resolve

After they had been flying for two whole hours, the edge of the forest finally came into view. Jack raised his hand, telling all of them to hold on tight as they would begin descending soon. As he did, everyone grabbed onto the bird, and Izen was practically hugging its neck. The birds descended down onto the land as they did. Jack realized something and laughed while everyone else was confused by his reaction, but he laughed. 

'Life really is a bitch' he thought to himself as he jumped down from Ra's back and picked up what he saw earlier. It was the same cappuccino cup he had been holding when he was first transported or teleported, which makes more sense; honestly, he wouldn't even know he was unconscious. Which did remind him... who was the man that he saw before being transported? He still gets chills thinking about that gaze; honestly, he would rather not think about that. "Are you okay?"

As Jack heard the voice, he looked back at Ikami, who was holding Izen's hand, and sighed. "Yeah, I am fine. I just remembered old stuff," he said, tossing the cup away as he found everyone looking at him. He pulled out the map of the island that he had, which he had gotten marked by the elder for the territories. He spread the map out and spoke. 

"So there are three races, and we have six months. We can either go everywhere together one by one or," he said, pulling out the three amulets as he tossed one to Ikami and the other to Pyotr, honestly the only two guys with brains. 

"We will be separating from here. Team Ikami will consist of Ikamu, Tumo, Elio (the healer), and Hyeon (the last dude who was randomized). The next team, Pyotr, would consist of Pyotr, Duke, Amir (light powers), and Yves (crystal powers). Lastly, Carus and Izen will be going with me."

Duke and Pyotr didn't mind; the two had already bonded over beer and talked over the last few days. Ikami was somehow surprised that he chose not to send Izen with them. "Wouldn't it be better to send the girl with me?" 

Jack looked at her and then at Izen before he sighed. "I might need her help in case things go wrong.". After that statement, everyone had many more questions, but Jack simply dismissed them. Team Ikami was going to go for the Vikings, Team Pyotr was going to the Ice Giants, and Jack, naturally, along with Carus, went to discuss things with the Fire Giants. Honestly, Izen was still on her guard when it came to others; she hardly trusted Tumo or Ikami, so when she was told to go with Jack, she was a bit reluctant and scared. 

Jack, seeing her expression, sighed and spoke. "It's fine if you don't want to go; I'll tell Ra to take you back to the village," Jack said as he was about to whistle. The girl spoke up.

"I will go." Her voice was timid and barely noticeable, but she did say that. Jack smiled, teasing her. "What was that? Sorry, I couldn't hear you."

Tumo and Ikami both sighed at Jack's antics as he teased the little girl, who yelled louder. "I WILL GO TOO." Her voice was much louder as Jack chuckled. "Alright, fine, you don't have to if you don't want to. Don't force yourself."

"No, I need to go," she said, looking down slightly embarrassed because she was yelling—maybe or was there something else? 

"And why is that?" Jack, who was rather perplexed by now, along with everyone else, waited for an answer from the girl.

"Brother would have gone," she said, looking up at Jack. Everyone else was left confused, but he understood the meaning of her words and smiled, patting her head like a kid. 

"Alright, let's get going then," he told her and everyone as they all parted ways in different directions: the Pyotrs group to the north, the Ikamis group to the south, and Jack's group straight forward to the east.

While the other two groups started walking, Jack and Izen climbed atop the giant carus's shoulders as he walked. It was easier, and it didn't trouble him in any way due to the size difference, so why not take advantage of it? Jack chuckled, looking down, while telling Izen to hold on tight as Carus walked. 

As she smiled, watching the giant mountains not too far away from them, Jack spoke something he normally wouldn't have. "He would have been proud." 

Izen looked at him, slightly confused, as he sighed and repeated himself. "Your brother sure would have been proud of you." Hearing that, Izen's expression changed. Tears filled her eyes, but she hid her face in order to not look like a child right now, but Jack just chuckled.