"Ah!" Varian yelps.

I see him almost slide off. My heart was pounding for the little kid. I manage to grab his hand. I can feel my own arm straining. He looks up at me. His eyes had this strange look, but too busy saving the squirt. I pull him up. Surprisingly, he's a lot lighter than I thought. I raise him up to me.

"Uh... hi." Varian just looks at me.

"You okay?" I ask.

"Yes... uh yes." He smiles.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I ask.

"Like...like... what?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Never mind." I say.

I drop him.

"Oof!" Varian yelps.

"Sorry." I wasn't that sorry.

I turn to the monster, flaming. This magic was strong. I can hear the trees around whispering and crying almost. Is the forest afraid of this thing? Well... yeah. I suppose it is fire. My eyes narrow. Fire has always been an enemy of the forest. 

"You... you saved my life." Varian says looking up at me.

"Yeah, you're welcome by the way." I say.

He hugs me. I jump.

"Kid, let go." I say.

"Thank you! Thank you!" He looks up at me with baby eyes.

I roll my eyes. I grab him and throw him off of me.

"Kid, personal space." I turn.

"Oh, okay, okay. Sorry. Must be spending too much time with the princess." Varian chuckles.

"Varian!" I hear Quirin yell.

"Over here!" I call.

Anubis and Seth growl. Quirin and a couple others fight their way out of the forest. Rapunzel and Horace run out along with King Edmund. Oh, and why'd they have to bring Adira. Varian waves and then points at me.

"Dad!" Varian yells.

"Son!" Quirin hugs him.

An ache forms in my chest. I grip it. I look down. My thoughts freeze to a time I thought... I had...

"Aw... little lost boy's jealous." The creature laughs.

I glare at him.

"You can still speak with no tongue. I better fix that." I raise my sword.

"How long has it been since he promised?" He cackles.

Too long.

"You think you're safe little boy of the forest?" He asks.

"Safer than you." I make one final swing and kill it.