IX. Return

The boys ran as fast as their legs could possibly carry them. It was only until they arrived in Hayno did they stop to take a breather by the village’s Althena Statue. However, even the villagers there were talking about an apparent attack on Arhes. They didn’t waste anymore time--these rumors were driving them to get home as soon as they possibly could…

It wasn’t until dusk when Arhes was finally within sight. Kye and Zack frantically entered the village and paused to not only catch their breath, but to look around. Perhaps the rumors may have been exaggerated a bit, but Arhes was still standing. However, there were noticeable signs of recent attack and even fire.

“I’m going to check on my mom. You should check your family too!” said Zack as he ran off. Kye took off in the other direction, still observing the damage done on the village. A lot of the homes had at least one broken window, some even missing parts of their walls. Kye arrived to his doorstep, but not before noticing one house in complete ruins--Lana’s house. Kye felt he should check his parents first before examining what remained of his cousin’s house.

“Mom! Dad!” he shouted as he opened the door and ran inside. It was dark, and quiet. He looked around. It looked like there had been a fight, which made Kye’s heart race even more. He went down the hallway and into the den, where he saw Lana’s mother sitting, and his own mother standing not far away, starring out a window.

“Oh, Kye…” his aunt, Marie, spoke in a relieved tone, but her eyes still showed much sadness. When Anita heard her sister-in-law speak her son’s name, she slowly turned around--her eyes just as sad, but more empty.

“Kye…” she spoke softly.

“Mom…what happened? Are you alright?” Kye approached his mother carefully. Marie stood up at that time, but she closed her eyes and kept her head low.

“Kye…you’re alright,” Anita’s voice seemed to be shaking as she continued. “My boy’s…alright.” She slowly reached out for him. He approached her cautiously--he had never seen her act this way before and it worried him greatly.

Kye finally noticed something. “Mom…” he looked around, then returned his eyes to hers. “Where’s…dad?” Kye could feel a horrible sinking feeling now…His mother ran to him and embraced him in tears. Marie held a hand over her face, trying to hide her own tears and sadness. No one had to answer Kye vocally for him to know…

Later that night, Kye was seen just outside the village, in the graveyard. Kye stood there, starring at one grave, which read ‘Isaac Luro. Brave, Loving Husband and Father.’ Kye still wasn’t quite certain what had happened to bring about all this. He couldn’t bring himself to ask his family. He couldn’t bring himself to really do anything now.

His father…was really gone.

It’s not fair…he was injured to begin with…Kye felt him shaking as he was brought down to his knees. He didn’t have a chance…I should’ve stayed home…

“I’m sorry,” said a familiar voice, one that Kye did not expect. Having caught him off guard, he turned around and saw, of all people…Renae Denon.

“Ren? What are you doing here?” he asked, obviously still fighting back his own sorrow.

“I’ve still been searching for Zephyr,” she replied. “I almost had him too. But I’m afraid I was still too late.”

“Zephyr,” Kye remembered having thought he had seen him before leaving Risano. “…was he the one who did all this?” he asked nervously.

Ren was silent for a moment, before answering, “Yes.” Kye could feel rage slowly burning up now, but he controlled it.

“Just who is he? And why?” Kye stood up, looking Ren in the eyes.

Ren sighed, “I guess you deserve to know.” She looked away, “Zephyr…like me, is a Dragon Guardian.”

“What?” Kye wasn’t too sure if he was hearing correctly.

“He is a chosen Dragon Guardian to the Black Dragon.”

“WHY THE HELL WOULD HE DO THIS!?” Kye was slowly losing control of his rage, but he managed to hold it in to let her finish…

“…That, I don’t know,” Ren frowned as she looked away. “Being Dragon Guardians in neighboring regions, we’ve known each other for a very long time.” Kye was still completely lost. Ren sighed, “I honestly have no idea why he has changed.”

“Sounds like there’s some more explaining to do,” came another voice…Zack to be precise. He acknowledged his best friend with a nod--from the looks of it, he already heard of the news as well. After a moment, he looks over at the now silent Ren. “Please, won’t you enlighten us a little more back in the village?”

