Chapter 9 - The Festival
Ryne awoke with a splitting headache and the overwhelming urge to vomit. He sat up as he felt his stomach heave, though there was nothing there to give up. He didn't know how long he sat doubled up on the edge of the bed he'd found himself in, all he knew was that the next time he looked up he was looking straight into the eyes of a dark skinned girl.
She met his gaze with curiosity, her head cocked slightly to the side. Ryne matched her curiosity with a cocked eyebrow. She giggled and turned quickly to the door flap, peeked back in an instant later, then disappeared from view.
"I apologize on behalf of my daughter." A deep, rich, though heavily accented voice startled him. Ryne's head snapped to the other corner of the room, where a dark man stood in green swirled robes. "She seems to be rather taken with you."
Ryne's only reply was in the deep shade of red his face turned. The man laughed heartily, his long beard wagging.
"She is usually quite shy for one of 15 years, though I guess you are bringing the best out in her." He said, still laughing. "It's too bad you seem to be spoken for already."
Ryne almost turned purple. He tried to choke out some words, but his throat felt like sandpaper. The Ixa'Takan picked up what looked to Ryne like a long gourd and held it to Ryne's lips. Ryne swallowed the sweet liquid that was inside, his thirst quenched and his throat rejuvenated.
"Thanks." Ryne said slowly, the juice settling in his stomach. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Certainly, young one."
"Where. and when. am I?"
The Ixa'Takan chuckled amiably. "To answer where, you are in the city of Ixa'Jealis. To answer when, about a week since our tribe found you and your friends tied to stakes and being prepped to be eaten."
"Eaten?" Ryne asked in disbelief.
"Yes, eaten. Our tribe has been keeping watch on the other smaller tribes within our territories, who are still known to prefer cannibalism."
This statement hit Ryne like a ton of lead. For a moment he felt queasy and thought he might dry heave again.
"Lucky for you, one of our scout groups was on their way to the Ixa'Yaeka tribe anyhow. You should also count yourself lucky that they don't eat poisoned meant and cured you of the veriak poison enough that you survived your trip here." The dark man started running his fingers through his beard. "You've been under mine and my daughters care for a little over a week now."
"I've been out for a week?"
"Probably more, considering we don't know how long the Ixa'Yaekans had you."
Ryne shook his head as if trying to wake himself from a dream. None of this seemed possible. but his life was hardly normal anymore.
"Now young one, may I ask you a question."
"Shoot." Ryne said absently.
"Who are you, and where are you from?"
"My name is Ryne Vyse, and I'm from Crescent Isle."
The Ixa'Takan seemed taken aback for a moment, until a grin split his lips. "Ah, so you are the son of the famous Sky Captain. My name is Vealik Rysh'an and I am honored to have served you Mr. Vyse." Rysh'an moved to the other side of the room, where the door flap was and lifted it, showing the darkness outside. "You should rest. Tomorrow there will be a festival for our honored guests."
******************************
Jay could hear the sound of a grindstone in the distance. The smell of burning wood filled her nostrils, the smoke permeating her clothes and skin. Her eyes were clenched shut, not wanting to see it anymore. Every time she opened her eyes the same nightmare greeted her.
Jay woke with in a cold sweat. The smell of smoke still lingered in her nostrils. Jay ran a hand through her hair, scratching the back of her head when she reached it, trying to calm herself. The dream had been so vivid, so real. probably because it was more than just a dream.
Jay pushed the thin sheet off of herself, the silky material that was the same as her night gown seemed to flow to the floor. The wooden floor seemed cool to her bare feet as they touched it softly. Slowly she eased her way off the bed, the floor creaking beneath her weight. She looked over nervously to the other two occupants of the room, Leos and Celeste. Leos was sleeping soundly, breathing loudly, but the mysterious girl Celeste seemed to be sleeping shallow. Jay tip toed cautiously to the door- flap, and slipped silently into the night.
She knew where her feet were carrying her, though she did it without any conscious thought. The streets of the tree top city were lit by softly glowing green moonstones, or as the inhabitants called them "glow rocks". The city looked beautiful in the limelight, its pristine spires seeming to reach for the moon.
