Chapter Twenty-Five

When Nile woke he was resting next to a rivers creek. He was deep in a forest that he was unfamiliar with. Unsure if he was still in his realm, the mortal realm, or dead. Vision finally cleared, along with mind and his senses picked up the scent of pure nature around him. Slowly Nile stood to his feet glancing at his reflection in the water. He was still the same person and yet somehow different. In certain ways, his features had changed.

His height had grown in inches. Growing from six feet five inches to an even seven feet. A towering height compared to what he had before. His skin tone is still the same light dull cocoa powdery shade. Jet black hair pulled back into a long slick ponytail with a black bandanna tied over his forehead. Firm thick black eyebrows. His eye color is still the same misty grey color covering his entire eyelids including his scleras. Thick eyelashes to protect them.

He went from no facial hair to a peach fuzz beard. His body was even more brute-like than Montai’s. His chest, shoulders, even his legs muscles rippled as they grew to match his new size. His feet and hands were massive like a gorilla’s. Twice the size of Montai. A new kind of brute. It was like all the strength from his brothers had now been transferred to him.

After staring at himself for what seemed to be a moment too long he gathered himself. Attempting to call out the names of his lost brothers but when he went to speak nothing came out. Was he deaf? Or had he gone mute? Attempting to call out again only to receive the same outcome. Standing and using the opportunity of silence to look around him.

It was at this moment he noticed the beauty of the forests he woke in.

Beautiful crystal blue waters that traveled from streams and other rainforests. All leading to this small little lake that seemed to form like a beach. Still, water rested next to the soft white sand that created the shore. The only beach-like sand in all of the rainforests. The area was engulfed hidden away by thousands of palm and coconut trees. One massive willow tree growing from underneath a waterfall. A beautiful massive tree. Full of dark leaves. Bits of the willow tree hidden from the waterfall it grew underneath from. Massive vines falling from the trees hanging loosely here and there. The sun giving off light but due to the trees never became overbearing. Spots of shade were everywhere.

Fresh mangoes and bananas were not far away.

Nile was lost in the beauty that surrounded him. Almost forgetting the fact that his comrades were missing. Trying to figure a way out of this beautiful maze and that’s when he heard it. The soothing faint sound of a woman humming off in the distance. His nose caught a scent he was sure he smelled before and on instinct, he headed towards the sound. The smell. Thinking it would be Lelani or Montai. However, when he reached a bush and peaked through he was in awe at the wonder he saw.

It’s her...

Nile froze a knot in his throat as his mouth went dry only able to croak one word.

“Isidora…”