"How much farther do we have to walk? It feels like we're walking on needles here!"

"Maybe that's because we're in the middle of a rainforest with thorny vines littering the ground. You all knew what you signed up for with this expedition, so I don't want to hear any sniveling about how much walking or cutting is involved."

Was it a bit harsh? Of course, but could you blame me? I, Nigel Herdstrom, had been leading this team through the Marong Rainforest for the past week, and all I've heard is silent groans and questions about the direction we've been heading. This is what happens when research grants start drying up; you have no choice but to grab the bare minimum of a crew. No experience in such sweltering conditions, especially with what's at stake.

I cut through another row of twisting, serpentine vines like butter with my scimitar and stop by a smooth stone. I touch its cool top and grin. It's frigid. Far too frigid to exist here naturally. I immediately know we're close to our target. I hold my finger to the air and feel the wind glide to the east.

"Come now, folks! We have a specimen to find!"

The team begrudgingly follows, tools and kits in hand, and the youngest among them, a local boy acting as our translator, seems shaken.

"Mr. Harstrom-"

"Herdstrom. It's Dr. Herdstrom, lad."

"M-my apologies, sir. But, Dr. Herdstrom, what are we looking for exactly? You said you'd tell us when we got our first check, then when we landed, then when we'd make camp. It's been six days and still nothing on what we're hunting."

I try to hold off answering as long as possible. You see, there was a reason the research grants dried up, and it wasn't just greed... Okay, perhaps greed was still a major part of it. These days, most labs act like kittens in the big businesses' litter. They don't care one way or another for the Visimon survive as long as they can continue breeding the strongest for their fights. It used to be done with respect to the creatures, an understanding to their personal physiology and needs, but the sport became bloodier and more vicious with each season, and soon the 'margins' just didn't support the protection protocols anymore, so everything got repealed. Of course, no one listened to the professionals, but can you guess who was right? Let me give you a hint: It's been twenty agonizing years since they repealed the last Visimon defense act, and 90% of their species are either extinct or endangered, surviving off of scraps in conservation zones that can barely gain enough funding to survive. Still, they just laugh me out of the room every time I present my findings: the dangers of the Visimon's near annihilation, among them being ecosystems worldwide collapsing due to a lack of unique Visimon abilities to keep everything balanced followed by our economy failing due to low investments in other fields. Most of my colleagues, even my own mentor Professor Wollemi, gave up and became drunks somewhere along the way, but I couldn't allow myself to drown in the lake of tears and failures. I had to crawl out of the muck and do something, and this was my last chance. I turn to the boy, realizing I can lie no longer, and sigh.

"I assume all of you have heard of the legendary Twins? The Opal and Amber masters?"

"Of course. My village holds a festival in the honor of Nobelion and Impericus every year! It is said that if they are ever attacked, their powers will awaken nature itself and all Visimon will fall under their command, bringing the world into an era of endless jungle."

"Wait a minute, lad, don't the legends say those things reside somewhere around here? In fact, this area is supposed to be... illegal to pass through..."

The man who complained about his aching feet puts the pieces together and backs away in fear.

"You're insane. You brought us out here for a suicide mission!"

"A bit dramatized for my liking, Leopold. We have all the tools necessary to approach the Twins and survive."

"But at what cost?! What could you possibly want with Nobelion and Impericus that wouldn't end the same way the boy told it to us? I thought you were some kind of nature guru, not an apocalyptic idealist like the groups years back."

"I am! Why else do you think I'd come all the way out here? The legend also tell that Nobelion and Impericus are understanding if you come to them with a grand enough plea. I can think of nothing greater than the survival of their race. Their powers, when used correctly, could bring back the Visimon and ensure human survival."

"No, no way, Doc. If you think I'm sticking around to get turned into a crystal, you have another thing coming. Good luck get the crazy jungle gods; I'm heading back to the village to get a beer."

