Sorry I've been neglecting this story, but then again not many ppl have R&R...so I'm tempted to end this story...Anyways here's chp 2. Short chp, we'll see how it goes from here. R&R please and let me know if you like it...no point in writing more if no one is reading it heh.

Chp 2. Take Action

Nina gasped in joy and surprise, her eyes incandescent, mirroring the dancing camp fire.

"Ryu?" she managed she squeak in a feeble, shaky voice.

The prince merely nodded to the winded princess, he wasn't one to talk much. He takes to the camp fire, sitting as if awaiting Garr or Rei to speak.

"Well, seeing no one else is saying anything let me explain some things." Garr's voice was mellow and deep, beckoning the others to get comfortable as his story will soon unfold. "Ladon was kind enough to awaken me from my stone sleep."

"For good?!" Momo spoke out of place in a hurry, curious and hopefuly.

With his arms crossed about his muscular chest, Garr looked to Momo with almost sorrow filled eyes, "Hardly. Myria was an overprotective mother, but she wasn't the real evil."

"What are you talking about? This world has been thriving ever since we defeated her." Nina said after hesitantly pulling her eyes away from Ryu.

"Yes, however she was also keeping us safe from a malevolent being." Garr extends his wings outwards, rolling his head about once over to stretch his neck. "We don't have much time, our best bet for now is to get rest for the coming battles...and say goodbye to loved ones." He falls eerily silent before he motions to take his leave. "We should meet up at Dragnier, take the teleporters when you have finished with your farewells." he walks off slowly, his form melding into the shadows "2 days time is what you have. See you then."

"...." Momo wasn't able to comprehend the matter despite her intelligent nature. "Well, I suppose I'll be off to the plant and tower...I'll see you guys soon." Standing promptly, she scoops up Peco and begins her journey back home.

"Well, doesn't this just beat all?" Rei sputters obnoxiously, an impish grin playing upon his lips. "I suppose I'll just take it easy, maybe stop by old man Bunyan's." He pushed off the tent,stretching his limps quickly. "Hey, Ryu. Don't forget to come back home in Cedar Woods before long." And with that, the bipedal tiger took his leave of the campsite.

"Hey, wait!" She blurted out to her leaving companions whose numbers dwindled one by one. Outstretching her hand towards them as they slowly faded into the dark night. "Don't go...we just got together." she murmured, her voice filled with hurt and lonliness.

And at that moment the princess felt a firm, yet tender hand upon her shoulder. Looking up over her shoulder, her eyes took in a standing Ryu.

"I'll always protect you, Nina." Ryu spoke quietly, almost inaudibly to Nina.

Yet to her, his voice was haunting and called to her like a siren. Cold shivers rippled down her spine, her fingers going numb to hear such a beautiful, melodic voice. "Ryu...." she looked at him, longing to tell him of her true feelings.

He met her gaze with his own, his eyes shining with the brilliance and beauty of the moon itself. "I'll see you soon." And with that, Ryu took his leave from the princess and her campsite. His gait was purposeful, for he was headed to Cedar Woods, his home.

Arising to her feet with shaky knees, Nina watched him leave, her eyes overwhelmed with tears. "Don't leave me again, Ryu..." she whispered to herself more so than Ryu, hopeful he would return to her without hearing a single word.