Disclaimer: I don't own Skies of Arcadia, or any of the characters involved in it. But I like the game, Does that count?

- Chapter 2: Trust -

As Vyse stood at the helm of the small lifeboat, Aika and Fina were talking.

"So, what is it like having a servant?" Aika asked bluntly.

"Well," Fina began to blush slightly. " it's nice to have someone look up to you, and have everything they do be in your safety. But he isn't my servant!" Fina's face changed from blushy to serious in a matter of seconds.

"Whoa, Fina, relax, it was just a question," Aika said, cheerfully rubbing the back of her head.

"Guys, look at the moon," Vyse said, pointing up towards the Green moon. "We have to hurry! Maybe we can get there before the beam of light forms again." Vyse smiled as he turned towards the moon.

"Hey," Fina spoke up, " Vyse, can we stop by the Delphinus? We should get Shoryu before we head towards the moon." Vyse muttered something under his breath as he turned the ship towards the Delphinus and began to fly ahead.

Meanwhile, Shoryu and Tika'Taka were on the King's ship. 'The moon…' Shoryu thought to himself, 'Master Fina better hurry if she wants to analyze the next moon essence.' The ship began to go faster, as the sun went almost fully into hiding.

"Where is this funeral?" Tika'Taka asked the solider.

"On a shrine just north of Horteka. It is set so that as soon as the last ray of light vanishes, and the moon is directly over the shrine, the ceremony will begin. It's called Moonlight Shrine. We should be there shortly." The solider said turning towards the sky.

"Hmm…" Shoryu looked puzzled, " Why will the ceremony be under the moon?"

"For the past few days, the moon has been brighter and more lively then ever before. It would be a glorious send off for our King!" Shoryu jumped up in shock.

"How long until we arrive at the Moonlight Shrine?" Shoryu asked.

"We're here," replied to Ixa'takan solider. The ship turned around a mountain into a lush, green forest with a giant pedestal in the middle, raised high above the trees. "The funeral is atop the shrine, we must hurry, it is almost time." The ship raced up to the top of the shrine, where there were thousands of people surrounding the King's corpse. The Village elder was sitting in a chair beside the King. The funeral was starting, and Shoryu knew he had to do something….

"Shoryu left not to long ago," Don said to Vyse, " He took a life boat. Tika'Taka was with him too. I think they went to the King's funeral."

"Where? Where is the funeral?" Fina asked frantically. Vyse and Aika looked at each other, then looked at Fina.

"I can't be sure, but I think it is northwest of here. There is some new structure around there, like a giant shrine." Don replied instantly. He knew to co-operate with Fina when she was like this. Vyse ran to the helm and set a course northwest.

"Vyse, hurry!" Fina pleaded.

"Worried about Shoryu, Fina?" Aika joked, but Fina didn't answer. She was scanning the skies for Shoryu. Suddenly, the moon began to shine bright rays of light. One ray started to descend slowly down to the shrine.

"He's there," Fina said, "I feel it." Fina's eyes were closed, as if she was in deep thought.

"Hey buddy," An Ixa'takan at the funeral spoke to Shoryu, " I heard that recently, the King was acting weird. Like he was a different person. He wouldn't even let the High Priests see him, not even Isapa. Some say he killed himself…" Shoryu, not knowing what the man was talking about, just smiled and nodded.

"People!" A High Priest spoke from atop the shrine, "I, Isapa of the High Priests, would li…" Isapa was cut of by the gasps of the people as the Delphinus came closer to the shrine. The light that was descending towards the shrine began to widen. The King's body rose into the air and was engulfed in the light. The people were in awe as the Moonlight shrine began to crumble.

"Fina, Aika! Let's go!" Vyse yelled as the Delphinus began to get into range of the light. Vyse jumped off of the deck onto the crumbling shrine, with Aika and Fina right behind. The light created an invisible platform that rose up into the air, bringing the King's light encased body along up with it. Vyse and co. jumped up onto the platform.

"Shoryu!" Fina screamed. Instantly, Shoryu jumped up from the crowd and right to Fina's side. Everybody drew their swords as theh light began to fade and a new figure could be seen.

"Alright, everybody get ready…" Vyse paused, waiting for the figure to draw a weapon. The figure brought out two swords, and prepared for battle. Vyse jumped in for the attack just as the light faded.

"The King! No!" Fina screamed, but Vyse couldn't pull back in time, he was already in air, ready for the kill. Suddenly, Shoryu ran in front of Vyse's attack, and their blades met.

"Shoryu?" Vyse said, bewildered at why he was stopped. Then, the King's face was starring Vyse right in the eye. "King? But your dead!"

"The Moon essence took the King's body, as it was taken by the light," Shoryu stated, "The King's body may be here, but that does not mean his soul…"

"What?" Aika asked, totally confused.

"I think he means, something took his body." Fina replied

"Exactly." Shoryu said.

"Fools! You dare to defy the great Kamroh? You shall pay with your lives!" The King leaped over Shoryu and slashed an unprepared Vyse in the arm. Vyse screamed in pain, fell to his knees, and dropped his Cutlass. The King, Kamroh, kicked Vyse's Sky fang cutlass down, off the platform, into the vast forests. Vyse sat there defenseless while Kamroh was preparing to behead him with his twin blade. Suddenly, a shriek came from Fina.

"Shoryu! Help him!' Instantly, Shoryu's blade caught Kamroh's. Vyse rolled out of the way while Shoryu took on Kamroh.

"Fina? You're orders?" Shoryu asked, easily dodging and blocking Kamroh, who was growing angry at how Shoryu wasn't even paying attention.

"You! You mock the Great Kamroh? You shall pay for your insolence!"

"Don't let him get away!" Vyse screamed. Shoryu just stood there, waiting for Fina to respond.

"Shoryu! Stop him!" Fina said, finally. Shoryu drove his sword through Kamroh's right leg, pinning him to a nearby tree. Kamroh shrieked in pain, but Shoryu didn't care. "Umm…" Fina muttered.

"Ow." Aika finished.

"Shoryu…" Vyse said. "Why didn't you listen to me when I said to not let him get away."

"I take my orders from Fina, not from you," Shoryu replied. He gave a glance that chilled to the bone, "What ever she tells me, I do without a thought…"

"Whatever she tells you?" Vyse thought to himself. A concerned look came across his face, but was quickly wiped away with a smile, and a laugh. "Well! Should we head to back to Crescent Isle then?" The crew nodded.

"Whatever the girl tells you?" Kamroh whispered to himself. Silently he chuckled and menacing chuckle as Shoryu carried him back to the Delphinus…


Authors notes: Wow, that took me a long time. Sorry about the wait, my brother has university stuff, so I never get on the computer. I will have chapter 3 in by the week of October 15th for sure, because I'll write on weekends. Just keep waiting. Answering a few questions, it is probably going to shape up to be a AxV fic, but Fina will not be left alone. Ramirez is, I repeat IS coming back, maybe in about 5-10 chapters, and the ending, which isn't for a while, will surprise you… intensely… just wait, you'll see. XxKalasxX out.