anything. Everyone had to make their own choices.
Whether to stay with her or stay with these new people in the cave is up to them.
She turned to the leader again.
"You don't need to fight. The cave is yours. As you can see, I've already sent someone to wake the people up. All I ask is if there are people who choose to stay, you will let them."
The leader looked at her, wondering why this little female was so willing to give up the cave. He was right that they didn't have people to fight. But he felt there was another reason.
He wanted to know what she was hiding. But from everyone's reaction, it seemed they really didn't have a place to live.
So why?
"If they want to stay, I will allow it."
This way, he could get some information about this woman who seemed strangely confident.