Chapter 2: Foresights

The following morning



Ryu

We had been walking for over 2 hours now and I was starting to wonder if Cray knew where we were going. I looked to Nina who was walking alongside me and she looked sort of scared and sad. Seeing this made something in my stomach turn. It was a feeling that always seemed to show up when Nina felt like that. Before it seemed too easy to help her feel better...but now for some reason, I don't know what to do. It felt strange that I didn't know what to do...it wasn't like I had helped her before...but it felt different this time; like there was something much more deeper then what her face was showing, and yet I couldn't quite place what it was. I felt more worried now as to what was making Nina feel like this but before I could summon the courage to ask what was wrong everyone stopped and I bumped right into Cray nearly falling over on him but managing to gain my balance before I did.



Cray

I felt myself getting pushed forward a little but gained my footing quickly and stood straight and turned around and looked at Ryu. Ryu started to scratch his head some and looked to Nina a moment and his face immediately switched from a little embarrassed to very sad. What was going on between those two anyway?

Sighing some I turned back around and pulled the map out of my pocket to see where we were at the moment. After a quick look I put it back in my pocket and turned to the others again. " Ok where not far from the town of Berleim...if we keep going in this direction will be there within the hour." They all nodded and we started off again.

All the while we were walking I couldn't stop wondering what was going on between Ryu and Nina. "What is happening…I don't understand in the slightest…." Sighing again I continued to walk but not really noticing where I was going until a low hanging tree branch slapped me back to reality.

"Arggg!" I backed up and rubbed my sore nose and my ear twitched to the sound of giggling, which I could tell right away, was Nina and surprisingly of all people Ursula.

Ursula

"Moron…he's not paying attention to where he is going…that's not like him…." I stopped my giggling and resumed my emotionless stare but I still found it funny. I looked at Cray again then at the now silent Nina and Ryu. "Something is up with those 2…but what is it?"

Shrugging I continued to walk behind Scias and slowly swaying my fox tail about not really caring what was going on at the moment. These people were very odd to me; perhaps they thought I was odd but oh well.

Nina

I had to admit that Cray was not acting like himself, but then again neither was I. The foresight I had scared me so much. I was to scared to tell Ryu that it was about him and that I might lose him.

What would he say if I told him? That's what scared me; I didn't know what he would say. I was just to scared.

I was knocked from my mental thoughts at the sound of Cray's voice that had its same leadership tone to it. "Something is coming…. be on your guard everyone." I immediately materialized my wand from the air itself and got in my ready stance as Ryu unsheathed his sword and readying his stance also and the others soon following.

A gust of wind pass by rustling the trees and bushes around them

I stood tensed and waiting for whatever was coming now but the only thing that did come was the winds themselves. It did feel odd though, for the winds did feel a little strong for a cloudless day.

It wasn't until a moment to late that I realized that this wasn't normal wind and it was in fact a cyclone that I felt the sharp bladed winds come at us from all directions and 4 of the bladed winds coming at me.

I dodged the first 2 but the 3rd sliced through the side of my dress and grazing my skin slightly making me wince from the sting but I managed to move out of the way of the 4th. The cut was light and it did sting but I had to worry about dodging more before I could heal the cut.

The winds slowed down to a small gust showing the spell had lost its affect and as I looked to the other I saw they had also taken a few hits also. I looked from one person to another seeing no cuts that were serious and I prepared to cast a vitalize spell to help in healing but then I felt the winds pick up again and it felt stronger then ever.

Cray immediately yelled out in an exasperated voice to get everyone's attention as the winds continue to pick up speed. "Everyone run…it's a Typhoon spell!!!"

With Cray's words noted I took off in a sprint using my wings to gain a little speed as we all ran. Cray led the group with Ursula, Ershin, Scias, Ryu, and myself all following. As we ran the winds continued to pick up speed and the winds beginning to come visible quickly which gave hint that the spell was almost at its peak of attack power.

With the brief moment of looking at the visible wind I accidentally tripped over an up lifted root and fell onto my stomach and I felt a sharp pain in my ankle. It only took me a moment to register that my ankle had popped and now I was at the mercy of the Typhoon.

I closed my eyes and waited for the Typhoon but then I heard a familiar voice and I opened my eyes again just as Ryu pushed me back to the ground and placing his body upon my back in a protective way just as the Typhoon reached its max power and proceeded to furiously swirl about us as the others ran from us in attempts to get away and barely managing to escape unharmed.

