Chapter Two: A Lover's Innocence needs its Proof

OoC: Previously...

Originally Posted by Yamari

Later that evening, Desquode and Avi cleaned up the beds they found inside the house earlier. the sheets and blankets were rather dusty and needed to be shaken off and the pillow cases were full of dust bunnies. After they were clean enough to use, Avi remembered she wanted to go hunting and grabbed her bow. Desquode insisted on going with her, but Avi said he should stay and keep an eye on the place. You never know what can happen at night, was what Avi said.

After awhile, Desquode flopped down on his bed, awaiting Avi to return with some meat. There wasn't enough swordfish left for the two of them and it was all they had. The time went by, but Avi had still not returned. It hadn't been long before Desquode finally fell fast asleep for the night.

However, he only slept for a few hours, only awakening to walk through the house and find that Avi was still gone. Desquode could tell that something wasn't right. Where was Avi? More and more time had passed, and it was now early morning, just a couple hours before dawn. By now Desquode was worried and decided to go search for his missing lover.

BiC: Desquode picked up his Raven Blades and walked out of the house. The first thing he did was search around the pond they were in before. He couldn't find a thing out of the ordinary. Next looked at the place where he found the pile of feathers. Again, he didn't find anything strange.
"Where could she be..." he thought to himself. He decided the only thing he could really do is look for a group of deer, or some other food source.
"Maybe I can find some clue to where Avi went around those deer over there." he said aloud. He had seen a small group of deer several yards away, so he walked over to them without making a noise.

When he got there he slowly walked among the deer, who didn't seem to mind his being there. He looked very closely at the ground, the trees, the bushes, and everything there, even the deer themselves.
He didn't find a thing, and was getting upset. "Where could she be?" he asked aloud, startling the deer.

He continued to look for Aviara for several hours. Eventually he found a small pond with some small fish in it. He looked around the pond for some time, even looking under the water. He couldn't find a thing. He was very tired, he had been searching for hours, and it was very early in the morning now. He decided he start the search over by looking around the house.

However, on his way back he saw something out of the corner of his eye. He stopped to take a look. When he got near enough to it he saw that it was a trail of feathers, and they looked just like Aviara's feathers. He didn't waste any time in following the trail.
"AVI! AVI, CAN YOU HEAR ME?" he yelled as he followed the trail. There was no reply, no matter how many times, nor how loud he yelled.

He eventually found where the trail led to... A small cave in the side of a large hill. The first thing that came to mind was that Aviara had been injured and had left a trail of her feathers so that he could find where she was resting. He started to rush into the cave but stopped right at the entrance. Another thought had come to his mind. Could this be a trap by the Ravanen Syndicate? He didn't care. If they had Aviara, or if she was injured, she needed him. With that he ran into the cave.

He knew he was near the end when he saw light from a fire. He put his back against the wall and sidled along. When he reached the corner he looked around it carefully. What he saw made him very angry. He saw that four Syndicate Members were sitting around a large fire. He also saw the Syndicate Main talking to Aviara, who was tied up and gagged.
"How dare they tie her up like that!" he thought to himself.

He suddenly turned around the corner in full view of the Syndicate Members, and the Main. He just stood there, not in his usual defensive position, not even in an offensive position, he just stood there. He wore an expression of anger, making him almost look evil.
The Syndicate Main stood up. "So, you finally found us, hmm?" he said mockingly. Then he turned to Aviara and said "See, I told you he would came to save you" Then he said under his breath "Ha, what a fool..." Then he looked at two of the members and nodded.
They stood up and walked to both sides of Desquode.

They stood there for a few minutes, waiting for Desquode to do something. He didn't do a thing. He just stood there staring at the Syndicate Main. Finally Desquode spoke.
"I suppose you want what you came for... Well then, you'll get it!"
Suddenly Desquode handed his Raven Blades to one of the members while he kicked the other one away. The Raven Blades were too heavy for the member since he had never trained with that kind of weapon before. While the member struggled to hold up the blades he had given Desquode enough time to knock the other member away. Desquode then took the blades back and used their broad side to knock out the member. He then walked forward and stopped just three feet from the main. There was a long pause, but Desquode finally broke the silence.
"You've shown me that you want a fight by taking Avi like that. You will get it! Now you let her go!" Desquode said with a tone of anger in his voice.

