Lightning flashed across the sky, angry and violent. A robed figure walked quietly down the halls of a decorated temple. The tiles were purple with black runes. The walls were a soft gray, covered with black drapes. Purple statues decorated each corner. The statues were twisted and hideous, telling of a creature that oddly resembled a male fairy. Had the statue been anywhere else, one would definitely have called it a...
"Pixie transvestite."
The robed figure stopped instantly and whirled, eyes glittering from under the shadows.
Down the hall, before one of the statues, stood two figures. One, a young girl, her stance rather provocative. Her long blonde hair fell about her in waves, like soft satin, as strips of blue littered it. Wrapped around her body, in layers of black silk, were skimpy robes. She wore what looked to be a bikini, black and soft. A sort of skirt was attached to the bikini, however it only draped along her thighs, to her knees, and around her back. The skirt ended abruptly at her knees and was sliced along the edges, as if the dress had been ripped from the jaws of a beast. Wrapped down her ankles and wrists where bracelets. About her left wrist and ankles were golden bands with runes carved inside with red. Resting on her right wrist was a black and blood striped bracelet. Nestled on her neck, on a satin necklace, was an ivory circle with a glaring ruby wolf head set in the middle. Clinging to her shoulders were long satin robes. They were long but light, hinting at the need for speed. The robes rolled down her back, ending at the back of her knees. The edges were frayed, as if they had been clawed. It appeared as a vest, though wasn't nearly as covering. Another satin cloth wrapped around her waist, like a sash. The ends of the sash draped down from behind her, touching her ankles. It almost looked like she had a long black tail. Scattered about her legs, her clearly visible stomach, arms, and chest were tattoos. The colors of the tattoos, which were lines making intricate patterns, were red, black, and purple. Upon her left cheek was a blood red wolf head, eyes black. Her black leather boots reached halfway up to her ankles, then cut off in sharp curves. Her ankle bracelets had been slipped over the boots. She bore red eyes, which glittered. Wrapped around her waist was a black whip.
Beside her was a tall young man with short, spiked black hair. His hair had red laced through it, like devil's blood. He cast a crimson-eyed stare at the statue. He wore a black leather harness about his chest, which was muscular and covered in tattoos matching the first person's. All but the tattoo of the wolf, which was on his right cheek as opposed to her left, were identical to the woman's. He bore a black satin loin cloth about his waist as well as short pants under it. The pants reached down to his knees, where they cut off to jagged edges. He bore black boots which reached up to half way to his knees and cut off sharply. Ankle bracelets of gold had also been slipped over his boots. His right arm bracelet was also gold. However, his left arm band matched the girl's right arm band perfectly. Tied to his sides with black leather were two long boomerangs fit with blades. The young man eyed the statue, then turned to the girl.
"Ookami, you shouldn't say such things," he hissed, quietly. Ookami snorted.
"Well, he DOES, Karu!" she retorted. "LOOK at him! Doesn't he resemble an unholy pixie transvestite!?"
"Ookami-!" Karu growled, trying to remain quiet.
"Well, doesn't he!?" Ookami cried, defensively.
"He does, I'll admit to that," a soft, feminine voice drawled. Ookami peered over her shoulder, defiantly, while Karu winced and covered his eyes with embarrassed. The robed figure approached behind them, its footsteps quiet and deliberate.
"Atleast someone has the guts to agree with me," Ookami said, tossing a smug grin to Karu. Karu scowled to himself but made no verbal response. The figure laughed, quietly. The soft melodic tone of the robed unknown was undeniably female. Ookami winked and snapped her wrist. "So, who are you?" she asked.
"Aika," the robed woman replied. She extended a robed arm from which a dainty hand reached. The baby soft skin glistened within the candle light as small fingers extended to touch Ookami's hand in greeting. Ookami took Aika's hand and squeezed it heartily.
"Ookami," she replied, grinning widely. "So who's in charge around here?"
"I am," Aika responded, her smile more felt than seen. Ookami nodded once.
"An independent woman. I like that," she said, casually.
"I knew you would," was Aika's response. "Now... down to business, shall we?"
"Yeaaah! Food! Foooooood!"
"Oi! Calm down!"
"Oh, it's allright, Nall... let them have some fun."
Mauri smiled softly as she watched the children scamper about, laughing happily. Many grabbed at a large stack of sandwiches she had made just for them, all stretched out on a checkered tablecloth.
Ronfar sat near Mauri, chewing on a small twig as he smirked.
"Heh, hungry, aren't they?" he observed.
"Don't see why," Nall snorted. "It's not like I starve 'em!"
"What you're doing is worse than starving them!" Ruby quipped as she fluttered by. "What with that raw sewage you make them eat!"
