Asukem was under the chieftain's care while Leo and Grant embarked on their journey to the canyons. The atmosphere grew distant and quiet, with an uncomfortable silence settling in. Leo chose to keep his distance while Grant casually walked behind him. It was evident that Leo harbored doubts about Grant and his companions.

After a long journey, they eventually reached the canyons and started their search for the herb. Unfortunately, their efforts were in vain as they couldn't locate it. Leo glanced at Grant with a puzzled expression and questioned, "Hey, why is that guy so important to you?" Still focused on finding the herb, Grant replied, "You mean Asukem?" Leo locked eyes with Grant and clarified, "Yeah, the one on his deathbed." Grant carried on searching while explaining, "Well, he saved my entire village from a brutal massacre."

 Leo arched an eyebrow in response to Grant's words, exclaiming, "That puny wolf actually assisted you and your village?" Continuing to look for the herb, Grant nods and confirms, "Yes, he did." Leo's face twisted into a smug grin as he retorted, still skeptical, "I bet he just barked at them."

Grant finally found the herbs and gently pulled them out of the ground. "You can say what you want about him, but I saw firsthand what he did for me and my village," Grant said. Leo observed Grant removing the herbs and remarked, "Looks like you found it. Time to move on."

Once, Leo heard, in a Southern accent, "Why in tarnation are we here, Pa?" Another voice answered, in the same accent but much older: "Hush up, Cooter. Them critters done caught wind of somethin."

Leo yanked Grant by the arm and swiftly moved him out of sight from the crowd. Leo spotted a young guy and an older gentleman as he glanced around. Both of them had that unmistakable hillbilly appearance, accompanied by a pair of eerie hounds. Leo's eyes narrowed, filled with fury, and he snarled, "Damn poachers!"

Leo positioned himself as if he were ready to charge out and launch an attack, but Grant swiftly pulled him back, exclaiming, "Woah, Hold on there!" Leo spun around, seething angrily, and confronted Grant with a menacing growl, "Don't you dare get in my way, human!" Grant extended his hands in a calming gesture and attempted to pacify Leo, reasoning, "Think about it, if you go after them and don't succeed, you'll deliver them straight into the hands of your people."

Leo gives Grant a fierce look and snarls, "So what's your plan? Just leave them be and hope for the best while they search for my people?" Grant clarifies his intentions, "No, let's go back and warn your people. They must prepare for this or find a safe place to retreat." Leo grumbles in frustration, acknowledging that Grant is making sense. "Alright then." With that, Leo and Grant stealthily take the herbs and return to the Tribal folk's village.

Gimp and Kittienia embarked on a different journey. While making their way to the nearby forests, they engaged in a lively discussion about Asukem and her panther companion, Nightclaw. Once they reached the forest, their main objective was to find mushrooms, mold, and honey. They swiftly discovered the mushrooms and mold, but the honey proved elusive. Despite searching diligently in every tree, their efforts were in vain as they couldn't find a trace of it.

Gimp flew up into the air within the forest to find honey. Suddenly, voices with a Southern accent were heard. "Why in tarnation are we puttin' our trust in that there thing, Bucko? What in the world was Pa thinkin'?" one voice asked. Another voice replied, "Hush up now, Jay-bo, don't ya go doubting Pa, ya hear?"

Gimp swiftly swooped down to Kittienia, perching on her shoulder. Kittienia was still on the lookout for honey. Gimp suggested, "I heard voices nearby. Maybe we can ask them?" Kittienia's face immediately shifted to a look of terror as she firmly replied, "No!"

Gimp immediately noticed the fear in her eyes and on her face, so he inquired, "What's the matter?" Kittienia, with a concerned expression, asked, "Did you spot them? How did they sound?" Gimp, starting to feel a bit anxious, replied, "No, I didn't see them, but their sounds were quite peculiar now that I think about it." As Kittienia explained, her fear became more evident, "Those humans are dangerous. If they see us, they will kill us, Gimp. They are poachers!" she concluded, her tone serious.

Gimp's expression is troubled as he questions, "So, we should stay hidden, right?" Kittienia shakes her head with a concerned look on her face, glancing back in the direction they came from, "No, Gimp, I have to return to the village and inform the chieftain." 

Gimp becomes slightly agitated as he insists, "Hold on a minute, we're not leaving without that honey!" Still anxious about their safety, Kittienia speaks in a gentle yet fearful tone, "Gimp, I know you want to help your friend, but I must warn my chieftain or the village will be in danger." Gimp responds with a severe tone, "That's exactly why we need the honey, Kittienia!"

Kittienia gazes at Gimp with a puzzled expression as he clarifies, "Improving Asukem's condition will enable him to assist in safeguarding your village." Despite her lingering concerns, Kittienia inquires, "Are you truly confident in your friend, Gimp?" Gimp affirms with a nod, stating, "Absolutely, and if you're serious about protecting your people, locate that honey. Believe me, he's powerful and trustworthy!"

Kittienia inhales deeply, then relaxes, stating, "Alright, Gimp, I am trusting you and your friend." She nods with a sweet look of assurance, adding, "Let's go get that honey!" Gimp let out a small cheer, and together they resumed their search for the honey. It wasn't easy, but eventually, they stumbled upon it - hidden in a cave protected by a slumbering bear.

Kittienia was hesitant to disturb the bear, so she came up with an intelligent plan, "Gimp, do you think you can sneak in there? You're tiny and fast enough to slip in and out." Gimp agreed, "Absolutely, and if I encounter any problems, I can use magic." Kittienia appeared surprised and exclaimed, "I had no idea you had magic powers, Gimp!"

Gimp chuckles playfully, "I only use it on foes or snoozing bears to swipe their honey." Kittienia giggles at Gimp, teasingly saying, "And a great sense of humor, you're adorable." Gimp's face turns red as he stammers, "Oh, come on, you're making me like you even more. I'll be right back!" With that, he swiftly flies into the cave carrying a basket.

While Gimp explored the depths of the cave, Kittienia cautiously scanned her surroundings for any trace of the poachers. Speaking aloud, she muttered to herself, "Okay, Gimp, where could you be hiding?" Suddenly, a deep, rumbling voice echoed behind her, sending shivers down her spine. "Little Tribal one, what did you just say?" Trembling with fear, she stammered in response, "Uh, I said...hemp." Slowly turning around, she faced a monstrous creature crafted from stone and molten lava. It was none other than Volmanca, one of the Sin Kin that Gimp used to serve.

Volmanca leans towards her, hovering over her. He glares and asks, in a rumbling voice, "Oh, and what exactly is Hemp?" Kittienia falls to her knees with fear as she replies, "It's an herb..." Her eyes widen as she stares at the rocky Sin Kin. Volmanca forms a sinister grin as he sees the complete fear in fear, "I see, thought I heard you say, Gimp." he then turns slowly around and marches away from her and through the forest.

Gimp finally emerged from the cave, signaling his presence with excitement. "Check this out!" he exclaimed, pointing at the basket filled with a delicious honeycomb. Kittienia, however, looked at him anxiously and gestured for him to be quiet. She explained that there was a colossal monster searching for him. Gimp's eyes widened with fear, and he covered his mouth, whispering, "Alright, it's time to leave." Kittienia nodded, equally terrified yet determined, and together, they hurried back to the village, cautiously watching out for Volmanca and the poachers.