Survival gets easier as you learn what to do. The hard part is to keep doing it. The more hands you have the less work each have to do but it only takes one pair of hands too many and it all falls apart, that balance is but one of many keys to a simple society. It has been only 2 days since I woke up in this beautifully horrific jungle and yet it feels so much longer. The sleep issues of yesterday not helping I feel. Lucy and Alex have been working hard and now that the Tiban have been divided into jobs they have been doing great work as well. Even now I can hear many of the early risers going to continue the work. They need organization now and practise. 

Kevin closed the diary he had been scribbling in and placed it on the carved out wall ledge with several other items. One of which being his metal knife that he tied around his leg. He looked down at Lucy sleeping comfortably on the leafy bed next to Alex. Crouching down he gentle ran a hand along the fluffy curve of her face. Not wanting to disturb her he straightened up and slipped out of the curtain. The others was still sleeping soundly and rightly so after so much work yesterday. He headed down the newly carved wooden steps to the main hall to find the cooking fire already going. Sitting around were four Tiban including one he recognized from yesterday, the gray female known as Braid. Taking a seat at the circle around the fire they handed him some food.
	“We tally makers.” Braid finally chattered after a few minutes of silent eating. “Alex, Lucy picked us… Is good?” Kevin noticed they were all giving him glances between sips.
	“Perhaps, introduce yourselves first. Who are you and what do you tally?” Kevin replied back.
	“I Braid, tally of wood. Met yesterday. Most happy to work.” Braid began on his right.
	“I tally of stone, am Coche.” A black furred female introduced next.
	“Biash count food. Biash count water. Biash happy to do.” A smaller male next to Coche spoke up next as he stared into the food pot longingly. 
	“Ehm, me Persil. Lucy said count… Harbs? Flowers… We have none.” Persil added quietly. She was a smaller and younger looking Tiban than the others. 
	“Lucy is correct. ‘Herbs’ as well as roots, flowers and moss are not always food. When boiled, mixed right can cure sickness or help in many ways. It important to keep stock.” Kevin explained softly to her. Her eyes seemed to light up to his explanations. She nodded to him eagerly. “You seem to know what your roles are then so I approve.” Kevin then added casually to which there was a collective sigh of relief between them. “Biash I need you to pick out a few dedicated cooks as food will be getting a bit more complicated soon and I want you all to work together to find someone, or two, to be the tally maker for the Tiban. I need a name, age and job for every single Tiban here as well who is related.” He then added to which there was nods. Handing his bowl back he got up and headed for the tunnel, leaving the group to chatter among themselves about what to do next. 

The Tiban had started to wake. The morning routines of feeding and dust bathing taking place with a new buzz of energy that Kevin found infectious. He headed straight to work, mixing up clay paste to build a new and improved forge of sorts. After rounding up a couple of workers he began to show them some concepts of heating up metal and how to fuse stone together with the paste. Rock after rock fell into place till a huge oven like object began to take shape. It had a huge open top and the bottom an open window for placing fuel. Taking a step back to look over it Kevin gave his approval and left the group to finish off the other half of it, as well as cover it in the clay to keep it nice and strong. 
	“Morning Lucy, Alex.” He spoke as he passed them on his way to find another small group willing to learn something new. They bid him good mornings and broke off to start their own work. It was hardly difficult for him to find another group and for these he led them to where a slab of stone had been propped up on wooden supports. 
	“Each of you made the best quality tools yesterday so you are now in charge or making more.” Kevin began to explain to the small group of eight standing around the other side of the stone table with focused looks. “A tool must be well balanced and well made. The weight must be right so that a swing feels natural you see, the length of the handle and size of the head can all affect this. Now… A spear has a handle a little taller than you are with a small sharp point at the end for stabbing. I want you each to make me one but… I will not be showing you how I do one first!” He chattered to them. The surprise challenge causing them to suddenly look worried as they glanced around to each of themselves. “I have faith.” Kevin added as he pointed over to the giant pile of supplies. They dashed off with speed to grab what they needed, each of them going over what he had described as they grabbed the longest of the thorn tree spikes as well as several rocks, vines but also some sap and leaves. Lifting himself up onto the stone table Kevin sat and watched as each of them took to the task in a different way. While they all shared the same general idea for construction each focused on a different section. Two worked on smoothing and binding patches of the long handle for both grip and durability while half of the group worked on carefully making sure that the spear’s point was the best they could do. It was only one that stood out as they did not focus on handle or point but instead sat weaving together leaves and vines for some reason yet to be seen. As they worked Kevin himself looked over the increasing amount of Tiban slowly pooling into the mines to keep digging out the small area. They seemed so happy to work light rise to light fall but for how long plagued Kevin’s mind. The sight of two females working caught his attention. They worked side by side with tails tangled together. With most downstairs still eating there were not many scents yet and with a bit of focus he could pick up some details. They were young and despite the one of sandy colored fur being slightly older than the charcoal colored girl she was noticeably a bit smaller. They had a slight sweetness lingering around them strongly, the remains of the jam like soup from breakfast. Underneath though there was another another sweetness that proved to be far more appealing to Kevin, something natural and permanent. The tantalising and personal female scent that they carried, delicate and complex it whispered to him all kinds of secrets but his nose was not sharp enough to pick them apart. Primal instinct drove him on as his head spun and blood rushed in his veins, a familiar warmth spreading out across him. He leaned a little closer in their direction as a line of drool ran down his chin. Lustful visions filled his head as he gazed deeper into their past and experiences with each other. His eyes snapped open as he felt a tap on his shoulder. Wiping his mouth he shook his head and turned as as the group he was supposed to be teaching now stood spears ready. Hopping off the table he took one and gave a slash through the air. Looking over the others he let out a small smile. Each spear had been shaved down, bound for grip and affixed with a finely sharpened triangle point. A wrapping of vine and leaves giving the point extra durability but also a decorative flair, they had all shared each others ideas and came up with one perfected design.
	“This is quite...” Kevin began but he words failed. A chill ran up his spine just as a creeping sensation ran down his body. His teeth chattered. It was fear and panic unlike anything he had known. Spinning around Kevin found everybody frozen, the same expression of fear on each wide eyed face. He stood shock still till the panicked noises of Tiban fleeing from the lower floor broke him out of his trance. Teeth grit he smacked himself sharply to break out of the sensation. “Stay here, build more spears.” He commanded as he placed his hands on one of the tool makers and gave them a sharp pull back and to. It seemed to jolt her awake and so he grabbed the spears in his arms and took off. Lucy appeared from one of the tunnels with eyes full of a wildfire. Seeing Kevin on the run she gave chase. 

