SENTIENT

Day Three: Vaanasa Rainforest

The wind blows the trees, canopy blocking the sunlight, leaves are falling to the jungle soil. At the deepest part of the rainforest, the Batshevas are gathering at their hidden base where the throne of King Kramos sits. The natives are chanting. Jon and Jack, now fully recovered from their injuries, are kneeling next to each other, facing down while their hands are at their back. In front of them, an old-bald batshevan man sitting on his throne. His name is King Kramos, the tribe leader or king of the Batshevas. He wears a necklace that shelters an elgoa gem. Next to him, his daughter, Lucia, stands next to him, holding a spear.

As the natives chants, King Kramos raised his right hand, signaling the natives to stop. "Speak"

"Your Highness.. we are sorry for the trouble that me and my partner, Jon, has caused you... I'm so sorry for the two brave men that you lost yesterday during the fight. It was not our intention to kill.." Jack to the King.

"Then what is your intention, human?" King Kramos to Jack.

Jon took a deep breathe. "That one.. on your necklace, your highness.." as he points at the gem.

King Kramos, baffled by what Jon said, shakes his head slightly. "It's clear to me that you don't know what you are talking about, soldier."

"No.. we really don't know.. that's why we need answers." Jon said. "Which is why we're here too." followed by Jack.

"We're trying our best to not kill your warriors, your highness, it is because we need a vivid answer about what is going on." Jack added as he looks to Jon.

"You can't have these gems. You know nothing about them, soldier." King Kramos said. "The gems hold an energy that can be harnessed to produce a new ability." He added confusing the two soldiers.

"What? A new ability?" Jack to the King.
"Yes. If you were wondering who threw huge trunks and gigantic rocks at you last time, they were the elders, the chosen ones.." Lucia answered.

"So why we can't have them?" Jon to King Kramos and Lucia.
"These gems are entrusted to us a hundred years ago. It is our property and it is my tribe's duty to protect each and every one of them." said the King. King Kramos stood up, walks closely to the soldiers. He points each one of them. "You... your race know nothing but power and greed.. we welcomed your race with open arms and this is what we get in return?!" He added further confusing Jon.

The gem starts to glow, Jon's and Jack's eyes reflected the gem's green light as it glows. Both soldiers are stunned by the gem's glowing characteristic.
"We cannot entrust these ancient powers to a race that lusts in power." said the King as he spreads his arms. "I don't care if my race will die. We will protect the gems no matter what the cost!" He added with his grumpy voice. King Kramos coughs and Lucia tries to calm the King. Taking a deep breath, the King asks the soldiers to help them. "I know some of my men, women, and even children are being held captive by your authorities... they're paying them in exchange for keeping up a lie to other countries.. A lie that there's no war between my race and your country! I am asking you to help us end this war... We can't give the gems to you.. but we're asking you to help us protect these defenseless powers from greed.." King Kramos said as other batshevan natives are weeping.

"Tomorrow's not a clear day. Maybe our race will be gone.. your decision right now will save or kill us.. whatever your descision might be, I understand...." King Kramos to the soldiers.

King Kramos turns his back on the soldiers and continues to cough like a frail man. Lucia looks back at the soldiers before escorting her father back to their royal hut.

Jon stands up, looking at the weeping natives. "My mother always taught me how to use power in a responsible way.."

Jack looks at him and pats his right shoulder. "Yeah. At least we heard the other side. So what's our call?" He said.