Chapter 5

I awoke slowly, feeling warmth envelop my body. At first I thought that it was the same dangerous warmth from before, but when I felt the course fibers of what seemed to be a blanket, I relaxed. In that moment I believed it was all over, a terrible nightmare I was finally waking from. A drab stone ceiling came into view though, and almost immediately I remembered how far away from home I actually was. After some momentary confusion, feeling sturdy enough to make a closer inspection, I found myself in small hut-like structure made of grayish stone. The single room around me was fairly empty containing only a small desk and similarly miniature bed that felt like it had been made for someone half my size—I was laying more off the bed than actually on it.

Sitting up in confusion, I tried to get a better view of where I was. There were two windows and small door directly across from me, but all three were covered by a heavy cloth letting only minimal light in as a breeze of warm air brushed through them. It was only now that I realized how warm the air was, not unbearable, but definitely reminiscent of hot summers past.

I rose carefully and stepped through the make-shift door, only to find a crowd of people about half my size going about their daily business, all of which conveniently stopped to stare at me as I appeared, making me feel like a…well, a leper, what with all the staring. But, I thought as I stared back, equally unnerved, the term people was subjective.

They were all vaguely similar to the one whatever-it-was that I had seen in the woods, all except for their color and stature. The one from before had been blue and much taller. These...little people were all red with either gold or crimson faces that resembled masks more than anything else. And their combined staring was getting creepier and creepier by the minute.

I was frozen like a deer caught in headlights. I wanted to move, needed to get away. Budging in any direction possible was a nice thought right now, but I was too frozen with fear to do much of anything.

If they had meant harm they would have done so by now, I frantically reasoned. All they had ever done up until now was help me. So why was I so terrified?

I was finally mustering the courage to move when a firm hand came down on my shoulder, making me jump in surprise.

"Do not be afraid. We mean no harm, really," a husky, male voice spoke from behind me. I turned to see a taller version of the little people in front of me. I gasped involuntarily. "It's alright. You're safe here," he assured in a calm tone, but looked somewhat unsure himself, so that wasn't much to go on.

My brain refused to work. I knew I was supposed to say something here, anything, but the words became lodged somewhere in my throat, refusing to come out. I glanced from his hand to the onlookers and back to him in quick succession, finally managing the words, "I need to sit down." He seemed to have understood what I was saying though, and led me back inside the hut, guiding me towards the bed gently.

"Are you alright?" he asked in concern.

"I'm fine, I think. I just need a minute to process. A lot has happened today," I said exhaustedly, rubbing my temples.

"So I've heard," he agreed wryly. "Kopaka said you had been through quite an interesting time up on that mountain."

"Kopaka? Who is he? How did I get here anyways? The last thing I remember was being up on the mountain," I queried, pausing in my questioning long enough to shoot him an anxious glance.

"Kopaka is another toa like myself who brought you here from the mountain. He didn't say much, but that's not much different from normal." Rolling his eyes, the 'toa' stopped for a moment. "Now it's my turn. Who are you and why are you here? Humans tend to never venture this way," he said.

"The reason for that might be the fact we don't know it exists. It's not like your island is on a map," I somewhat irritably replied. "My name is Jaden, and as for why I'm here, it was accident. My friend and I were caught in a storm that wrecked our plane." Immediately I froze. "Wait a minute. Where's Dan? Was he found in the jungle?" I asked, finally remembering Dan. I felt bad for even forgetting about him in the first place.

"Toa Gali told us about what happened at the river. Your friend ran away. But don't worry, we'll find him," the 'toa' said in response to my despondent face.

"You keep saying the word toa? What's a toa, and who are you? You never told me," I queried.

"I am Toa Tahu. We Toa are the protectors of the matoran and the turaga," he explained.

"Matoran? Turaga? I don't understand. This place, these people, they shouldn't exist. None of this should exist. You're…well I don't know what exactly you are. Most people would call you robots or biomechanical or something but not…what am I even saying? None of that even matters. Dan is out there alone and lost. I have to find him," I said with as much resolve as possible and headed for the door.

"You can't go out there," Toa Tahu said placing himself between me and the door.

"Try to stop me. I will not leave my friend to die," I said, my tone raised, trying to slide past him even as he caught me in his strong grip and, as gently as possible, pushed me back, his facial expression serious.

