Hunter's Return

Chapter 24: Ravine

Ranie's POV

"Why Hunter?" Isaac asked. "Why do you have to be so mean? Why can't you just join our side and be friends?"

"Because I don't like you kid, that's why," he smirked. "But just this once, I will help you."

"Will you bring Aaron back to life?" Robert silently said.

"No dear friend, I will simply help you by not have two wakes at once."

"What do you mean?" the prince asked.

The snake flicked his wrists and Aaron's body was on fire.

"Oww!" Robert screamed, backing away from his best friend.

Moments later, the only thing left of him were ashes. Next, Hunter made a little breeze of wind so that the ashes could fly out a window.

"HUNTER YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!" I yelled, running up to Hunter and trying to punch him.

"Not so fast little fox," the snake said. He made a barrier of fire around me. "You forgot our little deal."

"Huh? What deal?" I asked.

"Haha, your strength and mind are puny too! Remember that deal?"

I paused for a moment. "Oh yeah, that deal."

"Ranie what deal?" Isaac asked.

"None of your business!" Hunter yelled.

"I decline," I said.

"I see... Well then, there's no other choice.

Everything from then was so fast. Hunter grabbed Jacob and then they both disappeared into the shadows. As they left, everyone started to get conscious.

"Are you okay Leonora?" Alice asked. Maxx and I were by her side.

"Yeah I'm fine. Where's Marie?" the lioness asked.

"I found her!" Isaac yelled. "Guys help me!" We all ran to where Isaac was.

Isaac flipped over a chair because under it was Marie. She was lying down on the floor; still unconscious.

"Marie," Isaac whispered. No response.

"Her heart is still beating and nothing seems wrong, but I believe she has a broken arm. That's all," the prince continued.

"Will she be alright?" I asked.

"Of course."

Marie slowly fluttered her eyes open. "W-what happened?"

"You have a broken arm," Leonora explained.

"Who are you?" She asked.

"Oh no," Maxx said, covering her mouth. "She must have amnesia!"

"Marie, do you remember who I am?" I asked.

"Who's Marie?" She asked.

"This is serious!" Isaac said. There's got to be a way for Marie to remember!"

"SNAP OUT OF IT MARIE! STOP JOKING AROUND!" Maxx said, shaking Marie.

"It's no use. She's forgotten almost everything and everyone," Isaac said.

"Well too bad. I'm taking back that deal," I said.

"Wait, what deal? What was Hunter talking about?" Isaac asked.

"Er, it's nothing really," I responded.

"Ranie, please do tell us," Alice pleaded.

"Uh... I'll explain the details later," I said. "Right now we need to save Jacob!"

"Who's Jacob?" Marie asked. She tried to sit down but Isaac helped her due to a broken arm.

I gave out a sigh. "Hopefully she'll remember Hunter."

"It's worth a shot, but where did he go anyways?" Alice asked.

"Look over here!" Maxx yelled to us. We ran to her as she picked up a piece of yellow paper with little drips of blood.

"Go to the ravine. It is north from the kingdom gates," Maxx read it out loud.

"Yep, this was definitely written by Hunter," Alice said, examining the blood.

"Let's go then," Maxx said.

"You girls go ahead and run off. I'll help Marie here," Isaac said.

"Okay. We'll meet you there," Leonora said. Isaac nodded and we ran off.

(Time skip)

We stopped by an entrance of a cave "This should be it," Leonora said.

"I'm here," Isaac panted. He was followed by Robert.

"Weeee! Do it again!" Marie yelled.

The prince came in sight, while giving Marie a piggy back ride.

"Oh wow," Alice said.

"We've been waiting for half an hour, where have you been?" I asked.

"I've made Marie remember a few things. Apparently, she remembers half of our journey."

"And I have decided to come along. I need some revenge," Robert said.

"Hey!" Marie suddenly said. "Is that my friends?"

"Yes, yes they are," Isaac said.

Marie got off Isaac's back and hugged each one of her friends, including me.

"Also, her personality somewhat changed so get used to that," the prince said.

"I like this new Marie, she's more friendly than usual," I said.

"Enough chit chat let's go!" Maxx said.

We made our way down inside the cave to the ravine. The gap between one side from the other was really wide.

"Ah! You finally came!" a voice said from afar.

Despite the gap, I could see a dark figure standing on the other side of the ravine.

"Hunter...," I muttered.

"Yes fox, it is I!" the snake said.

"Give me back my brother!" I yelled.

Hunter laughed. "Do you think I would give him back so easily?"

"Yeah, because we're gonna kill you!" Leonora said furiously.

"I wouldn't say that so easily," Hunter replied.

"Oh yeah?! We'll see," the lioness replied.

"We'll see, my daughter."

Leonora paused for a moment. "Huh? What are you talking about? I'm not your daughter! I'm your enemy! Have you gone nuts?!"

"Leonora, he's already nuts," Ranie said.

"Hunter, explain what's going on!" Isaac demanded.

"Yeah, you've got something to tell us!" Leonora shouted.