"Where is it taking place anyways?"

I rolled my eyes, keeping at an even pace as we trudged up another hill, "Whispering Pines, obviously"

The hill was the last one on this trail, the last one until we get to the wood-reading site. The trees surrounding the road was tightly packed together, and occasionally you could hear a part of a birdsong, or the sound of a griffin call.

Annie stuffed her hands in her pockets, sighing exaggeratedly, "Remind me again why we have to do this? This stuff isn't even useful!"

I narrowed my eyes, "Because we need to know the basics before we do the advanced stuff"

Annie opened her mouth to retort against my statement, but was quickly cut off as Erica rushed up the hill.

I didn't get a good look at her expressions, but it looked something along the lines of panic and fear. I glanced back at Star, who shrugged silently.

"What's up with her?" Annie's eyes followed Erica until she disappeared over the top of the hill, "I thought she would be more affected with Finn gone, y'know since they're like two peas in a pod, after all"

I paused, my steps slowing instantly, "She hadn't seem right since we came back from our ambush, and she's been writing excessively when she has the time. Seems more distant, am I right?"

Annie's annoyed expression came back as soon as I finished speaking, "You say everything as if you're examining a book, you should put some emotion behind it"

"But am I right?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah"

I tilted my head as I continued, "Remember right after the fight?"

Annie turned to look at the trees surrounding the unpaved trail, nodding in acknowledgement  "It was... weird to say at least. My clothes were like burnt, and randomly out of the blue, you mentioned that her eyes were... green?"

I yawned as a bird flew overhead, "I said they were bright. And they were for a couple seconds. Like not normal sea-green, but like neon green"

Annie snorted, "Like Sans from Undertale?"

I crossed my arms stubbornly, "Are you making fun of me for adding those references in my book? Also, his eyes are blue"

"Nah, it's just that you look different when you're annoyed," Annie grinned, as we arrived at the top of the hill, "You just look funnier"

Storm clouds blocked out the sun, thunder ringing in the distance, Annie mock-gasped as she looked up, "Woah there, Jar Jar Binks," She laughed, "Don't be angry now, you're going to make it storm!"

I rolled my eye at her pathetic attempt at a joke, but I swear I saw Star pause for a second and then shake her head when I looked back.

Wonder what she's thinking about...

---

"Why did you follow her lead? Why and how could you?"

"I had nothing to lose, and everything to gain"

"You betrayed them!"

"They were not my friends, Gigi"

"Do you even remember Ankiah? The fire general, kind and well meant, but with a temper which can develop as quickly as a flame can be put out with water" 

"Or maybe Firizt? The light warrior with humor and chaos on his side, who fought until the end of the light" 

"Maybe you'll remember Bailey? The nature healer with an love of the space and space-travel, Some might say that his mind is quicker than his body"

"Or maybe Michia? The water bender, resourceful and intelligent, love of adventure and the heart of a hero"

"..."

"Don't"

"..."

"Erian Wood, the last aerial hero with secondary powers. Her soul is the color red, of determination..."

"Erian Wood, the one who changed her mind in the last minute... The last battle..."

"..."

"I really didn't expect that she would be the one to choose the road of darkness"

"We may keep things in balance, you and me, Ying and Yang, light and dark..."

"But don't expect me to stay forever in this excuse of a town. When the time comes, I'm taking control and making their body my own. And then I'm letting my demon loose"

"Of course, Link... But remember you were the one that chose darkness after all this time"