"HAH!" Nall snapped, his fangs showing. "Who're you to talk, greedy guts!? You eat more than all the Dragon Kids combined!"
"What was that!?" Ruby snapped, spitting out a small blast of flame. "Say that again!"
"Ah, young love." Ronfar chuckled quietly and leaned closer to Mauri. Mauri giggled daintily and nodded.
"It's so cute!" she smiled.
A faint blush appeared on both of the arguing dragons' cheeks. They immediately looked away from each other.
"Yeah right!" Ruby muttered.
"Hoh hoh hoh," a deep voice chuckled before an arm looped around Nall's shoulder. Leo smirked toothily at Nall, winking. "Fiesty, isn't she?"
"Try bitchy," Nall muttered lowly so Ruby wouldn't hear.
"Ah, yes, well..." Leo nodded slowly. "Aren't they all like that, some time or another?"
"I guess," Nall blinked slowly.
"Sometimes I think it'd be best to swear off women completely!" Leo continued, waving his hand idly to emphasize his point. "After all, only a man can understand a man!"
Mauri paused and stared at Leo blankly, uncertain if he meant what she thought he meant. Ronfar blinked repeatedly, then looked at Mauri with a confused expression.
"I guess," Nall blinked again, wondering why Leo was so close.
"Indeed, men like us must stick together!" Leo continued as he leaned even closer, tapping his fingers against Nall's shoulder idly.
"..." Mauri blinked slowly.
"... ..." Ronfar made an exasperated face.
Ruby's cheek twitched.
Nall was trying to figure out what to say to that when he was suddenly charred by an irate Ruby.
Leo yelped in surprise and drew back just in time to avoid being flamed as well. Leo glanced at Nall, then at Ruby before he shrugged. "Hoh, that's the way it goes!"
"HEY!" Nall yelled as he glared at the small pink dragon, his face blackened with ash. "What was THAT for!?!"
"As if you even have to ask!" Ruby huffed.
"If you're done pawing at each other now," Lemina sniffed, finally speaking up after she had finished systematically searching Taben's Peak. "I'd like to talk BUSINESS with you."
"Buisness?" Nall blinked as he wiped the soot off his face.
"Yes," Lemina grinned adorably. "I couldn't find any lying around... but I know you must have some! I'm talking dragon diamonds."
Nall made a choking sound as he nearly fell over while Ruby looked ill.
"What do you want THAT stuff for?" she asked, eying Lemina strangely.
"What do you mean 'that stuff'!?" Lemina stared at Ruby. "They're diamonds! Gems! Your dragon diamonds are worth millions of silvers! Why, just four or five would be enough to completely rebuild Vane!"
A horrified and disgusted look overtook Ruby's features.
"...You mean... people PAY to have one of those-!?!" she sputtered.
"Are you nuts?" Lemina blinked. "Of course! Dragon diamonds are the most beautiful diamonds in the world! That's how that Lardbucket Borgan made all of his money with that stupid Neo-Vane! Though..." Lemina paused. "I guess he mined all the black dragon diamonds since I couldn't find any in the mine... and the black dragon wouldn't tell me where to find more."
"...That's just... SICK!" Ruby grimaced, very ill.
"What's so sick about wanting some diamonds?!" Lemina demanded.
As Lemina and Ruby faced off, Leo scooted over and hooked his arm around Nall's shoulder again. Leo smirked and drew Nall away from the two arguing girls, practically beaming.
"Wha?" Nall blinked as he was dragged off.
"While they're distracted..." Leo began, then tilted his head and winked. "Let's get down to the real reason I came... To be quite frank, I've run out of ruins to explore. Do you know of any areas I have yet to explore?"
"Uh..." Nall itched his chin as he thought over places he knew off. "There is the Illusion Forest. No one's ever fully explored that place."
"Oh? Indeed?" Leo blinked repeatedly. "I thought it was just a weird forest."
"Well... it's said that there's a huge ruin hidden deep inside of it," Nall said thoughtfully. "It supposibly is full of treasures and artifacts from the Blue Star." He then shook his head. "But no one's ever found it, so it's probably just a story."
"...Hmmm... Sounds interesting!" Leo nodded as he leaned ever closer, brushing up against Nall.
Nall didn't have a chance to react as he was suddenly charred by Ruby once again.
"HEY!" Nall cried as he cringed away from the onslaught of flames from the diminutive pink dragon.
"What'd you do that for!?" he demanded once the attack ceased.
"HELLO! There's CHILDREN here!" Ruby snapped angrily.
"What does that have to do with anything!?"
"You can't let them see you acting like a pervert!"
