Story:DragonSoul/Chapter 3

= R eturn of the Conquerors = (Yuan)

Not for the first time that night, Kayle wondered how he had got himself into this situation. There was no sign of the "princess", yet here he was, laden with yet another frivolous youth and hiking aimlessly through this seemingly endless forest. As with each time before, he ended up shrugging, shouldered the unconscious Starlit Drakenaer into a more comfortable position, and went on. There was nothing to be done about it.

"What took you so long?" a voiced hissed from the branches above him.

He glanced up to see Ruriko's red eyes, reflecting the dim rays of light that had just begun petering in from the dawn. So she had waited for him, despite her words - a bit curious, but he was too tired to work out the reason why. On a whim, knowing her. Even carrying the Starlit around, he would have heard all those looped bands of jewellery and swaths of cloth rustling against each other if she'd been moving around. At least she had the sense to keep her voice down, unlike this flashy one, he thought.

"I thought that'd be obvious," he replied quietly. Kayle lowered his burden with a none too gentle "thump!", scanning the trees around as he did. In this violet hour, before eyes adjusted, it was all too easy to be surprised. Better to stop and rest here for the moment, rather than attract attention by moving.

"How dare you bring him along! Do you know how much trouble it was to get you away alone? Not that I had trouble escaping myself, of course. That idiot Starlit is going to ruin everything for me. You're my bodyguard, and I can hardly have my quest if you keep disobeying me-"

Kayle held up his hand, halting the tirade for a moment. "I agreed to be your bodyguard. Nothing more. No stipulations about obeying your orders in every matter."

"And what do you think a bodyguard is supposed to do?" she retorted.

He winced at her strident tone, then quickly interjected as she took a deep breath to launch into another tirade. "Look, girl, it's not so bad. He's an able enough warrior, and weren't you after multiple mates anyway? Now you can have two bodyguards instead of one, doing what bodyguards are meant to do: protecting you. Besides," he added dryly, "managing both of us will probably be good for your skills as queen of your tribe.

"Now if you'll pardon me, princess, I'd like some rest while you figure out where to order me." Without another word, Kayle scampered into the gloom of the canopy.

Ruriko glared at the spot where he'd vanished, then at the Starlit, and back to where Kayle had climbed up. Despite her striving, she couldn't manage to spot him. Damn him. Damn him! She couldn't remember the last time someone had dared disobey her once - yes, she could, but resolutely pushed that memory down - and here he was disobeying her multiple times. Well, I'll show him, she thought, settling back on the branch. I'll make him regret it. Some quest which will make those wise, I'm-so-much-more-experienced-than-you eyeballs pop out, and the Starlit will disappear out of fright.

Her eyes fell upon the Starlit's body again, glittering despite the weak light and leaf litter concealing him. "Oh, he's going to ruin everything," Ruriko wailed, and she didn't know whether she meant the Starlit or Kayle.

If they journeyed through the hidden roads carved and veiled by the Old Whisperers themselves hundreds of years ago, the party was scarcely a day and a half away from the Hidden Village. Kayle knew he could abandon both brats in a blink of an eye and return to the Village with ease. But he was honour-bound to take care of the Princess, who had, ultimately, saved his life from the barbaric rituals of the Nocturnes. He had no intention of obeying the Princess in matters he himself would not agree to (which is to say, he had no intentions of obeying at all), and he was still unsure as to what to do with the other younger Drakenaer, who obviously belonged to the Starlit tribe. The Starlit's territory spanned a great vale to the north of the Mons range, past the Hidden Village.

A plan began forming in his mind. Yet he was quite upset about something else.

Kayle had lain completely still for two hours now, perched on the thick branch of an evergreen, following the manner of the Camouflaged tribe. Unless they had gifted eyes or were gifted trackers, neither young Drakenaer would be able to find him, but he could see them and, sometimes, hear them quite distinctly. Kayle saw how Draken was quite more discreet than Ruriko in that he wished to remain silent and draw as little attention to himself as possible, whereas the Nocturne Princess was constantly fuming about and giving out orders. The Camouflaged frowned. He felt quite indignant at the Princess' utter lack of sense of responsibility towards her tribe. He had never felt great love for the Nocturnes, deeming their ways barbaric and bloodthirsty, but he thought that, even for them, willingness to be led by such an inexperienced and spoilt royal, who had likely stopped being a drakeling merely a few seasons ago, was a great sign of decadence amongst the Winged Folk.

Realisations like these made Kayle close his eyes and remember the previous Elder's last words:

''Ye Drakenaer must hark. The time of the Winged Folk as the thralls of the Hyum-an-ruri is nigh to its end. The woods and the ranges, the swamps and the rivers, all quake before the approach of the Wingless: their steel is bright, their steel sharp. Yet what we fear is neither the bright nor the sharp. We fear and we cow before the maw of their greed. We must not fear and flee their greed, we must not cow before their maw. Ye Drakenaer must hark. We will rise again.''

What hope was there for the Winged Folk though, if such were to be their leaders? The Camouflaged tribe had no hope in the strength of numbers, and the remaining tribes shared no bonds between them. Kayle had merely seen a few members of the Nocturnes, the Starlit and, once, a member of the Winglords; he had never seen any of the remaining tribes, scattered all about the north-western territories of Calladan.

A rather loud cry produced by the Nocturne princess brought the hunter back from its thoughts. Ruriko had been berating Draken for the better part of the last hour, but now her words were beginning to grow easy to hear amidst the darkening wood. They were not yet too far away from Moonlight Forest. Kayle frowned and let out a sigh, which was enough for the younger Drakenaer to finally discover where he had been hiding. The Camouflaged sprung down into the clearing where they had been waiting for him and glared at her.

"Now what?" she spat.

(Cluna)

"Would you please keep it down, lady?" Kayle scowled in a half-sarcastic tone. "You might attract danger and make the guy's wounds worse."

"Excuse me, but I'm the one who gives the orders around here!" Ruriko protested. "You are here to guard me while I look for treasure, right? So I suggest you just stand back and let me do my thing!"

Kayle paused for the moment. "Look, Princess," he replied as if using her title as an insult. "I don't care about your petty treasure hunt. We are going by my rules now, okay?"

"Your rules!? Please!" Ruriko rebuked the older Drakenaer.

"If I can break up this whole angry banter a bit," Draken spoke up, "where are we going?"

"We're taking you back to your tribe so you can heal," Kayle simply answered. "Though, either the so-called Princess or myself do not know the way."

Upon hearing 'so-called' followed by her title, Ruriko growled at Kayle.

"Well, I could lead you there, old man," Draken said, "although I usually don't intend to stay there for very long. I'm just a free wanderer."

"Got a name, kid?" Kayle asked next.

"Silverius," Draken answered. "Draken Silverius."

"Silverius... kinda a strange surname," Kayle pondered aloud. He's got Feral's youthfulness but he seems to lack some energy.

