บท 115: The Forest Guardian    

"Well, we should at least give it a shot," Fiora said with a hopeful smile, pulling out a piece of roasted beast meat from her pack.

She knelt down and placed it carefully near the monolith, patting it like it might respond to her kindness. "Here you go, nice and easy."

They waited, eyes fixed on the offering as silence stretched. One minute. Two.

Velvet crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Well, that worked wonders," she sneered.

Fiora shot her a look, her voice bristling with defensiveness. "Alright, wise one. What do you suggest then?"

"Maybe blood," Velvet replied coolly, an almost wicked glint in her eyes. "Ancient seals usually have a taste for it."

Dawnfire scrunched up her nose, immediately recoiling, her huge breasts jiggled as she did. "There is no way I'm pouring blood on that thing."

Aria took a step back, shivering. "H-hurting myself isn't exactly . . ."