“I…” I look up at the sun. “Swear…” I wipe the sweat off my forehead. “To…” I look back over my shoulder at Ramsey, “God…” his left eye twitching for some reason. “Why is it so hot?!”

“Quit your damn complaining!” Ramsey swears as he kicks me in the back. “We’re almost home!”

“I’m so hungry!” Maka complains.

“Okay, the first thing is food! Second thing: save the Deep Jungle!” I respond, smiling.

Looking up while wiping the sweat off his forehead, Ramsey agrees with me. “I guess you have a point.” Then, lowering his eyes to look at me, Ramsey continues. “How’s that saying go… hmmm… you can’t fight on an empty stomach?”

“Ummm… can we stop talking about food?” Maka begs as he begins to rub his stomach, hunger evident on his pallid face. “I think I’m dying from starvation.”

Swiftly turning to him, I grab Maka by his shoulders and shake him frantically as I shout, “You can’t die! You can’t die, Maka! There’s a lot of Adventures we haven’t gone on yet!”

“Shut up! Ain’t nobody dying!” Ramsey groans in annoyance while hitting me upside the head.

“Why do you say that?” I glare at Ramsey. “Have you been holding out on us?” I start to rifle through Ramsey’s pockets without his permission.

“Hey! Hey! Hey! Get the hell off of me!” Ramsey shouts as he thrusts me off of him. “That’s not what I meant!” Ramsey explains, looking ahead and smiling. “Look! We’re almost at the top of the hill!”

I look ahead with an enormous grin plastered on my face. “Oh, right!” I start to run towards the top of the hill. “Last one to the top of the hill has to pay for lunch!” I say as I continue my mad dash towards the top of the hill.

“Hey! That’s not fair!” Maka starts to run.

“I’m not playing your childish game.” Ramsey remarks as continues to walk up the hill.

“Sounds like a sore loser to me.” I yell back at him with a smirk on my face.

Ramsey looks down towards the ground while unconsciously clenching his fists from the irritation. “Sore loser, am I?” Ramsey starts to sprint up the hill. “I’ll show you! Jackass!”

I begin to slow down so they can catch up. “It took you long enough!” I say smiling.

“Shut up!” Ramsey says, looking irritated.

“Are we almost there?!” Maka asks, looking like he’s about to collapse.

“We-ee,” I jump in the air with excitement, “made it!” I declare, landing down on the top of the hill.

Ramsey and Maka simultaneously fall to the ground, succumbing to their shared exhaustion.

“How is it possible that he has this much energy?!” Maka rolls over onto his back, gasping for air.

“I’m pretty sure he’s not human.” Ramsey says while trying to stand.

“Hey, guys! Don’t faint on me just yet!” I point towards the valley below. “Look!” Ramsey and Maka look up as I say. “We’re home!”

As we stare down into the valley below at the landmark Eros Shard, the rest of the kingdom of Coatlicue nestled in its cradle, it is a breathtaking sight to behold. The kingdom stretches from one side of Eros’s Cradle to the other. Coatlicue is known as the kingdom of healing, a title that stems from its borders being made entirely of the Deep Jungle. Coatlicue also harbors the Shard of Eros, and when the sunlight hits the Shard of Eros just right, a slight glimmer of yellowish-green will dance across the kingdom, causing Coatlicue to feel angelic.

I inhale, then exhale. “Ok, guys, let’s go…” *Ggrglh* my stomach chimes in. “Nah, scratch that, let’s get some food!” I declare as we begin our descent down towards Coatlicue.

The gate to Coatlicue is between the inner and outer marketplaces, with dedicated civilians working hard at the things they love.

“Fresh-cut meats! Get your fresh-cut meats!” Don the meat seller cries out over the crowd, which is busy as always.

“Trust me, sir. This remedy will clear that right up. It’s a tree sap that comes from the oldest trees in the forest.” Cau, with fox features, hails from the Onin clan and is always eager to help, if the price is right.

This is the Coatlicue’s outer marketplace. From the half-elf Sek selling fruits, to Gern the dwarf selling the finest bread in all of Apo, to aspiring scientists looking to make a name for themselves by selling their nature tech at a reasonable price; the outer marketplace has quite the varied populace. “Ahhh crap!” I look over at Maka and whisper to him, “We got to be careful around these people… always bleedin’ you dry.”

Maka quietly nods his head.

“Fresh fish for sale! Fresh fish for sale! Caught today in the Lake of Rejuvenation!” a young nymph shouts.

“Hoping to lure some poor sucker in, I bet.” Ramsey quips in my direction, then realizes I’m already gone and probably didn’t hear him.

“Wow! You don’t say? So, did you really catch them in the Lake of Rejuvenation?” I say with excitement.

“Annnnnd cue the poor sucker.” Ramsey looks at me with a defeated look as he sighs, “Come on, don’t be wasting our time.” Ramsey grabs me by the shirt.

“Leaf Rapper for sale! One of nature tech’s best sellers!” A scruffy-looking middle-aged man shouts.

“Hmm… this seems legit. I’ll take two!” I say, feeling sensible.

Ramsey slaps me upside the head. “Are you a complete idiot?! Keep moving!”

