Appearing before the class' enjoyment session, Kent decided to end it by calling everyone and telling them to go inside as they listened to what the guardian of the marshland had to say.
"You have such a wonderful decision in this land," Rabi said to Kent as they walked towards the front so everyone could see and hear them.
Kent smiled, "Thank you. I didn't even expect we could build such a place in a world full of mystery and wonders."
Rabi replied with a smile too.
"Everyone, Rabi has something to say to all of us. I want you to listen," announced Kent.
Rabi moved towards the center as Kent gave her the way. Her beauty still captivated all those who saw her. The resemblance of her being a gorgeous flower can't be denied. She was the epitome of beauty.
"It's been months since you all made your way into this world. I already know, and I know you all too, that the sarawal was part of your group of humans. We call the sarawal the one true shape," Rabi shared.
"This particular human will be why the tunnels have appeared, connecting all habitats from different parts of the world. Species that only reside in one can enter another and may spread havoc. Although some may also die, we can never deny that some may thrive too," Rabi continued.
"and—" Rabi could not continue. She just cried.
Kent ran towards her, "what happened?"
"My brother, I think he's dead." Rabi sobbed.
"Brother? What do you mean?" asked Kent while she put her hand on Rabi's shoulders.
"Rohan, one of the eight, the forest's guardian." Rabi continued.
Everyone looked at her, saddened.
"How did you know? I thought you can't contact one another after being positioned as one of the guardians?" Alex asked.
"We don't. But there is this one thing that connects all of us, a feeling we can't explain. There's this bond between us, that when someone dies, the feeling… Just lost." Rabi explained sadly.
"I know this must be hard for all of you, but please, help me. I can't go to other habitats besides my own. I will die. Only Ranthi can do that." Rabi pleaded.
Kent noticed how sad Rabi was, crying like she had just lost a family. I know they mustn't be that close, or maybe they are. Perhaps they were close, but not to a point where we can understand. Kent thought.
However, they could not also risk their lives in a battle they didn't know. That's suicide. They may have acquired the powers in the marshland, but they can't risk the lives of many over something they don't know – a stranger. Rabi was a friend, not her brother. Her brother resided in a place that they didn't know much about. At the same time, there might be more dangerous creatures in the forest than in the marshland. How can they survive if that happens? Were there other people like them who were also busy fighting there? Kent could not stop herself from so many thoughts. She was flooded with it. Is this what happens if you're given so much responsibility? She knew she wanted to go, but what about the others? What if they wanted to just stay here and enjoy the rides from the back of the gigantic insects? Can they sacrifice the seemingly peaceful life acquired after a bloody battle?
"Let's do it," Alex spoke, intercepting Kent's thoughts.
"Alex…" Kent said quietly.
"I know you are afraid to do it, Kent, and that's not your fault. It's your responsibility to keep us safe. But we can't just leave Rabi alone while she worries for her brother's safety. She helped us with Christian. We have to repay her. I don't want to force you to go, but I want you to remember how difficult it was for you when you thought you had lost someone you love. Because we felt it too." Alex said seriously.
Kent just stood there, deep in her thoughts. She looked at everyone who was also listening to them.
"Alex… I can't just decide on this alone," said Kent.
Suddenly, Jessie shouted, "I'm in!" Then everyone looked at him. Mustered the strength they had left, everyone seemed to be ready to risk their lives again for another mission. A mission that could also be their demise.
Kent smiled, "guys, are you sure?"
"Of course, we're sure. We have to go to other habitats sooner or later. Why not do it when someone's life could be at stake? We could become some help." Ivan exclaimed.
They all cheered. Not because they all wanted to die, but the bravery they had mustered for months suddenly erupted. Another adventure and another gamble to life.
"We'll do it. But not everyone should go. We have to have people who will remain in this land. In that way, if tragedy rises, not all will die." Kent announced.
"Kent? This also means there is a possibility that syringes also exist in the forest, right?" Ivan said curiously.
Kent nodded, "I guess so. Noel was from there, and he gave a syringe to Jay, too."
Ivan just smiled, "I want in!"
Alex laughed, "You're so hyped."
"Of course I am. I could not be more hyped than to think of myself transforming," Ivan replied.
