Matelda’s face became grim as Kaehl finished his story. Those spiders had nested underground and numbered at least in the thousands from what Kaehl told. If they were to somewhat emerge from their nest the entire team would be in trouble, she wouldn’t be able to save them all. They couldn’t continue camping here, they had to cut their exploration short.

  Eric saw the look on her face and understood what she was thinking. “Am sure team would love to see and experience the new culture of the natives here.” Eric spoke gesturing at Kaehl.

  “That’s right, you saw how they acted when they seeing Kaehl.” Kevin supported him.

  Looking at the two of them, Matelda considered their words before nodding, they will escort Kaehl and visit this Muelug Kingdom.

  “So do you know the location of your home?” She addressed Kaehl.

  Kaehl raised his hand pointing behind her. “You can see it from here.”

  Listening to the statement the three humans froze. The direction he was pointing was at the storm a hundred and fifty kilometers away.

  “The storm!?” Eric and Kevin exclaimed in surprise.

  Kaehl bumped two fists from his upper arms.

  “…?” Eric turned to look at Kevin.

  Kevin took a moment to figure out why Eric glanced at him, “Oh that means yes.” He hurriedly said.

  …

  The team packed the tents and equipment they had set back into the vehicles. Though their time here had been brief, the researchers had wide grins on their faces. They got the opportunity of a lifetime, to bear witness to an alien civilization.

  The worlds beyond the rifts were varied, some indeed had intelligent life, perhaps even more intelligent than them. However none of these beings had been classified as people, they were either to animalistic and hostile, ethereal or simply incomprehensible. They could already imagine the faces of the ones who stayed back in the base when they find out the opportunity they missed.

  Within minutes they convoy was ready and they set off towards the distant storm. Kaehl sat quietly in his seat with his eyes filled with awe. The tools these humans had shocked him countless times, breaking his understanding of the world. What was basically magic, healing elixirs that could heal seemingly instantly and now exquisite and complicated carriages that moved without being towed by beasts. And what a speed, it was even faster than their fastest travel beasts.

  After an hour of travel, the vehicles came to a stop a few meters away from the edge of the storm. The team alighted from the vehicles and a collective gasp could be heard as they took in the sight in front of them. Being this close, the sheer size and overwhelming grandeur of the storm could be fully felt and honestly it felt suffocating terrifying. The scientists inadvertently holding their breath, a tingling sensation sweeping over the group.

  A towering pillar of darkness extending from the earth to the heavens and stretching so far that its size couldn’t be fully grasped. The air trembled under its presence, heavily charged with static electricity. Flashes of lightning frequently occurred deep within the dark clouds accompanied by rumbles of thunder. The electrical pulses gripping their hearts.

  The stormy clouds surged and churned, as if something immense was trying to emerge from deep within the darkness. However, despite its chaotic movements the storm never spread past a certain point, truly bizarre.

  Shabari, the reporter tried to take a photo of the magical storm but found his camera to completely not work.

  "What the…?" He frowned, checking his interface. Nothing. His device had been completely disabled.

  One by one, the others realized their electronics had also stopped working, the storm had disabled them.

  “I can’t sense anything beyond the clouds,” Taia said grimly, her tattoos turning a brighter shade of blue, “they are interfering with my senses.”

  “Don’t stress yourself.” Matelda said, “Just stay vigilant.”

  Turning to Kaehl, “So how do you get past the clouds?”

  Kaehl stepped forward, he raised his hand and when it came in contact with the clouds, the clouds shifted and parted forming a passage through the storm.

  The scientist stared in disbelief as this scene, ‘So there is things they don’t know off.’ Kaehl thought looking at their faces.

  “Wow, how did you do that?” “Is it mystic” “Is the cloud sentient?” “Perhaps it’s some symbiotic relationship, like clown fishes and sea anemones.” The scientists begun going crazy trying to make sense of what had just occurred.

  “Follow closely,” Kaehl spoke walking into the passage that had opened up, “and try not to touch the clouds it’s dangerous.”

  Matelda turned to Eric and signaled for him to pack the vehicles before leading the team inside. The team formed three neat lines following behind Kaehl walking the dark passage.

