Breath of Fire 2: The Destined Child.
And we're back… With Nina, yes I'm going to ignore our Ryu, he deserves it really… well he'll be back obviously.
"Let me get this straight. You think that your client, one of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the world, is secretly a vigilante who spends his nights beating criminals to a pulp with his bare hands. And your plan is to blackmail this person?
"Good luck." Lucius Fox, The Dark Knight 2008
This is more of a bonus chapter than anything. Although there are parts of the story in it. Characters will get their chance to speak when the scenarios calls for it.
Chapter 10: Gimme a Chance!
I really didn't think it to be a good idea. Leaving suddenly without waiting was probably not the best idea but Sten and I couldn't really argue with her. She seemed to be livid almost to a point where Sten and I had to play mind games with her. It was terribly easy honestly, Katt reacted without question and had a one track mind. I kind of felt evil somewhat manipulating her to forget what happened a few days ago.
Yes it's been roughly 5 days since we've seen Ryu. The man had been dragged who knows where by a gorgeous woman quite easily without much resistance. Sten said a few comments after that and Katt went crazy out right knocking the poor highlander on his back then turning her attention to Ryu's retreating form and shouting damnations at him till she could no longer breathe. I decided to keep my comments to myself, the woman excluded a strange magical aurora and seemed to have no sexual intentions towards Ryu in any way, or I liked to believe. Honestly I was quite livid as well but I gave the man the benefit of the doubt, he couldn't turn down a person asking for help even if he wanted to. I may not have known him long but just knowing him for such a short time was enough to conclude he had a kind heart, if somewhat of a pushover.
Katt had brought Sten and I to the hideout in which Ryu's best friend Bow had been in hiding. I honestly didn't expect Ryu to know a Grass Runner, even more so he knew one from the lands of Namanda, a Shelled by the name of Rand who's size made it impossible not to notice him. I was amazed by his sheer size wondering how he moved sometimes. Katt seemed to argue with him and even struck the man once or twice since we've been here because of his comments. Amazingly the house had enough rooms to accommodate everyone and then some, Rand Bow and the old man Nero had worked hard in building a 9 room house with a living room and welcome center. I spent most of my time in upstairs center room looking across the forest and reading some books I had retrieved from the magic school. It was peaceful and the days of rest were welcomed after such a journey and battle against demons.
Katt occupied the room next to mine, she didn't complain much anymore, even voicing her concern for Ryu every now and then but I reassured her that the man was fine despite being a weaponless warrior. She came to talk to me often and we grew closer with each conversation and I began to wonder if she was truly becoming my first true friend, the one I have always wanted to have.
We talked about everything, I even tried to teach her some magic but her attention span was far too short and she eventually said to forget it. I laughed and reminded her that only a few weeks ago she and Ryu burst into the building demanding to be taught magic. Yozo was correct in assumption that Woren's couldn't use magic, Katt didn't exclude even the slightest magical aurora. On the other hand she possessed the power to make up for it which I envied. I was a weak and frail girl since I could remember I took up magic so to be better of use but even still I required someone to watch my back as spells take time to cast. Katt possessed the confidence I lacked the confidence I wanted although right now she was acting like a coward.
"Come on Katt Ryu's back." I whispered outside of her room.
"Who cares, the bastard could care less about us anyways."
"Katt your being childish." I tried to reason bu the loud thump and vibrating of the door clearly told me that she was mad at me now.
"Something wrong?"
I turned to see Nero standing in the hall curious as to why I was waiting outside of Katt's door. I gave a smile and shook my head although it was clearly untrue.
"Oh you don't have to lie to me, the Woren's just angry because the guy she's crushin took off with a sweet pair of legs, and what legs they are."
My eyes widened and jaw dropped at his audacity. Yes Ryu came back but behind him stood the woman who we left with and an elderly woman on his back. I wondered what he got himself into when Bow talked to him and suddenly yelled out the fact that Ryu blew up their house. As far as first dates go Ryu messed up about as badly as anyone could. Sten and Rand decided to point and laugh, I giggled a bit before going to fetch Katt who was sulking in her room.
"Nero that was a little tasteless." I said with mock anger.
"Tasteless yes, effective though." He said as the door burst open and Katt growled at the old man.
"I DO NOT HAVE A CRUSH!"
"Ya keep denying it." Nero scoffed.
"How about I deny you a future!"
"I'd say your doing me a favor, now get down there and if you're so angry about it bitch the boy out or forgive him and try listening to what happened." Nero suggested and I had to agree with the man.
"Oh sure you can say that, your fiancé didn't take off with another woman right in front of you."
