Standard disclaimer: I don't own the series.

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AN: Well, here we are once again. So, our hearty band of vagabonds is off to Crete to find Jin and try to find out everything they can about the Goddess Keys.

Okay, I know. The keys were all the way back in the first game and not mentioned since. What do they have to do with what is currently going on? I mean, in the first game, they were used to imprison Myria/Tyr in Auga. And since Myria was freed from Auga, there really was no need for them anymore. Right?

Well, remember that the keys had powers of their own? Yeah, that's important.

Okay, just for the record, there are more than one (at least, according to the good guys) evil force out there. First, there's Transell and his Dragoons. Are they working for Gideon, king of the Brood, or are they rogue? That is the question that the good guys are finding themselves asking. For the record, Transell is on Gideon's orders. Gideon wants the keys. For what, he hasn't said yet.

Okay, Legence seems to be a really bad guy here... right? He is apparently important to Gideon, on the account Gideon named Legence his heir. So, what is he? An advisor, prince? Ryu had a dream about one of his past lifes that has him talking to some mysterous man about one of Myria's angels plotting agaisn her and his name was Legence. Eh... who knows?

Okay, then there have been those demon sightings. Humans that have been granted demonic powers by some kind of god-figure that needs the lifeforce of humans in order to grow in power. Is any of this connected?

And then, there's Myria herself. Seeker/Briet was said to be one of her followers. Could Myria somehow be behind all of this shit? Legence is one of her "angels," servants if you will. Myria is always the one that is trying to destroy the Destined Child and his allies, right?

'Kay, that was just a rundown for any of those that have gotten lost somewhere during the 30 plus chapters that I have written. That and I thought it might be a good idea if I wrote it out for myself. Ya know?

It may seem like it's all not connected, but that isn't always the case, eh?

Oh, right. Forgive the usage of the random Japanese in this story. Personally, it drives me nuts to read random Japanese in an English fanfic… but I thought that it might be kinda funny to add it just this once. Oh, and like it needs to be said, but I am not even remotely near fluent in Japanese. Anyway…

Anyway, here's the chapter!

A loud, earth-shaking roar caused the various people that were littered around the grounds of Angel Tower to look up in the sky. Looming overhead was the massive form of a black-scaled dragon. The dragon circled around the peak of the tower before flying around the citizens of the Urkan Tapa once more.

The citizens of the city screamed and ran for cover. Considering that only a week ago the Wyndian capital was razed by a citizen of Dragnier and his Dragoons, and the Urkans have never been on the best terms with the Brood, it was only natural that people would run and hide.

This black-scaled dragon, however, had no intention on attacking anyone. Instead, the dragon flew from the site and vanished. The priests and guardsmen of Angel Tower started to frantically look for the dragon, but could not find it.

A few short moments later, a massive figure emerged from the front of the Tower. The figure was seven feet tall with massive amber muscles that seemed like they were made of stone. The man was dressed in a dark purple tunic with wrappings around his clawed hands and talon like feet. His face was almost dragon-like, with a pronounced beak like snout and horns curved out of his head. A pair of massive dragon-like wings protruded from his back.

Guardian Garland cleared his throat and caught the attention of the assembled guards and priest. He raised his hands and spoke in a booming voice. “Stand down! If this beast is here to harm us, I will fell him myself!”

And with that, the mighty Garr summoned his halberd in a plume of fire. Those assembled quickly scattered out of the way, feeling relief in the knowledge that their Guardian would vanquish any demon that would dare desecrate the Holy Land of the Goddess herself.

Garr knew first thing that the dark dragon was neither Ryu nor Demus. The dragon was much older looking. Garr briefly wondered why a dragon would be flying over Angel Tower in broad daylight, especially after what those rogue Dragoons did to Wyndia just a week ago. Then it hit Garr like a ton of bricks. The dragon was looking for someone.

He had the feeling that someone was him.

Garr slowly walked around the base of the Tower and stopped in his tracks. A soft glow appeared before him and Mary’s transparent form came into existence. She walked away from Garr and finally stopped at the back of the Tower. Garr followed her and stopped when she vanished. Lying down in the soft grass, sides heaving, was the black-scaled dragon. Garr cautiously approached the dragon. He readied his halberd, in case the dragon decided to attack. He walked over to the head of the dragon and noticed that the dragon’s eyes were clenched tightly, as if in pain.

