Flight

Kai and Zane sat side by side on the wall, staring into the darkness as they waited. The minutes ticked by like hours in Kai's skull.

He finally decided to start a conversation, just to make time pass in a more productive fashion.

"So," he cleared his throat and spoke in a softer voice. "How did you get captured, Zane? By what means did they get you on this flying ship?"

A long pause. Zane eventually shifted his weight and began. "I allowed myself to be captured." He said in an equally low tone. "I find it ironic that Cole captured me when I was already trying to find a way to sneak onto his ship."

Kai's eyes squinted in the darkness as he tried to find Zane's face, to see if the man was serious or not. "Why would a man like you be trying to get trapped purposely on this evil piece of junk?" He asked.

"This ship is a remarkable feat of ingenuity and craftsmanship, Kai," Zane reasoned. "Evil, yes. But not junk."

Kai rolled his eyes. "Continue the story."

"Do you roll your eyes at everyone, or is it just me?" Zane asked with good humor.

Kai gave him a brazen smile.

Zane chuckled and shook his head in amusement. "To elaborate on my previous words," he said after the chuckle had run its course. "I was trying to get onto the Black Bounty to rescue you."

He held a finger to Kai's lips, stopping the hotheaded man before he could ask the anticipated question. "I knew that you were captured because of your guardian bird." He set his hand back on his lap again. "There is too much to tell at this moment in time, Kai. I will explain in better detail later. But just in case you didn't realize before now, you have a mechanical bird that never lets you leave its sight. It contacts me and my sister, Pixal, at the first sign of danger. We got a signal from your bird at dusk, with a live feed of Cole and your plight."

Kai interjected before Zane could continue. "And Nya?" He asked. "Does she have a bird?" The thought surprised him, thinking that this man before him had the power to spy on everything he did. He clenched his fist. Everything his sister did. The thought made him sick.

Zane nodded, though Kai was unable to see the movement in the darkness. "Yes. I believe you call it Cheeks, or something along those lines. It sent a message to Pixal, and she is locating your sister as we speak." He examined Kai's face and let out a short laugh. "The bird only produces video if it senses danger, or if Nya requests to specifically contact me or my sister, Kai." He rubbed the bridge of his nose and shook his head. "Do not think I would misuse my power, my friend."

Kai was amazed by Zane's acute ability to guess what he was thinking. He couldn't resist the question that had been eating away at him for a while now. "Is she safe?" He had an ache inside of him that said that he didn't care what happened to himself, just as long as his sister was out of harm's way.

Zane paused. "I could check for you, if you'd like. I haven't made contact with her bird since before I got onto the ship."

Kai nodded fervently. "If you could, that would be great."

Zane didn't reply. There was silence for a few seconds, then a quiet beep and a series of clicks before his eyes began to glow. What had been brilliant icy blue irises before now became a fluorescent pair of blue lights that were hard to look at without burning stars into your vision.

Kai stared at him in wonder. Was there anything this android couldn't do? Zane's head was erect, straight forward and expressionless as he peered ahead into the blackness. His mouth began to move. "She is in a cave," he said. "With that wound in her body bleeding profusely."

Kai's stomach lurched. "What else can you see?"

Zane pursed his lips. "I see a man on his knees next to her, trying very hard not to throw up as he washes it out."

"Well, who is it?" Kai was hoping that it was his father.

Zane shrugged. "The bird cannot get a good view of his face without being seen."

"But Cheeks is black," Kai said. "Can't the bird move around in a cave inconspicuously?"

Zane blinked, dousing the light for half a second before his eyes reopened, restoring the luminescence. "His eyes are glowing like mine. The man would likely have a heart attack if he saw that. The bird is being...cautious..." He paused and went silent.

"Jay Walker," Zane whispered after a long moment. He slammed his fist onto his thigh and let out a low growl.

"What?" Kai raised an eyebrow.

Zane sighed and blinked again, extinguishing the light with another series of beeps and clicks. He lit up his head dimly, so Kai could see his face while he spoke. "Your sister seems to have the worst luck ever." He chuckled.

"I ask again, Zane." Kai said tersely. "What?"

Zane looked at him grimly. "The man turned his face for just a moment, and I got a good look. He is Jay Walker, a notorious criminal in the Northern realm."

