Alaska is picking Nactu berries on her own near the hut. It was a beautiful day. She hums to the melody of a song stuck in her head as she looks for big plump, purple-colored berries from bushes. She picks them from the bush and places them in a brown hand-made bowl made of wood.
She stops humming and looks up. Something wasn’t right. A figure can be seen behind her climbing down a tree. There was a strange feeling she just couldn’t shake. She tries to ignore it but feels like she's being watched. She stops picking berries and looks over her shoulder slowly.
That’s when she makes eye contact with Shintiro. It was as if it was happening in slow motion. He quickly made his way toward her with the green Guardian Stone in his hand.
Alaska’s heart drops when she finally realizes what was happening. In fear she drops the bowl to the ground, the berries scattered all over the place. Terror can be seen on her face as he approaches her. She’s so completely overwhelmed by fear that she almost froze in place.
Alaska stumbles backward, trying to get away from Shintiro as he picks up the pace to catch her. A menacing expression can be seen on his face. With her heart pounding in her chest and her mind racing with fear, tension grows while she tries to run. A small stone makes her lose her balance, she tries to recover but trips over her own feet and falls to the ground. She rolls her body onto her back to quickly see where he was.
He was getting closer to her fast. Only a few steps now separate them as she tries to lift her body from the ground.
She can feel his grasp closing around her throat as she gasps for air. The feeling of panic and helplessness consumes her. With his left arm, he raises her by the throat in the air, squeezing tight on her neck. Alaska struggles to break free by grabbing his arm but to no avail. She closes her eyes as she attempts to break free by grabbing onto his fingers around her neck. “No one is coming to save you.”
She struggles to breathe and in her mind all she can hear is. “There’s nothing you can do.”
Shintiro squeezes harder on her throat as she coughs for air. “All your friends are gone!”
Just as she begins to lose consciousness, her eyes snap open, and she finds herself awakening from a terrible dream. The relief she feels is immeasurable, and she struggles to catch her breath as she looks around, realizing that it was all just a nightmare.
Alaska turns her head to the left to notice Ruog. “Nightmare again?”, He was sitting on his log sipping a brown drink. She nods her head and wipes the sweat off her forehead. She takes a deep breath and sighs in relief. “You were talking in your sleep again. Must have been a bad one too.”
“Why do you say that?” Alaska turns her head slightly to look at the fire in the center of the hut burning brightly.
“Well, I noticed you were tossing and turning in your bed,” Ruog places his drink down. “How is your leg by the way?”
“It’s getting better,” Alaska removes the blanket to reveal her leg and touches it gently, bandages can still be seen wrapped around the injured portion. “And when it’s fully healed, I’ll be leaving this place to search for my friends.”
“It’s been a long while. Do you think they’ll still be out there near the river searching for you?” Ruog leans back to get into a more comfortable position on his log.
Alaska started to think. She lowers her sight away from Ruog. Although she desperately wanted to search for them, although she wanted to disagree, it was quite a good point Ruog was making. How long could they spend in the jungle searching for her day and night? If Ruog has been going to the same spot every day, wouldn’t he have been able to spot someone by now? And what if Shintiro finally caught up with them? These questions echoed in her mind while she sat there meditating.
“I don’t mean to put your spirits down, child,” Ruog gets up to get her something to eat, “Perhaps they are still trying to search for you. Here, take some of these. Eat up and enjoy. They will build up your strength. I’ll be heading out to search again for your friends soon.” Ruog gives Alaska a bowl of mushy grainy oat-like food. She puts on a face of disappointment when he hands it to her.
To her, it didn’t look so appetizing. “This stuff, again?” She stares at it with a frown on her face. “Yuck…I could go for a pizza right about now.” She whispers under her tongue, but Ruog overheard what she said.
“Hey, you better appreciate the food I give you. It’s healthy for you. Looks can be deceiving. It tastes pretty good if you ask me.”
