Journey of the soul chapter 76

You ever wonder if maybe, just maybe, people could agree on what is good and what is bad and finally accomplish things in the world?

Hunter:…..you didn't get a lot of sleep last night, did you.

I mean. Climate change. That's a thing, a bad thing. But people aren't doing anything about it.

Hunter: Maybe you should go sit in your chair and be quiet until the chapter's over.

It's gotten to the point where people don't care about facts anymore, they just want to have a large enough following so that they feel like they're right.

Hunter: Spinax help, he's gone existential again

Spinax: I've learned that it's best to just step away from it all until he gets it out of his system. It's how I dealt with your emo phase too.

Hunter: fair enough. Can I start the chapter then Cross?

And then there's AMERICA

Hunter: yeah, I'm just gonna start it.

He didn't know whether it was because he had gone through quite a bit since yesterday or the fact that he hadn't eaten since yesterday, but Hunter's main priority was getting food. Part of him felt bad for raiding Lila's pantry, but that part wasn't enough to stop him from eating almost half of her stock of granola bars.

"Y'know. If the fossil fighting job ever goes south, I could be a good critic."

"Considering pretty much everything has gone south at one point or another, I'll keep that noted" Spinax replied. Alvis was nowhere to be found and Hunter was getting restless. If he couldn't find Alvis, he'd have to go to the temple on his own which means….He looked at Lila, who was currently mesmerized by the skull of Joe Wildwest bouncing up and down. Hunter stared down at his phone which was trying to call the unknown caller origin Alvis had used last time. For the fifth time, he was sent to voice mail.

"C'mon. I stay away from you whenever you want to talk to me and now when I try to reach YOU, you're suddenly too busy?"

"He said he had to go somewhere after the finals." Lila remarked, "he looked kind of angry."

"Alvis? Angry?" Hunter didn't know if he believed that.

"Duna said we should stay away from him anyway. That he's dangerous." That was all he needed to hear. Hunter trusts Duna's judgement, but at any rate, it looks like he'd have to do this one on his own…..with Spinax.

"Oh shoot, I'm being included."

"Shut up Spinax." Hunter got up and placed all his belongings in his bag.

"Joe, we should get moving."

"Righto pard." Joe moved in a motion that looked remarkably like tipping a hat to Lila before jumping in the bag. Hunter rested a hand on the pendant around his neck when Duna entered the room. She had come back from surveying the area.

"There are few people. However, the only way to rubilar island is by helicopter."

"Figures. What are the odds of a flying vivosaur being noticed?"

"Incredibly high."

"Da-" Hunter looked at Lila, "…Darn." He looked out from the window. Staff members were walking around talking to people. It would be impossible to find a place to take off. That's when a thought occurred to him.

"Joe, the island has plenty of individual teleporters right? Like ones that specifically go to different dig sites?"

"That'd be right."

"Right. Zongazonga gave me one to go to petrified woods. Anyway, is there one that goes to Jungle Labyrinth?"

"You betcha. Only problem is, it's in the fighters station…wait a sec." Hunter zipped up the bag before Joe caught on.

"Fighters station. Probably the staff room. Got it." He started towards the door. However, before he could leave, Hunter felt a hand on his shoulder.

"You already know I don't want you guys involved in my problems." Hunter said without looking back.

"This isn't your problem." Duna's voice replied, "this concerns so much more than just you. If you're choosing to involve yourself, then I can choose to involve myself as well."

"I…dang it that's a good point

"Me too!" Lila put on a hat and sunglasses lying on the table.

"What're those for?"

"We gotta blend in with the crowd." Lila's hat was practically the size of her torso. Hunter turned on his disguise and gave the group a once over.

"Yep, we definently won't attract attention like this."

"I know right?"

"I was being sarcastic."

"You worry to much Hunter. Besides, this is what we've been training for."

"If This is what Alvis wanted to fight zongazonga, then I question his sanity." How did Alvis even know about Zongazonga. Maybe he read Joe's mind and discovered him. At any rate, Lila was right. This is what they prepared for.