Cautiously she stepped onto one of the odd floating platforms, a buzzing sensation moving through her feet. Her body was tense throughout the short ride for she hadn't learned to trust the ancient technology. Slowly she made her way across on of the sky bridges that connected the upper levels of Ixa'Jealis.
In the moonlight she could see a figure sitting on the edge of the bridge, their feet dangling over the edge. As she neared she could see his accented green hair, his gaze directed to the heavens above. A lump started to rise in her throat as she recognized the figure. Quietly she walked over to him and sat down next to him, waiting for him to acknowledge her presence. Ryne looked over at her and smiled, seeming not be surprised.
"Hey Jay."
Jaycera couldn't take it anymore. Tears she'd been holding back for a week finally came rushing down her cheeks and she buried her face in Ryne's chest. Ryne didn't recoil and just held her in the darkness, her sobs the only sound that could be heard.
"I thought I'd lost you Ry." she said softly, after she could cry no longer. Ryne wiped the tears off her soaked face and smiled warmly.
"I'm not going anywhere Jay." Jay smiled and contented herself with resting her head on Ryne's shoulder. No more words were exchanged that night. They each simply enjoyed the other's presence, watching the stars, waiting for the burst of sunlight that would signal the beginning of a new day, and a new beginning.
**********************************
Morning came too soon for Leos. The sounds of music filled the room, bringing the groggy early twenties merchant from his near comatose state. Annoyed, he groaned long and deep and pushed the silky green sheets off his body, his eyes adjusting the sunlight.
As his eyes finally came into focus he saw Celeste standing at the window, her slender arms supporting her face as she leaned against the windowsill. She was dressed in the traditional garb of an Ixa'Takan, which consisted of a green body hugging strapless top, a headdress made of fresh leaves, and an almost organic looking skirt. With the morning light shining on her perfectly, Leos couldn't deny that she was beautiful. too bad she was just as emotionally cold.
Celeste finally glanced back as if she could feel his eyes on her, her own grey eyes sending a chill down his spine.
"Get dressed." She said, motioning toward the green attire sitting on a stool at the foot of his bed. "There is a festival in our honor."
Leos sighed. "We've been here for a week, and NOW they want to celebrate."
"I believe your friend has finally woken up."
Leos glanced over at Jaycera's empty bed and nodded. "That would explain why Jay's not here."
Celeste nodded, and made her way to the door-flap. "I'll leave so you can get dressed." And with that, Leos was alone.
Sighing hard again, Leos got up out of bed, the floor creaking under his weight. He glanced ruefully over the clothes the Ixa'Takans had given him, which was little more than a green skirt. He pinched it in between his fingers and inspected it, wondering how much a fool he'd look in it.
******************************
Ryne's face turned cherry red. He felt like a cow to the slaughter. He was surrounded. He was vastly outnumbered, and unarmed. It seemed as if there was nothing he could do. but get pretty.
The women worked in a flurry, trying to make something of his hopelessly tangled and overgrown hair, stripping him down to nearly nothing, and garbing him in nothing more than a glorified skirt and paint.
The Ixa'Takan women and gone an quickly as they had come, and Ryne was left alone in a small room, his heart beating out of control and his breathing shallow. Finally, Ryne stood and cautiously made his way to the door, peeking out of the flap, and praying to the moons that no one was there to see him. His prayers were in vain.
As soon as his white mop made it out of the door, he was pulled into a flurry of movement, his body pin-balled through the impossibly large crowd of Ixa'Takans. Ryne felt it impossible for there to be so many on the platform that was raised a hundred feet above the forest floor. Suddenly he felt a strong grip on his shoulder, a familiar laugh echoing from behind him.
"Well, don't you just look vicious. real warrior-like." Leos said, pulling him into an unexpected embrace. As he released him Ryne looked Leos over, unsuccessfully suppressing a grin.
"Like you should talk. You look like a half dressed girl." He said, not trying to hold it back any longer.
"Hey, I can't help that they gypped me on the war paint. Seems this whole party is in celebration on you."
Ryne nodded, acknowledging this. "So, where's Jay?"
"I don't know, I thought she was with you."
