Chapter 2: It's a Jungle Out There

If it weren't for the relatively oppressive climate of the jungle, it would have been easy to get lost in the loneliness of waking up by herself. Humid and hot were not the words AJ would use to describe the places she had been in her life. Interestingly, that was much harder to adjust to than the changes of her physical form. Pushing away the loneliness and the overbearing weather, she stepped away from the furniture in her room and snapped her fingers. Watching the embers fly forth from her hand brought that adrenaline back. Was it pyromania? The thrill of power? Both? Either way, it was extremely cathartic.

Joining the others for the beginning of their journey, the pyromancer couldn't help but glance at Novac. It didn't escape her that his answer to her question yesterday didn't really explain why he wanted to return to their world. If it weren't for her wife, she knew she'd be a lot more tempted to consider staying. What drives a man to run back to a cell?

"Thanks again for all the help, Nketiah. The supplies and information mean so much to us. I hope I can repay you all one day. This journey looks... daunting. I don't know about the others, but I have basically no survival skills. Any tips? Also, do any of you know how to build a raft?"

She looks to the rest of the group, hoping they might have some knowledge to make up for her own ignorance.

Novac looked at the daggers and the other weapons he was given with apprehension. He knew exactly how to use them now. This really scared him. He was surprised that he found lock picks in his pack, not that they would be useful for now.

He turned to AJ when he heard her mentioning the raft. "At home, I would have checked it on Google or YouTube," he laughed. "But here, I would say we just have to wing it when we get there. But I think we should get going to get at least a little bit of daylight."

To Nketiah, he said, "Thank you for everything."

He turned to see if everyone was ready.

Dalton rose early - not having slept particularly well. He felt a little out of focus, a part of him seemed out of balance. For a number of years he had practiced yoga - well on and off anyway. Trying to clear his mind, Dalton did a few stretches that he would normally do - but as he started moving - he flowed into potions which felt natural - picking up speed and balance into things he would have never dreamed. Strikes, kicks, forms which felt practiced and natural. Finally ending with that one armed hand stand he had joked with Novac about. Dalton had never felt this strong or healthy in his entire life - he wondered if he would miss it should he make it home - returning to the old, out of shape body he had left behind.

Going over the gear which had been given them, discussing some additional items. Dalton mused as he looked over a few things. "As a kid, I was a boy scout - did some hiking - hated it." he laughed. "Hundred miles is definitely not going to be a picnic."

Picking up a broad bladed knife and a compass, "I've got a few of these things in a box in my basement, fired a crossbow a few times." he picked up a light crossbow, "Not carbon fiber - but I have a feeling I could hit a few things with it."

Dalton brushed his hand over a steel shield - a grin spread over his face as he picked it up and strapped it on. "Well - if I'm going to be jumping into the thick of things - might be able to make use of this."

Al was most likely the last to get up that morning. As he slept laying in the one spot of sunlight available to him, he stirred as he heard the others gathering.

He reached up to scratch his head, and froze.

"Where’s my hair … does that feel scaly?"

Al got up, rubbed his eyes and then looked at his hands.

"Hmmm, for a sec I could’ve sworn they looked … reptilian".

Not long after, Al stood before the exit of his abode, fully geared up. He took a second to examine his equipment. He was now dressed in simple green layered robes with a white sash belt. However, underneath this robe was a wooden breastplate over a simple undershirt. For his weapons, he felt drawn to a simple wooden club and shield.

"Real elegant, Al."

With a deep sigh, Al hurried to join the rest of his companions.

"I’ve been backpacking AJ, that’s pretty much it. As for the raft, I mean with some logs and rope we at least have a start."

With his new pack organized, Dalton returned to his room briefly. He dug through the pockets of his ripped jeans. Car keys and turned off cell phone he put carefully into his pack. He laughed as he picked up the winter coat - "Not going to need this anything soon." He tossed the heavy coat and jeans into a pile on the bed.

Slowly he picked up the tee shirt he had been wearing. He'd had it for years - that and a dozen gray shirts. They always joked that he had the color scheme of Batman - black and really dark gray.

Dalton held the shirt looking at the Avengers - Captain America shield in hand in the center. The words across the top "Trust Me, I'm a Super Hero".

Dalton nodded slowly, packing the shirt into his bag. "Maybe..."

Then he chuckled, a movie line coming to mind "Get that man a shield..."

"Well, guess I can't be too shocked that a bunch of dudes from a first-world country are woefully unprepared for a 100-mile hike through a jungle. Gonna have to really rely on the skills and powers the transition gave us. And the gear from these hospitable people. Let's hit the road, gang."

AJ threw the backpack over her shoulders after filling her pockets with other items. The leather armor was nice, but there was some fear it would just make her get hotter. A big knife in case of emergencies, although she supposed she should probably just call it a dagger. This was as ready as it gets.

"We look like a group of adventurers, alright. Didn't think I'd be living through Baldur's Gate 4, but here we are."

Dalton laughed, picking up his own pack. "I hope this goes better than Baldur's Gate - I've had that on my PC for months and haven't gotten out of Act 2. At that rate, we'd be in the jungle for a year."

He holds up his compass and gets an orientation on which direction they needed to keep going to find the river.

"I was never one for gaming," Novac admitted. "But I heard it's quite popular," he said, while trying not to lose his footing. Navigating the jungle floor was not an easy task. He also tried to scan the area in front of them as they were walking, to avoid any surprises

Al laughed at AJ’s words.

"Even with our new skills and powers, this is going to be hell."

He closed his eyes and listened to the low chatter of the plants, which he was still getting used to.

Novac immediately spring to action as he spots the danger.

Al moves to back up Novac, electricity arcing between his hands.

Novac throws the second dagger he has in his hand. Then moves to flank the snake and pulls out his Flyssa

The presence of the enormous serpent has AJ immediately unsteady with trepidation. As much as she felt the raging flame of power course through her, there was no delusion that she would be invincible to those excessively long fangs. A shimmering wall of pale light emanated from the front of her as her magic seemed to respond instinctually to her unease. However, the sight of Al being bitten gave way for a fierce desire to protect him that was quickly conquering her other feelings. The flame inside of her grew, and the snap of the fingers from her hand at the snake summoned a wave of combustive heat over it.

Dalton had not seen the snake until it was already attacking. As it bit into Al, Dalton moved to attack the serpent. "Hang on!"

Dalton moved to get the snake's attention, trying to put himself between the snake and Al. When he fought the tick, desperation had led him to call on a focus of mystical energy he did not know existed. This time, he reached for it again, feeling the power respond and fuel his attacks against the snake.

Al’s vision swims as he stares at his bite wound.

"Well shit, I guess it’s poisonous then"

He feels another surge of power as he lashes out instinctively at the snake, his angry shout turning into something of a snarl as he bares his small yet pointy orc tusks.

"Boy that thing is fast..."

Ducking low, Dalton looks for an opening to strike at the beast.