Kai felt his stomach lurch. "A criminal?" He didn't even want to know what this 'Jay' would do to his sister.

Zane nodded. "A thief, with a bounty over his head large enough for a young man to retire and never have to earn another penny in his lifetime. Quick as lightning, he would rob you from right under your nose, and you wouldn't even realize until he was out of sight. Cunning, brilliant and full of ingenuity. It's a pity, he could have done well in life with a real job."

Kai felt mildly relieved that the man with his sister was nothing more than a thief. There were much worse criminals for a girl to run into. "So she'll be fine?"

Zane nodded. "Indeed. My sister has her coordinates, and most likely already knows about Jay. She can contact Cheeks too, you know. I estimate she will have your sister safe by daybreak."

Kai almost let a smile onto his face. But only almost. "So what was your plan for once you got on the boat?" He asked, trying to get back on their original track. "How were we going to escape, according to your original plans?"

Zane shook his head. "I wasn't planning on escape, my friend." He said quietly. "I didn't even tell my family this, but my plan was companionship, not escape. My goal was to protect you, and see if I could eventually find a route of escape after we were already on the island."

Kai's jaw dropped. How could a man so willingly embrace the thought of death? When you are a soulless robot, perhaps you think differently, he reasoned.

"Thank you," he said quietly, clearing his throat. He reached down and grabbed a garment hem to fiddle with in the awkward silence, then realized it was Zane's cloak. He drew his hand back quickly and grabbed his own sleeve, mimicking Zane's fidgety behavior.

"You are most welcome," Zane said pleasantly, not noticing Kai's nervous actions. "But I would thank Cole, if I were you. He's the one planning the escape."

"How much time is left until he comes back, by the way?" Kai asked, suddenly reminded of the man he had sworn to always hate. "Any guesses?"

Zane paused. "He'll be here any moment now. It's been sixty three minutes since he said it would be an hour."

As if on queue, there was a jangle of keys and a soft click. Cole tiptoed through the door, leaving it open this time. There was no lantern in his hands. He looked at Zane's glowing face and would have screamed in terror if Zane had not flown across the room and put a finger to the Dark Knight's mouth.

Cole leaped back, gripping his chest in a panic, but he managed to keep quiet. He stared at Zane for several seconds before he finally spoke. "What in the name of Overlord is going on with your face?" He hissed.

Zane took a step back. "A Nindroid," his voice was barely above a whisper. The light went out with a faint click, leaving the room in total darkness. "We would not want the stone warriors to see us leave," he explained.

Cole shoved the keys into his pocket. "Let's go, then."

Kai stood up and followed the others out the door, his blood pounding in his ears as he entered the torchlit hallway. He hugged himself, wishing that he had a cloak like the other two. The night air was a little crisp, even indoors.

Zane suddenly stopped and grabbed Cole's shoulder. "Cole," he whispered. "You left our door open."

Cole jumped in surprise and very nearly lashed out at Zane's hand. "It doesn't matter," he whispered hoarsely, forcing his heart out of his throat. "Come on." He turned away from the android and continued walking.

They went up a flight of steps, then they were out on the deck, with a chilly breeze blowing through their clothing and chilling Kai's bones.

"Down the anchor chain," Cole whispered. "Come on, hurry."

They ran across the deck. "Zane first," Cole said. "Then Kai, and I'll go last."

Kai waited for Zane to disappear over the edge of the ship before he shimmied down after him. The chain rattled and swayed gently in the breeze.

He looked down at the ground and immediately felt that something was wrong. Where are the stone warriors? When he had first entered the ship, the invincible army had been everywhere. He guessed that there were at least forty of them on board.

But now, they were nowhere to be seen on the ground. The ship had looked deserted as well.

Cole had given them the impression that the ship was not going to stop until they had arrived at the Dark Island, and yet here it was, anchored about thirty feet above the ground, in a patch of trees instead of flying.

Kai's feet hit the soft, earthy ground, and he looked over at Zane, who was adjusting the shoulders of his cloak, and pulling the hood up over his head. Kai heard a soft thump and whirled around sharply in his edgy state, half expecting an army of stone samurais to pop out of the trees.

"Kai, it's just me." Cole's voice reached his ears.

Kai crossed his arms over his chest. "That makes me feel loads better," he said sarcastically.

