Jack POV

"Are we set?" I said, balancing my staff on my hands as I studied my preparation. I'm only bringing a small leather sling bag that contains some energy supplying food, bandages enough for the three of us and a locket that has Jade's picture in it.

"I know I am," Aqua chuckled, adjusting his sling bag strap. Then simultaneously, we turned our heads to Ben and Breeze. They were making their last moments count, kissing each other with affection.

"Do it for Jade, okay?" Breeze said shakily, the tears threatening to fall.

Ben nodded silently and pulled her for a long hug, patting Breeze's back softly. He murmured something to her lowly, to which Breeze replied with a smile with watery eyes. He then gave her a kiss on her forehead before caressing her hair and turned to us.

"I wish you all the best of luck," Cupid held out her hands to me, revealing a four-leaf clover. I took it and slipped in inside my sling bag, thanking her with a convincing smile.

Thank goodness it was in the middle of the night, North's having his rest. Cupid will be playing a fool for a few days while we're gone and I hope North buys it. We were all in Aqua's balcony as his room was the farthest to the open sky.

We said our goodbyes and proceeded to the open window. "Got your maps?" Ben asked lowly as he stepped on the window frame. I nodded and joined him on the window frame hesitantly. Aqua joined right after.

"Take care of Jade for me," I murmured to Cupid who gave me a reassuring smile and a shoulder-pat.

"For better, not for worse." Ben said as we exchanged smiles.

Then I laughed as Aqua jumped by himself to the open air, his hands spreading out. Ben was next to jump, mimicking Superman. I hesitated, turning back.

"Don't worry," Breeze said from behind me. I nodded before leaping into the chilly air, my hands and legs spreading out like I was some kind of kite. I rode the wind and not looking back to the enormous building I'd just left; Or else I'd go back. And I wouldn't want that.

So I just continued to my first destination; Trylle Forest.

**

"Well this doesn't seem challenging at all." Ben laughed as we set foot to the grounds of Trylle Forest, which looks like an ordinary forest rather than a challenging journey.

The trees were big and tall, willow trees, oak trees and wild bushes surrounded the clearing. It was not scary looking at all.

Then there's the entrance.

It was a big willow tree with one of its big branches bent into an arc. Its leaves were like curtains, fireflies lighting up the entrance like fairy lights. All other trees left a space through the entrance, as if they knew people would pass it.

The forest was eerily silent by then, like you could hear a bird set itself on a branch at the far distance. The three of us traded nervous glances, and after we made a silent agreement, our feet made way to the entrance.

The dried leaves crunched under our feet, adding effect to the already-eerie surrounding. I held my staff in defence, probably someone - or something might come and harm us.

We were only an inch from the entrance curtain, until-

"WHO GOES THERE!"

Ben and Aqua jumped instantly, and accidentally sprayed their elements to the entrance arc. Water was splashed to the branches, dirt dotted the leaves. I was too startled I made the ground below me ice. Then the ice decided to get slippery, therefore I slipped and fall to the hard ice I made by myself.

The three of us cursed.

"I SAID; WHOOOOOO GOOOOOESS THERE!" The loud voice chromed again, making me wince.

"Its Aqua, Ben and Jack," Aqua answered, and started to cover his ears to be prepared for another loud demand. Me and Ben followed him suite.

"Hmph. Jack, as in, the Guardian of Fun?" The deep voice then asks. "Yes..." I answered, hesitant.

"THE TRYLLE FOREST IS NOT A PLACE FOR FUN! "

Dang it, whoever is yelling, he's loud.

"We just want to go to the lake, can you let us pass?" I reasoned.

"Just a moment." He said.

Behind the leaves curtain of the arc, ruffling sounds could be heard. The three of us traded looks. Then suddenly, an elf stepped out of the entrance, hands on his hips and an annoyed look on his face.

He then looked up at us. Because, well, he was short.

He made a snort.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA," Ben and Aqua laughed hysterically until they both were on the ground. I tried my best to ignore the need to laugh along with them, because I'm the Guardian here, I need to show a good appearance.

It lasted for a minute until Ben's laugh turned to an out-of-breath pant.

