Now begins the journey to the new temple, starting with speaking with the lizardmen tribes. This should interesting. Fans of Overlord will recognize a few characters.

After dropping Renner off back at the capital, the group continued into the mountains. Work was already proceeding on locating the Ancient One's missing workers, and in the meantime a new discovery was made. An ornate archway standing in the middle of the fields, right over one of the tracks. "I've heard of these," Starlight said, "They are teleportation gates created to streamline travel across the Spirit Tracks. Once activated, they link to another gate elsewhere. It would be useful to activate them all."

Meanwhile, Takemikazuchi and Cocytus had been permitted by one of the lizardmen tribes, the Green Claw, to join them in an important meeting. This was accomplished when Takemikazuchi successfully defeated the tribe's leader, Shasryu Shasha, in honorable combat with the help of his Stand, Battlecry. Battlecry offered little in the way of defense, but was strong, fast, and could be projected far from Takemikazuchi to act as a noble samurai warrior.

Shasryu now sat next to his brother, Zaryusu. Zaryusu had a peculiar tattoo on his chest, which the others explained marked him as a traveler. This was not the same as an exile like Stagnox, as travelers were allowed to return to their tribe, although it was rare to do so. "Your arrival comes at a opportune time," the tribe's elder said, "We recently received an ultimatum from the feared demon train. It was invisible as the rumors say. At least... To all but Zaryusu."

He pointed to the icicle-like weapon at Zaryusu's hip. "That is no mere weapon," the elder explained, "But a Stand, a rarity among lizardmen." "I'm not surprised," Takemikazuchi said, "Stands are an extension of one's fighting spirit. For a traveler or chieftain to possess one is simply a matter of logic. So, about this ultimatum." "The owner of the train threatened us with genocide," Zaryusu said, "Apparently, we are supposed to be the second to fall. But that provides us with a chance to counter-attack."

"What my brother is suggesting," Shasryu explained, "Is that we unite all the different lizardmen tribes, thereby throwing off the demon train's perception of our strength." "Is such a thing possible among different tribes?," Cocytus asked. "It's happened before," Zaryusu said with a nod, "During the recent war over resources, our own Green Claw tribe made an alliance with the Small Fang tribe and Razor Tail tribe, fighting against the Yellow Speckle tribe and Sharp Edge tribe. Our combined numbers proved superior, and both tribes were dissolved, only to be absorbed by the Dragon Tusk tribe."

"If it came down to it," the head priestess said, "The Small Fang and Razor Tail tribes would agree to an alliance once more. But that leaves the Dragon Tusk and Red Eye tribe to convince. And those members of Dragon Tusk that once belonged to Yellow Speckle and Sharp Edge may hold a grudge." "Then your best bet is to begin with Red Eye," Takemikazuchi suggested, "From these talks, it seems clear that they found a way to stay out of the conflict."

"That brings terrible implications," Cocytus noted, "Stagnox mentioned that his tribe resorted to cannibalism because of low resources." "But remember that he was exiled for backing the leader who encouraged it," Takemikazuchi pointed out, "Clearly, whichever tribe he came from has a new leader." "The Red Eye is the only tribe that recently gained a new chieftain," the elder noted, "Zaryusu, your emblem marks you as being outside the jurisdiction of the tribes. Thus, you are the best choice as an ambassador to the Red Eye and Dragon Tusk tribes."

Zaryusu nodded. "I'll speak with the leaders on our behalf." Later, as Zaryusu saddled up his pet hydra Rororo, Takemikazuchi approached him. "So, how do travelers operate in this society anyway?" "We are meant to bring ideas from the outside world to our tribes to improve them," Zaryusu explained, "In my case, I learned of a means to farm fish for our tribe to live off of. It wasn't easy, and many mistakes were made. But luckily with my brother as chieftain, he insured I would be given my chance to perfect the technology."

"If you possess a Stand," Takemikazuchi noted, "Than your brother likely also has the potential. Has he shown such power?" "Not as of yet," Zaryusu replied, "But the elders say it's only a matter of time. Personally I would not be surprised if the current conflict awakens it." The trio headed off, soon reaching the territory of the Red Eye tribe. Word had already reached them, and they were permitted entry. "Our official leader is inside this hut," one of the members said.

"We are not meeting the chieftain?," Zaryusu asked. "For better or worse, our chieftain is a figurehead," the lizardman explained, "Our true leader is in here, but she cannot go out in the sun because of her mutation." "Sounds like an albino," Cocytus noted, "They tend to be more sensitive to sunlight." Inside, there was a single female, lithe and pure white. "Greetings," she said, "I was told to expect you." Zaryusu was rendered speechless at the sight of her.