Ryu

I stayed in this position over Nina protectively and groaning as the wind cutters slashed at my back and shirt severing it and cutting at my skin. I knew why I was doing this; it was for Nina. I couldn't bare to let her go like this; I refused to let it happen, no matter what.

I held back cries of pain as the wind cutters cut deeper into my back but I continued to use my body as a shield for Nina. I didn't care how much it hurt or how long this would go on; I just wanted to protect Nina. It had been my decision since the day we met. Always caring and willing to help me; it was then I decided to do something for her, and this was it.

I could feel Nina shiver under me but I didn't know if it was out of fear or not. I closed my eyes feeling blood coat my back as more cutters sliced across my back, shoulders, legs, and my hands that were covering the back of my head.

Nina

I was to scared to move or even say Ryu's name. The Typhoon was to frightening and the sound it made also made my ears hurt but I could still feel Ryu's body over mine. But it still scared me to know what Ryu was doing for me. He was risking his life for me; he had done it many times before but never like this. Using his own body as a shield for me. Letting his own body take the full force of this attack while I was left unharmed from this.

Tears welled in my eyes as I stayed laid out on my stomach while the Typhoons force continued to pound against Ryu but he still managed to hold himself up. I wanted to help him so badly but I could not summon the will to budge an inch. I felt so helpless knowing Ryu was getting hurt for me.

The Typhoons assault begins to lose its effectiveness' and begins to die down slowly

I could feel the Typhoon getting weaker and as I began to move I felt Ryus body drop onto my back and panic ran up my back knowing what has happened now. Ryu lost consciousness from the assault of the Typhoon.

Feeling his weight fully on mine and finally managing to move I slowly slid out from under him and turned over and looked down at him in horror at what I saw. He was a total mess; blood caked his back, legs, and hands. He must've used his hands to protect his head but he only had his clothing to protect his back and legs.

More tears welled in my eyes as I gently gathered him in my arms and hugged him gently crying into his chest wishing this never happened. This was all my fault for not paying attention to where I was going; if I had then we could've made it out safely and Ryu would be alright. But he's not and its all my fault.

"Oh Ryu I'm so sorry…please say something…. anything…. please." I sobbed into his chest again but I could I hear the steady pulse of his heart and it put me slightly at ease knowing he was alive but I wanted to hear his voice, to feel his warm touch.

Then as if I was being dragged from the very darkness of my heart I jerked up feeling something warm upon my cheek and I stared down into Ryus open eyes and a small painful smile on his lips and his warm hand on my cheek.

He slowly parted his lips to speak in a soft but slightly cracked voice. "Don't cry…it doesn't hurt as bad as it looks…..honest…." He forced a smile and his thumb lightly brushing away a tear from my cheek.

"Ryu….I'm so sorry…that…..that this happened….why did you do that….now your hurt…" He forced another smile as he spoke. "I wanted to…..I didn't want you to get hurt…." I couldn't believe what he said. He wanted to, he didn't think of it as something he had to do, he wanted too.

I held his hand to my cheek as his eyes closed and falling asleep just as the others approached us. I knew Ryu needed to rest but he also needed medical attention and my magic was thrown out off during the Typhoon; I couldn't even focus my magic properly.

"Nina….Ryu……are you both…..oh man….Ryu…." I looked up to see Cray looking down at the bloodied form of Ryu and myself. I was trying to keep from crying again but it was very hard not too. I was so scared of losing Ryu that it was unbearable.

"I'm ok Cray…..but we have to get Ryu some medical help….my magic wont work…" I looked up at Cray pleadingly and he nodded in response to it.

"Your right….I saw a town just outside the woods….I don't know what made that Typhoon but lets hope it doesn't come after us yet….." I nodded in agreement with Cray and I moved alittle to which Ursula helped me to my feet but my ankle was swollen so I had to lean against her.

Cray

"God Ryu is a mess….that Typhoon lasted a lot longer then it should…..whoever did it must be very powerful." I slowly kneeled down and lifted Ryu's bloody battered form into my arms. He was a mess; his clothes were in shreds and Nina was wounded too. Things just aren't going our way. I sighed again making sure Ryu was carefully situated in my arms before turning to the others who remained silent.

"Ryu is out….we have to find that town and get him some help and fast…" They nodded and we all proceeded to Berleim as hastily as possible.

Chapter 3: Will