“…Very well,” she replied.

"Dragon Guardians. These were a group of people formed decades after the disappearance of the last Four Heroes, Dragonmaster Ghaleon, the Goddess Althena, and her Holy City of Pentaguilia. They first started in the southern regions of Lunar’s mainland--the regions that homed the Blue and Black Dragons.

After the defeat of Zophar, the Four Dragons were said to have returned to their respective regions. Caldor is home to the White Dragon, supposedly. To tell the truth though, the White Dragon hasn’t been seen since the defeat of the Dark God. The same goes for the Red Dragon. Neither seem to be residing in their caves…so if you’re wondering why there are no Dragon Guardians here, that is why. What’s a Guardian without its Dragon?

…I can’t say much on the matter, but don’t worry. Both Dragons do exist in our world still.

Anyways, Dragon Guardians were formed to be the protectors of Althena’s Dragons. We dedicate our lives to protecting any evils that dare threaten the Dragons. We are trained to fight with both weapons and magic. We are willing to risk our lives to protect the Dragons…as well as Lunar.

As you know, I was raised as a Guardian of the Blue Dragon.

Zephyr, though…was raised as a Guardian of the Black Dragon.

Being neighbor regions, we’ve known one another since childhood. He…was a good friend of mine. Strong, loyal…determined. He was always finding ways to become stronger, to protect not only the Dragon, but those he loved as well. As a fellow Guardian, I felt it was natural to want to be stronger as well…

…But one day, he suddenly began to change. He seemed more…obsessed with wanting to become stronger.

…before I knew it, he suddenly disappeared. Even the Black Dragon was unaware of what was becoming of Zephyr…

I wanted to know though. That’s why I took it upon myself to search for him, throughout all of Lunar…"

---------

“Wow, that’s some interesting stuff,” commented Zack as Ren finished her story.

“I’ve heard rumors of the White Dragon once residing on Caldor as well,” added Kye. “…I guess it’s true then. The Dragon not being ‘here’ anymore.”

“The White Dragon is a bit of a mystery,” Ren nodded. “But don’t worry. I assure you that he is alive and well.”

“We’ll have to take your word for it,” replied Kye.

“Still, it’s gonna be bugging me for quite a long time,” Zack went back to the matter at hand. “Zephyr was the one, isn’t that right?” The half-beastman locked his eyes on Ren. “The one who attacked Arhes?”

Ren paused, “…yes.” She sighed, “I’ve searched all of Caldor this past week, having received clues of getting closer to him. I…” she paused, as though she wasn’t sure what to say. Finally she continued, “when I finally found him, it was too late. This attack was two days ago. I‘ve stayed here and helped the villagers with what I can since…”

“The man in black, with the glowing red eyes…” Marie spoke as her and Anita walked in on the group’s discussion, taking place in Kye’s bedroom.

“Miss Aleen, I’ve been meaning to ask,” Zack approached her cautiously. “You’re okay right? Your house was the only one completely in ruins…”

“Yeah, Zack’s right…” Kye approached her as well. Marie seemed to shiver, recalling the images of the man in her head again. “Aunt Marie?”

“He asked me…where Lana was…” she spoke through a quivering lip. Everyone’s eyes widened in confusion, shock… “When he found out she wasn’t here…that’s when he…”

Kye and Anita surrounded Marie as she kept shivering. While they offered their comfort, Zack’s mind began to greatly trouble him with thoughts.

“Lana…? Why?” Zack closed his eyes, trying to empty his thoughts, but to no prevail. “Lana might be in danger…!”

Kye heard his friend’s words, and now the same thoughts began to weigh down on him as well. The worst part was that none of it made sense…

It was now the dead of night, as once again Kye could not find rest. How could he after today’s events? There was far too much on the boy’s mind as he stood by his father’s grave outside of the village.

“Somehow I knew you would be here,” said Zack as he approached. Kye acknowledged his presence, but remained silent. “I can’t believe this all happened two days ago…everything was just fine…”

“I feel selfish,” Kye sighed. “For wanting to stay on the Mainland.”

