Ancient Land of Hesterno
Lhima Valley
An eerie silence settled over the mangrove region of Lhima Valley. The extended howling of the unnatural wind was discontinued in unison. Birds of prey and land vultures prowling their next meal froze in place as though aware of the great mysterious energy, emerging from the wetlands. The noises, the movement, all the signs of life that filled the late afternoon just stopped. The wildlife knew what was happening and what was coming.
Meanwhile, a painful force was pushing them inward from all sides, contracting their body. Within a second it went to their neck and through their lungs. They felt a violent choking tightness, and the trio emptied their stomach as they all puked all the earlier foods they'd consumed from Vergel's cabin.
And so as the h
