"Can't you get it through your thick skull that I want you to keep away from me, Boomer-Brain?!" Ruby screeched as she pounced on the winged lizard yet again.
Ronfar wisely held in another comment as he steered the Destiny to the east. It was currently a brisk late afternoon on Lunar and the giant steamship had just finished its southward journey past the city of Nota. The Destiny was gradually getting closer to the Mystic Ruins and a possible resolution to the difficulties currently plaguing Lunar with each passing minute.
"Shade, do you think that there's something odd about that reptile?" the priest quested to the dark woman standing beside him.
"You mean besides her impatience, her tendency to incinerate anything that annoys her, and the fact that she interrupts EVERYTHING?" the Black Dragon responded.
Ronfar laughed a little, hoping that Ruby wasn't within an earshot. "I meant the boomerang-winged lizard."
"Oh," Shade replied. "Sorry, I thought you mean my little sister there. Well, there does seem to be something different about him... first of all, I have never seen a creature like him before in my life... then there's that strange aura."
"Aura?" Ronfar asked.
"Yes... I've felt this bizarre yet familiar aura about him... I can't quite place it but I could swear it also emanated from that raven that Lemina now has with her."
Gradually turning the wheel of the Destiny, Ronfar pressed her to go on.
Shade continued, "I'm really not sure why or how it's familiar... I just know that I've felt it recently..."
Ruby suddenly flew up into Ronfar's face and interrupted the conversation. Shade could be heard sighing in the background as the dragon-cat spoke. "Well, we're almost there. I really wish Nall would come back and give us a clue on what's going on..."
"Miss him, Ruby?" Ronfar remarked as he smirked.
Ruby didn't even bother to answer... just scowl.
At the bow of the Destiny stood Ryko, Randall, and Mistra. The former felt a bit uncomfortable as the three water drakes currently had their long bodies coiled up around her arms and waist.
"Can't this thing go any faster?" Mistra muttered aloud.
Randall ran a finger across his moustache and responded, trying to ignore dreadful thoughts that were cycling through his mind. "Patience is a virtue... I would rather see our entire challenge from afar rather than rush into a confrontation with no preparation."
"I've been waiting for you slow humans and dragons all day long... don't you think I'm patient enough by now?" she curtly replied.
"What good is it to rush in and destroy one band of adversaries when you don't see the three armies behind them beforehand?" Randall continued.
Mistra huffed and moved over to Ryko, sick of hearing words of wisdom just as boring as those of the old sprite from the garden. She sat atop Ryko's shoulder and spoke.
"And what about you? Do you want to hang back and wait to see all the 'armies' we'll have in front of us too?"
Ryko half-glanced at the fairy.
"Not at all... I want to get in there and find out all the answers as soon as possible... perhaps even find who I'm looking for..."
Mistra kicked her legs slightly as she responded in a monotone.
"Good! However, I really doubt you'll find anyone interesting in the ruins other than us fairies. All the nasties I saw were just those boring knights and priests... well, except for that one blond-haired female-"
"What?!?!" Ryko exclaimed, jumping to conclusions. Mistra was so startled that she almost fell off of the martial artist's shoulder.
"Easy there... as I was saying, except for that one blond-haired female harpy. Today was the first day I saw her and I'm pretty sure you couldn't be looking for a harpy woman... plus she was kinda psycho. When she went a little crazy this morning I had the chance to escape and took it."
"Oh," Ryko sighed, feeling her tiny hopes shattered...
"My Goddess... help!!!"
A young boy shouted as he fled from the metal titan. His cries were in vain as the creature cut him down with an arm blade in the wink of an eye.
KOMUSHA made no sound as he turned and went after another horde of running villagers with a storm of his beam weapons.
The frigid city of Zulan was currently under attack by a pair of demonic individuals: the mechanical marvel KOMUSHA and the lithe harpy Haranne. The mediocre guards of the village could not stand up to the whirlwind of death and destruction that wound its way through Zulan.
It was a veritable bloodbath...
Haranne spun and whipped DarkStar in a wide circle, decapitating three guards who rushed her. The blade and her dark armor were covered with crimson marks. Her skin and hair were stained with the blood spilled by dozens of her victims in Zulan.