I think Katt wasn't realizing what she was saying when she spoke that sentence because she gave Nero and I a perplexed look when our jaws dropped and eyes widened in shock. If Ryu and Katt were engaged why did she never mention it… why didn't she ever… did Ryu even know?
"What's with you two?" Katt asked.
"Y…your engaged?" I stuttered out.
"No!"
"But you just said…" I tried to recite but cut off by Katt.
"I know what I said, but I am not engaged!"
Nero and I looked at each other before turning back to Katt who's ears were folded down in a pout. I wanted to pet her right there she looked really cute when she did that, almost like a kitten.
"So he doesn't know does he?" Nero asked to which Katt nodded.
"Katt why did you call him your fiancé?" I asked curiously.
She replied by mumbling something unintelligible.
"I couldn't hear that Katt, speak louder." I said and she complied.
"He beat me at the coliseum and according to my tribe I'm to wed him." She repeated which cause Nero to laugh.
"You serious?" He asked.
Katt nodded while Nero continued to laugh. I frowned and pinched a little energy into my palm before letting it go singing the man's beard slightly.
"Yow, hey what the hell was that for?" Nero shouted slapping the smoking hairs.
"What I did nothing." I replied and turned back to Katt who grinned and mouthed a thank you.
"Don't tell him Nina, please don't tell him." Katt begged.
"I won't Katt don't worry." I said patting her on the shoulder.
"Course you won't, you want him just as much as she does." Nero mumbled and I shot him death glare while trying to fight a blush.
"You like him Nina?" Katt asked clearly taking things seriously.
I shook my head furiously and Katt cocked her head then grinned like a depraved lunatic. I paled it was the same grin Sied had when she found something out to use as a teasing method against me.
"Somebody's a fibber." Katt whispered in my ear and I pushed her away.
"I am not a fibber, I barely know Ryu I met him along with you two weeks ago!" I protested.
"Oooh love at first sight maybe?" Katt asked and I stood mouth gaping at the accusation.
Katt swished her tail lightly circling around me happily before poking me in the back with her stick causing me to fall forward slightly.
"Last one down gets their secret told!" She said happily and bounced towards the stairs.
I stood their for a few seconds wondering what she was talking about when Nero clarified her meaning for me.
"I think she intends to blab that you like our blue haired leader."
My eyes shot open and I rushed fro the stairs ignoring the laughing old man. There was no way in all of Aspiria that Katt was going to shout out that I liked Ryu, which I didn't. She was one to talk anyways, she's engaged to the guy anyways. It wasn't fair either she was more athletic than me and had a head start. I was running as fats as I could when I noticed Katt around the second floor and could see that the gap was just large enough to jump down. I didn't think about it and leapt from the rail trying to use my wings to adjust the descent, Unfortunately I wasn't thinking and more along panicking as I hit the bottom steps milliseconds before Katt arrived in the same position. She collided with me and the both of us tumbled down the remaining 8 steps landing on the bottom floor, in pain and groaning.
"Thank you lord for giving me this gift!"
"What gift is that Sten?"
"Look at that, two beautiful women falling over each other moaning in pleasure, what more could you ask for?"
I only groaned in annoyance after hearing Sten suggest Katt and I in a relationship. The man really needed to set his priorities straight. Rand looked at us then back at Sten before voicing his own thoughts.
"Monkey man, those two are in pain not pleasure."
"Oh that's their plan make you think they are in pain when they are really feeling each others bodies and having their minds run with ecste…WHOA HEY CUT IT OUT!" Sten jumped out of the way as Katt's staff became a flying projectile intending to impale the highland.
"Come on keep talking it'll give me an excuse to kill you!" Katt roared.
"You'd love to get your hands on me wouldn't you, my studly body just can't be denied." Sten retorted before jumping on top of Rand as Katt swung her stick again and hitting the larger armadillo in the shins.
"OOOWWWWEEEEEE!" Rand yelled flinging Sten off him and causing Katt to fall back in surprise.
Rand was on the floor cradling his shin like a child by this time I was off the floor trying to prune my feathers from the fall. In all honesty even if my wings were white, they'd still be a time consuming disaster after falling to the ground. I looked up quickly to see Sten laughing at Rand and Katt trying to apologize. I watched them act like they had been for the last few days constantly injuring each other or getting into situations were one of them would end up breaking something and I felt somewhat left out. I never socialized with people before so I honestly didn't know how to act around them. I was content on watch them, a bad habit I have yet to break out of.
"AAARRRGGGHHHH!!"
All of us looked towards the entrance of the living room were the noise had come from. Bow, Ryu's best friend and a Grassrunner rushed through it knocking me aside grumbling about stupid blue haired friends and red headed vixens. I gave a strangled yelp as by body collided with the wall, my feathers becoming rearranged again.
