Tale of Storys.

[Kanji_The_Wanderer]

**Don't forget Nard-kun, about Kazuhide. He had gone to you to ask you for your help. The Elven master, of the hidden Elven clan underground wishes for Swift's aid. Kazuhide gave Swift a communication device to contact the Elf master before he died. It would be crucial to join forces with them.**

"Business now." Swiftant straightens his back and hand gestures to Aisha's house. I turn on my heel, smiling to myself. We move single file back inside. Nozomi and Suzette stand suspiciously around the window pane. The matter in which they stand about, I can tell that they have made quick friends. Nozomi's innocent carefree attitude tends to attract other people's attention. They look back at us slyly, seems they had been speculators in our little childish game...

"Well, the first order of business is..." Swiftant starts up. "The whereabouts of Ichirin and Myzura."

Ichirin and Myzura... They had left off to the desert city Bachuu in hopes to rally some troops for our cause against the Dragon's campaign. I had sent them off with the Kaulus; the grand king cheetah that I had summoned from a scroll. Come to think of it, The seal of Kaulus never re-appeared on the scroll, so he is still active out there somewhere...Either Ichirin hasn't dismissed him yet. Or- no, I don't want to think that maybe they could have been slain. But in times like these, we have to assess any possible scenario. The Elites could have gotten wind of their whereabouts. Ichirin was in that prison with us, they could have tailed him, and when they least expected, finished them off.

After much thinking, I blurt out "I think we should go looking for them...At the same time, we have other matters that we need to take care of as well. We can't be everywhere at once. So much has transpired, and our forces have finally rallied, I'd hate for us to have to separate again so soon."

Nozomi looks over at me and smiles.

"I'll go to Bachuu,Tatsu." she speaks softly, and her eyes glisten.

I sigh painfully. "I don't think that idea would be wise, I need you here with me."

Nozomi stands up and looks annoyed. "Why? You don't think I can't take care of myself? I can handle it Tatsu. Please, let me do this. I haven't done much, I don't want to be a nuisance. I want to prove my worth."

"I know your worth."

"Well?"

"I don't like this at all Nozomi.... I don't want you to go alone. I'll send two of my summons with you."

This isn't good. I think to myself. I don't want the same events to replay themselves. If Nozomi goes out there, there is a strong possibility that the Shadow may take over, and I may lose her and Shima again. I can't think to bear it, I don't know if I can suffer that again."

"Alright." I place my cup down and peel myself off of the chair, and stand in the middle of everyone. As I talk, I wave my hands about, and look at each one of them. "First we have to gather supplies for you from the city. We'll ask Aisha to borrow some coin. We'll return it to her, with interest when the opportunity presents itself.

But before that, we need to think of what our next moves against the dragons will be. If Nozomi is successful, and she finds Ichirin and Myzura, then they quickly need to procure soldiers or information of the whereabouts of a potential army against the dragons. Over the last few weeks, they have been moving further and further south from their empire. They could make it to Asgard soon, if they haven't laid siege to the capitol already. Since this village is hidden under a cloak, we could use this place as a base of operations. I think it would be wise to establish some sort of safe-house here, and build a network of communications. If things sour, we will need a safe haven to fall back to, and re-evaluate our strategies...

This may sound a bit far-fetched, but I think it would be wise to sneak into the dragon territory and find out what they are up to. The last thing they would expect is for us to go right back. If we can find out what the brain is doing, then we can stop the hand from complying.

At the same time, I think we need to send someone to the Asgard to find out what has happened there since we left. So as of now, there a numerous tasks to attend to...

Feel free to speak out if you think I am mistaken, but for a job of this caliber, I feel it necessary for Swiftant and I to sneak back into the dragon nation. The borders and the sky will be heavily guarded, I am more than sure they will have lookouts trying to seek out Gana. We may need to travel underground, for this, Swift will be able to point us in the directions we need to travel, since he is knowledgeable of the empire's geography.

Suzette, I would also like to send you off with a summon towards Asgard, and then quickly report back here with any information or muscle that you have been able to gain."

I glance back and forth at everyone and await their thoughts to this sudden revelation.

[CoolNard]

**@SS I'll leave the Shinkirou-Swiftant crisis to you, don't worry, once you finish reading, you'll get what I'm talking about.
@Kanji, I'll be talking about the Elven device in my next post. Sorry about the delay!
I'll let you guys finalize the said scheme so far and input whatever additional ideas you have.**


After some silent contemplation, with everyone immersed in thoughts, Tatsu eventually rises from his chair and strides into the middle of everyone's line of vision, apparently to present a meticulously devised scheme.

"I second Tatsu," I speak my concurrence. "Nozomi would be better off rallying our forces in Bachuu. Dragons most likely number weakly in that region of Etrirea and she can detect one a mile away. If the Shadow resurfaces, Ichirin and Myzura should be able to leash him in, without fear of enemy movement. Nozomi can also act as intelligence for the couple." I catch her eyes.

"You'd do well to understand our present situation and relay it in its entirety to them, Nozomi," I emphasize the urgency in my tone, not harshly. She nods profusely, eyes wide with pleading concentration.

