Chapter 12: Reunion

Ryu, Garr, and Rei leave McNeil Village, setting out to destroy the Mikba gang once and for all. As they walk through the village, they notice the relieved expressions on the faces of the villagers, who seem more at ease now that the Windian guards have departed. The air feels lighter, but there's an undercurrent of tension as they move through the quiet streets.

Passing through McNeil Farm, they pause as they spot Mayor McNeil being escorted by Windian guards. The once corrupt mayor now looks disheveled and desperate. When his eyes land on Rei, his face twists in fear. "I'm innocent!" he cries out, his voice trembling. "I had no idea Balio and Sunder would hurt you or your friends! I just wanted my money back!"

Before anyone can respond, a commanding voice cuts through the air, sharp and authoritative. "Silence!" All eyes turn to the source of the voice, and Ryu's heart skips a beat.

Walking towards them is Princess Nina, her short blonde hair catching the sunlight, her green eyes focused and determined. Her pink royal outfit with short skirt, rose colored shoes and matching stockings gives her a stunning look and princess charm. Wings have sprouted from her back, giving her a butterfly look. Ryu feels his cheeks flush as he sees his childhood friend, now a stunning young woman exuding confidence and grace. She approaches Mayor McNeil, her expression stern. "You are under arrest for the illegal smuggling of crops, exchanging them for illegally harvested Chrysm, and assisting a known criminal organization. You are also charged with hiring assassins and conspiring to commit murder."

Mayor McNeil's face drains of color as Nina continues, "Your fate will be decided by my father, the king."

Ryu, Garr, and Rei exchange glances, the gravity of the situation settling in. This was no longer just about old grudges or unfinished business—this was about justice, and the weight of their mission suddenly feels heavier. But with Nina here, leading the charge, they know they are not alone in their fight.

As Nina notices the group, a bright smile lights up her face, and she walks over to them with graceful confidence. "Hi, Rei!" she says, her voice warm and full of pride. "We got him! Thanks to your testimony, we were able to gather enough evidence to investigate the Mayor and arrest him."

Rei bows respectfully before the princess, his usually calm demeanor tinged with satisfaction. "I'm glad that he will finally be punished," he replies, his voice steady but with an underlying sense of relief.

Nina then turns her attention to Garr, her expression softening with familiarity. "Hey, Garr. Long time no see. It's been years, hasn't it?"

Garr nods respectfully, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "It sure has, Princess," he says with a slight bow, his deep voice carrying a note of fondness for the young woman who had grown so much since they last met.

Finally, Nina's gaze shifts to Ryu, and she tilts her head slightly, her eyes narrowing as she studies him. "Looks like you have a new traveler with you. Who is this?" she asks, her tone curious. Ryu stands frozen, utterly speechless. Nina's radiant beauty and the warmth of her presence stun him into silence. He tries to find his voice, but it's as if the words are trapped in his throat. Nina, noticing his silence, steps closer, concern flickering in her eyes. "Hello, are you okay?" she asks, her voice soft and gentle.

Rei, noticing Ryu's stunned expression, smirks and nudges him playfully. "Come on, Ryu! I know she's pretty, but it's rude to stare!"

At the mention of his name, Nina's eyes widen, recognition slowly dawning on her. "Ryu?" she repeats, her voice tinged with disbelief. She takes a closer look at him, her memories of their childhood together resurfacing. Her expression transforms from confusion to excitement, and without warning, she throws her arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug. Her wings flutter with joy as she holds him close. "It's really you!" Nina exclaims, her voice filled with happiness. "I can't believe it—after all these years!"

Ryu finally finds his voice, his arms slowly wrapping around her as he returns the embrace. "Nina," he whispers, still in awe of the moment. "It's been so long…"

As they pull apart, Nina's eyes shimmer with unshed tears of joy. "I never thought I'd see you again," she says, her voice trembling slightly. "You've grown so much, Ryu."

Ryu smiles, his heart swelling with emotion. "So have you, Nina," he replies softly. "So have you."

Rei steps forward, a broad grin spreading across his face. "Doesn't that beat all! You two know each other?"

Nina beams, nodding enthusiastically. "Yes! This is the friend I told you about!" she exclaims, her excitement palpable.

Rei's eyes widen in surprise. "But he's the friend I told you about too," he responds, glancing back at Ryu with a newfound realization.

