1Disclaimer: I do not own Secret of Mana. Just the imagination to make these stories.

A/N: Sorry for the delay once more. Lack of internet has been the big key this time. Life in very old barracks isnt always fun.

Chapter 5:

Ryan recoiled the whip once more as the rabite he was fighting explodes in a spray of water. He had always wondered about why the rabites sprayed water when they were killed. Probably just another miracle of mana he thought as he leaps from a hornet sting. Getting an idea, Ryan rolls backwards a little and springs to his feet using the momentum of the roll to power a strong upward lash from the whip causing the bone to be instantly crushed.

Looking over a shoulder he saw Luca taking on a Mushboom. Luca circled just outside of the Spears striking range simply cause it would put her into the range of the creatures sleep powder. The mushboom takes it top off, throwing it towards Luca. That is the moment that Luca needed. Swinging the butt of the spear up at the last second, Luca causes the mushbooms cap to be thrown up into the air. Rushing in, Luca slams the tip of the spear through the mushbooms body using an upward thrust. A death cry rips out from the mushbooms face before disappearing in a cloud of powder.

Ryan smiled warmly in Lucas direction as he runs some fresh oil over the whips worn material. He hadnt known quite what to expect when the two of them decided to travel together. Her ability with the spear definitely was a bit of a surprise. Although it was definitely not an unwelcome surprise to be sure. Despite the return of manas balance the world was still populated by a large number of monsters.

Luca returned his smile with one of her own before he saw him collapse to the ground. Looming over his prone body was an outstretched goblin axe, being held by one of the grotesque monsters. Screaming Luca dashed towards the foul humanoid monsters, her spear close to her side and gathering energy. Just as she is about to let loose a flurry of thrusts she too crashes towards the ground as an unseen hammer smashes into her middle back.

Several more goblins step out of the undergrowth. One having a skull like helmet on with feathers sticking out of it. We feast good tonight. He says as the goblins pick up their captives and carry them back towards the village.

Ryan awoke with a start only to fall right back to the ground from the pain coursing pain The last thing he remembered was being hit by a hammer and Lucas scream. Sitting up slowly this time, Ryan looked around the small room her was placed in.

It seemed to be a mud-hut with several individual rooms converted for jail cells. From what he could tell none of the rooms had windows and the only real door was on the opposite side of the building from where his cell was located. Luca was located in a similar cell across from his own, her body still limp on the huts floor.

This was indeed bad, not only did he have no weapon, but Luca wasnt near him either. Plus with her being unconscious, there was no way to summon any of the Mana spirits to come and get them out of the prison. Leaning his head against the wall, Ryan tried to think of some way for the two of them to get out of this mess without either Luca or himself getting hurt.

As he sat there thinking on what to do a soft moan was ushered out of the cell across from him. Moving back over to the bars Ryan saw Luca twitching slightly before finally coming to completely. The Maiden slowly got up using her hands to brace herself, slowly sitting up she looked around her cell, her head moving a little bit quicker with each pass, almost as if she was beginning to panic. Finally her voice broke the silence, carrying with it one single word, Ryan?

Ryan smiled when she said it, calming a little himself, Ryan looked at her back and smiled before calling back out to her, Turn around Luca. He said, trying to keep a straight face as he says it in such a way that the Maiden doesnt feel like shes being laughed at, although he doubt she would really mind if he did chuckle a little.

Turning around in flurry of movement, Lucas face is a mixture of worry and relief. Moving closer to the bars, she leans on them heavily as a small gasp of pain escapes her mouth, the injury to her back still being felt, especially from the quickness of the movement she had just made. Offering up a weak smile to Ryan she looks at him, glad in knowing that he is alright.

Reaching up into the scarf that circled his head, Ryan removed one of the few pieces of candy that he kept there for just such an occasion. Stretching his arm out between the cell bars, he could almost reach out to Luca with them. Reaching her own arm out Luca grabbed hold of the piece of candy from his hand, squeezing in gently to tell him she was fine before pulling her hand away and popping the small item into her mouth, chewing on the gum like object.

Pulling another one of the small pieces of candy from his scarf, Ryan pops one into his own mouth, feeling the slight cooling sensation they had over his body. Looking at Luca with a slightly worried expression, more afraid of the where they were and not the fact she was there. Sure he didnt want to put her into danger, however, to late for that now. The only thing they could really do was try and get out of their current predicament.

Luca smiled at Ryan and reached her arm out between the bars. Smiling in return Ryan reaches out and grasps her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze to let her know he would do something. Before he could say anything several goblins came in and opened the doors to the cages, keeping their axes at a ready in case the two tried to escape. Holding hands the two walked out of the hut towards the goblin cooking pot, wondering what to do.

Chapter End

A/N: Sorry for the delay as I said lack of internet on my comp has been an issue however thank those people who like reading and please review if you get a chance.