Ep.35: Punishment, Part 4

“Ok, ok! I’ll tell you!” I concede as I struggle to break free from Lukai’s grasp.

“Umm… it was the Deep Jungle…” Maka prompts.

“Huh?” Lukai looks at Maka.

Maka bows his head sheepishly, “I’m sorry… it’s our fault for giving in just as much as it is Fukai’s fault for convincing us.” Maka looks up at Lukai with sincerity. “So punish us equally.”

“The Deep Jungle… Hey, Fukai, how dare you risk your friends’ lives?” Lukai slowly turns away from Maka and glares at me with a bone-chillingly evil look.

“Ummm…” I begin to whistle.

“You haven’t the slightest idea what dangers await you in the Outer Realm.” Lukai drops me.

“Outer Realm?” I question, cocking my head to the side in confusion.

Maka walks up to Lukai, “What’s the outer realm?”

Lukai looks at the both of us. “Look, the Deep Jungle is our homeland, but we share it with every living thing, and to keep the balance our kingdom only takes up a small portion of the land of Apo.” Lukai sits. “Aaand, with that there are also parts of this land that are very dangerous. There are four mystical beasts, each governing a different region; protecting the land and keeping the balance. They are in control of the lesser creatures. And then there’s the Guardian…” Lukai touches the pendant around her neck. “The Guardian protects all of Apo and helps keep the balance between us and the mystical beasts. We are all under the protection of her sanctuary.”

“Her sanctuary?” I repeat, confused.

“Ah, yes.” Gwyn walks up to me. “If you guys hadn’t skipped my class today, you would know what Lukai is talking about.” Gwyn smiles. “So promise me you won’t go into the Outer Realm again.”

Maka smiles, “We promise.”

“Hmph. Maybe you promise,” I gripe under my breath.

“Shut it! Boi!” Lukai smacks me upside the head.

“Hey! What was that for?!” I complain.

“Fukai.” She sets her hand patronizingly on top of my head. “You are several ios too young to be talking back to me!” Lukai’s fingers snarl in my hair as she grips my skull tightly, picking me up so her other hand can easily grab a hold of my feet.

“Ok… ok! I’m sorry!” I cry out, struggling to break free as she holds me taut like a wet towel.

My mother sighs, “Gwyn, do you mind taking Maka and Anaea home?” Lukai pauses while she looks at me. “It would seem that this idiot has forgotten his place.”

“Hey! Who you calling an idiot?!” I demand while still struggling to escape from Lukai’s grasp.

“It’s no problem,” Gwyn smiles. “I know it’s a… handful when dealing with Fukai.”

“Hey! Are you ignoring me?!” I pause for a second. “What do y’all mean by a handful?!”

“Shut the hell up, boi! We’re going home, even if I have to drag you!” Lukai barks painfully into my ear and drops my head, dragging me as I go full-pout.

After we go our separate ways, I feel something within. “The balance is starting to crumble.” I look towards the sunset while Lukai drags me by my feet. “I promise, I’ll find a way.”