"What was that about?" I asked looking over to the others.
"Who knows, Bow is easily upset so this isn't anything new." Rand replied.
"Looks more like he's furious about something." Katt replied.
"It's kinda my fault."
I looked over to see Ryu standing in the doorway looking slightly squimish and probably guilty for allowing a random girl to pick him off. Katt immediately frowned at him while Sten gave him a thumbs up and wiggled his eyebrows in an accepting manner. Rand shrugged his shoulders and took a seat giving Ryu his standard greeting.
"I'll go talk to him, sorry for his behavior Nina." Ryu said as he walked passed me.
"Oh… its no trouble at all." I mumbled feeling something jolt into my system as he neared, my body suddenly became very aware of Ryu's presence and I could feel his energies pouring out of him like nothing I could ever remember feeling.
As he walked up the stairs I continued to stare after him mesmerized by the raw power being thrown about. I must have been starring for a while because Katt suddenly shoved me violently trying to get my attention.
"Hey…" I cried out regaining my balance.
"So you don't like Ryu hmmm…"
"What!?" I squeaked out in confusion.
"Please you were starring after the man for like five minutes." Katt blabbed which attracted Sten into the conversation.
"So she has her eyes on Ryu hmm…"
"I don't!" I protested but Katt decided to find an ally in the Highland.
"She so does, you even mention the idea of the two of them and she starts to blush." Katt joked.
"You don't say, and how about you?" Sten asked.
"I told you already, the guy who kicks my ass is the guy I marry." Katt voiced out to which I thought back on our earlier conversation.
"So you saying that since I beat you in Windia, we can marry?" Sten ask to which Katt quickly nodded but then suddenly shook her head.
"WHAT!?" She yelled as Sten grinned.
"Ya baby I'll make your dreams come… ACK!" Sten was sent flying into a wall by a viscious punch.
"Hey I just built that wall damn it!" Rand cried noticing the monkey indented into the wall.
"Sorry, he had it coming." Katt replied.
"Keep your damn fights outside, I've been bruised, beaten, hounded on and a referee for you two all week!" Rand shouted ripping Sten out of the wall and tossing him to Katt's feet.
"Hehehe, so when's the wedding?" He asked to which Katt huffed and kicked him lightly.
"There will be no wedding you did not beat me…"
"I clearly remember holding a knife to your throat…" Sten exclaimed but quickly cut off.
"You did nothing that I can remember so knock it off, I wouldn't marry you or even give you the chance to marry me if you were the last guy on the planet." Katt explained turning back to me while Sten stood up and grumbled an unintelligent response to which I couldn't understand.
"So back on the subject, you and Ryu…"
"Have no relationship or any start of a relationship thank you." I finished for Katt.
"Find deny it all you want but you'll be the one to pay the price when you wake up all hot and sweaty."
"And you say I'm a pervert." Sten muttered.
"You are." Katt dead panned.
"I'm going to talk to Ryu, you two just make fun of me." Sten said and walked up the stairs without even a second glance at us.
"Monkey has issues." Katt pointed out.
"Your so hard on him Katt that I wouldn't be surprised." I replied.
"He does it to himself, anyways what's with starring at Ryu anyways."
"I wasn't starring!" I lied.
"Sure, you had this far gone look in your eyes and you were smiling to." Katt notted which caused my eyes to widen in shock.
'I was smiling, when was that?' I thought to myself.
"What are you so embarrassed about anyways?" Katt asked me snapping me out of my musings.
"Nothing, I just don't want you to start a matchmaking service." I replied trying to steer the conversation in another direction, poorly I might add.
"I don't need to, you'll go to him on your own."
I frowned as Katt let out a laugh before turning towards the door and skipping out of the living room. Honestly she was to carefree but then again it was part of the reason you liked her. I shook my head and made my way back up the stairs as Rand started working on fixing the wall which Katt had Sten imprint himself on. Climbing to the second story I came across Sten talking to Ryu like he said he would, Ryu himself looked flustered and was steadily pouring out more energy. I only caught the tail end of the conversation so I was somewhat confused.
"Just as I thought."
"Listen Sten its nothing she's attractive but I barely know her." Ry replied to the statement.
"So, get to know her." Sten stated and walked into the room at the end of the hall leaving Ryu by himself in puzzlement.
"What was that about?" I asked on impulse and when he turned around the earlier waves of energy I had felt came pouring out again in waves on increasing strength, his face also looked panicked but quickly turned back to his usual expression.
"Nothing, just Sten trying to get me to do things." He replied.
"I see, you know Katt was upset with you." I stated and Ryu deflated.
"I know, think she got over it?" He asked.
"No, but she's forgiven you at least."