"Well, not to worry! My lights shall light the way, or I am not the Starlit!" Draken pumps himself but then came a loud growl of pain from his wounds. "Ow!"

"You sure are one rowdy sleeze," Ruriko rudely commented.

"Oh, well look who's talking! You're pretty rowdy for a babe yourself!" Draken countered. "Well now, shall we?"

Kayle sighed. What have I gotten myself into?

While traveling to their current destination with Draken slowly leading the way, Ruriko had been of constant annoyance to Kayle with her bragging and whining.

"Mister, I am ordering you to carry me!" Ruriko shouted.

"Walk yourself," Kayle casually answered. "You got legs, don't you?"

"You're probably too heavy anyway," Draken added, "and besides, I don't really feel like it."

"You! I heard that!" Ruriko retorted.

"Now look, little lady," Kayle scowled harshly. "Neither Draken or myself aren't part of your tribe so you better get over it."

"But this isn't about who's in whose tribe, dimwit!" Ruriko kept blabbering. "It's the law of nature! Males are supposed to protect and feed us, while us females get them babies. Do I even look like I'm pregnant? And you forget who you're talking you! I'm a princess and I deserve some respect! So don't you dare call me a little lady!"

"I would only do it if you keep that noise down," Kayle pointed his spear at her. "There are monsters that lurk here, and if any of your loud blabbering happens to attract them, it'll be all on you. Got that?" With that, he puts his spear back.

Ruriko growled as the trio continued on their path. "Just like my older brother," she grumbled as she reluctantly walked behind them.

(NeoZEROX)

Kayle and Ruriko continued to follow Draken to his home village. But as they keep traveled, Ruriko quickly stopped for a moment as the other two kept walking, sensing something was watching them. Kayle and Draken noticed this and stopped as well. "What is it now?" Kayle asked before making a guess. "If you're gonna ask us to carry you again, the answer is still no." Ruriko looked at him for a moment before running to the trees. "What the hell," Kayle annoyed with the Nocturne princess again, "where's she going now?"

"Maybe we're lucky and she decided to leave us alone," Draken guessed and hoped the spoiled princess really has left them for good.

"No... something's not right. She wont go through all this trouble just to leave us because we won't carry her."

"Uh... I think I see why she ran away because of that thing...." Draken noticed two two glowing red eyes in the woods.

"Damn," Kayle get his spear ready, "Draken get out here before-" Kayle looked to tell Draken but her was already ran off. "Well, at least he's smart enough to not fight with his injures." Kayle gets ready for battle when the massive beast appear, it purple far shine with the moon light, his horns wear soak in blood as he must have attack something a while ago and his claws were sharp like knifes as some them were already broken. "Well, this guy looks fun. I don't mind taking this beast on myself." Kayle commented on the beast before charging for battle.

Kayle started by stabbing the beast's leg to slow him down a bit, but it soon counter attacked while Kayle dodges its attacks. Soon the wound on his leg give out on Kayle and the beast's second strike got him, pushing him back to the nearest tree. "Damn leg... if only Feral wasn't so reckless the other day..." Kayle tried to get back up but the beast was already charging at him. Kayle only had time to quickly get out the way while the beast charged down the tree. Kayle sighed while getting back up, "looks like I bit off more then I can chew. Shit! I really wish my leg wasn't slowing me down.

While Kayle fought the beast Ruriko watched the fight from the tree she hide in. She sighed before thinking to herself, ''That idiot! What is he thinking? I thought he would know not to fight a Behemoth head on...'' While she keep watching the fight, Kayle was lucky enough to strike two of the beast's legs and a few more on it's body. But sadly, Kayle reached his limit as he can only do too much with a his wounded leg. After waiting for awhile Ruriko made her move and attacked it from behind, slicing his back leaving a long wound while blood start pouring from it.

"Where the hell have you been? I thought you ran away to save your own skin!" Kayle asked her, upset but relieved she came back.

"Just shut up and rest tough guy! You're should have gone with that shiny freak! Well, whatever. I'm glad my bodyguard is a stupid brave warrior then a worthless coward. Just leave the rest to me! You did a good enough job weakening it." Ruriko faced the best and shouted at it, "Hey over here! Come at me you big oaf! I'm the one who sliced your back, you horned freak! Come and get me!" She saw the beast getting ready to charge at her, while he was slower then before due to the lack of blood. When it reached her, Ruriko quickly fell to the ground, holding her scythe up so it'll cut open it's belly while it's blood poured on her body. The beast stopped after passing her and collapsed.

Barely alive, Ruriko got up and walked to face its head to stab it with her scythe and closed her eyes begin to say a prayer, "Mother Terra. Please forgive us for taking the life of one your children. Please send this strong soul to paradise while it's body will give us the strength to live another day." She finish her paryer and slice open it's skull.

Kayle walked to her. "Was that a prayer?" He asked while looking at the beasts dead body.

"Yes. That's after when we take a life before we feed on it. Every living being has a soul and it needs to be set free so it my rest in peace." Ruriko explained. "All things in this world are the same. We live and enjoy life until the day we die, then our bodies will feed the living to continue on. It is forbidden to kill without sending its soul to paradise."

"Paradise huh? Never heard of that from your tribe before. So if you killed me, would you do the same thing and eat me?" Kayle asked, little freaked out on the idea he would be eaten by another Drakenaer.

"Well yeah, but we don't eat other Drakenaers, we just bury you so you'll turn to grass for something else to eat. Wait... why the hell I'm explaining this stuff to you!" Ruriko realizing she telling something that not important to him.

"Beats me," Kayle simply answered.

"Okay this lesson is free, but the next one will cost you five gems! Now get this ready for us to eat! I'm starting a fire. Oh, and if that shiny freak comes around, he's NOT ALLOWED to have any! Dumb ass cowards don't deserve it!"

"Isn't that a little harsh? He is wounded, remember?"

Ruriko sighed. "Alright, fine. But only if he'll help us cook!" Ruriko goes off to find fire wood. ''Maybe if I'm lucky, a lake or pond would be nearby so I can wash all this blood off."

(Crono)

''Ahhh... yes. Haven't felt this good since the last time I got Mwantina to massage my back...''

Draken drifted a little deeper in the warm lake he was residing in. Ever since he got caught up with that spoiled girl and her chivalrous guardian, all he had done was save their butts and take hits for them. These things took their toll on people!

So as soon as he smelled a hint of trouble, he thought, what the heck, time for that Kayle fellow to finally earn his stripes. They didn't need him around that badly. Surely not bad enough that he couldn't relax and heal his wounds in this conveniently placed lake that felt oh so good on his wounds.

He dozed off for a while, he knew. He also knew that if he didn't get back to the two, they would get lost in the forest and probably get eaten by the Behemoths who roam the place. Again, he knew that he didn't want to go home especially. But the water was so nice and relaxing, and felt so good on his scales...

