27 Ripples Part 1

The huge pillar of light sent shockwaves across the field and kilometeres beyond. The Maze Fog that had shrouded the view at the forest was swept away in mere seconds, the wind made the trees bent away from the center and everyone in the close or far surroundings felt the change happening.

The bandits still searching for the thieves became fearful and didn't know what to do. They needed to heed the orders of their Boss but this sign, this overpowering wave caused awe, reverence and fear in all of their hearts.

No one knew who started it, but slowly one after another people started falling down on to the grounds on their knees and bowed with the utmost respect they could summon forth.

"The god's! It's a call from the god's!", one of the bandits was overwhelmed by his emotions and cried out tears of astonishment,

"They are back! They are finally speaking again!"

....

At another place in the forest

A group of children walked towards an unknown goal while wondering about the fate of their lost classmate.

Suddenly as if a storm was brushing past them, all the trees in their viscinity started rustling and moving like crazy, leaves were swept away from the ground and the fog that had covered them like a white blanket vanished into thin air. The girls needed to keep down their uniform skirts from blowing up and everyone else also needed to squint their eyes subconsciously to keep the flying dust and dirt away.

When the wave had left them behind the children had shocked expressions on their faces:

"W-what was this?"

"Did we enter a hurricane?!"

"Look behind you! Over there is light!"

Now that the fog didn't restrict their view anymore the white pillar of light looked even even more eye-catching and conspicuous in the darkness.

Realisation struck Jafar's mind:

"That, that place! That's where Sieg went with that monster!", he cried out loudly.

The others who heard him speak became astonished and their eyes grew wide-open.

"He's right!"

"Shit, WTF is going on there!"

"Is that a bomb?"

Many questions popped up one after another, sadly no one was there to give them an answer.

"Should we go there and take a look?", Craig was the one to ask this question.

Yet all of the other children became silent on this matter and didn't, no, couldn't speak out. What should they do? Wasn't it their goal to get as far away from this place as possible? Should they leave everything behind and move on?

Jafar stood there silently but then made his decision:

"I will go!"

Anastasia looked baffled at him:

"What?! Why? Didn't we say we would move together?"

"I am sorry but I can't leave him behind like that again. Whatever that is over there, it means that something is happening and that Sieg might still be alive! I couldn't stop him before and I regret it! I have to do this! I don't expect you to understand me though, just go on without me. I will follow you back once I find him.", he explained to her determinedly. He had to do everything possible to find his best friend or else only endless regret and hatred fro himself would begin taking root in his heart. If there was a path left to save Sieg he would risk it!

It wasn't as though Anastasia didn't understand him but there was a responsibility they had to take. Going back and looking for uncertain traces could mean their death and this wasn't something they should bet their lives on.

"I will go as well!", now it was Claire who spoke up and made her stance clear,

"If all we do is run away when our friends need help we won't be able to achieve anything in the future! Even if we get out from this place, who says we won't run into more problems later on? Will we abandon more of us to let some go ...", her voice grew weak and unsteady and she was almost close to crying again.

It was clear that she was referring to the others back at the bandit camp. Those they couldn't save and had to leave behind.

"If she is going, so will I!", Charlotte stood next to Claire and announced. She wouldn't let her friend alone on this one.

"Count me in as well! Feels really shit to sacrifice a friend for your own good. I don't want to do this anymore.", Jean declared with an annoyed tone. Kyle and Owen were good friends of his and he even thought of Sieg whom he had less contact with until today as a precious friend. Time and time again did that fellow risk himself for Jean's sake yet he couldn't help him back in any way. But not this time.

"I will go as well!"

"Me too!"

"Me as well!"

"Yes, me too!"

Craig, Tony, Sasha and Gene also agreed with the others. Especially Tony who felt terrible because he hadn't done anything to save his brother. Claire's statement woke him up a little from his narrow mindedness and reminded him that everyone had to be saved, including his brother. 'No soldier and comrade should be left behind' his father always told him to remember.

Only Vincent remained quiet during their discussion. His mind was full of troubled thoughts since he saw Panda getting stabbed and falling down.

"What about you Vince?", Anastasia asked him.

"I ... I ... ", he was uncertain and didn't know what to do. Usually everything went smoothly for him. He was also a courageous and brave person. Decisive and confident. But his mistake during their mission, his guilt made him feel paralysed and prevented him from coming up with a quick and certain response.

"I will ... go ... too .", a weak voice sounded out from behind Vincent. It was Panda! But before they could call out to him he had already closed his eyes again and re-entered his slumber.

Seeing the decision that Panda made, Vincent contemplated for a little and cleared his head. He lost his inhibitions and firmly said:

"I will go to! We can't let that newbie alone in this, what can he accomplish anyway except for risking his life."

"The arrogant bastard is back ....", Jafar mumbled under his breath but didn't say it out too loudly.

Anastasia gulped down her saliva and announced:

"Good, if everyone is ok with this, then let's head back and find Sieg!"

She wasn't sure if this would be the correct decision leading her to the right path but ... if she was honest to herself she also wanted to save Sieg.

Just like this, the little group of children turned around and followed back their path towards the pillar of white light, now walking with resolute steps and a new goal.