Ep.22: A Land of Ash, Part 2

“Let’s keep moving, Fukai,” Ramsey states, trying to keep positive for Maka’s sake as he strides past me.

I nod my head in silence.

“Umm… I’m sorry I didn’t believe you before, Fukai,” Maka says quietly.

I continue to look ahead, focusing on what’s in front of me. “It’s okay, something like this is unbelievable…” I pause and allow myself a small, bitter smile. “Hell, I’m still in disbelief.”

After a short while, Ramsey finally gives in to his curiosity and begins examining one of the ashen trees closer.

Maka looks around, worry written plainly on his face. “I don’t like this place at all.” Maka gets down on all-fours and turns towards Ramsey. “Let’s hurry this up so we can get out of here,” he implores as he continues to glance around nervously. “This place is giving me the creeps.”

“Calm yourself, Maka. This place is giving all of us the creeps.” Ramsey orders, his hand hovering next to one of the ashen trees, though Maka stays crouched. “Hmm… this is strange. It’s not hot.”

“Ramsey, I’m leaving you behind!” I shout while making good on my word, leaving him behind without hesitation.

“Damn it! I’m coming. I’m coming!” Ramsey shouts.

A short time later, Ramsey, close behind me, asks me a question. “Hey, Fukai, do you remember a few weeks ago when a group of Koa Warriors left on an expedition?”

“Hmm… yeah. If I remember correctly, weren’t they assigned to protect a group of scientists who were investigating some activity in the Deep Jungle?” I answer.

“Exactly.” Ramsey pauses as he speaks, looking up at the ashen trees. “And now they’re missing without a trace, leaving nothing behind.” Ramsey finishes, his tone darkening.

Maka catches up to Ramsey and stands up, asking, “Umm… are you thinking maybe this has something to do with them disappearing, Ramsey?”

“Yeah, just maybe,” Ramsey responds to Maka, still lost in thought, a shroud of worry settling down onto his shoulders.

Maka, seeing this, settles back down onto all-fours and shivers.

As we continue to walk through the ashen jungle, I stop at the sudden speaking of the Guardian of Apo; her voice loud and echoing through my bones, clear as day. “Young Fukai! Make your way to the Temple… of… Em-- em--b-- er…” her voice fading towards the end. I twist around to look over my shoulder, expecting to see her behind me only to be greeted with empty space.

“Nothing?” I question, then quickly turn towards Ramsey in a panic. “Ramsey! I…”

“Yeah, I know.” Ramsey says, staring ahead with an unreadable expression of stone-like intensity. “I heard the voice just now.”

Maka, still down, creeps up from behind me while shaking. “Wh-where do you think it came from?” Maka glances nervously behind himself.

“Fukai, what does she mean by, ‘Make your way to the Temple of… something’?” Ramsey looks at me, his steely expression melting for a moment as he searches my face hoping for answers, confusion evident on his own.

Maka is twitching slightly as he continues to glance around us. “So wha-- wh-- what happened to you when you touched that orb?”

“Hmmm… I’m not sure where the place was…” I look up at the clear sky. “It was like it was everywhere and nowhere at the same time.”

“Huh?” Ramsey continues to stare at me, even more confusion plastered on his face.

“She claimed to be the Guardian of Apo, and that she needed help saving it,” I respond, calmly.

“That’s good and all, but did she tell you about a place?” Ramsey asks as he steps towards me.

“Umm… that would be good to know,” Maka adds.

“Right, all I know is the Temple of… and she just faded away after that.” I say as I look at Ramsey.

“Shit! That doesn’t help!” Ramsey starts pacing. “If we only had more to go off of, then maybe we could…”

“Umm… guys.” Maka stands up and looks at me.

“Come on, Ramsey! I’m sure a genius like you can figure it out!” I announce with a smile.

“Shut up!” Ramsey shouts.

“Umm… guys, I think…” Maka looks from me to Ramsey hoping to catch his attention.

Ignoring Maka, I continue to address Ramsey “What? I’m just saying I know how you pride yourself on being the smart one…” I retort as I poke Ramsey in the face while smirking.

“Guys! Don’t you hear someone singing?!” Maka finally shouts at us.

I turn and look at Maka. “Singing?”

“Yes! Just listen.” Maka says.

As I take a step forward, I hear a woman’s voice singing into this ashen jungle.

“The Guardian of Apo has been disturbed.

Awoken from her slumber, only to be cursed.”