Beastmen: She Tames the Land-Chapter 61: The Forbidden Zones

The intake of breath was audible when Visha mentioned the forbidden zones.

She didn’t expect them to react this way. Even if she expected them to know, she didn’t expect them to look as if she were speaking about an inhuman place. She scanned the pack, wondering what they would tell her about the four forbidden zones.

"From the way you’re reacting, it sounds like you know what I’m talking about. The Black Lung, the Verdant Maw, the Ask Spiral, and the Deep Hollow. Tell me what you know about them."

She leaned in, her elbows on her thighs and her chin in her hands.

"People no longer venture into these places. What we know are all stories. But there have been enough people who lost their lives for others to refuse to venture into these places," Fil stated, eyes downcast.

"The Black Lung, "Willa whispered, sounding afraid of someone overhearing what they were talking about. "I’ve heard it called by this name. I have also heard it called Shadowfen. In the north, it is full of cracked, frozen earth. Breathing is almost impossible. The air is cold, worse than the winter season. It’s said that the creatures there are poisonous. They are twisted and aggressive."

Like the ones we fought a few days ago?" Visha couldn’t help commenting.

The area was quiet, as if no one wanted to breathe. The thought that the things from the Black Lung were in the forest now was terrifying to everyone.

"We can only hope they aren’t the same. If the creatures we have heard about leave the Black Lung, there might be more trouble than anyone ever expected." Uri spoke.

Visha sighed, thinking of the possibility. She remembered the prophecy she had read. It talked about shadows walking and dark air. She couldn’t help the way her heart drummed. Thinking that the prophecy might have already begun.

She shook her head mentally. She didn’t want to think that these things would happen.

The pack sat there in silence.

"Don’t think about it." Visha’s voice broke through the silence. "Don’t work yourself into a frenzy about something we’re all unsure about. Tell me about the rest."

Cato cleared his throat, "The Ash Spiral, we call it the Scablands. It is a desert of black sand and ash. It is constantly windy, and when the ash and sand fly up, it can cut skin. A sandstorm might shred someone to pieces. The place is constantly hot, even at night. There is no water, no life, only the endless heat-filled air. Only the desperate and death-seeking visit that place.

The place was silent, waiting for the next person to speak up. "The snake tribe has always called the Verdant Maw, the Thicket of Thorns. It is a jungle that does not follow the law of nature. The vines are as thick as a man’s wrist. The stones are said to be able to breathe and move when no one is looking. It makes paths disappear and forms new ones. The plants are the predators there. Stepping foot into a place like that is certain death."

"The fourth is a mystery, Shasha. We’ve heard that it exists. But we have no idea where it is. People only say it exists because we know the others are real," Xeno said, playing with Visha’s fingers.

Visha’s eyes flickered to Krag and Chi. They had been sitting there without saying anything. Chi had a hand on his back and was leaning into him. She wouldn’t say anything.

If she were meant to learn about it, she would in due time.

By the time they were finished talking, it was late at night. Everyone looked tired as if the talk had drained their energy.

The only person who didn’t look tired was Nimo, who was looking up at Visha with large, innocent eyes.

"Are we going to look now?" he asked.

Visha almost told him no. But seeing the eagerness in his eyes, she couldn’t tell him no. She picked him up, called Xeno and Uri, and brought him to the room.

As soon as they got in, Nimo made a sound of awe. He looked left and right. He wiggles to get out of Visha’s arms.

He was running around in the room, his arms outstretched.

She watched him run around, amused that he would play with himself like that.

Uri’s eyes watched him, making sure he wasn’t hurt.

"Sister Shasha, the place is so pretty. The yellow flying things make the place not so dark."

"What are you talking about, Nimo? There aren’t any yellow flying things," Visha asked, confused.

Nimo pointed towards the roof of the tower, as if that would answer the question. Visha, Uri, and Xeno looked up, unable to see what Nimo was seeing.

"Did you see it?" Nimo asked grinning

"Yup, Definitely. I see it," Visha answered quickly, her hands squeezing Xeno and Uri’s arms. Her head shook slightly, telling them not to say anything.

They stood there watching him play until he asked to go back.

They didn’t talk when they got back; instead, Visha pulled Xeno and Uri towards Krag and Chi.

"I need to talk to you," Visha whispered urgently. "It’s not about the scroll. It’s about something else."

The five people walked to a corner of the building.

"I don’t know if coming to you was the right thing, but I need to ask. Are there yellow flying things in the room in the tower?" Visha focused on them.

She tried to find any indication that they knew what she was talking about. She saw Chi raise an eyebrow and look at Krag.

"Yellow flying things sound...childish," Krag started.

Visha interrupted, saying, "Of course it’s childish. Nimo is the one who said it." She whispered harshly.

The surprise on their faces made Visha know two things: the yellow flying things exist, and Krag and Chi know what they are.

Krag ran his palm over his face and sighed.

"First you three, now the cub. What other surprises are you going to give us?"

The trio heard Krag’s remark. They waited for him to continue.

"You aren’t ready to know what it is. The cub shouldn’t even be able to see it. I know you have questions. But now really isn’t the time."

Uri and Xeno tensed beside Visha. She looked at them, knowing they thought of Krag as a threat.

She also knew Kran and Chi had many secrets they weren’t ready to share.

Visha didn’t want to see a fight happen, so she said, "Fine. I won’t ask. But you need to tell us what’s going on at some point."

Krag didn’t reply, only nodding and walking away with Chi.