The female chuckled. "I see. So even a legendary Stand user of the lizardmen people finds my appearance strange." She was quickly proven wrong, however, when Zaryusu took a few steps forward, before falling to his knees, and then unexpectedly uttering a high-pitched screeching noise. The sound of it got the female flustered, and suddenly Zaryusu snapped out of his stupor and got flustered himself. "S-Sorry! That just slipped out of me!" "What was that?," Takemikazuchi asked. "I believe it was a mating call, my Lord," Cocytus clarified.

Takemikazuchi cleared his throat. "Anyway, I don't believe we caught your name." "Sorry...," the female said, still embarrassed that any male, especially a stud like Zaryusu, would offer her a mating call, "I am Crush Lulu, acting chieftain of the Red Eye. I assume you are here about the warning from the dreaded demon train. We could not see it directly, but it sent an envoy, a horrid maneater." "An insect that dwells within a collection of skulls that it uses as a nest," Cocytus explained to his master.

Takemikazuchi nodded. "I suppose it makes sense. Normal beings cannot see Stands. Zaryusu, did this maneater appear to your tribe as well?" "Yes," Zaryusu said with a nod, "That leads me to believe whoever is behind the demon train does not know our tribes have any Stand users. That could be to our advantage." Soon enough Cocytus and Takemikazuchi left Zaryusu and Crush to discuss the alliance. "Momonga," Takemikazuchi called out using a Message spell, "It seems the cabal you uncovered is targeting the lizardmen tribes."

'That is something we cannot permit,' Momonga replied, 'We have some issues to deal with here in the capital, but by now George and his group will be heading for the temple's location. Meet up with them and deal with whoever you need to. I'll also send Bukubukuchagama and the twins to assist.' "Very well," Takemikazuchi said, and he cut the message. Zaryusu soon emerged, along with Crush, who was covered in a cloak of foliage. "Our alliance with the Red Eye is official," Zaryusu said. "And perhaps it might become more... Permanent," Crush suggested, a hint of blush on her scales.

"Well that's for you to work out," Takemikazuchi said with a grin, "But that just leaves the Dragon Tusk tribe. Still, with four tribes working together, I doubt the fifth will be against negotiation." They headed for the Dragon Tusk territory. Once there, it seemed there was a large party waiting for them. Among them was a lizardman male that seemed more crocodile than true lizard. "That must be the chieftain," Zaryusu noted. Sure enough, the male stepped forward. "I am Zenberu Gugu, leader of this tribe. Your envoys have already told us of your intention."

He grinned. "Considering you seem to have convinced the Red Eye tribe, I suppose it's wise to consider your offer. However, you'll have to prove this alliance can be strong enough." Takemikazuchi then noticed something. "You have the same mark as Zaryusu. So you were a traveler as well. Yet you lead your tribe?" "I proved myself in honorable combat," Zenberu explained, "So, which of you will face me know to prove your strength." The group considered it. "I think you should go Zaryusu," Takemikazuchi suggested, "These are your people after all, so it would be a more meaningful victory."

Zaryusu nodded. "You'll be facing off against me." "A fine choice," Zenberu admitted, "I'm told you possess a Stand. In that case..." He tossed his polearm aside. "I won't be needing this." He breathed deep and focused, channeling energy through his body. "So he's a monk-class," Zaryusu noted, "That makes things a little challenging." He picked up his Stand and took a fighting stance. As the two males clashed, it was clear that in terms of strength they were surprisingly even.

However, Zenberu had the edge in defense, until Zaryusu decided to pull out his trump card. "Cold Wind Blows!" He swung his Stand to attack. Zenberu made to deflect it, only to pull back as he felt a freezing sensation just from touching the blade. "So that's the power of your Stand," he realized, "It can freeze whatever it touches." "More than that," Zaryusu clarified, and he struck the ground with Cold Wind Blows, causing the area to turn into an arctic tundra.

The frost reached Zenberu's legs, freezing them in place. Zaryusu took advantage of this, racing forward with his Stand inactive, stopping a inch from Zenberu's throat. Zenberu chuckled. "Looks like I'll have to yield. You proved your strength, Zaryusu." Both fighters relaxed as the frost receded. "The Dragon Tusk tribe accepts your alliance," Zenberu said. As he said this, Ticket to Ride was seen rolling past. "Come to think of it," Zaryusu said, "There is a station at the edge of Green Claw territory." "Let's go meet our allies then," Takemikazuchi offered, "We have much to plan here."