"I have to make it up to her don't I?"
"Yes you do."
We stood there for a few seconds, an awkward silence overtaking us. The ideas that Katt had put in my head earlier were starting to make themselves known and it was beginning to make it harder to stand around Ryu as the shifted through my mind. Ryu himself also looked uncomfortable and was fidgeting which I found weird, if anyone were to fidget it would be me. It was a few more minutes of silence before my mouth moved on its own, I don't know why but I was thinking about Ryu's aurora and its drastic change in output. Where his output before was normal for a standard warrior, it was now laced with powerful energies that I have been feeling and it was those thoughts that had me speaking.
"You look different." I stated and cursed myself for it.
"Different?" I asked in confusion.
"Your… stronger, you also look wiser more in tune with everything around you." I explained further.
"Perhaps." He whispered hoping that I wouldn't catch it but I didn't tell him I heard.
"Did something happen?" I asked hoping he would tell me.
"I…"
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!" Came Katt's cry from outside and I realized nobody mentioned the extra house guests.
"Oh you're the Woren that was with Ryu." Sana said a little to happily.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"Came Katt's voice again and Ryu and I peered out of the window in the hall to see Katt facing Sana and the old Grandmother.
"Well how rude, yelling a screaming like some kind of savage." Granny said pushing Katt away a bit.
"I'll show you savage you old…"
"Your so cute can I scratch your ear?" Sana said suddenly and reached for Katt's head.
"What no you…my…mmm oh that feels… GAH, no no more why are you here, why did he bring you here?" Katt growled out and Ryu began to sweat a bit and I wondered what he was thinking, unfortunately I missed the rest of the conversation as Katt turned around and headed into the house.
Ryu froze at the sound of Katt's footsteps, I looked at him and he stared back at me and then slowly started to make his way to the center room as if he feared for his life.
"Ryu she won't hurt you." I said hoping to calm him down.
"Yes she will, she's like a Buruburu according to Rand."
"Ryu be reasonable."
"I…"
"YOU!"
I whipped around to see Katt standing there with her fur up and her eyes narrowed on Ryu looking to want to skin him… alive.
"Katt let me explain." Ryu said backing up as Katt walked passed me.
"Explain then you have ten seconds."
"We ummm… had a union and…"
"YOU WHAT!?" Both Katt and I yelled.
"No not that… Katt wait…"
I cringed for the next few seconds as Katt went feline on Ryu. I couldn't explain it well because I had my eyes closed but the sounds from Ryu indicated he wasn't fighting back and he was getting hurt.
"Consider this a divorce!" Katt seethed and marched up the stairs leaving Ryu clutching his stomach or some variant of the fetal position bewildered and in pain.
"A divorce… when was I even married?" He asked to no one in particular.
"Ryu…" I sighed and spent the rest of the day trying to help Ryu and act as a messenger between himself and Katt, Ryu's first day back hadn't been a pleasant one.
It was the morning of the second day of Ryu's return everyone was gathered in the living room except for Nero who was at the front desk in the lobby and the shamans who were in the room next door. It was the reason Bow was so angry yesterday, he built the room himself for himself and Ryu only for it to be forked over to the Shamans upon Ryu's return. Katt was still seething mad at Ryu, but she kept it to a minimum death glare instead of public maiming. Ryu was avoiding her gaze although I could feel something calming him, his auora wasn't fluctuating as much anymore but it was still overpowering.
"Okay so we are heading back to Capitain, our first order of business is to find a carpenter an have him construct more buildings and build a fusion room behind the house to perform unions. Also be on the lookout for Shamans, Granny says that there are 6 in all." Ryu explained.
"Great more walking, come on boss don't we have horses or something?" Stenn asked, or more complained.
"Not in the budget Sten, we're walking." Ryu replied.
"Well I'm going, no sense in being cooped up in here anymore." Rand said standing.
"Your right and Sten your coming to, we need you to get across the gap between the two continents." Ryu explained.
"What happened to the rope?" Sten asked.
"I… uhhh I broke it on the way back." Ryu replied.
"You break everything." Katt mumbled and Ryu only bowed his head in shame, it was true he did break everything, swords mostly.
"So Katt, Nina you two coming?" Ryu asked.
"I'm coming, I don't want to wait around here forever." I replied with a smile.
"Great, party of five I'm all for it so let's go." Katt said jumping up when Bow came down from the stairs looking slightly pained.
"Your all leaving me?" He asked with a slight pout, his lip curling as if he were being punished.
"Yes we are leaving, we are going to walk away and leave you a fugitive forever because we can't stand you anymore." Katt teased as Bow's eyes went wide with horror at the prospect.
"Katt…" I chastised seeing the grassrunner's face go from shock to fear.