"She was. until I got attacked by a band of large women and forced to wear this. dress."
Leos grinned. "Well, sounds like they've probably done the same with her. It takes girls longer to get ready you know." Leos seemed to scan the crowd for a moment and then looked back to Ryne. "Hey, have you seen Celeste lately?"
Ryne cocked an eyebrow. "Celeste? Who's Celeste?"
Leos rolled his eyes. "Oh yeah, you've been out all week. I don't really know that much about her except that she was captured by the same guys we were, she's insanely beautiful, and seems to hate the world."
Ryne chewed this over mentally. "If I see anyone who fits your description I'll be sure to get them to you."
Leos smiled and slapped him on the back. "Thanks Pal."
Leos dissipated into the crowd and Ryne watched him disappear as another hand gripped him on the shoulder. Ryne turn this time to see Rysh'an, his face split with a grin that shone through his bushy beard. With a strength that seemed inhuman he pulled Ryne up out of the crowd and onto a raised platform with him.
Suddenly the crowd became still, and Ryne could see hundreds of dark and attentive faces turn toward him. Ryne felt a lump rise in his throat as he began to get the idea that they wanted him to say something, but Rysh'an came to his rescue.
"My friends and fellow Ixa'Jealins, people of the City in the Sky. Most of you know that a little over a week ago four young travelers came into my care. It has long been a custom of Ixa'Jealis to welcome our fellow Arcadian with a festival and feast." Vealik Rysh'an paused for a moment, as if to let the tension rise. "Today we welcome Ryne Vyse and his companions Celeste, and Jay and Leos Delasari."
The crowd erupted into cheers and sounds of joy, and for the first time in his life Ryne understood what his parents must have gone through every day of his life after defeating Glacien in the Crystal War. Now he knew why his mother sought solitude.
"Standing here with me is young Ryne Vyse, who came into my care with a rather nasty veriak wound and is lucky to be alive. He bares the scars on his cheek." Rysh'an turned Ryne's head to the crowd to display the three long scars that ran down his cheek. "His companions tell me he won this in a battle with the creature, protecting the one called Leos Delasari. Tonight we honor his bravery."
Ryne felt his cheeks flush again highlighting the white scars that now adorned his face. He felt like throwing himself right off the City in the Sky. until Vealik called the rest of them up with him.
Ryne saw Jaycera coming through the crowd, her curly black hair large and ornate with two long bangs framing her face. Something on her face made it seem to sparkle, as if glowing in the light her ice blue eyes. She was dressed in the style of a dancer, and for a moment Ryne lapsed into the memory of his father's crew member Meridia. As she neared him Ryne felt their eyes lock. He didn't even notice as Leos came up and stood beside him, the oddly familiar girl Celeste taking her place beside Leos. All Ryne heard was Vealik's voice booming "Let the Festival begin!" and Ryne felt Jay's hands enter his and they were off into a flurry of dance.
***************************************
Leos saw Ryne and Jaycera dissipate into what seemed like an endless sea of people. After a while, when they'd disappeared from view, he looked over at Celeste who'd also seemed to be watching them. He gave her a wry smile.
"So. you do dance right?"
"Dance? Why would I dance?" She asked, not in a cold manner, but truly surprised.
"Oh I dunno.. Don't they have fun where you come from?" Leos asked sarcastically, though it seemed to have been lost on her.
"No. It was never needed. We are taught to function and to make ourselves useful. Things such as "dancing" are seen as a waste of time."
Leos pursed his lips and shrugged. Celeste was about to look back out over the crowd when Leos took a hold of her hands. "Just move your feet" was the only instruction he gave her as he whisked her into the teeming masses.
************************************
Vaulrik rubbed his hands in anticipation. He hadn't felt this excited since. well. since he'd destroyed Glacia. The girl's will had finally been broken, when her pitiful husband nearly reached the point of death. It was time to focus the Zelos Fist.
He himself had designed this marvel of technology and magic. The Zelos Fist worked on the same basic principles as the moonstone cannon, harnessing the power within moonstones into a beam of pure energy, only on a mush larger scale. With their proximity to the moons, especially on the one they inhabited, they could harness the power of the moons themselves. The technology for this concept had been around for decades though they could never find a lens that could handle this immense power. The only thing that could harness this power was something of equal power. the Silver Moon Crystal.
