Chapter 11: Back in the jungle.
The remaining brawlers walked through the thick trees of the jungle. Sadness, sorrow and fear printed on their faces. They kept close as a group to avoid any ambush from Masquerade and his annoying assistant.
Ace walked in front of Dan and Runo, slashing the branches and leaves that were to stand in their way. At some points, he would go far to check dark caves, holes and behind trees to check for any danger. Dan had asked him a few times to stop doing so, fearing he might get hurt, but Ace never listened.
He felt guilty, a lot, for what happened to Hero and…Mira. In both times he was so close to save them, but he would always weaken and their hands would slip away from his. Because of him, the girl he loved was now history and he promised himself that what had happened will not happen again.
The three of them sat down after a while, out of exhaustion. Dan drank some water from the pot they had taken and handed it over to Runo, who drank some as well. When she handed it over to Ace, he just refused to drink and put it back on the ground. Dan looked at him concerned.
"Man, I know you feel bad, but…you shouldn't do that to yourself," Dan said and placed a hand on Ace's shoulder. Ace slapped it away.
"You don't get it! I killed them, both of them and…I don't know what to do about it now. They're gone and it's my entire fault!" he said as tears ran down his cheeks.
"They were our friends too, you know! I had a chance to save Julie too, but I thought she was an impostor, she's dead because of me, but I didn't let that affect me. We must keep going no matter what. I don't like it either, but it's the only way," Dan shouted his sentences until he reached the last one where his voice softened. Ace wiped his tears and turned his face away.
"I just know that what ever it takes me, I won't let anything happen to you two, lovebirds," he said and had a smirk on his face as he looked at Dan.
Dan and Runo instantly blushed. Dan started scratching his cheek while looking away. Runo raised her hand and for the first time, her fist found a new target, Ace's head. The said guy put both hands on his head and shouted in pain, he should have expected that from Runo.
"We are not lovebirds. And, for your information, we won't need anyone to rescue us. I'm sure we'll find Marucho and get out of here," Runo said, confidently.
"Maybe, I hope so," Ace said and was off to stare at the sky once more. Dan sighed.
"Baron and I knew this would happen," Dan whispered. Runo looked at him. "After all, Mira did die here. That's why we went to the ice mountain, for him to stop thinking about it,"
"Well, I'm sure he'll be…ok?" Runo said, but her statement was pronounced as a question. She wasn't sure they were to succeed. Dan looked at her concerned, understanding what she had in mind.
It wasn't an easy thing they went through in that past time. They were nine, ten with Marucho, and now only three of them remained to look for their genius friend, who is some where of that world. They had passed two places in that world, checked them really good, but still there was no sign of him. He might have returned to the mountain or the desert. It felt they were running in a loop.
Masquerade and the brawlers had their arguments, but it was all in the past. Why was he seeking for revenge so desperately while he had helped them in their battles, they never knew. He wanted one to live, from the four that remained, or at least they were hoping Marucho was alive. Masquerade relied on his minions to kill the brawlers, one by one, and they were doing a fine job.
Julie, Shun, Mira, Alice, Baron and Hero. They all died trying to escape, some even died sacrificing themselves in the process. Dan feared that their efforts were to be wasted. He never knew if they could survive.
"Master, the brawlers are back in the jungle," The blonde assistant said as she knelt down before the chair Masquerade sat on. Masquerade turned to face her.
"What are you waiting for? Release the newest beast!" He nearly yelled.
The young lady was about to leave, but was stopped by her master falling on the floor while placing his head in his hands. Sweat dripped down his face and he was battling with his own self. She stood there, petrified by fear. Abruptly he stopped. He looked up at her, panting.
"No! Open a portal and release them!" He said. She looked at him, confused. Why was he giving up on his plan?
"Are you sure, master?" She asked. He nodded.
"Yes, no g-" he was interrupted by another fight between him and himself. He looked at her, still battling, and screamed in pain.
"You are not to control this body! I was able to stop you all that time and I shall continue," he said and he started glowing yellow. This scared the lady and she was about to run, but was stopped by Masquerade's voice.
"Don't open any portals. Do as I said before and release the creature," He said, regaining his deep, calm voice. She bowed and left, still puzzled by what she had seen.
"Those brawlers won't know what had hit them!" he stated with an evil laugh.
Ace, Runo and Dan were walking down the thick path of trees with Ace still leading. Dan walked behind Ace and in front of Runo, willing to save her as well. Abruptly, a roaring voice was heard, sending scary images inside the brawlers' heads.
They started backing away from the source of the noise. The rustling stopped; then a huge snake appeared before them. They started running at full speed, moved by fear of losing their lives to that beast. Dan was holding Runo's hand as he ran with his head down, scared to look back. But…he did…
At some point of the runaway, he stopped hearing the double sound of footsteps he had to hear. He stopped and Runo stopped as well. They both looked behind to find Ace standing in front of the snake, holding a wooden stick in his hand. They watched as Ace dodged an attack from the snake.
"Ace! Come back here!" Dan shouted at the top of his lungs.
"No! You guys go ahead and hide, I'll distract it!" he shouted back as he hit the snake with his stick that broke once it touched the hard scales of the snake.
"We can't leave you here!" Runo yelled.
"Yes, you can, now go. I don't think I can hold it much longer!" Ace yelled.
He attempted to punch the snake with his bare hands, which did nothing to the beast. Next thing he knew, he was being engulfed by the snake's tail. Its muscles were pressing harder and harder, trapping Ace within the snake's body. Dan held Runo's hand and ran as fast as he could with tears streaming down his face.
"Dan! We can't leave him there!" Runo said while crying.
"We…have to. We can't do anything Runo! I'm not so happy about it too," He said and slowed down when he found a hollowed tree. He let Runo go in first and then he followed.
Dan sat next to Runo and gave her a light hug, to reassure her and him. They lost Ace and now, they were the only ones left. Their mission was to find Marucho, but they didn't even found one clue that lead them to the boy's whereabouts, Dan started even doubting Marucho was even here. Maybe it was just a trick from Masquerade to force them to stay. He didn't like that one bit.
He wanted to confront the last one surviving. Only one. Dan was sure Masquerade was to do anything to eliminate him or Runo. He just wondered, would it be him or Runo? He loved Runo with all his heart, but…was he willing to give his life for her?
The answer simply was…yes.