Leopold turns to leave, trudging back through the trees. Honestly, I'm not surprised; with all his yammering, I expected him to leave ages ago. Still, one less man is one less person to help me make my case. I turn to my other companions, who seem to be weighing the idea of following him, and I start to feel the lake pulling me back under... until I hear a distinctive howl from the trees, followed by Leopold shrieking and running back toward us.

"Have you changed your mind already? What did you see a little bug you wanted us to kill?"

"Something's out there! It looks like a... but it can't be! They went extinct 5 years ago. A-And it looked so black, and deranged! W-We have to go, now!"

"Come now, Leopold, that howl can't be less than 2 to 3 miles away from us. There's no way a Visimon of such violent nature could catch up with us that quickly. Now tell me, what did you believe you saw?"

"I didn't believe I saw anything! It was some kind of-"

The Visimon seems to answer for him, leaping out of the trees and swallowing Leopold like a thanksgiving ham, leaving nothing behind but his work boots, and for the first time in my career I am proven wrong: A beast of such vicious nature could catch up with us, especially when it's a 15-foot tall Rofang. Speed and Light type, mean old bastards when they're hungry. However, two things are abnormal about this current threat: One, Rofangs do not live in such humid climates; they prefer near-arctic temperatures. A Rofang out here should have died in days. Stranger still, this Rofang does not share the white and black coloring of its kin. Rather it is a devilish red and green with shimmery, poisonous saliva dripping from its maw. And last, but certainly not least, Rofangs never eat humans, making this situation all the more insidious. Whether the explanation for this strange condition be genetic testing or climate malfunction shifting his biology, there is no time to analyze this phenomenon as he turns his eyes onto the boy.

"Everybody, move!"

Without a thought, I grab the boy's collar just as the Rofang unleashes his Sun Wave attack at us, charring another of my men but narrowly missing the rest of us, allowing us to leap to the tree line and race for cover. We race through the foliage like antelope from a snarling lion for what feels like hours, but can't be more than a few minutes of glints of sunlight peering down on us between the leaves. Eventually, we find a small cave and I hurry everyone inside. My three remaining assistants huddle at the back, while the boy holds tight to my coattails.

"What was that thing? Why is it attacking us?"

"I believe the answer to both your questions is a culmination of years of bad business decisions, but we don't have time to get into that. Just huddle with the other and stay quiet."

The boy nods and I unlatch his nails from my leg, urging him deeper into the cave. I grab my necklace, a Bunthorn tooth with a gold chain gifted to me by my mentor, and quickly thrust it into the dirt; Bunthorns are a Rofang's favorite food, and even a fossil would be enough to draw one over.

All seems quiet, a crisp whistle floating on stagnant air, and soon we begin to feel a glimmer of safety, quickly snuffed by a faint growl tapping overhead. One of my assistants reaches for his sidearm but is stopped by the boy.

"What are you doing, you little brat? That thing is going to kill us!"

"It doesn't know what it's doing! Maybe there's a way to help him."

"H-HELP?! You're just as delusional as the doctor!"

I march over and take the man's gun, glaring at him to get him to shut up. Although I had to admit he was right about one thing; the kid's fervor in the Visimon's survival reminded me of myself during my undergraduate years. If I survive this, I should probably go back to that hairstyle; I did look amazing with a mullet. My hairs feels as though it's about to be cut permanently as the Rofang's maw sniffs in the cave, growling and hissing, with its teeth only a few inches away. The beast opens his mouth, another Sun Wave building in his throat, until a shining gleam of light blue engulfs the Rofang and fills the cavern. I almost don't believe it once the light dissipates and the Rofang is back to its normal color, standing in confusion. By its foot is an equally shocking site: A Bunthorn cub playing with a gold chain. My gold chain. I immediately know that my expedition is not in vain. The Bunthorn hops away with my chain in tow and the Rofang simply lets him pass, then looks upward with awe. We hear a calm yet booming voice ring out beyond the cave, giving a distinct order.

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"Go now. There is no threat here."

