191 Steps (2)

***

About an hour later, Colin wondered if it were possible to be cooked alive in his dreams. At this point, he wasn't sure he'd survive this task, much less finish the Treasure Hunt.

"It's beautiful!" Alicia exclaimed, comfortably wreathed in fire-rabbit furs, courtesy of Larry. Larry only had two of those suits, though, which left Colin to fry in his own skin.

{Someone, somewhere...} Colin gasped for breath in scorching air blown in on a salty sea breeze from where the waters themselves were on fire. It was like watching a sea atop a sea, each with their own tides, their own surges of flow and ebb. The fire seas were exactly what their name implied; an altogether separate sea surging above the seas of water, not a burning of the latter. The reason for that was apparent enough; in the distance, at the very heart of the ocean of flame, a dozen or so phoenixes danced incandescent between seas and skies all ablaze.

Alicia was enjoying every moment of it. "Legend has it this is their mating ritual. Whichever phoenix pair dances the best gets to lay the next egg. There's only one egg each season, and that egg drinks in all the fire supplied by the adults. In that way, each successive newborn gets stronger and stronger from the combined gifts of its elders."

"Aren't there rather few of them?" Colin grimaced, wiping sweat from his face and finding his hands come away sooty. "I mean, the Fire Seas have been going on for... how long?"

Alicia shrugged. "Maybe these are only the wild ones. Maybe those bonded as Comrades don't leave their Travelers high and dry in the middle of a dungeon someplace. Or maybe those are causing some sort of interference."

Colin looked to where she pointed. There on the east side were towering black machines sucking in flame and water alike and belching out smoke. "What are those?"

"I'll give you a hint. The Fire Seas are more famous for Nova Gems than Phoenixes." Alicia said. "You're not going to ask me why I think those machines are interfering with the Phoenixes, are you?"

Colin didn't need her to explain. Already he could see it; where some Phoenixes were dancing, others were attacking the machines, and Comrades on the machines were fighting back.

"They're stealing the Phoenixes' fire." Colin realized. "That's like stealing baby food from the family table."

"Before the baby is even born." Alicia nodded. "But before you go running to save the Phoenixes, consider what we use Nova Gems for. Some golem-type Comrades literally won't come to life without them. On top of that, well... the Phoenixes don't exactly need your help."

She was right. The battle between Travelers and Phoenixes were very much in favor of the Phoenixes. Half the machines attempting to gather their fire were already melted to sludge. A single young Phoenix, Colin remembered, had the firepower to turn the whole arena of Sunshine Stadium to ash. There were about ten of them attacking the machines while the rest went on dancing. Clearly, the Phoenixes didn't think the machines a big enough threat for all of them to concern themselves with.

On top of that, judging by their sizes, only the smaller Phoenixes were fighting the machines. The bigger ones were dancing.

"It's like the machines are child's play to them." Alicia voiced his thoughts. "The adults can't be bothered."

"How did you ever learn so much about the Fire Seas?" Colin asked, sweating buckets and dripping soot. Any moment now, he felt, all his skin was going to break out in blisters.

"Lamico's Pepper Tourism... before you destroyed everything." Alicia said, offhandedly, while under his visor, Colin's eyes were starting to tear up from sheer heat alone.

Desperate now, he grabbed for the mask he'd worn in Boom City, hoping it might help. It did, for all of ten seconds... and then the heat burned through and Colin yelped as the mask itself caught fire.

"I don't think I'm going to make it!" Colin gasped, trying to stamp out the flames. "I can't go any farther!"

Alicia rolled her eyes. "You should have come prepared!"

"Well, I'm sorry, I haven't seen a clothing shop selling anti-fire suits anywhere here today, have you?" Colin barked.

"Nope. You destroyed them all." Alicia said, with a wicked grin on her face.

"You're enjoying this too much." Colin said crossly.

"Really?" Alicia said with an innocent look. Colin wondered why she could go around with her face exposed and still not suffer the heat of the flames, but then perhaps the furs she wore had a whole-body effect whether or not they physically covered everything.

"I'm out!" Colin threw up his hands. "You do it!"

"What? How?" Alicia asked.

"I don't know!" Colin pulled off his Traveler's Watch and handed it to her. "Just bring this there or something. Like the Riverwatch Traveler Hunt. It just needs to be someplace. If Meek could carry it into Rall's cave for the clue, I'm sure you can carry it across the beach."

"Colin, Meek was your {Comrade}. She was bonded with you!"

"And you respawn whenever I do! What's the difference?!" Colin yelled.

Alicia froze. She totally went stiff, and then slowly, dreadfully, turned to look at Larry.

Too late, Colin remembered that Larry hadn't known about the respawn thing between his sister and Colin.

Larry, on the other hand, didn't seem to think it all that dreadful. "What?" he asked, still eyeing the Phoenixes dancing.

"Did you... hear what I just said?" Colin dared ask, hoping he wouldn't jog Larry into realizing it.