“Aqua Sensor for sale! New nature tech! Buy them at a low price!” Another of the Onin clan, this one with rhino features, seems to be selling some new devices.

“Ok, I’ve always wanted something that could do this,” I say, reaching to take the device from the seller.

“I’m sorry, sir, my friend is a complete idiot and cannot make decisions on his own.” Ramsey says, belittling my intelligence and pulling me beyond reach of the tech.

“Healing-Sap Drops! Brave warriors, looking for an edge in battle?! One drop can heal most wounds!” A female human with an eyepatch says while walking up to me.

“I see. I see. You noticed the bravery dripping off of me.” I say, all smug.

“Kai! We don’t have time for this! Remember what you said!” Maka pleads while pushing me onwards.

All types of people and wares can be found here at Coatlicue’s outer market.

“Wow!” My eyes light up as I look around, wondering what I should buy.

“Focus.” Ramsey says through his teeth as he glares at me.

As we approach Coatlicue’s massive gates, I remember something my Father once told me. “Fun fact:” I look at Ramsey with a smile, “They say that four Giant Mammoth Spiders abreast can march right through Coatlicue’s gate with ease.”

“Stop talking, would you?” Ramsey looks at me, exasperated. “I’m so exhausted.”

“Can we eat now?” Maka’s legs start to shake.

“Halt!” One of the royal guards stops us at the front gates.

“What are children doing outside the gates?!” Another guard says, noticing that we clearly don’t have adult supervision and walking over.

“Ummm…” Maka looks at Ramsey.

“Well…” Ramsey hesitates to answer, looking away.

“You see…” I look the guards straight in the eyes, “we were doing research…” I look at Ramsey, “right, guys?” I then look over at Maka. “…For our book report! Yes, that’s it!”

“How stupid do you think I look?!” One of the guards growls, getting in my face.

I begin to think about the question. “Hmmm… if I were a betting man, I would say-”

Ramsey slaps me upside the head while calmly looking at the guards. “You see, my father had me out on an errand,” Ramsey looks at Maka and winks at him. “And my father, being who he is, had these two escort me.” Ramsey quickly reveals something to the royal guards that results in them suddenly cooperating without hesitation.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I had no idea…” The royal guards look at each other. “Please, enter, and have a good day.”

As we enter the comfort of Coatlicue, all the weight from our adventure starts to take its toll on me. “Man… I’m so tired,” I say as I fall to the ground.

“Get up. We have to keep going,” Ramsey says while kicking me in the back.

Maka sits down. “A little rest wouldn’t hurt now that we’re back in Coatlicue, Ramsey.”

“I’m tired!” I say, half-heartedly kicking and screaming. “Let me rest!”

“Shut up! I heard you the first time!” Ramsey shouts.

I notice a smell in the air.

*Sniff*

——*Sniff Sniff*

————*Snnniiiiiiiiiiiiff*

Ramsey looks up and glances around the inner marketplace. “And besides, Coatlicue is massive. It’ll be awhile before we get anywhere with decent food.”

I, being less picky, continue to sniff around.

—*Sniff Sniff*

*Sniff*———*Sniff*

“Umm… Ramsey, it doesn’t have to be amazing food, so long as it is food,” Maka says quietly.

“I smell some food.” I state as I quickly look around, wondering where exactly this smell is coming from, when a big, husky, half-giant kid named Coodray comes stomping around the corner into view. Despite the fact that Coodray is known for being one of the biggest bullies around Coatlicue and for going from district to district tormenting all the kids, my only focus is on the loaf of bread he is eating; the loaf that is calling my name so loudly that I don’t care at all about his reputation.

“Well, well, well! If it isn’t the Dork Nation. What are you losers doing on this side of the kingdom?!” Coodray sneers as he bites down on the bread.

Ramsey starts to walk away, not even willing to give Coodray the time of day. “That’s none of your business, Dray.” Ramsey looks at us, calmly. “Let’s go, guys.”

I begin to drool. “Hey… Dray… buddy, how about you share some of that bread? I hear sharing is what the cool kids are doing these days.”

“Ramsey, I’m tired. Can you carry me?” Maka niggles Ramsey whilst grabbing onto his leg.

“Hey! Don’t ignore me, you dorks!” Coodray shouts.

“So… do you have some butter to put on that piece of bread, by any chance?” I say while trying to grab at his bread.

“Get off of me, you fool!” Dray shoves me off of him and onto the ground. “Look here, you dork-fests!” Coodray gets up in my face. “You guys have the nerve to walk around in my presence! And try to belittle me?!” Coodray looks at Maka. “It looks like you guys are going to have to learn this lesson the hard way!” Coodray kicks Maka right in the stomach, sending him flying into a wall. “Ha! You guys are so weak!”

“Hey! What the hell do you think you’re doing to Maka!” Ramsey screams while running straight up to Coodray, ready to punch him in the face.

I’m on my knees looking up as the situation unfolds right in front of me. “Ramsey?”

