Dimensional Descent

An arrow whizzed by, arching between two thick tree branches and splitting the skull of a prowling jaguar. The beast didn't even get a chance to roar out in pain before it collapsed, falling from its high perch and landing with a heavy thud on the forest floor.

Leonel rubbed his fingers, a tingling sensation making him very much aware that the arrow had been shot by him. Ever since his body entered the Fourth Dimension, he hadn't needed to worry about slicing his fingers on his own bowstring again. But that didn't stop the thin almost metallic string from digging into him.

'There's a lot more than I thought there'd be…'

The freshmen separated out into teams to Leonel's back. If they tried to move forward in a swarm through this forest, they'd be asking to suffer.

Instead, Leonel and Aina took the vanguard as promised. As for the others, they split into the team they had originally come with, forming up groups of five to seven as they slowly followed.

By now, the group had run into several beasts, more than enough for them to realize that something was wrong. The populations shouldn't have been this dense.

Only Leonel seemed to be aware of what was happening as he had already warned them that this would occur.

The Oryx gave off a very strong odor. To humans, this was no different from any other foul smell and many would choose to just hold their nose as opposed to analyzing what was wrong.

But the truth was different from this. The foul smell that came off the Oryx was an evolutionary quirk to scare off competition. Back when the Oryx were a much weaker race, they relied on this to carve out their territory and keep themselves protected.

However, over time, this smell became more potent. It was even to the point that the most talented of the Oryx tended to have the most foul smells which helped them to gain the favor of mates.

the Oryx's smell grew even more exaggerated, it was even capable

the Oryx could control beasts, but rather because these beasts were running away

allowing them to dodge the

down the most beasts, but the other groups were fighting as well. Unfortunately, things weren't so convenient for all the beasts to come down toward them from just a single

favor of many of the freshmen. Even after over half

group moved along slowly and cautiously, they ran into other groups. Assimilating these groups wasn't as difficult as it had been to convince

both hands. In a thick forest, such a weapon should have been cumbersome yet Aina didn't seem to have any

their team had been wiped out, it was difficult for them to split out alone with just the three of them. As

high alert, not wanting to be burdens. But, it felt like every time they sensed something, Leonel

a feeling that Leonel found these beasts long before, it was just that he only acted when the best opportunity presented

too tense.'

it. The group walked forward in silence, the slight rustling of leaves being about the only thing one could here. The sun was still high in the sky, though obstructed by the thick canopies, one would think

a part of the issue, though. With their pace, it would be impossible to make it to the mountain pass before night fell. And, even if they

throwing the Oryx Tribe members off our trail, if there is more than one. But, I'm not sure how long that will last so there's no point in telling them

had sent Little Blackstar back to spread the blood and guts of the Titan Hyena in a different direction, hoping to fool the Oryx. With their love of scents, it was no surprise that they were also quite sensitive to them. So,

quick dip in the Cleansing Waters, Blackstar didn't

couldn't help but wonder if it

hand up, he brought the group