"You respawn together? Yeah, I heard." Larry shrugged. "This is Dreamworlds. Anything can happen."

{'Anything can happen.'} Colin had to laugh. That was just... totally Larry.

"Yep. That's my brother, all right." Alicia scrubbed Larry's hair fondly. "Just don't tell anyone, okay? We might get into trouble or something."

"Sure." Larry shrugged again.

Ten minutes later, Colin was cleaning himself off at a newly set-up Rest Area originally meant for people going into the Northern Ruins. It had food places, trailers for hire, pay-per-use restrooms, even a shower. Right now, however, it was crowded with people who recently got killed trying to steal Phoenix Fire. Colin wasn't the only one washing soot and ashes off his face.

[Aww. You looked cuter with a black face.] A little black fox cub pawed his knee. [Streaked with white. That would be best. Just like me!]

Colin laughed softly, scooping up the cub. [Hello, Kyubia. How are you?]

[I just got killed out there.] Kyubia sniffed at the battle northwards. [That battle is crazy. Nothing makes sense any more. Half my Clan can't even do any damage.]

[I saw a glimpse of it from Lynn and Iylara. It's their new equipment. The Gaians are cheating.] Colin explained.

[I don't like it.] Kyubia turned away with a haughty whuff. "Hmpfh!"

Colin laughed softly. "It's good to see you again, Kyubia."

Kyubia nosed his hand with a twinkle in her eye. [So, what mischief are you up to now?]

"Just wanted to finish the Journey." Colin glanced about and lowered his voice as he made his way south. "I want to go through the Silver Arch."

Kyubia nodded slowly. [You'll be releasing Foxie back to my Clan, then.]

Colin blinked. "I can do that?"

[You should. She belongs with us. The rest too. Except Shiro. Shiro is the Lord of his own Clan. You just need to release him to rule.]

"Well, I guess that settles that. No need to worry about who to transfer his bond to. I shouldn't transfer his bond to anyone." Colin felt a quiet peace settle in his heart when he said that. {That's right. This is the way it should be. I would never give Shiro or Raiki away. But I will set them free. They will choose their own paths. They all will.}

[I'm coming with you.] Kyubia added. [I'll help you complete the Journey.]

"Really?" Colin paused. That was sort-of the plan, but... "Is that really okay? I mean, there's a battle going on..."

[That battle is to defy the Gaians. And your Journey does likewise. The difference is your Journey has a point and has a chance to succeed.] Kyubia sniffed. [Especially since I'm joining you.]

"But..."

[Are you rejecting me?] Kyubia twisted her head to one side in puzzlement.

"No! Of course not!"

[Then it's settled.] Kyubia grinned at him. [Tell me about your Clues.]

He told her about it as they waited for Alicia and Larry. Kyubia heard it, sniffed, and said outright, [The most welcoming place in Nakama World is your own Home Base. You'll be going to the Sand Seas for the driest place, and to the Secret Garden for the most unwelcoming.]

"The Secret Garden? What kind of place is it...?" Colin frowned, thinking of the world map. "Hey, isn't it that island surrounded by mountains in the middle of the sea?"

Kyubia snorted. [A garden surrounded by tall, pointy rocks the size of skyscrapers. And yes, it's in the middle of the sea, with lots of sharp rocks everywhere. You can't sail there. You can't walk there. The only way in...]

"We have to fly there." Colin concluded grimly.

[And it's very windy out there.] Kyubia mused. [You'll need a big, strong flier. Say... a Pegasus, or a Storm Swan?]

"We can do it." Colin nodded. "But we don't know how much time we'll have. Already the battle looks like it's about to end."

Kyubia glanced north, where the battle did seem to be dying down. But she didn't seem dismayed. [Don't worry. Iylara hasn't made her move yet.]

"What's she going to do?" Colin asked.

Then from the sea, a flood of attacks blasted up. Gaian Travelers scrambled about for a bit, then started shooting wildly downwards.

[They can't see them.] Kyubia chortled. [The Ocean Princess has darkened the waters with kraken ink. The Gaians are shooting blind.]

"The Oceaneers too." Colin pointed out.

[Perhaps. But they don't know that.] Kyubia twitched her whiskers at the Gaians frantically trying to dodge attacks from Wilds they couldn't see. [The battle is going to last quite a while yet, and soon enough, those who respawned earlier would have recovered enough to rejoin the fight.]

"I see." Colin nodded. "That battle {is} going to take a long time."

[A week or more, maybe?] Kyubia figured.

"Colin?!" The gasp sounded from the side.

Colin gulped and turned to see Lucy staring at him. "Hi."

"What are you doing here looking half-baked?! Did you join the fight?" Lucy gasped. She looked pale and wan, like she'd just died recently. Which, of course, she most likely did, very, very likely at that drawn-out battle.

"No, I was at the Fire Seas." Colin explained.

