Chapter 6 - Easy Preys

With the maps in hand, Tereza looked at Vampiresca and suggested the two of them go visit the swamp, if they wanted to defeat the mystical guardian they would have to know the region. Vampiresca and Tereza headed for the swamp. The place was hot, humid and fetid. Vampiresca covered her nose, she could no longer stand the stench of the place. Tereza got off her horse and looked at the local vegetation, and soon saw the creatures that inhabited the swamp. For Tereza it was all very new, for she had never been outside the Center before. Vampiresca looked up at the sky and saw a beautiful Tapejara flying over the swamp, she was green and pink. Vampiresca was amazed at the reptile that was so different. The two walked through the swamp, fearful, for the swamp was the most treacherous place on the whole island.

As they walked among the swamp trees, the smell only got worse. But the cause was quickly discovered after Tereza and Vampiresca spotted a dead beelzebuf, and meganeuras devouring its flesh. The swarm soon realized the presence of the invaders, and began to chase them. After a while of running, they managed to lose the insects, Vampiresca then says:

- Tereza, we need to build a shelter here. This will be much easier since the journey is long.

Tereza agrees and the two begin to gather resources for the new base. Vampiresca was picking some fruit when she accidentally picked an unknown seed. Intrigued by the appearance of the seed she decided to plant it next to where the shelter would be built.

Tereza arrives with wood from the Pantanal trees and leather from parasites. The two begin construction and make a shelter larger than the old one, and much more resistant. It was the perfect house. Vampiresca went out again to gather fiber, this time she didn't use her mare, Preta, because it was too close and the horses were tired from the trip. Vampiresca was gathering her fiber when she was surprised by a snake crawling up her leg. Vampiresca tries to call Tereza, but her voice doesn't come out. The snake begins to crawl up her body and soon reaches her neck, the snake begins to coil more and more. Vampiresca begins to suffocate and was almost unconscious.

Tereza notices the prolonged absence of her friend, already thinking the worst she takes the wooden sword in hand and goes to the swamp woods. Tereza looks at the scene and her pressure drops on the spot, Vampiresca with a purple face from not being able to breathe on the ground and a snake squeezing her neck. Vampiresca makes a sign with her hand and Tereza quickly swats at the animal. The snake lets go of Vampiresca's neck. Vampiresca is relieved and pulls in as much air as she can while still sitting on the ground, but the snake was not dead yet.

The snake soon spit a venom into Tereza's face which was blinded by a few racks, Vampiresca would have to face her fear of snakes, she then took Tereza's sword and made another slash at the snake, which was furious. The snake came back angrily after Vampiresca and when it got to its feet, she didn't think twice, she stomped on the head of the snake which was left in agony while its skull was slowly crumbling. Tereza finally managed to open her eyes and saw that Vampiresca had killed the snake. They embraced and Tereza began to cry

- I thought I had lost you," she said tearfully.

Vampiresca looked at Tereza with a very kind look on her face and said:

- A real vampire never dies

They both laugh.

They return to the shelter still shaken, and very sleepy. Tereza improvises a bed with straw, and the two sleep together.

Vampiresca was pensive all night, but eventually fell asleep.

The two woke up and soon decided to make new weapons. They made a shield and a hoe, but the wood would not hold for long, it was time to look for metal.

Behind the house they had built there were several stones, they used their pickaxes to try to break the stone, but without success.

Soon Monica arrived at the swamp, the girls were surprised that Monica knew the location even though she hadn't told them, Monica said she tracked down Vampiresca, since the two had a link through the Hyperlink.

With her, Monica brought a gift for the girls, it was a Tek storage device. Tereza thanked Monica and tried to use it, but without success.

- Monica, I think it's broken...

Monica looks at Tereza's wrist:

- Oh my God Tereza! What happened to your wrist?!

- Well, I had to break the link, Pavoro managed to track me down.

Monica takes the device back and puts her hand inside and pulls out metal, it was really broken.

- Metal! We need it! - said Vampiresca.

Monica tries again and ends up pulling a moschops egg out of the portal-driven device.

Monica laughs and says:

- Yes, it's broken. The portals are messed up. I'll take it back and get you a new one.

Tereza says she doesn't need it, and wanted to keep the device that gave her random items.

Monica laughed and agreed, said goodbye, and rode on her kidnapper Tek.

They had been getting metal at random, Monica made a miracle.

They created a forge out of metal, wood and stone, and after that forged their new swords and pickaxes.