Thanks for all the wonderful reviews!
Sorry....but I tried to update everything as soon as I could, and I finally had some time!
I have posted a picture of Dizzi from last chapter on my DeviantArt account, so if you're curious, go over there and check it out!
On with the story!
--------------------
"Finally!" Tyson exclaimed as the horizon began to show the roofs of houses.
The team sighed with relief, everyone was exhausted from the long journey, and all looked forward to a nice, long rest.
"The Village of the Sea...." Dizzi read the plague under a stone statue at the entrance of the town. "No really?" She asked sarcastically, looking up toward the ocean at the other end of the town.
"It's just like the statue of Drigger and Dranzer in the other villages!" Rei exclaimed.
"Except this one is Draciel!" Max said, touching the cold stone carved in the image of a giant turtle.
Hilary looked back at Rei and Kai, who were both looking in opposite directions around them.
"Hey guys....is something wrong?"
Everyone else's attention was drawn to the two eldest teens. They all knew that Rei's and Kai's senses were much more advanced than normal people's.
"You sense it too Kai?" The blue haired teen nodded.
"Something definitely isn't right here...."
"What?" Tyson asked.
"No one's here...." Rei replied.
"Come on. Let's find Draciel and leave." Kai said, walking further into the town.
"Hey guys..." Kenny started, drawing everyone's attention.
"The sun will be setting soon, don't you think we should find some where safe to stay?"
"Yeah. We could all use the rest. " Max added.
"Alright, but we'll need to collect some supplies before the night falls. We haven't eaten in a while."
"Don't remind me...." Tyson moaned, holding his empty stomach.
"We should split up into groups." Rei started. "Max and Tyson, why don't you go find shelter. Kai and Hilary can go for supplies, and Chief and I will find food."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Hilary asked, looking up at Kai.
"The village is small enough....if anyone runs into trouble, any of us could be there in minutes. Just stay low, and don't make yourself noticeable." The blue haired captain said.
"Alright!"
"We'll meet back around here when the sun sets. Don't make me come looking for you."
With that, the groups split up in search of their assigned items.
"Don't you find this a little freaky? We haven't seen any life in this place!" Hilary whispered over Kai's shoulder as he peered around a corner of a straw house.
"I know....I think the people fled from here....they were probably scared off by those...'Shadow Clan' freaks." Kai replied. "Come on....let's go."
The two walked out onto the dirty street and entered a large building. Inside was a long counter, and behind it were many rows of shelves, each full of different supplies.
"Hello? Is anyone here?" Hilary called out.
Kai went over to a table and dragged his finger along the top.
"Hello?" The brunette called out again.
"It's no use Hilary.....no one's been here for a while...." Kai said, staring at the layer of dust on his finger.
Suddenly, there was a creak from the back of the store, causing the two teens to jump in surprise.
Kai moved in front of Hilary, ready to fight. "Who's there!?" He demanded, his crimson eyes scanning every part of the room.
"Now!" An unknown voice called out.
"What the?!" Kai growled, two hands grabbing his ankles, holding his in place. "Hilary! Run!"
He looked over his head to see that his friend was held tightly in the arms of a tall man, not older than 40 and tanned from the sun.
"Kai!" Hilary cried out.
The teen turned around just in time to see two other men tackle him to the ground.
After a brief struggle, the men managed to pin the lively teen on his chest, one of the men's knees holding Kai's chin to the ground.
"Release me!" The blue haired teen growled dangerously.
"Good job! Make sure he stays down!" Another man bellowed from the back.
Kai struggled under the older men, but their combined strength overwhelmed his exhausted body.
After a few moments, another man walked into view. He had shoulder length blond hair and his skin was darkly tanned.
Hilary gasped in fear. This man looked like he belonged to the Shadow Clan.
The man walked over closer to Kai and bent down, staring Kai straight in his fiery eyes.
"This is the one we were told about. He has the fire from the BioVolt clan!"
"He must be destroyed!" A different man chimed in.
Kai's eyes widened as he gasped in complete surprise. How did this man know of his past?
"Who are you!?" He demanded, narrowing his eyes at the man.
"We are the survivors of this village. We were told of your arrival, and have prepared to stop you from destroying us!"
"Destroying you?! We're here to help you!" Hilary shouted.
"Silence child!" The man boomed. "You will not leave here alive!"
"Where are your comrades!? Tell us now!" A man on top of Kai commanded to know.
Kai refused to answer, so Hilary thought of an excuse.
"We came here alone! There are no others!"
"Do not lie to me!" The man backhanded her across the face.
Rage burned through Kai's blood as Hilary cried out in short pain. With an ominous growl, the teen threw his captors off him and grabbed the taller man by the collar and pushed him against the wall.
"Leave her alone!" His voice was deep and dark, and his crimson eyes darkened in rage.
The man stared at the teen, fear in his eyes.
"Kai! Don't do it!" Hilary called out.
The blue haired teen glanced over to the brunette, giving the man a slight chance to overpower him.
"Ack!" Kai exclaimed as a strong hand curled around his neck, holding him about a foot in the air.
The teen clawed at the man's arm, trying to hold himself up against gravity.
"You're still just a boy! And here I thought that you might just kill me!"
Suddenly, the front door slammed open against the inside wall.
"What's going on in here?!" A different voice shouted above the commotion.
A man appeared in the doorway, his hair and beard a deep aqua color. He wore similar clothes to Kai and Hilary, and his eyes were brightly lit with a brilliant purple. On his shoulder sat a beautiful falcon, a leather cord attached to it's talon foot.
He gasped suddenly, noticing the blue haired teen hanging by his throat and the girl dangling in the grip of a villager.
"Jethro! This is the assassin we were warned about!" The man holding Kai announced.
"Release them!"
"But...."
"Do it! We have terribly mistaken!"
The man growled, but dropped Kai, who fell to his knees coughing and gasping for air.
"Kai!" Hilary rushed to his side, rubbing his back gently.
"I am terribly sorry children! I have received notice of your journey too late."
"You...look...familiar....." Kai breathed, staring up at the man.
Hilary looked up at the man. "You look like Darian!" She gasped.
The man nodded. "You have met my family. I hope they are well."
"They are." Kai replied, getting to his feet.
He rolled his neck and arched his shoulders, creating a loud pop from his bones.
"I have been separated from my family for many years.....all of us have." The man started. "My name is Jethro...I hope my friends didn't hurt you."
"We're fine." Kai replied quickly. "I see the Shadow Clan has it's grip on you as well."
The men nodded.
"I just received a notice from my wife." Jethro motioned to the falcon still on his shoulder. "We will help you with anything you might need."
"Do we put too much trust in these children? This one is of BioVolt! He isn't to be trusted!"
"I am NOT with BioVolt! I'd sooner kill myself!" Kai's eyes glared at the tan man.
"Please forgive Nikolas here....the Shadow Clan has taken us all away from our families to hunt down the sacred spirits. Lord Aegis came to us and spoke of a boy with fire eyes, saying he was from the BioVolt clan, and would kill us all!"
Hilary looked over to Kai, who still couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Who's this....Aegis guy?" The girl asked.
Kai growled and barred his teeth. He had a feeling he knew who he was....and didn't like it.
"Kai?"
"Did you come alone? We thought there might be more." Jethro asked.
"We're separated at the moment...." Kai answered, forcing himself to relax a bit.
"Very well. You must have come for supplies. Let us help you." The aqua haired man led the two teens to the back of the store.
--------------------
Don't forget to review!!!!