The Sovereign had come to a stop several kilometers away from the nearest islands in order to avoid detection from the natives.
Aron, Rose, Jagu and Evanora would travel the remaining distance on a mid sized boat while being concealed in a barrier created by Lady Rose's scouters.
The waters of the Komi Islands were much calmer and had more consistent weather patterns as compared to the Opal ocean so the the journey towards the Islands from then on was smooth.
It didn't take long for them to reach the nearest island and anchor the boat. The Island itself was a mix of both tropical and equatorial climates which gave it quite a few odd characteristics.
For example despite Pesia's sun being overhead, the temperature was rather cold. Jagu and his race thrived in this type of weather but a regular person would find it quite troublesome to say the least.
"What an odd island." Lady Rose didn't hide her impression of the island upon setting foot on the sandy shores. Normally water would have frozen at the current temperature in the region but not only was it not frozen, it was even slightly warm.
"There's probably an oddity in mana density somewhere. Had the Komi Islands been open to everyone then this may have been discovered after an investigation into the oddities present." Aron added as he and Evanora also set foot on the sandy shores with Jagu right behind them.
Even now his mood looked rather sour but he did his best to remain composed. "My village is two Islands over but this is our territory still so you won't encounter any problems..." Jagu quickly added before turning away from the trio and leaving.
"If we do then we'll be quick to eliminate it, don't worry." Aron replied casually but the meaning behind his words made Jagu frown, however he said nothing and continued to walk away until his figure could no longer be seen.
"Komi are very familial, I'm sure he will do his best to ensure not a single soul finds out that we are here. Shall we get started unraveling this place's mysteries then?" Lady Rose stretched her hands and heaved a sigh before suggesting they start investigating immediately, they had no time to waste after all.
"Evanora likes Mistaris." Evanora added as she raised her hand at the idea with a blank expression on her face.
...
Meanwhile Jagu was rapidly moving through the dense jungle, using his unique figure to its absolute best.
He covered large distances in each stride as he ran using both his hands and legs while occasionally maneuvering up trees. 'I was far too careless, forgive me forefathers.' Jagu thought with a frown on his face as he rapidly moved forward.
By the time evening fell, he had just managed arriving on the main island his people resided in. There even before reaching the land, one could see two wolf like Komi that resembled Jagu in terms of figure but had differently colored fur and several other minor features like the scars, eye color and cleanness of the fur.
"Halt! Who.. *cough* *cough*... goes there." The larger Komi asked in a groggy and not so threatening voice as he came forward with narrowed red eyes trying to see who was coming towards them.
Upon seeing their odd behavior Jagu knew that the poison had indeed taken effect on their systems and senses for their security to be this lousy.
"It's I, Jagu of the Husk. What's happening here? Where is everyone?" Jagu put aside his feelings and decided to play the part of the concerned warrior that had just returned to his home.
"It really is you Jagu, forefathers be praised you're still well. I wish your return was more fruitful but alas a dreadful disease has spread on our island. Be it the young, old or beasts, all have been stricken by it." The larger Komi with a wrinkly face frowned as he spoke and shook his head in helplessness.
"Our bodies grow weaker by the day and we can not hunt. The entire tribe is surviving off our reserves but even that won't last us too long. We sought help from the other Clans of different islands but they turned us away, I'm sure they await our demise so they can claim our forefathers land." The larger Komi growled in anger at that thought and Jagu felt genuinely angry that their allies would abandon them in their time of need.
"Do not worry, I had successfully entered the Galos Academy where the most brilliant of mages reside. I will bear the humiliation for our people and ask that they assist in ridding us of this disease." Jagu said sternly and firmly and made the two weak Komi show smiles of gratefulness, their clan was naturally prideful and some would sooner die than ask humans for help.
Jagu saying he would put aside his pride for his people was something that genuinely touched their hearts. But within Jagu felt sour for putting on such a disgraceful act, but if this was what it took to save his people then so be it.
"Your father's selflessness lives on within you young Jagu. Come let us go, your mother and sisters have been greatly concerned about you." The larger beastman revealed in a low tone before gesturing Jagu to follow him.
'Mother, sisters, how can I even face you...' Jagu thought as he slowly followed along.
....
The walk was short and they soon arrived at simple and primitive looking settlement with fences and homes made of wood and dried grass.
"Rejoice! For Jagu of the Husk has returned to save our people!!" Once the larger Komi got close to the settlement, he yelled this statement with vigor causing alarm to surface in the entire settlement.
"*cough* *cough*, this dreadful disease... I can barely even shout." The large Komi held his chest and showed a look of irritation at this fact.
"Don't push yourself too much Bauku, once the disease has been ridden you can yell as much as you want." Jagu patted him on the back and smiled genuinely at the old beastman. Such an expression was rare from Jagu in the outside but here in his home, he felt truly happy.
"Jagu!"
"He's here!"
"Jagu of the Husk!"
"We're saved..."
"Forefathers be praised."
An emotional welcome erupted as numerous Komi emerged from their homes and came towards Jagu and Baeku.
To see one of their strongest and most promising still well and healthy filled their hearts with joy.
"Jagu..." Soon a weak yet gentle voice resounded on the scene and older looking but beautiful woman emerged on the scene. To her side was a younger woman with a similar appearance then finally behind her were two young girls, however these two largely resembled Jagu more than they did the two women they were behind.
"Mother, sister... you've both evolved." Jagu replied with teary eyes as he saw the changes his mother and young sister had undergone.
Komi were descendants of mana beasts that had gained intelligence and some that had evolved to possess some humanoid features.
It wasn't strange at all that some Komi looked more beast than man while some looked more like man than beast.
The appearance evolution would bring about in each Komi varied and some would even look the same for the entirety of their lives, Jagu seemed to be such a case as he didn't have a humanoid form. The real reason evolution was celebrated however was because it meant one's potential strength had risen and so had their lifespan.
"So the traitor returns!" Before Jagu could say anything more, an arrogant voice emerged on the scene and a very large beastman appeared. His features were even more ferocious and beast looking than even Jagu's.
"Hakku..." Jagu muttered in a low tone as a frown emerged on his face.
....
At the same time two islands over, Aron had been examining the land and vegetation while Lady Rose simply watched him do so and Evanora imitated him.
"Can I see the map for a moment?" Aron suddenly asked as a frown appeared on his face. Lady Rose didn't ask while he needed it and immediately brought it out and handed it to him.
Aron quickly spread it on the ground and something immediately clicked. "The Komi Islands were once connected. But a huge chunk of land is missing here, where the center should have been." Aron pointed to the map while explaining his theory and Lady Rose showed a small smirk at this.
"So then it's underwater. How do you suppose we investigate it then? As far as I know the bottom of the Opal Ocean has never been reached. The furthest expedition to date only reached roughly fifty kilometers deep, from there on it became difficult to use mana or so the reports say." Lady Rose explained with her arms crossed.
"Hmm... it's possible there is a ruin down there then. How come you never investigated it at the time?" Aron was indeed a bit curious as to why Lady Rose had never began her own expedition for ruins when she clearly had the capability of doing so.
"Let's just say I was content with what I had at the time. But time and circumstances can change a person, I can no longer run." Lady Rose showed a weary look as she said this and before Aron could add anything on the matter, Evanora who had wandered from the scene called out to them.
"Evanora found something!"
A/N: Anything to add so far? Feel free to let me know if you think the story is lacking in any place.
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