We made it out of the cave alive but that didn’t mean we were all alright …

Beneath the gray, cloudy sky, we watched Tuma. His face moist and red. Holding his chest. Breathing heavy.

Onwae’s lip trembled, “what’s wrong with him?”

“Sqakron has fallen,” Shade replied, “and that leaves a scar on a spirit's shaman.”

“A scar?” I pondered “What kind of scar?”

Shade lowered her snout. “Guardians can not be killed unless their shaman dies. But they can fall … and when a guardian falls it leaves a scar on their shaman's spirit.” She sighed. “And if a shaman's spirit has too many scars then it can die, killing the host.”

“That’s why it is important guardians never fall,” Panchu said grimly. He sniffed the boy. “We need to do something for his pain and fever.”

Sapphire sat on a tree branch, antennas dancing. “I can heal him with the right rune.”

Onwae looked up at her butterfly. “What kind of rune?”

“An herb rune found in the roots of a Kabuku plant.”

I looked around the forest, squinting. “And where can we find that?”

“They say they grow inside waterfalls.”

I rubbed my chin and turned towards Panchu. “Do you know where any waterfalls are around here?”

“No,” Panchu shook his head. “I knew my way through the cave and to Spirit Ridge, but have no idea where a waterfall may be.”

“I thought bears could smell water from miles away,” Mowak crossed her arms. “I mean you are the one that got us in this mess … Now look what’s become of Tuma.”

“Don’t blame me for what happened to the boy!” Pachu snapped, glaring at her with glossy white eyes. “It was not my fault his bird woke that monster!”

“We’re not going to get anywhere bickering …” I shouted, driving my spear tip into the dirt.

Onwae’s eyes brightened, “oh, look there!” She smiled pointing to the orange orb that peaked out from behind the cave wall. She took a step forward and waved her hand. “It’s ok, little thing, you can come out now.”

Panchu said, “you shouldn’t trust orbs that you can’t identify … there’s something odd about this one … it’s been following you since we were in the cave.”

Onwae giggled, “that’s because it likes me.” She waved a hand, “come on out, little one, I’m not going to hurt you.”

The orange orb slid out from behind the wall slowly, hesitated, then slowly floated over to her. It stopped a few feet away.

“You’re free now,” Onwae said, pointing up to the sky. “You can return to the life force.”

Panchu’s eyes narrowed, “it’s stuck here. Something's keeping it from moving on.”

Sapphire asked, “How can you be certain?”

Panchu turned his snout on her. “Because I know what it feels like not to return back into the life force, as should you, and all guardians for that matter.”

“Oh?” Onwae turned and walked towards Panchu. The orb followed close behind. “And why do you say that?”

“Because all guardians are stuck spirits.” He said smugly. “We can only move on by completing the will of our Shaman.” He looked between the three of us. “That is why you four triblings need to get to Spirit Ridge. You need to strengthen your spirit energy. And learn to use it properly. ” He looked upon me. “I can feel you’re still weary from using spirit focus.”

I tried to keep it hidden, and for a time it worked, but I did feel a strange fatigue that was neither physical nor mental. But a fatigue deep within that made my body lack the will to do much more than sit.

I lied, “I’m fine.”

“For now,” Panchu said. “But if your spirit energy does not return in time, you will not have the will to help when needed.”

“If we can find the herb rune it can help replenish both Tuma and Kai’s spirit energy.”

I nodded. “It’s settled then. We must find it! we must locate a waterfall nearby. This is a great, vast mountain. There has to be one around here somewhere.”

Panchu grumbled, walking beneath a tree to cool off in the shade. “Our best bet is to make for Spirit Ridge. They’ll have herb runes there.”

Shade’s antennas waved, “I wouldn't recommend that you move him in his weakened condition. It could make his spirit scar larger.”

“Sure,” Panchu guffawed. “And what do you know, little butterfly?”

“I know that you’re a rude one,” her eyes blackened, “and that I am a healer guardian. And as a healer guardian, I say we must let the boy rest.”

Panchu shrugged and plopped down in the grass. “Then rest we shall.”

“We can’t rest,” my eyebrows furrowed, “not all of us … Panchu and I will go find the herb rune.”

Panchu grumbled, “no we will not. I’m starting to think Sapphire is right. We all just need a little rest.”

“Hold on!” Onwae said, watching the orange orb do figure eights in the air. “You know where a fall is?” The orb went up and down. “And you’ll show us where it is?” Again the orb went up and down. “You see, we’ve got a guide right here!”

Panchu shook his head and grumbled, “I told you not to trust that thing. We don’t know what kind of spirit that is … it could be trouble.”

“Could be,” Onwae nodded, “or it could be trying to help us for showing it the way out.”

I smiled at her, “right. We should give it a chance! Allow it to be our guide.”

Panchu said, “I vote no.”

“As do I,” Mowak replied. Shade nodded beside her.

“Well, I vote we go.”

Onwae batted her eyes at me then looked at Sapphire. The butterfly nodded. “Sapphire and I vote we go too.”

“That's three to three,” Panchu rested his chin on the ground, “guess we’re staying.”