''Ahh... that's right, fishies, that's the spo-wait, what was that?''

Even with his limited survival skills and observation senses, he could tell somebody was coming. He was tempted to jump out and confront the mysterious figure, but then he remembered that he had no clothes on, and drifted further under the surface until his nose and eyes were visible. For once he was glad his scales were covered as the figure stalked out of the shrubbery.

At first Draken couldn't recognize the person, but he soon figured out who they were when they stripped. He was again glad to be under the murky water and mostly invisible; being caught seeing Ruriko relax in the lake would be bad enough, not to mention how - excited he currently was.

He couldn't wait until she left - he wasn't sure how long he could stand it. When she finally left and dressed, he waited another half hour until he got out of the lake, shivering and shaking, and dressed himself. He slowly made his way back to the camp where Kayle and Ruriko were sitting by a fire, Kayle's leg in bandages. When interrogated about his whereabouts, he said nothing, stalking to his tent and falling down asleep instantly.

Outside, Kayle and Ruriko frowned. Ruriko crossed her arms across her chest. "What's his problem?"

(Cluna)

It was getting close to daybreak and both of Kayle's companions had retired to their tents. Only Kayle had remained awake, surveying their surroundings. Though it was only the three of them traveling in this wilderness, Kayle suspected there were others that may wander in these parts as well, either doing their own thing or making efforts to stop the three. Probably those from the Hidden Village that may be looking for him. But the three of them being discovered together has not happened. Yet.

Kayle had an advantage though, for he was of the Hidden Village; a Camouflage Drakenaer. Yet so may be others out there, so he had to be a little extra careful. But then again, it wasn't like Kayle actually wanted to be away from his home in the first place.

Kayle also wondered if a Winglord or two may be around these parts, considering the fact that they that had dwindled in numbers. Since Kayle may be the only one awake, he took extra precaution by having his spear in hand and camouflaged at all times despite his leg injury, ready to take anyone who dared to invade their camp by surprise. This would be a long day.

As Kayle resigned himself to defending the camp alone for the whole day, three mysterious winged figures are perched up in a tree watching him, all of them apparently female. They have actually followed the trio for some time and each had not had a reason to attack them. Instead, they only watched and wondered how three Drakenaer from different tribes would end up traveling together.

"Is it just me or is this by far the strangest sight ever seen?" one female Drakenaer asked.

"Beats me," another one replied. "That guy must be lonely, looking after Drakenaer who only hunt at night. Especially if one of them happens to be a Nocturne. Not to mention spoiled princess as well as some Starlit pervert."

"Let us go home now," the third one said. "I personally don't see a reason for us to watch them any further. Besides, miss Kara over here could learn a thing or two about shortcomings. We're hunters, not spies."

"Hey, we're observing!" Kara retorted. "Who said anything about spying?"

"Quiet!" the leader hushed them. "You want him to hear us?"

"You know where they're going, Lita?" Kara asked the leader.

"Heard they're going to the Starlit village, whatever it's called," Lita answered.

"Well, while you two continue to play peek show, I'm going to hunt us some food," the third one flew off.

"Averia, wait!" Lita called out but their companion is long gone. "Dammit..."

"So now what? We follow her? I'm getting kinda hungry myself," Kara said, hearing her stomach growl.

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt," Lita said as she and Kara leaped off after their companion.

Meanwhile, Kayle points his spear in the air while still camouflaged. He thought he had heard something but then decided to shrug it off, deciding that leaving his two slumbering companions was a bad idea.

After waiting until nightfall and both of his companions have woke up, the three continued on their journey to the Starlit Village. Kayle often strode in silence, often looking back to the bickering of Ruriko and Draken.

Eventually, the trio arrived at a hill overlooking their destination.

"That's it," Draken said as the three looked at his home village. "This is my home!"

(NeoZEROX)

"That your village?" Ruriko questioned him while she insulting him more, "this place is pathetic, anyone can walk in and torch the place....."

"Don't you there get any ideas princess, the people of my village aren't as kind hearted like yours truly! If you try anything they'll cut you down in a heart beat!" Draken pridefully told her about his village.

"So your saying they're not cowards like you you," she insulted Draken some more and then laugh in his face while she continue on, "well that good. I'll be amazing how a tribe of comrades can survive this long. Oh wait they would because they would run away like little mice." Ruriko finish off by laughing at him again.

"Okay now that it, say what you want about me but you better take that back what you said about my people!" Draken snap at her.

Ruriko pull her scythe around her neck. "Watch what you say Mr. Shiny, you don't want to piss off Death..." She told him while giving him a serous look like she'll kill him.

Draken start sweating and his whole body start shaking. "Y.. y... you know what? I was only kidding... Say what you want!" He nervously laugh while begging for his life.

"Okay princess you need to stop," Kayle step in, tried of the way Ruriko is treating Draken. "I'm getting sick of how you always bullying Draken!"

Ruriko start laughing loudly and pull her Scythe away, "you should look at your pathetic face, priceless! I'm out here, Kayle let me know when you're ready to leave. I'm outta here!" With that she left in a flash within the trees.

Draken slam his fist into the ground. "I really hate that damn bitch!"

I'm going to wait for Silver to put some description for Draken's village, but I have important idea for Ruriko so please to use her right now.

(Crono)

"Yeah, yeah, you hate her. I get it. Let's keep moving," Kayle sighed to Draken. He adjusted his weapons and continued ahead. Draken followed, seething.

After a while, Draken started going ahead of Kayle. "Decided to take the lead, eh?"

"Well, of course. If I let you go in first, you'd be pumped full of spears in a heartbeat! We're not to be underestimated, us Starlit," Draken bragged.

"Hmph... well lead the way, Sir Emissary," Kayle replied.

Draken pulled his chin up a little bit more and continued walking. After a while, Kayle noticed slight movements in the trees. He squinted his eyes and focused more on the background, blindly following Draken and holding his weapon handle. "Are those..people up there? Nobody is moving, but I can't tell what they are..."

"Oh, those are just lookouts and guards. They guard the village," Draken replied.

"Why aren't they moving? Can't they see us?"

"Well, for one, they probably see me. Why would they attack one of their glorious kin? And second, it's nap time for the guards."

"Nap time?!"

"Yeah, each shift gets an hour of nap time. Watching villages takes lots of energy, y'know!"

Are they all like him, Kayle wondered as he continued to look around the large, dense forest around them. Almost immediately after thinking this, he bumped right into Draken. He opened his mouth to complain to Draken, but no sound came out when he saw who they were surrounded by. The two were being aimed at by around 12 warriors with spears, and Kayle saw that there were also many people aiming at them with bows and arrows from the foliage. Much like Draken, all of them had various shorts on and light brown shoes, but in stark contrast to him, they actually had shirts on. No wonder I didn't see them coming, thought Kayle.

