Edge of the Ocean

Ran stands at the outskirts of the jungle, near the water.

She stares out as the sun is setting.

Emotion fills her eyes as she leans against a tree, still hiding under the precious shade.

Cole slowly approaches her. Orion comes as well, but at an even slower pace and farther behind, just to be a presence.

Ran does not acknowledge either one of them, and nobody speaks for some time.

But Cole eventually breaks.

"What happened when they came?"

Ran sniffles. "Like the last time you were here?"

"Yeah."

Ran kicks some sand while leaning against the tree.

"Typical. Warfare. Things that should never be seen or spoken of. But you fought them off. You were so brave, Cole. The last I saw of you, you were fighting one of their leads. Sobek. That was his name. He goes by another name now for some reason. You took a blow to the head and he drug you away. I saved who I could and fought the rest, and I never saw you again. I thought you were dead, or assumed you were one of them. That is usually how it goes."

Cole does not like the answer. "Why didn't you come looking for me?!"

Orion steps out, knowing he might need to break this up.

Ran turns, angry, and pulls her pistol like she is going to shoot Cole for blasphemy. "Don't you dare say that. Cole, how many times you think this has happened? Do you know what the fallen has taken from me?"

"I was alive!" Cole yells back. "I've been at that island for years!"

The words hurt Ran, but she slowly puts her pistol away. "Believe me. Now that I know that, I will be filled with guilt even more. I could've helped you. I'm sorry. We were both changed that day."

Cole is still mad and confused, and storms off.

Orion stays.

He slowly approaches Ran.

She looks up.

"All those times I came to your island. I never saw him," her voice croaks.

"I told you. He wasn't at the port. That is where I found him, though. Some years he didn't even speak, Ran. We just kept him warm and safe."

Ran nods and stares out.

"You said something about one of the leaders of the fallen," Orion asks. "Going by a different name. What is it?"

"Goliath," Ran responds.

Orion closes his eyes and nods. "He recognized Cole. He was horrified to see him. It all makes sense. A little. Sobek? What is that?"

"Before my time, buddy," Ran chuckles. "But, I have a few books. An old culture from Egypt I guess? Egyptians? Sobek was a crocodile god or something. And I don't even know what a crocodile is."

Orion just listens. He then stares out.

"Something with that pod. That canister. I saw it. I don't know," Orion says, almost speaking in puzzles. "And how did Cole survive and swim to us? It's too much."

Ran does not speak for a while. "So you have the menu too?"

Orion nods warily, not wanting it to be spoken out loud.

"Just so you know, Cole understood it. He knew why he had it. Why some people did and others didn't," Ran says.

Orion looks like his heart has missed a beat. "What was it? Please. I gotta know."

"He would never tell me," Ran smiles. "Just riddles. I will say, this new Cole would not have liked the old one. I think a mixture of the two would be perfect. It's all gone now."

Ran stares out.

"We should hide soon. The fallen patrols start coming out about now," Ran says. "See that small island over there?"

Ran points and Orion nods. A small island, much like theirs, is across the way. Too far to swim, but too close for comfort.

"The largest Demon Lord I have ever seen is over there. Keeping him mad and hungry. A few soldiers are there with him too. They torture the ones they know can't handle the big island. Free food and fun. Patrols stop there. Leave from there. All the rest."

Orion shakes at the words demon lord. "Have you ever fought one?" Orion asks.

"No. Just seen what they do," Ran answers back. "Have you?"

Orion nods.

"You're telling me there is one right over there?" Orion can't believe he is saying the words.

Ran nods.

"I guess I know my dinner plans," Orion says, and starts to make his way back through the jungle.

"Wait. What?" Ran says, running after him.

Orion walks faster as Ran tries to keep up.

"What are you talking about? Orion. That's a death trap. Let them be."

"No," Orion says quietly. "I am a protector out here. Knowing a Demon Lord is this close and is used to kill and torture? A holding place? No. I cannot. We are too close to my island."

"Orion, stop!" Ran pleads. "You're not thinking clearly."

"I'm thinking perfectly clear. It's horrible," Orion says as he continues to march. "In the old world, things fell apart because good people did nothing. In the least, you being this close to one will not be good for my conscious."

"So what? You're just going to go over there and kill him? And whatever fallen is there? Orion, you don't understand. It is like a temple to them. That is sacred to them. Demon Lord's are high up!" Ran keeps pleading.

"Even more so," Orion says, not wavering. "I was on my way to a ship full of them because of its proximity to my island. This is closer."

"No, it's not. Your off track!" Ran is getting angrier with the stubborn soldier.

"I'm going." Orion says, finally making it back to the camp.

"So am I," Ran states.

Howl has made himself at home, lounging in Ran's bed.

Cole is nowhere to be seen.

"What you all bickering about? Hell," Howl says, half asleep.

Ran grabs her largest rifle and some supplies. "Guess I'm going to have to burn that bed."

"There is room for you baby!" Howl says.

Ran points the rifle at Howl. "It's pretty cramped, actually darling. I'll give it back later."

Ran fakes a smile, then continues to get her gear ready.

Orion doesn't say she can't go. "We'll take my boat. Howl, we're off to kill some fallen."

"Okay!' Howl says, not paying attention to what they are actually saying. "Where is Cole?"

They don't respond. They just start walking out of the jungle down to their boat as the sun is setting.