Vaulrik watched the gray mass swirl darkened tones, the command cortex mounted above the glass orb containing the Shrine Silvite girl. Taking a deep breath he stepped inside. He'd never liked this part f the process. He could feel himself becoming one with the living computer, its essence invading every facet of his being. As their senses became one he began to see the world the way Zelos Fist saw it. and hated it al the more.
Vaulrik could feel his eyes focus on the large continent of Ixa'Taka, the Zelos Fist doing its part by reading his mind for the target, and zooming in on it. Vaulrik could see the "Golden City" and its fallen glory as if he were there. Mentally, he ordered the living computer to do a scan of the affected areas.
************************************
Ryne danced with Jaycera. The fast pace of the drums and instruments had died down to a slow melody. Ryne held Jay close, the silk material of her top feeling cool against the bare skin of his chest. Jay's head rested on his shoulder as they rocked back and forth to the beat of the music. Ryne enjoyed this small ounce of happiness he'd found, though he almost felt guilty for it. He was beginning to feel the wanderlust again, feeling as if she should be out there searching for his parents. Though somehow, just being here with Jay was beginning to dull the pain he felt over their loss. This new feeling scared him. Suddenly the dying light of dusk was broken as a shrill cry erupted from Ryne and he dropped to the ground clutching the source of the unearthly glow. The glow turned fiercely from a mere glow to a sunburst, illuminating the entire area, the Ixa'Takans looking on in terror. The last thing Ryne saw was Jaycera as she lowered herself to him, cradling him, as he slipped once again into the darkness that was becoming all to familiar to him.
*************************************
Vaulrik's body was forcibly thrown from the cortex, his body flailing through the air like a rag doll. As his body hit the metallic catwalk with a resonate thud, his mind began to clear. In his mind's eye he could see power emanating from the Shine Silvite woman, her resolve strengthened once again.
Vaulrik cursed. He saw the same thing she did.
"The boy is alive.."
*****************
Ryne awoke with a splitting headache and the overwhelming urge to vomit. He sat up as he felt his stomach heave, though there was nothing there to give up. He didn't know how long he sat doubled up on the edge of the bed he'd found himself in, all he knew was that the next time he looked up he was looking straight into the eyes of a dark skinned girl.
She met his gaze with curiosity, her head cocked slightly to the side. Ryne matched her curiosity with a cocked eyebrow. She giggled and turned quickly to the door flap, peeked back in an instant later, then disappeared from view.
"I apologize on behalf of my daughter." A deep, rich, though heavily accented voice startled him. Ryne's head snapped to the other corner of the room, where a dark man stood in green swirled robes. "She seems to be rather taken with you."
Ryne's only reply was in the deep shade of red his face turned. The man laughed heartily, his long beard wagging.
"She is usually quite shy for one of 15 years, though I guess you are bringing the best out in her." He said, still laughing. "It's too bad you seem to be spoken for already."
Ryne almost turned purple. He tried to choke out some words, but his throat felt like sandpaper. The Ixa'Takan picked up what looked to Ryne like a long gourd and held it to Ryne's lips. Ryne swallowed the sweet liquid that was inside, his thirst quenched and his throat rejuvenated.
"Thanks." Ryne said slowly, the juice settling in his stomach. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Certainly, young one."
"Where. and when. am I?"
The Ixa'Takan chuckled amiably. "To answer where, you are in the city of Ixa'Jealis. To answer when, about a week since our tribe found you and your friends tied to stakes and being prepped to be eaten."
"Eaten?" Ryne asked in disbelief.
"Yes, eaten. Our tribe has been keeping watch on the other smaller tribes within our territories, who are still known to prefer cannibalism."
This statement hit Ryne like a ton of lead. For a moment he felt queasy and thought he might dry heave again.
"Lucky for you, one of our scout groups was on their way to the Ixa'Yaeka tribe anyhow. You should also count yourself lucky that they don't eat poisoned meant and cured you of the veriak poison enough that you survived your trip here." The dark man started running his fingers through his beard. "You've been under mine and my daughters care for a little over a week now."
