A three-eyed jackal pounced from tree to tree, scaling up trees and bounding off branches with the finesse of a monkey, and the speed of a lightning bolt. Wrapping its tail around a branch, it swung itself high into the air, and landed onto a higher up, sturdier branch. As it bent its legs, ready to pounce to the next tree, its pursuer landed promptly on the branch, holding an elegantly crafted wooden bow which resembled a pair of moose antlers.

Before the archer could pull back the string, the jackal’s third eye swelled up and glared at the archer, freezing the archer in place. The jackal grinned at the archer, pouncing onto the archer and kicking off the archer’s back, flying onto the next branch. “Seeya next time.”

Before the fox could make it onto the next tree, yet another pursuer leapt from the crown of the tree, slamming a wooden polearm into the jackal’s head in mid-air. The stunned jackal fell to the ground, landing in a cluster of bushes roughly, and its two pursuers leapt to the ground, staring down at the jackal coldly.

“Finally. This mutt’s been a pain in the ass to deal with.” The archer said, firing two arrows into the jackal’s front legs to keep it from running.

“MOTHERFU-” The jackal bit into its tail to keep itself from letting out a scream, rolling around the forest floor in pain as the two pursuers closed in on it.

“So how do we do this? Do we kill it at the same time?” The one with the polearm asked, twirling the pole in her hands as she approached the jackal. As members of the Epe Clan, they could absorb the magic energy of defeated magical beasts to accumulate more strength; for that reason, the vicious killing of magical beasts was common, and even second nature to the people of the Epe Clan.

“Yeah, let’s just do that. But no hard feelings if one of us gets the power and the other doesn’t, okay?” The archer said, pointing the bow at the jackal’s head.

“Damn, I don’t even get to say my last words?” The jackal said rather nonchalantly, licking at it’s wounds as it spoke. “I think that’s an inalienable right! Killing without letting your victim talk- I mean that’s savage!”

“On the count of three.” The one with the polearm said, completely ignoring the jackal’s frantic chatter. “Three….two….on-” Before either could deliver the finishing blow, a man with shiny, blond hair landed beside the two, cleanly striking each of them in the side. As the warriors stumbled, losing their balance from the blow, the man swept them to their feet with a flourish of his leg, and slammed his arms into their chests, driving enough force into them to simetaneously knock them out.

“Jerks.” Ralph grumbled, dusting his hands off, and then grinned down at the jackal. Urn slid down a nearby tree, a roll of bandages in his left hand, and a bowl of water in his right.

“Everyone in that clan is a piece of shit. I can’t wait to blow this joint already.” Urn agreed, taking the jackal’s front legs in his hands and drenching the magic beast’s wounds in water. The jackal narrowed it’s eyes at Urn, and then dipped it’s head thankfully at him.

“Wait a minute, you’re that kid I’ve been hearing about! The one going around the forest, helping out the other beasts.” The fox asked as Urn stretched out the bandage tape and began to wrap it around the jackal’s front legs.

“Don’t forget about me!” Ralph chimed in, punching the air excitedly. “Everyday, it’s been nonstop fighting! Pow, pow, pow!”

“That’s us.” Urn said with a groan. For four days, nonstop fighting and helping out these animals; I can’t wait to find the exit and blow this joint.

“You’re like uh, squeezing my arm.” The jackal muttered, thwacking Urn with its tail gently. “So, you must think you’re pretty smart; getting all cozy with these animals so you can use ‘em!”

“No way! We’re doing this out of the good of our hearts. Well, at least I am. Dunno bout Urn.” Ralph said, reaching out and ruffling up Urn’s hair.

“Stop doing that, it makes my hair all itchy!” Urn snapped. “And I’m not using anybody.”

“Then how come I smelt your knuckleheads watching! You guys swooped in right after those bastards beat the hell out of me!” The jackal retorted.

“We…thought you had it handled?” Urn lied, and then slapped his forehead with a groan. “Yeah, no, you’re right. We’ve been going around helping the magical beasts so they could tell us a way out; and they told us you’re the only one who knows the way out the forest.”

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“Hm.” The jackal drew it’s bandaged legs away from Urn and scratched it’s neck with it’s hindleg as it thought. “Well, I guess I could show you the way, but…hm…you’ll have to do something for me too.”