“Fine, fine. I’ll give it a try.” Alaska takes her hand and scoops up some of the food from the bowl, slowly placing it in her mouth. Ruog puts on his black cloak, grabs his staff, and heads out.
“I’ll return in just a bit. In the meantime, you can do those breathing exercises I taught you.”
Alaska stops chewing for a while, she tries to process what she's eating. Once she swallows her first portion of food she looks down and realizes how good the food was. “Hey, that’s not bad at all.” She says to herself as Ruog is already on his journey to the Mighty Mizian River.
Alaska looks around the hut in her bed completely bored to death. As soon as the sounds of Ruog’s footsteps disappear, she quickly grabs her crutch, puts out the flames of the fire, and goes outside. She had enough of just sitting around the fire all day long.
Alaska wanted to do something. Searching for her friends was the only thing she had on her mind. But with her injured leg, she could hardly venture too far from the hut. However, the more she used her crutch the faster she was getting when it came to walking around. Her heart was pounding as she looked over the horizon. She could see it. In her mind, she can imagine your face when you both meet up again.
She takes a deep breath and decides to take the risk. She wanted to venture into the jungle and walk toward the river. She knew exactly what direction each day Ruog would take to get to the river. This was it. This was her chance to find you, Inkagi, and Pyro.
Ruog finally makes it to the same spot where he first found Alaska. As soon as he steps out of the cover of the dense jungle, he notices something wasn’t right. His senses were on full alert. The sounds of the river were loud, but he could sense that something was lurking nearby.
He stepped one foot back but it was too late. Emerging from the depths of the Mighty Mizian River was a grotesque Spinosaurus. It jumps out from amongst the deep waters of the river and lands on the riverbank. Its turquoise lizard skin reflected the light of the sun. It momentarily blinded Ruog as he quickly steps back and grips his staff. Ruog notices he’s stepping back towards a large boulder. He looked to his left and the right. There was nowhere to go, nowhere to escape. If he turns his back toward the creature and tries to dash toward the jungle, the reptile will just propel itself forward, dig its massive teeth into him, and drag him back out.
The only thing he could do was stand his ground and fight. The creature, with a mouth full of sharp jagged teeth, roared with all its might and looked at Ruog menacingly. Its saliva drips from its mouth, as it approaches Ruog cautiously.
Ruog's heart beats faster and faster as the Spinosaurus towered over him, its teeth and claws ready to rip him apart at the first sign of weakness. The creature breathed heavily through its snout, the sound of its breath like an angry storm. Ruog knew he was outmatched, but he refused to show any fear.
He gripped his staff tightly and stood his ground, ready to fight to the death if necessary. The Spinosaurus charged with its jaws wide open, but Ruog was prepared. He raised his staff and shouted a loud war cry as the creature approached. “RAAaaahh!” He charged at the animal as well.
The Spinosaurus stopped just short of striking distance, surprised by the ferocity of Ruog's voice. Ruog lunges forward with lightning speed. Ruog’s first attack landed. After a short distance, he managed to connect with a powerful thrust to the beast’s head. The blow, with his wooden staff, knocked the Spinosaurus back, then it collapsed to its knees.
Ruog took the opportunity to attack again, striking the creature's jaw with the tip of his staff, causing it to turn its head away from Ruog. The Spinosaurus was angered by Ruog's sudden attacks and let out an even louder roar. It quickly got up from its knees without any hesitation trying to shake off Ruog’s last strike to its jaw.
Ruog knew he could not hold out forever. He needed to think of a way to defeat the creature before it was too late. He quickly assessed his surroundings, scanning to his left and right. He looked for anything he could use to his advantage. He spotted a large rock nearby that he could use as a weapon, and he immediately made his way toward it. He grabbed the rock with all his strength, ready to strike the creature the next time it charged. He waited for the perfect moment, his body shaking with adrenaline and fear, but he remained focused on his goal.