Nina's brow furrows in confusion. "But didn't you say that your Ryu was a human?"

Rei scratches his head, a puzzled expression crossing his face. "He's not?" he asks, his gaze shifting back to Ryu. He takes a closer look, his eyes narrowing in thought. With his hands on his hips, he lets out a chuckle. "Well, doesn't that beat all! You've been holding out too?"

Ryu, feeling the weight of their curious gazes, sheepishly rubs the back of his head. "Well, I didn't know I was a member of the Brood until after the attack," he admits, his voice tinged with both humility and the lingering uncertainty of his newfound identity.

Rei's eyes light up with a mix of excitement and curiosity. "So you're a dragon?" he asks, his voice brimming with eagerness. "You need to show me!"

The playful challenge in Rei's tone brings a smile to Ryu's face, easing the tension that had built up from their reunion.

Garr, standing a bit to the side, watches the exchange with quiet amusement. "It seems we're all full of surprises," he says, his deep voice cutting through the moment. "You two should have a sparring match against each other, show off your abilities.

Ryu and Rei share a glance, both nodding in agreement. The excitement of a challenge lingers in the air as they all move to a secluded area, far from prying eyes, with enough space to safely fight.

Rei, now standing across from Ryu, grins. "You already saw my weretiger form. Let me see your dragon transformation."

Ryu nodded, his expression calm but resolute. Without a word, he stepped forward, planting his feet shoulder-width apart. The wind began to stir as he closed his eyes, centering himself. The world seemed to still—no birdsong, no rustle of trees—only silence and the slow, deliberate rhythm of his breath.

Then the glow began. A soft, golden light emanated from within him, pulsing in time with his heartbeat. The ground trembled as the energy surged, building with relentless momentum. Sparks danced across his skin, and the wind exploded outward in a sudden gale, hurling leaves, dust, and light debris in every direction.

Above, storm clouds gathered out of nothing—summoned by his rising power. The heavens cracked open with a deafening roar, and a pillar of lightning descended, striking Ryu like a divine spear. In that blinding instant, his body vanished inside a swirling black orb, thick with volatile energy and impossible heat.

Then, silence. The orb pulsed once, twice—before shattering in a blast of light and wind. From within emerged a titanic figure—Ryu, reborn. Standing ten feet tall, his body now encased in glimmering emerald scales that shimmered like living armor. Twin horns curved back from his brow, and wings, immense and draconic, unfurled behind him with a bone-shaking snap. His claws, each the length of a dagger, flexed as power coursed through him like molten fire. His eyes, now burning gold, surveyed the world with a predator's calm—intelligent, restrained, but terrifying in their depth.

Ryu let out a slow, thunderous growl. The earth beneath him cracked from the pressure of his aura. Across the clearing, Rei exhaled, awe flickering behind his narrowed eyes. But he did not back down.

It was his turn to show his transformation. With a defiant roar, he dug his claws into the ground, summoning his own inner fire. Light blazed around him, a golden halo that ignited like a wildfire. His muscles swelled, his bones shifting and snapping as the transformation overtook him. Fur spread like a wave of shadow across his body, his limbs lengthened, and his fangs elongated with a guttural snarl. His striped form glowed with a primal, pulsing power, his eyes now gleaming like twin suns behind a curtain of rage.

Rei stood tall in his weretiger form—every sinew taut, every breath deliberate. His presence radiated raw, untamed fury, tempered only by the control he'd forged through years of hardship. Now, they faced each other. The dragon and the tiger. Ancient bloodlines awakened, destinies intertwined by fate and fire. The air between them crackled with tension, bending under the weight of their combined might. Even the earth seemed to cower beneath their feet.

This wasn't going to be a fight. It was about to be a clash of legends.

Garr watches from the sidelines next to Nina, his arms crossed as he observes the two warriors. His expression is calm, but his eyes are sharp, taking in every detail. "Let's see what you've got," he murmurs to himself, curious to see how this battle will unfold.

The moment the clash began, Rei launched forward like a thunderbolt, his weretiger form a blur of muscle and fury. The ground cracked beneath his feet with every stride as he darted around Ryu in a blur of black and gold, claws gleaming like silver in the sunlight. His speed defied the eye, more beast than man—untamed, explosive, and utterly relentless. But there was no rage in his strikes, only the thrill of the fight and the unspoken bond of warriors testing one another at their peak.