The Rofang bows and leaves, and a long, shimmering neck ending with a lion's head peers into the cavern, shining lights dripping off its mane like miniature stars. It was like a dream; the Opal Twin, Master of Life, Nobelion, standing in front of us. My assistants nearly faint and the boy can't help but smile, but I spot something disconcerting: Nobelion's neck is gashed. Not a fresh wound, but not that old either, possibly only a few weeks. I can tell by the way his legs sway that it is not the only damage he has recently received. I choose now to establish contact.

"Oh, Mighty Nobelion, we thank you for your aid. We mean your realm no harm, but we do have a request."

At first, Nobelion is silent, but then he releases a small chuckle.

"State your case, human, but dispense with the formalities. It's been a while since we've had guests, and I hate this overbearing professionalism."

I nod and urge my party to follow me as Nobelion pulls his neck from the cave to allow us to exit. The boy once again grabs my coat, but the others stay frozen.

"What are you fools doing? Nobelion is of no threat to us!"

"That's what you say, but you haven't been the best guide in keeping us breathing. We're going home."

I growl at the cowards, the urge to strike them growing, but Nobelion places his paw on me, his cooling touch flowing through my veins like a calming mist.

"It is fine. You and the boy can follow me home, and we can discuss what you seek. What are your names?"

"I am Dr. Nigel Herdstrom, and this is my translator..."

"Ravi. It is nice to meet you, Mr. Nobelion."

"Nice to meet you as well. Hop on."

Nobelion bows his head and allows us to climb on. I daintily fix myself on the arch of his back, understanding the level of trust that must be given for any Visimon, especially a Mystic One, to allow such an act. As Ravi hops on, Nobelion groans and nearly falls down, his knees struggling to stay locked.

"Are you okay? How long ago were you injured?"

"Three weeks. Hunters came hoping to steal some flowers from the forest, but we dispatched them... not before they got a few good hits in, though. I am healing fine, but Impericus is a different tale."

Nobelion gingerly struts through the forest, his grim warning resonating in our minds. The thought of malicious invaders creeping even here is more unsettling than almost anything I've witnessed thus far. The trees begin to shift from what we've seen in the rest of the Marong; instead of dense jungle and murky rivers, the trees change to thin saplings from almost any biome on one side, and desolate, almost burned patches of desert on the other. The realm of Nobelion and Impericus, just as legend told. Nobelion can sense our wonder and smirks.

"Thank you for your appreciation. It is nice to see someone still cares. Save a bit of your amazement, though; we are about to reach our destination."

Nobelion lifts his claw to turn our attention to the cavern upon a craggy hill just above our heads, lined with shimmering opal and amber, along with dozens of other gemstones, like an emperor's throne room. Nobelion takes a deep breath and leaps onto the rocks, almost like a natural obstacle course, and lands safely in the long hall. A shining orange long necked being, almost identical to Nobelion outside of the spiked mane and scorpion tail, lays at the back, muttering with pain. Nobelion turns to us; my face is wracked with concern, while Ravi is still composing himself from the jumps.

"Apologies for the sudden leaps, but I hoped you would consider it fun. Are you okay?"

"Yes, yes we're fine... Is that Impericus?"

"I'm afraid so. One of the hunters stabbed him in the gut. Usually he heals almost instantly, but now... please, tell us your query, Nigel."

Nobelion lowers himself to allow us to dismount, and we walk toward Impericus so he can listen as well. Between the two injured, yet ever-imposing Twins, I almost lose the will to speak, but I look at Ravi, somehow trusting a stranger enough to bring him here, and the courage fills me.

"As you know, things have changed worldwide for Visimon, and the environment as a whole. Entire ecosystems are hanging on by a thread, and most of your brethren have left our world long ago, and I fear humanity is to follow. If the mutated Rofang is any sign, it is that action must be taken. Action that our leaders refuse to take. I know we deserve nothing near a second chance to live among you, but I beg, if there is any way... please use your powers to bring life to the world once again. I swear, if such a thing were to occur, permanent change can begin to make sure history does not repeat."

Nobelion smiles, but Impericus seems skeptical. He lifts his head, barely lucid, and draws his face close to mine.

"Do you see what your kin have done? How can we trust justice could be served? You should be lucky we did not release our devastation when this ambush first occurred."

