I'm really, really, really, really, really, really, really sorry for the late update. I was busy these days... Well, hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 13: A healer's mission

Runo's POV

Where are we? - I asked as I woke up. Fabia, Baron and I were in somekind of a cave.

I don't know... - Fabia said.

Maybe we should get out of the cave and see what's out there... - Baron suggested. We all agreed so we went outside. We were in a desert! We all gasped when we saw where we are. And the strange thing is...we didn't feel hot or like we are in a desert.

Why do I have a feeling that we are not in a desert, but we are? - Fabia asked.

I have the same feeling, you know... - Baron said.

Maybe the test is only changing the area, but not the temperature and those things. - I said.

Lars Lion then appeared in front of us out of nowhere.

That is correct, Runo. - she said as she appeared - The test only makes the place where you will be passing It, but It doesn't pretend like It.

So, what's our test about? - Fabia asked.

That, you will have to find out by yourself... - Lars Lion answered.

But how? - Baron was confused.

I will tell you a riddle that will help you if you understand It... - she explained.

In a strange desert is where you're walking,

You will understand It if you're talking.

A great warrior will need your help,

You will need to restore his health.

If you don't prove that you're worth It,

He won't let you pass the test you're taking.

This riddle is supposed to help us? - I asked confused.

Yes. - Lars Lion answered - Actually, It won't just help you, but It will also tell you the test! Well...good luck brawlers!When she said this she disappeared and left us confused.

What was this all about? - Baron asked.

Don't ask me... - Fabia looked confused.

Lets just walk and maybe find something... - I said and we started walking.

We walked for a long time, and then we saw a forest in the middle of the desert.

Am I hallucinating? - I asked.

I guess not, since we all see it... - Fabia said.

We walked into the forest and realised It was real.

Wow! - Baron said - I can't believe we are walking in a forest that's in the middle of a desert!

Well, believe It, Baron... - Fabia said.

Okay, so...first Lars Lion told us a crazy riddle, then we found a forest in the middle of a desert, and now we're walking in this creepy forest... - I said - What else is gonna happen to us! - I shouted.

Calm down! - Fabia shouted.

Yeah, if we don't think wisely we will never solve the riddle, or pass the test! - Baron said.

Guys... - I started - HOW CAN I BE CALM WHEN NOTHING IS RIGHT IN HERE, HUH? - I shouted really loud.

Well, miss low temper... CAN'T YOU SEE THAT EVERYONE IS NERVOUS BUT IS TRYING TO KEEP CALM IN HERE! That is...everyone expect you... - Fabia shouted.

Who are you calling low temper! - I continued shouting.

You, of course! - Fabia continued.

Is that so... - I said slowly - Okay then, maybe I should call you miss worst friend to calm someone down!

WHAT! - Fabia shouted.

You heard me... - I shouted too.

Cow! - Fabia said.

Chicken! - I returned.

Pig! - Fabia continued.

Rat! - I didn't stop.

Horse! - Fabia didn't gave up either.

Baron was listening to us and couldn't believe that we were doing this. In that moment, his temper was cut off and screamed really loud.

SHUT UP! - he shouted.

We stopped arguing and looked at Baron. There was only silence between us in a couple of seconds.

What is wrong with you! - Baron said - You've never been as crazy as this time ever! You were best friends, remember? Not cows and pigs and chickens!

Baron... - Fabia said.

Never interrupt a girls fight! - Fabia and I shouted.

Baron gasped.

Now It's my fault that I wanted to help! - Baron said confused.

Then we all looked at eachother and started laughing.

You know, I was gonna pass this test quicker if I was paired up with Dan... - I said giggling.

So now "we" are your worst partners huh? - Fabia asked.

Yeah... - I answered - Dan's lucky. This was his place since we've met!

Well, I guess he won't mind if we give It back to him... Besides, he's already used to It. - Baron said.

Yeah... 6 years is a long time... - Fabia said.

Then we all started laughing like crazy.

We continued walking through the forest. We walked for a quite long time, maybe an hour, and we were fascinated from all the flowers and trees that grew here. They were so beatifull! We had a lot of fun while walking, but that's when our smiles faded. We heard a creepy sound coming from the north side of the forest.

What's that noise all about? - Fabia asked worried.