Garr realized that the dragon was hurt. Seeing that the beast was no threat, he dismissed his halberd and knelt down on one knee to inspect the dragon more closely. Garr reached out to touch the dragon’s snout, when suddenly the dragon’s eyes snapped open. The cat-like golden eyes contracted and the dragon’s head rose weakly. Garr noticed that the dragon’s reaction time was off.

The dragon suddenly sniffed the air. Garr noticed that the dragon seemed more confused and disoriented than angry. Garr stood up and took a step back and raised his hands, indicating that he was not armed.

“I mean you no harm,” Garr said in a calm voice. Garr checked himself when he saw the dragon’s nostrils flare slightly, as if the beast was getting ready to launch a breath attack.

The dragon’s eyes suddenly dilated and went out of focus. The dragon’s head fell back on the ground with a heavy thud. Garr quickly rushed back over to the dragon’s head and knelt back down, next to it. The dragon whimpered slightly and started twitching. Garr for the life of him could not figure out what was wrong with the dragon.

The dragon suddenly roared, causing Garr to quickly jump to his feet. The dragon curled up in a tight ball in pain. The dragon roared again and weakly rose to its hind legs. The dragon stared Garr down then let loose another roar. Garr noticed that the dragon had not once taken an offensive stance against him.

The dragon was here to find something. Something was causing this dragon great duress, however. It suddenly dawned on Garr. The dragon should have reverted back to its human form. Garr decided to take a different approach.

“Are you looking for me?” Garr asked the dragon. The dragon considered Garr’s words and slowly nodded. “Why have you not reverted back? Are you on the defensive?”

The dragon nodded again and slammed its tail weakly against the ground. The Brood had been chased and possibly hurt and had resorted to Ascension to defend itself. That’s why the dragon seemed like it was in pain. It WAS.

Garr nodded. “I understand. You will not be harmed here. You can change back.”

The dragon nodded and staggered forward. A blinding light engulfed the dragon. When the light died down, standing in place of the large dark dragon was a tall man with spiked blond hair, dressed in black. He had something clenched tightly in his left hand. Garr slowly nodded. The man looked up at Garr and staggered forward. He reached his left hand out to Garr and opened it to reveal a small gold key. The Sky Key.

“…this… take… give to… Mina…” the man choked out. Garr took the key just as the man’s eyes rolled up in his head and he collapsed against Garr, unconscious.

Garr’s eyes widened slightly at the key and the man. He gently picked up the man just as a couple of the guards came running around the back of the Tower, spears and swords at the ready.

“Guardian!” one of the guards exclaimed. He glanced around in confusion. “What… happened to the beast?”

The guards looked over at Garr in confusion. They had expected to see their great Guardian slay a dragon, not carrying an unconscious man in his arms. Garr noted the confusion on the men’s faces and merely nodded.

“The beast was after his man. For what, I do not know. The beast took off the moment I raised my halberd against it. This man is injured and needs help,” Garr said.

Though not one to lie, he thought that it would not be a good idea telling the men that the man he was currently carrying into the Tower was the dragon. That would not sit well with them. They might even try to kill the unconscious man out of fear of what happened to Wyndia.

Besides, the man was carrying a Goddess Key on him. The Sky Key of Wyndia. He had to know how that man got the key in his possession in the first place. Not only that, but he told Garr to give it to Mina…

It was then that Garr paused in midstep. In the man’s right hand was a small badge with the emblem of Wyndia on it. The man was an agent of Wyndia. Okay, now Garr had some serious questions for that man.

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Crete is located in the Ceres Region. The Ceres Region is known for many different things. For one, it is known as the agriculture center of the known world. Most of Aspara’s “Earth clans” can be found in this fertile region. The region’s main export is the produce that they grow, as well as the livestock that they raise.

Ceres is also home to the “Earth Mother” religion. In other words, the majority of the Ceresians worship Namanda, the goddess of earth. Those who follow Namanda are very spiritual and are great healers. They are often called monks, though some had been referred to as druids. The followers of Namanda follow a strict honor code to do no harm. They mediate and train their minds and bodies daily.

Ceres also houses the Temple of Namanda. The Avatar of Namanda is a natural gifted healer that has powers that rival that of the high priests of Ladon. The current Avatar is a young girl. She was born ten years ago after the death of the last Avatar. She is blind and wheelchair bound, but she has excellent heightened senses. Many people come from near and far to be healed by the little girl. She is also keeper of the Earth Key.

It goes without saying, but they are also very close to nature. They share common ground with those who worship Yggdrasil, due to the fact that both gods are gods of nature.

