CHAPTER TWO: THE SANCTUM OF DECADENT WYVERNS MAKES ITS MOVE

"Let's decide quickly guys. Should we challenge the new teach now?" Buern asked.

"If you guys wish to challenge him now, I unfortunately won't be able to participate. I need to make a quick stop in Kolmnid Farms first" Ryu said.

"Something wrong?" Nadia asked.

"Well, I haven't seen Rokkan around lately. Have you Nadia?" Ryu asked.

Nadia shook her head.

"Besides, Tanya sent me a message. Weirdly enough, it coincided with messages from Master Hiruko and from Michael. Michael apparently has decided to set up Protocol Limelight for a reason he isn't discussing in his message" Ryu said.

At the mention of Protocol Limelight, Nadia assumed an uncharacteristically serious look.

"It's that serious?" Nadia asked.

"That's what I intend to find out" Ryu said.

"I'm coming with you" Nadia said.

"I'm also a bit curious" Ayzan Nightbane said.

"I have other things to do" Rai said.

"Thanks for delivering Tanya's message Rai" Ryu said gratefully.

Rai nodded.

"I'm also coming with you. I'm currently investigating the mythical Thunderbird and the Kolmnid Farms is one of its numerous rumoured sightings" Buern said.

"You coming Aurora?" Nadia asked.

"No, I've got some stuff to take care of" Aurora said.

"You're quite diligent for a Deviant Aurora. I admire your resourcefulness" Buern said.

"Thanks. It is fun to hang out with you guys as well and somehow I feel I am where I need to be" Aurora said with a smile.

The four students walked to the teleportation crystal in their class and raised their crystal keys. There was a brilliant flash of light and then they felt lighter than air for a moment. When they opened their eyes, they were in a location with ornamental plants and all sorts of crops. Michael, Ryu's brother together with Atlanta, Ryu's fiancée were in the middle of erecting devices that seemed to have crystals at their core. Atlanta had beside her a crystal dragon which was producing crystals in vast quantities.

At that moment, a silver haired boy, a brown haired boy and a brown-haired girl appeared on the Farms. The silver-haired boy was Reis Dragonhaärt, the brown-haired boy was Josec Fenix and the brown-haired girl was Andrea Rayne.

"We don't want to be caught unawares again. I'm erecting 'Limelight', the protocol with which we defeated the Dark Ninja on our homeworld. However, they are mainly to be used for agricultural purposes. I'll have it tweaked so that when the farms are disturbed, we will know" a golden haired boy said as he directed the efforts of the others on the farm.

He was Michael, Ryu's brother.

"Sorry about that" Josec said. "I was the one that went berserk on the farms. It was overwhelming to find myself in an unfamiliar world" the boy confessed to the people there.

"Whoa! That's surprising! A human with the ability to become a Thunderbird! Just don't raze our farms with lightning again. It takes a lot of work to keep everything in order!" Atlanta said.

"And just in case you try it, the 'Limelight' devices have been tweaked with the ability to siphon lightning. You'll only drain yourself dry so you'd best remember that" Michael said.

"He already said he was sorry Michael. Don't give him a hard time" Ryu said. "My name is Ryu by the way" Ryu introduced himself to the strangers.

"Hello Ryu" Reis Dragonhaärt greeted.

"This here is my brother Michael. He is a Master Strategist and was instrumental in the defeat of the Dark Ninja from our homeworld" Ryu said with a smile.

"You say the nicest things sometimes little bro" Michael said as he held Ryu around the shoulders and rubbed his hair in a screwdriver lockhold.

"Hey, I'm no longer a kid you know?" Ryu protested.

"Regardless of how old you become, you'll always be my little bro" Michael laughed.

"Ryu, Michael. Stop joking around" Atlanta said.

"She by the way is Atlanta Reige. She is the Princess of the New Fiery Ryu and wielder of the Crystal Dragon Saint" Ryu explained.

"We just found the people we were looking for" Andrea Rayne said.

"Wait a sec Michael. I'm curious about one thing. How could an agricultural device help win a war in your homeworld?" Reis Dragonhaärt asked.

"Look at it this way. Its primary function is to amplify and disperse light however…in hindsight that makes it a nifty flashbomb especially when used against those whose powers are primarily of darkness so the 'light' is the key" Michael explained.

Reis and the others he came with were shocked.

"Wow, I guess that's what Master Fencer calls an 'improv'" Josec said with sly pleasure.

"What's an improv.?" Reis asked.