"You," the tallest and strongest looking spearman said as he pointed his spear at Kayle, "are coming with us. And you, traitor -" he glared at Draken and spat out the word "traitor" with intense scorn, "are paying a visit to Elder Granald. Take 'em away, boys. I'll look around to see if they have any straggler buddies." The leader of the group continued to glare at Draken and Kayle as they were prodded towards the village.

"What happened to nap time," Kayle demanded.

"I didn't say all of the guards took nap time at the same ti--Ouch!" Draken replied, but was poked hard in the arm before he could finish.

"No talking, deserter," grunted one of the spearmen. Draken looked at him, hurt.

Last time I let this idiot lead...

Draken was roughly pushed into the largest, most flamboyantly decorated hut in the village. The guards left and Draken sat up, rubbing himself. He looked around himself.

He was in the Elder's house, and true to its name, the Elder was sitting in the very back on his throne. The throne was, much like the rest of the place, very brightly decorated. Scales of previous elders covered the walls of the entire area, lending a very colorful and dazzling light to the area. The Elder looked down on Draken disappointingly, and Draken turned away, scratching the back of his head.

"You've failed me, Draken," Elder Granald boomed. Draken's fists clenched.

"I don't know why. I told you I didn't want to do it."

"It's not just that, my son. First you abandon the village in its time of need, and then you bring strangers to our homeland? For shame." Granald's voice rose as he talked.

"I'm not your damn son, alright! I don't even know why you picked me to do it, there are plenty of bigger and stronger and smarter men in the village! Why me, huh? Why me?" Draken and Granald stared at each other for a moment, Draken's chest rising and falling from his outburst. When Granald replied, his voice was quiet and his words slow.

"You know why you were picked. We've talked about this before." Draken looked away again and folded his arms across his chest.

"And I've told you how I feel before. I'm not the right man for the job, and I don't care what you say or not." The Elder sighed.

"I see your unauthorized time outside of the village failed to help your mature at all. Perhaps you are correct." At this, Draken looked at the Elder with newfound hope. "You truly aren't ready for any responsibility. This is all my fault, I haven't taught you enough yet. I see more training is required." Draken's hopes fell.

"No, dammit! You've trained me all my damn life! I'm done, I don't want to do it! No amount of training would ever change my mind, don't you get it, you old fart?!" Draken was screaming once again, but quickly realized his mistake. "No, I mean...that's not what I--"

"I also see that your time outside the village has wiped your mind clear of the few manners and principles you had in the first place. This is also my fault for trusting you too much. You will be detained under maximum security, and your Elder training will continue. You will be schooled more often and for longer times. "

"No, that's not what I want, please liste--"

"Your friend will be treated medically and then escorted someplace far from the village. We will post spies on him to make sure he doesn't return to the village, and possibly bring invaders. In addition, you will be forever forbidden from leaving the village again. If you do indeed decide to leave us again and for some reason return, you will be imprisoned for abandoning the village and your civic birthright, and a new candidate will be chosen. That is all there is to say on the matter. Do you have any thing to say, Draken Silverius?"

"....will I ever get to talk to him again before he leaves?"

"Once, and with an armed guard. Is that all?" Draken's head fell in resignation, and his shoulders fell.

"...yeah."

That's about all I've got right now. God, how long has it been? .-.'

(Cluna)

Certainly much less than hospitable, Kayle thought as he was thrown in a dungeon. His leg was obviously in pain from hitting the ground. ''A very strong aura of distrust here. As if the two squabbling idiots weren't bad enough. Now look where I've end up. I knew this journey would only lead to trouble. If we would all just stay in our own villages, none of this shit would've happened. My guess is all the villages are like they are. If that's the case, however, then...''

"Is this how you treat your guests?" Kayle hissed at a guard.

"Silence, intruder!" the guard barked back.

"You have no idea who you are speaking to, friend. I am Kayle Chamlett, one of the most renowned hunters in the Hidden Village."

"Hidden Village?" another guard echoed. "So you're one of the camouflaged!" As he spoke, Kayle demonstrating by disappearing before their eyes and then reappearing.

"If my people were to find you were holding me prisoner," Kayle continued, "they will have no qualms in waging a war against your village. We are very efficient warriors, so you will either release me or your people will suffer the grievous of consequences."

"Of course we will. As soon as we get you far away from our village and make sure you are never to return," the first guard told the prisoner coldly.

"Keep that attitude up and I will return, perhaps with some help," Kayle shot back. "Now let's be level with each other. Do you honestly think I would come hear just to stir up trouble? The only harm I did was escorting young Draken home, which I myself initially thought was quite foolish until Draken got himself injured. So you must ask yourselves... who's the guilty party here really?"

"And what about that girl you two were traveling with? The one carrying a large scythe," the guard asked.

"What you do with her is none of my concern," Kayle calmly replied. "I only wish to return to my village in peace. Unless of course you are making war plans with the other villages, so by then I would have to intervene." ''And the sooner I get back home, the better. I've done enough babysitting.''

(NeoZEROX)

Ruriko safely relax and rest in the trees while watching her bodyguard taken around. She yawns and started to talk to herself. "Well this sucks, I thought the princess is the one getting capture and the knight saves her and not the other way around. I think I made the wrong join picking my bodyguard...." She picks her ear and flicks off any earwax on her finger. "I'm bored now, what am I going to do with no bodyguard?"

She then over heard some Starlit guards and keep quiet so they wont hear her. "No sight of the girl with the scythe, maybe she runway." One the guard spoke to his comrade.

"Still we need to keep looking until new orders comes."

"Great, sound like no sleep for us for tonight. Anyway, have you heard about the Haruriga?"

"Haruriga? Is that the human who been hunting Drakenaers years ago, I thought he retire?"

Ruriko tighten her fist when she heard them speaking of the Haruriga.

"The humans must be trying to take more of our land, from what I heard he in the south right now so we no where neat our area this time but we should be on our toes just in case."

Ruriko gets ready and picks up her scythe and try to attack them for more info, but before she could act she saw the sunrise and her body shutdown, she start falling from the tree hitting two branches and landing in the bush, Dammit... fucking sun light... where my moonstone.... She tries to find her moonstone but falls asleep before she get a chance.

(NeoZEROX)

Draken sat in his small, empty confinement room. He had pulled his chair to face the wall, and above him, the bright rays of the oncoming sunrise started to beam through the small window. Despite his wounds and the long night he'd had, he couldn't sleep the entire night he had been imprisoned.

This is just great...I go out of my merry adventuring way to rescue a stupid dame and some old guy, out of the goodness of my heart, and look where its gotten me. He leans back in his chair slightly and sighs. ''Why did I even come back here, anyway? I should have known this wouldn't work out. Why would they just accept me and bandage all my wounds, even though I left on the most important night of my life?'' The more he looked at his situation, the less sense it made. The very foolishness of his plans angered him.