"As far as reconaissance go, I reckon a small amount of us would be more appropriate. Tatsu's right; it's not a war we want, it's stopping and killing Shakura. As much as I'd prefer both Suzette and I to be together, Tatsu and I are best suited for this mission. I'm going to need his elven abilities for instant transportation and ensnaring purposes, and he's going to need my cloaking skill and understanding of the Lair's architecture. Besides, we've measured each other in that fight you saw; we are the only ones now, who possess powers on par with the Dragon Army."

"Well... Okay, your reasons aren't unfounded, Swift. But please, promise me... Promise me that you and Tatsu will flee immediately, if you sense overbearing danger." Suzette grabs hold of my hand, her eyes pinning mine, searching for insurance. I feel helplessly besotted by her assertive charm.

"Yeah, don't overdo it, you two," Nozomi echoes Suzette's concerns. "Keep a low-profile... And you guys had better do a good job!"

"That's a tad pressurizing, what if we have to be outstanding to do a good job?" Tatsu asks, teasingly.

"Then you'd... I wish you, uh, instanding success!" Nozomi defiantly replies, not catching on. Tatsu sighs and covers his forehead with his palm, winking at me from beneath it.

"Oh, stop toying with her, Tatsu, just please, be safe, alright?" Suzette grips my hand tighter.

"You were wha-?" Nozomi exclaims, in unrestrained confusion.

"My word," Tatsu promises, acting quite oblivious to Nozomi sulking at him.

"And mine," I add. "Of course, the same goes from me to you, as well, Su. Asgard is the first area the dragons would try to fully occupy. Unlike me, you won't have Tatsu and Fayuro as companions. So, I'm going to have one of my inner aspects escort you, along with Tatsu's summon. It's like a third eye to me; that way, I'll know if something happens."

"Swift, I wish I was stronger, I really wish I was, but as of now, whatever other powers I have are as dormant as ever. If I could activate them, you wouldn't be burdened so much," Suzette says.

"It's okay, Yogensha didn't empower me with just vitamins. I told you what happened on Fayuro, didn't I?" I coax her.

"Yogensha?" It's Tatsu's voice. "You met him, too?"

As Tatsu and I take turns expounding on the phenomenon between Yogensha and us, what both of us make of it and how we tested the dimensional powers against each other, all of us sit up. Eyes follow our gestures, as we explain the impossible, first with mouth, then with hands. Every now and then, whistles and cries of "Ooohh" and "Aaaahh", mainly from Nozomi, puncture the tales. The boards creak, the winds rustle the windows, and the lights flicker and dim, faintly acknowledging the power we have been impregnated with. We finish, our extravagant, surreal beginning awkward now, in the face of incomplete knowledge on the dream spirit. The silence screams for an ordinary noise. From somewhere in the infinitely vast world, thunders roar ubiquitously.

"Aside from the sudden aid of an anonymous millenium-old dimensional spirit, there is one other thing," my voice squeezes out softly, but the last syllable of every word trails loudly within the wood-mounted, enclosed complex. "I can't trust Shinkirou as our headquarters."

"As expected of an ex-general of the Dragon Army," a voice sounds behind me. Aisha has awakened.

"Since when?" I ask, almost demandingly. I couldn't sense Aisha listening in on us; her presence was so translucent, as if she had been sleeping, all this while. Now, it is as lucid as Suzette's hand.

"DragonSin, did you really think this old dragon would not have received hearsay of your fame? Your dogged reputation, as a notorious assassin of the dragons, was once the controversy of world events, dear boy!"

"I wouldn't be surprised," I retort, up on my feet. "But I was asking how much you overheard."

"Mom..! Swift..!" Suzette intercedes. I clutch her hand, this time, reclining in submission of Suzette's feelings.

"I'm sorry, Aisha, I didn't mean-" But Aisha beckons me to stop.

"Pray, do continue, Swiftant, what about the locals?"

"The commoners know of your real identity. Will they allow us to do as we will, in their village? That's not the only issue, someone in the authorities must know the true situation out there, that's why they built Shinkirou as an invisible fortress. Why do they let you roam freely here? Are they friend or foe? I can't fathom their motives. They could as easily sell us out on a whim as they have permitted your residence here. I can't put my trust in this place."

[CoolNard]

"B-but My Glorious Silverness!" Thrandos bumbles, with the last of his strength, his claws digging into the ground in a conscientious feat to hold his head above ground. "The re-... reason they... have b-been... confined... is s-so they... won't t-tear... Etrirea... asunder..!" He finishes with a drained pant and collapses into a flinching but conscious heap.

"'Tear the earth asunder,' eh?" Shakura quotes musingly. "Well, Thrandos, whose fault is it that the mindless humans have been fleeing our clutches? Did you think I wouldn't know how one elven spy held you in your tracks? I'd planned to break Swiftant, by having him fight his own friends for me; we'd have had them kill each other. It was dreadfully unfortunate my best soldiers didn't even stand a chance in stalling him long enough."

"My s... ness..." At this point, Thrandos has barely any strength to vibrate his vocal chords. The Elites remain helplessly contorted and grounded.

"As the Golden General, no, as a dragon, you've blemished us utterly. Did you really think you were strong? I could shred you, now, for allowing the death of my brother, but you're not even worthy of the underworld," I taunt his pride.