"Using something with a specific primary function to achieve secondary functions" Josec said.

"Basically, there is more than one way to achieve the same result. Different people may use different means. That's the principle behind it. If it differs from the standard, it's an improvisation or improv. for short" Josec explained.

Michael and Josec laughed at their cleverness while everyone else tried to understand how their minds worked.

"Atlanta, Michael, I've got a favour to ask. Ryu, you could join us if you want" Reis said.

"Depends" Ryu said.

"The Academy Director instructed us to establish a sort of social gathering on Benedict's Ark. He gave us profiles for the people we should find. I found Josec and Andrea here. You two, Atlanta and Michael fit the profile of the next pair I'm supposed to find" Reis said.

"We don't mind. Actually, we've been sort of waiting for something like this to happen" Michael said.

Atlanta nodded.

"I've already been asked by Ayzan Nightbane and since I don't fit the profile of someone you're supposed to find, I guess I'm out. Besides, I already joined up with Zan's group moments ago. Speaking of, where are Zan, Nadia and Buern? I lost track of them the moment you guys arrived" Ryu said.

"Zan said he needed to see Ayu for a bit and left. He'll be back in a moment. Nadia and Buern are currently speaking with Tanya" Atlanta explained.

Suddenly, the voice of the Academy Director sounded within the Farms.

"Michael of Kolmnid and Atlanta Reige have been granted access to the Unnamed Library" the voice said.

"Nice!" Michael and Atlanta said as they removed their Crystal Keys from their pockets and checked the list of locations they currently had access to.

"You can head there whenever you want. I need to go see the Academy Director" Reis said as he waved and ran to a teleportation crystal.

In a flash, he was gone.

"He certainly seemed to be in a bit of a hurry" Atlanta said.

"Well, he certainly should be in a bit of a hurry lest Zan snatches the last member of his class right from under him" Ryu said with a slight chuckle.

"I see. So he's on the verge of forming a class" Michael said.

"Yup, and Ayumi Kirisawa is pretty high on Zan's list except…well she's repeatedly refused his offer" Ryu said.

"So why are you here Ryu?" Atlanta asked.

"Michael's one of the reasons. So Michael, why are you raising Limelight. I find it hard to believe it is because of the rampage of the Thunderbird" Ryu said seriously.

"No…it's not. Rokkan's gone missing and the farms were recently attacked by an unknown group. If you want to know the rest of the details, I suggest you ask Tanya. She's pretty shaken up and she won't talk unless you're there" Michael said.

"I'm going in" Ryu said as he headed towards one of the many Tents in the Farms.

Michael and Atlanta followed close behind. Just before they entered the Tent, Ayzan Nighbane appeared.

"Ryu…tell me you had nothing to do with Reis Dragonhaärt's attempts at recruiting Ayu" Zan said.

At that moment, the voice of the Academy Director sounded.

"Announcement to all people on the Ark. At this moment, Reis Dragonhaärt of Ryugaeia formed the Class Of Honours. Ayzan Nightbane Of Dream City also formed the Class Of Deviants!" the Academy Director's voice sounded within the Academy.

"That jerk actually did it!" Zan exclaimed in chagrin.

Ryu and Zan walked into the Tent. Buern and Nadia were speaking with Tanya and an elderly man.

"I'm here Tanya, Master Hiruko. You wanted to see me" Ryu said seriously.

"Speak with Tanya first Ryu. After you speak with her, you and I need to have a private conversation" Master Hiruko said solemnly.

Ryu nodded.

"Ryu, Rokkan's missing" Tanya said with tears in her eyes.

"What do you mean by that Tanya?" Ryu asked.

"A group of people came here led by a man with blonde hair and crimson eyes. They demanded access to a legacy I believe is Ryuujinn's and demanded that the protectors of this legacy confront them. They are trying to lure you out and beat you Ryu. Rokkan left to protect this legacy and I haven't seen him since" Tanya said.

"Did you recognize anyone else amongst them?" Ryu asked.

"One of them had the semblance of Shekan from our homeworld" Tanya said.

"That can't be right. Shekan is currently on a journey of self-discovery aboard the Ark. He left Nemesis in charge of the Dark Ryu just before he left but if the person you saw had the semblance of Shekan…" Ryu said as his features tensed.

"Do you really think…?" Tanya asked.

"Yes…I suspect Tristran is on the move" Ryu said.

"Apart from the blonde-haired man and the one with the semblance of Shekan…if the Farms were attacked by a 'group' as Tanya claims…" Buern said.