"What I was only teasing." Katt replied giving me a playful grin and waltzing out of the room tail swishing behind her.
"Ryu…" Bow whimpered looking at his best friend eyes starting to water slightly and I couldn't help but suppress a slight giggle it was almost sad how seriously he took the playful Woren.
"Don't mind her Bow, she's just kidding, I'll be back with the thief." Ryu stated nd instantly Bow cheered up and nodded his head.
"I leave it to you good buddy."
Ryu nodded to Bow then motioned for the rest of us to get going. I followed right behind him smiling slightly as we prepared to go on another journey when something burst from the side as we exited the building smothering Ryu in seconds and leaving me wide eyes and stunned.
"Oh Ryu your leaving already!" exclaimed the figure which happened to be Sana and I quickly looked around for Katt who would surely be in an uproar of the way Sana was hanging off of Ryu.
"Oh come on what does he have that I don't?" Sten asked obviously jealous of Ryu's attention, not that I blamed him.
"I think its because he just has the innocent quality to him that attracts people." Rand replied to the Highlanders complaint.
"You mean they're fighting over for that, why the first time his horrible anyways its all awkward and…"
"I was talking about personality Sten get your mind out of the gutter." Rand sighed and marched off obviously annoyed with Sten's antics.
"Hey Rand wait up lets talk a bit!" Sten called out and ran after him.
I stood there waiting for Ryu to peel off Sana from his body so we could get moving but she wouldn't let go begging him to stay another night.
"Come on, just one more night please I want to try again I think I can merge with you and…"
"Sana, leave the poor boy alone we can't do anything with his power its already complete."
I turned around to look at Granny who came from the spare room on the side of the house looking particularly annoyed. Sana sighed deeply and let go of Ryu mumbling something about the cute ones always having a problem. I was confused slightly but was suddenly touched by the Granny in a rather unorthodox manner.
"So much potential…" she humed moving her hand across my body like she wanted to do something naughty.
"Excuse me!" I shrieked jumping away from the crazy old woman who looked at me with wide eyes before realizing what she had done.
"I'm sorry child, but you seem to possess a high amount of energy that seemed to be locked within your body." The woman replied.
"I study magic, I'm versed in the black arts so that is to be expected." I replied.
"Agh I see very fitting for one such as yourself." She replied motioning at my wings and I slightly cringed completely conscious of the fact.
"I…" I wanted to voice my discomfort but Granny cut me off before I started.
"You seem to be conscious about your wings, don't be they are the source of half the energy that flows through you child, a powerful devine energy that I'm unable to place much like that of the Woren's opposite almost."
"Katt… she doesn't have magical inclination whatsoever." I explained.
"To the untrained eye child but I can see her untapped potential she would do wonders with the right combination much like yourself."
"Nina we have to get going." Ryu stated and I realized that everyone was waiting for us so I quickly bowed out of respect.
"I'm sorry but I have to go now, maybe we can converse again?" I said and turned to follow Ryu who was already a few paces ahead of me.
"About time, your girlfriend kiss you goodbye?" Katt asked with a venomous tone as we finally met up with everyone.
"She isn't my girlfriend Katt." Ryu replied with a scowl as Sten jumped.
"Course she isn't, you hav…MMMPH!" Ryu slapped a hand over Sten's mouth effectively silencing the Highland.
"I suggest we get moving." He said calmly and motioned for us to follow him to wherever.
The group had gathered and we organized ourselves into a defensive formation with myself in the center to cast spells with the others surrounding me. I didn't like it because I felt somewhat like a hindrance but it was effective regardless. We travelled like this for almost three days until we made it to the cliffs of Windia. We all took notice of a poorly built rope bridged that was noted in the center and looked at Ryu with questioning glances.
"You can kill anything that crosses your path with finess yet building a simple rope bridge is this hard for you?" Katt asked looking at the poorly made knots and lashings.
"Its not that bad." Ryu stated trying to defend himself.
"Boss, not to be rude or anything but I trust the kitten in a sour mood more than this thing." Sten pointed out reaching his arm out to near impossible lengths grabbing the other post on the end and slipping across.
"Oh sure leave us on this side with the bridge of doom!" Katt shouted in anger.
"Jump, you did last time." Sten replied sitting himself down on he grass as Ryu looked at Katt with a frown.
"The bridge is fine." He said defending his creation.
"Sure, bridge is fine whatever you die then." Katt replied and took a bounding leap across landing with distance to spare on the other side.
"Ha monkey man who needs you!" Katt said in triumph pointing a finger at Sten.
"Apparently no one, but hey if you ever need me it'll only be to warm your bed." Sten replied before succumbing to a mild concussion courtesy of Katt's newest staff.