Cole glared at him. "You've trusted me this far, why second guess me now?"

"Gentleman, please." Zane whispered. "Let's argue when we've gotten somewhere safe."

Cole let out a short laugh. "The only way to be safe in this kingdom would be to embrace death."

Kai growled under his breath. Did the Dark Knight ever have a happy thought in his life? He uncrossed his arms and pointed accusingly at Cole's face. "I don't trust you, Sir Cole." He hissed. "I am sensing a trap."

Cole looked mildly amused by Kai's fit of temper. "Why set a trap for tamed birds?" He responded cooly. "I've already caught you."

Kai's hand slowly dropped, but he kept the man's even gaze. "You could be trying to get us in bigger trouble, so you can have a good reason to hurt us." He felt something graze his shoulder and lashed out at the figure behind him, throwing his fist with enough power to break bones as he pushed his body into the blow.

Zane cooly caught Kai's fist, taking a step back to keep from falling over. He stared into Kai's eyes for several moments before speaking. "Fighting will not help you, Kai." He whispered, letting go of the man's clenched fist.

Kai held his hand in the air, completely tense, for several seconds before letting it drop. "Fine," he spat as he looked at Cole. "Which way, O bird tamer?"

This time, Cole was the one fighting to stay his hand. He clenched his fist and felt a strong urge to rip this man's limbs from his torso. "Discord is our worst enemy, Red Knight." He said with an even, almost monotonous tone. "Let us not invite him in with open arms." He turned on his heel and beckoned them forward with a hand, not looking to see if they caught the gesture. "Let's get going. The stone warriors will be back any minute now, and we need to put a safe distance between us and them."

Zane followed after Cole, a long shadow trailing behind him in the light of the few stars that were left glittering in the deep bluish-purple sky. Kai stamped his foot angrily and followed.

Pixal let a grin tug at one cheek. Not a warm, friendly grin. It was more of a smirk, smug and full of contempt, and most certainly laced with cruel humor. Her lips moved slowly. "I ask again, Walker," her voice had a quality that said it was best to obey, because the other option would not be as pretty as her fair face. "Where is Kai?" Each word flew from her mouth with strong emphasis.

Jay's heart pounded in his chest as his body was pressed between Pixal's boot and the hard stone floor. "I...I..." He stuttered, unable to form a complete sentence. His breaths were fast and short, due to the woman's pressure on his ribcage.

She leaned in a little more and reached into her cloak. She pulled out a long knife about as wide as her middle finger, and just a little longer than her hand, and twirled it slowly between her fingers for a moment before placing it under his jawbone. "Do you need encouragement?" Her voice sounded almost like a child's, but more sadistic, and underscored with cruel humor.

Jay shook his head slowly, holding back a shudder as the tip of the blade tickled his skin. "Let me up and I'll talk," he squeaked.

Pixal's smile only broadened. "You seem to be doing just fine at the moment," she nearly purred. "I think I'll let you talk from down there."

The thief swallowed back the urge to cough, knowing that doing so would only push the blade into the tender flesh under his jaw. "I have no idea where Kai is," his voice was strained, and his face was flushing with lack of oxygen and embarrassment. Surely there was nothing more mortifying than being a man trapped in a woman's clutches, nearly at the point of begging for mercy.

Pixal leaned in a little more. Their faces were only about twelve inches apart now, and Jay could smell the scent of her strong perfume as it wafted down from her long, blond hair. Her green eyes seemed to glow as she glared at her captive. "Liar," she hissed in a low voice. "You're one wrong move from death, Walker."

Jay rolled his head back as far as he could and looked at the ceiling, trying to get away from the blade. He regretted the move instantly, because the woman's hand simply returned the knife to back under his chin, forcing Jay to keep his head up. Moving his chin down closer to his chest would literally be suicide.

"Wrong move," Pixal grinned as the blade drew a prick of blood, then a trickle.

"Stop." A voice rang through the cavern, sharp and commanding.

Pixal turned her head to look at Nya, somewhat annoyed that her game had been interrupted. "What do you want, Nya?" She asked sharply.

Nya was sitting upright in her bed of furs, glaring at her rescuer as if she were the enemy. "Do not speak to me that way, Pixal." Her tone held all of the authority that Pixal had commanded. "We are equals here, don't treat me like a commoner."

