Twelve People One Destiny

Chapter Five: An Enrefusable Attraction

The group of the five strangers traveled along the paved road until they reached a mountain path. After hours of bickering they all agreed to take the mountain path instead of the paved road. After walking for a while in the hot sun they finally came along a troupe of actors. They had tents set up so the group decided it was time to take a break.
"Hey did you meet the new guys?" Makoru listened into one of the many conversations going on behind her.
"Yeah aren't they weird?"
"I heard they from this land called Alexandria. You ever heard of it?"
"Nope it's probably one of those real tiny cities out in the middle of nowhere."
"They are pretty weird looking." The conversation stopped as Makoru, not realizing she was leaning towards them, fell. She laughed slightly embarrassed then walked off.
"Hey Kaylianna?"
"What?" Kaylianna yawned.
"I just heard about two strange guys who joined this troupe...maybe they're like us!"
"Why don't you go check it out? I'm exhausted I think I'm going to go find a nice empty clearing and be alone for a while."
"Okay. And all the guys have other things to do so this will be a cinch. Plus two more guys to the team! Wow, talk about making friends quick!" Kaylianna laughed as Makoru disappeared. She yawned again then headed into the woods past the clearing.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for the new members of this troupe...from Alexandria?" She jumped back as the man turned toward her. He had scars all over his body in the shape of stitches. His eyes were red to match his fiery hair. He had black jeans and about twenty belts wrapped around his waste. On his hip was a short sword in its sheath.
"Looks like you asked the right person first."
"How'd you know you were the first person I asked?"
"Telepathy." He simply stated. "I'm Blank, my friend and I must be the ones you are looking for. We're from Alexandria."
"What luck!" Makoru jumped for joy. "I'm Makoru! I'm from the Curan Abbey! Me and my friends have been looking for people like you who have come from other lands!"
"Why is that?"
"We're all from different lands too! There is even an elf, i mean, hylean among us!"
"What's going on Blank? Who's this fine mademoiselle?" The man who spoke was a young blonde man in renaissance clothes. The strangest thing about him was the fact that behind him a tail was swaying back and forth.
"This is Makoru...her and her friends are here just like us Zidane."
He looked at Makoru for a moment than turned back to Zidane. "They want us to join them." Makoru was excited at the thought of him reading her unspoken thoughts.
"As long there are more beautiful ladies like yourself there." Zidane flattered the young sorceress. She rolled her eyes.
"There is only one other girl besides myself."
"Well that's one more than we got now!" Zidane smiled and wagged his tail devilishly.
" I guess that's a yes Makoru. We will join your team."
"Good we best get going before it gets dark." With that spoken the other three men approached them. They walked to where they had last seen Kaylianna, but she was nowhere to be found. Then they heard an enchanting voice singing to them. Almost beckoning them. Driven by an unknown force they walked until they saw Kaylianna laying in the grass singing to herself. Suddenly she stopped and looked at them.
"What?" She was unanswered as a man's hand grabbed her own.
"Excuse me?" A young handsome man stared at her. He had beautiful brown hair. He wore a traditional Chinese-style uniform. "Ah, fit to be an empress." He held her face in his hands. Cloud steamed in the background. "How would you like to accompany me back to my home? Maybe you could let me hear more of that beautiful voice of yours?"
"I don't even know you!" Kaylianna was blushing profusely.
"I am the Emperor of this land my name is Hotohori, it means dragon of the water. I would love it if you would accompany me back to my palace."
"But I am on a quest..." Hotohori looked up at the group behind her.
"They are welcome to come if it means that you will join me for a while." Kaylianna looked at the group for approval. They all nodded with an exception of Cloud who was a dark shade of red and seemed to be almost steaming.
"I would love to." She was flattered by the way he was so taken with her. Hotohori seemed very pleased with her answer.
"Then let's go." He took her hand and put it to his lips. Kaylianna giggled.
The group followed behind the emperor and Cloud accompanied Zidane and Blank as they grumbled about how they didn't have a chance with the young hylean now.