Well here is the fourth chapter. Idk, should this have an M rating? It isn't that bad but its better safe than sorry. Let me guys know what you think. Don't own Breath of Fire, if I did, that would be awesome, =D.

Chapter 4-The Virgin Queen Nina-

Ryu poked at his bandaged arm. It seemed to be healing okay since he heals fast. The surroundings changed quite drastically since the bridge. The trees started to thin, then just died out completely. Now were just clear flat plains. Amazingly bright green grass that was almost hard to stare at since their eyes was accustomed to the dark woods. They followed a much travel abused road, but was easier to traverse since it was made of stone, instead of a path.

"Hey Radd," Ryu said walking faster to catch up with him, "are you sure we are going to get to Wyndia before night-fall?" The sun was well past half way in the sky and Wyndia was on a cliff, way on the far end of the plains. It was only a small dot in the distance with smoke coming out of it.

"Not really," Radd replied, "We'll be in trouble if we don't. We need food, and, I don't know about you, but I would like to sleep in a bed for awhile." "

"Also, you need to meet the giant 'magical' snake from your dreams," Naytz said, putting her hand on Ryu's good shoulder. They began to walk up a hill that obscured their view.

"Wh-wha? Giant snake? Ryu?" Radd questioned, giving Ryu a quizzical look.

"Well, I had a strange dream about a huge snake telling me to meet her in Wyndia." Ryu said. "Her name was Deis I think…"

"Umm," Radd snickered as Naytz butted in.

"AND apparently it's a girl!" She said laughing. Radd started in too. As Ryu scowled, a short chubby man ran up to them and yanked a sack from his back.

"Hello folks!" He said cheerily as he looked up smiling greatly. He had a large brimmed hat and was smiling from ear to ear. "Would you like to take a peek at my wares?"

"Oh, so you're a merchant," Ryu said eyeing him with interest.

"Yes, and I see you are travelers," he said nodding, "I can tell by the shape of your clothes." He added quickly whispering it as if there were others nearby. Ryu looked down at his tunic, then Radd's and Naytz. They were mud stained and ripped at various places.

"Are you selling any clothing?" Naytz asked her tail flicking.

"Why, my lady, the finest on this road!" He said, starting to nod anxiously.

"Whoa, guys wait, time out." Radd said, looking annoyed. "We don't have much money to spend freely as we want."

"Well, how much you have, I can always drop my prices for those in need!" He said quickly.

Ryu shook his head and stared at Naytz. She shrugged her shoulders and stared at Radd. He rolled his eyes and grabbed his pack from Naytz. He dug around in the pack and took out a smaller leather pack that jangled when he moved it. The merchant's eyes widened when he saw this pouch. He turned around and pulled out three dark blue tunics. Radd sighed and turned to Ryu and Naytz.

"Guys, I have about fifty gold. Should we really spend what we have for clothes? What about food? That is pretty important too." Radd said gazing upwards now.

Naytz sighed and turned to the merchant, "How much are you willing to sell those for?"

"I'm dropping the price since I like you guys. How about thirty gold?" The merchant said staring at Radd. Radd appeared as if he ate something bitter. He grabbed the amount of coins and gave them to the short man. He smiled gratefully and handed over three neatly folded tunics then continued scurrying down the road in the opposite direction. Radd putted the tunics away in his pack and they continued up the hill.

"We shall change our tunics in an inn." Radd said nearing the top of the hill.

Ryu nodded, "Sheesh, hope there isn't another merchant ahead to stall us."

When they got to the top of the hill they froze. On both sides of the road where stands displaying goods for sale, then another, Then another! For the next two miles various stands and hundreds of merchants were selling their products. In the middle of the road were massive crowds of people scurrying from one stand to the next.

"Great," Radd said staring at the mass "Must be time for the bazaar." Naytz looked ecstatic; her tail was wagging like an excited dog.

"Oh no." Ryu said, shaking his head, "we are not sure how much an inn will cost, and food does sound great."

Naytz turned around and waved her hand, "Well you guys have fun with that, and I am going to be browsing goods." After she said this, she began walking away, but Radd grabbed her shoulder and held her back. Ryu began walking behind her to make sure she doesn't escape. They walked into a deep crowd full of various citizens; they began bobbing and weaving through the crowds. Eventually they began a quick walk and finally broke out of the crowd and the bazaar. The yelling and overall noise began to fade away as they neared a large stone stairway.