The Spinosaurus let out another roar, this one even louder than the last. It was charging straight toward Ruog, its teeth, and claws ready to rip him apart. He took a deep breath and let out a loud war cry, charging straight toward the creature with his rock raised. Ruog strikes forward but the Spinosaurus was just too fast. The rock manages to graze the side of the Spinosaurus’s head as it quickly attempts to evade his blow. Drops of blood can be seen from the wound near its eye but Ruog’s first attack with the rock didn’t connect completely to cause any real damage. The Spinosaurus was quick on its feet. It used its head to push Ruog back. Ruog almost loses his balance, but he steps back and repositions his feet just in time.
Although the massive Spinosaurus managed to push him back, Ruog decided to try the rock once more. He gripped it tighter in his hand, more determined than ever to take the creature out. However, this time instead of attacking it head-on, he decided on something different.
The Spinosaurus’s rage became even more ferocious. Saliva from its mouth drips even more, wanting to turn Ruog into an easy meal. “I can see you're hungry.” Ruog breathes hard as he thinks of what to do next. “I’m not going to be so easy to kill. Not as long as I’m breathing!”
It charges forward with all its strength. Ruog suddenly runs forward and jumps up high into the air with the stone in hand. The beast was caught off guard by Ruog's sudden change in strategy and tried to stop itself, but it was too late. Ruog's high jump into the air gave him incredible speed as he fell back down toward the Spinosaurus. He aimed in mid-air for the beast’s mouth and brought the rock down hard on the creature's head with all his strength.
The ground shakes from under the creature’s head due to the massive impact of the rock. The creature writhed in pain as Ruog quickly grabbed his staff and decided to make a run for it. He disappears into the dense foliage of the jungle.
Ruog was exhausted and out of breath. After some time running he stops near a large tree to catch his breath. He leans back onto the tree and assesses his surroundings. He had done it. He had survived the encounter with the Spinosaurus.
As Alaska sets off, leaving the security of the hut, she feels a mix of excitement and nervousness. Her stomach tenses up knowing very well how vulnerable she is with an injured leg. The many sounds of the jungle hit her senses all at once as she hesitates at first to enter the dense foliage.
She's finally taking action and searching for her friends. She feels good to be in control of her life once again. As she takes another slow step forward, with her crutch aiding her along the way, she starts to have second thoughts about her decision. She constantly looks over her shoulder with the feeling that every creature in the jungle is watching her every move. The jungle is unfamiliar and treacherous, and she's very aware of the risks of getting lost or encountering hostile creatures. But she's determined not to let that stop her. She keeps her eyes and ears peeled, paying attention to every sound and movement around her, while also keeping her mind focused on the goal of finding her friends. Every step forward only serves to strengthen her resolve and build her confidence. She's ready to face whatever comes ahead, knowing that every step forward brings her closer to finding you.
She can hear it. The sound of flowing water. The river calls to her. However, she still has a way to go as she moves along slowly with her crutch.
Alaska's heart races with anticipation as she approaches the sounds of the water. The closer she got the louder the water was. She takes a deep breath, preparing her mind and body. It felt as if it was a right of passage for her to be on her own and make quick decisions without anyone's guidance. Her heart was now racing. At first, it felt good, she could feel a rush of adrenaline kick in as she took another step forward toward the unknown.
The only thing on her mind is being reunited with you and Inkagi. She walks deeper into the jungle, trying her best to avoid logs and large rocks. She frantically searches for a clear path to get safely from one spot to the other. She didn’t want to trip and fall, injuring herself even more.
Her resolve is stronger than ever. She's focused so much on her goal to get to the river she ignores most of the sounds in the jungle. They become background noise at this point.
Her heart beats with excitement and determination, knowing that every step forward brings her closer to you. She can hear your voice now in her mind, trying to imagine the look on your face when she finds you. Thinking in her mind, she imagines hugging you so tight when she finds you. Her breathing intensifies as she investigates the distance trying to make out where exactly the river is located. The sounds of water are all around her now. But she realizes that she can no longer distinguish where exactly the sounds are coming from. Instead of leading her to the river, it leaves her disoriented and confused.