I guess Elder Granald is somewhat right, at least...what else is there for me, out in the world? At this he got up and began angrily pacing around his room for perhaps the fourth time that night.

''I'm just some stupid, sheltered shiny dragon kid. Half the world hates me for being born with wings, and the other half hates me for being born with shiny scales. Where can I go, what could I have done?''

''But still...anything would be better than here. I just can't be the new Elder... I can't. Nothing here is right...Nobody listens... Nobody cares.'' Draken growled in rage and pushed his chair over, causing a loud commotion. The guard outside his door looked into his door.

"Hey kid, why don't you calm down and sleep or something? What the hell are you banging for?!" Draken looked at the armed tribe member with scorn.

"For your information, I want to see my friend. Take me to him, please." The guard looked bewildered at his request and hesitated - Draken could see him pondering his request.

"But...it's only 5:30 in the morning, by the looks of it. He won't even be awake, and you're not supposed to go anywhe--" Draken fumed and cut him off.

"Elder Granald said I get one visit. I want my one visit." The guard didn't move. "Listen, bub, I took down Nocturnes and a Behemoth on my way back here. Do you really wanna make me angry right now?!" Draken put on his best intimidation face to back up his bluff - that is to say, not very intimidating. The guard, however, wasn't the smartest or bravest man in the village, and combined with Draken's impressive lies, gave in.

"Alright... come on." He prodded Draken with his spear as he led the way across the quickly-awakening village.

Kayle's first thoughts as he woke up were that cold hard prison floor wasn't the best place to sleep, and that getting poked with spears hurt.

He sat up, irritated. It took him a while to register the guard talking to him as he shook off his urge to sleep and rest. "About time you heard me, stupid Camouflage! I knew your kind was sly, but I didn't know you were deaf, too." Kayle glared at the taunting guard, and his quickly rising frustration replaced his grogginess.

"Did you wake me up just to taunt me, or did you actually open your mouth for a reason?" This caught the guard aback, and his reply was a little harder, accompanied by another spear poke to the ribs.

"You've got a visitor. Scum, just like you." Just then, Kayle noticed Draken standing behind the aforementioned guard, along with two other guardians of his own. All three were armed with spears, and Kayle couldn't help but notice the tantalizing key rings on all three of their waists. Kayle's guard opened his cell door, and Draken was ushered in. The door slammed behind him, and Kayle's guard took his normal position at the side of his door. The other two guards walked out of his view.

Kayle eyed the guards for a moment before moving his gaze to Draken. "What is going on? Why are you coming here so early, and why does everybody hate you?" Draken shrugged off his questions, much to Kayle's chagrin.

"Listen, I know you're all imprisoned and stuff, but this was a really, really bad idea. I don't know why you even had us come here in the first place."

"Me? You were the one leading the way to your "glorious village"! And how was I supposed to know that you pissed off everybody in the entire village?!"

"Hey, keep it down in there," yelled the guard of the door. Draken lowered his voice.

"Hey, hey, don't put the blame on me! Listen, I didn't come here to argue with you about your horrendous plans. Long story short, I was supposed to be the Elder here because the current Elder is, well, really really elderly. But you can testify to how horribly unfit I am for that job. I'm not a man to sit around and vote on who shot what game! So I left. I'm an adventurous man, so I went off to find some adventure. I've been wandering around for a while when I met you, and Ruriko, and you know what happened then. I figured by now they let it go and found somebody else, but apparently not! So you and I, we gotta get out of here. They're gonna exile you and put spies on you to make sure you don't bring any friends in, and they're gonna brainwash me until I agree to become the new Elder. Not gonna fly. Alright, so the plan i--"

"Whoa, whoa, hey! Slow down! They wanna do what?" Draken sighed and replied in a whisper.

"Gosh, and you're supposed to be the wise one? They're gonna part us, man! Make me their Elder! Track you forever! It'll all be over! Done! So we've gotta go!"

"Listen, maybe us parting isn't such a bad idea. All this running away has only gotten you in trouble so far, and I'd rather not fight more tribes than I need to."

"I'm not going to tell you again to shut up! Other prisoners are trying to sleep!" The guard glared in the cell this time, grabbing his spear for emphasis. Draken lowered his voice again.

"I...what? Come on, man! You can't do this to me! I can't be the Elder, I'm just not ready! They only want me to be in it because I'm the "heir of the Elder bloodline" or some bull like that, but I can't do it! Listen, I'll be honest. These past few days I've spent with you and Ms. Spoiled Brat have been some of the best in my life. All the adventure, chase scenes, watching girls bathe--"

"Wait, what?!"

"...nothing. Anyway, please, man, you have to get me out of here. We can bust out of here and figure out our plan. What do you say, please! You still have to find Ruriko, also! You made a promise!" Kayle sighed and rubbed his temples.

"Look, kid, where would you go? Humans hate us, and I know for a fact that Starlit don't have the best reputation around the other tribes. You're perfectly safe here, and it's the best place for you. Listen to reason for once, will ya?" At this Draken almost growled in rage - Kayle could see he said the wrong thing. His voice rose considerably.

"Reason?! Safe?!! Are you blind, dammit?! I left my village during the Elder apprentice ceremony! I stuck the entire village up! If the guards don't accidentally kill me or something, I'll get stoned every time I go to the market! But the damn Elder and the stupid Village Council are too stubborn to see that, and are determined to put me in charge! I'm not right for the job, I can't just fuck up innocent lives like that! I just...I just can't! Anything, anywhere would be better than living out my life in this hellhole doing what I detest! Don't you get it?!" Draken's chest rose and fell rapidly. He stared at the bewildered Kayle in barely pent-up rage. Both of them turned around as they heard the cell door rattling open.

"I told you bastards to shut the fuck up, and you didn't listen. Looks like you need a lesson on what an indoor voice is," growled the guard as he pulled out his spear and started toward the two. Kayle looked at Draken and instantly knew what was going to happen. Looks like my choice has already been made for me... The guard rushed Kayle with the spear, but never made contact. Draken tackled him onto the floor, causing him to drop his spear. Kayle restrained the guard and covered his mouth, and started holding his throat to lull him into unconsciousness. Suddenly the guards eyes went wide and quickly glazed over - Kayle looked up to see Draken repeatedly stabbing the body with the spear. Kayle shoved Draken into the wall.

"Just what the hell do you think you're doing, kid?!"

"Killing the witness. We've gotta get out of here, and we can't have him sounding the alarm." Draken reached into the guard's belt and grabs the master key ring. "See? We're set free. Let's go." He started towards the door.

"Listen, kid, it looks like I don't really have a choice about whether or not we get out of here, but you could really stand to use that brain of yours sometime! Instead of just knocking him out, you just killed that guy, which means if we get caught, there is absolutely no chance of us getting off with light punishment. Hell, you don't have to worry about being Elder now, because they'll kill you for killing one of your own men! And why escape now, in broad daylight? You couldn't have waited until nighttime to make this little visit? Not even next week or something, when our wounds are healed? My leg still throbs, dummy!"