"I've been out for a week?"
"Probably more, considering we don't know how long the Ixa'Yaekans had you."
Ryne shook his head as if trying to wake himself from a dream. None of this seemed possible. but his life was hardly normal anymore.
"Now young one, may I ask you a question."
"Shoot." Ryne said absently.
"Who are you, and where are you from?"
"My name is Ryne Vyse, and I'm from Crescent Isle."
The Ixa'Takan seemed taken aback for a moment, until a grin split his lips. "Ah, so you are the son of the famous Sky Captain. My name is Vealik Rysh'an and I am honored to have served you Mr. Vyse." Rysh'an moved to the other side of the room, where the door flap was and lifted it, showing the darkness outside. "You should rest. Tomorrow there will be a festival for our honored guests."
******************************
Jay could hear the sound of a grindstone in the distance. The smell of burning wood filled her nostrils, the smoke permeating her clothes and skin. Her eyes were clenched shut, not wanting to see it anymore. Every time she opened her eyes the same nightmare greeted her.
Jay woke with in a cold sweat. The smell of smoke still lingered in her nostrils. Jay ran a hand through her hair, scratching the back of her head when she reached it, trying to calm herself. The dream had been so vivid, so real. probably because it was more than just a dream.
Jay pushed the thin sheet off of herself, the silky material that was the same as her night gown seemed to flow to the floor. The wooden floor seemed cool to her bare feet as they touched it softly. Slowly she eased her way off the bed, the floor creaking beneath her weight. She looked over nervously to the other two occupants of the room, Leos and Celeste. Leos was sleeping soundly, breathing loudly, but the mysterious girl Celeste seemed to be sleeping shallow. Jay tip toed cautiously to the door- flap, and slipped silently into the night.
She knew where her feet were carrying her, though she did it without any conscious thought. The streets of the tree top city were lit by softly glowing green moonstones, or as the inhabitants called them "glow rocks". The city looked beautiful in the limelight, its pristine spires seeming to reach for the moon.
Cautiously she stepped onto one of the odd floating platforms, a buzzing sensation moving through her feet. Her body was tense throughout the short ride for she hadn't learned to trust the ancient technology. Slowly she made her way across on of the sky bridges that connected the upper levels of Ixa'Jealis.
In the moonlight she could see a figure sitting on the edge of the bridge, their feet dangling over the edge. As she neared she could see his accented green hair, his gaze directed to the heavens above. A lump started to rise in her throat as she recognized the figure. Quietly she walked over to him and sat down next to him, waiting for him to acknowledge her presence. Ryne looked over at her and smiled, seeming not be surprised.
"Hey Jay."
Jaycera couldn't take it anymore. Tears she'd been holding back for a week finally came rushing down her cheeks and she buried her face in Ryne's chest. Ryne didn't recoil and just held her in the darkness, her sobs the only sound that could be heard.
"I thought I'd lost you Ry." she said softly, after she could cry no longer. Ryne wiped the tears off her soaked face and smiled warmly.
"I'm not going anywhere Jay." Jay smiled and contented herself with resting her head on Ryne's shoulder. No more words were exchanged that night. They each simply enjoyed the other's presence, watching the stars, waiting for the burst of sunlight that would signal the beginning of a new day, and a new beginning.
**********************************
Morning came too soon for Leos. The sounds of music filled the room, bringing the groggy early twenties merchant from his near comatose state. Annoyed, he groaned long and deep and pushed the silky green sheets off his body, his eyes adjusting the sunlight.
As his eyes finally came into focus he saw Celeste standing at the window, her slender arms supporting her face as she leaned against the windowsill. She was dressed in the traditional garb of an Ixa'Takan, which consisted of a green body hugging strapless top, a headdress made of fresh leaves, and an almost organic looking skirt. With the morning light shining on her perfectly, Leos couldn't deny that she was beautiful. too bad she was just as emotionally cold.
Celeste finally glanced back as if she could feel his eyes on her, her own grey eyes sending a chill down his spine.
"Get dressed." She said, motioning toward the green attire sitting on a stool at the foot of his bed. "There is a festival in our honor."