The orb went up and down. “You vote we go too, orange? Looks like that’s four to three! We win!” Onwae raised a hand and her lips, showing off her bright white teeth.

Panchu sat up in a hurry, “that things vote doesn’t count!”

I yanked my spear from the dirt and hit it against the tree until the spearhead was cleaned. “Why not? It’s part of our party.”

“Is not,” Panchu said, “it’s just a pesky little bug orb that won’t leave us alone.”

Sapphire fluttered her wings with anger. “I take offense to that, you know!” She flew over to the orb. “I say he is one of us!”

“And your opinion matters to nobody …”

“Don’t make me put you to sleep permanently!”

I glared at Panchu. "We need a few of us to stay behind and watch Tuma … why don’t you, Mowak, and Shade stay. The rest of us will search for herb runes.”

Panchu rubbed his chin on his paws, “Fine by mem”

“Me too,” Mohawk said, resting her head on Shade.

Onwae squinted as she smiled, “you hear that, orange? We’re going to follow you to the waterfall. Go ahead and show us the way.” The orb spun in a loop and zipped off towards the north. “Hey, wait up!” Onwae and Sapphire chased after.

“Panchu!” I said, pointing my spear in his direction. “You and I need to have another talk.” The old bear snored loudly. I frowned. A long talk …

The four of us walked along the mountain side, ascending a rocky trail. It rose higher and higher. Above the trees, allowing us to see to the horizon. I pointed to the mountains off in the distance, “that’s where Spirit Ridge is at.”

Onwae’s eyes glowed, “really?” She said with that sweet tone of hers. The wind caused her hair to wave and whip. “I bet it’s beautiful.”

Just like you, I thought but only managed to say. “I bet.” She grinned in my direction and I tried to keep my cheeks from reddening. Suddenly I stepped and felt my foot sink, my leg buckled. I caught myself before tripping. Onwae giggled. I looked over my shoulder. “What was that—” I felt my eyelids stretch and my stomach turn. There on the ground was a print with five knuckles and five claws. “Look there!”

Onwae raised an eyebrow and glanced down at the tracks. “Are those what I think they are?”

I nodded glancing up the trail. “They’re leading towards the falls.”

Sapphire said nervously, “maybe we should go back.”

“No.” I tightened my grip on my spear. “Tuma is counting on us. If it wasn’t for Sqakron we’d all be dead.”

“Onwae,” Sapphire’s antenna twitched.

The orb hovered twenty feet away, then spun in loops, causing my eyes to look upon it. I glanced at Onwae who was rubbing her chin.

“We don’t know how old these tracks are … and the creature could’ve moved on.”

Sapphire sighed. “Or we could fall into its lair like Kai did with that lizard creature, Rakuu.”

“It could be the chief and the others,” I said. “And if it is them, they could help us with Tuma.”

“But wouldn’t there be more tracks?” Onwae asked, putting her hand down in one. “They’re not warm.”

“There’s only one way to find out.” I pressed my chest out then carried on towards the orb. “Lets see where this trail leads.”

The four of us climbed the hillside carefully. Each step taken lightly. Our eyes whipped from side to side, trying to catch something before it caught us by surprise. Above us, the midday heat was beginning to cause our skin to cook. And the air was thickening with each breath. I ignored the fearful ache in my chest, trying to be strong for the others. Onwae stayed behind with me while the orb led the way and Sapphire watched our tail.

She whispered, “I’m scared ... “

“I’ll protect you.”

“I know you will … but it’s not that.” She lowered her eyes and watched her feet. “I can sense that Sapphire is afraid too. I worry she can sense my fear as I do hers.”

I corked my head, “why does that bother you?”

“Because I … Because I want to be like you.” Onwae said, twiddling her thumbs. “You’re brave. You don’t seem to have an ounce of fear in you.”

I grinned at her kind words. “I do have fears. Even now I am afraid … and though I may not show it, my fear is no less different than yours.”

Onwae giggled, “so how do you hide it so well?”

I scratched the back of my head, “um, I don’t know … ignore it, I guess.”

“I have tried that. Doesn’t seem to work for me too well.”

We walked silently for a time while I searched for the right words to say. What could I say? Her fear was much different than my own, and how we precieve and deal with it was different. And she might not see it, butP Panchu felt it before he even knew I was there.

“Don’t give into your fear, but don’t be afraid to know you’re afraid.” I said, placing a hand on her back. “Fear is a part of us … and in the right times, can be used as a weapon.”

She nodded and smiled. “So you don’t think Sapphire knowing I’m afraid is a bad thing?”

I shook my head, “Not at all … she knows how strong your heart is. And if you’re strong in heart, all fear can do is slow you down for a time … but it’ll never break you.” I looked upon the blue, enormous butterfly. “She knows who you are and why she chose you. Guardians choose the host that they believe in.”

“Even Panchu?”

I stopped and she turned and giggled. “I was only kidding …"

We started again and I held onto that question, allowing it to sink deep in my head. “Even Panchu,” I whispered, wondering if he truly believed in me. If not, what I said to her meant nothing. I finally replied, “Panchu believes in Panchu,” We laughed and I hoped that would be the end of it. Thankfully it was.