He slipped past many running to safety, the increased tunnel size helping to stop any jams or collisions but even so they were still quite narrow. Past the bedrooms he ran till he got down to the main hall. There were Tiban sitting, standing, all frozen in the same sea of cold fear. 
	“Lucy!” He called as she arrived next to him. “Get as many to safety as you can.” He commanded as he threw her one of the spears. She nodded and headed to the nearest Tiban to shake them out of the trance. Kevin meanwhile headed across the large room to check on the entrance below however he skidded to stop. The fear grew stronger but worse there was a scent on the air that he did not like. All of a sudden a dozen Tiban came scrambling out of the lower tunnels, Alex included. They all took off running with looks of absolute horror except for Alex who took a place next to Kevin. He threw her a spear.
	“Lucy is clearing the others, we fight.” He explained. “What are we…” He tried to ask when suddenly a deafening wailing shriek rang out and something all but exploded out of the tunnel. Soft and huge it squeezed through the tight tunnel with ease. Its planted four bladed legs onto the wood while two others twitched and uncoiled into the air. It had no eyes and yet stared directly at the pair trying to defy it. With a whip of its sticky arms it snatched up two male Tiban behind the pair in a second. Kevin stood in horror as without hesitation it shot out a tongue laced with thorns and ripped into one of them. The male shuddered and gargled a scream full of blood as the vicious organ forced its way across his insides, shredding and melting them. His body went soft and limbs twitched as his insides was taken in a foul slurry. Throwing the husk away it brought the second closer but before it could do the same a spear lodged itself in the dripping arm. It shrieked and dropped the Tiban who hit the floor with a crack but started running blindly despite the pain. A second spear went sailing through the air but only managed to gaze the creature’s smooth head. Far below Kevin stood screaming at the creature as he adjusted his aim and threw another at its chest, this one landing with a sickening shlup but the creature did not seem to care. It shrieked back at him and lashed out with its coiling arms but Kevin managed to duck and weave under them. Dropping the spare spears onto the floor he kicked up one with a flourish and ran forward. Ducking under a flailing arm he slid across the wooden floor and slashed upwards at the beast’s legs however the stone tipped stick did nothing but bounce off the interlocking bone like armor. Ducking left to dodge a vicious stab from the unruly creature Kevin struck upwards at the knee joint, the stone point of the spear sinking deep into the gelatinous flesh. With a push and a twist of the spear the beast let out an echoing wail before moving back towards the tunnel, the sudden movements causing two bone plates to crash together and snap the spear in half. Kevin scrambled to get free of the stabbing legs. Ducking and weaving he slipped and sent various restful mats and half full bowls of food flying. Rolling across the floor he just managed to get out of the way of one of the legs as it struck deep into the wood.