Pixal let out a harsh, guttural sound that echoed through the cave. "Yes, my lady?" She said slowly, hating herself for actually listening to this injured woman.

Nya nodded. "That is more appropriate, Pixal," she said shortly. "First off," She held up a finger, her eyes burning through Pixal's with a vengeance. "I do not approve of this. He was merely-"

Pixal suddenly stood up straight and put both feet on the floor, holding the knife at her side in a clenched fist. "I was not aware that I needed your approval, Nya," she shot back. "He belongs to me."

Nya glanced at Jay, who was laying limply on the floor, gasping for breath and oblivious to the dispute, as far as she could tell. For the first time since she met him, she felt something besides fear when she looked at him. She felt pity. Her eyes shot back up to Pixal and halted there. "He belongs to nobody, Pixal. Last I checked, it was in the jurisdiction of your father to decide who lived and died in the Northern realm."

Pixal's free hand went tense at her side. "Fine." Spittle flew from her mouth as she sheathed the knife and pulled out a rope. "Fine, whatever, okay, fair enough." Each word flew with emphasis that made Nya flinch.

And that is why we don't know each other very well, Nya thought to herself. She is just about the opposite of her brother, and no one but her family can bear it.

"Thank you," was the short reply that actually reached her lips. "And by the way, Jay is telling the truth. Sir Cole has my brother." It felt good, being able to prove this woman wrong for once.

Pixal didn't even grace her with a reply. She roughly turned Jay onto his face and tied his hands behind his back. She wouldn't kill him, but she honestly didn't think her father would mind if the great thief Jay Walker arrived at the mansion with a couple ugly bruises.

Jay let out an involuntary moan as he was dragged to his feet harshly. His feet slipped and grappled for purchase on the stony surface, which suddenly felt very slippery. Blood trickled from the knife wound under his jaw and stained the front of his blue shirt, making it a perturbing purple color.

"Are you even listening?" Nya cried out, wishing she could stand up and slap the wench across her pretty little face. "I am giving you the answer you were willing to kill for, and you won't even treat me like a human being?" She forced back the squeak that had entered her voice.

Pixal held the long rope tail firmly in one hand as she whirled to glare at Nya. "I was sent here to find you and bring you home," she snarled through bared teeth. "But I am beginning to change my mind." She held out her free hand, and a small black bird flitted over to her finger and landed lightly.

Nya's eyes widened in surprise. "Is that Cheeks?"

Pixal gave one short nod. "Yes, this is 'Cheeks.'" She spat out the name with contempt. "A lousy name, by the way. And he is actually mine. He has been your protector for years now, and has been my eyes and ears to all forms of danger you have encountered since he first started watching you."

Nya blinked a few times in the silence, thoroughly confused. "Protector?" She repeated, suddenly feeling foolish.

The lady of the Northern realm gave another curt nod. "A robot, just like me, Zane, my eagle and so many others throughout the island." She said with growing anger. "It was the sole reason I knew where to find you." She looked at the bird, and it immediately flitted into the air and landed on Nya's hand. "You're welcome, by the way." She turned on her heel and left the cavern.

Nya looked at the bird, now feeling more horror and surprise than anger. "You can't just leave me here!" She shouted frantically.

"I'm not leaving," Pixal's voice came through the tunnel like a thousand sharp daggers, digging into the ears of anyone unfortunate enough to hear it. "I simply have to tie Walker to the horse."

Silence swept through the cavern after that moment. Nya held out her hand to the bird, and it flew without hesitation to her finger. It all made sense now, the reason the bird had been so placid and tame from the moment Nya and Kai had first seen in the garden. It was programmed to watch her.

Nya was suddenly repulsed. The bird was programmed to watch her?

Heavy footsteps signaled Pixal's return a few minutes later. She strode right up to Nya and held out a hand.

Nya looked at the hand, then at its owner's face. "You know I can hardly even sit upright by myself, right?" She asked incredulously. "Please, at least give me your arm so I can-"

Pixal bent over and scooped Nya unceremoniously into her arms, resulting in a sharp cry of pain as Nya's torso was twisted abruptly. "Please be careful, Pixal," she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around the android's neck tightly as she jerked in pain.

The blond haired woman merely snorted contemptuously and walked out into the bright morning sun, making Nya's eyes water as she squinted.

