It felt like days on the seas as we traveled to the jungle island. Once we got there, my legs felt like gelatin, and I could barely walk. Marine and Gardon both followed me to make sure I would be okay. The flame spirit was still bright, and we traveled on foot the rest of the way, staying on the trail. The jungle air was thick and damp, carrying the smell of wet wood and marshy ground. Insects buzzed all around us as they circled us curiously. Marine tried to swat them away, which only made them more curious.
"ACK, BUZZER OFF," She squirmed.
The spirit was getting harder to follow in the dense jungle. But I was persistant. I had to find Nyx, if she's even still around. I needed all the help I could get.
I would ask my friends, but how can I? The Sol emeralds are lost. I can't contact them.
I sigh, disappointed in myself again.
My one responsibility, and I blew it. How can I even call myself a guardian?
Then the jungle got quiet—no bugs, no birds, barely any wind. My ears sprang up as I heard the familiar sound of fire-powered rockets. Metal Blaze followed me.
"Marine, Gardon, get back!" I stood in front of them, ready to protect them.
"Ain't no way, Blaze! Yer still hurtin'! We're fightin' together. Too right, cobber!" Marine stood beside me and formed bubbles around her fists. I've seen it do it before, but I could feel a sense of care behind her summon.
"I don't want you to get hurt because of me." My ears went down, and I sighed. "I already lost my entire kingdom. I don't need to lose my friend, too."
Marine gave me a sad look. She understood, but she also wanted to keep me safe. I'm glad I have her as a friend. But now wasn't the time to reminisce. Before I had time to think, Metal Blaze quickly grabbed me by my collar and tossed me into a tree. Instinctively, I tried to activate my fire, forgetting I was extinguished. The pain pulsed in my head, but I kept standing. To my surprise, Metal Blaze began to speak.
"You have survived. The Doctor is not happy. I must complete your termination."
It quickly burst in speed, slamming me into a tree. I had no time to react, and the wind was knocked out of me. Gardon and Marine quickly rushed to my side to assist.
"HEY, FAKER, YA LEAVE MY BEST COBBER ALONE NOW, OR I'LL FLOOD ALL YAH CIRCUTS!" Marine yelled out heroically and sent a wave of water at Metal Blaze.
The water only disoriented it for a moment before quickly standing back up.
"My objective is clear. Kill Blaze the Cat, by any means necessary."
It grabs Gardon's sword, pins him to the ground, then grabs Marine by the throat. I am about to save them when Metal Blaze starts to sink. A large plant quickly swallows it and sends it into the dirt. I look into the trees and spot a crouched creature wearing a cloak of leaves. It hopped off the branch and then leaned on a cane for support.
"The Solarin spoke of your journey to me. Come, and join me for tea."
She began to hobble away. She's rhyming and looks like a sage. This has to be Nyx. We head into a small hut made out of the roots of a fallen tree. It was surprisingly spacious. We sat on cushions on the floor around a small wooden table.
"Nyx, we need your help. The entire world is in danger!" Gardon spoke up first.
"No need to worry, my trustworthy friend. The world is not at an end. We are still on a steady timeframe. After all, Blaze needs to regain her flame."
I sip my tea, then sigh.
"Sol mentioned you knew how to reforge my gem. Is it even possible?"
"Oh yes, though it will be a trip. We'll need to travel upstream with a skip. There, we will find a volcano and a guardian who has been asleep for ages, who checks the souls of worthy mages. The forge will be open to you, and there your stone will be anew."
All the rhyming was beginning to annoy Marin,e and she held her head.
"Dya talk normally at all? Yer givin' me a migraine."
She sips her tea, smirks at little Marin,e and answers simply. "I could, but I don't want to. Anyway, we should all rest. We should be our best by morning."
I lay down in one of the beds she made for us and tried to sleep. Nyx sees I'm worried and comes to comfort me.
"Despite how you may feel, you're doing great."
I'm more shocked she stopped rhyming.
"How can you say that? I'm starting at rock bottom."
"And yet, you're still moving. Many would have given up, but you're trying. You have the strongest willpower out there. Your mother would be proud."
I turn in my bed to face her.
"You knew my mother?"
"Oh yes, we fought together long ago. Before she was even a princess, but that is a story for another time. Rest, guardian of flame." She turned over to her side of the bed and quickly fell asleep.
I still couldn't sleep. I head outside to catch a breather, the sounds of nature soothing. Before I could head inside, I heard a whisper.
"Blaze... I've found you..."
My heart skips, and I turn to see a dark figure with glowing blue eyes, a ghostly blue outline, and flowing dark hair. She had red rings around her wrists. Her boots seemed to have no end, almost like they're part of her legs now. The tips of her boots had red detailing that resembled petals or embers. She has no mouth, but her eye shape tells me she's smiling. Her tail swishes slowly, almost like a wisp. She floats off the ground and slowly heads towards me. It couldn't be, but it is.
"M-Mother? It... can't be!"