"You believe it is possible that various foes from our homeworlds are now working together?" Zan said seriously.

"I wouldn't rule out that possibility just yet" Nadia said.

"For now Ryu, I suggest you seek out Reis Dragonhaärt. He is co-protector of Ryuujinn's legacy with you even if he is currently unaware of it" Master Hiruko said.

Suddenly, Reis Dragonhaärt walked into the Tent with members of the Class Of Honours.

"Hey Reis, you came back" Michael greeted.

Ryu slammed his hand on the table thus startling everyone. Atlanta slapped him on the back of his head.

"Don't cause an unnecessary ruckus Ryu" Atlanta warned.

"Repeat what you just said Tanya and go over it slowly" Ryu almost demanded.

"A man with blonde hair and crimson eyes arrived of the Farms. He demanded access to a legacy I believe is Ryuujinn's and demanded that the protectors of this legacy confront him in the Sanctum Of The Water Kings. He said he was the founder of the Sanctum Of Decadent Wyverns and that you would know what that means Reis Dragonhaärt" Tanya said.

"Founder of the Sanctum of Decadent Wyverns?! He can be none other than the man who developed the art of artificially engineering Dragons. My father's archnemesis, Galigaos, the Crimson Swordsman Of Darkness" Reis declared.

"What are 'Wyverns'?" Ryu asked.

"They are soulless Dragons" Reis informed him.

"In my world, we call them Dark Mongerers but the classical name is Dark Dragons" Ryu said.

"So that's what the Wyverns are! Galigaos was actually scheming to revive the Dark Dragons. However if the Dark Dragons are revived with Armageddon as their head, a clash between Dragons and Wyverns could spell another Dräkan War for my homeworld!" Reis declared.

"What else did Galigaos say?!" Reis demanded worriedly.

Ayumi slapped him on the back and motioned to Tanya. She was visibly shaken.

"I'm sorry Tanya but this is really important. I need to know everything he said" Reis said.

"The last thing he said was this. 'Delay long enough and I will begin to attack students aboard Benedict's Ark" Tanya informed the others.

"Sheesh! Erikkus Di Devilli and Galigaos! It's always one or the other!" Reis said.

Ryu wore a frown and his fists were clenched at his sides.

"They will not get away with this!" he declared and stormed off.

Master Hiruko excused himself and followed Ryu outside.

"I know you're angry Ryu but you need to calm yourself" Master Hiruko said.

"Yeah, I know. It was a bit strange that your message coincided with Tanya's and Michael's. When I saw Michael raise Limelight, my fears were confirmed. Now I know why he did so and I know also the reason behind Tanya's message" Ryu said.

"I noticed that you and Tanya conveniently left out the part about the man with Shekan's semblance once Reis walked in" Master Hiruko said.

"Tristran is Kolmnid's affair. Reis has the darkness of his homeworld to confront and I don't intend to add to his burden" Ryu said.

"When do you intend to tell them Ryu…your students?" Master Hiruko asked.

"What do you mean Master Hiruko?" Ryu asked.

"You established this Academy along with the Academy's Director by piecing together fragments of various worlds of the students that inhabit this Academy but its design is not as haphazard as you'd like everyone to believe. It after all reflects Dragon Zone, the Sacred Ground from which the Dragons derive their strength and it is also designed after the Temple in the Light Ryu where you trained with Rokkan, my brother and myself. The principle behind its design thus is that the ones that train within it form parts of a whole" Master Hiruko said.

"So you knew about that Master Hiruko" Ryu said seriously.

"Don't underestimate my knowledge and experience Ryu. I was the one after all who trained you" Master Hiruko said.

"A Sword must be wielded,

A Sword must be made,

For Light to triumph

And the evil to fade

When the fateful Day comes

And all seems late

A Hero will appear

As the Final Saint.

Two special swords are needed to vanquish Tristran. One has already been created and the other is yet to be created. Now one of you must create a special Sword infused with all of your positive feelings. Such a Sword might be able to rival Tristran's fate techniques. The first Sword, the Sword Of Rai was entrusted to Rokkan. The second Sword, the Aurora Sabre, was forged by you. It may finally be time to piece the fragments together. To bring everyone to the realization of how their paths connect" Master Hiruko said.

"You may be right Master Hiruko" Ryu said.

"Regardless, with Tristran on the prowl, you might need to make your move soon Ryu" Master Hiruko said.

"First things first, I need to find Reis Dragonhaärt. It is as you said, he is co-protector of Ryuujinn's legacy" Ryu said.