Disclaimer: Hmm…I don't think own Golden Sun

Chapter 3: The Man of the Corrupted Nature

            Isaac and the others quickly ran toward the temple. But some unknowing force seems to twist their mind, and even though they tried to direct their directions forward, they always seems to travel deeper into the forest, and further away from the temple…

            "WHY!?" Garet cried as he tried to go forward, but was pulled into a darker road that seems to lead to …nowhere.

            "SHUT UP, GARET!" Jenna cried. "We're miserable enough without you're needless blabbering!" 

            "Calm down, people," Felix said trying to keep his cool.   He seems to fare the best out of the company, using his psynergy to deflect the force, once in a while able to take a step toward the temple.  But even Felix was unable to completely resist the formidable force.  "Hang on to each other, we mustn't get lost!"

            "Right…" muttered Garet, "We're already lost."

            Just then, a number of eyes suddenly appeared from the depth of the bushes and shrubs.  As the friends came to a stop, the mysterious figures sprang out and revealed themselves as common beasts as tigers, boars, and grizzlies.

            "Whew!" Mia blew a sigh of relief.  "For a second I thought we're gonna be attacked by some other creatures!"
            "Do not let off your guard!" Isaac warned.  "Yesterday that werewolf…"

            "You fight a werewolf yesterday?" Jenna interrupted in wonder.

            "Yes, that's where the meat come from," Isaac replied. "But the animals of this island…is uncommonly powerful.  Garet and I do not know why.  That werewolf almost took both of us down.  Anyway stay cautious until we are out of danger."

            The animals were stubborn and queer.   They did not attack, but approaching them slowly, as if they're pushing them toward a hole.   Isaac and the others tried to run several times, but each time was slow down again by the unseen power.  They felt helpless and weak, and they gave up trying, following and going with where the energies were pushing them.

            They then look around as they halted to a stop.   They seems to be at the heart of the forest, and the trees were especially high, as if they stood as a pillar protruding against the sky.

            "The force had stopped now," Ivan whispered, "Lets run!"
            "I don't think so."

            A wretched, hunch-backed old man suddenly jumped out of the tree.   He is near naked, and only a piece of filthy rags hang against his shoulder.  He is skinny, boney even.   His ribs could be seen.   Ancient he was, look as if a single gust would crush his fragile bones.  Behind him were several strange, red colored wolves.  They bared their teeth at Isaac and growled.

            "You filthy imbeciles had trespassed my land, bear my fruit, and even slay my own pet, my faithful Azul!  I have never seen people more ignorant and savage than the likes of you! Be gone, or suffer my wrath!"

            Jenna, although a female of great beauty, was a person of great fierceness and flaring heart.  She cried in counter, "We are travelers, marooned upon this island as a result of a giant storm!  If you want us to leave, fine! Clear your pets and beasts, and let us leave in peace!"

            "Oh…I'm afraid that's not so…." Whispered the old man.  "I truly cannot believe you have slain my poor werewolf.  I must see your power, again.  Prove you are worthy to leave this island!"

            "You despicable old fool!" bellowed Felix in fury.  "I do not want to harm thee, but I would not held back once my blood was stirred!"  Motioning toward the others, he tell them to prepare for a battle.

            "Me a fool? Damn right I am!" the old man suddenly laughed in a deranged voice.  "Nature, friends, kill these fiends!"
            The instant the wild man howled his command; the beasts were upon the friends.   The beasts were feral and deranged.  They seem to have been empowered by heaven itself, for they tear and pounce with unmatched fury.   A muscular wolf leaped, and bit Sheba ferociously on her shoulder.

            "OW!" Sheba cried in pain, as she waved her rod around in vain trying to fend off the attackers.

            "THERE"S TOO MANY OFF THEM!" Felix cried and lean toward Sheba, helping her fending off the attacking beasts.  "We must run!"

            "You guys run back, I'll try to hold them off!" Isaac cried as he swung his Excalibur in a near-perfect circle, temporarily driving back the animals. "NOW, RUN!"

            "No, Isaac!" Mia cried and stands back to back with Isaac.  "I'm not leaving you to die in this place.  Not alone anyways!"

            "DAMN! Just run you idiots!" cried Isaac, his face full with fury.  "ARGH!" In his loss of attention, a mighty lion jumped and bit ferociously on his hand.

At the side, the old, ragged man admired,  "Friendship, honor, love…something I used to respect and cherish.  But those were things of the past.  I have seen the real side of humanity,  and these people shall not understand my grief and anger…

            The friends were now in a tight circle.  Sheba was down, a large gash upon her bosom, a nasty claw slash made by a ruthless wolfkin.    Isaac and Piers were limping and swinging their weapons with their left hand, their right hand were both a bloody mess, the flesh and blood mingled in disarray.   They were slowly losing their courage, and their circle soon get smaller and smaller…

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