To Erlea's relief, the next zone was light forest. Just like the southern border, the marsh stopped right at the edge. Even slimes just dribbled down an invisible wall from bisected trees.
“Think it's safe?” she asked as she stuck her head over. The air was warm and sweet-smelling. It had more of a musty scent than before, though, as if summer had finally passed. The air remained warm but she could almost detect a crispness in the breeze.
“Safer than here,” Billie gestured back.
They looked to see another slime bubbling toward them. It was red, probably a fire-using one like before. It was also small.
Erlea reached back and launched a RKA at it.
It exploded in a shower of reddish mist.
“Looks safe back there too,” she said.
Billie grinned briefly and then stepped across. “Better hurry up. We don't know what monsters are in this area or what they have in mind, but I'd rather not worry about bees running back to the slimes if we get into a fight.” The grin was already done.
Miere buzzed next to Erlea, her wings dry since they left the makeshift hive only an hour before.
Erlea gave her lover a reassuring stroke before taking off herself. “Don't worry. Stay near me and in the barrier, we'll be fine.”
Tira was already on the other side, flitting from tree to tree. Even though she was humming happily, Erlea could see her glancing around her for an ambush just like the others.
Erlea slipped her hand into Miere's and hovered after Billie who strode forward. After a few minutes, Tira joined them though she had to fly and stop because Falene couldn't hover in place.
Seeing the cheerful moth, Erlea reached up to cup her breast. Like the blade, the injury had been only an illusion. There was no scar or discoloration, but she could have sworn she had been cut open.
Tira glanced at her and smiled.
“Good thing it was a fake knife,” Erlea said.
The moth held up her hand, she had her knife back. “You mean this?”
Erlea nodded.
“Why would you think that?” Tira snapped her wrist and the blade flew ahead of them. It slammed into a tree with a thunk.
Erlea rolled her eyes. “More illusions, right?” She released Miere's palm and flew over. Expecting the blade to dissolve, she grabbed at it.
Her fingers wrapped around the warm metal.
She froze in surprise.
Tira landed next to her. The short moth girl reached over and grabbed the blade. With a wrench, she pulled it free. Looking up at Erlea, she gave a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. “If you always thought it was an illusion, it wouldn't be a good lesson. There has to be truth, there has to be fear.”
The moth ran the blade along her hand. Blood welled up from the cut. With a chuckle, she smeared crimson on the tree before flying back toward Billie.
Stunned and suddenly terrified, Erlea flew after her.
“What did she say?” asked Miere.
“I… I think her lessons are going to stick,” said the Honningbie promising herself to keep her legs together next time.
Miere frowned as she took Erlea by the hand and flew after the beetle and the moth.
As they caught up, they caught the tail end of Billie's words. “… in mind. Next time, let me do the punishment.” The beetle girl looked at Erlea with a hard smile. “I'll teach her to keep her legs together.”
Somehow, that didn't make Erlea feel better.