Above the flailing legs and wailing of the creature Alex had managed to creep up the nooks of the wall till she sat in the shadows above. She waited watching as it slashed and stomped trying fruitlessly to hit Kevin who in turn lashed out, not to try and defeat it, but keep it distracted. 
	“Control… patience…” Alex whispered to herself. Her eyes scanning to spot anything. The slightest weakness, a crack in its armor where she could strike. “Control… patience…” She breathed. Her gaze locked on to a tiny sparkle under the gelatinous skin of the beast. The faintest dull glimmer that seemed to slowly pulse. Both hands tightened around the cloth grip of the spear and with a silent leap she fell towards the creature. Striking it squarely the sharpened point sank into the thick flesh with a sickening slurp. Alex twisted the spear and forced it hard even further inside it. It out on a shriek that rattled off the walls and left her ears ringing but still she stabbed and impaled it without mercy. Orange blood as thick as oil poured out of the wound and left a sour, rotten stink in the air. With a wail the beast jerked and twisted its body around causing Alex to lose her footing on its slick hide. Sent tumbling into the air a long whip of its arm struck her mid fall, sending her crashing into the far wall. She did not even feel the pain but trying to stand her strength failed to lift herself back up. Nausea and vertigo alike washed over as drops of her own blood splattered the floor below. Ejecting her breakfast all over it she fell to the side in a trauma induced sleep. 
Kevin had been watching from the side as she was sent spinning across the room. The beast started to ignore him and crawled forward into the room fully in search of more food. Kevin was having none of it as he ran out from under its legs and headed around its side. Jamming the spear into the floor he vaulted upwards. Withdrawing his blade in the air he landed on its side and sank the metal into its flesh. Not stopping for a moment he pulled it out and climbed upwards onto the lower half of its long stinking body. Fur matted with foul sticky mucus Kevin carefully headed along the writhing form as he attempted to find any weakness of his own. He gave the creature a slash under him to test its hide before ducking low to keep balance as it writhed from the pain. Weaving along it his blade nicked and prodded at any spot that would catch Kevin’s eye but the skin was simply too thick, the mucus slowing down every swing. It soaked into his fur and left an itch on his soul. His swings devolved into mad lashings as he all but attempted to dig his way through the beast. The creature’s cries went unheard. The scent ignored. Kevin’s stomach rolled as all his herbivorous instincts screamed relentlessly at him but even that was drowned out in the sea of aggression and desperation. Blind to the world around him he did not see the long arm collide into him. The world going black for a moment as he skidded and bounced along the floor. Landing limp in a pile of leafy mats and wooden bowls he lay splattered with, now cold, half eaten meals. He struck the ground. Fist planted firmly Kevin heaved himself to his knees. Spitting the bile and blood from his tongue his vision refused to clear but even so he kept it locked on that putrid nightmare in front of him. Ears deaf to the violence heard a pitiful scream. It had grabbed another already. Knife lost in the tumble his hands fumbled to find something to us. Finding a bowl he tried  to throw it as a distraction but it did naught but clatter to the floor. The screams turned twisted with a sickening gargle before falling silent. Raising his hand Kevin brought the palm to his face sharply, the act clearing up the fog pooling in his head. 
	“No.” He whispered as his hands ran over the ground for something to throw. “Not like this.” He found a rock and threw it pointlessly. “Not here.” He froze and looked down as his hand landed on a piece of the Tiban’s decorative crystals. Grasping it in his fingers he rolled between them. Eyes going wide. Encasing it safely in his hands he got up and began to run across the room. Snatching up a broken spear he tied the piece to its chipped end and ran a finger along the edge. Swinging it high he grit his teeth and brought the point down hard to his palm. A twist to drive it deeper he withdrew sharply and looked over the crystal now glowing with a pale yellow. “Lig titim tintreach.” He whispered to it. Snatching his glasses up off the floor to help see better he then brought his arm back and with a step forward launched the half broken spear into the body of the beast. The second the crystal broke on its hide a piercing flash of radiant light shot out in all directions as a crackle of lightning ran over it. It did not scream. Instead it turned to Kevin and then began to crawl away down the nearest tunnel. With numb hands Kevin snatched up a handful of the crystals and any of the spears left dotting the floor as he slowly pursued it. 

Lucy came down from the upper floors just as the last of the Tiban had managed to escape. She let out a gasp at the chaos and blood streaked dining hall laid out in front of her but did not let it stop her. Spying Kevin marching with purpose towards a gooey, orange streaked, hole she let out a worried chirp to him and started to head over.
	“Get Alex.” He shouted to her as he raised a hand. “Seal the bottom levels, don’t let anything else in.” He barked as he stabbed a bleeding hand with a spear. She stood shocked and frozen at the sight. “Go! Keep them safe.” He yelled with a dismissing wave before jumping down the hole. Using the slime to slide down quickly he landed in the broken bottom of the home stump. The creature clung to the small ledge circling the hole, its long arms stroking the ceiling. Wiping the blood running down his chin he brought two of the spears to his mouth and whispered again to them. “Lig titim tintreach.” The first was thrown with purpose and it straight the beast square in the chest. It recoiled and lashed out wildly but none of its flails came even close to Kevin who stood watching. Throwing one at its head he moved in as quick as he could go. The creature was stunned and in pain from yet another powerful blast of energy and so Kevin took that moment to run under it. The lunge dug in twice as deep as the throws and the creature showed its new found agony in a chaos of roars. It stumbled and one of the blade like legs slipped from the ledge. In a tumble of slime and stinking flesh it fell over and into the abyss. A familiar chirp sounded out causing Kevin to look over to find Lucy with spear in hand running towards him. He raised a hand to wave, a forced smile cracking the blood stained fur on his face, until he felt something grab his tail. He heard the chirp again and this time he realized, this one was not the same as her welcoming noise. In a flash he was gone...

Regret is a powerful thing. It is both inspirational and destructive. A fleeting sense of your failure that comes when you are at your most lonesome, a reminder to not forget what you did wrong. To be better. Stronger. To learn from your mistakes. Do not fear or despise your regrets, love them for they only want you to grow. 

Kevin’s eyes snapped open. A dance of green and white greeting him as leaves streaked in light rustled and shifted in the wind. Sitting up he looked around. He was on a grassy spot surrounded by blood speckled bushes and tangled vines. He coughed and then spat the blood out onto the floor. Groaning he pulled himself upwards to at least sit. Snatching up a spare branch that had been broken he forced himself further up and hobbled over to the bushes. The air was hot, far more than he had known and had an odd aftertaste to it even though he could taste little more than copper right now. Pulling a large fern like branch out of the way he was met with a wave of raw heat rushing past. Squinting his eyes he peered over to find nothing. A massive empty space. Below sat the Cloudsea but this was much closer than he had seen before… His eyes darted upwards and there he realized. The broken home stump was barely a dot over head. He had landed in the bottom reaches of the trees, the Breach. Stepping back from the rush of hot steam his mouth curved upwards for a second before becoming straight.
“I lost.” He spoke to himself while shaking his head. Cracking the stiff joint of his neck he headed back towards the bushes. He pulled them apart for the vines tangling around them and thanks to some of the broken branches managed to fashion a small backpack of sorts without too much trouble. Throwing a loop of vine over his shoulder he grabbed a small piece of stone resting on the grass and started to sharpen a branch into a better point.