A red haze obscured her vision as she tore through men and women, screeching and screaming maniacally. The pitch of her yells augmented with each corpse that hit the snow.
She abruptly felt a trembling presence on her right leg. Her ruby-colored eyes glared downwards to discover a small female child huddled on her limb, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Pl... please... d... don't hurt... me..."
Haranne expression was one of surprise. She raised the Dark Scimitar above her head and prepared to cleave the child's head in two. Suddenly the harpy found it impossible to bring her right arm down... Jan apparently was still fighting from within to stop the slaughter...
A few uneasy seconds passed as the inner struggle of personalities persisted. The battle ended abruptly as one of KOMUSHA's small floating drone bits flew over and blasted the young girl off of the winged woman. The child rolled several yards and lay still... lifeless...
"YOU SHALL NOT RESIST ME AGAIN... KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL!"
DarkStar's voice echoed loudly in the wretched creature's mind. She turned and disemboweled a foolish man with a knife as he rushed her. His thoughts that she was momentarily helpless were wrong... and his last ones...
Haranne screeched to the heavens as she continued the massacre.
The Destiny slowed and stopped its thunderous engine as it came near to the Mystic Ruins. An uneasy gale blew through the deathly silent area.
Ronfar led Shade and the others toward the foot of the ancient structure. Each readied themselves for any sort of attack.
Ruby and Mistra fluttered ahead of the rest of them.
"Um, Mistra?" the miniature Red Dragon started.
"Yeah, kitty?"
Ruby held in her quickly building anger. "You did say this place was a bustle of activity, right?"
Mistra glanced about the still stone spire. "Of course... there were hordes of those idiots going in and out all day and all night long."
Ronfar had caught up to them by now. His mace stayed ready in his right hand.
"It doesn't appear that way anymore," he remarked.
The pixie pulled the dagger out of her leg sheath and started to wave in front of the Raculi denizen's eyes.
"Are you suggesting that I made the whole thing up?! I certainly know that I've spent the past few weeks stuck inside a magical bubble-thing right inside there!"
"Calm down, I'm not insinuating anything yet... it's just too quiet here to be the center of activity for all these occurrences," he replied.
Ryko, still trying to contend with the serpents wrapped around her, and Randall approached and scanned the ruins for any motion whatsoever. Shade stood behind them.
"This doesn't look like our answer but appearances can always be deceiving," Randall uttered.
The party wasn't sure what to do for a moment as the sun proceeded on its gradual descent toward the horizon... until...
"Well, why are we just standing around?! Let's go in and look if you don't believe me," Mistra yelled and darted toward the gateway at the base of the Mystic Ruins. Ruby bolted after her, soon followed by the others.
Five shapes huddled together in a forest clearing. Through an opening to the north they could see the stone stairs that led into Vane.
"Okay... let's get this done at sunset... that way we'll have the night to cover our escape," Anti-Jean announced.
"Agreed," Anti-Leo added. "The three of us will just bluff our way in and acquire the crimson crest, then escape through the caves."
Anti-Hiro unsheathed and examined his blade. He suggested, "It'll probably be a good idea for you two to enter the caves from this end and make sure they're clear for the egress."
"Why don't you go, nega tough guy, and clear those damn caves... it'd be far easier for me to walk in and swipe the icon," Anti-Lemina whined.
"QUIET! 'You' are supposed to be injured... those in the mansion would surely know if you're both walking around AND in bed at the same time, fool!"
Anti-Lemina scowled and consented. She and Anti-Ronfar started to run for the fountain of transmission to teleport into the caves. The other three false heroes proceeded up the steps into Vane.
"Oof!" Mistra and Ruby simultaneously yelled as they crashed headfirst into some sort of invisible barrier inches before the portal. Each stuck there for a second with only their wings fluttering before they dropped to the ground.
Rubbing her head, the fairy cursed loudly. Ruby was a tad more sensible. "What the hell was that?! This door is never locked!"
Shade and the others caught up and began to press against the transparent shield.
"Oh great, now what?" Ronfar quested loudly.
The darkest drake of Althena calmly touched the barrier and looked at Ruby.