"Alright, but if we do this, we need a plan." Hunter thought to himself for a moment.

"I-"

"Shut-"

"Hold up, usually I have to say something stupid first."

"You were about to say a plan that probably involves mass property damage and/or murder."

"…..okay, BUT."

"I have a plan." Duna was the one to speak up, "but you may not like it."

"I'll take anything over spinax's plan."

"This is dumb. This is a dumb, stupid plan and I hate that you came up with it."

"You said you were fine with the plan."

"Yeah, and then you told me what it was."

"You are only upset because of ho

"Of course I am!" The argument between the two was whisper-shouted as they walked into the fighters station, each of them holding one of Lila's hand.

"I hate this plan too." She pouted.

"That's because you have to have someone hold your hand." Hunter looked around. The staff door was on the upper floor next to the elevator. The chances of zongazonga coming down from the tower was low, but not impossible.

"He's magic right? What if he can just sense your presence?"

"He was surprised when I brought Todd with me to meet him, so maybe he can't sense people like that. Have you tried looking into the future to see if he'll come down." The last time they practiced, Lila could see maybe a half- second ahead, but even that would be useful. She squinted and tried to focus.

"…..I think we're alright."

"Okay. Time to go through with the plan then." Duna took a deep breath. Hunter swore he saw her smile a bit.

"Excited?"

"I suppose I am. Is that wrong?" Hunter smiled back and shook his head.

"Doing stuff like this is always exciting." With a subtle nod to each other, the plan commenced. Hunter and Duna both went to opposite sides of the room with Lila following Hunter. They signaled to each other, and then Lila started screaming. She was screaming as she looked at him. Of course, this attracted attention. Hunter pretended to be incredibly awkward in his response to the screaming. After all, the plan was to create a distraction.

"YOU HAVE A TAIL!" Lila shouted, pretending to be scared of him.

"YOU GOTTA PROBLEM WITH THAT?!" Hunter shouted back.

"I HAVE A TAIL TOO!"

"…."

"What? I thought we were shouting."

"Did you pay attention at all during the plan."

"Of course I did, but then I didn't." Spinax resumed screaming in his mind before Hunter could reply. Of course a crowd began gathering around. People thinking Hunter was attacking Lila because of course they would think that.

"Sir, do you know this child?"

"Of course not."

"We're going to have to ask you to leave." Hunter looked over the staff member. Duna just barely entered the staff room. He needed to stall for longer.

"And why should I? I've got every right to be here."

"It's because of-"

"Because of what? Because I look different from you all and that makes me scary? Guess what pal, you've got a pretty scary mug yourself and you don't get kicked outta places for existing." Lila began fake crying to hide her laughter.

"Oh look what you've done now, you made the girl cry!"

"Sir, I'm fairly certain that-"

"That what? I'm the one who made her cry? I'm not the one being racist here!" Hunter waved his arms dramatically, "honestly, the nerve of some of you guys. You all think just because I have a tail I'm less than you. Guess what? The last group that thought that way didn't end up in a very good position. Pretty sure they lost that war."

"You seem very knowledgeable about human history sir, but I'm afraid times are differ-"

"Of course I know about your shitty history. Unlike you all, I actually tried to get to know the other race living here! What did you do? Huh? You ever read a book in your life?" Thankfully, Duna had left the staff room holding a portable teleporter. Hunter pushed his way through the crowd, which Lila had already slipped through while he was being dramatic.

"I hope you all learned a valuable lesson today about respect. I'm outta here." Unfortunately, someone apparently didn't get the message of his speech and tried to grab Hunter's shoulder. Whoever's hand it was got caught on the pendant, pulling it up to the point were the button clicked against Hunter's neck.

"Oh great. LILA RUN!" He heard confused shouting behind him as he bolted for the door. In his hurry, Hunter forgot what typically happens whenever he tries to run on a slick floor and slid on his butt the rest of the way. He felt himself get grabbed by the shirt collar and hoisted back up before they went out the door.

