“How…? Where am I?” I glance around, seeing only the after images of the bright light.
“Fukai? Fukai?!” I hear Ramsey’s voice, but it sounds like it’s coming from the other side of the jungle.
“Ramsey?!” I look around in a panic. “Is that you?!”
“Ummm… Ramsey, I believe he can’t hear you.” Maka’s concerned voice sounds just as far.
“Maka! What are you talking about?! I can hear you!” I shout, hoping for a response.
“You may have a point, Maka. It doesn’t look like I’m getting a response.” Ramsey states as I feel him put his hand on my shoulder.
I turn around quickly. “Ramsey?!” Nobody there.
“I’ll ask you once more, will you help me?” I hear the woman’s voice again.
“Who’s there?! And how come I can’t see?!” I look around in a panic, still unable to see.
“Right, I almost forgot.” I hear the sound of fingers snapping. In an instant I am transported to what appears to be another dimension, of sorts. Before me is nothing but a blank whiteness, stretching on for miles; almost like it could be never-ending. I’m standing on a perfectly flat, blank white floor that stretches beyond my vision, “I better not…” I say as I hear the echoing of many voices far, but also very near. Ferocious, but also calming at the same time.
“Speak your name, Champion of the Jungle.” she calmly says.
“Wow! What is this place?” I touch my whole body. “Alright! I’m back!” I say, smiling.
With a commanding voice she utters, “Speak your name, Champion of the Jungle!”
I’m startled by the sudden change in her voice. “I’m sorry!” I respond while looking around hoping to see someone. “Ummm… I’m Fukai. And who am I talking to?”
Camly, she says, “Fukai. Hmm,” she pauses, “that’s a good name.”
“Umm… thank you?” I reply, a little confused. “…So, who am I speaking to?”
“Ahem!” She says, clearing her throat.
“Hello? Is anyone there?” I say cautiously, hoping not to get smote. “Hello?!” I look around again, trying to make sense of things when, all of a sudden, a variety of different colors slide across the floor. “Wow! This is amazing!” I declare, and the colors continue spreading not only below me, but above me as well: all around me, eventually swirling together into a vortex of marvelous hues. “So pretty!”
“Why, thank you.” Emerging out of the marvelous vortex is a beauty of a woman. “It is nice to meet you, young Fukai.” Her eyes are a luscious green mixed with the most vibrant yellow; one that would make the sun jealous of its vibrance. “I’ve waited many ios for someone to step into my domain again.” Even as she is speaking, I can’t stop myself from taking in her beauty; Her hair is an enticing dark red. Her skin, flawless and golden; and she is adorned in a beautiful dress of endless colors. “Well, do you have something to say?” She asks as she stares at me.
“Umm… I was talking about the colors.” I whisper, hoping she doesn’t hear me.
“Really?” She continues to stare.
“Yea,” I smile, “…but more importantly, who are you?”
Her dress, spread out like wings, was shining down in a beautiful multi-colored hue. “I am the Guardian of the Deep Jungle, and I’m in desperate need of your help, young Fukai.” The Guardian, sensing something behind her, looks back and then turns to face me again. “Hmmm… listen well, young Fukai, on what I’m about to tell you…”
***
“W- What do we do, Ramsey?!” I point at Fukai, who is suspended 30ft in the air above us, the orb glowing and floating next to him. “Th-Th-This is crazy! Right? Ramsey? Please say something?!” I beg as I begin to go into panic mode. “Breathe, Maka. Breathe.” I remind myself while slowly turning to Ramsey, a look of desperate fear in my eyes. “Ummm… Ramsey? How are we going to get him down from there?”
Ramsey, completely ignoring me, says “Hell if I know.” as he starts to walk away.
I grab onto Ramsey’s shirt. “Please don’t leave me all alone!”
“Calm down! I wasn’t going to leave you.” Ramsey stares at Fukai with a concerned look. “Hmmm…”
“What do you think he’s doing up there?” I look up at Fukai, worry worming its way into my belly.
Ramsey rubs the side of his head. “How should I know, but I can tell you what he’s not doing.”
I look up at Ramsey, looking for a hopeful answer. “What’s that?”
Ramsey points at Fukai. “He’s definitely not taking in the sights.”
I peer at Ramsey, confused. “What do you mean by that?”
“I mean, just look at him! He looks like he’s possessed or something.” Ramsey rubs his head in frustration. “I mean, his eyes! Look at his eyes!”
“His eyes?” I look up at Fukai’s suspended body. “What is going on?” I question, realizing that Fukai’s eyes are now a brilliant blue color. “Fukai. Just wait a little longer. We’ll find a way to save you.”
***
The Guardian looks at her hand as it begins to fade. “It would seem I’m almost out of time.”
“Is something the matter?” I look at her with curiosity.