Using the makeshift spear as a support he slowly headed past the other side of the bushes to find he was standing on one of the main branches of the tree, a common Greenbark at least unlike the Leaking Willow. Putting the scrap of stone in his backpack he continued on. As he crossed through his bushes his fuzzy eyes caught a glimpse of metal, his glasses! A lucky break at least as they were not broken either. Past the bushes Kevin found the grass quickly thinned out to something much more like a fluffy carpet that covered the bark. The main branch ahead proving to be a straight road at least but one that stretched on and on. This section of the forest was nothing like the ones above. It was a place of contrasts as the piercing beams of light and hot air from below filled spots with a great radiance while other areas was bathed in a permanently chilly gloom. Tiny insects buzzed unseen around him while plants shifted to the breeze. Despite the pain inside him and the danger around, it was indeed something wonderful to behold. With the rhythmic tapping of his walking stick counting the seconds Kevin headed down the dappled fuzzy path until he found himself standing on the edge of a large hole in the branch. The damage was old, wood and moss alike had long since healed around the edge but even so the size was substantial. With the sides being too thin to risk walking along in such a state Kevin instead decided to take the direct route. Carefully he headed down the sloped edge and found himself plunged into a dim twilight. He stood amazed that even the smallest change to can lead to drastic light differences. After letting his eyes adjust he carried on. The shade was refreshing and he could not help but run his hands along several new plants in curiosity when all of a sudden he heard a matalitic tap under foot. Stopping he repeated the motion, it was not wood. Peering down he could just barely notice that the bottom of this area was a dull silver color. With pain on his breath he knelt down and ran a hand over it. Flashes of complex mineral and metallic structure ran through his mind. Taking his spear like walking stick he raked over it to find small pieces like glittering scales broke off. Each one the same small, round shape with a glint of silver and a tiny swirl imprint on its face. Kevin flipped around in his fingers before giving it a small lick and then a bite. It was strange. Hard and metallic but had an organic structure. He lifted it up to the wall and gave it a long strike along the edge to find it left a clear gray line behind. Running his hand over the grey ground he scraped up a good handful and put them into his bag before doing the same till he had a small pile of them. 

With a sigh Kevin continued along the metal lined ditch. The floor beneath glinting and sparkling as tiny scraps of light found its way into the otherwise gloom filled hole. A refreshing if moist breeze occasionally whistled past bringing new scents from outside. With the end of the hole in sight Kevin stopped and looked upwards at the tangled overgrowth growing wildly around the branch. From the outside it looked like a giant bush sitting thick and forbounding with no way inside it, other than a small passage down in the hole he stood in. Tapping his stick around the entrance lest anything jump out at him he carefully ducked down and headed inside. Up a small slope that had thick but still short moss growing along it Kevin poked his head up into a small chamber. The walls was a tight knit of leaves, glowing moss and vines and all around were small tunnels that led elsewhere. Resting on his knees he turned his nose up to each of the tunnels but found only the overpowering scent of flowers and fruit in each one of them. He looked from one to another before picking out one at random. The tunnels and chambers where so small that he had to crawl to get anywhere which only made things even more painful. Around a corner he arrived in a chamber but it was a dead end. There was a hole in the floor but it had a constant rush of hot air that rushed upwards through small gaps in the ceiling. It was hot but surprisingly well ventilated. With a sigh he rolled into the chamber and layed down near the vent. Eyes heavy, breathing slowed, just a few minutes to rest…

Kevin’s eyes snapped open. Bolting upright he snapped his head around as the memory of where and why came back to him. How long was he asleep? It was just as bright but the only lights were from the glowing plants anyway. Running a hand around his ribs he found the pain had faded quite a bit already and so careful to not upset it any further got up and headed near the vent. Quickly he swished his hand over the rush of air to find it intensely hot. Looking around he plucked off several plants and a handful of small berries that were growing on the ceiling. They were white and plump, running one between his fingers he found they were not poisonous at least either and so took a bite into one of them. The juice was tart and a bit salty even but not bad. Wrapping a handful in a large leaf Kevin placed them in the small backpack. Food out of the way for now he headed back to the central chamber and this time went down a path leading upwards. The tunnel curled and twisted around and around with only the faint purple and blue glow of various plants lighting the way but soon enough it opened up to another chamber, this one much bigger. Several vents dotted along the way blew the same rush of air up and past the roof but unlike the side chamber this one was much more moist. Every movement felt wet, every breath like standing in a hot shower. Able to stand up now Kevin continued along the way and past the first vent but stopped at the second. Using his stick he poked and prodded at the tough, almost leathery, plants lining the vent. For how much heat was going through here it was quite impressive that the flora had adapted so much. Over to the third vent and then forth he walked with stick prodding everything within reach. At the last vent however he stopped to admire the sight of what seemed to be a huge curtain of deep blue leaves, on long purple vines, fluttering in the wind. Beads of cold dew on them glittering like a dance of gemstones. Quite pretty in an odd way but no, with a shake of his head he reminded himself to not get distracted. Pushing past he froze however. Gently he ran a hand over the leaves before plucking one and sniffing it deeply. Nodding to himself he quickly started to pluck leaf after leaf till half his backpack was full of them.