"What're you talking about?!"
Mauri and Ronfar blinked as they watched the dragons argue.
"..."
"..."
"...Something tells me that they'll never get together within our life time."
The forest seemed alive with life, birds tweeting their songs of nature. Shadows danced playfully off of the grass and bark of the trees, creating beautiful shows.
A solitary figure walked down a dirt path that slithered through the landscape. The figure was a handsome young man with long black hair and piercing green eyes. He wore thick black chest armor lined with fur, dusty brown boots with matching gloves, and a black tunic with pants. Slung over his shoulder was a backpack filled with traveling supplies and he bore a sheath on his hip, which contained what appeared to be a longsword.
The figure walked along, his expression stern. His eyes were fixed on the road, never wandering, as he journeyed through the forest. As he passed, the woodland creatures seemed to stop to stare at him. He didn't pay them any mind, however.
After a while, the young man stopped in his tracks. He glanced about, then reached in to his backpack and pulled out a map. He glanced at the map, then at the sky.
"...Not long now," he said. "I just hope she's home,"
The young man returned his map to his backpack and made to continue his journey. Suddenly, the young man doubled over with a pained gasp. His eyes widened as he panted.
"That feeling again... something bad's happening... I got this feeling when... when-!"
The young man stood up and scowled.
"What's happening...?"
A loud roar issued as a green dragon, covered with glowing spikes, lunged forward and snapped his jaws.
A whip slashed at the dragon, striking it in the face. The dragon reared back, then growled.
"You'll have to do better than that!" a voice mocked. Two figures lunged out of the shadows at the dragon. Ookami twirled her whip and slashed at the dragon's face as Karu threw his twin boomerangs. The dragon reared back and hissed with pain.
"What is it you desire from the Blue Star?!" the dragon growled, his voice deep and vibrant. Ookami snorted and flicked her hair back.
"Eh, forget the Blue Star!"
"What do you mean?" the dragon asked, flabbergasted. "If you do not desire passage to the Blue Star... why are you here?"
"I'm glad you asked! There's someone who's dying to have a little reunion," Ookami replied, winking. She reached in to her clothing and pulled out a bizarre clear gemstone and extended it towards the dragon. "I'm sure you'll remember her once you see her."
"Reunion...?" the dragon blinked slowly, then narrowed his eyes. "Who would dare...?"
"Let's just say she hasn't forgotten what happened the last time you two butted heads," Ookami purred, silkily. "She's dying for a little payback, which starts with you... and ends with trigger-happy Althena herself!"
"...The last time..." the dragon paused, then reared back in alarm. "You can't mean-!?"
"Hmmm, one way to find out! Now be a good dragon and let me absorb you in to this lovely little gem!" Ookami replied, brandishing the gem. The dragon stared, then shrieked with pain. Karu twisted his boomerangs, which were stuck in the dragon's side.
"I won't... allow it..." the dragon snarled. Karu blinked, then leaped back with his boomerangs. The dragon turned to snap at Karu. As the jaws snapped down, the dragon received a severe blow to the head. Ookami's elbow slammed in to the dragon's skull, causing its teeth to smash against each other. The dragon's head snapped back, momentarily dazed. Ookami smirked, then slammed the clear gemstone in to the base of the dragon's neck. A bright green energy filled the room, engulfing everything.
When the light dimmed, all that remained of the dragon was the stone statue.
Ookami smirked, then twirled the gemstone in her hand. Its clear color had transformed to green.
"That was easy," she grinned. Karu stood up, dusting himself off.
"Easy?" he muttered. "He almost bit me in half,"
"You complain too much," Ookami winked. She placed the gemstone back into her clothing. "Let's go! There's still much to be done!"
Karu glared at Ookami.
"...Why are you so cheerful!?"
"Whatever. Didja take care of that OTHER issue?" Ookami tilted her head. Karu grunted, then turned on his heel and strode through a doorway in to the nothern room.
Ookami tilted her head, then flinched visibly when a loud crack filled the air. Ookami approached the doorway and peered inside, watching as Karu pulled his bladed boomerangs out of the large, hovering crystal. Two huge cracks ran in opposite directions through the crystal, which flashed slightly before going completely dim and shattering like glass.
Ookami stared down at the remains of the crystal, then smirked at Karu and shrugged.
"So much for visitors from the Blue Star. Now that we've smashed the crystals in both towers, no one's going to be making any house calls!" she chuckled.
"I suppose," Karu shrugged. "Just one less thing to worry over."
"Whatever!" Ookami grinned. "Now we just have to deal with the four dragons!"
"...You're sounding cheerful again."
"I'm not cheerful... I'm thrilled!"