Leos sighed. "We've been here for a week, and NOW they want to celebrate."
"I believe your friend has finally woken up."
Leos glanced over at Jaycera's empty bed and nodded. "That would explain why Jay's not here."
Celeste nodded, and made her way to the door-flap. "I'll leave so you can get dressed." And with that, Leos was alone.
Sighing hard again, Leos got up out of bed, the floor creaking under his weight. He glanced ruefully over the clothes the Ixa'Takans had given him, which was little more than a green skirt. He pinched it in between his fingers and inspected it, wondering how much a fool he'd look in it.
******************************
Ryne's face turned cherry red. He felt like a cow to the slaughter. He was surrounded. He was vastly outnumbered, and unarmed. It seemed as if there was nothing he could do. but get pretty.
The women worked in a flurry, trying to make something of his hopelessly tangled and overgrown hair, stripping him down to nearly nothing, and garbing him in nothing more than a glorified skirt and paint.
The Ixa'Takan women and gone an quickly as they had come, and Ryne was left alone in a small room, his heart beating out of control and his breathing shallow. Finally, Ryne stood and cautiously made his way to the door, peeking out of the flap, and praying to the moons that no one was there to see him. His prayers were in vain.
As soon as his white mop made it out of the door, he was pulled into a flurry of movement, his body pin-balled through the impossibly large crowd of Ixa'Takans. Ryne felt it impossible for there to be so many on the platform that was raised a hundred feet above the forest floor. Suddenly he felt a strong grip on his shoulder, a familiar laugh echoing from behind him.
"Well, don't you just look vicious. real warrior-like." Leos said, pulling him into an unexpected embrace. As he released him Ryne looked Leos over, unsuccessfully suppressing a grin.
"Like you should talk. You look like a half dressed girl." He said, not trying to hold it back any longer.
"Hey, I can't help that they gypped me on the war paint. Seems this whole party is in celebration on you."
Ryne nodded, acknowledging this. "So, where's Jay?"
"I don't know, I thought she was with you."
"She was. until I got attacked by a band of large women and forced to wear this. dress."
Leos grinned. "Well, sounds like they've probably done the same with her. It takes girls longer to get ready you know." Leos seemed to scan the crowd for a moment and then looked back to Ryne. "Hey, have you seen Celeste lately?"
Ryne cocked an eyebrow. "Celeste? Who's Celeste?"
Leos rolled his eyes. "Oh yeah, you've been out all week. I don't really know that much about her except that she was captured by the same guys we were, she's insanely beautiful, and seems to hate the world."
Ryne chewed this over mentally. "If I see anyone who fits your description I'll be sure to get them to you."
Leos smiled and slapped him on the back. "Thanks Pal."
Leos dissipated into the crowd and Ryne watched him disappear as another hand gripped him on the shoulder. Ryne turn this time to see Rysh'an, his face split with a grin that shone through his bushy beard. With a strength that seemed inhuman he pulled Ryne up out of the crowd and onto a raised platform with him.
Suddenly the crowd became still, and Ryne could see hundreds of dark and attentive faces turn toward him. Ryne felt a lump rise in his throat as he began to get the idea that they wanted him to say something, but Rysh'an came to his rescue.
"My friends and fellow Ixa'Jealins, people of the City in the Sky. Most of you know that a little over a week ago four young travelers came into my care. It has long been a custom of Ixa'Jealis to welcome our fellow Arcadian with a festival and feast." Vealik Rysh'an paused for a moment, as if to let the tension rise. "Today we welcome Ryne Vyse and his companions Celeste, and Jay and Leos Delasari."
The crowd erupted into cheers and sounds of joy, and for the first time in his life Ryne understood what his parents must have gone through every day of his life after defeating Glacien in the Crystal War. Now he knew why his mother sought solitude.
"Standing here with me is young Ryne Vyse, who came into my care with a rather nasty veriak wound and is lucky to be alive. He bares the scars on his cheek." Rysh'an turned Ryne's head to the crowd to display the three long scars that ran down his cheek. "His companions tell me he won this in a battle with the creature, protecting the one called Leos Delasari. Tonight we honor his bravery."