"Stupid pervert."
I laughed before taking flight with my wings and hovering across. It wasn't normally wise to do this but not only were my wings black but they were surprisingly larger than the wings of my people allowing me to keep afloat for longer periods of time and I didn't trust the rope bridge either. I should mention that because of an incident dating back the wings of my people have become smaller over time resulting in a drastic change in lifestyle. I really can't remember what exactly my mother told me but it had to do with my ancestor. Landing on the ground I noticed Katt kicking Sten in the side lightly to see if she might have killed him, I suspected she may have felt guilty about hitting him that hard but that thought was squashed when she booted him hard in the stomach causing the Highland to shoot up in a sitting position and groan in pain.
"I told you to get up!" Katt shouted.
"Fine, fine you like to beat your men don't you?" Sten stated struggling to his feet.
Katt didn't answer him instead choosing to wait with her arms crossed for our two less fortunate members, although I could say Ryu would gladly prove his bridge was a work of art by any indication of his face.
"Ten zennie says the bridge snaps and he falls to his death." Katt said to no one in particular.
"I'll take that bet, and I say he makes it across." Sten said holding out his hand.
"Your on." Katt grinned shaking Sten's hand in acceptance as we all watched Ryu start his journey across the highly unsafe looking bridge.
As he walked across Rand stood there in complete horror as he tried to figure out a way to get himself across, without using the bridge. Ryu on the other hand made it half way across and grinned proudly standing straight up in a superior sort of way, as if to say 'told you so.'
"You owe me money." Sten said on the side lines and Katt just huffed in annoyance. I giggled at the sight when we heard something snap and all our eyes turned to see the rope bridge collapse with Ryu still in the center.
"RYU!" I shouted just as Katt gave whoop of joy and Sten stood there in complete horror of losing.
I quickly ran to the edge peering over to see Ryu holding onto the vine tightly.
"Ryu are you okay?" I asked although the answer was pretty obvious.
He looked at me funny for asking and quickly started to pull himself up using the side of the cliff as a stepping. Rand on the other hand just stood on the other side thanking some god or another that he didn't happen to cross first. It was funny for a few minutes until he realized that he couldn't get across either.
"Hey Ryu, I can't get across." He shouted to which Ryu sighed in annoyance as he climbed up.
"I'm busy Rand." He said sweat was running down his forehead as I waited near the edge in case the vine happened to break.
"I see that, goes to show you…"
"Not a word Rand."
"Fine, fine just clear the way after you climb up." Rand grumbled and slowly started to back up while Ryu made it to the top taking my hand as I pulled him over to flat ground.
"Well that must have been exciting." I said as a joke and he grumbled something about it 'not being the first time' and why 'he was cursed.' I laughed just as Sten jumped on Ryu's back as a warm greeting.
"Hey boss, you wet yourself?" He joked as Ryu tried to shove him off.
"Sten get off me."
"Sure thing… whoa look out!"
We all turned to see a grey object hurtling towards the cliff at alarming speeds. Ryu immediately started running away as Sten gripped around his neck from the sudden movement. I took to the air and floated an easy 10 feet watching to object approach. In a span of three seconds the object exploded into the form of Rand using the momentum of his… rolling I think it would be to launch himself into the air and clear the gap between the cliffs. When he landed a fair sized crater was present as he shook himself on the impact.
"Hell it worked." He cried and we all were speechless for a few minutes.
The journey to Capitain was relatively quick. Monsters that came our way were quickly struck down with the five of us and we didn't see any bandits of in my case Windians that would cause us any trouble. Arriving into the town we were surprised to find out that the boat that normally ferried people back and forth between the two land masses was still missing.
"What do you mean still missing?" Ryu asked the port guard.
"Just as I said, a woman with blue hair and wings of a bat came flying through here hopping onto the boat and sailing away." The guard explained to us again, simplified this time.
"How does a single girl steal a ship that large?" Katt asked and I couldn't help but agree with her question.
"Well… umm it was during that demon incident…" The guard mumbled and it suddenly made sense to all of us that she used the incident which distracted a majority of the village to steal the boat.
"When will it be back?" Ryu asked.
"Should be any day now, in fact we sent a group a few days ago to retrieve it so…"
"Right, we'll be staying until then." Rand grumbled and we left the port to wonder around town.
"Hey Ryu aren't we supposed to find a carpenter?" Katt asked.
"Damn I for…"
"Wow, some boyfriend you are." Sten mumbled and Ryu shot him a heated glare.
"Sana is not my girlfriend." Ryu hissed as Sten waved it off going back to annoying Katt.
"So a carpenter… how will we recognize one?" I asked and Rand took the lead from there.