"Do you suppose that the seal which was put on this structure could have been repeated?"
The dragon-cat floated silently for a moment. "How? Althena and Ghaleon are dead, Zophar certainly couldn't have put it on before we whacked him... and Lucia didn't have a chance to do either... not to mention that we've been going in and out of there up until recently... who could've done it?"
"Yeah, I remember that seal," Mistra added. "It seemed to leave us protected... that is, until you and that Lucia girl opened it."
"Again, who could have put it back on though... and reapplied it this very morning after Mistra busted out?" Ruby continued.
Shade thought to herself for a few quiet moments...
...Quiet, that is, except for some stealthy steps being taken to the far west of the ruins.
Several assassins fixed their eyes on the Destiny and the small party standing in front of the ancient building. A tall orange-robed priest stood between them.
"Four humans, one flying cat, one flying lizard and one fairy by the looks of it, boss," one ninja reported.
"Looks like they shut the gate on all of us," the other finished.
The priest hummed and considered their predicament. The trio slowly backed around the hills to the north and returned to their convoy. Thinking to himself, the acolyte glanced around at the moderately sized force with him. A group of Necro Knights and Fly-Boys touted a large amount of Black Dragon crystals that were taken from Zaback mines. Several of those enchanted and unearthed monsters and machines backed up the force. It wasn't the size of his party that was the problem. The priest didn't want it to appear that they were lugging these prizes toward the ruins as that would reveal the cult's base of operations. Also, with the front door locked by Zophar's power (bound within DarkStar) the only way 'in' would be via the roof.
He glanced up at the sky and then back at his minions. If he could get a message up there for advice...
"Quickly, you two take a few knights and fliers and make it look like you're stealing that behemoth. If you get to it before them then start bringing it this way. I'll back the convoy up and around to the east...you go north."
The two ninjas nodded and led an assembly around the bend and toward the Destiny. Simultaneously the robed miscreant ordered a single Fly-Boy to carry a crystal up to the roof from the north side of the spire and ask the masters for assistance.
"If the Dark Scimitar was sought by Zophar... maybe it contained power sealed from-" Shade thought until a voice interrupted her.
"Monsters trying to steal the Destiny!" Ryko yelled. She immediately broke out into a sprint. Randall followed her promptly as he unsheathed his saber.
"We'll deal with the door later," Ronfar ordered. "It'll wait... the Destiny won't unless we get to it first!"
The party of heroes ran back toward the steamship... all except Mistra whom had buried her face in her hands.
"How many damn interruptions do I need today?!" she muttered as she began to follow.
A pair of speedy assassins led the group of enemies. Ryko dashed as fast as her feet could carry her... and soon found herself airborne!
"What the heck? Oh!" The black-haired girl realized that the three winged drakes holding onto her body were now rapidly flapping their large wings at the same time. Their large wingspans easily lifted her spry frame and sped up her interception.
"That was too easy," Anti-Hiro chortled as he and his two companions entered the Guild Mansion of Vane. The guards at the door seemed a bit uneasy as they approached; however, they gladly gave entrance to the 'heroes' that had killed Zophar and saved the world. The guards informed them of the Junior Premier's whereabouts... though they had no intention of seeing her. To their dismay, a single messenger who happened to be near the front door... a red-haired young woman dressed in a Bunny Karate outfit... was sent to inform Lemina of their arrival.
The strange girl stared at Anti-Jean for a few moments before running off with her task.
"Easy? Now everybody will soon know that we're in here... and I don't like the look that girl gave me," the dancer doppelganger spoke.
"Well, I for one liked that girl's LOOKS," Anti-Hiro said with a laugh.
"Quiet," Anti-Leo whispered as the trio reached the doors leading to the main chamber. They pushed them open to find a small handful of guardian mages and warriors all standing around the Red Dragon crest.
"Lord Leo! What are you doing here?" a guard from Meribia quested as the trio moved toward the center of the room.
"I have come to assist the Premier in her time of need by helping protect the crest," Anti-Leo started.
Elsewhere in the mansion, Kara bounced into Lemina's chamber where only Mauri and the Thundra raven remained.