"Are you done yet? We don't have that much time before somebody comes down and notices us, and wasting time leads to night, which leads to my scales glittering, so...yeah. Come on." Draken opens the cell door, grabs the guard spear again, and dashes down the hallway. Kayle angrily sighs once again and reluctantly followed him.

''This kid has the best luck, ever...We just escaped an entire jail full of enemies, in broad daylight. Will he ever cease to amaze me...?'' Kayle thought, as he followed Draken outside of the back door of the jail. Of course, the two had to engage in some strife - both of them had illicitly acquired arms and had quickly bloodied them. They did, however, manage to keep their bloodshed to a minimum, and escape without so much as sounding an alarm.

"So, kid...what now?" Kayle pressed Draken as they crouched in the middle of one of the village's many forest patches. Draken replied with a half-hearted grunt and continued slowly moving through the forestry. Kayle didn't continue conversing. Suddenly and out of nowhere, Draken turned around and looked at Kayle.

"Hey, you can camouflage yourself, right?"

"...yeah...?"

"Can you do it to me, too?"

"...what?!"

"You heard me! Can you camouflage me, too?"

"I...don't know... I've never tried."

"Well, getting through the village in broad daylight is impossible. But if you can camouflage me, we actually have a chance! And if you can't make me disappear, you should at least be able to dim my scales a lot, no?"

This wouldn't be a problem if you put a shirt on, Kayle thought. ''But why not? It's better than nothing, at this point...'' He put both of his hands on Draken's chest and focused intently for a few minutes. After a while, he started to sweat profusely, and his head started to feel like it was being banged on by hammers, rapidly. But to both parties gratitude, while Draken didn't camouflage like Kayle, his scales actually started to dim, until they matched the rest of his skin. Kayle's knees bucked. "I...can't walk and keep this up. I have to keep hold of you to make this work, but you can carry me until we get out of the village...hurry..."

Draken nodded in relief and gathered the surprisingly light Kayle unto his back, and continued his journey.

By the time Draken and Kayle made it to the village gates, twilight was beginning to take hold over the village. Word about the bloody jail and a prisoner and a traitor's disappearance had made its way across town, and security was at a maximum level. Search parties were going through every villager's hut, and if his scales hadn't been neutralized, Draken wouldn't have made it this far. He thanked his lucky stars for that, at least.

Speaking of scales, he noticed they started glaring again. He looked over his shoulder to see Kayle finally fall unconscious from the strain of keeping his power flowing for so long. Draken was feeling exhausted at having to carry him so far, so he dropped Kayle none too softly into a dark alley and started planning on his crossing of the gates. With such high security, there was absolutely no way for him to get out without being noticed. Unless... he looked at his scales again and started grinning with excitement.

Draken began to formulate a plan. He hoisted Kayle upon his back again and began using his wings and his climbing skills to scale the nearby hut. The effort and dead weight took more of a toll on him than he first anticipated, and by the time he made it to the top of the tall house near the gate, nightfall was only a few minutes away. He dropped Kayle onto the roof and started to gather his wits about him, when he heard Kayle stirring. He looked back at him, only to see him roll over and continue sleeping. What a help he is...

''Anyway, time to get the show rolling. Alright, scales, don't let me down...'' Draken waited for the full moon to burst through the clouds as night brought its iron curtain across the land, and aimed himself at the nearby sentry tower at the gate along the wall. "Hey!! Dummies! Looking for me?!" He shouted enough rude taunts to get almost the entire guard force on top of the wall. Before long, they recognized him and Kayle, and arrows and spears started raining down upon him across the short distance between the gate and the tall hut. Draken took one more look at the moon and aligned himself perfectly, before showing the full brunt of his scales to the sentries. The moonlight reflected right off his chest and was sent to the guard's eyes in a blinding, colorful spectrum. They all screamed in agony and let go of their weapons.

''Hah! Weak to their own power... Kind of sad, really.'' Draken gathered Kayle in his arms and backs up to the edge of the building far from the gate. He started running towards the gate and the still flailing guards, and leaps off the roof. His wings extend gloriously across the sky, lending him some assistance in his jump.

''I'm gonna make it... I'm gonna make it.. I'm not gonna make it!'' Just when Draken thought he would clear the gate completely, he forgot about two things - gravity and his small, almost useless wings. While he did succeed to jump across the medium-sized chasm, he did not clear the gate, and crashed against it, spilling across the wide top of the tall wall. As he groaned and started searching for Kayle, he noticed the guards were starting to recover, and did not look very happy.

Agh... Plan B! Skydiving! As the guards started converging on him, he braced himself and threw Kayle off the 20 foot wall, followed by himself. He landed in the nearby forest, a few feet from Kayle, on his back. "Aaaagh! That really didn't help my soreness, at all!" As he said this and groaned, a few arrows impaled themselves on the ground. Thankful for the treetops providing some cover, Draken pushed himself up in agony and grabbed Kayle again. Getting real sick and tired of carrying you around, old guy... Oh wow, that smarts! His legs buckled out from under him, and he fell almost on top of Kayle. Starting to think that was the worst idea I've had in a while... He could hear more arrows being shot into the floor, each of them getting closer to his current location.

He managed to get up again, albeit with considerable pain, and started dragging Kayle away. After a while, he started hearing less arrows and more yelling and commands, and considerable rustling around in the large forest. He ripped off a piece of Kayle's tunic and covered his chest with it, and continued moving. Ow, ow, ow, ow...

After a few hours, Draken collapsed on the floor. He could move no longer. He felt blood leaking out from under him, but he couldn't tell where - his entire body was in agony. The clothe he grabbed from Kayle, although no longer the color he obtained it in, had helped to conceal his scales, and successfully kept the search parties from finding them. By now, he guessed he was a pretty good distance away, and removed it. While he lay panting and groaning on the floor, close to passing out, a shadow passed over his head. Draken looks up and sees a familiar female figure twirling her scythe.

"I was waiting for you two to come back...looks like you need my help, don't you, slacker?" Draken groans one more time and goes black.

"You ready, girls," asked Lita as she overlooked her fellow compatriots in battle. Both Kara and Averia sounded off in approval. Lita smirked. She turned and faced the army she helped to organize. They looked glorious in their full battle attire, along with their majestic wings. She couldn't wait to watch them triumph over the abominations that were their enemies.

"You heard the girls, everybody. Come, fellow Winglords, and let us rain destruction upon our foes! For the Great Ancestors!"

The battle cry of response resounded across the entire village for miles around, startling a certain tribal village out of its search for two fugitives...

''Oooh... everything hurts.... Did I really think scaling a 20 foot wall was a good idea..?''

"Draken...."