It's creepy... - Baron said.

Yeah... - I agreed - But It proves that we are not alone in this forest...

We went to the place where the sound came, and saw a lot of people sitting around a tree. They were actually singing somekind of a sad song. We gasped when we saw the view.

Are...you okay? - Fabia asked scared from their reaction.

When they heard her, they all turned around and saw us.

Who are you? - one of them asked.

We're here on a mission. - Baron answered.

I hit Baron on his arm.

Way to keep the secret...Baron - I mumbled.

Since when is that a secret? - Baron asked. Fabia sighed.

The people looked at eachother, and out of nowhere, they started shouting something on a different language.

Akasuke la bonatra! Akasuke la bonatra! Estilino werdignela! - they shouted.

We were confused.

What's going on? - I asked.

Then one of them came closer to us. At first he was looking at us like he was going to kill us. We were frightened. Then, after a couple of seconds, he bowed.

What! - we all thought and looked at eachother. Then we turned to the man again.

Welcome, my lords. - he said. Now, we were totally confused.

Your lords? - Fabia asked.

I am Tasuke, the leader of this village... - he said again.

Nice to meet you, Tasuke! - Baron said. Sometimes he's just so stupid. Ugh!

What is happenig in here? - I asked.

Let me tell you everything from the begining. - Tasuke said. We all sat on the ground next to a very old tree. It was withered.

A 1000 years ago, this dimention was a place where people lived happily. That was, untill one day an evil man showed up. He called himself Dartanian. - Tasuke started his story - He threatened our dimention to destroy It, unless we give him The Code.

The Code? - Baron asked.

It is our source of life. - Tasuke explained - Without It, we can't live! So, all the people joined forces and guarded It. But we were too weak for Dartanian. He had magic powers which is very rare, and for his luck, we didn't have them. So he defeated us all easily, and made It to the core where the The Code was hidden. But, before he can take It, a great warrior grabbed It, and risked his life to protect It. He made himself the new keeper of The Code, and hid somewhere in this dimension, even we didn't know where! So...Dartanian continued to search, but he didn't find It. Angry, he destroyed our dimension! There was no chance for us to survive. But somehow, the great warrior managed to control The Code, and restore our dimension. He wasn't powerful enough to make life come back everywhere, so he made a new core for The Code, which is connected to six trees. Every tree gives life to everything around It, thanks to the core that connects It with The Code.

And what happened with the warrior? - Fabia asked.

He continued his life as a guardian of The Code. - Tasuke answered - He also gave The Code power to survive.

Well, can't The Code survive by itself? - I asked confused.

Since The Code was moved from It's original location and It's original core is gone, The Code isn't powerful enough to survive, and to also help restore the life. That's why the warrior stayed with The Code, to help It survive. - he said.

I see. - Fabia said - Is this one of those trees? - she asked pointing to the tree everyone sat around.

Yes. - he answered.

Well, why is It withered? - Baron asked.

People believe that the great warrior was injured while the battle with Dartanian. - Tasuke explained - He managed to live with his injury untill now, but his wound got bigger and made him weaker. He can't help The Code because of his injury anymore, and since The Code doesn't have enough power, It can't give life to the trees.

And if the trees are destroyed... - I started.

It will be the end for the life on this dimension! - Fabia shouted.

Tasuke nodded sadly.

So that's why people were singing sad songs... - Baron understood. There was only silence between us for a minute, but then Tasuke spoke.

But... There is still a chance for us to survive. - he said.

How? - we all shouted as our faces lightened up a little.

Well, there is a legend that says that when the warrior will no longer be able to help The Code, a girl from Earth will come to help. She will heal the warrior and also give The Code power to live on It's own. - he said - That's why everyone started shouting when they saw you. We believe that you're the chosen ones to help us!

We gasped when we heard this.

Runo... - Baron said.

You are from Earth, and Lars Lion gave you the power to heal, didn't she? - Fabia asked looking at me.

You don't mean... - I gasped when I understood what she meant - Are you saying that I am the one!

She nodded.

And, the riddle says the same thing too! - Baron shouted and said the riddle.

In a strange desert is where you're walking,

You will understand It if you're talking.

A great warrior will need your help,

You will need to restore his health.

If you don't prove that you're worth It,

He won't let you pass the test you're taking.