Past the curtain was another tunnel and down that one he found himself exciting into the wilds once more. It was cooler out here, fresher. After a nice deep breath he pulled himself up. The tree was much closer now but what was more interesting was that the tangle of plants continued around, down, over and up the branches. It was like a… Floral Labyrinth. On the top of these bulbous chambers as well the air whirled and rushed into an updraft. Heading over to what had to have been the last vent from the chambers he found the air current was even stronger here but not as hot. A geyser of warm fruity air that sent pollan and petals alike scattered all over. It gave him an idea. Jogging over to the tree Kevin started circling around it until he found a huge flower growing on the side of it. Plucking off two petals he continued around as he snatched up spare sticks and pulled down vines while crafting them all together. Hopping down of a branch Kevin tied one final knot before walking over to the vent. Giving his construct a good tug to test things he tied each side of it to his wrists and firmly took hold of the wooden spear now acting as a handle.
	“Just wait a bit Lucy, Alex, everybody.” He whispered to himself before taking a step into the updraft. The balloon like kite he had constructed billowed out and launched him upwards at speed. Branches sailed past as small bugs and birds were swatted out of the way. The rush of air deafening and the heights dizzying but all too soon he slowed down more and more till he was just lazily floating by on the breeze. Pulling the kite around via the ties on his wrists he managed to find some control and so headed closer and closer to the nearest branch when suddenly he heard a crack. The petals were too weak! It groaned and creaked till finally it fell apart suddenly and Kevin fell. Missing the branch by an inch he snapped his eyes shut for the long fall ahead but instead came a sharp jerk that almost took his arm off. Gazing upwards he found the wreckage had gotten caught! Not wanting to simply hang around he chewed through the wrist tie on his left hand and started to climb up the tangle of vines on his right. Stopping only to pull the thankfully intact spear from the wreck he carried on and heaved himself up and onto the branch before untying his other wrist. Laying there by the edge he peered over the side to take in how far he had travelled. It was not too bad but then again… He rolled over and looked up at the chaotic web of nature stretching on endlessly ahead of him. Still a long way to go. 

Reaching the main trunk of the tree once more Kevin picked up speed and took a good hop up to a branch several times higher than himself. Stopping for a moment he knelt down to look at what seemed to be a road of mushrooms growing on the side of the tree. Giving it a good poke with his hand he found that they were soft but supporting and so carefully took a step on to them. Heading upwards they made the climb easier than hopping and vine climbing but not quite as fast. The flora around Kevin began to slowly close in as he climbed upwards, leaves often having to be pushed out of the way and less sheer drops as the once vast open area slowly turned into a thick cluster with only open pockets instead. Taking a right at a fungal crossroads he kept marching onwards and upwards. It was quiet now save for the hum of tiny insects but no there was something else. Kevin’s ears turned and twisted as he kept walking. It was a click, a small clack of sorts that was just barely able to be heard. Suddenly the mushroom road got cut off as a huge knot of of wood blocked the way. Ignoring the noise he hopped up onto it and continued down the shrinking path. The floor beneath became spongy and a thick carpet of moss blanketed not only the floor but even the walls and ceiling in places. The once open path now a huge tunnel studded with flowers and curtains of creeping plants. Another click… Kevin began to walk a little quicker. It was dimmer in here with only the occasional glowing plant keeping the lights going but thankfully his eyes could make out shapes at least quite well. He watched as small glowing bugs would flit from one plant to another. In fact, it was always one type of plant to another. Glowing flowers to the non glowing flowers and then back again. Running his hand over one as he passed by he rubbed the pollan between his fingers to find even that carried a faint light to it. His eyes snapped around as he heard another clank in the distance but no sign of what it was. 

At the end of this natural tunnel he stepped out into a roofed clearing. The walls around it was thick and thorny but there was at least a huge window of sorts taking up a good third of the area. A lovely view of a huge open pocket of nothing with a sheer drop being the welcome mat. Gazing down though Kevin could notice that the Cloudsea’s light was starting to wane, night was coming. 
“Night is often more dangerous. It could be too risky to carry on without knowing what is out there…” Kevin spoke to himself. Heading away from the cliff he headed around the clearing to see what was around. Planting his spear into the ground on one end of the clearing he made a pass around collecting materials to make a small shelter, mostly to keep him from being in the open. Sitting under the small cover he looked through his backpack for a few leftover berries. “Leaves, vines, sticks, sap… What I would do for some cloth or metal to build with for once…” He spoke to himself as he lay down and popped a berry into his mouth. The leaves he lay on were oddly not as nice as the ones back at the home stump but it was more the lack of other scents that left him feeling out of place. Curling up in the grass his tailed wrapped around himself longingly.

Come next morning. Kevin pulled at the string of the crude bow he had managed to put together. Not the greatest of things but functional at least. Drawing a thick arrow he pulled it back and took aim at a ledge across from the clearing he stood but could not focus. Shaking the haze from his eyes he tried again. The tethered arrow was sent flying across the gap and into the thick of the underbrush of the nearby ledge, quickly Kevin gave the line a sharp tug to cause the arrow to twist and get stuck. Tightly tying off his end he gave the line a firm tug to test it. Happy with the result he put the bow over his shoulder, took some steps back and began to run, leaping off the ledge at the last moment. Gracefully hooking the line with his stick Kevin slid down to the ledge. With a skid across the mossy grass he ducked into one of the smaller paths and began to jog down it. The tunnels here were barely big enough to stand up in and so staying around could only prove bad if something decided to come the other way. Every crossroads, every twist in the path, Kevin made sure to go with the one curving upwards but even so it was quite the maze. The pollan filled tunnels were like veins running through the forest, warm and thick with flora they hummed with life. Hopping over a stay piece of wood sticking out of the floor Kevin came to a halt as ahead was a tangle of thorny vines stretching across the tunnel. Looking back it would take too long to find another route and so carefully he used his stick to push one of the way as he carefully stepped over it. Sharp and sprawling but not impassable with the use of his tools. Ducking under another he carefully stepped and weaved his way through the tangle of bladed plants till the exit was finally in sight. Another click rang out… A shudder ran through Kevin but he did not stop to check where the noise was coming from. Ducking low and bending around he made it through the tangle without a scratch. Looking through the thorny obstacle he waited for another click but it did not come. 

