The road to Synlic was rather short and uneventful, though the three young adults got to know each other better. Misavi learned that Lyruc was, in human years, twenty-one, a year older than Haruko and three years older than herself. He was born in Synlic, but his family moved when he was three calendars old. "What is a calendar?" she had asked. "Similar to a year in your culture. A calendar lasts fifteen of your months." He was chosen to be Warrior of the Sun because of his friendship with the mayor, as well as his skill in battle. Misavi soon found out exactly what was a Hillu's definition of "battle".
Forty yards from Synlic, a creature resembling a Vull, but larger and brown instead of black and white, tried to kill Misavi. She tried to draw her spear, but her reflexes did not match those of the monster. It leapt upon her, knocking her down. She kicked and clawed at it, dealing minimal damage. Lyruc took to the sky, flapping his painted wings rapidly to build speed. He dove onto the creature's back, piercing the brown fur with his golden talons. It screeched in pain and flailed wildly, unable to fight back. Misavi stood and watched Lyruc hold the brown Vull with one foot and slash it to ribbons with the other. He alighted a few feet from Haruko, smirking. Bloody talons kicked the limp body aside.
Synlic was huge. Misavi had never seen such large buildings. She stared at the countless skyscrapers in disbelief. "How are we supposed to find the Sun Symbol in such a big city?" Misavi asked Haruko. "Ask Lyruc. He was born here." Her brother seemed irritable in the crowded, noisy town. Lyruc, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying himself. Children stopped to stare at the markings on his wings, and adults bowed when they saw him. Typical warrior, thought Misavi. As slowly as they were moving, it was hard to believe it took the three travelers only half an hour to find the Stormgem's shrine.
Totem poles and altars were mere planks of wood in comparison. The Stormgem was nestled in a small alcove protected by tiny bolts of lightning, probably preserved by lightning. Misavi had never encountered magic before, and she examined the altar at every angle. Each bolt moved slowly along a curved track, creating a deadly cylinder of electricity. But the question was how to turn it off.
"Misavi? What's taking so long?" She spun around to see her brother tapping an impatient foot. She pointed to the lightning without saying a word. Haruko approached the shrine, disbelief sparkling in his brown eyes. His shocked expression made Misavi stifle a chortle. "It's magic. I have no idea how to shut the spell off." Haruko's gaping mouth closed into a smirk. He turned and faced Misavi, an electrical cord in his hand.
During the fateful moment while Haruko's back was turned, the very same man who stole the Emblem of Light (and who Misavi assumed took the Rockjewel as well) put two gloved hands around Synlic's Sun Symbol. Misavi raised her spear and Haruko spun on his ankles. The stranger's emotionless black eyes scanned their faces. "Aren't you two supposed to hide the Sun Symbols from me?" he asked, and then added with a grin, "You aren't doing a very good job." All three symbols were hanging from his leather belt. "Why are you doing this? Who do you think you are!" demanded Misavi. Lyruc, who had finished his meeting, came upon the scene with a rather odd look on his face. Then the Sun Symbol thief stared right at Misavi, and began to speak. "I am Damagoden, future ruler of the world. As for what I'm doing, well, your little brain would not comprehend. All you need to know is my name. 'Hail Damagoden' will become your new motto very, very soon." He smiled, revealing near-perfect white teeth. Before anyone could say more, Damagoden had vanished.
"Who was that?" asked a very confused Lyruc later that day. "Not your concern," replied Haruko, dragging his moccasins in the dirt as he walked. "Haruko, hurry up!" Misavi urged. "Maybe we can get the Sun Symbol of fire before this Damagoden guy does." "I doubt it," Lyruc shouted, flying above them. They were back on the road. Misavi felt like that walking was the only thing she had been doing since they left Kyar. But that was not completely true; Haruko and Misavi had stopped to rest in small towns and battled monsters along the way. Speaking of monsters, Lyruc was chewing on their latest opponent, a crablike beast with glowing yellow eyes. "How long has he been working on that?" asked Misavi, staring up at their Hillu friend. "A few hours. You know, we're lucky. This road is famous for its huge amount of monsters, and we've barely-" Before he could say anything else, Misavi flung her hand over his mouth. "Shut up. I don't want you jinxing it. Again," she added with a sigh. Lyruc chuckled.