"It's far too dangerous. If you go out there, you'll only become a target," he reasoned oddly calm.

"Do you honestly think he'll come to one of you? He ran before, and he'll do it again. I'm the only one he'll trust at this point, and you know that. I have to go."

"She is right, Tahu." An ancient voice spoke from behind Tahu. We both turned to stare at a stooped figure, this one different from any other I had seen before. His mask was long and distinguished looking instead of the smaller, more rounded version of the other…'matoran'. He carried a staff, and from the timber of his voice one would think he was much older than Tahu.

"Turaga Vakama, she can't go. The last thing needed in the jungle is another lost person. She will be more of a hindrance than a help," Tahu tried convincing the 'Turaga'.

"Lewa will be more than capable of watching over her, and I have no doubt she is competent of taking care of herself. She has made it this far without being killed," the 'Turaga' reminded him.

"With all due respect Turaga, that is only because the Toa have been saving her. She is not fit to be in the jungle," Toa Tahu argued, obviously irritated by the 'Turaga's' stance.

"I'm perfectly fit and more aware now than ever," I argued. "Whether you approve or not Tahu, I am going."

Tahu stood there a moment fuming over the situation before giving in. "If you insist on getting killed, then fine. I will take you to Le-koro, but don't expect me to come to your rescue when you get in trouble," He spat, steam nearly coming off his mask.

"I won't," I mock cheerfully replied.

We stood there giving each other equally terrifying glares before 'Turaga Vakama' sent us on our way. Tahu led me to a stone structure that he had mentioned as the Kini-Nui. He claimed it would transport us to Le-koro, but I was skeptical. It did not appear to be anything more than a massive stone structure. That was quickly amended when in a bright flash the scenery changed from that of stone to wood and foliage.

There was an additional number of what I assumed as 'matoran', except for the more than obvious fact that they were all emerald in color with matching bright green faces. It made me wonder just how many villages there were and how many different colored matoran inhabited them. But I broke out of my trance as Tahu began to walk away, meeting up with who I assumed was Toa Lewa, since he looked similar to Tahu height-wise. Color-wise he looked about the same as the matoran.

"Lewa, this is Jaden. She's asked to help with the search for another human."

"Are you sure? Many trouble-bads in the jungle. Not sure-safe for humans," Lewa warned, his garbled speech sounding strange to me. The way he worded his sentences was odd, incomplete.

"I've already tried convincing her otherwise. She insisted on being here," Tahu assured him, looking far more than disgruntled.

"Well then, let's quick-move. Plenty of jungle-searching to be doing," Lewa replied and motioned for me to follow him to a platform. He put two fingers to his mouth and let out a shrill whistle. Moments later, a large creature resembling an overgrown hummingbird landed in front of us, its wings still beating.

"What is that?" I asked, eyeing the creature cautiously.

"A gukko bird. Ever-wind fly before?" he asked. It took me a minute to realize what he was asking.

"Not exactly like this," I answered shocked by what he was suggesting.

"No time to seek-find a different solution." he said, and before I could protest he lifted me up onto the buzzing animal's back. "Stay sharp, sun-soaring time," he instructed and after drawing two fan shaped swords out from his back, Lewa took off into the sky without a glance back. The bird-like creature jolted forwards and followed him with me clinging on for dear life as best I could. The bird twisted and turned through dense canopy, narrowly avoiding branches and various trees as it went. Slowly working up the courage to look down at the earth below me, I began to search for Dan even if it wasn't exactly how I planned on going about the whole thing. I had hoped to be on solid ground for this part of my mission, but there was no turning back now.

I slowly began to relax, feeling the way the bird moved beneath me. It wasn't so hard to learn how to predict the animal's movements as it was to stay on securely if I did so incorrectly. I actually began to enjoy the rush of adrenaline that accompanied the thrill as the bird darted through the trees. Now I understood why all the insane daredevils back home did what they did. I still thought they were nuts for it, but that didn't matter when this feeling was the result of the thrill-seeking.

Lost in my thoughts I stopped paying attention to what I was doing. And a moment was all it took. I looked ahead just in time to see a branch headed towards me. With no time to react, the branch hit me full in the chest, forcing the air from my lungs even as I freefell to the hard, unforgiving earth below. I grasped quickly at the passing branches and managed to hang onto one as the bird kept going without me. I watched as it flew on, seemingly clueless as to the loss of its passenger.