"HO, HO, HUMANS OR DRAGONS, THEY ONLY SERVE AS FOOTHOLDS TO TRIUMPH! THRANDOS, I ASK YOU, FOR HER GLORIOUSNESS SHAKURA, DO YOU POSSESS THE RUTHLESSNESS TO SNAP AND GNAW ON THE BONES OF YOUR FELLOW GENERALS?", roars Gavrik.

Thrandos closes his eyes and opens them, hesitantly, at the shuddering Elites, pawing the ground meekly. He utters a growl: "Ye-"

"Your incompetency has berated and betrayed you, Thrandos!" Shakura has seen through his antics and denied him. "Swiftant was a human, he would have been subjugated by his inferior genes sooner or later, but what of you? Or are you just a useless dawdler?"

Shock blooms upon Thrandos' face, his eyeballs red and cracked. The pressure and accumulating fatigue have robbed him of free speech.

"HE'S A LOST... CAAAUUUSE, DEEEAR SHAKURA!!" snickers Qayroph, licking his lips, like a wild dog set on snagging his target. "JUST GIVE... THE WOOORRRD!!"

"Silence, Qayroph, I don't take orders. I can still confine you, as easily as I have released you from your shackles," Shakura snaps clinically.

"GRRRR... AAAALLLLRIGHT, FOR NOW... YOUR RRRRULE!!"

I love how commanding she is, I adore Her Silverness' twisted sense of discipline and destruction. It isn't the disparity in power that has us outweighed by her, but the absolute authority she has: That chauvinistic dictatorship and diabolic intelligence, which is even in a league above Gavrik's. Those are, unquestionably, the characteristics of the Silver Lineage.

"At this juncture, your demotion, Thrandos, hinges on your capacity. You can suffer and languish for all you want, but you should know the true price of falling short of my expectations is a worse fate that awaits your failure," Shakura reminds him threateningly.

"HOW TAN... TALIZING!!" Qayroph is already losing control of quelling his disgustingly sadistic appetite.

"Therefore, every one, hear me!" Shakura has come to a conclusion. "The threat of extinction looms near!

Our dwarf spies have reported the progressive fall of our empire, across Etrirea. Who knows how much more people will evolve? I, hereby, grant the Golden General and the Elites a final chance to redeem themselves. You have three days to eliminate Swiftant and his comrades. Hence, you will assume a divide-and-conquer tactic. One will go to Asgard, to lead the troops and crush the surviving rebels. Another to Bachuu and the third to Mes Thâk to scrounge for vagrant supporters.

Lastly, a dragon dwarf, stationed in the Vanishing Village, has confirmed the presence of enemies: It seems they have considerable skill and agenda; that abominable group, and Swiftant, may very well be them. Thrandos and the last general, take a hundred soldiers, find and defeat the leading band of humans.

Additionally, Akuma, the ex-Silver Dragon, dwells in one of their shadows, a young girl - Nozomi. He wouldn't endanger himself by emerging in their midst. He's probably using them, to get to me. Engage her and draw him out. Once he's out of his human vessel, the Elites won't be a match for him, so the Royal Dragon Nobles will, therein, have permission to take Akuma down.

Finally, if we fail to inhibit our slaves, I will destroy Etrirea altogether, than risk our erasure! Until then, this congregation shall act only as a witness to my words."

A smile leaks from my face and my pupils contract in excitment, and I feel the same vibes radiating from the other two Royal Nobles. In the twitch of a whisker, all three of us take on human guises - quaintly resembling our dragon anatomy. The distinguishing dragon emblem is etched into each of our chests. We know that if we are to be witnesses, we have to compress our murderous aura and not impede other dragons. Still, the generals don't look as though they'll end their shrivelling plight, anytime soon.

"Hey, Thrandos," I call out, in the sensual voice of a human female. "We'll be riding you. Don't make us use reins."

"Ho, ho, ho!" laughs Gavrik in his ever-booming-but-now-gruff human male's voice. "The lot of you, be less unsightly in six hours, we shall claim the first light of dawn!"

[Kanji_The_Wanderer]

**TALES OF STORYS - TATSU'S CHRISTMAS SPECIAL**

Tatsu climbs up the steps of his headquarters, his black boots crunching the pristine snow. He carries a brown sack over his shoulder, a red cloth is carelessly laden over his back. As he approaches the front door, it is suddenly flung open. A squealing Nozomi, rushes out from the house and throws all her body weight on top of an unsuspecting Tatsu.
Her head is decorated with a red hat, and a green stitched shirt, which is apparently far too big hangs down to her knees

"AHHH! TATSUUU! YOU CAMEE MERRY CHRISTMAS!" Nozomi shouts out.

Grunting, with one eye half closed "Ahaha, Merry Christmas to you as well, come on now Nozomi, let me get inside first."

As they exchange words, their breath is visible in the chilled air. Snow falls slowly from the sky, covering up Tatsu's tracks.

"LOOK, LOOK!" Nozomi yells pointing "Swift and Suzu put up Christmas lights!" Flailing about, Nozomi bounces about as she repeatedly motions with her right index finger to the colored lights strung about the porch and banister.

Tatsu's eyes close in a smile "Hehe, yeah, I noticed, I saw them some ways off, they are easily seen out here in all this white."

