Chapter 3

Searching

Ayrm's point of view

When I woke up, it was afternoon. I could tell, because it's a lot warmer then it usually is when Azure normally wakes me up. Speaking of Azure, where is she? She rarely allows me to sleep in, most of the time she wakes me up early is to ride before it got too warm. And if she is letting me sleep in, she would tell me before I fell asleep. But she didn't. I don't even know if she got back from the forest. I knew I should have given her a ride.

I walked out of my lair where I slept and walked to her house. I peered through the windows to see if she was there. She wasn't. I started to get a little worried. I went to Terra's house to see if she was there. Nope. I started panicking and went to Sirrus to see if he knew.

Sirrus, Sirrus wake up! I yelled at Sirrus while shaking his shoulder. He opened one eye. What is it? he asked wearily. I...I think Azure and Terra are missing. I can't find them anywhere. My voice quavered a little. Sirrus sat up immediately. Missing?! Are you sure? He asked. I checked everywhere they could be. I didn't find any sign of them. I replied. Sirrus stood up and as he ran out of the cave, he shouted, Well, if they are missing, we must spread the word! By the way, did you try to contact them yet? Sirrus asked as he stopped to look at me. Oh yeah. I forgot I could communicate with them telepathically. Um, let me do that now. I told Sirrus. You do that while I inform others. He said as he bounded out of sight.

I closed my eyes, and thought deeply about Azure. That's how I call her. She would always answer except when she's unconscious. I wouldn't be able to reach her if she was. A few minutes after she didn't answer, I received intelligence that she was unconscious. Now I really started to freak out. She's missing, and she's unconscious. Next, I try Terra. I really hope she answers, because she's our last chance. A few minutes after her not answering, I was told that she was in deep sleep.

Terra is a deep sleeper. She won't respond to anything once she's asleep. Except when someone hurts her. She also doesn't respond when she's in a really bad rage, and, when she's unconscious.

No one is answering, I have no information about where anyone is. My fear began to swell up once, then, it was released. AZURE! TERRA! I yelled at the top of my lungs as a pearly white tear slid down my face.

Terra's point of view

I woke up in the afternoon when the sun was beating down. I stood up and noticed how dirty my outfit was. "Great, I just washed this yesterday." I said, extremely bitter.

I faced a cliff wall and touched it. It wasn't that hot, and it looked easy enough to climb. I gripped to the cliff and started climbing. It was harder than I thought, but I was managing. It wasn't until I was half way there when I lost my footing and fell to the ground, causing my left foot hurt.

I can't climb out, so how the heck am I going to get out of here? I thought. Then I remembered I could change into Sirrus and fly out of here. I facepalmed, then turned into Sirrus as I flew out of the valley.

Once I got to the cliff just above the valley, (I still looked like Sirrus) I was greeted by a man who was walking this way. He had blond hair with a crimson outfit, two swords behind his back, and deep red eyes that locked on me the instant I appeared.

He was still staring at me when I turned back into Terra.

Kyuzo's point of view

Just as I got to the edge of the cliff, a great dragon appeared before me, standing right on the edge of the cliff.

It was mainly a deep green with gold claws and eyes, and the tip of it's tail was also gold. Emeralds and Peridot were implanted on the dragon's forehead, chest, and shoulders.

Then, the dragon started to glow white, as it changed to form of a human girl, around the other girl's age that had the fever. She had long, shiny black hair with bright emerald green eyes. She was wearing an evergreen shirt with brown pants and black shoes. All of which were somewhat covered with dirt and dust. (Sorry I couldn't describe Sirrus and Terra earlier. I'll also be explaining Azure and Ayrm's appearance as soon as possible)

I didn't know what to do, so I simply pointed one of my swords in her face. Her reaction completely caught me off guard, which was rare for me. "GET THAT SWORD OUT OF MY FACE OR I'LL TAKE IT FROM YOU AND KEEP HITTING YOUR HEAD WITH IT UNTIL IT CRACKS OPEN LIKE A WALNUT!" The girl shouted at me as she whapped the sword out of my hand. I was so shocked, I took a step back and almost lost my balance. (Yes, Terra is a violent child x3) She had such a temper.

The girl kept staring at me, pure anger in her eyes. I walked over to where my sword was to grab it, but the girl was quicker and snatched it before I could take it. She pointed it at me, but I know she wouldn't hurt me, so I stayed calm. "Do you know where a girl named Azure is?" She asked my with a hint of venom in her voice.