At the end of the tunnel it opened up into a much more familiar looking part of the forest, the middle Lush ground. Not as open as the Breach or as simple as the Arbor it made the majority of the forest. Dozens of layers all stacked together with some being tight and dense while others were sprawling and vacant. This connecting layer rolled on in all directions like lumpy grasslands while every so often a twisted tree, more like an obelisk of wood with stubby branches, protruded out of the ground. Tall and dark it stood imposing and left Kevin with a curious but uneasy feeling. Finding that the main trunk of the tree once more in view he headed off towards it. Careful to keep an eye out for any dangers along the way he headed up one of the grassy slopes and across the verge. The warm wind blew past gently, a sweet scent carrying with it, something so very familiar...
	“Lucy?” Kevin spoke out loud as he stopped in his tracks. He tasted the air trying to find more of the scent but it was already gone. “Lucy!” He shouted across the grasslands but nothing replied. Taking a step to continue he suddenly dropped low to the grass as he picked up something move slightly in the corner of his eye. It was… something. A small fuzzy body of a creature standing on two comically long legs. It was not alone in fact as several more in a loose group stood around unmoving. They looked harmless enough and the scent was not anything like the other dangerous creatures had but it was always good to be cautious. Crawling a bit closer over the small hill he could make out that the fluffy body was in fact… very fluff, enough that he could not tell where the head or anything else was. Since they did not seem to be moving and the legs did seem to aid eating rather than hunting Kevin decided to ignore them. Getting up but staying low he headed through the grass towards the tree once more. Reaching the tall spire filled him with a sense of safety. It gave him a wall to lean on and a direction of safety that he did not have to worry about after all. Unfortunately there was no easy path upwards from here and so with a hop upwards he took hold of the rough craggy bark and began to climb.

It was hard work pulling himself upwards however the same springy leg muscles which could survive falls and leap distances had pretty great stamina, his arms however did not. Kevin could feel the sweat running down his tail as he finally pulled himself up to a ledge before collapsing to catch his breath. He ran a hand over the platform as he rested, curious to why so many of the branches had these handy little outcroppings. The answer seemed simple, it was a growth of ancient mushrooms that got covered in little green debris and so eventually became a much stronger floor.
	“That would explain those mushroom roads as well…” Kevin whispered to himself all but delighted at his findings. Taking a few breaths he then took a strong hop up to the next ledge and the next one after that. Arriving at a branch of sorts Kevin stood and looked out and the huge unique growth in front of him. In between two branches a giant natural netting had grown between them and on that netting that ever present moss grass had turned it into a hanging garden! Even from here he could see the fruit bushes and small puddles. With a running start he crossed the gap and started to jog happily down to find his choice of food. Tangy fruit, sour little berries or spicy vegetables were all here from what he could pick up in the air.  Sitting himself down between a few of the bushes he plucked off what he wanted as his leisure and ate his fill happily, while pocketing a few more for the road. Giving out a satisfied yawn Kevin lay back and looked upwards at the forest above him. “I hope they are alright.” He spoke out loud. His eyes felt heavy already, food and comfort would do that after all. Any chance at getting rest could be a good option. The floor beneath him shifted a little, a wobble, perhaps from the wind blowing over the little island. Scratching his belly he left his hand there and stretched out. His pain had long since faded at least although there was a slight twinge from having to sleep on the floor so much. Another wobble went past acting almost like a hammock now as it nudged him to rest. “I wonder how old these trees are. I wish my hands told me more…” He spoke to himself as his eyes closed and another small shake of the hanging garden went by. “Pity they do not work on animals as well.” His spare hand moved over the ground, feeling the grass as it went. “But at least my nose works…” He whispered before bolting upright and rolling forward just as a giant stinger narrowly missed him. A swipe from his spear landed hard but did little damage outside of a small crack in the long appendage. 

He ran as quickly as he could across the little island as the stinger was pulled free and the entire platform once more wobbled. He sniffed the air, tasting it, seeing the area around him the best he could. The creature was twice as big as himself but quite slow in how it moved, based on the stinger and method of attack Kevin could only say it was an ambush predator of sorts. With the first strike failed it now had to flail about trying to give chase, which meant he had the advantage. Reaching the end of the hanging gardens he leapt across the gap and hopped upwards onto the side of the tree. With haste he climbed to get some distance from the creature but once he reached the next platform he looked down to find nothing after him. Kevin let out a sigh of relief. Fatigue now ruined he continued to head a bit more upwards till he reached a leafy growth that grew around the trunk and above it another layer of the forest. With a bit of pulling and gnawing he made a hole and climbed inside to find it quite hollow, nothing more than an overgrown bush. It was dark, cool and reminded him of home. Placing his backpack down he kept a hold of his spear and curled up near the trunk. It was quiet. Peaceful. Save for one last click just before he fell asleep.