The Syndicate Main didn't move for a moment. His hands were behind his back so he could give a hidden signal to the other two Syndicate Members. After the pause he gave that signal. The two members flipped themselves over to each side of Desquode, while the other two, who had by now recovered, ran up straight behind him. They all grabbed him at once, the two at his sides grabbed his arms, while one of the members behind him grabbed him around the neck, but not to choke him. The last one quickly took out some strong rope and tied up Desquode's legs very tightly. The two members holding his arms tied up his hands with the same type of rope.
The Syndicate Main smiled saying "What can you do now? you have no weapons, you're all tied up, there's no wind in here for you to use, and the top of the cave limits just how high you can jump. There's no way out of this... Give up." There was a very long puase...

EDIT: I forget to add (Yamari). :XD

OoC: Yeah, this is just for me and Desquode, peeps. We bring you the next part of the Desquode/Aviara love affair. We hope you're enjoying it.

BiC: Avi watched in dismay as the syndicate members pummeled and tied Desquode up. She wanted to help him, but she was trapped in her own ropes. Soon they would take Desquode away and maybe even leave her stranded in that dark cave. Avi couldn't bear the thought. She had to do something to save her lover's life. But what...? Avi thought and thought, while tugging and pulling at the ropes around her arms and legs. Then, just as she tugged again, an idea came to her mind. Avi grew her claws to their maxium length and quietly cut the ropes off.

She flew into the air as silently as she could and targeted the member grabbing Desquode. Avi dashed towards him and pointed her feet towards his flesh, growing their claws to maximum length as well. She slammed into him with a powerful Double Claw and sent him flying into the wall. Desquode was dropped to the floor. Avi cut his ropes free and tossed him back his swords.

"I won't let you take him away from me!!" Avi yelled. She angrily threatened the syndicate with a taunt of her claws.

"Get them both!" the Syndicate main yelled. Avi and Desquode both got ready to fight.

"Not today," Desquode replied, twirling his swords in his hands. The syndicate members charged at them with their own weapons handy. One of them went straight for Desquode and clashed swords with him. Avi was dealing with another and stabbed him in the leg before he could strike. As she saw Desquode trying to fight off his opponent, Avi got another idea. She ran up behind her lover, leaped onto his shoulders, and jumped in the air. Startled, Desquode watched as she flapped her wings as hard as she could, creating a raging Wind Tunnel.

Not only did it slow the syndicate down, but pieces of rock had flown in their direction and hit them in all places possible. Desquode, meanwhile, had run out of range, so as not to be victimized by the wind. Avi's flapping came to a halt once her wings were starting to tire out.

"Avi!" Desquode cried. "Try to keep doing it! I have a plan!" Avi nodded and tried her best, using what strength she had left. Desquode ran into the path of the wind and let it carry him to the cave ceiling. He let it blow him right in the direction of the syndicate members, letting him slam right into them with his whole body. Avi stopped flapping and the members all fell to the ground.

"You...make a pretty good team," the syndicate main said, much in pain. "We still want...proof." Desquode couldn't help but smile.

"You'll get it, don't worry," he replied. "You'll get it. If you keep going after us like this, this is what will keep happening." Avi landed right behind Desquode and shrank her claws to their normal length.

"Exactly. Someone could get killed, you know," Avi added.

"Yes...you both are right," the syndicate main agreed. "We shall leave you now...and if you don't have proof when we come back again...you're going to serve jail time." Desquode nodded.

"I understand," he replied. And with that, the syndicate retreated once more and left the cave. Avi and Desquode went outside soon after. The sun had fully risen into the sky, and a few scattered clouds could be seen here and there above. It was a lovely day with lovely weather.

"Des...what are we going to do about them?" Avi asked in a worried tone.

"I really don't know yet, Avi," Desquode replied. "I've got to prove my innocence somehow."

"You do. I'm going to help you," Avi stated. She slipped her arms across Desquode's shoulders. "Des...I love you. I can't stand the thought of you in jail for a crime you didn't commit." Desquode slide his hands upon Avi's waist.

"I love you too, Avi, but it's dangerous," he protested. "I don't want you getting seriously hurt again."

"They'll do the same to you if I do nothing," Avi replied. "They can counter your every move. You need my help."

"Avi--" Desquode was cut off when Avi suddenly locked lips with him. He willingly returned the kiss, but he wouldn't let that convince him once they let go.

"...Fine. We'll discuss this again later," Desquode decided. "But that doesn't mean I'm letting you help."