Alaska tries to calm herself down, but it is too late. In her mind there seemed to be no end in sight as she progressed onward. “Where exactly is that river?” She thought to herself as she began to panic, realizing that she had no idea where she was going and where exactly she came from. The normal sounds of the jungle no longer surround her. Only the intense sounds of water do. Her determined attitude began to deteriorate. The deeper into the jungle she went the longer her journey was becoming. She remembers that it never took Ruog long to get back to the hut whenever he would set out in search of her friends.
Alaska began second-guessing herself. She would tell herself that going into the jungle was a horrible idea. Now she had no way out. Nowhere to go. It would only be a matter of time before someone, or something finds her. She started to sweat as the thoughts in her mind went wild with what could be lurking around the next turn in the dense jungle. She wanted to head back to the hut, but it was too late. She was lost.
Instantly Alaska could feel the presence of something behind her. She gulps and takes a deep breath, slowly turning her whole body around. She begins to shake at the sight of a large golden jaguar standing in front of her. She could see the massive, mutated cat. I was unlike something she had ever seen before in her life. Its glowing eyes frightened her to the point that she became frozen in place. “Please… Don’t eat me.” She whispers to herself. Her hands began to shake, wondering if this was her last moment alive.
It stared at her with its many eyes, and teeth, like a saber-toothed tiger, protruding out of its top jaw. It stood there without making a sound as her heart began palpitating faster and faster in her chest. She decided to make a move and step back away from it.
As Alaska backs up, the jaguar begins to growl deep inside its chest, its eyes fixed on her as it lowers its head. It starts to turn around as if it was not interested at all in her. Alaska's hands start to tremble and her heart races as she realizes the massive beast is turning around away from her.
It walks away slowly disappearing into the jungle and then turns its head to face her one last time. It blinks its many eyes and turns its head back into the foliage and finally disappears into the dense jungle. Alaska gulps as she hears a footstep behind her. Someone quickly grabs her arm.
A deep familiar voice echoes wildly in her mind. “What are you doing out here?”
Alaska gives out a big scream and then calms herself down realizing it was Ruog. She almost loses her balance in the process. She looks down at his reptilian hand that held her arm. She gives out a huge sigh of relief knowing that it wasn’t Shintiro. Ruog pulls the hood of his cloak off his head revealing the rest of his face.
Alaska takes a moment to catch her breath and collect her thoughts as Ruog holds her gently by the arm. She is still shaking from fear and adrenaline, and it takes her a few moments to calm down enough to speak.
Finally, she manages to get out a few words, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was looking for my friends..." Her voice trailed off as she began to fully comprehend the gravity of her decisions, the realization of just how dangerous the jungle was.
Ruog looks at her sympathetically, his eyes filled with concern as he realizes what she's been through. He knows that she could have been hurt or worse if she had encountered any of the dangerous creatures that live in the jungle.
He pulls her closer to him, wrapping his arms around her to comfort her as best he can, trying to calm her down and make her feel safe. He speaks in a soft voice, trying to reassure her that she's safe now. “It’s alright. Take a deep breath. It’s a good thing I found you. But you shouldn’t be out here on your own and especially with an injured leg.” Ruog begins to whisper.
“I can’t just sit around at the hut forever, Ruog. I need to be out here looking for them.”
“The jungle is not a place for someone in your condition. No matter what the circumstances are, you will not come out of this place alive with your leg the way it is. You should have listened to me and stayed back at the hut where it is…” Ruog suddenly stops talking and shifts his head to the right. He holds out his hand gesturing to Alaska to not speak. He was trying to listen to something in the distance.
Alaska notices his abrupt shift in behavior. She wonders how he could even hear anything with the sounds of water from the river echoing throughout the jungle. He’s not completely focused at all on her. Something was worrying Ruog. Alaska could feel it. “I don’t like this…” He whispers slowly. “Come on, we need to hide, something is coming.”