  “What happens when we touch the clouds?” asked a researcher.

  As if in answer, the group stumbled upon a gruesome sight. A beast lay lifeless on the pat, its massive form twisted in unnatural agony. Vivid blue blood seeped from its eyes, ears, mouth, and nose, pooling beneath its stiffened body.

  “That will happen.” Kaehl said pointing to the dead beast.

  The group shuddered in horror, an uneasy silence settling over them. Some even instinctively pressing closer to the center as far from the foggy passage walls as possible.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Soon they emerged from the passage only to be met with an astonishing sight. Beyond the stormy clouds lay a vast land bathed in golden sunlight. The azure sky clear and the whole perimeter surrounded by fluffy looking white clouds tinged with a golden hue. It looked like a paradise land carved directly from cloudy heavens.

  One moment, they were in cold electric air and now, warmth bathed their skin.

  The land consisted of a towering land at the center surrounded by rolling plains. Large tracks of crop fields covered the plains, painting them in shades of purple. Clean paved roads wove through the fields leading to various settlements of wooden houses. On the distant mountain one could make out a busy looking city bustling with life. It had been built on a relatively flat side on the mountain slope.

  Seeing this scene, Shabari instinctively reached for his camera.

  “Ha, it’s working again.” He happily said as he snapped pictures of the landscape ahead.

  “Adinbahgnoey-nawh Muelug gu-gnaw.” Kaehl said. “Welcome to Muelug Kingdom.” Extending his four arms outwards.

  “Ahh!” a sudden scream sounded alerting the warriors who immediately drew out their weapons scanning for an unseen threat. But there was no attack.

  It was Taia who had collapsed, luckily her fall interrupted when Kevin caught her. One moment she was dazzled by the scene and the next her expression contorted and she fainted. Matelda beckoned for Dr. Green to check on her.

  "Give her space!" the doctor ordered as he knelt beside her.

  He quickly pressed two fingers to her neck, checking her pulse. “It’s weak but stable.” Her breathing was rapid, as if she had just run a great distance. He lifted one of her eyelids, only to see her pupils sluggish to react.

  “Could it be the fog?” one of the researchers asked, glancing back nervously at the passage they had just crossed, right now it was gradually vanishing under curling white mist.

  The doctor pressed two fingers against Taia’s temple, noticing the faint twitch in her brows. "This looks like mental overload. I suspect her abilities drained her." He said as he pointed to her tattoos that had gone from being blue to grey.

  “She’ll just need is plenty of rest,” he assured them. “But I’ll run a detailed checkup just in case.”

  The warriors relaxed slightly, though unease still lingered.

  At this moment a group of guards had gathered and were vigilantly watching the group. They had drawn their weapons ready to attack and defend their land if necessary. Seeing Kaehl among the group a slight surprise flashed in their eyes however they still stayed vigilant.

  Kaehl stepped forward to explain their situation to the leader of the guards. As they spoke the guards occasionally glanced at the group especially at Eric and Kevin.

  Kaehl returned to the group and informing the team what they had discussed. One of the guards was going to notify the king about them after which they will be able to meet.

  Kaehl and the rest of the guards led the group deeper into the kingdom. As they passed through the settlement, Ingans emerged from their homes, while others paused their work in the fields, their curious gazes fixed on the strange visitors. The expedition members, in turn, marveled at the sight before them. Strange stout, muscular beasts plowed the fields with effortless ease, narrow canals crisscrossed the land channeling water to the plantations and in the distance, groups of Ingans herded strange, horned creatures.

  The team were led to an open space surrounded by lush lavender trees swaying gently under the light breeze. The whole area had this sweet pleasant fragrance of flowers lingered through the air. Soon the guards brought them benches for them to sit and relax before leaving to return to their posts. ‘So thoughtful’

  “Am afraid I must leave you for now as I have some business to attend to.” Kaehl said as he clasped his four hands towards Matelda. Matelda nodded and with that he turned and departed the crowd at the entrance making way for him.

  Eric pulled a shrunken vehicle from his bag. Enlarging it on the ground. He then unpacked some of the supplies quickly setting up a tent. Kevin carried Taia over into the tent followed closely by the physician.

