Ramsey lets go of Maka’s collar and takes a step away, pausing for a second. “Let’s go.” Ramsey starts to run, following my voice toward a clearing within the Deep Jungle; a subdued Maka quietly following behind him. “Fukai had better not be messing with us, or he’s in for it!” Ramsey pronounces. Upon reaching the clearing, they are blinded by the sun’s rays. “Damn! Didn’t realize how bright it was!”

“I can’t see where I’m going.” Maka complains, his eyes closed.

“Watch your step, it’s dangerous here guys.” I hesitate to say what is truly on my mind. “In more ways than one…”

Ramsey walks up to me, “What do you mean by that, Fukai?”

“See for yourself.” I say as I point down towards a section of the jungle.

“Fukai, w--w-what’s happening to the jungle?” Maka asks, refusing to believe what he is seeing.

“Hmmm…” Ramsey hums unconsciously while otherwise staying quiet.

As we are standing there on top of a giant cliffside overlooking another section of the jungle, I begin to realize just how huge and entirely encompassing this situation is, but even so, I still can’t comprehend the severity of the Deep Jungle’s condition. A portion of the jungle has become a land of ash with everything intact. Looking around the surrounding area, there is no sign of a fire or of smoke. It simply has no smell. This is no ordinary ash. The trees have been completely turned to ash, but still stand firmly in the ground.

“Fukai! Snap out of it!” Ramsey shouts as he smacks me on the shoulder.

“Right,” I calmly say, still beholding the ashen jungle. I look up at Ramsey with calmness in my eyes, “We better go down there and check things out.”

“Couldn’t agree more. Let’s go.”

“Wait!” Maka exclaims.

Ramsey and I turn to Maka with confusion written all over our faces.

“Maka? Is there something wrong?” I ask.

“‘Is there something wrong?!’ Are you guys crazy?! Why should we go down there and check it out?! I… I… I think we should go back home and have someone who’s more experienced than we are check it out! Someone like the King’s Royal Guards! Or maybe-” Maka walks up to me and grabs my shoulders, shaking me furiously, “one of the many Koa Warriors who live for this kind of stuff!” With a final shove, Maka releases me.

Without a second thought, I respond, “Why would we do that?” I take a step closer to the cliff and begin checking out the ashen section again, while wiping the drool from the corner of my mouth.

Ramsey steps up and slaps me upside the head. “Idiot!” Ramsey walks to Maka and puts his hand on Maka’s shoulder. “I know how you feel, but the more information we have, the better it will be for the Kingdom when we get back. So please, Maka, calm down. We won’t do more than we can handle.”

Maka wipes the tears from his eyes. “Ok, I understand.” Maka eyes the ashen jungle down from the cliffside and realizes. “It’s really a long ways down, huh? And well, I have been wondering about this, how are we going to get down there?”

“Silly Maka. What are you talking about? That’s the easy part! We just jump straight down!” I quip, smiling.

“You really are an idiot! We can’t just jump down!” Ramsey ridicules as he looks around the cliffside. “Hmmm… I don’t see anything we can use to help us climb down.”

“Ramsey. Ramsey. Ramsey. You worry too much.” I counter with confidence as I start to climb down the cliff. “Left foot! Right foot! Left foot! Right foot!” I look up at Maka and Ramsey and call out. “What are you guys doing?! Aren’t you coming?!”