Inside Swift and Suzu are gathered around, sitting in long armchairs amongst a blazing fireplace.

A huge tree sits behind them,shining with ornaments. Mugs of hot cocoa in their grasp. Looking around, he eyes snacks, and all sorts of garnish spread out over a pinewood table. "Looks great!" Tatsu lets out.

Swiftant gets up from his chair with a Santa beard on his face. Suzu runs over in bells, and they say in unison; "Merry Christmas Tatsumura!"

"Merry Christmas everyone!"

Tatsu lets down his brown sack, the mass of it hits the ground, and a bunch of boxes, varying in size and shape fall out onto the rug. Some strung with ribbon, others tied with bows.

"AHH!" Nozomi clasps her hands together "Presents!! Which one is mine?!"

"That one." Tatsu points

"WHAA?! But it's so SMALL!"

"AHAHAHAHHA!" Tatsu, Nozomi, Swiftant and Suzette all laugh together.


(The screen view pans backwards and everyone is sitting around laughing, throwing paper, and opening gifts, the screen shoots to the outside where Thrandos and Leinurus of the Dragon Elites are sitting beside a giant snow-covered tree)

"Look at them." says Leinurus, looking inside of the house where Tatsu and everyone else is.

"I know, it's so beautiful." Thrandos says under a sniffle looking up at the gray clouds.

"I'm not talking about snow you fool!" Leinurus crinkles his brow.

"OHH!"

"I'm talking about Tatsu and them, they all look so peaceful, I would feel like a complete monster to attack them in this most vulnerable spot, but it would make 100 percent sense, if we attacked them like this, when they aren't expecting it."

Thrandos' face lights up red

"They look so cute, let's kill them next year."

The two dragons spread out their wings, and fly off over the mountains.

[Kanji_The_Wanderer]

I sit there, shoulders tensed in my chair as Swiftant, Suzette and Aisha have a debate... I lower my chin and breath a sigh. Grabbing the arms of the chair, I lift myself up and look towards Nozomi, who is standing there, elbows raised and lip curled gazing off at the others as they bicker about.

I scratch my temple and think to myself "We don't have time for this..."

I shuffle over to Swift and place my hand on his left shoulder.

"Whatever you decide, I am relying on you to settle it. Where we set up shop is of great importance. Make sure you see to it..."

The three of them are silent for a moment. "I'm taking Nozomi out into the village to gather some supplies. I want her well equipped for her journey northwest."

Nozomi heads out in front of me, and I meet her on the porch...

She stands there out on the landing, the wind lifting strands of her hair.

"So Nozomi, and preference on where to buy?"

She shakes her head. "I never went into any of the shops around here. I stayed indoors for the most part. I was more or less nervous about venturing out."

I smile. "It's quite all right, we'll make it up as we go."

We proceed to take the old dirt trail east through a small grove, and we exit out onto a main road. The morning commuters tapping across the pavement.

I survey the immediate area. Some sort of plaza. I think to myself. I'll need some parchment supplies to make summons. We'll also need a decent amount of food, as well as some new traveling/combat clothes. This tunic has seen better days. Most of my garments are frayed and the seams are coming undone.

We find an Emporium not far from our current location. They have a pretty good deal on enchanted scrolls. Now I'll have the medium I need to generate a summon.

Back on the streets, Nozomi watched me as I roll up the parchment into my pack.

"So..." She speaks out to catch my attention. I look up at her.

"I have always meant to ask how those papers work. But whenever you use one of them, it is always in a serious moment."

I let out a chuckle. "Enchanted parchments are used for a multitude of purposes...Obviously I use them to generate a summoning contract. My father came from a line of summoners. A very old, and lost Art. Most people in this day no longer know how to summon. Most summons are linked to a summoner by a contract. Not all summons require a contract. Some might just demand compensation for their time...Others have rules have need to be met, some have goals.

Each summon demands something different. All my contracts were passed onto me from my family....The parchment possesses just enough magical attributes to materialize a said summon. I need only scrawl out the seal of the summon on this parchment. I am not as in tuned to my magical energies as I used to be, so this is an aid for me. I also have a master scroll, it's a list of every summon in contract to me. If I ever forget a seal, I can use it for reference before I make a contract. Though I have committed the majority of them to memory."

Nozomi stares blankly at me, and when I start to laugh out loud, she hops about shouting out that she understood every word.

"Hahaha, fret not Nozomi, not many understand the superb Art of summoning, you'll understand the concept all in good time.

As we wander about, the day progresses quickly. We gather some food items, and we dine out as well. If I remember it, the last time I ate in a tavern was back in Disan, where I met Nozomi's acquaintance.

After we stuffed ourselves on bread and meat, we found a tailor to have some new clothing made.

The new costume that I had prepared for myself was a deep mahogany sleeveless vest, it was designed as a pull over the head. The front had no ties or buttons. But at the collar it had a cross-stitched V-neck, The inside of the vest was also padded with a thicker reinforced layer for stability. Underneath the vest I wore a half sleeve navy blue light material shirt. Around my wrists I wore arm guards that had secret built in storage compartments, where I could keep some parchment stashed. Just in case I was separated from my pouch, I would have a back up. I could not part from my beloved cloak, so I just had it dyed the same color over, and had some repairs made to it. I swapped out my white pants for a black pair. More form fitting, and I had a pack placed on my right leg with some projectile weaponry. Projectiles aren't really my style, but it is best to be well rounded.

