Return to Tanver's Crossing.

Kashura Saylinor's golden bracelets pulse with a brilliant burst of blinding light. She begins by maneuvering her hands in a full circle from top to bottom, carving open a window through space to the center courtyard of a fortress you've been to before--Zettanko. The desert air is dry, and while it isn't scorching hot, it's certainly warmer than it is up here. Several bodies from the other side look over at the glowing gateway, not with surprise but interest as their Demon King is returning home. When complete, she dusts off her hands and looks to you with a face so smug you could have sworn she just finished saving the world.

But you look to Lady Vex. "So then. Good luck on your--"

"You're so welcome~!" Kashura leans back with the back of her hand to her forehead. "Though opening portals like this may be taxing for most, thankfully for you, the most powerful sorceress in Absoterra is here to grant you her power. So go forth, my lady. I bid you good fortune on your quest. As for me, my victory is already assured."

Ignoring her, Lynx steps up to the portal and covers her head with the hood of her cloak. "It's been awhile, but I think I'll still know my way around. Don't worry, Kyle. We'll figure this out."

Ariusia looks to Rabbit's Foot with confusion. "Is that really your battle gear? We're going into the desert, you know. Yeah it gets cold at night, but in the day..."

"Of course!" Lala smiles proudly with hands upon her hips. "I can handle a little heat. Don't worry about me."

"And I swear to protect these cuties," Mistress Dajy says with a sweeping bow. "You can trust me, Ero King Kyle, though you aren't allowed to blame me if come nighttime, I get a little... handsy. It's only in my nature."

Bekram slams the head of his brand new maul into the dirt. "You won't need to stand alone, Ms. Dajy. We'll protect them together. In fact, let me to do the protecting first. I need to try this weapon out on a monster as soon as possible or I might freak out."

"He gets it," Ariusia responds. "I'm not coming home until I get some good monster-slicing in. Or you know, people-slicing. Whichever comes up."

"Slicing? That's fair. But I really prefer pounding."

Mistress Dajy leans in with a hand upon the dwarf's head, and one on the insectrin's shoulder. "Me too," she whispers.

"All right, let's get going," Lady Vex calls out, stepping straight by the others and into the portal first. "Good look, Masumi. Kashura. I guess all I gotta do is pull out this fancy silver slab if we need to talk. Clever little device. I like this way more than a Sending Stone."

"Excuse me, Lady Vex?" Lynx speaks up. The two actually have rather similar builds, despite the difference in skin, though Lynx's pigtails do remind you of horns.

"Yeah?" She stops and turns her head back.

"I've already got one of those FONEs, so why don't you toss yours to Kashura so we have one for each party?"

Vex taps her forehead. "Ah. I see why you're one of Kyle's trusty spies. Hey, Kashura! Heads up." She then whips the magical phone through the air and towards her ally.

Kashura perks up a little too late. It hits her chest, bounces off, and lands in the grass.

Eva wheezes. Through her laughter, she manages to make out, "... just like a trampoline!"

Niki looks to her bunny companion with curiosity. She kneels down, picks a pebble up from beside the road, and then casually flicks it up and over to land upon Eva's cleavage. It bounces right off, getting impressive airtime before falling back to the ground.

"What the heck was that for?" Eva asks.

"Yours are bouncier."

After a pause, Eva lifts her nose with pride and smiles wide. "That's right they are."

The party proceeds at last through the portal, and as soon as the final person enters Zettanko, Kashura waves her hand. The gateway disappears. She then takes a deep breath and repeats the process from before. As a whole through space opens again, you can see a lush green field with a sea of trees in the near distance, along with the sound and scent of the wilds--the singing of birds, a warmer breeze than up in the mountains, the scent of the forest.

"Ah. Silverleaf," Yaera comments with a smile. "Let us go then, everybody."

"I'm so excited!" Peony hurries over to walk beside her.

The elf rests a gentle hand upon the dryad's leaf-like hair. "You have not travelled that far south it seems. Silverleaf is a beautiful forest, though it used to be much larger, a very long time ago. You are the husband of Kyle, yes?"

"That's right!" She beams. "M'lord both saved my life and granted me my name."

"He is a wonderful man. You are very fortunate."

She giggles. "I know."

"You sure you don't wanna go with the desert-squad?" Mipa asks with eyes towards Sen-nu--both bodies, back and forth.

"Though Oraang Desert is where I spent many years," Sen-nu answers. "I travelled for a long time through forests, caves, and mountains. Especially with you and the others. You should know that."

Anastasia Phairgem walks up to you with a hand upon her breastplate. "King Warren. I swear to protect those in my party, and to return with the information you desire. You can count on me."

"I know I can, Ana," you reply.

A hint of pink strikes her cheeks as that name is heard. "Th-Thank you for having confidence in me."

With no pockets, Kashura slips the phone into the side of her shorts. She then walks to and through the portal, waving impatiently at the others. "Are we going or not?" she asks. "Time waits for no one. I, Kashura Saylinor, will lead you through the forest of Silverleaf. Simply stay close to me and you'll never be lost."

Yaera chuckles. She isn't at all bothered, but instead quite entertained. "How kind of you," she says, walking through next to stand beside her.

Once through, the portal disappears.

That leaves you and your own party--Eva, Amara, Niki, Nyllia, and Masumi. You wave them all over, and one by one, they grab onto your body. Amara takes your left hand, Niki grabs around the elbow, Eva snuggles up close to your right side while Nyllia slips her fingers through yours and grips your entire right arm. Finally, Masumi comes in from behind, pushing her soft body up against your back. Her fingers tickle as they touch your neck, and after she lifts her mask, you can feel her slow breathing over you ear.

"Please be gentle," she whispers quietly. "This outfit doesn't stay on very well."

Hearing that, Eva squeezes you tighter. "Yeah, well..." she mumbles under her breath. "... mine doesn't either."

Though it's difficult, you manage to focus your mind properly on your destination--the area east of Tanver's Crossing, near the entrance. "Everybody ready?" you ask before bending your knees and tightening your muscles. Then after a few seconds, you leap. Bunny Hop!