Foreboding Storm - Chapter 125

Princess Qamari stood before the cave entrance in disbelief. The sight before her was too good to believe. The glorious herbs and restorative plants were breathtaking both in fragrance and appearance.

But more significant was the fact that many of the herbs and plants couldn’t be found anywhere in the seven realms as they were foliage specific to Forbidden Zones and special dimensions.

Princess Qamari tentatively entered the cave, fearful of damaging the precious treasures.

“Skyler, I want to retrieve some of these medicinal plants to grow them myself. Do you think I can store them on the Silver Rafter?” She asked with glowing eyes.

“Yes, Princess. The Silver Rafter can both store and grow plants. You can just uproot them with their soil and place them in the rafter. As long as you provide them with their appropriate nutrients, you can grow them on the rafter. It will be more advantageous for you that way because then, you won’t have to find suitable environments to raise them in. The Silver Rafter will automatically adjust itself to the plants’ habitat.”

“Truly!?” Princess Qamari paused in her steps, her face going wide in shock at Skyler’s words.

“Does this mean that I won’t have to search for suitable environments for the plants I grow? I can just grow them on the rafter?”

The notion of planting her own medicinal plants and herbs field had occurred to her many times. However, every plant and herb was different, not only requiring delicate care, but it also needed to be grown in specific locations where only they could generously thrive.

As such, Princess Qamari had to set aside her ambition of owning her own medicinal field and focus on gathering plants that were easy to care for and carry around. At that moment in time, it was the only thing she could come up with.

However, she never expected her trip to the Northwest to be so fruitful and help her encounter an entire field of rare medicines.

In a jovial mood, Princess Qamari brought out her Silver Rafter and swept the herbs like a bandit seeing treasures.

“Skyler, look at this! This is the Organ Revolving Herb! And this is the Bone Mending Plant! Ah! This is the Realm Heart Cleansing Herb!”

Every time she waved her hand, a flock of iridescent colors swirled into her silver rafter like rivers of stars, enchanting and bewitching in their radiance. After clearing the field of extinct and non-extinct exotic medicines, the exhilarated Princess Qamari finally returned to her senses.

The little field held more rare herbs than she imagined. The Instant Restoration Limb Fruit that the senior brother in her academy needed was among the herbs. This was a necessary restorative plant for him to regain his original elemental level, a great gain she didn’t expect.

Sweeping her eyes over the now barren land, Princess Qamari smiled in satisfaction.

“Oh? There is still that milky pool. Since it was in the herbs, it must not be anything ordinary. Since I still have more space in the rafter, why should I leave it behind?”

With bright eyes, she waved her hand, releasing multiple streams of light that flowed into the milky pool and enveloped the liquid in a transparent film, lifting the entire substance into the air. Princess Qamari cautiously drew the substance into her Silver Rafter, in the center of the herbs she excavated.

She waited with bated breath as the milky liquid slowly descended and finally settled in the sea of herbs.

“Huuu! It settled! With the milky spring, I won’t need to find nutrients to grow the herbs.”

She waved her hand again and her silver rafter shrunk, returning to the miniature form. With glimmering eyes, she attached the rafter back on her waist where it jingled charmingly in the midst of a nest of white pearls.

“Since there is nothing more here, I should get moving. Maybe, I will find the heirloom I came for.” Sweeping her white robes, Princess Qamari turned to leave when a deafening roar froze her in her spot.

“Roooar…!”

“Roooar…!”

The deafening roars increased in volume, and as time passed, they drew near. Right at this moment, the frozen Princess Qamari was startled awake as the vicious roars of wild beasts reverberated throughout the cave.

Holding her golden sword in her hand, she turned towards the direction of the frightening roars. Since she looted all the plants and herbs, including the milky liquid, the bright cave from earlier was now enveloped in complete darkness, making it difficult to see what was happening.

Even though she felt apprehensive, Princess Qamari was not worried as she could sense that the beasts’ reactions had nothing to do with her looting. Otherwise, they would have attacked her while she was still in the process of storing the herbs.

She squinted her eyes, hoping to see in the dark without having to use any lightning magic to brighten the cave or use her golden sword. The bright light from either would be more of a beacon to whatever was out there than help.

As such, she stepped into a corner of the cave and squinted in the direction of the ferocious roars, however, she couldn’t see anything. The tunnel ahead was so dark that she could not even make out her fingers let alone see into the distance.

But the roars of the beasts resounded again and before she could react, two shadowy figures, one with a sinuous form and one with a long cloak leaped into her sight. They were followed by two 12 inch Dark Moths, the two howling and growling as they chased and slashed.

The shadowy figures rolled on the ground together, barely managing to avoid a fatal strike of the creatures’ wings. In the next instant, the sinuous figure shrunk and turned into a spear, landing familiarly in the cloaked man’s hands.

“Huh? Isn’t that Qaliq’s spear?”

Princess Qamari was surprised on witnessing the sight, but not shocked. She also had Skyler and Snow who changed into sword and human. However, upon seeing Qaliq again, she couldn’t name what she felt.

Their trek through the snow and his careful care was not lost to her. She knew how precarious their situation at that time was, but he didn’t leave her behind. Instead, he dragged her added weight to seek shelter.

“Sigh. Since I owe him, I have to pay back this debt.”

Even though they seemed in control of the situation, Princess Qamari was able to perceive the sluggish movements of the man. He wasn’t in good condition. Twirling Skyler in her hand, Princess Qamari left her little corner and jumped into the skirmish.

Crown Prince Lail felt his muscles twitching from the forced exertion, causing him to furrow his brows. The Giant Moths appeared out of nowhere, attacking him without restraint as he laid listlessly on the ground, thinking about his wife.

If it wasn’t for Black Serpent’s quick reactions, shielding him with his body, he would have already disappeared from the Seven realms.

“Black Serpent, I have not recovered fully yet, so this is going to be a strain on you. You are the only one that can get us out of here alive.” He caressed the blue-black spear, which hummed excitedly as if in agreement, before charging at the two moths.

Right at this moment, a white-cloaked figure appeared beside him and lunged at the giant moth.

“Aiiiiiiiik!”

The Dark Moths shrieked in pain and crashed brutally to the ground, sending rocks and shrapnel flying everywhere. After a painful whimper, the beasts trembling bodies went limp. Princess Qamari grabbed Crown Prince Lail’s arm and dodged the shower of rocks, standing side by side at the entrance of the dark tunnel.

“It’s you. Are you okay?” Crown Prince Lail’s guard immediately relaxed upon seeing who the newcomer was. Lail and he didn’t know each other that much, but their short interaction and partnership gave them a brief glimpse of the other’s character.

Since she dared to show up, he was certain that she had confidence in facing the two beasts even if she had to take them on herself. Moreover, the fact that she showed up proved that she saw him at least as an ally if not a friend.

“Thanks to you, I am fine. But I don’t think you are in good condition.” She swept her gaze over him and indifferently remarked.

“Hmm…just a little scratch. I will be fine after a little rest.” Crown Prince looked around the dark tunnel, looking for a path forward. It was never a good idea to stay on a battle site for too long. The blood and noise would be more than enough to draw the attention of other nearby beasts.

And right at this moment, the dull thuds of various footsteps resonated in the cave.

“Thud, thud, thud!”

Crown Prince Lail and Princess Qamari simultaneously furrowed their brows, warily stepping back as they gazed apprehensively in the direction of the sound.

The moment their sight collided with the cruel, bloodthirsty gleam, they shivered.