They began their trek up the stairs. The sun was starting to lower, as they reached the giant stone gate that protected the town. Along the gate were the words, Mina numquam mortui, sola recessit, with a giant bird engraved into it. Up above the gate guards began shouting at each other, and the gate opened just enough for three people to walk in and that is just what they did.

The town of Windia was majestic looking. Each of the buildings had large windmills that slowly turned in the wind. The town progressively got higher with a trail of stone steps leading up to the castle. The three began walking through the empty town up to the winding stairway.

"The town is kind of creepy with no one in it…" Naytz said, as they began up the stairs.

Ryu nodded and said, "The Bazaar probably piqued their interest. Anyways, how are we going to enter the castle? We can't just barge in."

Naytz ears drooped, "I never thought about that… well we can just tell them of our situation and see what happens." After the exhausting journey up the stairs, large wooden doors stood in their way, and they were approached by three heavily armored knights with spears in their hands.

"What brings you three here?" The middle one asked, balancing his weapon in his hands.

Before anyone could speak up, the one on the left said, "Wait, maybe these are those band of mercenaries from Coursair? By the gods you are late."

"Yes! Of course we are!" Ryu said, "We need to speak to Queen Nina immediately to excuse our tardy."

The knights looked at each other and nodded. One yelled at the tower on the gates, and the doors slowly opened. They walked in to be greeted with a grand sight. Large stone walls were painted with various insignias, and glass stained windows. The floor was covered with a thick red carpet, and was trampled on by maids and servants scurrying everywhere, and at the end of the long red carpet were two large gold thrones. On the left throne was a small silhouette seated on the throne. Ryu held his breath as they walked forward, and met the queen.

As they approached, she stood up. At first it appeared there was a black robe around her shoulders, but under closer inspection it was made of feathers. She stood only at about five foot six, but she looked intimidating. Her face was small, slightly wrinkled, but quite beautiful for being sixty years of age. Her eyes were large and deeply blue. She looked at them for a second looking highly shocked; mouth slightly opened, but then snapped back to her more intimidating form.

She began to walk towards them and said, "What kind of trickery is this?" She looked at Ryu and snapped, "You! What is your name?"

Naytz and Radd quickly sidestepped away so she could get a better look. She approached him, her head stretched out. She looked like a vulture nearing its prey. Finally she stopped right in front of him waiting for his answer.

"Err… Ryu, ma'am." He stuttered as she got in his face. Her face melted away all sternness and she began to look beautiful again. Suddenly her black feathered robe split into two, and stretched from her back. They were wings, and they were magnificent. The span was about eight feet long and they were the darkest hue of black in the center. Near the bottom the feathers began to turn a brilliant purple.

Ryu began to back up, fearing what she would do, but what happened next was a surprise to all of them. She wrapped her wings around Ryu, and pulled him into a loving embrace. She burrowed her face in his chest and began to weep. Ryu desperately looked at Naytz and Radd for answers on what to do, but they merely shrugged, they looked as surprised. The commotion of servants ended too, for they all wanted to see this strange spectacle as well. Soon the castle was quiet; the only sound was the Queen softly crying.

"I… thought you died…" She said, finally looking up with those large sad eyes, her blond hair fell and tumbled in her face. "I… I saw your corpse! Why did you not come back sooner?"

Ryu didn't know what to say, he just stood there, warm in her embrace. What could he say? "I'm sorry?" Ryu said looking down at her. It was hard to look at her face and not to feel the sorrow she was emitting.

"Is that all you got to say?" She said looking straight into his eyes, making Ryu feel uncomfortable. "That's it? That is all?" Suddenly she let go of Ryu and pushed him away. Ryu stumbled back and she looked furious. "You leave all your friends behind and leave for forty years! Do you know how much pain we all went through when we found out you died?"

"Wait! Please, you got me mistaken for someone else! I'm just here for a contract, you know, I'm a mercenary!" Ryu pleaded as he backed up a little.

Nina, the queen, looked slightly less agitated. "Is that so?" She said as she walked up to him, and once again they were face to face. She stretched her arm out and put her hand on his chest. She closed her eyes and reached for Ryu's hand. She delicately brought his hand to touch her breast.