Nozomi stuck with her same outfit, she just got it in a deeper color.

Decked out in our new clothing, and our packs and stomachs full, we head back to Aisha's house at high noon.

[Kanji_The_Wanderer]

Tatsu : Nozomi's Goodbye


Traveling back west, through the grove towards Aisha's house, I feel a tug on my cloak. I stop moving, and glance over my left shoulder. Nozomi is holding onto the edge of my cloak with her head angled straight down to the ground.

"Nozomi, what's wrong?" I speak out perplexed.

"T-Tatsu...I..." Her eyes are welling up with tears. "I don't want to go back to Aisha's house, it's too hard to say goodbye, and I was never really good at it...I'm bad with emotions as it is."

I turn and gracefully rub my hand down the side of her cheek, wiping a tear as I go.

"This isn't goodbye... It's a see you later. You only say goodbye if you never see someone again.... Saying that, makes it sound like something is over."

She continues to cry, and her shoulders quiver as she sniffles.

"Please Tatsu... It's better if it's just you. I've done enough as it is.."

I grab her by her arm and pull her close, into a gentle embrace. She grabs me around the middle, and squeezes like she's done so many times before.

"Okay." I speak into her ear, as she lay her chin on my shoulder.

"I'll see you off on my own."

Instead of heading west through the grove, we follow the old trail northward, to the edge of Shinkirou. Ahead of us, the desert that was brought on by the barrier spell is visible.

"Well this is it Nozomi... Do you know how to get out, or do I have to cut a hole through it again?"

"No." she spoke quietly. "You can pass through the barrier from the inside, but you can't re-enter once you've left. The moment I pass beyond this point beyond this barrier, you won't be able to see me, and I won't be able to see you."

I didn't say anything.

"It'll be alright Tatsu. I might be alone, but we'll be together, for we walk on the same ground." She smiles with everything she's got.

Shima and Nozomi are both leaving me again. I wish I could be with them forever, but at least I finally found it. I suppose it's okay if I let her go, she's strong, she'll make it through.

"As I promised I'll be sending two of my summons with you..."

I crouch down to the gravel and lay two pieces of parchment on the ground. Quickly, I write out the summon for Gana. The parchment glows hot, and Gana appears, spreading her wings, out of the light.

"Nozomi, I want you to take Gana with you; my most trusted ally. She will deliver you to the Bachuu desert, quickly, and safely... Just in case, there are any dragons in the current airspace, though I strongly doubt it, I'll will be sending with you, another of my allies."

Nozomi raises her brow in curiosity.

On the second piece I write out the summon for Enu. Once again, the parchment glows hot, and a small monkey appears out a light, when the light vanishes, a small creature drops down, in a pile of leaves.

"This is Enu." I explain to Nozomi, with my hand aiming downwards at the little guy.

"Enu is a prince, and as long as he makes bodily contact with you, you will be invisible to all.... If you sit upon Gana, and ride with Enu, all of you will be invisible to the dragons. Gana will have free roam of the skies, with none to impede your journey."

Nozomi looks both surprised, and impressed.

"If this Enu, has such an ability, why not take him with you, if you are going to the Dragon Lair why not make him make you invisible?" Nozomi expresses her worry.

I smile and shake my head. "Do you remember how I told you when you meet a summon, and ask them for their aid, they have certain requirements?"

Nozomi nods.

"Well Enu and I never saw quite eye to eye, and he won't make me invisible. But, he promised to do this for anyone else... He's sort of a wild card in my deck of summons. I figured if I ever had allies, or a group, this would be the best way I could protect them." I grin

"Best be off now. Here let me help you."

I guide Nozomi over to the side of Gana, and give her a boost onto her back.
"Enu, please, lend them a hand would you?"

He chatters something or other in his monkey tongue, and then jumps onto my shoulder.

I then look up, and look Nozomi in the eye. "Good luck." She stays silent.

"Gana! Bring her to Bachuu, as quickly and safely as possible! Please watch over her!"

Enu runs down my right arm, he launches himself from my hand, onto Nozomi's shoulder. The moment he makes contact with her, the three of them vanish.

Gone... I speak to myself. A wind gushes northward, and I know that is the wings of Gana taking off through the barrier.

I stand there paused for a moment, hands in pockets. I raise my hood, turn about, and head back into the grove.

[CoolNard]

"The commoners know of your real identity. Will they allow us to do as we will, in their village? That's not the only issue, someone in the authorities must know the true situation out there, that's why they built Shinkirou as an invisible fortress. Why do they let you roam freely here? Are they friend or foe? I can't fathom their motives. They could as easily sell us out on a whim as they have permitted your residence here. I can't put my trust in this place."

The atmosphere in the wake of my words becomes tensed and eyes avoid contact. Tatsu walks quietly over to me and places his hand on my shoulder, as if to entrust something important.

"Whatever you decide, I am relying on you to settle it. Where we set up shop is of great importance. Make sure you see to it..." he says, loud enough for only my hearing. "I'm taking Nozomi out into the village to gather some supplies. I want her well equipped for her journey northwest."

