-Mark P.O.V.-

I turned my head to the location of the voice. I saw a man, who seemed to be in his late forties or early fifties, with an interesting mop of black and white hair, his fraying green robes were all muddied, evidence that he had been busy traveling through the forest. 

"I was just..." I began, raising a hand to scratch the back of my head. "It's all good, young one. But alas, I fear the worst for you..."

"And what does that mean?"

"Look at yourself, all bloodied and bruised... And to top it off, your legs are of no use."

"What?" I asked in disbelief, turning back at the legs, and my eyes widened, "My legs are..." My legs were sprawled out, my mind went wild, the pant legs were all tattered, and blood was everywhere.

"Aye, I suppose those Bum-rags were too harsh on you and your friends."

"Bum-rags?" I winced in pain.

"Oh, that's just a term I use for the Fallen, normally they aren't aggressive towards people."

"I can't feel them, my legs I mean."

"Well, that much I can tell." This man spoke with a slight accent, a tad fancy. 

"Well you daft lad, with injuries like those I think it'd be a barking miracle if you recovered, let alone heal properly!" I was surprised at this man's speech, it was filled with insults and swearing, but it seems old-fashioned.

"Well that wasn't very nice of you." I tried to stand, but my legs wouldn't move at all, it was as if there was a large sheet of glass separating my torso from my legs.

"Forgive my rudeness, but alas I can be a bit of a Dummkomph, or a simpleton, and a wee bit rude."

"I can see that," I used my arms to move so I could be a bit more comfortable, "Have you seen my comrades?"

He scratched his head. "I have them in my abode, I'll be right back with a few of them. Is there any preferences?"

I thought on that a moment. "Uh, yeah, Mason, Wilder, and Mikayla then, if thats okay with you, that is."

"Its completely alright with me. I'll be back in a few." And with that, the unnamed man left me against the cold hard bark of the redwood tree that I leaned against. 

I heaved a heavy sigh, wincing in pain, my legs burned. "Awww, I can't believe that I'm trusting a ninny like him, he barking mad!" I widened my eyes, "And now I'm SPEAKING like him!!! What has the bloody world come to?"

The unnamed man stepped back into view, and with Mikayla, Mason, and Wilder in tow. "Thank goodness!" I shouted, "I was wondering if I was going mad!"

"Maybe not mad," the man said, "Daft maybe, but not mad."

"Hey guys..." I regarded the trio.

"Hey Mark." Mikayla said, her white hair all soaked, so it barred the angles of her face, and I noted it was shorter than I remember.

"What's up? You okay down there?" Wilder inquired, I laughed.

"No, my bloody legs won't move , and now I've adopted a whole barking speech system!"

Mason didn't answer at all. Instead, he just nodded.

"I see you've cut your hair." I stated.

"It wasn't intentional," Mikayla replied, rubbing a strand of hair between her forefinger and thumb, "It got caught after...." her voice drifted off. 

"After..." I was intrigued by this, so I pressed for further clarification.

"It's nothing really." She seemed annoyed as she turned away from my gaze, so I pressed no further.

I held up my hands in defense. "I'm just trying to lift up the mood." I chuckled, ignoring the burning sensation in my lower abdomen that began to grow further.

She laughed at that, "And you're supposed to be the one needing the cheering up, not me," she moved an arm, which was carrying some cloth and wooden poles, "Let's get you situated." I nodded.

"Oh," said the man, "I never introduced myself properly. I'm the Sage they call Pepe. I welcome you to Rainbow Road."