The corrupted fountain's cauldron steamed, the air still thick with the echo of dark energy and the stench of battle. Jiraiya and the Kongs, bruised and exhausted but alive, regrouped. The defeat of the Agent of Darkness had been a crucial victory, a demonstration that the power of the pact could stand against the corruption of the abyss. But they knew it was not the end. The fountain itself seethed with malignant potential, and the "Darkness" that Father Mountain feared still stirred in the depths.
Now, the priority was to find a way back to the surface. The tunnel they had descended through was sealed. They had to find another route through the labyrinth of Hollow Earth. Jiraiya closed his eyes, extending his energetic awareness to the maximum. He no longer searched for Father Mountain's resonance or the Agent's corrupted signature; he searched for the pulse of the surface, the energetic pattern of the world above, lighter and different from the dense power of the depths.
It was an arduous process. The Hollow Earth did not yield its secrets easily. They moved through uncharted tunnels, encountering new dangers: invisible chasms, unstable crystalline formations that reacted violently to their passage, and lesser creatures that, while not as formidable as the Guardians, were still threats in their weakened state. The Kongs, relying on Jiraiya's heightened senses and ability to navigate energy currents, followed faithfully. Their leader, Kong, despite his injuries, set the pace, his determination unwavering.
Using a combination of Kong tribal wisdom (knowledge of ancient routes or unusual formations) and Jiraiya's energy perception, they gradually began to ascend. They felt the air become marginally thinner, the heat diminish, and the ever-present primordial energy dilute compared to the intensity of the heart of the abyss.
Finally, after what seemed like days (time in Hollow Earth felt distorted), they felt a decisive shift. The energy from the surface grew stronger, a comforting and familiar presence. And above them, they saw a faint light that came not from subterranean bioluminescence, but from a distant sun.
The exit was a vertical fissure in the ceiling of a vast cavern, barely wide enough for the Kongs to climb with difficulty. It was an arduous climb, requiring all their strength and the assistance of Jiraiya, who used his Primordial Stabilization technique to secure unstable footholds and energy blasts to dislodge loose boulders.
Emerging to the surface was like being reborn. The fresh air and bright light, though still filtered through the canopy, felt like a blessing. The sounds of the jungle, once threatening, now sounded almost musical compared to the oppressive hum of the Hollow Earth. They were back.
They returned to the valley of Kong's tribe, greeted by roars of relief and celebration. Young Kong ran toward the leader, twittering with joy. The descent party, though exhausted and injured, had returned.
The task of transmitting what they had found began. Jiraiya, with the help of Leader Kong (who could resonate with Father Mountain's energy through Jiraiya), shared the knowledge with the tribe. Not in words, but in mental images and sensations: the corrupted source, the defeated Agent, the weakened seal, the looming threat of the "Darkness" stirring below. The tribe listened, their ape-like faces showing understanding and concern.
The preparation phase began immediately. It was no longer just about surviving the raids; it was about defending the island from a full-scale invasion. Jiraiya, with his shinobi strategic mind, became the architect of the defense. He worked with Leader Kong to identify weak points on the borders of the tribal territory, areas where fissures might open or enemies might emerge.
Using his energy-enhanced Doton abilities, he helped reinforce the natural defenses: controlled landslides to block small tunnel passages, the erection of energy-reinforced rock walls around the valley, the creation of strategic vantage points atop cliffs.
He shared tactics. He adapted shinobi battle formations to the Kongs' scale, teaching them how to coordinate their attacks, how to flank enemies, and how to exploit the weaknesses Jiraiya could detect with his energy sense. He trained the younger Kongs, including the future king, in these new tactics, instilling discipline in their natural brute strength.
The idea of contacting other tribes arose. Jiraiya, the "Wanderer" who had lived among the Olwatu and the Aethel, was the natural link. Despite communication difficulties and tribal rivalries, the magnitude of the threat emanating from Hollow Earth could be the catalyst for an alliance. Jiraiya pledged to travel to the other tribes, carrying with him the warning and the proposal for unity.
As he worked, Jiraiya felt the weight of his knowledge. He had seen the source of the Darkness, the devastating potential of corrupted energy. But he also felt the cleansing power of primordial energy, Father Mountain's legacy flowing through him, and the unbreakable strength of the Kongs.
The perversion, somewhat dormant in the abyss, began to resurface in the more familiar (though still dangerous) context of the surface. Watching the Kongs' vigorous physical activity during training, or tribal organization, a quick (and highly inappropriate) comparison with certain aspects of "field research" crossed his mind. A quiet, husky laugh stirred in his chest. "Even in the face of the apocalypse, a man must have his hobbies," he thought, suppressing the urge to seek out an onsen... if they existed in this world.
Skull Island wasn't at peace, but in a state of silent preparation. The Kongs, under the leadership of their chief and the strategic guidance of Jiraiya, were growing stronger. Jiraiya prepared to carry the warning to other tribes, uniting the surface dwellers against the common threat.
They had returned from the Abyss with vital knowledge. The journey back had been challenging, but the true challenge—defending the island against the Darkness of Hollow Earth—was just beginning. Jiraiya, the Nexus Agent and bearer of the pact, was at the center of it all, ready to lead (or at least guide) the fight for the future of this world. The next act of their story on Skull Island was about to unfold on the surface.
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