“Hey man, how were we supposed to know this is what we’d return home to?” Zack looked towards the ground. “We can’t blame ourselves.”

Kye sunk to his knees, still looking at his father’s grave. “…I never knew…that would be our last goodbye,” he spoke softly, remembering the day they left with Lana. He forced a smile, shaking his head while covering his face with one palm. “Never knew something…like this…would kick me in the face. Ever.”

Kye began shaking. Zack placed a hand on his shoulder for a brief moment. “…I’ll leave you for a moment,” was all he said as he turned around and left…Kye’s tears finally escaping the corner of his eyes…

Zack sighed as his thoughts about Lana’s safety returned to haunt him on his way back.

I never knew…that would be our last goodbye.

Kye’s words scared Zack even more…

------

“What could Zephyr possibly want with Lana?” asked Zack. “She’s just like any other human girl.”

“I’m so glad she’s with her father…” said Marie. “He would protect her far more than I could ever…but…I’m so scared…”

“Well, Zephyr’s attack was two days ago, right? Unless he was in a big hurry like us, it’d take him a while to get to Meribia.” assured Zack.

“Yeah, and Meribia’s much larger than Arhes in everyway, so she should be a lot safer there than she would‘ve been here…” added Kye.

“I hope you’re right…” Marie sighed.

“…I don’t understand this,” said Ren as she looked out of Kye’s bedroom window. “What could Zephyr possibly want with a fourteen-year-old girl?” Ren sighed, her mind racing. “The man in black, with the glowing red eyes…” She looked towards the floor. “…Zephyr’s eyes…were never red.”

---------

“I’m so confused,” Zack groaned. “What’s going on…?”

After a few minutes, Kye was on his way back home as well. Zack was waiting for him outside his doorstep.

“…Kye, I want to go back to Meribia tomorrow.”

“Zack?”

The half-beastman sighed as he looked away. “I’m sorry this is kinda sudden…but I’m worried sick about Lana.”

“No. I understand, Zack,” Kye nods. “She’s my cousin. She’s family to me. I’m worried too…”

“I already talked to my mom,” Zack replied. “She understands. I’m sure you mom and especially Marie will too.”

“I think they will…”

Zack nods. “Tomorrow at dawn?”

Kye simply nods in return.

The next day, Kye had explained what he and Zack planned to do. Although Anita seemed a bit upset that her son would be leaving again, she knew Lana’s safety was at risk. Marie was more than grateful for the boys going off to protect her only daughter.

“I’m sorry my return was short, mom,” said Kye as he embraced his mother warmly. “We’ll come back with Lana safe and sound. Don’t worry.”

“Kye…” Anita sighed. “Please…be careful.” It was hard to see her son going off again, especially with the situation at hand.

“I’ll keep him out of trouble!” said Zack. Kye just smiled sheepishly.

“Please, protect Lana!” Marie said as the boys gathered their belongings for the trip. They needed to hurry if they wanted to reach Risano by nightfall. They didn’t plan on making any pit-stops.

“Wait!”

The boys turned around to see Ren approaching. “I want to go with you to the Mainland.”

“Huh?” the boys were a little surprised.

“Please, I must find and stop Zephyr,” she added.

Kye nodded, “Not a problem. Great to have you along.” Zack nodded in agreement.

Final farewells were given as the new trio quickly headed off towards the South…

"Kye, I've neglected to tell you one other thing," says Ren as they're on their way.

"What is it?" asks Kye.

"...Lana wasn't Zephyr's only target."

Some reason at that very moment, Kye just knew that another certain friend of his was also in danger. Just remembering the day they met was enough for him to figure, and this didn't help with his stress...

A/N: Short chapter is short...couldn't really think of much else to add. I just wanna get on with it! Too many times I keep telling myself I'll give up...but I've wanted to write this story so bad for so long...so despite the slow rate, it'll get finished. I'm determined, lol. Ugh, running back and forth here...things are gonna get pretty chaotic for a bit though.