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'H-hey," I yawned. "What's going on?" I rubbed my eyes. Scarlet was out and Alec told me what happened. I froze and my face hardened.

"Kani! We're going after Scarlet. get ready," I said as I stormed into my room and grabbed my revolver and the long bow. Kani was instantly alert and I had him sniffing Scarlet's or Suki's scent. in a minute, he caught the scent and we were on the chase.

"Sheesh, can't she even tell me if there're more poachers," I grumbled and finally I saw Suki's tail flashing in front of us. Man, we're fast, I thought.

"Scarlet! Wait up!" I called.

"What the.." I was stopped by an invinsible wall. I knew it was Scarlet's doing.

"Scarlet! Don't you dare go on alone! You can't fend them off by yourself!" I shouted. I was well away from the village but the barrier stretched as far as I was. That must have used a lot of magic on her part. I pounded again. "Scarlet!"

We can help...

"Huh. Who's there?" I turned to look for the voice.

You're mean...you forget us too fast..

"What? Who are you?"

We're the forest guardian silly...so want our help?

"W-why would you help me?" The voice giggled.

Because we like you and we want you to be a part of us just like the elves and the Frost people...

"Why me? Heck, why can I hear you?" I asked. The voice giggled again.

The elf's magic has altered you in some ways and we can connect to you...Now tell us...do you want to join Scarlet?

"Hell yeah," I said with fires in my eyes and the voice giggled again. In a flash, the wall was down and I went forward and met with an unconscious Suki.

"Suki! Wake up! Are you okay?" I sasked as Kani nuzzled her side.

"Right behind you," I said. Soon, we began to see the army of poachers and I left Suki in favor of distracting the poachers. Kani ran by my side and as soon as we reached the front line of the poachers, we sat down quietly. I took out a water container and gave to kani while I uncapped the item.

"Kani, there's oil in it. I want you to run in front of them, don't get shot, and make sure the oil falls right in a line. I'll put it a blaze once you are on the other side of the field. I instructed the canine and it nodded. We waited for a second and I made him run.

"Don't get shot!" I whispered at his back and he thundered through the field.

"It's that blasted dog of that boy! Shoot it!" One man shouted and shots rang. I watched quietly and with anxious and finally Kani was on the other side. Immediately, I lighted my lighter and set the trail of oil ablaze. Screams of surprise was heard and I ran to the fire wall to shoot down o few men before I ran back to the Forest People's village.

"Scarlet! You will not leave us behind ever again. I thought we were friends?" I said as Suki, Kani and I glared daggers at the female.

"If you had cared you would have realized that we are capable of fighting as much as you are," I snapped back. "And those people you're fighting are humans who I knew the nature of best. Don't you think that I can help? Didn't i prove myself enough at your village?" I asked heatedly as I began to set up a shooting point. I had managed to steal a rifle and a whole stack of bullets and I made my mound.

"You should have more faith in others. not everyone is as weak as you think," I added in anger.

"If you think you're weak then let others help you!" I began shooting. "And it's not your fault I'm in this mess. I made it clear that I wanted nothing to do with the poachers and I was the one who decided to help you! It's not your fault even if I died in the attempt!" I shoot three more poachers in the hand and leg and they fell soundly.

"Stop acting like you are brave if you're really weak and start accepting the hands that are held for you!"

"You did not kill me and so my death is not of your cause! It's my own stupidity and urge and so the blame would fall on me! Only on me!" I shouted back and I shot a few rounds and a few dozen men fell.

"And who said I'm going to die anytime soon? I still have a long way in life ahead of me and so do you! So stop pitying yourself and look ahead! We all have a future waiting for us!"

"Damnit! I saw him Scarlet! Why did you have to cover me?" I shouted at her as she stumbled to her feet. I caught her and tried to cover her wound.

"Where are the Forest People when you need them?!" I shouted in frustration. Suddenly Suki was right in front of us. And so was Kani. For the first time in my life, Kani seemed ferocious and in his element.

"Damn!" I cursed again and picked up the discarded sword and begin to swing it stupidly. "Can't you leave the forest alone!" I shouted and I felt something warm cascade down my cheeks. I stabbed at a few men in anger and din't realize that they died under my ferocious stabbings.

"Why can't you just leave us alone!" I screamed.

Nicholas! Calm down! You are causing too much damage to yourself!

"I don't care!" I screamed. I failed to notice that my body was filled with cuts but nothing fatal. "Heal Scarlet! I don't care if i have to kill everyone to get her safe!" I growled and launched myself on a couple of unsuspecting men. Their heads came flying to the ground.

Nicholas! Stop and think what you are doing! You are not acting rational!

And suddenly my body froze and I could not move.