Chapter Fifteen

The Death Mark

"Jack," Cameron started.

"What's bothering you, Cam," Jack asked. "Hey guys, can we have a moment...alone," he added towards Candice, who didn't move until David dragged her away. Lance and Alexis went to the other trees across the campsite and started talking wildly but also quietly. Vallen went back to Scout and Snapper, and told Scout to go back to the castle, and he agreed with a neigh, and ran off into the dark forest alone. Vallen, then, climbed onto Snapper's back, flew into the air, and sat there on guard. David and Candice were talking amongst themselves too, but were by the roaring fire.

"Jack," Candice started again, "you do know what this means now, don't you?"

"What are you talking about," Jack asked her.

"Well, now since you're this, Dragoon, you'll be risking yourself even more often now," she said as tears started to build in her eyes again.

"Look," Jack said calmly, "I will now have to take those risks, because that's what dragoons do. I'm very sorry, but I can't help it, and I'll need your support for my mission: To help Lance kill Emperor Zeig," he finished while, raising his fist up, and while facing himself, he dropped it a few inches.

"It's always about violence and death and sacrifice, isn't it," Cameron asked as tears started to trickle down her face, yet again.

"Yeah," Jack said, putting his fist down, "maybe."

"I just don't want you to die," she cried softly, running into his arms. "I was planning to start our lives together, and get married."

"Hey, hey," Jack said soothingly, stroking her hair now, "I won't die if you promise not to die too. And yeah, we'll start our lives together after this war is over, and everything gets back to normal. I promise this. Are you alright now?"

"Yeah, I guess so," she answered softly as she wiped her tears away. Then, as they walked back to the campsite, an animal's screeches were heard; a rustling in the trees made everyone jump, and made Vallen return to the ground.

"Oh, crap," he whispered, his voice growing steadily louder. "Oh crap…OH CRAP!" That's Scout's screech! Come on Snapper," he said as he lifted off the ground, and, pulling out his Power Spear, he started to ride over the trees to the sound of his horse.

"Hey Vallen, wait for us," Lance called. "AAAAARRRRR-WROAR!" Lance, David, and Alexis transformed. Alexis had silvery-white armor for her spirit. Jack, who was already transformed, called to Lance, "I heard Vallen also transform!"

"Right then," Lance called, "let's go!" So Jack went and lifted Cameron up, and David went and lifted Candice up so they were all flying over the trees. Finally, after a while of flying, the sound stopped, and they saw Jack and Snapper dive into the trees below. So the rest of them followed. When they got down to the area where Scout was heard, they only saw him. Nobody was around. Rustling trees and bushes were now the only thing heard.

"He's dead," Vallen said sadly and quietly, as the others landed next to him.

"Well," Candice said quietly, "whatever attacked Scout must still be close–" She didn't finish her sentence; instead, she gasped and slowly raising a shaking finger, pointed at Scout. "L–look," she quivered. Then everyone looked, and also gasped. On Scout's side, was the look of four claws slashed into an X-shape. Blood was trickling down his side as well.

"Th–the Death Mark," David said in a hushed voice. "He's near…"

"What," everyone except Jack and Candice asked. "Who's near?" Then, they heard the sound of two swords banging together; the cry of a male warrior too. Everyone flew over to yet another open area, and found that the warrior was none other than…Cory.