"Well this is just perfect. How do I-" I was cut off by the sound of the branch snapping. I supposed the force of grabbing the branch in mid-flight must have loosened the sturdiness of it. I looked around for anything to use but to no avail. There were no other branches within reach and any time I tried moving across the limb it would begin to make even louder snaps and cracks, hardly the most encouraging sounds I could have heard.

"Oh shit. Now what do I do?" I cursed as I looked frantically for some way down. That particular question was answered with the resounding crack of the bough breaking off, sending me hurtling towards the ground below. I screamed for a moment, but the sound died in my throat as something, someone caught me.

"Can't you stay out of trouble for ten minutes?" a familiar voice grumbled, the ground rapidly disappearing beneath me. Only slightly panicked at the current situation, I looked up to find myself in a large black, scaly hand.

"It's you again," was all I could think to say, my voice holding no malice.

"Someone has to play save the human," he said as he gently put me on my feet before landing. "Not that you make that hard or anything though."

"You mean you're not going to eat, kill, or otherwise maim me? But, that fight you had with that other dragon who was trying to kill me. I thought…"

"Is that all you humans can think of us as? Monsters?" he asked, obviously irritated as he rolled his eyes.

"Well, can you really blame me? The first one I met wanted me dead. How was I supposed to react to others?" I shot back, clear that I had to defend myself verbally.

"You didn't scream or run when you met Frost or his son," He pointed out evenly to me.

"I had enough on my plate as it was," I snapped back at the black dragon, who was looking more than slightly unimpressed. "I was terrified and trying to keep from freezing since you decided to throw me on a mountain of snow."

He winced at the mention of it before saying, "I couldn't think of anything else to do with you. I couldn't just leave you on the ground for Ilsa to get. You were at least slightly safer there."

"That doesn't change the fact that I'm still confused. You and your friends didn't attack me, but she did with out provocation. Why?" I asked, questions dangling off the edge of my sentence with the last word.

"That is a long, complicated story that humans have long forgotten about. You would be wise to leave here as soon as possible," he replied simply and began to walk away, clearly having no interest in continuing the conversation with me.

"Wait," I called out, trying in vain to keep up with the long stride of the dragon in front of me. "How do you expect me to do that? Our plane was ripped in half. There's no way of repairing that. Not unless you happen to keep spare planes around that is."

"I do apologize for that. I hadn't planned on destroying it."

"What?! You destroyed the plane?" I exclaimed. I shouldn't have been surprised. It made sense from the claw marks I had seen, but I didn't think he would have destroyed it.

"It was an accident. I was trying to save you, but Ilsa caught me," he explained.

"I guess I have you to thank for my torn clothing as well," I said remembering I was still wearing the same ripped shirt from before.

"Do you ever stop whining?" he turned and asked.

"I'm not whining, but it's been more than a little embarrassing to be walking around like this in front of a lot of people."

He gave a heavy sigh before saying, "Hold on." He grabbed me and began to fly up. I did my best to shorten my scream to a gasp, but I wasn't entirely successful. He flew to a cliff that I knew so well and dove down closer to the trees where I could make out an opening in the wall. He flew in and set me down on the cave floor after pulling in his wings with him.

Other than the light that poured in from where the front door was supposed to be, oddly enough the cave was lit by several glowing stones that lined the walls. The pale, blue yellow did not provide much luminosity, but it was enough to not run into a wall. Scanning the cave it was obvious how spacious it was. It was definitely wide enough to fit the dragon with his wings unfurled comfortably and more than tall enough to fit his friend Frost with several inches still to spare. Farther back the cave extended and curved into a corridor that led deeper into the mountain.

"Is this where you live?" I asked astonished.

"When I choose to, yes. Follow me," he ordered and walked deeper into the cavern, his back turned to me. I hesitated for a moment before I did as told, knowing full well that if I chose to I could leave right now and he wouldn't be able to do a thing about it. There was silence between us for several minutes as we continued on, our paths lit only by the small glowing stones. I didn't know how it was for him, but for me it was awkward and unsettling.

"So, did you carve this out yourself?" I asked trying to break the silence.

"No," he answered shortly.

"Oh, well, who did then?"

"My parents probably."

"Probably? Wouldn't you know if your parents did this?" I asked confused.

"No."

"Are you always this short in conversation?"