''Where even am I? How did I get here? ....don't tell me I'm still in the forest...''

"Draken.... Draken..."

''Who...is that? Such a pretty voice... calling me...''

"Draken!"

Momma...?

"Draken get up right now!!" At this, he finally snapped to consciousness. Draken sat up and immediately fell back down, to a cushy bed, he noticed. He groaned in agony - apparently his wounds didn't like him sitting up, or moving too fast in general. He opened his eyes to find Ruriko, also bandaged, sitting beside his bed with an irked look on her face. "Finally! Did you think I was just going to let you sleep all night? Haven't you had enough rest already?" At this, his face took on a confused look.

"Already? How long have I been asleep?"

"For an entire week, dammit! Even Kayle got up before you, and he was passed out before you were!" She started to pace his room in anger.

''Room? Wait...what?'' He looked around in confusion. "Ruriko, where am I? How did we get here?"

"That's Your Honorable Mistress, to you! How dare you speak to me so..." She continued muttering angry commands until she processed his question fully. "For your information, we are currently in an Ornamented village, healing our wounds. After whatever you two idiots did in that village, neither of you would budge when I tried to wake you up. So I had to drag both of you here myself! Do you know how heavy you are? You both owe me for life for this! First of all, I will require you to--"

"Wait, you moved us both here? How long did it take you, wasn't it far?"

"It only took about a day, because of course your queen is in peak physical fitness. But anyway, as I said, you will both escort me personally atop a royal carriage to our next destination. Speaking of which, I will require you to be my heralder, telling any and all in earshot about just how great and wonderful I am while you carry me places. Following that, you will- Hey! You listen when your highness speaks to you, you lazy coward!" Draken had passed out during her speech. After a moment, Ruriko grunted and left his healing tent. She was met by Kayle waiting outside. "What do you want, and why are you standing already? And why is your..." At this Ruriko blushed, and turned away from him. "Why is your shirt off?"

"I'm alright already. I didn't take as much damage as Draken, and I'll be alright." Kayle started walking towards the village common, and Ruriko followed. Despite his words, she noticed, Kayle still walked with a slight limp and a pained look. "I've noticed the Ornamented, as a group, don't let males wear shirts. It's better for all of us if I don't wear mine - its why they have already accepted Draken so well. And come on, there is a man here with news from around the world. I figured you would like to hear how your people are doing."

When the two arrived in the village square, Ruriko was awestruck by the number of people who were shining in the moonlight. "They're just like Draken, but instead of his entire body, they just have shiny chests... And they're all different colors!"

"Yep, that's Ornamented for ya. They also like to show off their scales, unlike most Starlit."

"Sounds like the coward back there was born in the wrong tribe."

"Not the first time I've thought that..." They walked to a growing throng of people surrounding a Crimson Drakenaer standing on a tall box. His vermillion wings flapped around him in excitement.

"Ah yes, it looks like my audience is large enough... Fellow Drakenaers! Ready thyselves for a barrage of information straight from yours truly, the Red Robin! Yes, yes, it is true, all the legends you have heard! I truly do have ears behind every door, and I truly do have eyes in the back of my - and your - heads! Nothing escapes me! Nothing eludes me! And I do it all for you, and for the pleasure of my listeners - and also tips, which I am collecting in my hat, if you will please locate it behind me. Feel free to donate! After all, traveling around the world and obtaining information for you noble people is no cheap matter!

Oh, it seems you are getting restless. Very well, my friends, I will get to the brunt of the matter! Prepare yourselves, for a maelstrom of updates come this way! Rumour has it that the human nobles -" at this, the crowd erupted into a continuous jeer -"yes, yes, I know, despicable. Please, quiet thyselves, allow me to continue! Yes, yes, that is perfect. As I was saying, rumour has it that the human noble family have been planning quite an expedition! Nobody knows yet what it is they are planning, or how it pertains to us Drakenaer, but rest assured, I and my spies will not rest until we have this matter cleared up! Also regarding the humans, it appears there was a riot between humans and us Drakes, taking place none other than the human palace courtyard! It is unknown yet which side won, but I'll keep you guys posted.

In other news, the entire Nocturne tribe has been thrown into chaos because their Queen-to-be has apparently vanished! They are accepting rewards for tips on her location, and have threatened possible suspects to the alleged kidnapping.

Next up, and most surprising to moi, is this juicy tidbit. The ancient Winglord tribe, which were thought to be extinct, have reappeared with a bang! Shortly after Starlit forces left their capital for some yet unknown reason, a large Winglord army swept in and attacked their city! The majority of the forces were caught off guard and returned to their city as fast as they could, but ended up being a little bit too late. By the time they got there, the city was already under siege, and most of the damage had been done. For the next day or so, the two tribes fought it out, with both sustaining heavy casualties, but soon the Starlit were overwhelmed. They turned tail and ran, scattering across the land. Most Starlit are now in hiding and the few villages they occupy across the land have been sent into chaos. The Winglords have occupied and taken over the Starlit capital for themselves.

Whew, my throat hurts! Thanks for the tips, people - wow, that is a lot. Well, I have to go retire - have no fear! the Red Robin will return, and I will impart even more news upon you glorious people. For now, allow me to rest my voice, and you can all go and go about your business. Thank you, thank you, the Red Robin thanks you!" At that, the crowd dispersed, and Kayle and Ruriko looked at each other in shock. Both of them opened their mouths at the same time.

"Did you hear? They're looking for me, and--"

"Am I crazy? Did the Winglords of all people attack the Starlit?!"

"Excuse me, you cut me off!"

"Yeah, yeah, sorry about that, princess. Just listen...I have to go tell Draken about this. Oh man, why do I feel like this is all my fault? I..I can't imagine how he'll feel.."

"Yeah yeah, you go on and have sloppy makeouts or whatever. I'm going to go talk to that Red Mockingbird or whatever his name is - I need to find something out..." And with that, the two went their separate ways.

Kayle ran into Draken's tent with a start. "Listen, Draken, I have something to tell you, and it won't be pretty, but...eh?" Kayle was shocked to find Draken sitting up in bed, his head in his hands.

"Kayle... it's all my fault...it was because of me..." Draken was sobbing, and managed to choke out some words to Kayle as tears racked his frame.

"How did you...I didn't even..."

"That guy has a really loud voice, okay? I just... if I didn't run away, and if I wasn't such an idiot, nobody would have chased after me, and everybody wouldn't have had to die..." Despite his good intentions, Kayle couldn't argue with this logic. He simply sat on Draken's bed and gave him a hug. "If I was there all along...if I was actually responsible...I could have led them to victory...we could have held them off... but...I..."

"Sssh, it's alright. It'll be okay. Look on the bright side, you're still alive. And everybody isn't dead, they just scattered. If you want to be a true leader for your people, we can just go about and find them, alright? Unite them and band together. Sound like a plan?"

