Snakes In My Hair? It's More Likely Than You Think.

In all the 4 years Juno has attended Aspar Hill Boarding School, she has never broken the most important rule. 

Until today that is. 

It's not like she has a choice! She's going to save Eve at all costs. Even if it means going into the forbidden Southern Rale Woods!

"Why did the monster take her here!?"

<<Juno, you know why.>>

"Yeah I know it's a very, very magical and scary place! Isolated for the most part! Ha, Haha! I'm running straight into a deathtrap!!"

<I'm sorry, Juno. But if you want to save your friend that's where she is.>

Juno decides to complain in her heart because she needs to put her fears aside in order to save her friend. She needs to do what she's always been best at.

Run!

Even with her battered and wounded body, she's still able to run. In fact, she's faster than ever before!

//Is this because of the Immortal Snakes?//

<<<<<<Exactly!>>>>>>

It's still weird to hear 12 voices at once, Juno doesn't think she'll ever get used to it. But it doesn't matter. 

Not anymore.

//I've accepted them. I can't turn back, I can only go forward.//

She runs through the seemingly endless forest, the thick trees acting as barriers. It is as if they have the instinct, the need, the consciousness, to prevent outsiders from coming any closer to this forbidden forest. Of course, Juno and the Immortal Snakes pay no mind to that, this forbidden forest will make a path for them whether it wants to or not. 

Only the dim light of the moon and stars light the way, but the darkness has never been a problem for Juno as she can see as clear as day. 

She can see everything now.

Noodles suddenly calls out, <<Stop running we need to talk!>>

"No."

Annoyed at her stubbornness it moves in front of her face to get her attention, <<Just listen to me then, the closer we get the more certain we are that this is the same sinister energy we faced before!>>

She slows down but doesn't stop running.

<<It's the ferocious monster that caused our downfall and killed Noa!>>

She stops.

//So that's what he meant by it being worse than him.//

She doesn't waver from the snake's stare, "I'm going to find Eve, no matter the cost."

<<Juno, I'm not trying to tell you to turn back. I just want you to know what we're going to be up against. Let us tell you everything we know, we don't want to repeat the past.>>

<Other than protecting you, we are also meant to help others too!>

<Juno we are always with you!>

Hearing those words of encouragement, Juno feels as if she can start to breathe again, "Okay... Okay! Tell me everything!"

<<About 2,500 years ago, we investigated this monster with Noa. He was a virtuous man and wouldn't just sit by and watch innocent people die. In any case, this 'ferocious monster' as you call it, it became a huge problem not just for mortals but the Gods were anxious too. We provided information but it wasn't enough.>>

"Not enough?"

<<We knew about the monster's two fearsome abilities. It devours "strong" people in order to become strong. It devours them whole.>>

Those haunting words come back to her.

///Devour until I become you.\\\

"...What else?"

<<After devouring it's victims it gains another ability. It can turn into them, it becomes them! That's the trick.>>

"It can shapeshift!?"

<<We warned Noa but it didn't work. It wasn't enough, he didn't listen to our logic because his emotions outweighed it!>>

"The monster turned into someone he cared about right!? That's why he hesitated? That's why he-"

Her words get drowned by the sudden, violent shaking of the ground.

It caught them off guard!

But fortunately with her newfound power, she only stumbles slightly. It was violent but as quickly as it came, it stopped, leaving everyone shocked and confused.

"What was that!? An ekusquake* out of nowhere!?"

<<No that wasn't caused naturally! Keep moving forward, I believe she's close.>>

<So much energy?>

<This isn't normal.>

<It is almost as if someone is going to ascend, is that still possible?>

All Juno heard was "she's close." 

That's all she needed to hear.

The closer they get, the more the woods around them are in ruins. It's devastating how some of the thick trees have collapsed, making it even harder to get around, and how there's no sign of life. Hopefully, it just means that all the critters must have ran away or gone into hiding.

<<This must be where that force was its strongest.>>

With each step she takes, the more uneasy she feels.

<<She's over there! She's... oh no.>>

Her heart stops.