"Are you always this chatty?"

"Are you always this quiet?"

"As a matter of fact I am. Do you have a problem with that?" he growled.

I jumped back in fear at the sound of his voice and sight of those gleaming teeth in the dim light. "No. Quiet is fine," I said through staggered breath.

There was a slight pang of sadness in his eyes that I could barely make out in the dim light, but he turned away quickly as we continued through the tunnels and I dropped the subject. He didn't go much farther before stopping again outside the entrance of an adjoining room.

"Here's your stuff," he called, motioning with his head towards the duffel bag and bow case that I recognized all too well.

"You brought my stuff here? Why?" Fully perplexed, I stared curiously at the obviously undamaged knapsack.

"That doesn't matter. I'll, uh, wait for you at the entrance," he said nervously and disappeared quickly down the dark hallway leading back to the entrance.

After making sure he was gone I began to rifle through the bag looking for another set of clothes. After deftly locating a red t-shirt and a pair of worn blue jeans I changed quickly, feeling some comfort in the clean, un-ripped apparel.

As I went to put the torn clothing back in the bag I noticed the leather chaps and jacket. I thought for a moment whether or not I should wear them. I really didn't feel like going around in leather in the jungle, or anywhere else for that matter, but that sounded a whole lot more appealing than ruining any other items of my already limited selection of clothing.

I conceded to pulling on a pair of chaps and leaving the rest behind. It felt weird to walk around with the new leather squeaking with every stride, but it didn't take long to get used to it.

I followed the stone corridor back the way I had come and found him laying at the entrance with a solemn look on his face.

"Thank you…well, I never did get your name so it's kind of hard to thank you properly," I said awkwardly.

"I don't have a name," he answered obviously unbothered by the fact as he lounged easily.

I stood there dumbstruck for a moment before thinking of what to say next. "What do you mean? The others appear to have names. What makes you so different?"

"They had parents to give them a name. Mine died a long time ago. If they did give me a name they never told anyone."

"So why not give yourself a name? No one likes being called 'hey you' or 'nameless' their entire life," I suggested, remembering the previous encounter.

"It's not that simple. Dragons are not just some dumb animals as your legends seem to portray them. We have rules, a code of honor. It used to mean something, but now, after so many years in this condition, they've all forgotten. At least what's left of them that is."

"You know, you act as though this is my entire fault," I pointed out to him. "How am I supposed to know any of this stuff exists? Whatever history there was about dragons was probably passed on by word of mouth 'til it was forgotten. What is so difficult about naming?" I asked.

"Our code says that only a dragon's parents may name him. In their absence only a human may name them. Supposedly it was to keep pride down to a minimum." he explained. "Although I doubt that would have stopped any human or parent from giving them a grand name." he added darkly.

"I guess I can understand that," I admitted. "Is that why you saved me?"

"No," The nameless dragon replied, shaking his head. "It's another part of the code. We were not to hurt any human. We were to protect them and they were to do the same for us."

"What would a dragon need protection from? You're not exactly helpless," I pointed out to him, perplexed.

"One might think that," He replied vaguely, refusing to look at me as he spoke.

"What do you mean?"

"It might be easier if I just show you," he said sighing as he stood up. I followed him back through the cave's twisting halls, down another corridor, and into a room that was covered with paintings that looked like a timeline.

"This is the real history of dragons," the nameless one began. "In the beginning, humans and dragons lived out their life spans peacefully together.

"We dragons lived under a simple code: never harm a human, never tarnish your honor by carrying out wicked deeds whether they come from human or dragon source, and never, ever name yourself. The honor of naming is for parents and humans.

"After over a hundred years of prosperity, something happened to us, the dragons. A disease of some sort began to infect my people and diminished their numbers. One human felt great compassion for those dying and became the first Dragon Guardian.

"It is said that the Guardian traveled across all of known earth to find a cure. It took a great deal time, but a remedy was eventually created and the dragons were saved.

In gratitude, the dragon first cured pledged himself to the Guardian, creating a bond never seen before between the two races.

"Ten years later, war began plague our lands for the first time in known history. Dragons allied themselves with wicked humans, abandoning their code. During that time, the Guardian and her fellow dragon went out to stop them. In the ensuing struggle the Guardian was struck through the heart and therefore, died.

