Ep.47: The One Who Believed, Part 4

“Hmm… I see. An ashen jungle.” Gwyn scratches the back of his head. “I can see how frustrating this must be, with how unbelievable it sounds.” He looks at us and calmly smiles. “But I know your characters, none of you have reason to lie.”

“Y-You believe us?” I gasp, stuttering over my words with relief.

“Of course we do,” Cinder says while pouring some tea. “And besides, Master Gwyn had figured something was wrong after the last expedition, when that group of Koa warriors and scientists went missing.”

“Yea, and this now all but confirms it,” Gwyn comments while in deep thought.

“So, what now?! Go to the king and rub it in his face?!” I inquire, eager to go.

“Wait, Fukai,” Gwyn interrupts quickly. “I believe Ramsey is right on this one. A small group should do best. To keep the ash from spreading.”

“Alright! This sounds like a great adventure!” I jump in the air, fist raised with excitement.

“Great, now this idiot is at it again,” Ramsey disappointedly shakes his head.

“Don’t be a downer, this should be fun!” Anaea playfully punches Ramsey in the arm and steps close, smiling. Ramsey scowls back as he rubs his arm.

“This is not good for my heart,” Maka whimpers to himself.

“I normally wouldn’t do this, but I’ll need your guys’ help on this.” Gwyn walks up to Cinder, “Cinder, I need you to do a little research for me. We need to be prepared for anything.”

Cinder nods his head, “I’m on it, Master.” He replies while adjusting his glasses. “*Cough.*”

“Thank you, everyone! For everything!” I announce while smiling. “I know I can be difficult sometimes, and I may put your life in danger from time to time… b-but this place is special to me. It’s something irreplaceable. I was born here; raised here. And like my father, I will protect this beautiful land,” I conclude with a smile.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Gwyn says. “Look, there’re a couple of things Cinder and I have to prepare, so I need you all to let your parents know we will be taking a little school field trip tomorrow.”

“Alright! I can’t wait!” I shout with excitement.

“Come on, let’s go home.” Ramsey begins to leave, with Maka following him closely.

“Umm… do I have to go on the field trip?” Maka asks quietly.

“Yes,” Ramsey replies.

“Nothing is worth achieving unless you have your friends to share it with you,” Gwyn states.

“Oh. This isn’t going to be good,” Maka states.

“Come on, Fukai. Let’s go,” Anaea grabs my arm.

I smile and quietly nod my head.

“I’m tired,” I remark as I lie down on my bed. “I can’t believe this is happening.” I smile as I begin to think about the journey we will embark on tomorrow. “I promise…” I say, and drift off to sleep.

***

“Alright! Let’s do this!” I shout at the top of my lungs.

“Shut. Up,” Ramsey says while rubbing his head. “God, it’s way too early for this.”

“Oh! Right, bag check!” I look through my bag. “Food: Check. More food: Check. Backup foo-”

“Umm… is that all you brought, Fukai?” Maka asks, looking over my shoulder.

“Hey! Don’t look!” I say, turning to again put my back between us.

“Let’s go, guys! Or we’ll leave you behind!” Anaea gives a beckoning wave from a distance as she walks with Gwyn and Cinder.

“Hey! Wait up!” I say as Ramsey, Maka, and I run to catch up to them.

With Ramsey leading the way, we are able to retrace our steps quickly. “Just over this hill is where Maka and I met up with Fukai.”

“Alright, I think we’re getting closer to the ashen jungle,” I say while running up the hill. “First!” I shout while looking down the hill. “Oh no…” I gasp, my voice quiet for once as horror steals it from my very lungs; the ashen jungle has been spreading much faster than I had anticipated.