Kovi looks at Teth, standing up. "You may wish to have someone accompany you. The forest can be deceiving."
Avirex looks at Kovi when they stand up, a bit surprised. They don't say anything to them though. They take a sideways glance at Axal and Sena before returning to looking at the ground.
Teth stares at Kovi and tilts her head. “…Alright then.”
Resh pulls out a knife and starts fidgeting with it, staying completely silent. He accidentally cuts his finger, but he gives no reaction other than pausing and staring at it.
Kovi walks over to the group, waving Sena and Axal back to Avirex. They look at Resh when he cuts himself. They tilt their head as they look at the wound. "May I see your hand?"
Resh looks at Kovi, slightly confused. He holds his hand out toward them.
Kovi takes his hand with their own, covering the wound. Their hands glow to look like molten metal for several moments, before they draw hem back to their sides. The cut is healed when they do. As if nothing happened, they turn to Teth. "The temple is not too far ahead. Slower by foot, but we can make do. We should move quickly."
Resh stares at Kovi as they heal the wound, then mumbles a small “thank you.” He puts his knife away and draws his cloak tighter around his shoulders.
Teth also watches as Kovi heals Resh’s wound. “Did they just- nevermind. Let’s get going.”
Kovi smiles at Resh. "You're welcome." They nod at Teth, and begin walking down the path that brought the trio to the skykids. They wave at the others as they pass.
All three of them start following Kovi, Tsadi staying in the back. Resh stares at the ground as they walk, lost in whatever random thoughts decided to invade his brain.
Teth looks around, fidgeting with one of her braids. “What’s this temple like, anyway?”
(oh shit uhhh not me who hasn't thought about that yet)
(LMAO yw)
Kovi thinks for a moment. "It's large and made of stone, with giant columns to support it. The columns have stories on them. And there's an open area for people to meditate at the shrine. The forest is trying to reclaim the temple." They gesture around a bit with their description. It's fairly interesting to watch.
Resh watches Kovi and starts matching a few of their gestures, trying to visualize the temple for himself. “…Interesting.”
Teth glances to the side a bit. “That sounds familiar.”
Kovi watches Resh as he copies their mannerisms. They smile for a moment, before returning their attention to the forest. They seem intent to listen to every little sound, as if listening for something.
Resh notices Kovi listening, and tilts his head, confused. What are they listening for? He starts to listen as well. He’s clearly curious, but he doesn’t want to bother Kovi.
“Dark flowers. Don’t worry about bothering me, I don’t mind.” Kovi responds to Resh’s thoughts, barely taking a glance at him when they do.
Resh looks at Kovi, startled. Oh, right- they can read minds.
Kovi takes another glance at Resh. “Ah, does it bother you? I can stop.” Suddenly, they turn to look at something they heard. They stare for a few moments, and then continue on walking after they see nothing.
Resh shakes his head. “No- it’s fine, I just forgot-“
(Teth and Tsadi watching this conversation: wat)
(Pff yes)
Kovi acknowledges Resh with a nod. “Hm. As you wish.”
The foliage up ahead by several meters rustles. A flash of light blue among the tall leaves and plant stalks, and then nothing. Kovi stops walking when they see it, hands starting to glow. They look back at the trio, but they don’t seem fazed.
Resh freezes and stares in the direction of the movement, reaching for his sword. Who- or what- was that?
Teth looks up at Resh, also tense. “What is it?”
Kovi glances at Resh. “I was listening for dark flowers. I was right to do that. Stay calm and stay still.” They watch the movement as it comes closer to emerging. As they said, a dark flower emerges, covered in the familiar blue plants. This one is completely missing an arm, replaced by a large growth of the plants. It makes eye contact with the group, tilting its head so erratically you’d think it could break its own neck. Kovi takes a few slow steps towards it, which makes the dark flower start rushing towards them.
Resh stares at Kovi and the dark flower, extremely tense. Why are they just walking toward it?
The dark flower tackles Kovi. There’s a struggle for a few seconds, before Kovi easily pins it to the ground. Their hands glow almost white now. When they touch the dark flower the plants turn a golden-yellow color, and start to shake and shrink with a loud hissing sound. The dark flower itself is struggling, screeching as the plants burn.
Resh watches the struggle with wide eyes, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly. Are they burning the thing? What’s going on- He reaches up to cover his ears when the dark flower starts screeching.
Teth holds her breath, covering her ears. This can’t end well-
Tsadi just watches the struggle, with virtually no reaction whatsoever.
(Emotionless little fuck, maybe I’ll have a group of them murder you not so unfazed now)
All the dark plants shrink until they’re nothing. Kovi’s eyes start to glow white, and the body of the dark flower shines until it’s a blinding light. When the light fades, Kovi is on the ground sitting and holding something in their hand. They stand up, turning to the group.
Both Resh and Teth shield their eyes at the bright light, Resh visibly more tense than Teth is. Tsadi squints and looks in another direction.
Resh slowly looks down at Kovi as the light fades. He seems a little shaken, but hides it relatively quickly. “What are you holding?”
Kovi looks at Resh, and holds out their hand to him. There’s a small, light yellow butterfly in their hand. “This is the dark flower… before. Not corrupt.”
Resh tilts his head, staring at the butterfly. “Interesting.”
Teth looks slightly confused. “So that little thing-“ she gestures towards the butterfly- “turned into a weird zombie thing?”