Chapter Four

"You know I am going gonna have to fill out a report on this," Ace stated.

"What are you worried about, it just gives you more time to right love letters to Elaine," Joker answered to Ace's complaint.

"Are you implying something their old man," Ace questioned

"Old man? I'll have you know that I can still kick your ass you womanizer. Don't you know when someone's not interested," Joker replied angrily.

"Elaine is just too scared to say what her heart wants to," Ace started.

"I don't think her heart can throw up," Queen added.

The sound of birds chirping filled the crisp, cool breeze as they came upon a grove of trees. It did not take Jacques long to realize that this was the music of the wild. Using the sun as a compass Jacques found which way was east. "Jacques, how come you did not say anything about your rune when we first met,"

Queen asked.

" ...I was aware of Luc's plan for about a week before meeting you guys. If I were to reveal my secret to you all there would be no doubt in my mind that he would have found out and we all may have failed...I only wish I knew his plan of action," Jacques explained.

"You sure do talk a lot more now, why is that?' Queen Asked.

"I normally speak whenever its important to say something or ... if I have a question," he replied.

They continued walking for about two hours before a definite sign of life appeared.

"... Smoke, Jacques stated

"Do you think we are too late," Ace asked Geddoe.

"We'll know once we get over this hill," Geddoe answered.

Jacques was the first over the hill in front of them, which was to be expected. What he saw had to have been the most joyous and reliving site to be seen, the village was all right.

They made their way into the village everyone seemed to be happy to see the 12th at their gates. They saw many happy faces and got many hellos as they entered the village. "Looks like you found us," chief Lucia greeted them. "My apologize Geddoe but we could not take any chances until we were sure that we could defend ourselves from another attack."

"Well you sure left some pretty hectic clues on how to get here," Geddoe replied.

"Clues? I did no such thing. No one has left here in almost one year." Lucia said, "Hugo do you know anything about this?"

"No... I've been training the warriors most of the days this year," Hugo answered

"Sgt. Joe said that this was from you," Jacques said as he handed him the riddle.

"I could not have even come up with such a riddle of this magnitude," Hugo defended himself.

"Jacques!" A familiar voice rang from a Karaya girl running towards them.

"Aila," he answered the call.

"What are you doing hear? How did you find us," she questioned while hugging him.

"I came to see you," He said with a warmer voice.

"I told you I would take your heart next," a deep dark cold voice echoed. "So this little vixen has become the object of your desire, hmmm I've seen you fight when you are angry... now lets see if I can really piss you off." And with that being said Jacques and Aila were teleported into what seemed to be a floating metal plate hanging over a pit of lava. " Lets play a little game shall we? If you can run the obstacle course in under two minutes and tag your little sweet heart before she dies than you two will live happily ever after and never hear from me again. But if you lose she dies and you and I will fight without the power of these runes. Sound like fun?"

"Why don't I just kill you now and then we will decide our own fate," Jacques stated.

"Awww... but where is the fun in that? Plus I have your little friend here," Leonardo said pointing to Aila who was hanging from a rope over the molten lava.

"Jacques, help me," She screamed.

"Now, what do you say old friend," Leonardo taunted.

"... Begin," Jacques answered.