“Young Fukai, our time is limited, so pay attention and I’ll make this quick,” she says as she fades in and out. “The Deep Jungle is in danger, and we need your help.”
Mesmerized by the wonder of it all, I begin to explore. “Wow! Is this all for real?! This place is amazing!” I say with excitement. “Wait! That’s right, where’s Maka and Ramsey?” I sit down. “Hmmm… oh! No!” I look over my shoulder and squint my eyes at the Guardian with a conspiratorial look on my face, “Am I dead?”
The Guardian gives me a look that says she’s more than a little ticked off. “Are you even listening to me?!” the Guardian demands, as flames circle around us.
I turn around, realizing my situation. “Holy shit! I’m dead! I’m dead!” I wail in a panic. “And this is definitely hell!” I look over my shoulder again. “I… I wonder if she’s a real demon?”
“Foolish boy, I already told you, I’m the Guardian of the Deep Jungle!” She takes a step closer.
I drop to my hands and knees. “I’m sorry! O great demon lord, please spare me from eternal damnation! I swear I lived an honest and good-”
“Wow! Really?! Of course, just my luck, the first person I’m actually able to make contact with is an idiot!” the Guardian shakes her head in frustration. “Look! I’m no demon, and you’re not dead! So, shut up and listen!”
“Oh… Sure.” I say, a little confused.
The Guardian emits a sound of frustration as she closes her eyes. “Good, it’s about time you settle down.” The moment the Guardian’s eyes open I am only able to focus on her words. “I am the Guardian of the Deep Jungle and have protected the jungle for many ios, but now an outside source is threatening the very balance of nature,” the Guardian begins to blink as tears form in the corners of her eyes, “and I dare not speak his name. It pains me, knowing I let it get this far! It’s my duty to take care of all life dwelling in the Deep Jungle.” The Guardian looks at me and smiles. “All life has value.”
Without a thought, I respond, “Please, let me help you.” I say, surprising myself. “Huh? Why did I say that?”
The Guardian looks at me and smiles, “None can tell a lie in front of me.” The Guardian points at my heart, “You can only speak what’s in your heart, young Fukai.” The Guardian begins to fade in and out again. “I’m running out of time! Young Fukai, you must listen. Travel to the Temple of Em-”
Suddenly, the Guardian disappears entirely. “Wait! The Temple of what?”
The echo of the Guardian’s voice speaks in a gentle tone as I look around. “Don’t worry, young Fukai, we will meet again. It is now time for you to wake up!”
“I’m awake!” I shout, as a rock hits me in the head and I begin falling towards the ground. “Dammit! That hurts!” *Fwump.* I hit the ground and look around in anger as the orb lands gracefully next to me. “Who the hell threw that rock?!”
“Oops… umm… I’m sorry, Fukai!” Maka says.
“See, Maka, I told you to be careful.” Ramsey looks at me, a flash of inquisitive concern on his face. “And besides, you were supposed to be aiming for the orb.”
Maka looks at Ramsey. “I was… I just really suck at this.” Maka says while looking defeated.
Ramsey shakes his head, “Look, Maka, I suggest aiming for his head… and then, maybe you’ll hit the orb.”
“Hey!” I shout at them in anger.
Maka walks up to Ramsey and sticks his finger in Ramsey’s face, a little upset. “Look, Ramsey, it’s not like you hit the orb either!”
Ramsey turns his head and whistles. “Weeell, I also didn’t hit him in the head, ok?”
Maka turns and looks at me with determination. “It doesn’t even look like it has affected him, watch!” Maka sticks his tongue out of the side of his mouth and throws another rock at me, hitting my shoulder this time. “See? Nothing! No movement, no cries of pain, nothing!”
“What the damn! Hell! Maka!” I shout in anger.
“Hmmm… what were you aiming at this time?” Ramsey scratches his head in mock confusion.
“Umm… his head.” Maka says quietly.
Ramsey puts his hand on his face, sighing. “Ok, let me try this again.” Ramsey hurls another rock at me, but this time harder.
I quickly jump to my feet and catch the rock. “What the hell, GUYS!” I swiftly throw the rock past Ramsey’s head. “And this is how you throw a rock!”
“Fukai? You’re back with us.” Ramsey sarcastically feigns a little surprise.
“Kai! You’re alright?” Maka begins laughing as Ramsey and him both rush over to me. “Are you okay?!”
Ramsey looks at me, “What happened to you?”
I look at both of them, confused. “Huh? What are you talking about?”
“Look, Fukai, after you grabbed the orb, a bright light blinded us.” Ramsey calmly looks up. “And next thing we know, you’re floating just off the ground with that orb at your side. We didn’t know what to do, and then you started to rise. It couldn’t have been more than a few minutes, but then you came back.”
I look at my hands. “Really? It feels like hours have passed.” I say to myself.