"Lemina! Several friends of yours have arrived... Lord Leo, a boy named Hiro, and a girl named Jean."
Mauri motioned for Kara to be quiet. Lemina sat up as best as she could and answered. "Oh, that's mega cool! Bring them in here... I can't believe Hiro came back from the Blue Star so fast..."
The beast-girl at her side commented softly, "I'm glad to hear that my brother is safe... but why would Hiro be here without his love Lucia. I hope he didn't leave her on alone on the Blue Star..."
Kara turned to go but hesitated. "Say, Lemina, is that Jean the same one who won the tournament at Horam this year?"
Lemina coughed and nodded.
The bunny girl beamed. "I knew that I recognized her face and that karate outfit... I gotta ask her for pointers!"
Lemina's eyes went wide.
"Wait... you say she was wearing a karate outfit?"
Kara nodded curiously right before she walked out.
Lemina's mind started to work... didn't Jean say she would never again use those skills... the ones forced upon her from an earlier age? And Mauri's musings were right as well. Lemina might've felt overly suspicious... but after almost dying the previous day she certainly had a right to be extra careful.
"Mauri... help me up... I gotta talk to them now," Lemina said as she painfully rolled out of the soft bed.
As night gradually began to surround them, Ryko and the drakes landed atop the Destiny ready for action. The pair of assassins repeatedly climbed the stairs leading up onto the deck and were immediately knocked off by the streams of water emitted from the serpent trio. Ryko readied Jan's blade for a Sparrow Dive but watched as they retreated into the midst of another small band that were rapidly approaching.
The rest of her party boarded the ship and got ready to defend themselves from the oncoming horde.
"Jean! Can I talk to you for a minute?" a happy voice chimed out as that Bunny Karate girl entered the main room.
Anti-Jean looked at her allies and uneasily walked over toward the girl.
Kara, still smiling, began to ask a rapid-fire series of questions about Blue Dragon Karate, the past tournament and especially her battle with Lunn. Anti-Jean barely could keep up the questions, let alone fabricate the answers to go with them. Anti-Leo and Anti-Hiro expected their cover to be blown by this long-eared bimbo any second but the girl didn't seem to be listening to the responses at all.
Lemina suddenly hobbled into the chamber supported by Mauri with Thundra perched on her shoulder.
"Wow... good to see you three again," the blond-haired magician spoke as she eyed Jean. The girl was indeed dressed in a karate suit as opposed to her normal dance attire.
She continued, moving closer to Hiro and Leo.
"Hiya Hiro! Where's your love?"
Anti-Hiro looked at Kara next to a very uncomfortable Anti-Jean.
"Well, I think I'm looking at my new love right now," he said with a grin. He barely heard Anti-Leo whisper "Lucia," through his gritted teeth.
Lemina was already wary so she asked one more question, keeping the words of a spell ready in the back of her mind.
"Yeah, Lucia. After we killed Zophar where was she waiting for you again at home?"
Anti-Hiro knew Hiro's background and smiled as he replied to an 'easy' answer. "Of course! After the final battle we came right back to my home in the Salyan Desert together and have been living happily with Gramps ever since."
"MAGIC SHIELD! They're fake!" Lemina yelled as the spell formed around her, Mauri, and Thundra.
Kara was surprised as she heard the Junior Premier shout. The sensation of Anti-Jean's foot smashing into her gut knocked the wind out of her.
"Damn fools!!!" Anti-Leo bellowed. He summoned an Earth Spike into the chamber that impaled several of the guards upon stony shafts.
Anti-Hiro let his boomerang fly in a circular motion as a strong wind filled the chamber. A veritable cyclone flung the remaining defenders against the walls of the room... as well as knocked the crest from its perch.
Anti-Leo caught the falling symbol and bolted for the doors, soon followed by his two allies.
Lemina's shield dissipated and she slumped to the floor, weakened by the spell casting. Mauri dropped onto her knees next to her.
"Never mind me... go stop them before they get out of Vane..." she coughed.
An angry Kara joined Mauri as she briefly cast a healing litany on the crouching Junior Premier and then ran after the villains. Thundra soared after them, sounding a battle song with her voice.