147 To Safety! (2/2)

A graze followed as a small line of blood drew onto my face. My Observation Haki warned me of course, but I moved to fast to care, a small cut would do nothing and wasn't worth avoiding.

As I ran into the dark woods, the roots began to sprout from out of the ground, the same path that I had tread in the morning of my arrival now seemed all the more dangerous.

The wind howled, the leaves crackled under foot and before I knew it, I came upon someone familiar.

It was Fawkes, and boy was I grateful that he was here.

My feet skidded to a close as I stopped before him, unloading my charge almost instantly before draping them onto my alert first mate's shoulders. No words were exchanged, just subtle glances.

And as I prepared to dash the way I had come, I noticed two other figures. A barely hobbling Thatch and a worried Angella. All I could do was give her a quick glance before I looked at Fawkes.

”Angella follow!

Fawkes get those three to town.” I said before shooting back into the forest. Now though, Angella followed.

Within seconds I had returned to the forest's eerie embrace as loud thrums echoed off the mud covered forest floor.

Suddenly, a small pop sounded puncturing shrilly in the eerie silence of the forests. I had to hurry.

*******

Left.

Right.

Below!

Marco shrieked as he dodged through the air, ice boulders and magma fists raining down on his rocking form as he evaded through the air.

As soon as he had appeared, the boat on the Horizon had upended their engines, maintaining a steady thrum as they began preparations to leave. The lights dotting the side of the ship began to beam slowly as low shouts could be heard on deck.

All that remained on the Marine agenda was to silence anyone that had seen them, first the phoenix then the three that had fled from them.