It was early. At least, he thought it was. Certainly felt early at least to Kevin but he also felt quite rough at the same time. A sort of odd, unplaceable feeling that he had not felt before. His head was light, eyes sore. It was almost like being tired despite being wide awake. It was a struggle to even force himself to move but slowly, surely, he grabbed his backpack and got to work. Using the spear he poked a hole in the rough as much as he could before chewing his way through the rest. Popping his head out of the hole he gave a cautious look around before pulling himself free. Pulling a fruit out of his bag from yesterday he gave it a bite as he looked around. This forest was truly endless. It had been a few days of climbing upwards on one tree and yet he still had a ways to go, to travel from one end of the forest to the other could take… such a long time. His eyes squinted as he looked far upwards, he caught a glimpse of something familiar. The Leaking Willow. There was an area to cross to it from here and from there it would not be difficult to get back to home! With a vigorous jump he got up to a winding branch and started to run along it. The dry and soft grasslands of the common Greenbark trees began to shift the closer he got to the Leaking Willow. The sound and scent of little drips raining down from above became a welcome change and the once grassy bark became thick and lush. Deep into the area now Kevin stopped to get a drink from the many lovely pools and catch his breath before continuing on. With enough running and climbing he hoped that he could make it back to the home stump before the days end. 

Stopping only for the occasional drink of water or to snatch up something to eat he made good progress moving through this soaked side of the forest. There was more growth here but also better spaced out allowed for easy travel. The branches sloped and twisted around each other, the vines long and knotted. Even the ledge like protrusions were more common. It all gave him a sense of scale to the rest of the forest, that despite the danger they were also lucky to be this close to such an area. With a few more tired hops upwards Kevin found a spot under some smaller fruit trees that were not yet in bloom. Peering upwards he knew that he was just a bit further down than where the fruit grove was, once he got there it would only be a short climb to home. He blinked and looked around, it was getting darker. The abundance of glowing plants helped to offset this but by any means it was still night. He fell onto his back and stretched out. One more night then he would be home, just one more night till they were safe again. 
As his eyes pried themselves open he yawned and took in the cool feeling of the shade, the refreshing open wind. The blossoming flowers all around him and the sweet smells that covered him. It was quite nice, looking around he found it was daylight. Quite strong in fact. Sitting up sharply he rubbed his eyes and grabbed his spear, did he oversleep… Clocks, another thing to work on.

Hopping upwards Kevin ran past the fruit grove with purpose. Finding that familiar path once more he began the climb upwards. The air was cooler up here. Compared to the sweaty heat of the Breach below in fact it was lovely and crisp… and yet still the same hot, moist, air that covered the Nerrow. Running up through the tunnel that connected the Arbor to the Leaking Willow he once more could see home in the distance, that silly broken stump now looking as welcoming as a palace. Climbing up the side of the Leaking Willow he reached the upper tunnels. Kevin stood and felt his whole body relax and unwind as dozens of scents came back to him. Lucy, Alex, the Tally Makers. So many. It put him at ease. Heading down the long tunnel he came to a dead end however, there was a big rock of sorts at the entrance. Raising his stick he smacked it loudly on the rock.
	“Anyone in there?” He shouted loudly as well before giving it another smack. Keen ears heard something move, a shuffle, a few whispers. Slowly the rock was pulled away to reveal Alex standing with a fine looking spear raised ready. Her ears dropped, tired bloodshot eyes nearly tearing up as she dropped the spear and ran forward to wrap her arms around Kevin. Nuzzling into his fur he saw Lucy poke her head out from around the rock, her face broke into a smile and like Alex she ran forward to embrace the pair. The two of them stood doing little than crying and hugging him.
	“Kevin not fade? You are really here?” Lucy was the first to ask quietly. He nodded and reached around as much as he could to give her a pat. 
	“I am here. It would take more than that to get me to leave you girls.” Kevin replied back as he enjoyed the embrace for the first time in days, it was so warm and soft. So very comforting. He never realized just how much his body loved to be touched by another, that feeling of fur on fur was just perfect. “How are the other dealing?” Kevin asked.
	“Tired, sad but bigger issue we have. A traveller found us, wants us to leave and go live with his own Fluffle.” Lucy explained as she let him go.
	“A traveller? Is a Fluffle a type of… Harem or?” Kevin asked as he walked inside with Alex still clinging to him like her life depended on it.
	“No, Fluffle is many Tiban…” Lucy replied again but was cut off as Alex collapsed. Kevin was quick to catch her and gave a look to Lucy. “She won’t sleep.” Lucy replied simply. Kevin ran his hand over Alex’s head. Carefully he picked her up in his arms and head across the mines and down to the bedrooms. Going inside his own personal section he placed her down on the bed and gave her a small kiss on her forehead. Picking up the knife that had been placed in his nook he quietly left.

