With a sickening crack and a resounding thud, Prince Rhys landed on the ground. He tried to get up, but his whole body was aching all over. He rolled onto his side, gritting his teeth against the pain.
After recuperating for two minutes, Rhys was finally able to stand up. He was still very sore, but he managed to hobble over to a flat rock where he could have a proper sit down. As he rested his sore body, he saw a young woman standing by a lake. He stood up and hobbled over to her.
"Hi, I'm Prince Rhys. I was wondering, have you seen a big winged creature go by here?" Rhys asked the woman. She turned to him, slowly.
"I am not programmed to detect creatures more than 200 metres away." the woman replied in a slightly metallic voice. Rhys could already tell that she wasn't human.
"Well, if you can't tell the exact location, did you see where the creature was headed?" Rhys asked. The woman folded her arms against her chest.
"Internal compass suggests that the creature is headed for the northeastern province, to the town of Shusoran." the woman replied. Rhys reminded her that she hadn't introduced herself yet. She turned to face him.
"Prince Rhys, I am a cyborg, Mieu type. You may address me as 'Mieu'. Don't worry - I am not programmed to help Layans in any way." Mieu said.
"But, Mieu... my wife-to-be, Princess Maia... she's a Layan, but I love her with all my heart." Rhys said.
"Well, then... I am pretty free-roaming for a cyborg, so I'll help you get your Princess Maia back." Mieu replied, stretching herself. Rhys thanked her, and then the twosome made their way through the nearby forest and out into the open. Mieu lead Rhys to a cave and told him that the passage through the cave lead to the northeastern province, called the Helskiz Province. Rhys tried to enter the cave, but the entrance was blocked by a huge stone. There was an inscription on the rock, and it read 'Only the Sapphire of deepest blue will open the entrance to yon cave'.
"Now what? Maia is in grave danger, and I can't even get to her!" Rhys cried. He began to sob.
"Why me? Why do I have to suffer on my big day?" he wailed, wiping his tears away with his shirt sleeve. Mieu comforted him.
"Now now, Prince, don't cry. I know where the Sapphire is. It's in another cave nearby, and there's nothing blocking the entrance. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can get the Sapphire, and the sooner we can rescue Princess Maia!" Mieu said, helping Rhys to his feet. The prince wiped the last few tears from his eyes and headed for the cave, Mieu following close behind.