Author's Note: A shorter chapter than normal; next time, we get to see them meet Jean.

Chapter Thirteen: Voyage

Ryu did not return to the cabins after his encounter with Ray. After what he had learned, he found it difficult to think, to concentrate; he simply could not face his friends, not with his knowledge of the blood running thick in his veins.

Monster, Ryu thought darkly. Monster…we who were abandoned by God. Nina must have felt this same loneliness, with her black wings. He sighed tiredly. Emerald eyes glowed beneath half-closed eyelids. But it is something I've always felt, this loneliness. Ever since Yua…yes, this feeling isn't anything new. But now I have to be careful. As Ray said, I bring disaster wherever I go. I won't let it touch my comrades.

Ryu decided to get some fresh air, despite the evening's chill. He went to the deck and scaled up the mizzenmast. Gripping the rigging, he let himself hang in the air, the sea breeze cutting through his skin like an icy knife. This is the feeling of someone alive, he thought. I want to keep feeling this, even if I am a monster.

He had not seen Ray since their conversation earlier that day; the priest had seemingly vanished off the boat, though other passengers reported that he had gone into his private quarters. I want to see that man again, Ryu thought. He can tell me so much about what I am. I am a dragon—I should know what I have to expect. Better for monsters to survive by playing their parts than to pretend I'm something I can never be.

His thoughts were interrupted by a call from below. "Hey! Hey, Ryu!" It was Katt. The Woren cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted, "Hey, what're you doing up there? You got to be freezing way up there. Get down here, stupid!"

Ryu smiled quietly. She's loud enough to wake the dead, he thought fondly, sliding down the rigging. "You don't need to yell," he said calmly. "I can hear you perfectly well. I have very good hearing."

She planted hands on hips in exasperation. "Yet another one of your amazing talents, eh? I take it that having a thick hide's one of them too? How else are you able to stay up there in this cold? I have fur, and even I'm cold!"

"That's because you don't dress for the weather," he pointed out, indicating her daring attire.

"What?" she said, affecting a hurt expression. She sidled up nearer to him and tilted her head to look into his eyes. "Don't you like it?" she whispered seductively.

Ryu felt a bit hot, despite the breeze. I can see where this is going, he thought, not unpleasantly. Eva's backside, I can see right down her—stop that! He took a calming breath to settle himself and said smoothly, "If you're a gladiator, I'm sure that it's a marvelous costume."

She smiled knowingly. "You're avoiding the question, Ryu," she said, voice still soft. Her hand snaked up his side and traced his pectorals before finally settling on his shoulder. "I asked if you liked it."

Ryu locked gazes with her. The intensity and seriousness of his expression stilled Katt's playfulness. But then the ranger smiled. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

Her catlike grin took in her ears. "Of course." She folded her hands on his shoulder and rested her chin on them. She whispered into his ear, "Aren't you?"

"I admit, I'm very flattered by the attention."

He felt a soft tongue flick at his earlobe and no amount of discipline or calmness could suppress the delighted shiver that coursed through his body. Katt saw this and smiled all the wider. "You can get a lot more attention…if you play with me."

"Playing is fun," Ryu said, a little breathlessly.

"Playing is fun," Katt agreed. "And do you know the game we're playing?"

"'Seduction of the innocent?'" Ryu asked with an ironic grin.

Katt's green eyes glittered with mischief. "How about 'hard to get?'" Suddenly, she shoved Ryu onto his rump and made a quick turn away, striking a pose. Her tail swished left and right as she walked off.

Ryu grinned and then laughed aloud. His was a pure, soul-cleaning laugh, purging his mind of the dark thoughts that had taken residence for the past few hours. He was grateful to the Woren for the spiritual diversion she unintentionally brought. "An interesting game, kitty Katt," he murmured to himself once she left. "I wouldn't mind playing again. Double or nothing."

"Well! That was fun," Katt exclaimed as she burst into the cabin the party shared. Ryu was still on the deck and Sten had gone off, leaving Katt alone with Nina. The fiery Woren decided to regale her rival with tales of her victory. "I just talked to Ryu," she drawled pleasantly. That got the Windian's attention; Katt smirked. "And by talk I mean 'play.'"

Nina looked away. "So…you really want to do this?"

"Of course!" said Katt. "I mean, we both like him, right? It isn't fair that one of us should just back down. What's the point of having any feelings for that stone statue if you're just going to give up? I say, keep fighting—and may the best woman win."

Nina asked quietly, "But one of us is going to get hurt. Even now…even now I-I feel bitter. B-because you went t-to him." She felt a strong and comforting hand squeeze her shoulder. Katt sat down beside her with a serious countenance.

"Nina," the Woren began, "you're my friend. I don't want to hurt you and I don't want to see you hurt."

"Then why this?" the Windian demanded. "Why the games? The rivalry? This…this could make us stop being friends."