"Colin! You shouldn't even be here! This is Gaian Headquarters now! I'm not so willing to abandon it because this is my turf too, but you..." Lucy glanced about furtively.

"I have a mask. {Had} a mask." Colin grimaced.

"That's not going to cut it! Come with me!" Lucy grabbed his hand.

"Wait! Alicia and Larry..." Colin looked for them. "They're right over there!"

"{They're} not being hunted by the Cult!" Lucy said.

Colin gave up at that point and reached out for Alicia psionically. [Alicia! Lucy's found me. She's taking me someplace to avoid getting caught.]

[Good idea.] Alicia sounded distracted. [Stay safe!]

Thankful that their mind-speak could reach that far (or maybe Alicia was halfway back by now), Colin followed Lucy.

***

"I tried to save her." Lucy said, as they went to the trailer park at the Rest Area. "You know."

"Who? How?" Colin was blur.

"Katrin. Before she went and got herself captured by the Cult. I tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen..." Lucy growled. "Don't you dare do the same thing!"

"Uh... okay..." Colin gulped. "What do you plan to do?"

"Disguise you." Lucy smiled, a shark's grin. She knocked on a trailer door. "Hey! It's me!"

The door opened, and a familiar face poked her head out.

"Aunt Ivy." Colin's eyes widened. "You're still here."

"The Prayerman." Ivy smiled, recognizing him. "Or at least, I assume that's why you're here. You're not here for tea, are you?"

"The Prayerman." Lucy nodded.

"And the Huntress for you?"

"There's no time. Just him, please. I'll go get his friends."

Ivy got to work disguising Colin in the same visage he had used to rescue Sora not too long ago. By the time Lucy brought Alicia and Larry to the trailer, Colin looked bald and wore a formal suit complete with clerical collar. Ivy even threw in an extendable staff like the one he used to use.

Alicia popped her head in and saw them there in front of a mirror. "Oh, sorry. I was looking for my friend. A boy about my age. Have you seen him?"

Colin turned off the voice modifier and waved. "Hi."

"Colin?!" Alicia gasped. "You're... you're the {prayerman}!"

Larry came up behind her. "Hey, isn't that the guy we met that time..."

"And we didn't recognize him." Alicia said in realization. "Colin, that's brilliant! Even we couldn't recognize you! There's no way the Gaians will find you now!"

"Or you." Lucy said. "I saw the news broadcast, Alicia. They know you and Larry are with him. If you're going to keep traveling together, you need disguises too."

"Then..." Alicia paused. She smiled. "What do you have in mind?"

Ivy glanced at Lucy. "I have the Huntress and Luna sets ready, thinking you'd need them, but everything else has been snapped up or lost."

"Even Forkscar?" Colin asked.

"I've got about half the set your friend used." Ivy said. She looked over Larry. "It should be enough for him. So... what would it be for the girl?"

"Your choice." Lucy told Alicia. "Can you shoot a bow?"

"Not really, no."

An hour later, a little black Fox cub, the 'Prayerman', 'Luna' and 'Forkscar the Second' left the trailer and made their way to Port Rachel.

***

With the help of a few discreet passed-along messages, Philip, Katrin, May and Swift met them at Ocean Tower.

Well, not 'met', exactly. Phillip and Katrin were getting disguises from one of the Ocean Tower staff while Colin, Alicia and Larry ate hot dogs nearby. Swift and May went off somewhere.

Nevertheless, Colin and Phillip discussed their plans mind to mind.

[You can go to the Sand Sea. I'll go to the wettest place on Nakama World.]

[Where exactly is that?] Colin asked, curious.

[Above the deepest part of the ocean is a dungeon known as Aquacenter. Though I can't say it's really a dungeon. There's nothing but water and marine life for miles around. The whole place is really a gigantic seaweed of a Wild. Think 'Turtle Island' except underwater.]

Colin gulped. [Okay, that's definitely your turf. What sort of disguise did you take?]

[Something very unlike me.] Philip assured him. [A knight.]

[And how is that NOT like you?] Colin shook his head. [What about Kat?]

[She's taken the package Lucy sent with you.]

[The Huntress set? She used to be Luna, you know. But now Luna is Alicia. I hope I don't confused.]

[I hope she knows how to use a bow.]

[What about the Secret Garden?] Colin asked.

[We'll get that. We've got faster fliers. You still need to get to your Home Base. I'm already at mine. We can meet up at Sunshine Town afterward. In fact, since it's on the way, I think we'll just sweep by the Sand Seas too. You can leave that to us.]

After the disguise was done and the hot dogs were eaten (several, in Larry's case), they did meet in person, briefly. The 'Prayerman' and the 'Knight' passed by each other and casually tapped their Traveler Watches together. Both Watches beeped and flashed red, something only their friends noticed because they were watching out for it.

Colin exchanged a short glance with the 'Huntress' as they passed each other. Katrin looked back at him without saying anything or making any other movement. She just looked.

And then they passed by each other, and went their separate ways.