"Hey, Nozomi." Tatsu shakes her shoulder.

"Grwaakk ngnorrrzz... Huh?" Nozomi wakes up with a curdling snore, she must have fallen asleep somewhere between our conversation. "Uh... Where is the ninja kettle?"

"C'mon, let's get out of here for a bit," Tatsu prompts her.

"Yay! Shopping with Tatsu! I'll find the brigand nettle!" And, with an excited Nozomi still half-asleep, they head out of the house.

"Your insecurities are farsighted and critical, Swiftant. But they are all only correlated within a humongous farce," Aisha finally lets on. Suzette doesn't let out a noise, she must already know all this. "The townsfolk are no more than a nation segregated and dried out of the outside world. The government has inculcated a psychological barricade into the people, and so, due to their superstitious nature, the villagers have never wandered farther than the village's invisible shield - Aegis. At first impression, the illustrious balance between technology and nature makes this the ideal city, but you should have seen for yourself a hint of the morbid paranoia buried in this city, that is, when the first person to escape from Shinkirou, Suzette, was seen."

I throw a soft glance at Suzette, she hasn't moved from her position. I want to grab her hand and run out from the house and probably dismember every one who has ever insulted her. I know best how that feels: To hate people because they hate you, to side with the enemy because that's about the only usefulness you have. Just wanting someone with you. The only difference between her and me is that she wasn't willing to work as a double agent, that her heart was still with her mother and the humans. But more than ever before, all the more reason to hear Aisha out.

"This is why Shinkirou never shows up in the pages and maps of history," Aisha continues. "The only information we have beyond this shell is classified under the highest order of secrecy by the government officials. This may be a city, but the people still live with a naive and simple village mindset."

"That still doesn't explain why you're allowed in the village, then, much less to stay in it. In fact, they should have come after you eons ago," I argue.

"The townspeople are completely oblivious to the outside world, thus, my existence as a dragon is only a matter of physical difference. But more importantly, this is where I come in and perhaps, my purpose for knowing all these. I work with the government; people can't dislike someone who aids their leaders. Things get interesting here," Aisha says. "The village head struck a deal with Shakura."

"What?!" I yell, my eyebrows rise and my face disgorge utter surprise. My usually-silver tongue is cemented to my jaw.

"Yes... I thought you'd react like this... Ha ha..." Aisha sniggers.

"This isn't a laughing matter! At this rate..."

"It's alright, Swift, calm down." Suzette holds my forearm and gently guides me back to my seat.

"Explain," I say to them.

"Rather than have the people pass through each day in fearful turmoil and destruction, the village head, now the governor, negotiated with Shakura with these conditions: The dragons will not harm or desecrate the villagers in any manner, however, 100 pounds of Runestalz and 2,000,000 pounds of food must be harvested and presented to a dragon envoy fortnightly. Of course, it would make no difference to Shakura, since she could enslave the entire village anytime, but the village head was adamant about revealing the source of Runestalz otherwise," Aisha finishes and waits for me to swallow her words.

"What are Runestalz?" I ask.

"They are the rarest minerals in all of Etrirea. They come in random shapes and sizes, but are distinguished by their volatile surfaces, which can be easily refined into minerals like gold, silver and stone, or gems like diamond, emerald and amethyst," Suzette articulates. "Shakura has taken quite a huge fancy to shiny and lustrous objects."

"Right, I've been to her chamber personally, it was nothing short of a jewel paradise," I recount.

"Unfortunately, despite the governor's good intentions, the higher-ups and aristocrats have turned to corruption for survival. The masses of this village are but poor plebeians and peddlers. The gap between their status is as absurd as the one between their living quarters; we have both steel-based skyscrapers and straw-supported slums, as any eye can see. The aristocrats bow their heads shamelessly in front of the dragons and look as though they are behind the governor, when in fact, they are bent on an uprising and assassination of the governor before he finds out what really is going on.

Those gluttonous officials have no idea that I'm an outcast dragon, so I have been hired by the governor and those who still ally themselves with him, as a spy." Aisha smiles.


EDIT: This would be a great time for new characters, if anyone wants to join in.
Btw, Kanji, nice exit by Nozomi. Almost got me to tears. =)

[SweetSuicide]

** Sorry Guys!! It's been so crazy here!! I'm finally gonna post something!! wooooo!!!**
"Those gluttonous officials have no idea that I'm an outcast dragon, so I have been hired by the governor and those who still ally themselves with him, as a spy," Aisha smiles.

I look at my mother. There is a look in her eye that is showing a fire I haven't seen in years. Her face in glowing and I know that she won't be changed by anything Swift nor I say to her. But he doesn't know that.

"Aisha, we need you here. To keep things safe. I know that if anything was to happen to you while we all were away, things would fall apart and get very confusing and turn to total dismay." His words were meant to be kind and compassionate but my mother took them as harsh stabs to her.

"You don't think I know that! You don't think I considered all the dangers of agreeing to be a spy when they asked me? Even though this was before any of you had come into my life, I had always had the well being of Suzette and Nozomi in my mind. I knew if anything was to happen to me and either of them was to find out they would take matters into their own hands." She shot a grin over at me. This was just like my mother. Always planning things out way in advanced so if the time came to defend a reason or decision she could without hesitation. Swift still wasn't happy with what Aisha was doing and frankly, I wasn't either. But who was I to to not like something she was doing when she told me from a very young age to stay away from dragons.