Ryne felt his cheeks flush again highlighting the white scars that now adorned his face. He felt like throwing himself right off the City in the Sky. until Vealik called the rest of them up with him.
Ryne saw Jaycera coming through the crowd, her curly black hair large and ornate with two long bangs framing her face. Something on her face made it seem to sparkle, as if glowing in the light her ice blue eyes. She was dressed in the style of a dancer, and for a moment Ryne lapsed into the memory of his father's crew member Meridia. As she neared him Ryne felt their eyes lock. He didn't even notice as Leos came up and stood beside him, the oddly familiar girl Celeste taking her place beside Leos. All Ryne heard was Vealik's voice booming "Let the Festival begin!" and Ryne felt Jay's hands enter his and they were off into a flurry of dance.
***************************************
Leos saw Ryne and Jaycera dissipate into what seemed like an endless sea of people. After a while, when they'd disappeared from view, he looked over at Celeste who'd also seemed to be watching them. He gave her a wry smile.
"So. you do dance right?"
"Dance? Why would I dance?" She asked, not in a cold manner, but truly surprised.
"Oh I dunno.. Don't they have fun where you come from?" Leos asked sarcastically, though it seemed to have been lost on her.
"No. It was never needed. We are taught to function and to make ourselves useful. Things such as "dancing" are seen as a waste of time."
Leos pursed his lips and shrugged. Celeste was about to look back out over the crowd when Leos took a hold of her hands. "Just move your feet" was the only instruction he gave her as he whisked her into the teeming masses.
************************************
Vaulrik rubbed his hands in anticipation. He hadn't felt this excited since. well. since he'd destroyed Glacia. The girl's will had finally been broken, when her pitiful husband nearly reached the point of death. It was time to focus the Zelos Fist.
He himself had designed this marvel of technology and magic. The Zelos Fist worked on the same basic principles as the moonstone cannon, harnessing the power within moonstones into a beam of pure energy, only on a mush larger scale. With their proximity to the moons, especially on the one they inhabited, they could harness the power of the moons themselves. The technology for this concept had been around for decades though they could never find a lens that could handle this immense power. The only thing that could harness this power was something of equal power. the Silver Moon Crystal.
Vaulrik watched the gray mass swirl darkened tones, the command cortex mounted above the glass orb containing the Shrine Silvite girl. Taking a deep breath he stepped inside. He'd never liked this part f the process. He could feel himself becoming one with the living computer, its essence invading every facet of his being. As their senses became one he began to see the world the way Zelos Fist saw it. and hated it al the more.
Vaulrik could feel his eyes focus on the large continent of Ixa'Taka, the Zelos Fist doing its part by reading his mind for the target, and zooming in on it. Vaulrik could see the "Golden City" and its fallen glory as if he were there. Mentally, he ordered the living computer to do a scan of the affected areas.
************************************
Ryne danced with Jaycera. The fast pace of the drums and instruments had died down to a slow melody. Ryne held Jay close, the silk material of her top feeling cool against the bare skin of his chest. Jay's head rested on his shoulder as they rocked back and forth to the beat of the music. Ryne enjoyed this small ounce of happiness he'd found, though he almost felt guilty for it. He was beginning to feel the wanderlust again, feeling as if she should be out there searching for his parents. Though somehow, just being here with Jay was beginning to dull the pain he felt over their loss. This new feeling scared him. Suddenly the dying light of dusk was broken as a shrill cry erupted from Ryne and he dropped to the ground clutching the source of the unearthly glow. The glow turned fiercely from a mere glow to a sunburst, illuminating the entire area, the Ixa'Takans looking on in terror. The last thing Ryne saw was Jaycera as she lowered herself to him, cradling him, as he slipped once again into the darkness that was becoming all to familiar to him.
*************************************
Vaulrik's body was forcibly thrown from the cortex, his body flailing through the air like a rag doll. As his body hit the metallic catwalk with a resonate thud, his mind began to clear. In his mind's eye he could see power emanating from the Shine Silvite woman, her resolve strengthened once again.
Vaulrik cursed. He saw the same thing she did.
"The boy is alive.."
*****************