Though the region has many allies, they remain a neutral body. The only exception to this rule is their dealing with the Brood’s current ruler, King Gideon Laurante. This mainly has to do with the event in Lahan fourteen years ago. They do not hate dragons, but they are slow to trust Dragnier’s government. The only exception is Shevat’s governess, Lady Saria la Crosse.

Crete itself is more of a city than a farming town. It’s one of the few more modern cities in the region. The city, however, owes much of its success to the farming towns that surround it.

Crete is one of the more recent cities to pop up in the Ceres Region. Many of its citizens are foreigners that have moved to the city due to the peaceful and harmonious state of the region.

Crete is also the hometown of Miyuki Uzuki and her family…

It was midday and everyone was going about their daily business. It was because of this that no one noticed the flash of blue and white light behind one of the alleyways.

Yuki, Ryu, Nina, and Wyatt appeared in a plume of white and blue light. Ryu grinned nervously and looked around the deserted alleyway. He turned his attention to Yuki and pointed at the end of the road.

“Remember this place?” Ryu asked.

Yuki merely blinked. This was the place she had first met Ryu. Boy, did that bring back memories.

Yuki finally nodded. “Well… I see that I was off by a little…” Yuki muttered more to herself.

Nina glanced over at the two. “We are here to see your brother, right? Where should we go?”

Yuki smiled slightly. “Oh, do we really have to see Jin right now? I thought that we could… oh I dunno… hit the local nightclubs….”

Ryu’s eyes lit up like a fireworks display. “Yes! Yes! Yuki, that is a great idea!”

Wyatt gave the two an annoyed look. “All the two of you want to do is go get drunk… and this early in the day, too.”

Yuki shrugged. “I can’t deal with Jin sober right now. It only makes sense, Chibi-sama!”

“C-chibi-sama…?” Ryu sputtered out. “Um… what?”

Yuki grinned slightly. “Ah, right! It’s Ceresian! It basically translates into “Little Master.” I mean, that’s what Seth and Shelley were calling you, right Chibi-sama?”

Wyatt gave Yuki a death glare. “Arg! Can you knock it off? That title is demeaning to someone of my stature!”

Yuki merely patted Wyatt on the head. “Awe look! You’re sooo kwoot when you get angry!”

Wyatt batted Yuki’s hands away from him and glared at the young woman. “You have no respect for anyone, do you?”

“I do…” Yuki grinned slightly. “It’s just hard to take marching orders from a 12 year old. Ya know, Chibi-sama?”

Ryu grinned. “Hey, I kinda like that title. Chibi-sama! Yeah! That describes you perfectly, Chibi-sama!”

Nina sighed as the foursome walked down the busy streets of downtown Crete. Most people that took the time to notice them usually only waved at Yuki. Apparently the Ranger was well known in these parts.

The question was though, was that a good thing or bad thing? Yuki was known to be quite the prankster back in the day.

Nina turned her attention back to the three. Dear Ladon, Yuki was ruffling the child’s hair again. Didn’t she know that the kid was packing heat? And Wyatt seemed like he was a pretty good marksman with those pistols.

Soon, the four came to a nightclub. Yuki and Ryu stared at the sign above the door. The Angel Wing Nightclub.

Ryu inwardly groaned. That place. Yuki, on the other hand, seemed like she was ready to just go inside. The club was surprisingly open for this time of day. Nina voiced concern about bringing a 12 year old into a nightclub that served alcohol, but Yuki waved her off and reminded them she was an active Ranger. She was sure that she could worm her way out of any legal trouble later.

And so, the four entered the nightclub. They walked down the stairs and into the actual main room of the club. Tables and chairs littered the far side of the room to the left and there was a wide area more towards the center and right of the room, probably for dancing. There was a massive stereo system near the right wall with giant speakers. Red sofas were next to the sound system. A counter with stools lined up against the back wall.

Ryu and the others took a seat at the bar. Yuki blinked and grinned.

“Oh, I can’t believe I almost forgot about that! Wyatt… you know, I am treating you with respect.”

Wyatt rolled his eyes. “Yeah right!”

Yuki giggled and grabbed onto the counter and turned her stool to the right and then back to the left. “I am treating you with the respect that someone of your stature deserves.”

Wyatt blinked in confusion, then realization dawned on him. He whipped out his guns from their holsters and aimed them right at Yuki. A look of pure anger was etched across his face.

“Are you calling me SHORT!?” Wyatt demanded.

Yuki merely hummed to herself while she twisted around in her chair. Wyatt clicked one of the guns and continued to glare. Nina sighed again and turned her attention to the menu overhead. Ryu and Yuki may be of drinking age, but she was only 20 years old. She would just have to settle for something else.