"Alright, that's fair," Avi agreed. Desquode smiled and kissed Avi again. They started back towards the house again, although it was quite a walk away.

OoC: Take it from here, Dave!

OoC: Ranny and I have wanted to actually finish this.
So… after FOREVER (about a year and four months) without a new post… I continue!

BiC: Finally reaching the house Aviara and Desquode entered it, and stood by the fireplace. Desquode turned to Aviara about to speak. He was going to continue their talk on what to do, but he was stopped just as he began to open his mouth. Aviara put a finger to his lips, signaling for him not to say anything.
“I’m going to help you. And that’s final.” she said, softly. Desquode took her hand in his, moving it away slowly.
“I don’t want you to get hurt. The Syndicate… They aren’t the only ones after me. They only want me to be thrown in a prison for a false crime. There’s someone else after me, who… is dangerous. Even I fear him! If he ever got a hold of you, he wouldn’t hesitate to tear you to shreds, quite literally.” This shocked Aviara somewhat, but she tried not to show it.
“Des, I won’t leave your side…! We can protect each other from this… madman.” Aviara’s words were soothing to Desquode, even though he felt quite tense before. He relaxed, but turned away.
“I… I’m glad to hear that. I should really listen to you. I believe in you, and I’m happy to know you’re willing to help me.” He felt Aviara pull him to her, and knew what was coming next. His lips were locked with hers, and he embraced it, not letting go. But it was getting cold, and dark. He didn’t want to, but he forced himself to stop.

“It’s cold… We should light a fire… There’s a few sticks for some kindling there, but I’ll have to go search for larger pieces of wood before it gets dark.” His voice was slightly stern, as it usually was.
“I can start the fire while you’re gone, alright?” Aviara asked this as she started to gather the sticks into the fireplace.
“That’s fine. I shouldn’t be more than a moment.” He walked outside to look for a tree with long, thick branches. He found one a bit of a distance away that looked perfect. Upon reaching it he took out one of his Raven Blades, and flipping around into the air, brought his blade down against the branch, slicing right through it. Once the branch fell to the ground he used his sword to swiftly cut the it into sections small enough to fit into the fireplace back at the house.

During this time Aviara had started the fire, and thrown some more sticks on to keep it going while waiting for Desquode. As she threw the last sticks into the fire Desquode came in with a couple of armfuls of the wood he’d cut. It was now almost dark, and Desquode had thrown one of the logs on the fire. It would last on it’s own for the time being. The two of them laid down right next to each other, right by the fire, and as time passed the ground had warmed up a good bit. By this time Desquode had to throw another log on the fire. But as he turned around to lay back down, he saw that Aviara had fallen asleep. Her back was turned to him, so as he lay down facing the same direction, he put his arm around her, and fell asleep moments later.

OoC: Yes, we finally got back to continuing DesxAvi again, guys! We apologize for the severely long wait. We hope whoever's been reading continues to enjoy! ^^

BiC: The night soon got cold while Desquode and Avi slept. For awhile, it was so quiet, you could hear a twig drop from the outside. The fire in the fireplace died out within hours due to no one being awake to feed it more wood. It seemed as if it would be peaceful for the rest of the night and the two Love Birds would wake refreshed from all the excitement caused by the Ravanen Syndicate the previous day. Neither believed they weren't going to be away from them for very long, however, and would be prepared whenever it was likely for the Syndicate members or even the other person who was after Desquode to show up. If the other person was as dangerous as Desquode had described, they needed to be prepared for anything.

As the time drew past midnight, both Desquode and Avi still slept soundly and were out like a light. All of a sudden, two shadows appeared outside of the house and crept around to a window of the room where Desquode and Avi slept. Within a few split seconds, a bottle with something inside went flying through the window and shattered it. Avi suddenly woke with a start as the bottle popped Desquode in the shoulder, causing him to wake as well.

"AUGH! What the--?!" he started, but was too confused to finish.

"What was that?" Avi said in a worried tone as she looked around the room.

"Window shattered," Desquode answered, noticing the broken glass on the floor in front of the window. "Whoever did it is gone though. I'm wondering what hit me." Avi grew her claws to feel around on the floor and soon discovered the bottle at Desquode's side. She picked it up after shrinking her claws to see what it was.

"A bottle? What would someone be throwing this for?" Avi wondered.