"Buy new shoes." Duna remarked as she held onto his collar, "those are too slippery."

"But a new jacket. That one smells bad."

"You are aware that it smells like you right?"

"Yep."

"….touché." As the three ran out onto the plaza, they realized there was already a bit of crowd returning from searching dig sites. So when possibly the most wanted person on the islands just ran out of the fighters station, they definently took notice.

"So Duna, is there a backup plan?"

"Unfortunately no."

"YES THERE IS!"

"Shut up Spinax."

"In that case, it's been an honor serving with you boys." Hunter wasn't about to let Spinax loose on civilians, someone could get hurt by even a small vivosaur based on the size of the crowd. Another small crowd was gathered around the back of the fighters station, encircling them. If he activated the teleporter now, it would take quite a few people along with them.

"…shit."

"HOLD ON!" A shout echoed from across the plaza. Hunter recognized that voice even as they came running up.

"Todd?!" It was a bit hard to believe, but Todd was there. There was a different look in his eye than before.

"How'd you know I was here?"

"I didn't. I just saw you."

"That's incredibly convenient."

"I know right? Anyway, I've got this. You guys get outta here!" Todd tossed a medal up into the air. Teffla materialized in the sky and let out a shriek. The crowd was blown backwards before they could call out their own vivosaurs, leaving enough room for the teleporter to not pick up anyone extra.

"Wait! I can't just-" Hunter felt a hand grab his as he moved towards Todd. It was Duna.

"We should go."

"I know…but I-"

"Do you remember when I said you have a tendency to face problems that aren't your own?"

"…"

"Hunter." It was Todd that spoke this time, "you were right, they were fake stomachaches. I was afraid, I've always been afraid. But then I saw all the things that were happening around me. Pauleen taking off her mask, Rupert standing up to his father, and you showing yourself to the world. It made me realize that I was a coward, and I hated that." Todd took a step forward.

"I'm still afraid. I'm scared of what happens if zongazonga gets to you. I'm scared of losing my best friend. That's why….that's why I ran away, because I was so scared and ashamed that you were going to fight him and I didn't want to come with you. But now I know I CAN be brave just like you."

"Like….me?"

"Yeah, so get going! I'll handle these chumps." If the situation wasn't so dire, Hunter would have laughed at Todd doing his best to sound cool.

"Alright. Good luck Todd." Hunter pressed the button on the teleporter. Light surrounded him, Duna, and Lila.

"Hopefully I won't need it."

"Did you just-" Hunter disappeared in a flash of light. Todd turned back to the crowd.

"So, Who's first?"

…..

The teleporter spat the trio out at the mouth of jungle labyrinth. There was a distinct lack of people. Even so, Hunter reapplied his disguise. They bang searching through the bushes, looking for a secret path of some kind.

"How long has it been since I was last here?" He mused to himself as he walked into the jungle. He was mostly trying to distract his mind from the fact that he just left his friend alone.

"You can't deal with everything man." Spinax replied, "besides, Todd looked like he had it under control."

"There's a difference between looking like and actually knowing what you're doing. We know that better than anyone."

"True. True. But faking it can help."

"Also true." Hunter dug through some bushes around the area where he found the fake monster. As he reached through, he felt his hand pass to the other side of the bushes and onto the ground.

"Found it." He called over Duna and Lila and the three pushed through the path.

"What're we even looking for?" Lila scanned the dense foliage around them.

"Some kind of ancient weapon. Hopefully, it can force Zongazonga's soul out of Joe's body."

"The ability to remove a soul from someone's own body." Duna shuddered, "it's unnatural."

"Yeah. That giant temple's pretty natural looking though" Hunter pointed to the looming stone temple that rested in the clearing. Dense foliage grew around it, covering some parts. A broken stairway led to a dark opening.

"Well that's ominous." Spinax commented. The three of them walked up to the opening.

"We will need a light. Some kind of torch or-"

"Hya!" Soulflame flared from Hunter's eye.