Maka looks at Ramsey and smiles. “We’d better head back home before we find more trouble.”
“You’re right. I believe that’s enough adventure for one day, even for an idiot.” Ramsey puts his hand on Maka’s shoulder and gestures his head towards me.
“Wait.” I say quietly.
“I don’t know about you two, but I’m starving!” Ramsey smiles and declares as he begins to walk away.
“Me too! Let’s go home!” Maka shouts as he begins to follow Ramsey.
“WAIT… we can’t leave just yet!” I shout.
Ramsey turns around in anger. “What?!”
I look at Ramsey, “We can’t go back home just yet.”
Maka looks at me and then at Ramsey. “And… why not?”
Ramsey quickly turns around and begins to walk away. “It doesn’t matter why not. Because we’re going home and that’s final.”
“LISTEN!” Ramsey turns to look back at me, hearing the urgency in my voice. I stare at Ramsey with conviction. “I know, I’m the one that talked you guys into skipping class today. I know that since then, there’s been nothing but one danger after another. I know all of that, but when I touched that orb, I was transported to a different realm! One where I met The Guardian of the Deep Jungle! And she called out to me! She called out, ‘Please help!’” I turn to Maka, hoping he can see that I’m telling the truth. “The Guardian protects all living things that dwell here, so shouldn’t we do the same when she needs our help?!”
Maka takes a step closer, “Kai. You’re not-”
Ramsey steps in front of Maka, “It doesn’t matter what you think you saw, Fukai! I’ve known you all my life and I know how you are! You’re always trying to go on some grand adventure! Trying to be a hero! But we can die if we’re not careful!” Ramsey walks up to me. “Do you care about being a hero more than your friends’ lives?!”
Maka looks at Ramsey from a distance. “Ramsey…”
“That’s not it! If the jungle dies… then we’re just as good as dead!” I shout.
“Enough! As your prince, I order you to go back to Coatlicue!” Ramsey shouts as he pushes me.
I look towards the ground and inhale, then exhale. “I know it’s hard to believe me, but I saw the Guardian and she spoke to me about a danger that’s killing this jungle.” I put my hand on Ramsey’s shoulder, “Please, help me save our homeland!”
Ramsey bats my hand away and walks off. “I’m sorry, Fukai. I don’t believe you.” Then Ramsey pauses for a second to look up at the sky through the trees. “…And even if I did…” his face changes to one of forlorn defeatedness, “what can a bunch of kids do? We are helpless. We should go home and leave this matter to my father.”
Maka stands between us looking at the both of us as he talks to himself. “I think true strength comes when you first believe.”
“Believe?” Determined not to give up, I look towards Ramsey and continue to plead my case. “Ramsey! Please, just hear me out!” I beg, running up to Ramsey and grabbing his arm. “I know I’m to blame for getting us in this mess, but believe me when I say this! There’s something bigger than all of us going on here!” I know that if we leave things the way they are, I will regret this for the rest of my life. I squeeze Ramsey’s arm harder. “Why won’t you believe me! I heard a voice speak to me, asking for help!” Ramsey looks at me with disbelief in his eyes as he remains silent. “Ramsey?” I hesitate for a moment. “Oh.” I quickly look towards Maka. “Maka! You believe me, right?!” I say, desperately hoping for reassurance that I’m not crazy.
“Ummm… I’m sorry, Fukai, but I didn’t hear anything. I think we should go back home.” Maka apologizes as he starts to scratch his cheek with his finger and his eyes wander to the ground. “So please, stop this.”
“Maka? Please, I’m not lying to you!” I say as I reach out for Maka.
“That’s enough, Fukai!” Ramsey grabs me by the collar and yells into my face. “Enough of this bull crap! You’re always trying to look for the next adventure! But some of us just want to go home!”
“Ramsey! Fukai! Both of you, please, stop fighting!” Maka tries to step forward between us, but trips and falls between instead. “Ouch!” Maka starts wiping tears from his cheeks as he lies there on the ground. “Please stop this. We’re supposed to be friends, aren’t we?”
I look down towards Maka, something heavy weighing at my heart. “I…”
“Enough of this!” Ramsey pushes me to the ground. “Look here, Fukai! We are going back home, even if I have to drag you there myself!” Ramsey turns towards Maka, offering him a helping hand. “Come on, Maka, let’s go home.”
Maka looks up towards Ramsey and smiles. “Thanks, Ramsey. Let’s go home.”
“Sounds good to me, buddy.” Ramsey takes Maka’s hand.
As Ramsey helps Maka get up off the ground, I feel somewhat relieved. Whispering to myself, “Maybe it was all in my head,” only to hear a faint sound of someone playing an instrument as I stand up. “Huh? Music?” I look behind me. “Nothing?” I say as an eerie sensation comes over me.