The Druids' Mire Crossing (Chapter 5: Charybdis Crosses the Mire)

[Black Clay Lord]

The 5th chapter of The Druids' Mire Crossing
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The Druidesses of the 1/2 Mermaid Clan came to Faronna's Wood to face a challenge: To cross the mire of Marais Marecage in order to have a wish granted of her. Masika, Neried, and Calder had all made it safely across the mire. But... Muiel was the only one to have not made it across the mire; having gone under its depths, frozen in stasis until Marais decided to release her. Yet that may be sooner than expected since all 5 had the same exact wish.

Now, confidence brimming, Charybdis looked upon the mire that awaited her entry. She then turned her eyes onto Marais herself. "It's all on me now." Charybdis says. "But I will not fail. This I swear to you." But Marais recognized a sort of darkness within the last Druidess. "You wield the power of shadow." Marais points out. Charybdis bristled. "Maybe so, but I use it to protect, not destroy." "You are indeed heroic," Marais said. "But, still." Charybdis scoffed.

Yet, Marais brushed the concern off. She could tell Charybdis was honest about herself. Nevertheless, Charybdis stepped forth into the mire. Her feet were gripped by the mud fast, but Charybdis moved onward despite this, and the mud relented to her movements as she trudged slowly through the mud. It resisted her, sure, but it still gave way to Charybdis as she traveled onward. Yet, suddenly, Charybdis stopped moving forward, standing in the thick mud.

Marais blinked. "Why... did you stop?" She asked, confused. Charybdis grabbed her druidess robe. "My robe is going to be troublesome if it picks up too much mud." She reveals, taking it off almost immediately afterward. Tossing it to the side, Charybdis now had more freedom to her movements. And granted she won't get bogged down as easily now, she had it slightly easier now, but not too easy. Charybdis certainly didn't want that whatsoever.

Marais was able to sense this, and she smiled at the very notion. Needless to say that Charybdis certainly did not disappoint all the same. In fact, Charybdis made it past the 1/4 mark of the mud, and it had not even touched her thighs yet. Calder had similar luck earlier, but whether the mud was just really thick that it felt as if it hadn't been churned that much, or it was because Marais had made it so, it was certainly a mystery. But it didn't matter to Charybdis.

Charybdis kept her cool. Loving it as she might be, it was tempting to just stop and slip under. However, she did not give into that desire. Charybdis knew it came down to her to get across Marais' mire, and there was no way she was going to blow it. Charybdis slogged her way through still, tempted to just change into her mermaid form and help herself across, but there was no telling how effective that would be. Or if it would help her out more easily.

Charybdis moved onward still, the mud feeling a bit heavier on her feet now. Yet, oddly enough, Charybdis was not impeded by it much. Still, its heaviness was felt. Charybdis was knee deep by the time she made it to the halfway point in the swamp, but she just kept on going; not even stopping where Muiel was frozen. She knew her sister was down there, and Charybdis would see to it that Muiel would be released from her hold. But her current goal still stands.

Charybdis carried on. The mud sucked on her thighs like she was in the grasp of anemone having just started to devour its prey. But the suction of the mud, never slowed Charybdis down. But as she made it towards the last 3/4s of the way, the mud finally claimed her legs, holding them fast. "Ah, no!" Charybdis cried out. She fought to free herself, but only sank further. Marais chuckled. "Dear me, it seems like you're really stuck~." She said.

But Charybdis clawed her way forward, causing the mud to relent on her. As she moved forward, Charybdis sank to her breasts, but at last, managed to propel herself to Marais' edge. Charybdis made it to the edge, sure. But her trial was not over yet. Now she needed to haul herself out of the mud. Yet she knew it was not easy. The mud on her felt rather heavy, but she mustered her strength, grabbing hold of the solid ground in front of her with all her might.

Charybdis sank down still, albeit slowly. But, she didn't give up. Not once did the idea of doing so cross her mind. Marais stepped back, giving Charybdis room. Charybdis fought to free herself, and slowly but surely... Charybdis got herself out of the thick oozing mud. Marais was surprised that Charybdis made it out, but that turned to a different mood soon after. "Oh my, you sure showed me your determination." Chuckled Marais. She then snapped her fingers.

Muiel found herself unfrozen beneath the mud, and immediately, she arose and climbed out of the mud, joining her sisters. Marais nodded with a smile soon after. "Well, 4 wins for you, and 1 win for me. A deal is a deal." She said. "Now then, you all said you had the same exact wish, did you nod? Let me hear it~." Marais went onto say. Charybdis had pulled it off. This was what she & her sisters had worked towards, and now their shared wish was in their grasp.

But, there was only one question: What exactly is their wish? Marais Marecage will find out soon enough.

TO BE CONTINUED

Charybdis, Masika, Neried, Muiel, Calder: Me

Marais Marecage: FimbulwinterFrost