"Its pretty simple, Capitan's famous for its three house design, each one built by a different carpenter." He explained.
"So we basically get to choose one of the three… but we aren't building a town so we could pretty much choose anyone of them." I reiterated more for my sake than everyone else.
"Yep… although now that I'm thinking about it, why not build a town?" Rand questioned and I saw Ryu raise an eyebrow at him which looked kind of funny.
"You want to build a town?" He asked.
"Hey it'd be cool, we could call it…"
"Stenyard with its mayor me!" Sten said jumping up on Rand's shoulder.
"I think not if anything Nero would be the mayor." Ryu stated.
"So we are building a town?" Katt asked and Ryu realized he just gave into the idea because he slapped his face with his hand.
"Yep we're building a town." I answered smiling.
"Great, what kind of houses should we have anyways?" Rand asked.
"Those, those houses right there!" Katt pointed and we looked over to the tall wooden houses and Ryu shook his head quickly.
"No, I don't think new inhabitants want to climb a ladder to get into their homes." He explained and Rand pointed out the houses that looked like the standard for living.
"Well we have those houses there." He explained and Sten's face scrunched in mild distatste.
"To plain, those houses are everywhere something unique."
"Well that leaves those." I said pointing to the odd gold plated houses that looked reminiscing of the old desert tribes.
"Those… there's only one." Rand stated.
"Exactly, if its only one then that means its either a new carpenter or…"
"Or something unpopular." Katt interrupted.
"I like it." Sten said approaching the house.
"You would." Katt shouted to Sten just grinned and Ryu made the call.
"Fine lets go talk to our carpenter."
The inside of the house was a lot more spacious than we first thought. In fact you could have a really nice party and still have enough room sleep. I could tell the carpenter was looking pleased as Ryu nodded in acceptance.
"Your very good, we have a job for you if your interested." He explained and the Carpenter patted him on the back.
"Name, you saved my life in the caves and I'll do whatever you want for free." He exclaimed happily.
"Free?" Rand asked.
"Free, no strings attached."
"Shake on it." Rand stated and the carpenter held out his hand which Rand shook.
"What do you guys need."
"Build us a town!" Katt announced happily and the man suddenly paled.
"A… town?" He asked.
"Yep we want to start our own town, we have the location already picked out at the base of Mt. Fuji." Ryu explained.
"Close to hometown, well I can get the supplies there I guess…" The carpenter mumbled when Rand stepped up.
"I'll help you build."
"Well now lad, thank you kindly." The carpenter said while we turned to look at Rand.
"Didn't you like, want to come with us?" Katt asked.
"Ya, but I get to build a town, come on how many people can say they built their own town?" He asked us.
I was somewhat lost on that reasoning, then again I don't do manual labor much less enjoy it so it might be his idea of fun. Ryu just nodded handing Rand a pouch full of zennie.
"Here, you can get started with this." Ryu explained and Rand smiled appreciatively.
"Thanks Ryu, come on we better get going." Rand said to the carpenter who nodded already packed for the journey.
"Right, catch you guys later, I'll be done by the time you get back." The carpenter said and walked out of the house, Rand right behind him.
We stood there for a few minutes all silent as the door closed. I was thinking of how they were going to cross the gap between the two continents and it must have been on everyone else mind as well because they stared at nothing in particular for a whole 5 minutes.
"ALL ABOARD THE BOAT TO SIMAFOREST IS DOCKING" Came an announcement causing Ryu to sigh in relief.
"Finally, lets go."
"So boss, where do you think we'll be stopping next?" Sten asked.
"I don't know, I honestly never been past this point before." Ryu replied.
"Really, well I don't know much either but I do know that a castle is in the center of the Sima Lake." Katt added.
"Its called Simafort." I said and they all turned to me.
"You know about it?" Ryu asked.
"Well, a little apparently it is the royal palace of the creeping clan who live under the surface of the lake, they built the castle on the surface for royal affairs with other dignitaries who obviously can't breathe under water." I explained.
"So Simafort it is then?" Sten asked.
"I guess so." Ryu answered and we all followed Ryu to the boat where we boarded an learned the trip would take an entire day.
"Man this is boring." Sten said sitting on one of the chairs.
"Really, I like the relaxation." I said happily as the boat rocked back and forth from the waves. It was a clear sky and the sun felt so good on my wings which I had been pruning for a few minutes now.
"How can you enjoy this!"
We both turned to look at Katt who was at the very center of the boat looking sick but refusing to move.
"Katt, we're fine on…" I tried to calm her down but she hissed at me and turned her head back to the ground.
I laughed a bit at her act, she was a kitten at heart deathly afraid of water. Ryu stared at her puzzled but then turned back to me and Sten voicing his thoughts.