“What’s happening?” Alaska wanted to know exactly what was going on, but with no time to waste, Ruog picks her up and then placed her down behind a large thick bush. They lay low as they look through the dense leaves of the jungle. Ruog scans left and right to see if he could find what was making him feel uneasy. He squints his eyes as Alaska tries to look through the foliage as well trying to make out what exactly Ruog was so scared of.
Alaska begins to whisper, asking him again. “What’s wrong, Ruog? You’re scaring me.” She tells him. “What is it?” She asks him, as he turns to look at her.
“Something… Something is out there; I can feel it.” He tells her. He tightens his grip on his wooden staff, as he steadies his breathing.
A chill runs down Alaska's spine as his words confirm her worst fears. Before she can say anything back, she hears a rustle in the bushes nearby. Ruog's body stiffens as he looks in that direction, his whole being focused on the sound. Alaska holds her breath, afraid that any noise or movement would give away their position. She can tell that something is not right, despite her lack of understanding of the situation. She knows to trust Ruog's instincts and to stay perfectly still.
All her senses are on high alert, ready to react to any danger that may arise. She can feel her heart pounding in her chest, her blood pumping through her veins. “Is it… Shintiro?” She thought. In that tense moment, she wondered about her nightmare of Shintiro and if it was all coming true. Alaska thought that if Shintiro attacked them with his green raptor they wouldn’t be able to escape. Its razor-sharp teeth would break Ruog’s staff into pieces. All these fears crept into her head.
However, her thoughts slowly began to shift to other things. She starts to wonder if maybe even Ruog was hiding something from her. Why was he suddenly extremely scared of something? She thought. She knew how skilled he was with his staff. If anything, the scary one was him, a muscular tall strong alligator wearing a dark cloak, or so she thought. She trusted him but she had no idea who Ruog was.
Regardless of what the immediate danger was, Alaska was ready to hold her ground knowing that there was no way she could run with her leg in the state that it was. Even though she hated the thought of relying on others she had no choice but to depend on Ruog’s abilities to keep her safe.
“Do you see anything?” Alaska can see leaves shake from left to right, but nothing has revealed itself just yet.
Ruog, who is kneeling amongst the foliage answers her back, “No. And that’s what concerns me.” He turns his head slowly to look at her, “We must get out of this place. It is not safe anymore.”
Alaska nods. The two of them slowly made their way through the jungle. Alaska tries to use the cover of foliage and moves in the direction that Ruog tells her to go. They are moving with great care, taking every precaution not to step on anything they might trip on, which could cause a loud noise that could give away their position.
Once they managed to get close enough to Ruog’s hidden small hut they both let out a sigh of relief. At first, they didn’t say a word, but Alaska’s curiosity was just too great to not say anything. “So…what do you think was back there?”
“It isn’t important. The important thing is that you are alive and safe.”
Alaska stops in her tracks. Ruog notices and turns around to face her. “What is it?”
She wasn’t happy with his response. She looked concerned. “Look, if there’s anything you know about what exactly happened back there, I think I’m entitled to know. Did you sense a huge animal coming our way? …or something else? …or someone?”
“I do not know what you mean. I just sensed danger, and we got out of there before it got to us. That’s it. There is nothing you need to know other than that.” Ruog’s tone of voice was defensive, something that wasn’t normal for Ruog to sound like whenever Alaska spoke to him in the past. His mannerisms had changed completely.
Alaska was beginning to feel as if Ruog was hiding something. She didn’t know what, but something in his behavior was completely different. He was tense, not relaxed like before. “You should not have gone out there. It was reckless what you did!” Ruog points to her as if he were scolding his child. He kept looking to either the left or right as if something was still pursuing them.
Alaska was about to point out the sudden change in his behavior but decided to keep it to herself for now. She just continued to the hut and went inside as Ruog watched her walk away slowly with her crutch.
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