“Ha! You’re too slow!” Coodray kicks Ramsey directly in the knee, which buckles at the impact, sending Ramsey falling towards the ground. “Where do you think you’re going?!” Coodray grabs Ramsey by his head, cruelly digging his fingers into Ramsey’s scalp and lifting him off the ground. Coodray tightens his grip into a painful, crushing grip before announcing, “Now! Let me hear you scream!”

“Aaagh…!” Ramsey screams, unable to withhold the sound.

“Hey! What do you think you’re doing to my friends, asshole?!” I swiftly lunge upwards from the ground, climb my feet to the back of Coodray’s shoulder, grab his arm and heave back. A loud, snapping sound echoes as Coodray loses his grip on Ramsey.

Coodray pulls away from me while holding his arm. “What the hell is wrong with you?! You crazy bastard… you… you broke my arm!” Coodray glares at me with fiery anger burning. “I’m going to kill you!”

Ignoring Coodray’s declaration, I fall to my knees while holding my stomach. “I have no more energy left. I’m so hungry.”

“Watch out! Fukai!” Ramsey shouts out to me.

I look up only to see Coodray right above me, ready to kick me in the face. “Die!”

“Huh?” I exclaim, noticing something out of the corner of my eye.

“Super duper surprise attack!” Within a blink of an eye, Anaea comes rushing out of nowhere, dropkicking Coodray right in the face with both of her feet. “It’s about time you guys made it home!” She says as her beautiful, medium-length, flowing, reddish-brown hair swings straight in front of her mouth.

“Wow! So cool!” I exclaim with a bright smile. It is a majestic sight, seeing Coodray sent flying into some crates, causing them to break.

“Oh, no you don’t!” Anaea lands on the ground safely with a smirk. “Take this, you bully!” Anaea kicks Coodray in the stomach for good measure, adding purposeful insult to injury. “Alright,” Anaea concludes, then looks at me and smiles while waving. “Hey, Fukai! Did you miss me?!”

Without hesitation, I dash right past Anaea and grab the bread left on the ground. “Safe!” I begin to rub the bread on my face. “Oh, sweet and delicious bread! You’ll find a sweet home in my mouth!” I begin to shove the bread into my mouth. “So… grofd!”

“Don’t speak with your mouth full!” Ramsey rebukes as he slaps me upside the head.

“No fair, Fukai! Give me some!” Maka tries to reach for the bread.

I shove Maka away with my foot, my mouth full of bread. “You can’h hafe any, I foun’ ih firsh!”

“You know, you should really learn how to share,” Ramsey says.

I look down at the bread, and then look towards Maka. Maka looks like he’s dying from starvation. “Fine!” I break off a small corner-piece of the bread and flick it towards Maka. “Here.”

“Thank you, Fukai! Thank you!” Maka smiles and begins digging into the too-small piece.

“Hey, guys! Don’t go ignoring me!” Anaea walks up to us, a little upset.

“Oh. I almost forgot you were there, Anaea.” I say casually.

Ramsey slaps me upside the head again. “Stop being rude.” Ramsey walks up to Anaea and pats her on the forehead. “Thanks for saving us.”

Maka and I walk up to them, eating our bread.

“It was nothing, Coodray had it coming. But forget all that, welcome home, guys!” Anaea says warmly, reaching for all three of us and drawing us into a group hug. “I’m glad you guys made it home safe,” she says with a smile.

“Get off, this is embarrassing!” I insist, struggling to get away.

“I’m still hungry,” Maka moans.

“It’s good to see you today, Anaea.” Ramsey smiles.

“So, why are you here, Anaea?” I ask upon separating from them, taking another bite of my bread.

“Well, ummm… you see, I actually came here to warn you guys,” Anaea says while twirling her fingers.

I look at Anaea, a little confused. “Hmm… warn us of something?” Realizing what it could be, I light up with excitement and ask. “Let me guess, a bunch of hoodlums are waiting around the corner to ambush us?! Right? …Right?!” I gush while jumping with joy, a sparkle in my eyes.

“Huh? How the hell does that excite you?!” Ramsey asks with a disgusted look.

Maka looks over at the now unconscious Coodray. “Coodray did somehow meet us here, so, maybe Fukai’s right?”

“Umm… guys, that’s not it.” Anaea shakes her head.

“Hmmm… think, Fukai! Think!” I sit down and begin scratching my head, trying to figure out what could be waiting for us. “Hmm… maybe the kingdom heard about our grand adventure? No, that’s not it. Hmm…”

“Listen now, guys! I came here to give you a heads-up. You’re in trouble! There is a certain person looking for you,” Anaea says, seeming a little frustrated.

Being a little cocky, I shake my head in confidence. “Anaea, Anaea, Anaea. When you get to our level of awesomeness, there’s always a ton of people looking for you.”

Ramsey gives me a blank stare, “Idiot,” then looks at Anaea. “Look, I just hope it isn’t that person.” Ramsay looks up towards the palace, a worried look on his face. “I should’ve never listened to Fukai and his crazy ideas.”

“Look, guys! I’m sorry, but I couldn’t cover for you for that long!” Anaea looks away in a panic. “We better get out of here!” She then grabs me by the shoulders and starts shaking me. “I’m not sure if I was followed!”