"Or that." There were strange markings across the walls. Hunter recognized it as the same language in the caliosteo tablets.

"Duna, you're bilingual right?"

"Yes."

"Can you read this?"

"That is not how being bilingual works Lila."

"It's not?" Lila and Hunter said at the same time. Fortunately, there were depictions on the wall too. The pictures were of large skeletons chasing a small girl. The girl was screaming from what it looked like and dark energy was drawn spreading from her. Another picture was a castle floating above the ground. There was another one that looked like a….dragon flying towards the castle? The final depiction was the girl again, only above the dark tendrils drawn going out from her body there was a massive ray of light. Hunter couldn't help but feel like he had seen that before somewhere. They all stood before a massive doorway.

"Ready Joe?" Hunter unzipped his bag.

"Ready pard, let's find a way to send this blasted wizard back to where he belongs." The room they entered was lit by torches. The stone floor was a lifeless grey. At the center was the coffin that once had zongazonga in it. The lid was laying on the floor in front of it. Joe jumped out of the bag and made his way to the coffin. He "sat" on it's rim, completely silent. Hunter canceled soulflame and picked a torch off the wall. He traced his hand against the writing as he made his way to the back of the room. While Lila followed him, Duna inspected the coffin with Joe.

"There's got to be some clue to the ancient weapon here." He said aloud.

"What if the clue's in another language?" Lila asked.

"Don't worry, Duna's bilingual."

"I already-…ugh." Duna put the lid back on the coffin, "at any rate, there is some sort of magic in play with this coffin. It is quite possibly that it could keep a soul confined.

"How do you know it's magic?"

"It glowed when I put the lid back on."

"That's definently pretty magic of it." Hunter reached the far wall of the room. There was a strange crest jutting out from the rest of it.

"We should press it." Spinax said.

"We should get Duna first."

"Why?"

"Because she is the only responsible person here."

"I'm gonna press it." Lila said aloud.

"We should wait for Duna first."

"Why?"

"Because she-…..because I said so." Hunter wiped the deja vu from his and tried to price together just how zongazonga came to be. He had seen other drawings too, horrible flesh monsters that looked like vivosaurs. Did he really have the power to raise the dead like that?

"You mean like some sort of god?"

"I thought you didn't believe in gods spinax."

"Well, even fantasy takes root from some truth."

"That was…strangely insightful of you."

"I know right? I was reading this great philosophy book when I was lost in the abyss. Pretty good stuff."

"Plato?"

"No, why would I read that gross mould stuff that you can't even eat?"

"I was talking about…nevermind." Hunter, desperate to change the subject, traced his hand over the crest again. Nothing happened.

"Duuuuunnnaaaaaa."

"Don't whine. It's childish." Nevertheless, Duna walked over and inspected the crest.

"I've seen this symbol before." She remarked, "in one of your human languages."

"Which one?"

"I'm…not sure. But I believe this symbol means 'guardian'"

"Guardian" Lila whispered "the ancient one?"

"Probably. Maybe this is a puzzle. A puzzle that'll lead to the guardian." Hunter pressed the crest….nothing happened.

"I give up." Spinax began waving a white flag, "too difficult." Lila pressed it again after Hunter. This time, the crest began glowing a luminous green color. The wall behind them started to shake.

"Get back Pards!" Joe shouted, although there was no need to. The wall seemed to fold into itself as it reveal a dark passage way.

"How did you do that Lila?" Duna asked.

"I…don't know." Lila looked down at her own hands.

"Maybe that's the reason Alvis was so dead-set on Lila helping us fight Zongazonga." Hunter thought to himself.

"….magic glowy wall powers?" Spinax replied.

"Not exactly. Her specimen ability is strong, but undeveloped and unusable. She can't use soulflame either. Yet, Alvis still wanted her help to fight Zongazonga specifically. Now she was the only one to open the path to that represents a guardian specifically made to fight zongazonga. This all seems like too much to be a coincidence."

"We'll figure it out eventually."

