The Wilderdeep had once been alive, thriving, and beautiful. For the briefest moments, as her left hand touched the ground beneath her, she saw brilliant sunlight flickering through the canopy and heard the chorus of clicks and growls. For a moment, it felt like home, warm and inviting. For a moment.

The image fled her mind as though stolen by a vicious hand. Air left her lungs as she fell on her knees, hands stained in the claret of the forest floor and unbridled tears streaming down her face. Through clouded eyes, she saw the already damning forest transform into the maw of the devil itself. Serah swore she could feel the sinewy fingers of the Wilderdeep delve into her skull and penetrate her mind, filling it with a cacophony of noise and color. Was this how the Wilderdeep communicated? Was this its warning? Its threat? Was it challenging them to burrow themselves deeper into its stomach, where they'd be nothing more than helpless prey to the malignant force that lived within its confines?

The Wilderdeep withdrew from their minds, and Serah was quick to return to her feet. She brushed away the tears that stained her face on the back of her hand, and glared into the heart of the forest in an answer.

A shrill scream seemed to be the Wilderdeep's response. Her head snapped into the direction of the disturbance, a low and threatening growl ripping from her throat. In her peripheral, she saw Alexandria pointing towards where she'd heard the sound and she felt a swell of something akin to pride. The human seemed knowledgeable, yes, but she was the weakest link of the party. At least, physically. Serah would still maintain a watchful eye over her.

She gave a nod towards Alexandria and readied her weapon. From what she was able to gather from the words spoken, Alexandria wanted them to pursue whatever creature had appeared. Serah had to agree. Nothing in the Wilderdeep felt safe. Whatever it was out there, it would certainly be no help to any of them.

And, perhaps, a small part of Serah blamed the monstrosities in the Wilderdeep for its apparent corruption. She loathed the downfall of something beautiful and grand. She would restore it to its former glory, that much she could attempt, and she would start by ridding it of what manner of creature had challenged their arms. She looked over her shoulder to her companions. "Careful," she called out. She headed out first, the tip of her spear brushing aside a small section of the shrubbery for her to peak at the creature.