  A hushed murmur ran through the crowd of Ingans gathered at the compound’s entrance. They had been curiously observing the foreign people who had entered their land and were surprised by the tiny object expanding to become so much bigger. Then, I a blur of movement, five short Ingans, apparently kids, broke past the crowd and rushed towards Eric. The much older Ingans at the entrance made a fuss but still watched nervously, none daring to enter the area.

  “Oe-sseah loegueg eghoettoe?” “Oe-ssi luj oeyhcuelag loegueg etnahan?” “Akinnbiasnoehc nue-nisgnad?” “A-jamoe-lued eghoettoe e-gnabag iuoen i-bij keun geu?”“Oe-ssi eidoe nue-lap nuelad iuoen?”

  Eric blinkeed at the children who were clamoring around him, Kevin wasn’t near him so he couldn’t understand a word they said. They raised their fists beckoning for him to bump them, their faces glowing with smiles afterwards. Seeing their pure eyes and joy Eric thought of something.

  He picked up a five stones from the ground and in the astonished gazes of the children the stones shifted to form small statues of themselves. Gasps of awe rippled through the young Ingans, their golden eyes shimmering with delight. Handing the statues to the children, their faces beamed with joy their eyes practically forming stars as they raised their statues high in the air.

  Suddenly, a sharp sound rang through the air. “Rhee!”

  The children stiffened and turned toward the entrance, where an older Ingan stood, arms folded, her expression stern. The crowd had parted around staying clear from her ire. Perhaps she was their parent or maybe a guardian. The children ran to her, speaking quickly, showing her the small stone figures. The more they spoke the more her gaze softened. She picked a given statue examined how exquisite it was made. She walked towards Eric, coming before him, she clasped her hands together. Eric nodded and copied her.

  The children happily ran back into the compound to play with Eric. The expedition team seemingly heaved a sigh of relief seeing everything was okay.

  …

  A few minutes later Kevin emerged from the tent and was immediately dumbfounded. The whole compound packed with people. Eric had set a whole playground, see-saws, swings and slides, at the center. Eric himself was going down a slide followed by several Ingan children and even some teenagers. ‘This isn’t something I thought I would ever see.’ He thought as he discreetly took a picture of Eric. The rest of the crew was watching at the sides, some of the scientists were even trying to establish a way to communicate with the locals.

  Shaking his head, he rushed to join in on the fun. As he interacted with the Ingans they seemed surprise to find one of the visitors able to speak their language. Kevin opened his interface taking pictures of the happy people intriguing them, they had never seen such sorcery.

  The children started circling around Eric and Kevin jumping with joy as they chanted their names. One of the children from earlier, Rhee was her name, approached Eric with a wreath of flowers, Eric crouched so that she could place the wreath on his head. Eric clasped his hands and seeing this her face lit up with a smile.

  “Wow, I’ve been away for a few minutes and you’ve already formed bonds.” Kevin came nudged Eric with his elbow, “I didn’t even know you were this popular with kids.”

  Hahaha – Eric wryly laughed.

  “Well, if we are going to stay here we need to lessen the tension.” Eric said as he dusted himself. “How’s Taia?”

  “The doc said that she’s fine, she will wake up in approximately thirty hours, but that’s just an approximate.” Kevin said.

  At this moment the clamor in the compound quietened down as a group of solders dressed in leather armor and a metal chest plate, walked into the open space. They were escorting a royal messenger clad in a bright orange robe with the kingdoms insignia at the chest. Leaving the soldiers behind, he stepped forward clearing his throat.

  “Oyesahgnoeynna…” “Hello” – the messenger was caught off guard by Kevin translating his speech.

  “Don’t mind me, just continue your speech” Kevin gave him a sunny smile waving his hand in dismissal.

  The messenger coughed dryly, starting again, “Hello, people from afar. His majesty, King Ruh’Vir ruler of Muelug has granted you audience within the royal halls. The king has recognized your arrival and welcomes you to the kingdom in the clouds.” As he finished his speech he extended his arms wide outwards in welcome.