Chapter 47: What a Man. (1)
"We’re here."
Perched on Yoa’s arm and nestled into his side, Nova’s eyes swept the area, frowning. Yoa had stopped with his announcement. They were in the heart of the jungle, yet it was eerily silent. It was like they were in the Oncari land again.
Although it was eerie, Nova felt safe and especially protected against Yoa. He was the biggest threat of all the jungle, after all. Perhaps that is why no manner of creature seemed to pass this area by.
"And where exactly is... here?" Nova pondered, searching for a rock or spot that would open up to some hidden path like at Yoa’s other hideout.
Yoa smirked at Nova’s confusion and tipped her chin upwards. Her lips instantly gaped at the Ceiba tree. The jungle was full of different species of trees, all so enchanting and gigantic. Bigger than any she’d seen back home at the nature reserves or parks dotted around the cities.
Nova couldn’t keep up with being blown away by them and, by this point, had been too focused on Yoa’s touch to pay attention to what was around her. Now, she stared up at one of the trees she could name because of Felipe’s explanation of its importance to the tribes. It was meant to be sacred, and how could it not be with how it looked?
This towering and sacred tree had been camouflaged among the thick growth of the other trees, though it still couldn’t quite stop itself from spreading its branches far and wide, taller than the others, popping above the canopy. Vines and mist clung to its trunk, its roots snaking through the jungle floor, and now that Nova was paying attention, she could feel the pulse, an almost ancient energy thrumming around them.
She could not see the top as it was past the others, but she knew without a doubt that this was Yoa’s ’hideout’. Was it a hideout, or did everyone know not to enter this area? Was this a known spot where the island’s hunter resided, a territory that should never be dared to enter?
"How... Do I get up there?" Nova asked, sounding a little breathy, noting that the hideout was far beyond anywhere she could physically get to without it probably taking at least an hour to climb.
Yoa chuckled, the sound so light and playful as he nuzzled his nose into her neck, smelling her and closing his eyes. "Do not trouble yourself with such thoughts, little mouse. I’m here." With that, his grip on her tightened before he sprang upwards. Like a damned superhero, they whooshed powerfully from the ground, one clawed hand digging into the trunk of the tree.
The air escaped Nova’s lungs, trembling slightly from the dizzying height. She didn’t mean to look down but now it was almost rising and falling, making her feel sick.