Misavi's prized necklace flopped up and down as her calm walk hastened into a steady jog. The Sun Symbol on her dragon hide belt danced as if it had a life of its own. "Where are we supposed to be going?" she asked her brother once she and Tezur caught up. "Pin Feinfelg," answered Haruko. "What symbol do they have?" she asked, her head cocked to one side. "They don't have one," Tezur replied in a monotone. "But we can probably find some method of transportation there. I heard that Pin Feinfelg is famous for its dragon breeders, and dune races." "Where's the next Sun Symbol, then?" asked Misavi. "Tihac, far to the northeast," Haruko answered quickly before Tezur could respond. Above them, Lyruc laughed. Tezur glared at the bird-man, then looked back at Misavi. "Why are we going south, then?" she asked him. The shirtless boy sighed.
The flat sands of the Takan Desert were beginning to rise into small dunes. The farther south the teenagers traveled, the steeper the hills became. "You humans are pathetic. Does every creature in your species lack the energy to even climb one measly dune?" Lyruc stared down at them in dissatisfaction. Only Tezur was breathing normally; the rest were panting. The journey to Pin Feinfelg continued just like that. Lyruc complained about his companions' lethargy, and Haruko mumbled ill words to himself. Neither of the boys shut up until they reached the city's wooden entrance. Under normal circumstances, the lopsided buildings made entirely of wood would have been deemed cheaply built, but wood was rare in the desert. Pin Feinfelg's solid statues and houses were painted brightly and lavished with banners. The richer families' homes were decorated with dragon scales. To Misavi, the town looked like a giant carnival. But now was not a cheerful time for its citizens.
"My daughter! My daughter!" wailed an old woman, clutching a finely embroidered handkerchief with a dragon insignia. "That terrible man kidnapped my daughter!" A crowd of people formed around her, patting her back and handing her tissues. Misavi could sense the lady's sorrow even before she heard her cry. Her easy walk broke into a jog. "Where are you going?" asked Haruko, speeding up. Lyruc waited patiently at the town's entrance, watching Tezur and Haruko run after Misavi with an amused grin.
By the time the boys had caught up with her, Misavi was tending to the sad woman. "Her daughter was taken by a stranger whose description happens to match Damagoden's," Misavi told her friends. "But what does he want with a kid?" Tezur's dark eyes lit up. "What," he asked the pining woman, "is your daughter's name?" She looked up at him, wiping tears from her puffy red cheeks. "Page," was her only reply. The dark pupils in the boy's eyes widened. He stormed off without another word.
"Tezur! Wait up!" urged Misavi, running after him. He stopped, but Tezur did not turn around. In between pants, Misavi asked, "Why…is…her…name…so…important?" "He's after the Sun Symbol," Tezur answered grimly. "But you said Pin Feinfelg didn't have-" "It doesn't," he interrupted. "But my father told me about this town's secret. It seems even her mother does not know." "What secret?" Misavi was now very interested.
"Five of the seven Sun Symbols are housed in altars all over the world. But two of them are kept in different places." Tezur was looking straight into Misavi's eyes. "To further protect the world, our ancestors infused a young girl with the Sun Symbol of love. Her gift was passed down over the ages to her daughters without their knowing. Page and her mother probably have no idea what they possess. But that girl is carrying the magic." A little disturbed, Misavi scratched her neck. "Ow," she mumbled as she felt a sharp pain in her finger, as if it was pierced by something. "We have to stop that man. The world depends on us. There's no time to waste," Tezur said, still gazing at Misavi. "But where are we supposed to go?" she asked. "Chances are he'll come for the Blaze Badge. We wait," he answered. Misavi glanced at the emblem on her belt, and then turned back to the boy.
Sure enough, Damagoden's telltale chains rattled in Misavi's ears. "Looking for me?" he asked with a wry grin. "How fortunate. I was actually looking for you, children." The man's voice was deep and almost seductive. "You see, I am in dire need of that Sun Symbol you wear arou-" He was silenced by a controlled wave of Tezur's sword, which ended with the tip of the blade pressing gently against Damagoden's neck. "Where did you take Page?" demanded Tezur, glaring at the thief. "That is for me to know, and you to find out, if you dare. I fear," he paused to chuckle, "that following me will result in death." Damagoden reached up and gingerly pushed the sword away from his neck. Tezur did not fight it; he could sense that the other man was much stronger. The chains on Damagoden's sleeves jingled in tune to his steps as he walked over to Misavi. He put a gloved hand on her cheek and stroked it gently. "A pity it will be, to destroy such a beautiful girl…But I must." Misavi felt his light touch become steadily harder. Damagoden's hand glowed purple for a moment, and then Misavi's world went black.