"Yeah...I guess...but I can't do that, I'm just a weak little kid..."

"Well, I'm sure you could find some friends. The Ornamented really seem to like you, maybe its the scales. And besides...you still have me and Ruriko, alright? Just..don't cry. It'll be okay."

"Yeah, I guess it will..." Draken wiped his face and lay back on his bed, covering his eyes with his arms. Kayle took this as a dismissal and started walking away. "Hey wait...Kayle?" He stopped and turned back to Draken.

"Thanks...for everything."

Kayle exited the healing tent with a small sigh. Rough, what Draken was going through. ''The pressure put upon him by his tribe is completely foreign to me. Camoflauged operate by strict "hunt-to-live" rule: leaders didn't need to worry so much about their bureaucratic skills so much as how effectively they could teach others to net game. Bringing the pork home, but in a much more literal sense.''

''While I'm here, I should get to know our hosts and their loyalties. We can't afford to be backstabbed when our guards are down.'' From their partially concealed tent in the shady side of town, Kayle made his way along its stone wall towards a half-circle of impressive-looking huts. A few Ornamented males glanced in his direction, but none raised any alarm; Ruriko must have taken care to make a favorable impression when they arrived last week.

The idea of Ruriko acting decently, especially with two unconscious stowaways, struck Kayle as nearly impossible. ''I have some immunity in this place, it seems. Might as well use it to my advantage.'' He passed by a few more townsfolk, males topless, females with only the slightest of coverings, before reaching the circle of huts adorned with pieces of colored glass. A small gathering of Ornamented elders, shirtless despite their weak chests and fading brands, sat cross-legged in the curve of the huts. The eldest (and obviously the most respected) raised his eyes towards Kayle, and, in a gravelly voice, spoke: "Sit. If my town is harboring a fugitive I should like to meet him."

Kayle sat, crossing his legs as customary. "Forgive me, I did not know our status was as such in your village, elder...?"

"Elder Kobold. You take refuge in Alpe, a village not given to persecution. For we were given refuge in times past; the Starlit yielded territory to us Ornamented. I understand their next in line travels in your party."

"Yes, Elder, Draken was meant to be the next chieftain, before his tribe was purged from their home. But your people - they faced a similar fate?" Kayle questioned.

"We did. It was demonic," whispered the elder. "Our ancestral home, Tyre, not ten years ago, was overrun by Humes. The Ornamented were a quiet people, nestled amongst the western mountains. We followed the old customs, but there were the younger - the younger, whose eyes were held only by foreign lands. One invited the Humes to Tyre, to engage in seemingly innocent trade.... two months later, our home razed to ashes."

"What happened to your betrayer?" asked Kayle.

"Killed," Kobold spat. "Killed in the Hume ambush, and took the entire town with him, save two hundred refugees. Raevri Tyre, your slopes, your temples sacrileged! But sentiment must yield to survival. The forest is our home now. It offers freedom, precious freedom that Tyre gave up when the Humes made it their own. Only time itself - Shinryu-kron, chrono! - has dried our tears. This is why we treasure our friendship with the Starlit so, young Camouflage - they too revered the Old Ways, gave reverence to the gods. They made a home for our people, scattered by the Hume machine. And now, what has become of them? Destroyed, but by their own people! Never, never shall we let a tribe like the Winglord share our forest; never let the cannibals consume our land!"

Kayle responded to Elder Kobold's outburst with some hesitation. The Camoflauged were never a particularly religious race, even as Drakenaer went, but he couldn't display ignorance here. "What the Winglord did was disgusting. Ruriko and I appreciate what you're doing for Draken. We won't take up space much longer."

"That Nocturne has quite the spine, entering our village unannounced. It was only her protection of the Starlit that pardoned her. Send young Draken to see me, when he is willing."

Kayle took that as his cue to leave. ''They're really only interested in him. Funny how one can lose his entire village and yet still have some weight in another tribe's tradition.'' He stood, made a short bow, and returned to the tent, hoping to speak with Ruriko; when he got back, however, only a sleeping Draken greeted him.

Ruriko followed the Crimson news herald back to his camp on the far edge of the village. She took a stealthy approach - he didn't seem to enjoy fans who followed him.

Once he entered his tent, he set about undressing and preparing for a nap. Ruriko chose then to storm into his hut. She slammed the door behind him, and he whirled about in surprise. "Wh-What are you doing here? How did you...You can't be here!" The shirtless Drakenaer stepped back in bewilderment, terrified by his stalker's aggressive nature and body language.

"I don't care, you red freak. I just want to know about...the Haruriga. You got any news of him, red man?"

"The...the Haruriga?! Of course I know about him...but I'm not telling! Not without a donation, and definitely not to some stalker!" The Red Robin had acquired some of his bravado back, Ruriko noticed. She reached for her scythe, and almost hit herself when she remembered that she had left it in her tent as to not cause trouble in the village. The Red Robin seemed to notice her threatening move and her helpless look afterward, and decided to take matters into his own hands. He reached into his discarded backpack and pulled out a small, skinny blade. "Now leave, or I'll have to hurt that pretty face of yours."

Ruriko smirked. "You would dare to attack me? Come then, and face Death herself." This only served to irritate the man, and he rushed toward her, his inky dark blade coming dangerously close. She just managed to dodge before he swiped again and again, once cutting open a shred of her robes. Infuriated, she throws the Robin's pants at him. Confused and taken off guard, he stumbles around for a moment. This moment is just enough for Ruriko, and she snatches the blade from his hands and slashes him on his back. The Robin screams in agony and falls onto his bed.

Ruriko quickly grabs him and pins him from moving. Blood starts to trickle from under him as he twitches and convulses. "Now, are you going to tell me what I want to know, or do I have to cut off a few fingers to get my point across...?" At this, he calms down considerably, although his breathing is still rapid and forced.

"Okay, okay... I'll tell... The...The Haruriga was last seen after the riot at the royal palace... rumours say-" She tightened her grip on him, and he screeched in agony.

"I don't want rumours! I want the truth, dammit!"

"Okay, okay! Please! Ah...he was hired by the humans. I don't know why yet, but apparently he's supposed to be going in front of some troops and taking out important targets. That's all I know, okay! I'm sorry, please, just let me go..." Ruriko spit on his chest and let him go. Almost instantly, he curled into a fetal position to get pressure off his minor cut.

"That's more like it. And I was never here, you got it? Or I'll have to pay a visit, and take some...souvenirs with me, if you catch my drift."

"Yes...yes ma'am, I just...fell onto some sharp rocks...*sniff*"

"Good boy." With this, she walked out of his tent. Ruriko began the walk towards her tent in the inky black of the night, yawning and thinking of her newfound information.

''So...he's back...and with the humans. What will I do, sister...?''

What will any of us do? }}

END OF CHAPTER 3 Please do not continue to add to this chapter.