The Magic Within ↠ Once Upon A Time

[Chapter 69] Side Effects of a Broken Heart

Dear lord!!! This chapter is so long!!! This took longer than expected to finish, but anyways, hope you enjoy.

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~Tarza/Melody Flashback~

Now that the humans were gone for good, at least in this current domain, the gorilla troop and other clans celebrate their victory. It may not be an all-out party (surely this isn't the time for such an extravagant festivity) but members take the time to cradle their loved ones, thankful none have perished like the humans, and express gratitude to their allies for their bravery to stand alongside them.

Their battle is won. The war is over. The Forbidden Jungle is free from the danger that is Humans.

However, Tarza knows that her mission was far from over. The war isn't won yet. As much as she wants to be with her family and friends, knowing that they're safe from the real danger, she couldn't celebrate the win just yet. There were all these humans dead on the ground, excluding one unconscious fellow, but Tarza knows that it's only half of the crew. There are surely more humans still left in the jungle. With their secure campground, they may be more willing to hold their own.

Tarza doesn't dare risk any more bloodshed.

There's already been more than enough blood to fuel the jungle for ten lifetimes, even when it's from the enemies.

Nevertheless, Tarza doesn't wish for anyone to draw blood, whether from her troop or to the humans. This time, no casualties; no death; no war.

She would never dare let the last human she actually holds compassion for witness and/or fall victim to something so brutal. He doesn't deserve to die. He was always so kind to her; he even respected her choice to keep her family away from humans' eyes, though it completely tarnished his research. He may be the only other human who can see animals as his equal.

Tarza should give him the benefit of the doubt and allow him, along with any other human, to leave the jungle peacefully.

Quincy is owed that much.

Then Tarza kicks away a gun, broken beyond repair, from a hand that wouldn't move even if she used magic to reanimate it. Looking to the ground wedged between tatter weapons and immobile bodies, the dirt was darkening as it drinks up the spilt blood. Unless someone were to look deeply in the dirt, the ground looks as moist as it would be the day after a storm.

Her mind wanders through nothing as she looks blankly at the still 3D picture of an event she took part in. Yet, she couldn't help but recognize a few familiar faces amongst the bunch. Though she doesn't know anyone personally beyond Quincy, Jean, and Clayton, she can remember faces.

Before ghosts could begin haunting her thoughts, Kerchak's deep, assuring voice broke past her barriers. "Tarza, we must head back now," he says only to her.

Tarza looks around her, noticing the groups huddling together for their departure. The elephant clan already made their leave, they're footprints the only evidence of their previous presence.

"There's nothing more we can do here. Our work is done." He grunts, giving so much as a side glance to a discarded corpse. "The jungle can take care of the mess."

She nods. She didn't need to be told that he plans on leaving the humans as trash for the earth to eventually consume.

"Now, we can go home knowing that it will be safe, thanks to you."