"There's probably something inside, but we need a light to see. The fire's out," Desquode pointed out. Avi stood up and took a lantern from atop the mantel of the fireplace, having noticed it there before she went to sleep. Seeing that it was half full of lantern oil, she started it up and brought it to the bottle, which was left on the floor. A piece of paper was rolled up inside the glass.

"It's a note," Avi said, starting to pluck it from the bottle with the claw on her forefinger. She unrolled it and Desquode took the first peek at the words written on it. He read them aloud but quietly so no one outside would overhear them.

"Raven girl: If you want to see your sister again, you would do well to travel to Apple River Valley at dawn," Desquode read. "...Avi you're--"

"WHAT?! Is this saying someone is holding Vitani hostage?!" Avi gasped, her face flooded with shock.

"Avi, I don't know, but the note writer called you a Raven girl," Desquode said. "I didn't know you were--"

"Part Raven, yes. I'm a Raven Harpy, just as you're a Raven man yourself," Avi admitted. "But Des, this is serious. I don't know where this Apple River Valley is and my sister could be in danger!"

"Yes, I know, and I'm trying to think who could have done this," Desquode replied. For a few minutes he thought, but he wasn't getting much luck. He hadn't met many others since he'd been in that hut back on Mt. Imu and it was mostly due to struggling to prove his innocence as well as his preference of living by himself, which had lasted up until he met Avi on the beach again. Despite that, one possibility did come to his mind however, and it was quite an obvious one, even to Avi.

"The Syndicate members are the only ones who know we're here," Des analyzed. "Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"They know someone who knows your sister and told them."

"But then they'd still have to find their way through---oh no..."

"What?" Desquode asked in a worried tone.

"The feather trail. They must've followed that!" Avi concluded. "It also explains why my sister's pendant was here after we arrived! It's all fitting together!"

"Indeed...I had no idea our problems would get connected though..." Desquode replied. "We're in on this together then. Tomorrow we leave and seek out this Apple River Valley!"

It was still early enough to get some more sleep before the two headed out, even if it only was for a few more hours. While Desquode could see that Aviara had little trouble falling back to sleep, he couldn't, and wouldn't. Every time he did start drifting off, he had terrible nightmares. When he realized what was going on, that he was dreaming, he would force himself up so it would end for a time. Finally, after three times of this, Desquode gave up on sleep, and just sat next the Aviara as she slept. He could only hope her dreams were of a better nature. He sat and sat, thinking about everything. Could they find this valley in time? Could Aviara find her sister? Could finding her sister really lead to at least some shred of proof that he took no part in the crime he was so falsely accused of? He wished for it to be true. He had wanted to return to his tribe since the moment he had to leave, but things changed when he met up again with Aviara. She wouldn't leave him, and he wouldn't leave her. He talked with himself softly over the matter.

"I'm not sure they'd accept her. She similar, but is she too different?" Aviara heard his words, and started to wake, but didn't move. She wanted to know what he was talking about. "If they didn't feel that she could function as a part of the tribe, they'd surely cast her out... I can't let them do that. I can't risk such a thing happening to her..." He paused, and looked at Aviara. She had not moved, so he thought she was still sleeping. Still, even thinking this, he spoke to her. "I need you. I can't lose this chance to show them I didn't murder anyone, and I can't lose you... But then what do I do?" He turned away and spoke to himself again. "If I can't prove what I need to prove, I will always be known as a killer, but if I do find this proof, then I can return... But that runs the risk of being separated from Avi... I know! I'll find what I need, and I'll clear my name, but I won't go back! I'll stay with the wonderful companion that I have beside me. If being with my tribe means I can't be with Avi, then they aren't worth it." Desquode was satisfied with his decision, and wanted to take a rest, but a glance out the window told him he wouldn't have time for that. The sky was beginning to light up. Neither of the two knew where the valley was, so Des wanted them to get up extra early so they'd have time to look. They only had until dawn, meaning time was short. "Avi," he whispered in Aviara's ear. "Wake up. We should start searching."

"Hmm... Des?" Aviara faked waking up so Desquode wouldn't know she'd heard his conversation with himself.

"Yes, I'm here. The sun will rise soon; we need to start searching." The two took a moment for themselves, then picked up their things, and walked out. Desquode looked around the area to try and get some bearings in the still darkened land. "Avi can you fly up to get a better view of the area?"

"I'll see what I can do." Aviara flew up and took a look around. Nothing nearby seemed like a valley at all. She came down moments later and told Desquode.