"I won't lie, many of us have given up, given in to pursuits that drive nothing forward but their own banks, an asset that proves useless without the communities they claim to protect. I know my assistants from earlier are an even worse example of whatever goodness might still be in us, but if you can look past them... look at this child next to me instead... there can be a glimmer. There are thousands, perhaps millions of young people who want to have a voice but feel defeated before anything has begun. Seeing such a revitalization, with you and this boy at the helm, could be the driving force we need. There is only so much we can do divided."

Impericus is silent but seems to consider my points. He looks at Ravi with interest.

"Do you know why the humans deemed our race Visimon, young one?"

"Y-yes, they called your that because you were said to be bringers of peace and wisdom. You were to be revered as sages and wells of knowledge."

"And your people drunk those wells dry for pieces of paper and metal with nothing but arbitrary value. What would you do if your people were killed, paraded around as show ponies, and ground down to dust for magical powders to cure a quick sniffle? Would you want to give your assailants a second chance?"

Ravi ponders for a moment, fearing he may have the wrong answer, but decides to take the risk.

"I'd want to destroy them. They shouldn't have another chance to harm a single soul, but there's another factor to consider here: The young people, those yet to be born, have no need to be punished for being forced to live in a world where these things occur. They know nothing of the world before, but with the proper teachings and revelations, they would throw these ways aside. I've seen what we can do, even in something as small as my village, and it is amazing. Let us show you our power, great Impericus."

"Hmmm, the 'great' part is a nice touch," Impericus jokes. He places his paw on a rock and pulls himself up, his teeth gritted.

"If we were to help you, there is something you should know; our powers do not come without a price. We are obviously known as masters of Life and Death, but for the pinnacle of our powers to work, a sacrifice of each must be made: Life created, and Life given. We have plenty of seeds here for creation, but for the giving-"

"I'll do it."

The words escape me before I can process them. I guess I didn't want that mullet after all. Jokes aside, there were only two of us here, and I could never let this innocent soul take on the pains of the world. It'd be too big a price. Ravi grabs my arm, shaking his head.

"Doctor, with all due respect, that's ridiculous! You need to stay, to help all of us!"

"Ravi, I've lived a good life. I've led and taught many leaders of tomorrow, and in time, you could be the best of them. I've been stabbed in the back by too many people recently, people with a lot of power, and I see no better way to both end my journey and strike those very same people. I need you to go, and once this is done, you must stand on my message. Mine and the Twins. Lead the way for the future, Ravi."

Ravi is close to tears. It's strange, having such a close bond to someone you've known no more than a ten-day jaunt, but I'm thankful for it either way. Ravi hugs me like a constrictor, then does the same to each of the twins before dashing out of the cave. Once Nobelion makes sure he is a safe distance away, he turns back to me.

"Are you truly prepared for what comes next? What you'd be giving up for all of them?"

"Well, that depends, is there a third one of your sitting beside some white clouds with a bunch of singing Visimon I've never seen before?"

"I wouldn't know anything about that," Nobelion chuckles. He lays his paw on my shoulder and nods.

"You are the first of your people to impress us in a long time, Doctor Herdstrom. Take pride in that."

I bow with respect and spread my arms, nodding to show I am prepared. Nobelion walks to a small seed on a stone and opens his mouth, the opal flames from earlier engulfing the seed and causing it to explode into an endless cloud of glowing pollen, floating above us like sentry bees waiting for the queen's command. Impericus follows and opens his mouth, his fire preparing to engulf me and activate the ritual. I close my eyes and smile. It feels like a warm hug, calming me before what I know will be beyond excruciating. I don't mind though; one man's sacrifice is nothing if it means possible billions have a chance. I feel incredibly lucky to say I have no regrets, no remorse, only hope. Hope for Ravi, and all the others like him who will gain courage from this day as the new flowers bloom and Visimon of old rise again. That hope is the last thing I feel before the Amber covers me and I slip away, into the fire, to remembered as part of the most healing flames the world has never known... and I wouldn't have it any other way...