"She was fine kicking my ass during the coliseum battle." He stated.
"Must be a selective fear." I stated.
"She's just a chicken." Sten said with a laugh.
"I'll kill you monkey boy!" Katt shouted to which started another argument between the two of them leaving Ryu and myself to the things happening in the real world.
"So you going to stop them?" He asked me.
"I'm not their mother." I replied.
"No your not."
We sat in silence as Sten and Katt continued their verbal battle. It would have been physical but Katt refused to move from he spot. It was amusing since Sten kept getting close enough to allow her an easy attack but jumped out of her reach every time she tried.
"This is you captain speaking, reports of a large serpent swimming in the waters has been reported, for your safety would all passengers please proceed to their respective rooms until we dock. Thank You."
The announcement was straight to the point and I watched as many people began to flounder around the deck escaping whatever calamity might befall them should the boat be attacked. I wasn't to worried chances of the creature attacking were small because of the boats size.
"I hate my life." Ryu sighed and I looked at him confused.
"Why?" I asked then I noticed his eyes had shifted slightly and his energy was spiking wildly, much more than previous times I concentrated on it.
"Every time something like that happens the thing most assuredly comes on and attacks."
"Ryu it's a huge boat."
"Its an animal."
"Its not going to attack… agh finished." I set the last feather into place happy with my achievement, it had been a while since my feathers were this well kept.
"They look nice." He said his energy spiking again.
"Thank you, I like them to be well kept and its been a few days since I had them cleaned."
"To bad it was all for nothing." He said and when I went to ask why a torrent of water suddenly poured down on me, or more like a wave.
Ryu just looked at me somewhat with a smile as I stood up and turned around to look at the Serpent that decided to jump on the ship with a huge wave behind it. My robes were good quality silk a parting gift from my parents, my hair was no longer styled matted against my face now and my wings… don't even get me started.
"I'm going to fry this thing into oblivion!" I shouted and began to charge my thunder spell.
"Aren't you supposed to be forgiving?" Ryu asked me.
"THUNDER!"
The serpent hissed in pain as the electricity began to dance around its body circulating through the waters and effectively boosting the spells offensive capabilities. However it wasn't enough as the serpent regained itself and launched itself at me.
"AGH!" I cried out as Ryu knocked my to the side and effectively over the side of the ship.
"NINA!"
"HELP!" I cried out, I couldn't fly not only was the water weighing me down but it was in my feathers and I couldn't move them fast enough. I crashed into the water as the serpent dove in after me.
'I'm dinner.' I thought as the serpents body moved quickly through the water opening its jaws to swallow me whole.
Closing my eyes I expected to feel the three seconds of pain that would come with my death but instead I felt the burning need for air and opened my eyes to see the blurry image of Ryu and Sten in the water fighting the serpent. I gave it no thought as I rushed to the surface to catch my breath. As I broke the surface I heard the voice of Katt and turned to see her yelling at me to catch the buoy which I did and waited for the crew to pull me up. Upon getting on the deck I wrapped myself in my arms as a blanket drapd across my body helping me to warm up.
"Well that was stupid." Katt told me and I had to smile.
"Call it impulsive female action." I answered.
"Yep, but don't expect me to jump in there with you guys." Katt explained.
"I just finished pruning my wings to."
"Well at least you'll have something to do now." She explained to which I shot her a glare.
It was then Sten jumped up from the side of the boat shaking himself of the water and turned to look at Katt and I.
"Your moving?" He asked Katt and she frowned and ignored his jab.
"Where's Ryu?" I asked.
"Told me to get out of the water." Sten answered.
"What, why would he…" I started to question it when a huge spike of energy suddenly cause the water to explode with a force that equaled a magical implosion. The water was now raining around us and my eyes were fixed upon the source of power that had now engulfed the calm ocean.
It was floating above the surface small like the size of a human but distinctly reptilian. It held the serpent in its claws as its jaws opened up and released a wave of electricity across the body effectively frying it to death. Letting the serpent go the dragon… no it was a drake if I wasn't mistaken turned to look at us before it began to revert into a familiar form of a human. Blue hair took to its head and the body supended in the air fell back into the ocean passed out from its attack and Sten jumped in realizing who it was. Katt looked confused trying figure everything out while I remained silent realizing why I felt so much energy radiating from Ryu upon his return.
Ryu was the last of a race that nearly destroyed the world. He was the sole survivor of the Dragon Clan and he had unlocked his powers.
There, most of this is completely made up. I hope it adds more to the story and hope the wait for the chapter was worth it. Next Chapter is the introduction of Ekal Hoppa De Pe Tapeta (Jean).