"I suppose that leaves us to guess... This is not good. Let's just try over there." Desquode pointed South-east, but noticed some thing as he did. He and Aviara walked over to the object, which turned out to be a sign.

"There's something on it." Aviara commented as they approached.

"Let's see here... Hmm. 'Apple River Valley: This Way' is what it says."

"Wait, there's something etched into it." Aviara looked at some words that had been hastily scratched onto the sign. "Better Hurry." Without a moment's pause, the couple started running in the direction that the sign pointed. Along the way Desquode pointed something out.

"Did you notice the ground under the pole of the sign? It was recently disturbed. Someone placed that sign there overnight, then etched those words onto it. It was probably done by whomever threw that bottles in the window."

"That would make sense. Wait, I see another sign ahead." This sign, unlike the one previous, had been slapped together, obviously meant to lead the couple to the valley. It pointed into a lightly forested area. "The sun is coming now, Des! We've got to hurry!" Again the two ran as fast as they could, and covered a good distance, following sign after sign Eventually they came out of the forest, and onto the edge of a cliff.

"Avi, can you create a wind tunnel for me to glide down in?"

"Alright, step back for a moment." After Desquode was far enough behind her, Aviara began to flap her wings hard, creating a tunnel that would allow Desquode to glide most of the way down the cliff. "I can't get the tunnel any further, you'll have to make the rest on your own. I'll follow behind you, in case you have any trouble."

"I'll be fine, don't worry." Desquode jumped off the side of the cliff, and right into the wind tunnel. He used is gliding ability to flow in the tunnel, which took him two-thirds of the way down the tall cliff. Once he exited the tunnel, he started falling faster, but landed safely, with a roll. Aviara landed gracefully next to him a moment later. There was a final sign, right in the center between the cliff they'd just come off of, and another a good distance away. They came up and read it.

"It says 'You'd better be on time. Or else your search is over.' Des, we really have to hurry now! The sun, it's getting too high! C'mon!" Again, and for a final time that morning, the two ran and ran. But it wasn't long until they could see several figures in the distance. Once close enough they could see that there were four Syndicate members, two which stood alone, and two holding a hostage who had a hood over their head. Also with them was a rather burly man, similar to Desquode in clothing and armour. Finally they came up to the group.

"Why hello there, Desquode. I expected you would follow your little love bird here." One of the Syndicate members walked forward as he spoke until he was right in front of Aviara.

"If you touch her..." Desquode was gritting his teeth, and was thoroughly prepared to subdue the man if he harmed Aviara.

"No need for the hostility, my good sir. She will not be harmed. However..." The man snapped his fingers, and just then, he and the other Syndicate member grabbed Desquode, but he fought back. He kicked the one on his left away and turned to the other, on his right. He was about to take the man down when the burly fellow rushed up and locked his arm around Desquode's neck. Aviara, seeing all this immediately grew out her claws and wanted to attack, but was halted when on of the Syndicate members holding the hostage got her attention.

"Intervene, and she dies!" Aviara turned to try to see who the hostage was. Even though her face was covered, it was clear to Aviara that it was Vitani. She stepped back reluctantly, seeing that the man was holding a knife to Vitani's throat. Desquode, though it was hard, spoke up.

"You... The Syn- gurk! The Syndicate Main said he'd leave us be!"

"Ah, yes, that he did. But you see..." The man leaned into Desquode face. "We're not exactly a... how should I say this... We're not a part of the Syndicate that the people know of. We're sort of like a "secret agency," you might say. We don't take orders from anyone, leaving us to do as we please. Call us... the New Order Syndication, or NOS for short." He stepped away and turned to Aviara. "Thank you, my dear. You've given us what we want, and we can give you what you want... But not now. Oh you will see your sister again, don't worry about that. But for now, we only wanted you so that we could get to Desquode here." She was shocked and angered at the fact that she was used to capture Desquode. Without sparing a thought to the matter, she instantly turned, took out her bow and an arrow, then shot the arm of the man holding the knife at Vitani. He dropped the weapon, and fell back. The other man holding Vitani shoved her to the ground, and came at Aviara with a long dagger. The man who'd seemed to be the head of the group also attacked Aviara. She took her claws, which she grew in an instant, and sliced the dagger man across the chest, and knocked him over. At the same time, with her other arm, she jammed her claws right into the other man's side.