He's right! - Fabia said.

Yeah! - I shouted - So actually, It wanted to tell us that we should speak to you so we can understand. Now It's clear why everything out of the forest looks like a desert... Also, our test is to help the warrior, we have to heal his injury!

But to do that, we need to prove the warrior that we are worth It... - Baron said.

How are we gonna do that? - Fabia asked.

I was thinking for a while, and looking around. My eyes stopped on the withered tree. Then I got the idea.

The tree! - I shouted.

What does the tree has to do with this? - Fabia asked confused.

If we heal the tree, the warrior would feel that, and so will The Code! - I explained.

And when they see we wanna help... - Baron said.

They will let us heal them! Alright! - Fabia shouted.

I turned to Tasuke.

Thank you Tasuke! - I said with a smile - You helped us a lot with our test.

No, my lady... You will help us much more. You will save our dimension if you do this! I am so glad this is happening... We will never be able to repay you...

Don't worry... - I said - It's nothing. Well, we better be going!

Then I turned to the others and realised something. I turned back to Tasuke.

Tasuke, I'm sorry. - I said while bowing a little - We never introduced ourselves properly. My name is Runo, this is Fabia, and this is Baron. - I said while pointing at them.

Well It was really nice meeting you! - Tasuke responded with a smile.

It was a pleasure meeting you too! - Fabia said.

Yeah! - Baron agreed.

Well, you should better get back to your work! - Tasuke said - We will all hope you succeed.

Thank you Tasuke! - I said - Well guys, lets heal this tree! - I shouted.

Yeah! - Fabia and Baron yelled.

Okay, Baron and I can use our powers to heal the tree, and if It works, which It sure will, you will use your healing powers to heal the warrior. - Fabia said.

Sounds like a plan! - Baron said.

Lets do It! - I shouted. Then Baron and Fabia raised their hands with the bracelets in the air, and shouted.

Haos energy, give us your power,

Let us use It, and victory will be ours!

Their bracelets started glowing yellow. They got their power!

Sun Power!

Life Giver!

Fabia and baron shouted. They made a sun appear in front of the tree, and also made a special healing light. Then after a minute, the tree was healed! His leaves became green again. Everything was beautiful.

We did It! - Baron shouted.

Great job guys! - I shouted as the three of us hugged.

After a couple of minutes, a bright light appeared in front of us. Then a man with a white orb in his hand appeared in front of us. When the people saw him, they all bowed and started saying my master, thank you, and other kinds of things. After a moment, we realised that was actually the great warrior with The Code in his hand! We immediately bowed since we understood.

Runo, Fabia, Baron... There is no need for you to bow! - the warrior spoke - I am Andrew, the warrior who saved The Code. I know everything that happened. Thank you for trying to save this dimention! - when he said this he bowed at us. We gasped. We also saw that his left hand was bleeding, that was his injured hand.

We won't just help to save the dimension, we also want to help you, warrior Andrew! - I said.

But you don't even know how to use your powers! - Andrew said - You're still a beginner...

We will help no matter what! - Baron shouted.

Yes! - Fabia agreed - You sacrificed your life for this dimension, that is nothing compared to what we will do!

We want to help! This is our test! - I shouted - Please, let us!

Andrew thought a little and then he finally agreed.

Okay, but promise me you will send a message to Dan Kuso. - he said.

A message...for Dan? - I asked confused.

Yes. - Andrew confirmed - I need you to tell him to be aware of Dartanian, he might come to search for him.

Why Dan? - Baron asked.

We don't have time for questions. Please promise that you will tell him this. - Andrew said.

Fine. - Fabia said - And now, I think It's time for us to heal you!

Okay, but remember, The Code is very delicate, one wrong step and It will be destroyed! - he warned us - Be carefull!

I nodded. I turned towards Fabia and Baron and said.

Ready? - I asked.

Yeah! - they shouted.

I got closer to Andrew, and kneeled next to him and The Code. I closed my eyes and concentrated on my power. I sat like that for a second, and then I released my power.

Heal Power!

I shouted and I started glowing yellow. I aimed my power to Andrew and The Code, and It started healing. Half of the healing was done, and then I felt very dizzy. I was weak, and about to fall. But I felt Fabia holding my hand, and Baron holding me on my shoulder. They nodded and shouted.

