I get off of Ibis. Althael follows me. I run my hand through the dirt. It's coarse. It's hard. It's cracked. It's in pain. I know it. I look around. The trees were burning around us. There was ash covering the trails. 

"Something's wrong." I say.

"The forest has been changing without us." He says.

"You mean without you?" I ask.

I turn my head. 

"Something's watching us." I say.

"I know." He says.

"Yeah, the question is what?" I ask. 

His eyes start glowing golden and more. He moves his hand. I hear the bushes rustling. He throws his hand forward. Golden rays of his magic shoot out like vines. I take out my sword. I hear a soft struggle.

"Ow!" A voice yells.

"Look out!" Another yelps.

"AH!" Another yelps.

Oh brother. I slap my head. What the hell?! This wasn't supposed to happen, but honestly... it was kind of inevitable. You've got to be kidding me. He moves his hand up. The others get dragged up. I cross my arms. They have got to be pretty or very stupid.

"Hi! Um... Hector, we were-" Princess starts.

"Following me? Yeah, no offense, but you're not exactly subtle." I say.

"What are you doing SunDrop?" Althael asks.

"We're um offering you two assistances." Rapunzel says.

"You had to bring the squirt?" I point at Varian.

"I'm no squirt!" He yelps.

"Right..." I roll my eyes. 

I turn back to Althael.

"You can put them down now, they're not a threat." I say.

"But they are." He points to the flames.

I see more of those monsters jump up. I pull my sword.

"Did they follow you guys?" I ask.

"We do not know! But it is highly possible!" Horace yelps.

"Oh great..." I sigh.