"You will not harm either my sister, or Desquode!!" The burly man let his lock on Desquode go, but picked him up a bit, and threw him aside with ease.

"Avi! Watch out! This guy... He's the one I mentioned!" Aviara grew the claws on her feet, and flew up into the air. To her shock, the burly man was able to manipulate the ground so that he stood at the same level as her.

Desquode managed to observe the situation. "Avi, just go!"

"No! I won't leave you, Des!" Desquode was becoming rather distraught over the matter. "I can help-" She was cut off when the burly man jumped at her, and grabbed onto her left ankle. The weight was far too much, pulling both of them to the ground very quickly. Aviara jammed her claws into the man's arm that held onto her, but to no avail. Using her light weight to his advantage, he flung her down, then pushed off from her. The man moved the ground to him, stopping his fall without injury. Desquode had managed to stand, and ran at Aviara as she fell. When she was only a few feet from the ground, Desquode jumped and caught her, bringing her safely to the ground. He was both happy that e had cuaght her, but also surprised as she'd been falling so fast.

"Hahaha! Very valiant, Desquode! Now then, heh... Put her down and follow us." The head of the group walked forward with the other two Syndicate members, while the burly man came even with the ground around, he started to walk to them also. Suddenly a large ball of air literally blew away the four Syndicate members, sending them a good distance away. Another airball was sent at the burly man, but he blocked it with a wall of stone he brought right out of the ground. Desquode glanced up, while still holding onto Aviara, and could barely make out a figure gliding down, right in front of the sun. The person landed, and flung a short staff into the ground, sending a fast line of wind at the stone wall, and cracking it. The man was dressed in a spring-green shirt, sage green feather pants, and a purple sleeveless padded jacket. He sent another strike, then another, at the stone wall, finally breaking it apart. The burly man slammed his foot into the ground, and sent a shock-wave through it. The other man slammed his staff into the ground, creating the same effect. The attacks canceled each-other out, and the ground settled.

"Hey, Desquode! Yeah, you don't know me right now, but, well, I'm supposed to help you." The man turned to Desquode, and bowed, before jumping into the air, and creating a large airball under him. Strangely, he was able to stand on it, and was even able to move it around very fast, with himself on top. Desquode was rather confused, but turned his attention to Aviara.

"Avi, are you alright?"

"D- Des..." She squirmed a little, but was clearly unable to stand, due to the man pushing himself right off her stomach. "Let... me help."

"No, you stay right here!" Desquode set her down, despite her objections, and ran off to aid the stranger who had came from seemingly nowhere. "Hey! Who are you?"

"Oh, right." The man flung his staff right into the head of the burly fellow, knocking him to the ground. "I'm Nael'esque. I hail from the Raval tribe, and you are an outcast of the Ravin tribe."

"Yes, but-"

"Don't think too hard about it. I'm a little confused on the matter myself." Nael took his staff, and slammed it right into the other man's forehead, knocking him out cold. He glided over to Desquode on his airball, then dispelled it. "Basically, some mystical leopard that lives inside my Jo told me to come help you. Weird, eh?" Desquode just stared at the man with a rather straight face. "Eh-heh... Yeah, I must sound pretty crazy, haha! Anyway, I've been following you for quite some time now... Since before you were accused, quite falsely. I'm supposed to aid you in whatever way necessary, and... I think I got off to a good start, wouldn't you say?"

"I... I could have taken the man myself!"

"Possibly, but what about the other... guys... Where'd they go?" Nael and Desquode both glanced around everywhere, but there was no sign of the three Syndicate members, nor Aviara's sister. "Shucks, they got away."

"Look, you! I don't need your help, so just leave me be!"

"Hey now, don't get your feathers all ruffed up! Like it or not, I'm gonna help you out! Okay, how about this..." Nael jumped back, and placed his Jo directly in front of him. Suddenly, many previously hidden lines began to glow green. Moments later, a large, transparent green leopard jumped out from the Jo. It pulled Desquode into it's mind so it could speak to him. Within a mere second of time to everyone else, the Leopard Spirit explain who Nael was, and why he was sent to help Desquode. It leaped back into the Jo, and the lines faded away. Nael stood and faced Desquode. "Now do you see?"

"I- I- I think, but..."

"Don't fret, my friend! Now then, let's get your partner out of here, shall we?"

"Avi! Yes, yes!" Desquode ran to Aviara's side and picked her up. "Are- Are you alright?"