Live Giver!

They used their power to help me. They gave me strength. In a second, I felt like I could hold the dimension with my hand! Together, we healed Andrew and The Code! The injury on Andrew's hand was gone, and The Code was shining lighter. It was able to live by It's own now! Andrew teleported The Code to It's hiding place, and then he saw his healed hand. He smiled to me.

Thank you, Runo! - he said and bowed at me - What can I do to repay you?

Oh, It was nothing... - I said as I stood up - You don't have to do any...thing... - as I said this I fell unconscious on the ground.

Fabia's POV

You don't have to do any...thing... - when Runo said this, she got unconscious. Luckily Andrew caught her and she didn't fell on the ground.

Runo! - Baron and I shouted.

She's really weak. - Andrew said - The healing drained her power.

Andrew put Runo on the ground slowly, and called to Tasuke. Tasuke came running and understood what happened. He then went and brought some special leaves from the tree. People said that they help people. Andrew put one of the leaves on Runo's head. After a couple of seconds, It started glowing. Then, It disappeared. Runo got her strength back and slowly woke up.

W...What happened? - she asked as she sat on the ground.

You were exhausted from the healing you just did, but now you're fine. - I said and smiled.

Oh, ok... - she said. Then she got up with Baron's help and turned to Andrew.

Great warrior, if I may ask... - she said to Andrew and he nodded.

Just call me Andrew. - Andrew said.

Ok...Andrew... - Runo said and asked - How do you know Dan, and...why would Dartanian go after him?

Andrew was quiet for a moment. Then he answered.

I know everything about the six of you... Dan, Shun, Marucho, Alice, Julie, and you. But I can't explain It to you right now. When the time has come, you will be told everything. - he said.

But why can't you tell us now? - Baron asked.

I have my reasons. - Andrew answered - And also, I believe that I'm not the only one that has explaining to do.

Now we were totally confused.

There are others like you? - I asked.

Yes, I believe your friend Shun already met one of them. - he said - I already told you a lot more than you should know. We will meet again, Brawlers. Remember to tell Dan my message, and also... Don't tell my name to anyone except the other Brawlers, only the people I trust know It. Good bye for now!

When Andrew said this he disappeared.

Weird... - Runo said.

Yeah... - I agreed.

Don't think like that guys, we passed our test! - Baron shouted.

Yeahhh! - we all shouted and hugged.

Congratulations, masters! - Tasuke said to us and bowed.

Tasuke, you don't have to be so formal... Just call us by our names or just call us The Brawlers. - I said.

The Brawlers? - Tasuke was confused.

That's the name of our team. There is a long story hidden behind It. - Baron said.

Yeah, we don't have time now, but we promise the next time we meet, we will tell It to you! - Runo said with a smile.

Well, okay... Brawlers. Well done! You saved our world and passed your test! - Tasuke said.

Now that's more like It! - I shouted.

Well Tasuke, we should be going now. - Runo said.

Hope we meet again soon! - Baron said.

Bye! - we all shouted when we separated.

We continued walking through the forest, untill a light appeared in front of us.

After a moment, the light disappeared and Lars Lion was standing in front of us.

You passed your test Brawlers! Well done! - she spoke.

We all smiled.

Baron, Fabia, you learned to use your new powers perfectly! - Lars Lion commented.

And...what about me? - Runo asked.

Runo... - Lars Lion sighed and started - Remember that you felt weakness when you were healing the warrior?

Runo nodded.

That, was because of the negative energy. - she finished - The negative energy isn't completely removed from your powers.

Runo saddened when she heard this. I came closer to her to hug her.

You were lucky that Baron and Fabia were there to help you, and Andrew too. - Lars Lion continued - But this doesn't mean anything, this kinds of things were expected to happen. You will train your powers and when you are ready and have a powerful will to use them perfectly, the negative energy from your powers will fade.

Runo had a sad smile on her face.

Don't worry Runo. We'll always be by your side no matter what! - I said.

Yeah, we will help you remove that stupid negative energy! - Baron shouted.

Thanks guys! - Runo said and we all hugged each other.

Now I shall take you to Magicland where you can rest a bit. - Lars Lion said - Ready?

Yeah! - we all shouted and were transported.