"I guess you're right." Hunter started to walk into the passageway.

"I'll check it out first, then come get you two. If I'm not back in five minutes, come get me."

"Are you sure that is a good idea?"

"I'll be safe, I promise."

"Alright….I trust you." He handed Duna the torch then activated soulflame once more. The blue light revealed more of the caliosteo language along the walls as he delved into the dark passageway. He saw more one more pictures. They were of different boneysaurs.

"Skeletal soldiers." He muttered to himself, "flesh monsters. That only leaves…." He was vaguely aware that there was a large object in front of him. He reached his hand out and felt….bone. as he got closer, he saw…a skeleton propped against the wall.

"Revival machine christ!" Hunter jumped back in shock. It was a small skeleton, probably of a child. It was holding something too. Some kind of knife. The blade was rusted badly and it looked like it would crumble to dust at any minute.

"Well that's morbid. Wonder how long they've been down here." Spinax pondered.

"I dunno. But whoever they were, they were able to open the seal on the doorway, same as Lila."

"Maybe they-….."

"…Spinax? You there?" Hunter felt paranoia creep across his skin.

"Please tell me you're there. This isn't funny."

"I'm here, but DON'T MOVE." He sounded dead serious. Hunter want to turn around badly, but stayed still. That was when he heard it, the scraping of a object dragging across the floor. Something flashed across the corner of his vision.

It was a tail comprised entirely of bone.

"Oh."

"Shit." Hunter slowly turned to see a massive creature. It was comprised entirely of bone and black energy like all boneysaurs, but this one was HUGE. It's ribs ended in sharp points holding In a glowing purple orb. It's tail ended in a triangle point similar to a dimorphodon. Along its back were small ridges on the spine along with freakin WINGS which were wing bones held together by black void. It's arms were long and ended in four razor claws. It's neck had significant length and ended in a crocodile shaped head that displayed at least three rows of teeth. Purple eyes glowed in the dark, staring directly at him.

This was the guardian, the ultimate boneysaur.

"I recognize those feet." Spinax commented blankly.

"….what?"

"I recognize it's legs. That bastard has my legs!" While it was true that Hunter never found the rest of spinax's skeleton, he doubted that greatly. The guardian used its hands as a second set of legs (Spinax: that bastard!) to lower itself to Hunters level. It's eyes bore into him as he was silently judged.

"I'm assuming you don't speak my language, or any other language, so I'm not even going to try for this one." His hand went to his holder, but he noticed something before calling out Spinax. The dark orb at the center of the guardian was glowing brighter. A tendril of the light started reaching out from its rib cage towards him. For some reason, Hunter didn't feel afraid.

"I….I want answers" he said, "answers about what really happened to get zongazonga the way he is, and answers on how to beat him." Spinax's medal popped out of Hunter's holder. In a flash of light, Spinax appeared to match the guardian in size. His crystals were only half as complete as they typically were, but that was fine. He wasn't there to fight. Spinax began a series of low growls.

"What're you doing?" Hunter watched as the tendril wrapped around his arm. It felt like the air had changed around where his arm was covered.

"Conveying the message," Spinax replied. The guardian looked at Spinax, then back to Hunter. The light wrapped around his lower body. He caught a flash of something through the light. It looked like….a girl's face?

"I hate magic." Hunter pouted as he was fully enveloped. He felt his eyes close as he drifted off to sleep.

Done!

Hunter: no you aren't.

…pardon?

Hunter: that explained NOTHING. I specifically asked for answers, not magic bullshit.

Congratulations, you get both!

Hunter: pretty sure I only got magic, most likely magic of the bullshit variety.

Spinax, back me up here. Answers in the next chapter, right?

Spinax: THAT BASTARD HAS MY LEGS!

*sigh* sometimes I feel like I write myself into a corner. and then when you two get mad, I can't retaliate because that's spoilers.

Hunter: ah yes, spoilers for a 10 year old game.

No, spoilers for a 2 1/2 year old story. Thanks for reading!