Revelation

Coalition

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"Huh?! Everyone, wait! Look at the other side. Is that...a beacon?"

A large plume of smoke was being set off in the distance, big enough so that it was visible from where Jack and the others were standing from the other side.

"I see... That's a beacon set by my older brother," Sanderson observed.

"You mean Aster's doing that? But what's the meaning of it?"

"It means, 'many enemies and an ongoing war' if I remember correctly."

"What?! Then we should go and help!"

Sanderson shook his head. "No. The reason behind that flare is to not send any kind of help. Don't attack these enemies, turn around, and run away, that's the whole point to that beacon. And all the more reason why we shouldn't go."

Jack was silent for a few moments as he contemplated on Sanderson's words. Looking back at the smoke, he announced to the others,

"Well, everyone...prepare yourselves. We're going immediately where that beacon is being set off to save Aster and whoever else is with him."

"L-Lord Jack?! Didn't you just hear what I said?! It's dangerous!" Sanderson spluttered.

"Yeah, I heard you," Jack grinned at him, "but even so we'll go. We're not going to be cowards and run away from these enemies, no matter how tough they are. And besides, this will be a good way to make new allies. The more the merrier, right?"

"Lord Jack..." Sanderson said, about to say something before sighing in defeat and nodding with a small smile. "Thank you..."

..~..

When Jack and the others arrived at the spot where the beacon was set off, they found no sign of anything or anybody in the area.

"The flare was sent in this area but...where are Aster and the others?" Jack said confusedly.

"I don't know, but be careful. This is Akumu territory," Elsa cautioned. "Because it's dark and we're in a forest, be sure to not get lost.

"Look, there are some footsteps that lead in," she said, crouching to the ground and pointing to several pairs of tracks. "If we follow them-"

"We should find Aster and the others," Jack finished with her, nodding. "All right, let's go."

..~..

Following the trail deeper and deeper into the forest, everyone's hairs started to go on end.

"It's so dark and humid..." Rapunzel whispered, looking around nervously. "It's kind of frightening..."

"It can't be helped," Merida said, keeping an alert eye on her surroundings. She added a bit more gently, "If you're scared, hold on to my arm."

"Th-thank you!"

"I do agree with you though, Rapunzel," Merida seemed to add as an afterthought. "This forest is quite complicated... It's quite a mystery."

"Lady Merida, watch out!"

Pushing Merida out of the way, Sanderson deflected a weapon that had been aimed at her head.

"A shuriken?!" Merida's eyes widened, both at her close call and the surprise attack.

"This is Akumu ninja weaponry," Sanderson said uneasily, looking at the shuriken on the ground.

"What?! Are you saying that they're close by?" Merida said, drawing her bow and arrow.