Knife in one hand, spear in the other. He headed downstairs hungry from the long trip but found not the scent of welcoming food, instead he found a new scent here that he had not tasted before. A black Tiban with gold streaks sat being serviced orally by a female as he spoke loudly of a far off land where everything was much nicer. Food ran free, water as clear as crystal. A place of safety and of comfort. Kevin snorted mockingly.
	“When did he arrive?” He asked to Lucy who watched with displeased eyes.
	“Yesterday night, said heard a loud crash in the area and found us.” 
	“Hm.” Kevin replied simply. Leaning on on the stick he headed through the crowd which, as they turned and saw him, only sat frozen. Eyes wide, some let small gasps out while others just fainted. The preaching Tiban took notice of this and pointed his long curled staff at Kevin.
	“You! Has reaction to others. Who!?” He asked flamboyantly and loudly. Kevin did not answer. He instead walked past without so much as a glance. The large crowd watched as he headed over and ducked down into the lower tunnels before quickly getting up and following him, even the Preacher’s female came running. Down in the broken basement where Kevin had once fell he headed to the right of the tunnel exit and placed his spear against the wall. The crowd pooled in and took there places as they watched transfixed. Kevin ran a hand over the wall and lowered his head. Drawing his knife he turned to Lucy.
	“Names, gender.” He stated. Her brows furrowed in thought. “Names. Genders.” He repeated with his head low. Her eyes went wide and her hand covered her mouth.
	“Molly, female. Hemlock, male. Catty, male.” She began to list as Kevin scratched each name and gender deep into the wood, each one in a neat row, given as much space as the name needed. The gender underneath. “Saffron, female. Jul, female.” The names continued till he had scored each one into the wood. He took a step back and holstered his blade. Head low his tail curled around his legs and there he stood quietly. The others watching in the crowd started to do the same, head down, tail curled around themselves. Not a sound, not a movement, each of them understanding the meaning. The preacher stood by the tunnel watching as well in disbelief, Kevin had managed to convince every single of them to join him without a single word. 

Kevin uncurled his tail and brought his head up, the others slowly taking note and doing the same. He stood silently watching the crowd. So many tired faces, so many looking longingly at him.
	“If you want to follow that Buck then do so. I will not stop you.” Kevin eventually spoke as he turned his head away. “We are in a very bad place here and it will take time to grow, it would be very hard work, long hours every day. I can not promise anything. So, those who wish to go may do so.” 
	“Yes! Kevin smart. Why work when can play! All be safe.” The Preacher spoke up just as loudly as he stepped forward and swung his staff around. The crowd looked from him and then back to Kevin. A girl started to shake her head and then another joined in, another and another. Not a single nod. They all turned to face Kevin.
	“Found us food. Saved us already, Kevin good leader.” A female at the front said to him, the others cheering out agreements and whispers as they nodded. Not quite the reaction he was expecting Kevins eyes finally looked towards the Preacher. He headed through the crowd, the Tiban each making sure to move before he bumped into them. 
	“We need to talk.” He spoke simply as he headed past and headed into the tunnel. Back up to the living room Kevin sat down next to the fine and took his backpack off. He raised a hand and waved over to the reguler cook who came running over quickly. “Now. Tell me, where did you come from and what do you know.” He asked as the Preacher sat down sprawled out on the opposite seat. 
	“I know much! My Fluffle is safe, warm, kind. It is far but worth the travel!” He spoke proudly.
	“I see, sounds interesting. Are there other Fluffles around the place? One so smart as you surely know which would be, say, the closest to us?” Kevin asked with a smirk.
	“Fluffles all over. None as good as mine! Nearest? Ha I know many. Nearest is that way!” The preacher boasted as he pointed to his left. He perked up as he caught sight of the female before and even gave her an inviting wave but she looked away and disappeared into the crowd.
“Tell me oh great, smart one. How do you keep your Tiban from becoming pregnant from all the vast and very nessessory mating you must have?” Kevin asked as the cook handed him a bowl of food. 
“We pair right, we mate in hot water. Eggs rare.” He spoke with a confident look. Kevin nodded to him understandably. Pointing out a bowl of water to the cook he gave her a nod as she placed it on the fire with questioning glances.
“See, that the difference. You are comfy so you don’t want to improve, something that Tiban seem to naturally follow but I am a little different.” Kevin spoke with a grin as he brought out a handful of blue herbs starting to dry out in his bag, running them over his hand he plucked just a pinch from one and put it into the boiling water. Giving it a stir with a spoon he carefully picked up the bowl and turned his head around to the crowd, his eyes moving from one to another till he found a certain face in the back. He waved to her and she came forward, the doe who had so lovingly been showing the Preacher her support. Kevin handed her the bowl and gave her a nod. “Where you sit in comfort, I seek to improve. Take this herb for example, rare I think and grows in select spots indeed.” He spoke slowly, as if explaining something. “A pinch of it however once dried and mixed into hot water prevents pregnancy for a month.” The crowd went dead silent, the Preacher sat slack jawed. “Go play nice, I am sure there are many guys who need cheering up.” He spoke to the girl who stood barely able to hold the empty bowl from shock. Her tail swung around and smacked the floor in excitement and with a toss of the bowl back to the cook ran head first into the crowd.
“We work together! Kevin could be huge. Smart Tiban, many girls for you yes?” The Preacher spoke but Kevin just shook his head.
“No. I am going to stay here and invent things that you could not even dream of. You can return to your little ‘paradise’ and tell your Fluffle that they don’t have anything I will not soon have myself.” Kevin’s words rang strong and echoed around the hall. The once proud Preacher sat with ears dropped but as if stubborn stood up straight and throwing his cloak over himself headed towards the exit tunnel. “Is Persil around?” Kevin shouted. A little chirp rang out as the crowd shifted to let her past. Kevin reached over and dropped all the blue herbs he had with her. “A pinch in a bowl of boiling water, stirred so no bits remain and given only to females once. Take note with the other Tally Markers on who got what today or tomorrow.” He instructed. 
“W-wait, I… this too much. I don’t…” Percil began to freak out but Kevin placed a hand on her shoulder and looked into her eyes with an understanding smile.
“You are our Tally of Herbs right? Have confidence, stand up tall.” He spoke as he gave her a pat on the head. “Lucy? Grab me some food and meet me in bed. I want to sleep.” He shouted as he grabbed his makeshift backpack and headed to the bedroom tunnels with staggered steps. He was going to need the rest.