I am standing at the entrance waiting for Ki u as instructed. After waiting a few minutes he shows up with 6 other gorillaz who are surprisingly almost as large as Ki u.

“So this is the human we’ve heard so much about from our ancestors?”

“Indeed, who knew they were so tiny.”

“Enough! Ki u chose us because we are his faithful jungle brothers.”

Ki u came through the vined entrance.

“My brothers!! Today as you all know, I have chosen you to go on a quest to fill great elder Jabula’s request.”

As he pauses to go forward to where I am. Ki u faces back to his jungle brothers.

“If you have any complaints to say now is the time.” Staring at them waiting for their responses.

Bowing down to him while kneeling they all exclaimed, “No complaints needed. A jungle brother in need of his jungle brothers is the oath we swore to follow since the day we made them!!”

Making gorilla noises Ki u pounds his chest. As did his jungle brothers after Ki u finished. I had to close my ears, as their howling were louder than Kiau’s and he's only a child for his size.

“Then let us go, today we hunt.” Grabbing me he jumps down from the huge tree.

Once he came crashing down, he put all of his weight into the ground getting up. Looking in every direction he sniffs for a scent of danger.

Putting me on his back he immediately sprints on all fours into the leafy forest. His jungle brothers can be heard crashing down, in the following pursuit with Ki u.

At a certain point I saw a cliff, I thought Ki u was crazy at first but realized that in the foggy distance there were vines. Ki u grabs hold onto them, swinging from left to right.

When there were no more vines ki u went back on all fours. Sounds of other animals could be heard, as if they were watching us.

“Pay no mind to them human.” I keep my eyes straight. I can hear in the distance his jungle brothers roaring at the animals. As they flee the apes continue their pursuit again.

As Ki u began pausing for his jungle brothers to catch up. I could see a river up ahead, that seemed to be leading to a waterfall.

Once they were near Ki u made sure they all gave their breath a rest, as I can hear panting from their noses.

“We are almost near the rock lizard territory, I suggest we take the left path for more spacing.”

Ki u waited for their opinion,

“I think we should bring some trees with us, so they don’t throw any of their scales at us.”

Ki u nodded and he immediately went to grab a few trees making a sort of shield like defense covering them with mud, ingenious to do in my opinion, but remarkable when I saw how sturdy it was.

“Ki u I will hide in the tall grass, to ambush them once they leave the water.”

He goes and masks himself into the tall grass.

“I shall make sharp branches to poke the lizard men while they are hiding in the water.”

After a few minutes all were prepared.

Ki u did not say anything, nor did he do anything, maybe he was looking out? The trust they all give to each other sounded awe inspiring, just seeing the teamwork they all put in for the group. It's something I wish to strive for.

The one who made the trees into a shield raised it high enough where it covered everyone. I’m amazed with the sheer strength he has to lift such a wide shield made with a bunch of trees stuck together.

As we delved deeper into the river, it started transitioning to a rocky shore.

Obviously the rock lizards were present. Looking close enough to the shallow end. You can tell they are there in the shadows of the deep end.

A few minutes had passed and still no movement from the rock lizards. You can see their heads pop out, but disappear as soon as I made eye contact with them.

Approaching to a loud waterfall Ki u began to charge up leaping into the air. His jump was incredibly huge, able to reach the top of the rocks he gripped the boulder with ease. Allowing him to pull himself upwards.

Making a quick stop Ki u waited for his fellow jungle brothers.

“...human…something is not right..feels odd…” he grunts

Pointing down at the waterfall where the rock lizards are.

Coming from a ledge was one of Ki u’s jungle brothers. “Ki u did you feel that?”

“Yes…” looking at the distance when he heard the birds flicked away.

Appearing from the tall trees.

“Ki u!!!” another of his jungle brothers came from the bottom.

“The Rock Lizards, they aren't reacting to us as usual.”

Hearing the moving bush one of the jungle brothers instantly moved to the direction of the escaping creature.

“Hiiiii~” he screamed as his body was gripped from movement.

“Please!! I am harmless, let me go!” it squirmed trying to escape.

“Uh...Ki u look at this, it's a hatch-ling.” a scaleless lizard was shown to Ki u. As well as giving me a better view.

Ki u came close to the hatchling and examined.

“Hoh...speak, why are your people refraining from attacking us.”

“...also...since when can lizard people speak, this is a first.”

“We-well, to answer your question w-we have st-started to become more se-self awa-ware of our sur-surroundings.” they were trembling hard, in fear and panic.

Ki u looked at this lizard chick in disbelief.

“I-its the truth I swear...!” their soul was obviously fading from its body as it kept getting pressured.

“Hmm...whatever, Tambu let it go.” he did as Ki u ordered.

The child ran away as lightning fast as possible.

“Wuahhh~! Grandfather, the apes are here!”

“Hey!” Tambu was about to give chase to the scared lizard child.

“Tambu, leave it be, if they really said they are more self aware just as us then we will apologize when we get back.”

Bushes started to rustle even more, instead of the child coming back it was a humongous lizard bristling the trees. Ki u and Tambu looked at the figure, as soon as they saw the shadow of the creature. The other two jungle brothers just stood silently, waiting for Ki u to order them.

“Wo~hoo~!!” I kept screaming in amazement.

“Hehe, apologies for coming in unannounced.” it begins to stand up on all fours. Surprisingly it was incredibly beefy. Almost like Ki u.

“Li ur, come back fool! Very rude to meet with our old enemies.” turning its long slender neck behind him back to us.

“Unless, you all have had a change of heart?” looking at us with puppy eyes.

“Well, it's all in the past... may you grant us safe passage while in your territory?” Ki u bowed with respect to the huge lizard.

“Ohoho.” it chuckled.

“Of course, of course. We have been in favor of putting our old past with you apes, the moment we became self aware. If it's alright with you all, as thanks, here are some fishes. As a good token of our new friendship.”

“We appreciate the offer, but I may have to refuse as we will need to travel.”

“Ah, ok…” taking back the plentiful fish he offered.

“Well anytime you guys want some fish feel free to come visit.”

“I will tell our people that, I am sure of it.” Ki u turns around back to our journey.

“Apes, before you go…” Ki u came back to listen to the child lizard Li ur

“What is it?”

“Be careful out there, not all of the creatures have attained heightened awareness just as us yet…”

“...” a silence from both parties' words of exchangement.

“Thank you for your kindness.”

Slowly charging up, Ki u dashes with great speed. As did his jungle brothers continue along.

Today was slightly interesting...I think I was completely ignored just now, makes sense why I felt excluded from the conversation.

“Hey grandpa, what was that small ape doing on the big one's shoulders?”

“I think it's a different species of ape, let me see if i can recall…”

“I actually don't know what it was…?” thoughts of a chimpanzee came to his mind.

“Well I am sure they have their own reasons for tagging along with each other Li ur.” They dive back into the pond of the waterfall.”

Chapter 5 End