I stood up and walked over to Aisha and hugged her. "I know you're going to be safe and I know you're going to great things being a spy. It runs in the family." I wink at her causing us to both laugh and enjoy this moment that must to soonly end. I turn to Swift. "Mother, before I leave, may I ask you something?"

"Of course dear. I am your mother after all. You're suppose to come to me for help and advice." We both chuckle again. Swift is looking at us both like we are crazy.

"When we all come back, I would like to know, well Swift and I would like to know, if you would approve of us.."I started to stumble on my words. This was harder than I pictured it was going to be and Aisha saw that.

"When everyone is all back together then we will talk about. You know how I'm so picky with my little girl." She leaned forward and kissed the top of my head. Although we had only been together again not long, it was like we had never been years apart.

We kissed her goodbye and told her that if and when Tatsu and Nozomi came back to tell them we send them our blessings as Swift and I left the house. I looked back to Aisha one last time as she was standing on the porch of my home. I waved to her and called her "Kick butt mom!" And turned around and never looked back.

And with that... Swift and I left to head toward the edge of town.

[CoolNard]

"When we all come back, I would like to know, well Swift and I would like to know, if you would approve of us.." Suzette's last words break off into an inept stammer, albeit her determination to discipline her tone.

I wasn't expecting Suzette to announce our relationship so soon. It will come to be one of those moments my whole face, but eyes, reddened. I don't mind if Aisha approves or not, but if her mother's blessings are that important to Suzette, then any positive impression must have gone to the dumps by now.

"When everyone is all back together then we will talk about. You know how I'm so picky with my little girl." Aisha bends forward and kisses her daughter on the head. Suzette is, after all, Aisha's beloved child, whom she definitely spent many hardships birthing and raising; will I ever have a part in that one day? A warm, ordinary family like that and a wrenched, wayward heart like mine - is it possible?

No, I have to take the initiative. I have to prove myself - as a man, as Suzette's lover. I remove my mouthpiece that has been deadening my voice ever since my body was possessed by rancour.

"Aisha, rest assured. As many times as it takes, I will protect Suzette," I promise, my voice clear and sharp. "I swear on my very being that every tear she cries will be my undoing for each lifeti-"

Suzette has cupped my mouth with her hand.

"Then, let me be your new face mask," she insists. "I'll soothe the despair of your wail, and if I ever feel sad, you'll always be close by. Besides, I can cry out of happiness, right?"

"Looks like you already didn't have a need for this a long time ago," Aisha says, indicating the removed strap-on gear. "What about that skull on your ear?"

"I'll keep it. When I've atoned for my sins only shall I take it off. For now, it's a reminder of how I lived for the wrong reasons, and how I need to learn to love again." I look at Suzette.

"You have quite the eye for your man, Suzette," Aisha satisfactorily remarks, measuring me with her eyes.

After an emotional farewell, we kiss her goodbye, with which I am quite reluctant but Aisha hugs me first and I relish in her ardent smooches. We leave her a message to Tatsu and Nozomi that we will meet them outside. I want a little more time with Suzette before we part ways. As we walk down the porch, she swirls round again and waves affectionately.

"Kick butt mom!" And with that... Suzette and I head toward the edge of town.

As we cross the woods, a sort of quaint silence ensues. Our hands are latched together and the wildlife is humming.

"Swift... Did you... Do you really mean what you told my mom?" Suzette asks equivocally.

"'cos I did. I meant every word and I'd whisper them to you again."

"What if we're in front of a tough crowd?"

"I'd yell them at the top of my lungs, until the applause drowns me out."

Suzette leans her head on my shoulder and for a magical instant, the bonafide enchantment of a prince escorting his princess in a fairytale burns into us. Our bodies become incandescent. My fingers caress the fine sinews on her neck. But the privacy is short-lived.

"Swift!! Su!!" Tatsu bursts out from a crevice in a gigantic tree, clothed in new garments. Before I have time to comment, he taps us by the shoulders and hurries us into the hole.

"Wh-?" Suzette starts but Tatsu hushes her with a hard glare.

"Just hold still and listen," he talks in a low voice. "Good news is Nozomi notified me about approaching dragons. Apparently, their numbers are big and they most likely brought their top-ranking officers, as well, but they're a few hours away."

"And the bad news?" I probe.

"The village is out for our heads," comes the non-sugarcoated reply and Tatsu yanks out, from his pocket, 'Wanted: Dead or Alive' posters, with our photographs printed on them.

"The goverment!" Suzette silent exclaims. "Those dogs of the dragons, they must have given us away!"

"I've sent Nozomi on her way, but the rest of us need to get away from Aisha's ASAP, lest they suspect her involvement with us," Tatsu explains.

[Kanji_The_Wanderer]

TATSU

Nozomi was gone... The emptiness that had filled my heart so long ago was once again poking at my being. I shuffled my feet through the dirt, head lowered, crunching the finely grounded bits of rock under my boot.

Slowly I drag myself back towards Aisha's house... The mid day sun glistened into the clearing ahead, dancing upon the surface off a small stream.