Up ahead the sound of trickling water drew both of our eyes. Onwae smiled then ran ahead to the orb, skipping as she did so. It caused my lips to curl. She always had that effect on me.

“Orange, you’ve done it!” The orb spun around in loops several times, then around Onwae’s head like a halo. “I knew you could do it!”

Sapphire flapped and caught up to us. “I hear it too. We are nearly there!”

“Didn’t take too long thanks to Orange.” She smiled and patted the orb on the top. “Aren’t you the best?”

Sapphires antennas flicked, “nothing I couldn’t have done. All you would’ve had to do is send me ahead and I would’ve found it.”

Onwae frowned, gazing upon her guardian. “I know, Sapphire. No need to sound jealous … You’re both my number one helpers. And without you two I'd be nothing but a little girl again.”

The orb brightened like the wings of Sapphire, a vibrant orange, causing me to lift my arm to shield my eyes. I squinted. “Don’t get them too excited … we don’t want whatever made those tracks to be attracted to the light.”

“Mmhmm,” Onwae nodded, “you’re right.”

We came to the last bend until we found the great waterfall amongst us. Big and beautiful. The water fell from over a hundred feet high, sparkling like diamonds. Our eyes lightened and sparkled. We smiled at the beauty as the mist rained droplets against our skin, cooling us off on this very hot day.

“This is it,” I said, sniffing the tiny droplet air, and tasting its freshness. “We’ve made it!”

Onwae waved her hands, “it’s beautiful!”

I looked around at the pool, the cliff edges, the trail that led further north, then over the cliff to the vast green treetops below. Nothing. “Keep an eye out …”

Onwae pointed to the sky, “Sapphire, be our eyes.”

“Of course, my Lady!” Three flaps and Sapphire was soaring twenty feet above, doing loops over the perimeter.

Over the pool, the orb was doing loops of his own, glowing brightly. It must've really missed the falls. I wonder why?

“Looks like we’ve made orange happy.”

I shook my head, “No. It looks like you’ve made it very happy.”

Onwae concealed her smile. She grabbed my hand and pulled, “come on! Let’s go behind the falls!”

“Woah!” I said, my feet moving quicker than I was ready for. The wind whistled in my ears, the mist cooling my face. I couldn’t hold my lips from rising. “Slow down!”

At the rocks, Onwae slowed to make sure she stayed sure footed. We ascend them, jumping from one to another, doing our best to keep from the slippery ones. I only slipped once or twice until we found the top. She pulled me along as we passed beneath the water, our robes soaked. We laughed and for a moment I forgot about Tuma.

“Isn’t this place magical?”

With her, everything was magical. I nodded. “It is.”

Onwae gave me that warm smile I loved and then she searched the ground. “Look there!”

I found what made her eyes glow blue. Sprouting from the ground was a vibrant bluish-green flower. She released my hand, leaving it warm, and kneeled down. “Sapphire told me it’s the runes that make them glow.”

I knelt beside her. “But I thought runes were made of stone.”

“They are,” she grabbed the flower. “But these are rune flowers. Sapphire told me that rune flowers grow their roots around runestones.” Onwae leaned back and tugged, pulling it like a loose tooth. It tore in one, long heave. Dirt sprinkling everywhere. She frowned, “Sorry, little fella …”

I coughed and waved my hand, riding away the dust. My nostrils flaring. “This stuff is going to make me sneeze.”

Onwae sneezed then giggled. “It’s tickling my nose.” She lifted the flower above her head, until her eyes were level with the roots. With a swipe of her hand, dirt showered from the roots, exposing a glowing bluish-green stone beneath. “The herb rune!”

She pulled and when it didn’t break free she handed it to me. No matter how many times I tugged and yanked the roots didn’t give. I put my speartip to use and hacked at the root until they gave and the rune was freed. It was a heavy thing that caused my arm to strain.

“How do we use it?”

Onwae took it in both hands, wiping and blowing away the dirt. “They can be used with Guardians, but I don’t know how to either.” She jumped up. “Let’s find out!”

In a blink, she took my hand and we were out from beneath the waterfall, climbing down the slippery stones. I slipped five times on the way down, whereas she was perfect yet again. When we reached solid ground, Onwae waved the rune in the air, getting Sapphire’s attention.

She soared down and waved her antennas gleefully. “You’ve done it!”

“Yes!” Onwae nodded. “With a little help.”

“I didn’t do anything … it was all her … now how do we use it?"

Sapphire corked her head, “you mean you’ve never used a runestone before?” Onwae and I shook our heads. “Neither have I … I just know that you can use them to enchant guardians.”

I sighed, “so we came here for nothing?” and shook my head. “What are we going to do with it now?”

“Give it to us!” A high, sweet voice rang.

I looked down the path where I found a girl in a hide robe staring upon us. Her hair was long, hanging down below her waist, and her eyes were a green only found in the brightest forests. Lips twisted. Eyebrows furrowed. A beautiful girl with a wicked expression.

What was she doing here? The chief's daughter …

… "Meeka?"