As the golden light of the fading day dwindles, all of the leaves and flora alike are quickly consumed in a blaze of virile crimson hues. And as quick as it arrives, so too does the lavender tide that approaches from the distant horizon. Together, the two embrace one another in a union of fleeting harmony, both brilliant and nostalgic. All while shadows gather and scheme, until at last, they grow large enough to swallow the world whole, plunging all into darkness once more.

With the arrival of night, Marco has since grown increasingly anxious, a feeling shared by me as well, however we are too close to stop now. I've finally found the way back to that cursed meadow, and we're so close! However admittedly, it is getting awful difficult to navigate through the underbrush at this rate.

Wait a second…

An idea comes to me and I lob a low-hanging branch from a nearby tree. As I'm pruning the ends off of it, Marco is alternating between keeping a watch on me and the wilderness, the former he does with obvious concern as if I've truly lost it. Whatever, half the things I do are completely alien to him anyways. With my branch sufficiently trimmed, I next get to scraping away any fire hazards for what I'm about to do next. Don't need to set the entire forest aflame… again…

In short order, smoke black as night begins to trickle from the far end of the branch, and soon after, a small flame comes to life. Success! Probably won't last long but who cares! Not like there's a near infinite amount of other sticks and branches from all around that I can turn into makeshift torches. Nope, flat out scarcity if you ask me.

It's extremely awkward holding this thing in my beak, but it's better than being completely blind out there. Jokingly, I offer it out for Marco to carry, but he's having none of it, backing off with his hackles raised in rapid response. Honestly, his reaction gives me a sense of relief. At least there's something the denizens of this forest fear. With enough luck, this fire might actually ward away some of the nasty critters out there wanting to take a bite out of Marco or myself.

Come on bud, I'll lead the way this time! We find the meadow, get my necklace, then find some shelter. Easy!

Again, in his own weird uncanny way, as if he somehow understands what I'm thinking, he begins to follow me. Only he does so with great reluctance, carrying himself low to the ground in a sort of half-crouching manner. His posture would almost make him look like he were a midnight predator stalking some prey, except his ears are flattened against his head and his snake tail is between his legs, barely poking it's head out from beneath the safety of his belly.

Seeing him like this, I feel bad for him. I get the impression he's only out here because he's looking out for me, and he would never be out here by himself. It's not like I know a lot about orothus, and how they live their lives, but it doesn't take a genius to understand the basics on how pack animals work. Can't blame him considering what lurks out here. Hell, even when they were all together, they were almost wiped out by that warband of apes.

It'll be okay. Just this one last job and we can go back home. After this, no more crazy adventures, I swear! I already have some ideas for when we get back, how to make the area safer, make food for you guys that you could only dream of, and hell, maybe even brush you guys if you'll let me? That alpha of yours, Julius, probably wouldn't, but maybe the pups? No, their mother probably won't let me get close to them… You get my point though! Let's just get through this!

I let out a sigh of relief when I see his spirits have improved a bit. Considering I only made a few gestures his direction, his reaction, once again, ignites that theory of mine that something unnatural is going on behind the scenes. But there will be time to delve deeper down that rabbit hole when we get back. At this point, I want to be done with this job as much as Marco does.

Progress is slow as I lead the way, as I'm forced to clear away all the brush lest I set it all on fire by accident. It's extremely awkward work, having to balance on one foot while clearing all the undergrowth with the other, and doing it while holding this blasted, lopsided torch in my mouth? Yeah, I'm eager to never do this ever again. Meanwhile behind me, Both Marco and his sidekick are making the best use out of their combined senses. One constantly sniffing the air and flicking his ears at every sound that he picks up, the other sweeping its head side-to-side while constantly tasting the air. Their diligence removes any doubt that we won't notice anything out there before it can get to us. And hopefully this fire has them thinking twice about trying to get the jump on us.

