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As he reached his hideout, a cave nearly entirely hidden by greenery, Jin landed and pulled back his wings until they were completely gone. Having the ability to instantaneously sprout wings and fly definitely beat having to walk through the dense trees and ferns that nearly completely enveloped the ground. It did have its disadvantages though: he had to either constantly dodge trees or fly over the canopy. Since he couldn't risk being seen through satellite imagery (Jin knew his father was still raking the globe for him) he could only fly above the canopy at night. During the day he was restricted to evading trees.

As he settled into bed, Jin's mind wandered to the archeologists' new recruits, Julia in particular.

Of all of the people who could have gotten lucky enough to wind up here, it had to be Julia Chang. I have to be more careful than usual; she's very perceptive. She noticed me watching her and her friend earlier today and was even fast enough to catch a glimpse of me. Thank God she didn't recognize me. The last thing I need is to be discovered.

Turing over onto his stomach, Jin tried to get some sleep. However, his mind was not cooperating. As the minutes dragged by, he began to think of more than just Julia's reason for being in the middle of the Amazon rainforest. Slowly the image of her sitting, listening to the chief's mystic voice and Stryker's translation, began to find it's way into his thoughts. He saw her long brown and golden-toned hair cascading down her frame in gentle waves until it reached her waist. He saw the captivation in her golden, honey-colored eyes as she heard the supposed legend unfold; her full, ruby lips parted slightly. Julia had the body of a goddess and her tanned skin radiated a soft and soothing light. She was simply perfect. Everything about her seemed to sing utter perfection and beauty. And with that glorious image of her in his mind, Jin finally drifted off into sleep.

__________________________________________________________________

Two weeks later

**

"We could search for the temple at night, but we're more likely to get lost Ver," Julia said as she walked back to the village by means of the muddy trail that connected it to the crumbling edifice of the Priest's Temple.

"How about tomorrow, since it's our 'day off'? We could tell everyone that we're taking a guide and then leave early, while marking our path with string or something," Verity commented as both she and Julia made rickety plans to discover the Gateway Temple.

"Maybe. We'll have to plan this out during lunch. In our room where no one can hear us" Julia commented thoughtfully. She had that same abysmal feeling of being watched and didn't want to think that whatever had observed her on her first day was still following her.

"Yes! About time we actually got to looking for that damned thing!" Verity exclaimed while taking a little jump, "Lets get going."

___________________

----What did I tell you? They are determined to find fame. If those girls find the temple they will run back to tell the world about the Gateway. That is the last thing we need.

"There are many things we don't need, demon. I for one do not need you. Let them search for it, they won't find it. I doubt even the natives could. They are only college students who know little of the Amazon and its perils. To be honest, I'm more worried about them losing their way, getting lost, and winding up at the bottom of a ravine. ---Something that, I must sadly admit, is undoubtedly going to happen if they decide to venture on that ridiculous quest."

----Worried? You're worried? Now why on earth would you be worried for a couple of nosy strangers?

In the attempt to keep his thoughts to himself, Jin decided it was time to block out the irritating demon and his voice. He didn't need to know about Jin's unexpected fascination with Julia Chang, a girl who he knew only by name.

----What…What are you doing?! Don't you dare block me out again! I am not some 'thing' that you can just shove into the deepest reaches of your simple mind! Jin! Your fucking basta…

With immense mental exertion, Jin was able to lock away the demon and his thoughts were once again his own. He couldn't believe that he had let that little comment about their safety slip. Although he had pushed the demon's mind away, Jin knew he would be back. His efforts to lock him away for good had thus far proved ineffective, at least not completely. He could do little more that put him to silence for only two days. Two days of silence that were vitally needed.

God how he wished for the days when the demon's presence had lain dormant and he was just an ordinary kid without a care in the world. But those days were buried in the past, alongside his beloved mother.

Shaking away the melancholic thoughts, Jin deftly maneuvered himself swiftly through the towering trees and returned to the unfrequented region of the jungle.

_________________________

Following Morning

**

"Alright Jules, I've got all my stuff together. How 'bout you?" Verity questioned while pulling tightly on the strings of her knapsack.

"I've been done Ver. I don't take nearly as long as you do." Julia patted her bag as Verity looked over.

Smiling, the two of them quickly slipped out of the small lodge and headed out to the jungle. The light was just beginning to peek through the breaks in the expansive canopy and so it was still pretty gloomy. Hacking their way through the dense underbrush, Julia and Verity trudged slowly through the austere yet breathtaking forest. Instead of tying string to the trees as Verity had suggested, they chopped a notch into the majority of the trees that they passed. It was quite exhausting but in addition to their compasses the markings would make the trek back to the village much easier. The day progressed slowly and became so muggy that both Julia and Verity were soon wondering if their search was worth the effort.

After several hours of hiking through impossible terrain, Verity bent over, placed her hands on her knees, and exclaimed, "We gotta stop. I have to rest for at least fifteen minutes. This is harder that I thought!"

Breathlessly, Julia answered, "Much, much harder. A few miles…yeah right. Maybe there isn't a temple at all. We've been out here for five hours and nothing. Not the slightest clue that could tell us we're anywhere near something built by humans."

Collapsing on the ground, Verity put her face in her hands, then reached for her water bottle and took a huge swig.

"You should walk around Ver. Just sitting there after this 'workout' is not a good idea, you'll get cramps in your legs," Julia said wisely as she slowly took a few slow steps towards some large ferns and then walked back.

"Ugh," Verity dragged her legs under her then reached out to grab a branch so she could pull herself up.

Gradually, their labored breathing leveled out, and Verity thought it was safe to collapse again.

"Um…Jules. Was it supposed to rain today?"

"No. I don't think so. Why?" Julia inquired.

"Um…It looks like it's gonna start pouring any minute now," Verity said weakly as she looked up at the sky through the clearing made by the lack of trees near the small stream they had stopped to rest by.

"Oh my God. It does. We have to get out of here, fast," Julia urged as she eyed the heavy clouds looming above them.

Just then, the first of the large raindrops began to fall. At first it seemed as if they would have time to search for a broad-leafed tree to hide under, but the weather was not on that plan. The suddenly inclement weather showed itself as the sparse raindrops began to come down it torrents.

"Run! We have to find shelter quick!" Verity shrieked as she darted away from the opening.

"Way to state the obvious!" Julia retorted cynically as she turned her head to see Verity following about ten feet behind her.

Suddenly, the ground under Julia's feet gave way and she shrieked as she felt herself fall. In her haste to get away from the rain, she had not paid attention to where she was going. If she had, the hundred foot deep trench in front of her would have come into her line of sight quick enough for her to stop. Although it was not a straight drop, the angle of the slope was extreme and dangerously steep.

In an instinctive attempt to stop her fall, Julia threw her hands out in front of herself. The exact moment that her hands touched the slippery mud, she felt a sudden sharp pain jarring through her left arm, and heard a sickening snap. Julia closed her eyes and stopped trying to fight gravity; she wasn't going to win. As she tumbled down the side of the chasm, two more excruciating pangs of agony seared through her body. Followed by yet another sickening snap, the first wave of pain was centered near the shin of her right leg. The second one, she experienced as she hit the bottom of the trench and her head collided with a large muddy stone.

As she faded into unconsciousness, Julia was aware of only three things: First-the torturous pain that coursed throughout her entire body, Second-Verity's faint screams as she called out Julia's name over and over again from the top of the slick ravine, and Third-as the last few seconds passed by - a pair of black, muddy boots.