The grove was quiet, and in the absence of the sounds of nature, I could easily make out raised voices not far to the west.

Carefully and skillfully, I creep through the low grass, and find an overgrown fallen tree. I move along a side, and angle myself down to the ground.

I peeked over, raising nothing more than my eyes, which was shrouded under the darkness of my hood, and the shade of nearby flora.

A group of four men argued and waved about fliers in their hands.

It wasn't hard to make out what they were saying, even though they were in such close proximity to each other, the thought of whispering seemed to never cross their minds.

" No, no! The Dragons said to post these in the town! No one comes out here! Who is gonna see if they plaster these posters to a couple o trees?!"

Another man raises his voice over the first.

"Who cares! As long as we put them up, it doesn't matter where, everyone in Shinkirou needs to know about this criminal, this Tatsu!"

What?! ... I think to myself

The third one speaks next, clearly the most level-headed and collected of the bunch.
"Leinurus' messenger was very specific. This article on Swiftant, ex-Assassin of the Dragons, and Suzette, ex-Spy of the Dragons hold top priority. Treachery is the biggest crime to the Dragons. Traitors and Deserters are the lowest forms of beings. It is imperative that these two are taken in. Their capture is of the utmost importance!"

Well, he's definitely concise, I'll give him that...Still I need to dispose of these men, apparently they haven't posted any of these wanted posters in the town yet. If someone saw them other then these four, it would be a problem.

The four of them are in sight, now having encountered these men, I can feel their spirit, their aura... With this sensory ability that has evolved within me thanks to Yogensha, I can keep track of them. It is important for me to discover their immediate moves before I make any hastily decisions.

The second man, accompanied by the fourth, proceed to ignore the other two, and begin to attach a poster of myself to a nearby tree.

Tchh... The dragons ID me when I was in that prison. I was so prideful, I didn't stop me from blurting out my name to my captors.

Now the Dragons know all of our names and faces. This is troublesome. The fact that their are people in Shinkirou who know about the Dragons, and the fact that they have contact with them, makes me question the security, and motives of this city... If these men are here, they were either tailed by the Dragons, or the Dragons have known about this place all along.

With that, I came to realize in that instant, that this place would not be a suitable sanctuary for our group.

The other two men ignored what their companions were doing, and headed off in the direction of the city...

Now's my chance. They are alone.

I close my eyes and concentrate on the spot the men were in before they walked off. Through a whirl, and a jolt, I was kneeling in that clearing, where the men were.

I open my eyes and glanced about quickly...I snicker. Looks like I am getting a hang of this space-time teleportation technique.

I draw Sora, from it's sheath. The men were unsuspecting, their blades tucked away, and they wore little protection.

Without them even noticing, I cut both of them down in an instant.

They bore a pack, and inside it was stuffed with coin and posters.

Face first in the dirt, I turned one to his side. Looking for any kind of order slip, or documentation from the their Dragon commander.

Heh. Just like them. They never give any written notice, all their orders are word of mouth, to prevent leaking of information.

I turn, and focus my attention on the other two, who posted fliers of Nozomi.

Big mistake... I swing Sora down, holding the hilt with two hands to my left thigh, the tip of the sword inches from the ground. I turn the blade hard, and run it through the man's back. He falls in a heap, and the thunk caught the attention of the other.

"Wait! Your the guy from the pos-" before he had time to finish, Sora was already playing around inside his chest.

Humans who ally the Dragons are less than trash. I had no pity, or mercy for those who betray their race... They were right about one thing. Treachery IS the worst sin.

I took everything they had on us, ripped down the posters from the trees, and stuffed them in the pack. I began to hurry back to Aisha's, when I heard more footsteps coming up.

I slipped into a hollowed out trunk, and waited...

Swift and Suzette! It's them. I came out of my hiding spot.

Swift!! Su!!" I bursts out.

"Wh-?" Suzette starts.

"Just hold still and listen,The village is out for our heads." I yanked out, from my pocket, 'Wanted: Dead or Alive' posters, with our photographs printed on them.

"The goverment!" Suzette silent exclaims. "Those dogs of the dragons, they must have given us away!"

"I've sent Nozomi on her way, but the rest of us need to get away from Aisha's ASAP, lest they suspect her involvement with us," I explain to them in earnest.

"Suzette, we need to send you off to Asgard right away. Come on. Hurry you two!" We move quickly back to where I parted ways with Nozomi.

They eye the two men by the trees who I had killed.

"They were Dragon Spies. They were about to expose us. I had no choice."

Back at the exit. I kneel down and take out a parchment. I look at Suzette.

"Like horses?" I give her a grin.

"What?" She asks blundered.

"I'm sending you to Asgard on Flearin. A horse spirit who can run as sound. Not my kind of travel, but you should get to Asgard in a couple of hours, not bad seeing how the capital is about half a continents length away..."

She is dumbfounded and is at a loss for words.

In a flash of light, the silver stallion Flearin appears in a rush of blowing golden feathers.

Suzette is astounded, I can tell she has never witnessed a summon before.

"Flearin, lead the way, bring this one to Asgard, aid her as if her commands were my own!"

"Swift, if you have anything to say, now is your chance...."