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Whether anything is really out there, or if the fire truly managed to keep them at bay, we'll never know, as the small meadow we've been seeking this entire time finally comes into view. A shiver runs down my spine thinking about the encounter I had here, and the unearthly experience that came from what should have been my death. Unfortunately for the apes that got the jump on me, that didn't turn out to be the case. Something vile surges in my throat as I think about a certain little companion I used to have, and it takes all of my effort to fight back the rising bile, nearly dropping my torch in the process. The once suppressed memories are flooding back into my mind, just as ruthlessly graphic as the day it all happened.

Perhaps sensing my distress, Marco rushes up from behind me to give my shaking body a surprisingly forceful nudge. Such a simple little act is all it takes to give me a fighting chance.

In the center of that memory lies a tiny little corpse with its chest hollowed, ribs shattered, and shredded internals exposed to the open air. All while nestled in the arms of the one it fled to in its final terror-fueled moments, one that ultimately suffered the same cruel demise. A horrible execution carried out by ethereal talons on a blind warpath. But with Marco's intervention, the graphic imagery began to distort and fade.

I'm so sorry Koko…

Marco steps up the pace and begins licking the side of my face, and it's enough to finally get me out of my guilt-ridden stupor.

Hey! Come on! Stop that, geez! Is that really necessary? I'm fine now, see?

Marco gives me a head half-cocked sort of stare that clearly disagrees with me.

Without really realizing it, I reach out a wing and begin stroking the top of his head. When it finally dawns on me what I'm doing, I'm surprised to find that this once wild beast is actually receptive towards this. Rather, he pushes his head into my small little claws as to encourage me to continue. Without any reason to hold back, I give his head a good thorough scratch, feeling the course fur run between my claws and feathers as I do so. Oddly enough, his partner is giving me a longing look the whole time. What you want a pet too? Come here you weirdo. With my other wing I begin petting the serpentine head, careful as to not let my claws slip in-between the crevices of his scales. Both of them look to be in complete bliss, eager to receive more attention, but I have to put an end to it. We've got a job to do after all.

A bit reluctantly, I pull my wings back into my chest, much to the dissatisfied expressions both of Marco's heads are giving me. Before I look away, I can't help but feel grateful for Marco. For trusting me, following me, and most importantly, always making sure I'm okay. I don't know what I did to deserve such a loyal friend, but I'm happy he's here with me.

As I twist back around, Marco dips his body to avoid getting blasted by the torch. Woops, sorry bud! However, just as I'm about to return facing forward, I catch a glimpse of fear in Marco's body language. The very same fear he has shown ever since it has started growing dark.

Was he putting on a brave face just for me?

I'm tempted to sneak a peek behind me to verify this, but then I feel that perhaps it's better that I give him the benefit of the doubt here. And If I really want to return the favor he's shown me, then it would be better to hurry up and find that blasted necklace and get out of here.

The clearing isn't all that large, about the same size as the one that surrounds our home tree. Compared to the rest of the woods, there's hardly any underbrush to worry about here, which is going to make our search here that much easier.

Taking my first real steps into the open area, something pale begins to reflect off the light of my torch, and as I get closer, I discover it for what it really is. A massive pile of bones picked clean of any flesh. This must be the alpha ape that I killed back then, in which case…

A feeling of excitement wells in my chest as I sprint over to where the remains are. With every step, my heart beats faster at the prospect of actually finding what was lost to me. Determined to find it, I hold the torch lower to the ground, hoping that it's still here after all this time.

Sure enough, after doing a sweep near the skeletal remains, a smooth surface reflects off the golden torch light and my heart soars. Unable to contain my excitement I sweep away the light coating of mud obscuring it and pull it free. And there it is! Holding it in the air I can finally get a good look at it all three objects dangling from the crude cord. The charcoal-colored scale from that infernal lizard, the first creature I truly ever interacted with. Then there's the massive fang, a trophy from conquering the massive beast that guarded that underground prison. And last but not least, the mysterious opal, of which truly allowed me to escape that domain to begin with. Except now there is no hint of luster remaining, nor any trace of that magnificent opal-like quality it once had. Were it not attached to the cord with the others, it could easily be mistaken for some simple grey rock.

WOOSH!!

The sudden sound is followed by a muted yelp from behind me.

Instantly I drop the necklace as I turn around, and to my horror, I notice that Marco is gone.