[Kanji_The_Wanderer]

TATSU

The journey forth from the Dragon's Airspace was long and cumbersome. Time was fleeting. The sun actuated into the highest point in the sky, staying there for what felt like for just a moment, lackadaisically descended and once again joined the horizon. Darkness approached and thousands of sparkling lights adorned the world encompassing us.

"Tatsu, I think this is it. We are reaching the area where Aisha's town is located."

I looked about, arduously. I wanted to quickly find this village and take shelter. My lack of energy and stamina was becoming a bit overbearing.

"How can you be so sure Nozomi? I don't see a thing."

Far below us was a patch of desert. This was a bit strange I thought to myself. This area did not have an environment fit for such nomadic conditions. Only grass and caribou should be here.

"This desert..." Nozomi breathed. "This desert is where I was when I was with Aisha. When I traveled North, I reached the city of Disan. There I met you and Ichirin. The further I moved away, the more the desert seemed to well....disappear..."

"Disappear?" I blinked.

"Yes, I believe there is some sort of magical protection over this place." Nozomi fussed.

"Interesting." I began to think to myself:

If there is a kind of magical barrier here, then there has to be some sort of preset limit to the amount of space and area such a spell can cover....If we are now viewing a desert, which we should not be, then that means such a spell is active. If we can see the desert, then I believe it is safe to assume that this area is not blanketed by the spell. All we are viewing at this very moment, is an elaborate hallucination brought on by the barrier spell....

"This is incredible!" I blurted out without warning.

This spell is very intricate in it's design. For it to be constantly active, must take a tremendous amount of power and effort. I have to find a facet that is duller then the rest, and exploit it.....We want in, so we have to calculate the radius of the circumference that the spell engulfs.

Gana continued in a straight line, as the great eagle moved forward through the mist and whistling winds, we kept on viewing the desert below. I looked to the right, the desert ended about 150 or so yards away. To the left, the desert continued on as far as the eye could see.

Ah ha! This is becoming a bit more clear. The area to the right is not within the area of the spell. The left, north and immediate south, is inside the barrier. So, if my estimate is correct, we have to continue northwest to reach deeper into the barrier.

I came to this conclusion because we have traveled from the east, and south of us no desert was present.

Suddenly, I felt an alluring presence, one I had known and felt before. With these powers from Yogensha, I can feel the presence of souls that I have familiarized myself with. Apparently, this ability was not voluntary, it was like a receiver, and I was the receptor. Whatever it felt, I as well picked up..

"Who is that?" I whispered softly.... "This strong presence, it feels different from before, more mature and stronger....This is....Swiftant?!"

Nozomi shot me an awkward glance. I laughed to myself.

This is it! We are in the correct area. A smile overwhelmed me. I quickly reached into my pocket and pulled out Inferno. Slipping the ring onto my left index finger, a red light surrounded me.

"So Tatsu, your first call to me with your new life, what do you desire?" The voice of the spirit Inferno echoed inside of my mind.

Inferno, I need a favor, I cannot muster up a valid summon in my weakened, tired condition. I would like for you to project a dimensional "cut" through the air that can safely transport me through a certain barrier.

"What sort of barrier?" Inferno questioned.

A dome barrier I would imagine. It is covering a city and the surrounding land. I can't seem to find a weak spot, as a spirit, who is one with the universe and all things around it, I am sure this will be easy for you. I just need you to cut me a temporary hole in this barrier so we can squeeze through.

"Hmmm.....What you are asking of me with be bothersome to initiate, but it can be done. Hold out the ring into the air."

I hold out my left hand, so Inferno can analyze the barrier.

"This spell, it has been uncloaked to a selected person. Someone has shut off the invisibility of the barrier, and is gaining entrance. I can use this to our advantage. Here within the barrier it is weak, you are still within the outer ring where the area the spell covers is not as potent. Deeper in, of course the spell with have a much more impacting effect. The core of the barrier is north of us, traveling any further will greatly reduce your chances of entering. Seeing as how you have just entered the desert only a short time ago, you are in the appropriate position.

Anything that has to stretch out any move away from a center point, is much less unstable. That is the draw back of a dome barrier.

You are lucky that you are educated in the Field of Magic Tatsu. If not, you would be dead, wandering in this false desert."

I smile a thanks.

"The circumference is great and I cannot see an end, so I will cut a hole in it. This hole won't last long, a minute at most so hurry. Are you ready?

"Yes, yes I am."

Nozomi was giving me weird looks. She was not sure what I was doing. She has never seen Inferno, so she doesn't know what he can do.

"Nozomi hold tight...Gana! Pick up the pace! We are going! Okay Inferno do it!"

A humming red beam shot forth from my finger and struck the sky. Purple ripples emitted from nowhere.

"Here Tatsu! Dive into the ripples!"

Gana dove with such velocity that I was temporarily blinded, when we reached the other side, a wondrous city was before us.