Ivan walked away, but they could still hear him say, "I wonder what my transformation will be? Is it a lion? A tiger? Oh yes! I could be an eagle; I'd love to be an eagle!"
"But even if we go there, we don't know where the tunnels appeared," Kent asked.
"I can help you, I'm not sure if it is still there, but I think I remember where I entered last time." Noel interrupted.
Kent looked at him, "That's great."
"I will guide you; I know where it is. And I'm sure that's what Noel was referring to." Rabi said.
Rabi continued to talk about the different possibilities of the forest. The creatures may be more giant and more dangerous. However, she also said that there were still creatures who weren't hostile to humans. They could be safe there. At the same time, Noel shared his experience in the forest, and he was enraptured by its beauty. The rivers were more extensive, and it was also full of vegetation. However, there were plants that he did not recognize, the same as his classmates. But they left it alone since it was a gamble to try it. It could be poisonous. There are also these creatures that glow in the dark, like what looked like a firefly but were bigger. Noel said that these creatures just fade away if you come near them. They seemed to be shy and wanted to be on their own.
The class continued to listen to their stories and possibilities of what the forest habitat looked like.
"I promised to meet all of you after you defeated the queens, right?" Rabi said.
They all nodded, "Well, this is why" Rabi opened her palm, and a precious gem appeared. The gem glowed with a thousand sun rays trapped inside it, bursting to get out. It can be considered what looked like ruby but grander in their past world.
"What is it?" Alex asked.
"The Roceiae tribe is secluded to all the habitats but present in it. This will help you enter the place where we all reside – born and died."
"Why are you giving us this?" Kent said as Rabi handed her the gem.
"I don't know yet. The only thing I know is you needed it, and may one day help you. I watched all of you bring peace to the marshland. Please don't settle in this land alone and bring that peace to other habitats. I have decided that you are worthy of this item and know you'll use this in a good way." Rabi said as she entrusted the precious gem to the ones who were all considered alienated beings in this world.
"Thank you very much. I don't know how to use this, but I know we will; in the future." Kent answered.
Rabi smiled, "Just don't forget to utter the words Vita in morte sumus."
"I don't know what that is, but we will," Kent replied.
Rabi bid her farewell to everyone as she soon faded into thin air like she was never there in the first place.
Kent announced who would be the ones to come to the forest as they soon took the journey of going to a new land where death may be waiting for them. On the other hand, the possibility to become more substantial can be acquired too. With that land full of wonders and beauty, a new power could be waiting to be harnessed and used.
Almost everyone wanted to come, but Kent strongly discouraged them from doing so.
"We can't risk the lives of so many," Kent said.
In the end, Alex, Maeje, Ivan, Matt, Belle, Noel, and Kent were chosen to go. Emily and Christian also agreed to guard the tunnels after they went out.
The next day, Maeje told the butterfly queen to share the knowledge of the plants with the class. So, if anyone becomes injured, they can just attend to themselves. The butterfly queen happily accepted the task where she promised to guard the marshland with her soldiers too. Kent could not be more delighted by the presence of Tella in securing the marsh and her classmates.
The journey was not that long as they rode from the backs of the ants and termites, going to the tunnel that appeared at the border. They prepared the necessary things that may become handy as they took the mission of rescue.
Their mouths were wide open as they witnessed the border for the first time. It was a massive wall of trees that were so dense, even a single insect could not go through. Stood tall from around 30 meters, the trees were a natural stronghold of the marshland.
"Maybe I can see from above. Let me try." Gloyd flew with his massive wings as he tried to see what was behind the wall. Suddenly the trees' branches whipped and almost entangled him in an instant.
Kent managed to guide her eyes toward Gloyd and fire her crossbow at the vines. Belle immediately looped Gloyd's feet with her web and pulled him downwards.
"I'm never gonna fly these trees again." Gloyd cried.
"These trees are powerful," Alex said, looking at the massive guards of the marsh.
"I think this is where we part," Kent looked at the others who escorted them towards the entrance. They volunteered to do so since they were also assigned to guard this for the day.
"I wish you all good riddance," Rabi said comfortably.
"We'll keep your brother safe," Kent said, comforting Rabi as she held her hands.
Rabi cried, "Thank you."
The team bid their goodbyes, and they soon entered the tunnel, bagging the hopes of the peoples of the marshland. Setting afoot on a new journey.