“We saved your life, what do you want now? Food? What do jackals even eat?” Ralph asked.

“Yeah, but I don’t mind too much if I die or live, y’know? When you live as long as me, stuff like that doesn’t matter anymore.” The jackal yawned, continuing to scratch the back of it’s ear rapidly.

“So then what do you want?” Urn asked the jackal.

“Hm….” The jackal began to tilt its head in an owl-like manner, twisting its head around all the way as it thought.

“Well?” Ralph urged.

“Hmmmmm.”

“Spit it out already!” Urn said.

“I got it!” The jackal stopped scratching its ear and grinned toothily. “If you find a way to undo the spell trapping us in this forest, I’ll show you the way out.”

“WHAT?” Ralph grabbed the Jackal and lifted it into the air, shaking it around frantically. “There’s no way we can break a spell like that if that clan of freaks hasn’t been able to do it for fifty years! GIVE US SOMETHING EASIER!”

“Too bad.” The jackal stuck it’s tongue out at Ralph.

That spell was cast by my grandfather; there’s no way removing it will be lightwork. And we only have two days left to find a way out; man this is annoying. Urn thought, resting his head in his hands. I could try using Debt Sharks to force the Jackal to show me the way, but I doubt that’d work. It barely considered us saving its life a favor.

“Urn, what should we do? This is insane; there’s no way we can do all that in two days!” Ralph groaned.

“Let me down or I’ll pee on you.” The jackal quipped, and Ralph quickly lowered the jackal to the ground. “Thanks buddy!”

“We could try looking for the exit ourselves, but if we couldn’t find it these first four days, there’s no way we’ll be able to find it in two.” Urn said. “So, it looks like if we want to leave, we’ll have no choice but to find a way to break the seal.”

“But how?” Ralph asked.

“With that mutt’s help.” Urn pointed at the Jackal, and then stared at Ralph dead in the eyes, first things first, let’s go back to the place I said that monkey to leave my locket. I was going to use it to distract the Epe Tribe as long as possible, but there’s no choice. We’ll have to go get it! Urn’s thoughts streamed directly into Ralph’s mind, who nodded at Urn.

“Yeah, sure, I’ll help a little!” The jackal said, brushing its tail along the earth before Urn and Ralph; from underneath its tail slid out a token shaped like the head of a jackal. “Rub that whenever you need me!”

“Wait-” Ralph tried to grab the jackal, but it sped off into the trees before he could even blink. “Next time I see that jackal, I’ll turn him into a rug!”

“Or a blanket.” Urn muttered, swiping the token off the ground and slipping it into his pocket. Just when they thought they’d finally found a way out, yet another obstacle had fell into their path. But I’d rather have to deal with a 50-year-old curse then go back to those assholes!

~~~

A brown monkey scampered across a small clearing in the forest, two sharks floating above it, and the Orian Locket hanging on its tail. Climbing up the large boulder stationed in the middle of the clearing, it plucked the locket off its tail, and rested it onto the boulder. The sharks began to fade away, and the monkey leapt towards the trees-but was swiftly caught by its tail, Naadi yanking it out of the air.

With the monkey squirming desperately in his grasp, Naadi tilted his head towards the locket, gleaming atop the boulder, and fought the tears starting to form in his eyes as the locket stared back at him. He could still remember the unpleasant chill of its gaze when Banjoko had first invaded the Northern Palace eight years ago- even without a master, it still emanated an overwhelming aura.

His heart thundering in his chest, Naadi felt the monkey slip out of his grasp, and started for the boulder, trying to calm his unsteady breathing. Outstretching his hand, he felt time slow down as his fingers reached for the beads of the locket. The locket stared at him as he reached for it, and flashes of Banjoko’s carnage flashed within Naadi’s mind. The locket seemed to be daring Naadi to grab it, mocking the hesitant King.

Just as his fingers were about to make contact with the locket, he yanked his hand back, and backed away, gasping for air as he tried to calm himself. Digging his nails into his arm, he clenched his jaw and glared at the ground, disgusted with his utter weakness. All this way, and he couldn’t even touch the damned thing. He could barely even look at it.

Father. I’ve let you down.

Naadi backed away from the boulder, and turned away from the locket, though he could still feel its stare, tracing up his back. I’m sorry. I can’t destroy it- but I won’t let its owner even touch it!