Azure? Could she mean the girl with the fever? Since I have no idea what that girl's name was, I said, "Describe her." The black haired girl looked less angry, but still had the sword pointed at me. "Azure has long, flaming orange hair, she wears a sky blue tank top, midnight blue short jeans, and white shoes. She is also very calm, loves dragons, and puts others happiness before her own. She's also very brave for a girl her age." The other girl finished.

Well, the physical appearances match, and she definitely was calm. But I'm not sure about the last three personality traits. She didn't say anything about dragons, she didn't look very brave, but maybe that's because she didn't know where she was and she was tired. As for the last one, I have no idea.

Since most of them matched up, I decided the girl with the fever was Azure. I stayed silent for a little longer, then nodded my head. The girl dropped the sword and looked extremely surprised yet happy. "You have?! Seriously!?" She said. I gave a shrug, but the girl didn't seem to care. "Take me to her. Please. She's my best friend, and I have been looking every where for her. Well, most of the time, I've been in that valley... but whatever." She finished.

I grabbed my sword, sighed, and said "Come." as I started walking back toward Kanna Village. The girl ran up to my side and started walking by me while humming. How quickly her attitude can change. She stopped humming and asked me a question. "Thank you. Can you please tell me your name so that I can honor you in the future for finding Azure?" I stay silent. "If I tell you my name first, will you give me yours?" I did not want to repeat what happened a few minutes ago, so I nodded. "Ok, well, my name is Terra. Azure's friend, and the second best dragon rider in history. Azure is actually the best dragon rider in history, incredibly skilled with her dragon Ayrm. Anyway, what's your name?" Huh. I learned more about the sick Azure. So she's the best dragon rider in history... Anyway, better ask this impatient girl's question. "Kyuzo." Is all I say. "Ok. Thank you again Kyuzo for finding Azure." Terra said as she bowed. I kept walking until she asked another question, with a little impatience. "When are we going to get wherever we are going to?" She asked. "Soon." Is all I say as we kept making our way to Kanna Village.

Azure's point of view

When I woke up, there was a pulsing sensation in my head. A sign that Ayrm called me when I was unconscious. He's probably worried sick about me, so I decided to call him.

I thought about him deeply, and it wasn't even five seconds before he answered. Azure?! Azure! You are Azure right?! He said, extreme panic in his voice. "Yes, I am Azure." I said, still extremely faint. Thank the Soaring Flame! You're alright! Where are you anyway? Sirrus and I have been looking everywhere for you and Terra. You're considered "missing" in Soaring Flame right now! They've got search parties looking everywhere! I felt so guilty, making everybody do this just for me and Terra. We must be really important to them. "To be honest, I don't even know myself. All I know is that there are rice fields as far as the eye can see, a small village and a cliff where I am. I appear to be in a hut room, probably because of him..." I trailed of, thinking of the blond man. Him?! Who is "him"? asked Ayrm, who sounded extremely angry. "Oh, no! I assure you this man means no harm! When I first appeared here, I was cut and horribly tired. I met this man who, apparently, got help for me." I replied to Ayrm as I noticed a bandage around my cut and a wet cloth on my forehead. Bless that man then. I would love to meet him and offer my sincere thanks. Of course, I'll do that when you've found out where you are. Please call me back as soon as you know. Ayrm said just as he started to fade away. "Ok." I said before I coughed. I ended the call and sat up.

It was a small room, with a bed, a dresser, and the mat that I am on. The people the blond man got help for me must not be very rich, but I was still extremely grateful. I still felt hot, and I have no idea about my cut, but I put my hand to my forehead when a woman walked into the room.

"You're awake." she said, sounding grateful. I looked up at her and realized she was very pretty and had a kind, caring face. "I'm Yukino, I'll be taking care of you for a while. I'm also the girlfriend of Shichiroji." I never heard of this "Shichiroji" before, so I was a bit confused when she said that. "Shichiroji?" I said in a croaky voice. "Hmm, I guess you haven't met him yet. You don't sound to good either." she crossed over to me and put a gentle hand to my forehead. "That fever of yours is not going away anytime soon." Yukino got up as her brows furrowed. I sighed and looked at the ground.

I wonder where I am, and I wonder if Terra is at this place too, just maybe in a different location. Terra. I completely forgot about her! I started panicking and stood up, but even that was hard to do. I had to look for Terra. "What are you doing?!" asked Yukino the minute I got up. "I have to search for a friend. I don't know where she is, but I hope she's nearby." I took a step forward, but even that was painful. Yukino walked up to me and gently put her hands on my shoulders. "You cant go! You'll be even worse then you already are!"

I stopped struggling and looked down at the ground. Dang, I must've hurt and overdone myself really bad. How long I wonder? "H-how long have I been out?" I asked Yukino. "A little over a day. I'm surprised you didn't wake up because of Kikuchuyo yelling and other things." She replied.