“Douka nasaimashita ka, Chibi-sama?” Yuki asked as she cocked her head to the side in amusement.

“Eh?” Wyatt asked, his face adopting a look of confusion.

“I asked if you were okay,” Yuki said.

“NO I AM NOT OKAY! YOU ARE CALLING ME SHORT!” Wyatt snapped.

“Ladon, give me strength…” Nina muttered under her breath.

“I like, am so totally not, Chibi-sama.”

“Guys! Knock it off!” Ryu snapped. “This is not a preschool!”

Ryu was about to say something else, but before he could, he was interrupted by a young man with long brown hair, dressed in dark clothing. The man tapped Ryu on the shoulder and gave him an irate look.

“Are you by any chance, Seigfried Griffith?” the man asked.

Ryu shrugged. “Who wants to know?”

“I am Zekelli of the Taobashi guild!” the man snapped. “You are responsible for the death of some of my men!”

Ryu grinned slightly. His personality did a complete 180 as he slipped into the role of the infamous bounty hunter. He stood up from the stool and drew his long sword. “So, you were in charge of Jaclyn. I gotta say, she was a real bitch. No manners at all.” Ryu laughed.

“Oh yeah!” Zekelli yelled. “No one makes fools of the Taobashi guild and get away with it!” and with that little battle cry, the young man lunged forward and tried to strike Ryu with his fists.

Ryu noticed that the man had brass knuckles on his fists. A martial artist? This should be fun. Ryu grinned as he ripped the cloak off of his shoulders and jumped up onto the counter to avoid getting hit by the crazy man.

Yuki, Nina, and Wyatt jumped out of the way. Yuki and Nina pulled out their daggers and staff and Wyatt cocked his guns. Zekelli was not expecting a fight with four armed individuals.

He knew that he was in trouble. He was definitely out numbered, so he did the only thing he could think of. He started to chant the words to a fire spell. It was at that exact moment that the owner of the nightclub decided to make her appearance.

A young woman with shoulder length black hair and dark purple highlights walked in from the back. She was dressed in a black leather corset, a long black skirt that fell to her ankles and black ankle boots. She had on elbow length black gloves and had multiple piercings in her ears.

Manna Sphere yelled and ducked at Zekelli finished his fire spell and let the fireballs fly. Manna growled as she watched the balls of fire slam into all corners of her nightclub. She made a wave with her hand and the fire was doused with a quick water spell. She then turned her attention to Zekelli and with another wave of her hand, she sent the guildsman flying out of the door.

With that done, she turned her attention to Ryu and his companions. She growled when she noticed Ryu. She grumbled something under her breath as she rubbed the bridge of her nose.

She finally shook her head and stared directly at Ryu. “You again…” she muttered quietly. “What in the name of all that is sacred and holy are YOU doing here?!” Manna practically shouted that last part.

Yuki glanced around the ruined nightclub, then turned her attention to Manna. “Um… we can explain?”

Yuki yelped when Manna glared at her, but the look did not last long, for she turned her attention quickly back to Ryu as the others noticed that he was trying to inch his way out of the nightclub.

“You…” Manna growled. Ryu stopped in the middle of his tracks.

“What exactly did he do?” Nina asked.

Manna turned her attention to Nina. “This jerk has been getting into fights in my nightclub for the past three years! Every single time I try to relocate and start over, he’s right there with some other bastards on his tail!” Manna then turned her attention back to Ryu. “When you see me, you better start running! GET OUT OF MY NIGHTCLUB!”

Ryu rubbed the back of his neck and started towards the door. “Geez… take a Midol…” Ryu grumbled to himself. Apparently Manna’s hearing was really good, because the next thing Ryu knew, a gust of wind launched him out of the nightclub and back onto the street. Of course, Ryu had to land on his butt.

Yuki, Nina, and Wyatt exited the club a moment later. All three wore shit-eating grins as they stared at Ryu. Nina and Yuki finally helped Ryu up and to his feet. Yuki sighed and scratched the back of her head.

“Okay… never mind the drink. Let’s just go to Jin’s house. I HAS to be much safer than that place…” Yuki muttered.

Nina glanced at Ryu. “You really shouldn’t start trouble with people.”

Ryu groaned. “Ah, not you too!”

Wyatt nodded smugly. “She has a point, man.”

“Ah, shut up Chibi-sama!” Ryu snapped.

“WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?!” Wyatt whipped his guns out once more.

Nina glanced up at the sky. What in the name of Ladon did she sign up for?

 

To be continued…