"The dragon that had so loyally bonded to the Guardian felt such pain. It is said that it was as if half his heart had been torn out. Filled with pain and despair the dragon wandered for several days until he met a wizard. His only wish was to be able to tear out half his heart to bring his companion back.

"From this part of the story onwards, it is up to the listener to decide if the story ends ill or well, given the circumstances that surrounded it." The dragon paused in his monologue to give me that tidbit before continuing onwards.

"The wizard watched as the dragon cried his tears and, grudgingly, granted his wish, though having no interest in his plight. Half of his heart was removed from his chest to give the Guardian new life. That same gift was then passed down to all dragons from that point onwards.

"There was a catch, however. If the human were to ever corrupt the heart, the dragon would be sentenced to an eternity in what you refer to as hell. If the dragon were to be the guilty one however, the both of them would end up in hell.

"But there were upsides to this bond. For humans who participated, they would not die unless their dragon did or if they were stabbed through the heart and otherwise decapitated. Anything else they could heal from.

"The dragons were not so lucky however, for they were far more vulnerable. There was one other weakness that was not found until a short time later.

"The dragon's heart that had been given to the human could not sustain him for long. A month later the Guardian died and the dragon followed behind. They were mourned far and wide, and in their honor a new society was created. They were people and dragons who joined forces to continue the first's work.

"Their symbol was one the first had always carried. This medallion," he said motioning to a necklace resting on a stone, "Supposedly belonged to the first Guardian and granted him abilities that helped him end the warring. From it, more were made and given to those who had proven themselves worthy of being Guardians.

"After that, history cuts off for many years until a dragon became careless. The dragon had been lost for a long time and after nearly starving to death, he killed a herd of sheep. When the farmer came to investigate and found the dragon, he spread the word that the dragons were dangerous. As superstitious as humans were, they believed him and the hunt for the dragons began.

"With help from several Guardians, the dragons were moved here for safety. There were plenty of animals for hunting and for years they thrived, but that was not to last.

"Some dragons became greedy and exhausted the food supply, and out of survival instincts, they turned on the others. Fearing for their lives, the Guardians fled with the remaining dragons, never to return.

"And that," Nameless finished heavily, "Is all I or anyone else knows on the matter."

I had been looking around at the paintings as he told the story, each detailed illustration telling a different part. The beginning when the years were prosperous, the first Guardian giving aid to the dragon, the Guardian's death and resurrection, the continuation of the society, the fleeing dragons, and then an unfinished drawing of a dragon that looked like its mouth was covered in blood.

The last one sent shivers down my spine. That was about how things were now.

"So this was what you meant," I breathed as I ran my hand along the wall. "Was it true about the medallion? Did it really give the Guardian special abilities?" I asked.

"No one really knows. No one ever tried to use it. At least, there's no record of it. Why?"

"I was just thinking. If it did, maybe it could help me find Dan." Saying the pilot's name reminded me of where I was at the moment, and what I still had to do. "Speaking of which, I need to get back. Lewa is probably wondering where I am and so is Dan. Can you help me?"

"I don't know." The dragon's voice was unsure, and I felt the need to persuade him strengthening as each moment passed.

"Please, help me. You're the only who can right now," I pleaded.

"Why should I? All you humans have ever done for me and my kind is cause pain. Why should help you at all?" he snapped, staring back at me evenly.

"Because I know you're better than the others out there. You still believe in this code where others have either given up or forgotten. Because, because…you're Yori Yoi."

"I'm what?" he questioned, taken aback slightly.

"You are Yori Yoi. I took Japanese for a year and they taught us about respect and yori yoi was something they said was good. At least, I think that was what they said. I was bad when it came to paying attention to some of those details, but I remember the words and what they meant. You're better than those like Ilsa. It only seemed like a proper name for you," I admitted. He seemed to think over what he had just heard as if trying to confirm it was real.

"There's not much I can do, but I will try. For now, you must stay here." I was about to protest when he silenced me. "It is too dangerous for you out there. If I am to be of any help I must be alone. Ilsa is out there waiting. If we both go, we'll just be painting targets on ourselves. I'll be back before sundown," he said and left the cave, leaving me standing there once again, feeling the all too familiar feeling of uselessness overcome me.

AN: GAH!!! Sorry it took so long to update! I tried putting it up for the past several days, but the site wouldn't let me log in. Thanks to all of you have stuck around so far. You guys are awesome!