HRA: Ok! The first actual chapter! Wewt! -dances-

Disclaimer: Breath of Fire III/3 isn't mine. No matter how badly I want it to be. The Worens, however, except for Rei, ARE MINE. Rrrrr. Don't steal them.

"Ryu, let's go!"

The blue haired warrior looked back, then at the petrified Guardian. With only a small glitter of doubt, he ran after his friends. The gates were closing before them and the shaking was getting worse. Ryu heard the Woren swear and looked over just in time to see Nina fly ahead, and gave a small yelp when Rei grabbed his arm and just barely managed to pull both through.

In another part of the station, another figure was moving, even if it was just barely. Red eyes ran over the cold marble and, with an exerted effort, the smaller figure put his hand against a cold defined muscle leg and vanished, just as the ceiling came down

Ryu looked back at the remains, part of his form charcoled from preventing the explosion from engulfing them all and his right arm burnt almost all the way to his shoulder. He heard Nina's thanks, but didn't answer. He hadn't done it for her...not that time, nore any of the other times either. When they had been falling down the mountain, it had been his child-like innocence. After he had grown up, it was from guilt and, in a few cases, a total accident. Besides, he didn't want to risk making the King even madder then he already was. This time...it was for Rei. He already lost his other 'parental brother' and his best friend he often refered to as a lover and guardian...he wasn't ready for more pain and loss.

When Rei called to him, he turned to look at the Woren, his eyes red and swelling slightly. Rei frowned when he saw the dragon's eyes. He couldn't tell if it was from the ashes and explosion...or because Ryu had been crying. He held back a sigh and beckoned him over, giving him a tight hug, muttering, "If you ever need anything...look towards the fort and don't hesitate to call me."

He recieved a nod and smiled a bit, ruffling the mass of blue hair. Giving a final reassuirng look, he walked off. Ryu watched the Woren until he knew he couldn't take it any longer and looked back at the ruins. He heard Nina and Momo offering him new homes, but he didn't listen. Just started his long walk to a destination he knew no one would bother him.

Elsewhere...

Sunlight and chirping woke the body. A small groan emitted as he pushed himself up, looking up at the statue, wondering how they were alive. Looking over himself, Teepo found his clothes had been switched for bandages and a new set of pants, that reminded him vaguely of what Rei use to wear when they were younger. His sense jumped to alert when he heard voices and felt for his sword immediately, swearing when he didnt' find it. He would have run, but he didn't want to leave the Guardian, and even if he had, his legs were somewhat numb from the explosion impact as well.

"'Ey, he's awake, bro! Don't that beat all? I told ya he'd come around!"

The dragon frowned at the unmistakable phrase, looking up, half expecting and hoping to find Rei and Ryu. To his partial disappointment, his eyes found two children, but they did lift his spirits. The one that had spoken looked exceptionally like Rei, only smaller with a different stripe formation on his arms and tail. The smaller one had lighter, almost white hair and a more baige fur tone, but the same stripe formation as the first.

"'Ello? You gonna stare all day, dude?"

Teepo snapped out of his daze and looked back at them, lowering his eyes in apology, "Sorry...what...who...are you?" The question earned even odder looks, but the smaller one answered, his voice light, bringing yet another painful twinge to the Dragon's soul, "We're Woren...cat people. I'm Ires. And this is my brother, Eris..."

"We found you in the middle of the desert, bleedin' to death practically. And you didn't seem too willing to let go of the stature," his brother finished, looking at the stone guardian oddly, "Special meaning?"

"Would...would you believe me...if I said, this was once a living being? An immortal Guardian over five hundred years old? One of my own friends? And given time...after I've healed enough...I could restore his proper form?"

Eris made a small scoff, but Ires looked at him thoughtfully, nodding once, "I would." He whispered, jabbing his brother's rib lightly with his elbow, "I can sense...great...great powers in you." The older one was rubbing his side, glaring with a look that said 'that hurt, and you're so gonna pay later.' Before he could carry out the statement verbaly, they heard a laugh come from the purple haired man and looked at him in confusion.

"I...I'm sorry," he muttered between giggles, "You just...you remind me of someone...an old friend of mine. He looked like you," he smiled at Eris, "But..he had the soft spoken aura and kind nature...like you," he turned to Ires then.

"He was a Woren?"

Teepo nodded slowly, still smiling to himself, "He was...and he was one of my best friends in the whole world...my only best friend...the only one who understood me."

"Were...his stripes the same as ours? Like...formation wise?"

"No...I don't think so," he frowned, "Why?" He looked between the two, noticing how quiet Ires had gone, with a thoughtful look on his face, and how Eris had taken on a more serious air, but enlightened and glad at the same time.

Short...but. I don't want to give away too much until I've seen how people react to it. I'm not going to post the whole trilogy if people aren't going to read it. Reviews updates. No reviews...well. No update. -shrugs-

Next chapter: Ryu's aimless walk and Teepo's unfortunate newsflash.