"Wha… what the hell are…!" Ryu understood quickly enough. Her Heart beat was drastically different from his. Nina's kept a steady beat, while Ryu's was drastically hammering, like it was a struggle to keep going. Suddenly she let go as well as Ryu. He never knew that others hearts beated differently than his. Nina looked at him again, but this time she brought her and up and struck him across the face. Naytz and Radd cringed, and did not know what to do to help their friend.

"You liar!" Nina said as Ryu was gently rubbing his face. "The power, the fire within you, which defines you."

"Please, you have to understand," Ryu said, starting to panic, "I can swear on anything I have no idea what this whole ordeal is about!"

Nina looked calm again but Ryu braced for more abuse. "Well… prove it. The information I got of your mercenary group explained details quite different then this little posse you have here. For example, I heard the group was larger, that it had skilled fighters in it. I do not see any for miles around. Also, on top of that, you come awfully late."

Ryu nodded slowly and said, "We were attacked, supposedly everyone died except me and another."

"Oh really? Then where is this other?" Nina said in her calm voice. Unfortunate for Ryu, this voice is just as scary.

"I'm… not really sure. Their body was not recovered." Ryu said as Nina cocked her head to the side.

Nina began to walk towards him again and Ryu flinched. "So is that how you got this wound?" She asked pointing at Ryu's shoulder. He shook his head, forgetting about the cut on his shoulder. He noticed it was still stained with his blood. He pinched the pin that held the bandages together and removed it. He slowly began to unwrap it when Nina began, "What are you doing? Why…" She finished her sentence with a gasp as she noticed his shoulder. His tunic was cut deeply, but his shoulder was smooth, not a scratch on it.

Ryu noticed Nina's reaction and shrugged. "I heal fast." Ryu suddenly remembered the giant snake in his dreams. She said to meet her in Windia, maybe Nina knows. "Excuse me," Ryu said, and tried to remain as sane as possible while he asked the next question, "Do you know of any giant snakes, preferably named Deis?" Ryu then saw how much he looked like an idiot. It was just a dream…

Nina looked at him strangely then sighed. "There is no way in hell I am going to wake her up. How do you even know of her anyways?" Nina was beginning to raise her voice again and Ryu feared another slap.

"She contacted me in a dream. She might know something of this whole mess." Ryu said quickly. Nina sighed and mumbled something under her breath. She walked up to her throne and pressed her hand on it. Suddenly the throne shook violently, then began to move backwards. In its place was a dark stairway. Nina suddenly clapped and one of the servants that were watching suddenly ran up.

She was young with a small face and long ears. She looked flustered, her black hair was sticking out in various angles. Ryu could not see her very well where he was. "Y… yes your majesty?"

Nina kneeled down to look into her face. "Oh Emma, please, I have told you just to call me Nina." She patted down her hair in a desperate attempt to make it look better. "Would you please bring Ryu and his friends tome torches?"

Emma nodded and ran off. Nina got back on her feet and turned and walked towards Naytz and Radd. "Well, I have been extremely rude. I am the queen of Windia, and welcome to my castle." She held out her hand. Naytz shook her hand followed by Radd. "You both look extremely tired. When we are done with this you may rest in a guest room, I'll supply you with food and everything."

"Thank you ma'am," Radd said nodding.

"Please, just Nina. All this formality is annoying." Nina said, wrapping her wings around herself again, making her have the appearance of wearing a thick black robe. Finally, Emma came back with three long torchs. She handed them out to Ryu, Naytz, and Radd. Nina extended her hand and suddenly a brilliant hue of green fire erupted from her hand. Nina studied their confused faces and said, "Magic fire. It does not give off any smoke, burns underwater, etcetera. When I always found myself in dark, enclosed spaces, I use this because conventional fire fives of that nasty smoke, it always made me feel claustrophobic. Anyways, I digress,"

They took turns lighting their torches until the hall was lit up with the same hue of green as the fire. Nina walked towards the stairway and said, "Alright, follow me."

Yep it is another cliff-hanger. Sorry this was late, I had school, exams, etc. Now I am bored out of my wits and can focus on writing this. All righty then thanks for reading, expect another chappy soon.