“LET’S GO, NO TIME TO WASTE, GATHER RESOURCES!” said Somji.
They started collecting food and water, along with the remaining pieces of Mounchioun’s research. Then, they set off west of the house.
The journey was long, and hope hung by a thread—a very, very thin thread.
“How far does this cousin of yours live?” asked Somji, wings slumping as she fluttered in the sky.
Nimji looked up. “I told you, he lives in the Lotus Jungle. He’s an albino tiger, just me in shades of gold and white—he lives in a cabin somewhere in the jungle.”
“Soooo… how far are we? Because I don’t really know where the jungle is,” said Kimji.
“I also told you—it’s going to take us a while… but I think he should be of great help.”
“You think? Nimji, we don’t have time to think.”
“I know, I know, but I—I have this feeling he could help us.”
Suddenly, a massive fissure tore through the earth, widening rapidly. Trees toppled as if a giant hand had swept through, like a scene from a natural disaster.
Screams erupted from the trio as wood and gravel rained down, clipping Somji’s wings and knocking Nimji and Kimji off balance. Somji tried to lift them, but they were already half-submerged.
Then, on the spur of the moment, a vine swung past their eyes like a flash of lightning. It caught Somji off guard, and she let go of Kimji and Nimji’s shirts.
Her eyes widened. On the vine was a tiger—a magnificent albino tiger.
He had long, powerful limbs, and his loose clothes flowed gracefully in the wind. Delicate golden chains dangled from his waist and ears, catching the sunlight, while golden cuffs shimmered on his arms and legs. His outfit, in soft shades of brown and beige, blended perfectly with his pale, golden-tinged complexion.
This had to be Nimji’s cousin. After all, they shared similar features and jewelry styles—the only difference being that he was an albino tiger while Nimji was a Bengal.
Before Somji could even react, the albino tiger had scooped Nimji and Kimji into his right arm. Swinging from vine to vine, he spoke for the first time.
“Hey! You have wings, right? Come on, hurry before the rubble crushes you!”
Somji snapped out of her awe and followed, fluttering rapidly to keep up.
“So… you’re Nimji’s cousin?” she called out, catching up mid-swing.
“Yep, that’s me. Not many of our bloodline are left, but I’m someone he used to know. Eventually, because of the Hantens’ rules, we stopped exchanging letters. I thought he was dead until—well—today. By the way, name’s Eonji. Crazy how our names rhyme, even though we’re only distantly related.”
“Yep,” said Somji, eyeing his bulky golden cuffs. They sparkled brilliantly.
Eonji swung them until they reached a house straight out of a fairytale. Soft pink and green vines wrapped around the walls, blooming flowers adding splashes of color. Lily pads floated gently in the nearby pond, creating a peaceful, magical scene.
Somji’s eyes widened with awe.
She flew toward the pond and dipped her fingers in, twirling the water slowly. The ripples glimmered like sunlight on a clear sky.
“Impressive, am I right?” said Eonji.
“Y-yeah,” said Somji, engulfed in the beauty around her.
“This is where I live,” said Eonji, setting Nimji and Kimji down. They were dizzy but conscious, trying to recover from the chaotic journey.
“WoOoOOahh,” said Kimji, wobbling on her feet.
“WaAtt HaAApNeD,” stammered Nimji, nearly tripping.
“Woah now, guys—don’t fall in the pond. Come inside—I’ll get this sorted out,” said Eonji.
Soon, they recovered and had eaten a proper meal.
“Now, Nimji… do you care to explain why you’re here?” said Eonji, setting his teacup down, hands clasped, eyes fixed on Nimji.
“Well, you see…”
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