I began to lie back down on the mat when an older man walked into the room. "I heard some commotion in here. Is everything alright?" The man said. Yukino turned around to face him and bowed. "Everything is fine great Kambei. Our patient just woke up actually." The man, who I guess is Kambei, looked at me. "So she is. I'll let Kyuzo and the other girl know so they can visit you." Other girl? Could it be...?

I heard two footsteps coming this way, one was thunderous and running fast, the other was calm and slow. Next thing I knew, Terra burst into the room and smiled. "AZURE!" she said as ran over and hugged me. I hugged her back, grateful that I was able to see her, just not with as much enthusiasm because I was so weak. Terra must of noticed, because she pulled away from me looked at me with concern. "What's wrong with her? Why is she so lethargic and weak?" said Terra as the blond man that got me help walked into the room. I think his name is Kyuzo because I thought Kambei called him that, but I'm not sure.

Kambei was actually the one who spoke up. "Part of it is a fever, another is fatigue. There are more signs, but we do not know what they lead to be causing her to act like this. I don't think it's her cut though." Terra looked at me and blinked. "Do you need something to eat?" She said. "No." I replied.

Terra was about to say something else when we heard yelling coming from another room. "I SAID NO ALREADY! WHY DO YOU KEEP ASKING?!" "Because I want you to play with me!" "I just remembered sprout! I have to help, uh, Heihachi lift, um, stuff, so I can't play now-" "Excuses, excuses. Lying to a little girl like me Kiku? Have you no shame?" "HEY!" argued a voice from a child and something else. "Komachi! Hush! We have a sick patient!" yelled a young woman. "Kikuchuyo! Be quiet-" We watched the blond man walk from the room to the room where Kikuchuyo and Komachi apparently were, and we hear something hitting metal. "OW! What's your problem mister silent guy?!" "Be quiet." We heard footsteps coming back toward the room when the blond man appeared. "Thank...you...?" I said awkwardly to the man who gave a silent nod.

It was silent for a while until Terra spoke up. "I'm glad I found you." I smiled. "I am grateful to. Who told where I was and lead you here?" I asked. "Thought it would've been obvious by now." Terra said as she pointed to the blond man. I wanted to thank him, but I forgot his name. "Thank you. What's your name again?" I asked him. It took him a while before he answered. "Kyuzo." There was a bit of a pause. "Yours?" I looked at him and gave a faint smile. "Azure Ayrmel. Thank you for getting me help Kyuzo-sama." He turned his head and left the room.

Kambei was the next one to speak. "Do you girls know how to fight?" He asked Terra and I. "Um, yes, why?" Terra asked, clearly not interested though. "Would it be too much to ask if you could help us fight the Nobuseri?" Nobuseri? What are they? Well, the others seem kind of desperate about it, so what the heck. "Sure. I'll be glad too." And since I accepted, Terra has to no matter what. "If Azure is willing to help, then I will too." Terra said with determination. "You do realize that you are putting your life on the line for a lot pheasants. Is that alright?" Yukino asked us. "Yes. I'm pretty sure the pheasants have much worse lives then we do. Besides, our riding dragons can help. They're literally invincible." I said. Everyone gave me confused glances except for Terra. "Riding...dragons?" Kambei stuttered. "We're dragon riders." Terra exclaimed simply. "Ok. Anyway, we thank you. Girl with the black hair-" "It's Terra." "Hmm. Terra, can you please show us your skills outside?" "Sure, whatever." Terra walked outside of the room. "Azure, you'll have to show us once your feeling better." Kambei said just as he left. I nodded my head before I fell asleep.

Raknor's point of view

I followed the sssscented trail of them as I found my ssssself in a foressssst. I blended amongsssst the shadows ssso that none shall sssee me, and I crushed and killed every living thing that sssstood in my way. The ssssscent of Azure was ssssstrong. Yessss, I wasss correct. I did sssslash her when she fell from the tree. The venom should be making her weaker. However, I did not ssssmell Terra at all. "She musssst have teleported to a different area." I sssaid. "Kanna Village. That'sssss where I am and where they are. Ssssstrange though. I don't sssmell my accurssssed brother Ayrm at all." I looked around Kanna Village and received information that she wasss battling the Nobusssseri. Perfect. Assssss long assssss the Nobuseri win, I won't have to worry about battling the ssseven ssssamurai that are protecting Azure and Terra: Shichiroji, Gorobei, Kikuchuyo, Katssssushiro, Heihachi, Kyuzo, and that Kambei.

End of chapter 3. (Sorry it took so long! Here's chapter 3 :D)