"Because if it were any other way…if it were any other way, you'd just cheapen your feelings for Ryu!" Katt looked at her hard and Nina—to her shock—saw the beginnings of tears in those green eyes. "I already asked you if your feelings were genuine. You said yes. Prove it. To me and to him. Prove that you really care. Even if they turn out to be false, you'll at least be confident that you know you did your best to make it work—that's what the games are for, Nina. To prove your feelings—not just to me or him, but to the person it most matters: yourself."

"Katt…."

"I won't give up my feelings without making sure they're my real feelings," Katt said with conviction. "You shouldn't either. To that end, I'm willing to take you as my rival. That is the responsibility I accept because of this game. Do you understand?"

Nina nodded. "I think I do. I…I'm kind of jealous, Katt."

The Woren blinked in genuine surprise. "Why?"

"Because you live so honestly with yourself." Nina shook her head sadly. "I don't think I could do that as readily as you. But to find out if my feelings for Ryu are more than just a simple infatuation…for that, I'll try and be like you. So…so next time…yes…next time I'll definitely try my best. I won't just wait for the other shoe to drop, or for him to come to me. I'll be the best damn rival you'll ever face."

Katt grinned. "That's my girl." She gathered the Windian up in a tight embrace. "No matter what happens, I promise I won't let this game break our friendship. If I lose…I…will accept it. Even though I don't like losing," she added with a touch of bitterness.

"I'll strive for the same," Nina promised with equal gravity. Then she giggled. "So get ready, Katt Chuan. You've had your fun with him—now it's my turn."

Sten wandered around the deck, simply enjoying the breeze. It was quiet, it was night. No one could bother him when it was night. It was night when Goonheim fell, he remembered grimly. I guess I just keep enjoying tha' night because…because I can see tha' faces of me friends again. Even if it hurts.

"Hoi, ye shouldn't be up here at this hour," came a call from behind. Sten turned and saw a lanky Highlander approaching, an one-eyed sailor bearing the scars of a long life at sea. In the dark, Sten could barely make out the Highlander's features, but they seemed vaguely familiar.

The same was not true for the sailor, who was used to looking out into the night sea for dangers in the water. His eyes widened in surprise and recognition. "By me mother's grave," the sailor breathed, "Sten Legacy! Captain!"

Sten started at that, the mention of his rank only confirmation of the dread he felt. No, no no no! Sten backed up against the rail. No escape. "How do ye know that name?" he demanded through lips stiff with the pain of buried memories.

"Can ye not recognize me, captain?" the sailor asked with a wide smile. "'Tis me, Bourchef, yer old aide. After Goonheim, I decided to retire and become a sailor. It's been ten years, captain! We ye never returned to Highfort? We thought ye had died."

Sten turned away from the sailor's happy face. He could not bear to look into those smiling eyes. "It would 'ave been better if I had," he murmured.

"Captain?"

"Do they still sing songs about me?" Sten asked suddenly. "Do they still praise the 'heroism' of Stenanil Legacy, Lord of tha' Highest House, Keeper of tha' Iron Blades, Captain Supreme of His Majesty's Army?" He spoke each title with cruel bitterness. "Do they still say I saved Goonheim?"

"Of course," said Bourchef. "Ye're tha' hero of so many battles, captain! Once the others learn of yer being alive, we'll offer our swords to ye once again, ye'll see!"

"That's tha' last thing I want ye to do," Sten said quietly. "I don't want anyone to do that again."

But Bourchef did not hear his soft words. "Captain! With ye at our side again, leading us into battle, we will surely bring back tha' glory days of our countrymen! We'll go o'er tha' world and vanquish the monsters that crop up like worms in tha' woodwork! Ye'll see, ye'll see!"

The sailor's exuberance made Sten want to puke. No, never again. Not ever again. "Don't talk to me," he said gruffly. "Sten Legacy is dead. Has been for ten years." The former captain brushed past his old comrade and retreated into the ship, leaving Bourchef to watch in confusion.

Ray Bradoc sat in quiet meditation in his private quarters, the finest on the ship. He was stripped to the waist, his slender, compact build indicative of long training and conditioning. But more so than the physique of a martial artist, he had the ironclad discipline of a fighting master—the rocking of the boat, the creak of the hull, none of this even fazed his single-minded focus.

In such a trance, Ray Bradoc thought on many things: he reflected on his past sins, prayed silently for forgiveness, asked God for guidance in his life and in his quest. He thought on how to perfect himself, on how to become a better servant of Saint Eva. He thought on how to best approach the obstacles that presented themselves on his holy quest to eliminate the evil incidents cropping up. He even thought about the day he, an orphaned waif, had been taken in by Father Habaruku and given a new life.

But this day, Ray Bradoc focused on a man, a young man with blue hair—a descendant of the forgotten Light Dragons. Ryu Bateson, the cleric thought. Such an interesting person. He did not even know the full extent of his blood until today. Perhaps he can be of use to the church? Surely another dragon will only strengthen Eva's ranks.

Yes, he thought with finality. Yes, I will approach him again, show him what the church of Saint Eva can give him, if he would only join us. And…and it would be pleasant to speak with someone like me. It would be good if we became…friends.