"Yes, Des, I'm fine. I... I can walk." Desquode gently set her down, then turned to Nael. He asked if he could make an airball large enough for the whole group, to which Nael agreed. Even though the day was a loss for them, they were content, because it was also a loss for the enemy. On Nael's massive ariball, it didn't take long to make it back to the house; it was only just afternoon. Aong the way, Desquode observed the man. He was an average-sized guy, with green eyes, short black hair, and his clothes were very strange to Desquode. The only similar thing were Nael's pants; made with feathers, probobly those of an eagle, yet died green. He seemed to have a light-hearted attitude, and was skilled with both Air and Earth magic... Two opposites.

When Nael dispelled the airball he spoke to the two. "Hey, you guys rest. You took a pretty solid beating. I'll keep watch for any trouble." Desquode turned to Nael and nodded.

"Thank you, for this, and for earlier." Nael nodded back, and watched the couple enter the house, and shut the door. He sat himself down on a rock, and stared at the sky, but kept his other senses at the ready.

----- ----- -----

"Avi, I- I'm glad you fought back. I really need to stop telling you to stay out of this. I-

"Des..."

"Let me finish. I keep underestimating you, and it's wrong of me. I can't help myself... I want to keep you far away from danger, even though I know you're very strong."

"Des, please, I understand."

"You... do? Even still... Please, accept my apology."

"Haha, of course I do, Des!" As an act of confirmation, Aviara kissed Desquode for several long moments. "Let's rest for a bit."

"Right, you're back must be killing you." The two walked with each other to one of the beds, and lay there for some time, eventually drifting off together.

Awesome, Dave! ^^

BiC: As soon as Avi had finally drifted off into her slumber, she began to dream about the recent events. A Syndicate member holding a dagger up to poor Vitani's throat in front of her. For some reason, Avi was unable to do anything about it, and could only stand there and watch as her sister was threatened. She looked around for Des and the newly met Nael, but they were not around. Avi tried to save her sister, but could not even get near her. She seemed to drift away as the enemy escaped with his hostage...

Suddenly, Avi rose up from the bed quickly in the middle of the day now turned evening, panting from the shock of the nightmare. Try as she might, she just could not go back to sleep. The fear for her sister's safety plagued her mind all over. Eventually, Avi got out of the bed and quietly looked out of a window to see to her pleasure that Nael had fallen asleep against the wall. Making as little noise as possible, Avi decided she needed to go back to the valley and find those fiends. However, there seemed to be no way to leave a message for Desquode and Nael. Knowing she can't stall and take any risks, Avi decided to simply leave and hope that they'd guess right about where she went once they found her gone.

After quietly leaving the house and sneaking past the sleeping Nael, Avi flapped her wings and took off in the air towards the canyon once more to find any clues that might lead her to where Vitani was taken next.

"I'm sorry, Des..." she said to herself as she flew off. "I feel I must do this."

Avi flew up high so she could get to her destination quickly. Upon reaching the site of the previous day's events, Avi began her search for anything that might give her a lead.

***

Desquode awoke not long after Avi had taken flight and noticed her bed empty. Thinking she already got up, he decided to go outside and check on Nael. Right next to the house's front door, Nael still sat there, deep in his sleep.

"Wow, I didn't expect him to go snoozing," Desquode said to himself. "Hey Nael, wake up. Nael?" But Nael didn't even stir. Desquode shook him, but still nothing.

"Okay, either this guy is a heavy sleeper, or something's wrong," Desquode concluded. "Maybe Avi can figure it out." With that, Desquode walked back into the house and searched the place, but Avi was nowhere to be seen. Every room was empty except for Desquode himself. However, it wasn't long before Desquode noticed something else was missing from the scene.

"No! My swords!" he exclaimed. "When will these morons quit?!" Desquode immediately raced back outside the house and tried getting Nael to come around once more.

"Ugh, come on, Nael! Wake up already!" Des said, shaking him even harder this time. But still, Nael didn't stir at all. No one can be this heavy a sleeper. This could only mean Nael wasn't just sleeping at all. He'd been tranquilized. Realizing this left Desquode with a tough decision to make. He wanted to go look for Avi, but he didn't want to leave Nael behind by himself either. Desquode sighed in annoyance.

"Why me?" he mumbled. He lifted Nael onto his back and ran off, although the man felt rather heavy. Desquode decided there had to be only one place Avi would go at a time like this, and really hoped that he was right.