"OH. MY. FUDGE-" Ben paused to glance at the elf, face composed. But then he erupted into a fit of laugher along with Aqua, again, their voices echoing through the forest.

I bit my lip as one laugh came out, and I disguised it in a cough.

"I will let you calm yourselves down," The elf said, smiling mischievously.

"Huh?" Aqua panted, his face like a cherry after the laugh. Ben's face was red too, he coughed the remains of his laughter before turning serious.

"Are we good?" The elf said, putting his hands on his back. The three of us nodded.

"What brings the Guardian of Fun and his friends to, the legendary," he raised both of his hands and spun, gesturing to the forest. "Trylle Forest?"

Honestly for a such small body, his voice is loud and deep.

"We want to go to the Trylle lake," I repeated. The elf froze at his gesture, looking at me from the corners of his eyes. Ben nudged me on the ribs and whispered, "More detail."

"My mate has the Hyreaoti-" I started but before I could finish my sentence, he drew a long, throaty gasp. He ended his gasp with his face turning to face me -- creepily -- and the back of his throat making a weird Ju On sound.

"The Hyreaoti is a dreadful sickness,

Cured with itself and magic.

Cold effects filled with ambiguousness,

The death it causes is beyond tragic!

Rare as it is, still can be discovered,

For you, my friends, came here to acquire it.

But beware, I say, you may be slaughtered,

Or else you're victorious and the demons got frostbit!

You're now hesitant- HA! No need to worry,

For the bears and the eagles will protect your glory.

You don't need much, no no, to survive through this journey,

Just keep your true self, and faith as your fairy..."

I studied him closely as he chanted and chanted, spinning around with his hands raised up.

The poem he recited has other meanings. Demons got frostbit. Does this mean I can kill at least something on my -- no, our -- way? Keep to your true self, faith as fairy. That line got me blurred. I can't think straight -- the poem has so many hidden meanings.

It was like he's giving us clues.

I snapped out of my trance as the elf started to talk again.

"I will let you pass. Remember, when you succeed, go through the arc that looks exactly like the entrance, and you will be free." The elf smiled -- mischievously -- again, before taking my hand.

His rough hands grazed my skin, and I winced. Hesitantly, I offered my hand to Ben, a funny smile on my face. It seems that Ben had written down the poem on his spiral notebook. He still had a pen in his hands, his eyes scanning my offering hand in with his eyebrows raised.

I'm not gay -- or scared-- , okay? I just think that the way the elf held my hand, demands that the three of us should join hands too.

Shrugging, Ben inserted his pen through the spiral of his notebook before quickly stuffing it inside his leather sling bag. He then took my hand and joined his with Aqua's without even telling or asking.

Aqua's face was bewildered as he studied his joined hands with Ben but made no denial or comment.

"Hold on tight!" The elf ran towards the entrance with full force until I was dragged with him, taking along Ben and Aqua's weight. We charged through the entrance and the leaves felt like feathers when it hits my face.

With my eyes closed, the elf's hand was no longer there as soon as we passed the entrance -- and we were flying. There was no ground, no walls, just dry air.

When I opened my eyes, the bright light blinded me -- and I shut my eyes as tight as I could, trying to resist the brightness.

I hope I made the right choice in this.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Hey there.

So bad news for me: My phone got stolen and I. Had. The. Next. Chapter. Saved. In. That. Phone. I'm so asdfghjkl. I lost my mood to rewrite instantly. If this update was late, I apologize. Its hard for me to regenerate the idea. Also, pray so that whoever has my phone right now, returns it when school opens. Perhaps, your prayers can help me get my phone back aehhh ? idk. * sniff sniff.* I just want my phone back T-T

Also, sorry for the crappy poem I wrote, I just, fudge it, I'm not a poet... And I ain't poetic so don't...

Maybe you could give a few thoughts on the crappy poem though xD

Happy Eid to the Muslims ^^ Had fun with your family on the first Eid? I know I did ;D

The book reached this far, and I can't thank you enough for being patient with the occasionally slow update. I'll try my best to be the ultra hyper writer ever. Thanks again! Goodbye!

- Alli