Pixal walked up to a grey horse and lifted Nya into the saddle with a quick swing, although Nya could tell she was trying to be more gentle.

Nya bit back a cry of pain as she righted herself in the saddle, then nodded at Pixal. "Thank you."

Pixal nodded curtly in reply and turned to her own horse. She swung onto its back with the ease of a person who had spent her whole life in the saddle. "Let's get going," she said. "My eagle has just informed me that your father is already looking for you, and is currently near the beach." She spurred her horse forward, making Jay nearly fall over as his rope leash was abruptly jerked by its knot around her saddle horn.

Nya muttered a curse under her breath and kicked her horse forward roughly. How could any sibling be so unlike the other? She asked herself as the horse began to tail Pixal's with a snort of indignation. A yin and yang, if ever there was one.

They rode in a tense silence for a several miles as they rode away from the cliff, making good time for the lord of the South's mansion.

Nya watched Pixal's horse in front of her as it plodded through the thick underbrush.

Jay seemed to have calmed his breathing after about ten minutes, and now looked straight at the ground in front of his feet, doing his best not to trip on the roots and brambles.

They eventually found the path that Kai and herself had raced down the night before, and Jay ventured to look around a bit, because walking took less concentration, with the smoother dirt path beneath his feet. Every now and then, he would find Nya's gaze, and she would look away quickly, as if afraid he would drill her with a cold stare.

While Nya was simple full of distrust for the man, Jay was full of sorrow. He was distraught by his capture, to say the least, but that wasn't his main concern. That surprised him, the more he though about it. He was off to the hanging tree, and all he could feel was a deep, unyielding sorrow for the girl he had rescued. She was not simply a common thief who had a frightful experience with the Overlord's most feared henchman. She was one of the most important people in the country, and she had watched her brother get carried away to only God knows where, to be tortured or killed.

And it made him more distressed than anything else at this moment, because he found that he had, in a really roundabout way, the same backstory.

"Will you be staying for a night or two at my father's mansion, Pixal?" Nya finally broke the silence, trying to show some kindness toward this ornery young android.

"I don't think so," Pixal replied in the same formal tone. "I do not want to wait too long in getting Walker to my father."

"Are you certain?" Nya was praying that Pixal would not change her mind, but she felt the need to be polite.

"Shh," the tall, elegant woman peered into the trees with narrowed green eyes, cutting their conversation short. She shifted her reins to one hand and reached into her cloak, her eyes never leaving the spot in the thick trees.

Nya tried to follow her gaze. "What is it, Pixal?"

The Northern noblewoman looked at Nya grimly. "I sense the presence of several people on horseback." She began walking forward. "Follow me closely. I don't know if they are friend or foe."

Nya kicked her horse, ignoring the twinge in her abdomen as she did so. The horse followed behind Pixal's beast obediently.

"Halt." A commanding voice said, breaking the thick silence. "State your name and business."

"That is no concern of yours, sir." Pixal said, hand concealed by her cloak. Nya suspected that the woman had her fingers around at least a dozen different weapons.

"It is if the Lord Kaytake says so," a deeper voice replied.

Nya barely suppressed a scream. "Father!" She cried out in joy. She looked at Pixal, who nodded her consent. Nya didn't even take the time to nod back. She spurred her horse forward, now oblivious to the pain as she pushed her mount.

"Nya!" A feminine voice called out. Their faces became visible moments later, and Nya was laughing for joy at the sight of the two faces that, twelve hours ago, she had been afraid she'd never see again.

Kaytake jumped off of his horse and rushed past his escort of six guards, straight to his daughter's horse.

Nya stopped her horse but did not dismount. Instead, she backed up when her father tried to come close. "Please, don't touch me," she said. "I am wounded."

Driniah came up beside her husband a moment later and took her daughter's hand, tears glittering in her blue eyes. "I was so worried, Nya." She said softly. "Where is Kai?"

Nya pulled her lips into a tight, controlled line and looked at Kaytake. "Kai has been taken by the Dark Knight." She hated having to speak so directly, but she felt that it was necessary.

"It's a long story, and one I don't completely understand myself." She continued, narrowly stopping the potential onslaught of questions. "Talk to Pixal if you want details, she seems to know what's going on better than me."