Ch. 5 City of Rain
There security ninjas of Rain City rushed out to capture the warriors, but even the corpse of the first assassin was gone. They helped pull the hero's weak bodies up from the ground covered in shards of ice and burnt woods pieces.
As the exhausted squad entered the crowded city, they could see the kids reuniting with other ninja from the Kaiomi Village, both child and adult. Even with this fact, the trio of genuine recognized only a select few of them.
"You three remain here, meanwhile I'll go discuss with the Master of Rain about the damage to the village and the survivors." Basil then advanced away into the populous streets.
As the teens waited on a bench nearby, Melody perceived a boy not but one or two years older then her; oddly enough, this young man seemed so familiar to her. "Hey," she hollered to the recognized stranger. As soon as he distinguished that she was calling to him, he took off. "Come on," Melody told the others as she dragged them with her.
They rushed after the figure down winding alleys and over buildings. Then the mysterious figure went through a beige door, into a deep, dark room, full of crates and boxes.
"Who are we chasing after?" Davis asked.
"There was this boy in the city, and as soon as I tried to talk to him, he ran off."
"Then we'll split up and search the room," Jackson requested.
They each walked a different direction to search for the boy. In the dark, Jackson could barely see his hand in front of him. "Davis, can you see anything?"
"No, but I've got an idea." Davis snapped his fingers and a petite torch of flame levitated above his open palm, slightly lighting the room. Jackson still squinted as he searched each corner that he could; a figure reconfigured through the floor behind the passing teen, and then vanished again in a contradistinctive direction.
Melody scanned the division around her. When a shadow appeared behind her, she'd turn around, but no one would be there. The girl once again saw a darkened shadow, but the suspect wasn't there, so she tried a new method.
As Davis passed by an open crate, the boy appeared through the wall without being seen by the flame manipulator, and then walked back through the wall to the outside world.
"Lost them," the boy in raggedy clothes sighed in relief. But as he turned around, Melody stood over him. He jumped back in shock. "Look, whatever you think I did, it wasn't me. I can't even remember what happened. Okay?"
"What are you talking about?" she asked as the others joined along side her. "I just want to know your name and how I know you."
"My name's Koon," he nervously explained. You may recognize me, but I don't know you. I've never even seen you before this morning."
"Oh." she stammered. "Well, I'm Melody," she informed him, "and this is Jackson and my good friend Davis."
"How did you get outside?" Davis asked.
"I can make myself intangible. That's how I keep getting away from the others."
"Others?" Jackson inquired.
"Yeah. I'm constantly being chased for no reason. People are always blaming me for doing something, but I never do."
"Well, if you stick with us, I'll introduce you to our administrator, Basil."
"Basil!" the three stated in unison. They ran as swiftly as their bodies could take until they reached the bench they were originally at, where Basil stood waited for the students to return.
"It's about time!" Basil exclaimed, "Where have you been?"
"Well, there was this…"
"It doesn't matter."
"Hey, this is Koon," Melody said pointing to the empty space.
"There's no one there. Quit playing around. Let's just go."
"But where are we going."
"We have to go to the shelter, before they run out of room." They walked through the city watching each person pass by; many of them whispering to one another. "Davis, that stone in your hand."
"What about it?" Davis gave Basil a questioning look.
"There's a magician in the forest. He could teach you more about the Sorcer Stones."
"Really? Who is it?"
"His name's Kyedon. He's a master of emblems."
"Hey, I thought only Kaiomi ninjas had powers," Melody stated.
"When the stones were first made, many of the Kaiomis' abilities were immediately stolen and given to many outlaws, who after Roval's army was defeated, scattered to other cities and had children of their own."
Jackson saw many shops, similar to the one at the Kaiomi Village. The team eventually reached a fairly small building, crowded with people. The four searched for a space, and eventually found a tiny piece of room.
Basil looked outside the musty window to see the sun already setting and the streets emptying. "Better get some sleep. Tomorrow's a long day": he began to speak to students, but they were all passed out on the cold concrete before he could continue. The administrator took what could be his last look at the teens, sighed, and then stepped into his shadow portal.
After the moon reached its highest point, Koon crawled through the window. "Davis! Melody!" he exclaimed, "They're after me!"
"What?" They muttered, as they slowly raised their heads.
"A mob of angry villagers are coming after me."
"So you led them here?" Jackson snarled.
"Jackson!"
The squad looked for their teacher with no luck. Suddenly a crowd gathered outside the building. "In here," one of the men said from outside the room.
Davis motioned his hand, "Look, a door," he said pointing to a door hidden in darkness. Jackson reached for the knob, but the door was smashed down, as many angry men ran in. The characters dashed in the opposite direction, but ran into more goons. They were surrounded. Jackson tried to form one of his disks but nothing came from his hand; Melody's aurora wouldn't form and no energy came form Davis's gem.
"Don't bother trying. Your powers are useless while I'm around," an adult in a dark vest and a metal band on each wrist said as he made his way through the crowd. "There's the criminal!" He said pointing to Koon.
The violent muster of warriors encircled the group as fear swept through their hearts and hopelessness within the petite, stone walls.