Ryu stood tall and unshaken, a jade monolith amidst the storm. His draconic eyes, glowing with molten gold, tracked Rei's every move with unerring precision. Though his titanic form looked built for sheer force, he moved with grace and speed that belied his size. Every twitch of Rei's muscles, every shift in his footwork, Ryu saw—and answered.

Claws met claws in thunderous clashes that sent shockwaves rippling through the clearing. Trees bent from the force of their collisions, and the sky above seemed to darken as their auras flared, locking in an ever-rising crescendo of power. Rei's ferocity was matched by Ryu's raw strength. Each time Rei struck with blinding speed, Ryu met him with the calm of a storm about to break, parrying with bone-crushing precision, countering with tail sweeps and claw swipes that carved trenches into the earth.

The battlefield became a whirlwind of chaos—dust, light, and fury swirling in a tempest of primal energy. Rei danced like lightning, slashing and weaving, slipping through Ryu's defenses to land blows that sparked off glimmering emerald scales. For a moment, it seemed like the weretiger's speed would turn the tide. A flurry of strikes forced Ryu back, each one more precise than the last.

But Ryu did not falter. He waited endured, and then he roared. The sound cracked through the valley like a divine thunderclap, and the very air seemed to recoil. With a single, titanic beat of his wings, Ryu surged forward, emerald scales blazing in the sun, eyes lit with ancient fire. His claws cut through the air in an arc of pure force. Rei barely had time to react—caught off balance by the sheer presence of the dragon now bearing down on him.

Ryu struck with all the power of the Brood, and the world held its breath. Rei hit the ground hard, the wind knocked from his lungs as Ryu loomed over him, one claw hovering at his chest. The earth beneath them groaned, scorched by the energy still crackling between them.

Silence fell. Only their heavy breathing remained, echoing in the stillness like thunder after the storm. Ryu stared down at his friend, his chest rising and falling with exertion, his power still humming just beneath the surface. Slowly, he drew back his claw and stepped away, giving Rei space.

Rei groaned, then laughed—a low, winded chuckle as he pulled himself to his feet. "Damn," he muttered, brushing dirt from his shoulder, "you really are something else."

With mutual respect, they canceled their transformations. Light enveloped them both, shrinking their monstrous forms back into humanoid shapes—worn, panting, and smiling. Two warriors. Two brothers. Tested and tempered, but never broken. The fire between them now burned not with rivalry—but with trust.

Rei wipes the sweat from his brow, a wide grin spreading across his face. Despite the loss, there's no hint of frustration—only admiration. "Well, doesn't that beat all!" he says with a laugh, clapping Ryu on the shoulder. "You're no longer the crybaby I remember. I would have never imagined you'd surpass my strength."

Ryu chuckles, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "I had a good teacher," he replies, his gaze meeting Rei's.

Rei nods, a gleam of pride in his eyes. "You sure did. And now, you're stronger than I could have ever imagined."

After the match, with both Ryu and Rei catching their breath, Nina steps forward, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Now that your testosterone contest is over, there's something we need to talk about," she jokes, drawing light laughter from the group.

The tension from the sparring match melts away as they settle down in a peaceful field nearby. The soft hum of nature surrounds them, the rustle of leaves and distant bird songs providing a calming backdrop. They sit in a circle, ready to focus on the pressing matters at hand.

Nina's tone shifts as she begins to speak, her voice steady and serious. "We've already taken down most of the people involved with the Mikba Gang. Mason and Palet are locked away in the Windian Dungeon, and Mayor McNeil is on his way to face prosecution. But there's one person left—the man who started it all. Mikba."

Rei's eyes narrow, his hands tightening into fists. "So, he's still out there..."

Nina nods. "He's hiding in a small town called Sin City, in the Dauna region. We've managed to track him down, but this isn't going to be easy. There's a lot of dangerous men living there. That's why I'm asking you two—Ryu and Rei—to take care of this with me. With our strength, I'm confident we can put him away for life."

Ryu furrows his brow, thinking it over. "Why can't we send the Windian army? Wouldn't that be more effective?"

Nina shakes her head. "It's too risky. Sin City is a place where secrets thrive, and Mikba has connections. If the army moves in, Mikba will be gone past the checkpoint where our army cannot follow before we even get close. We need to keep this quiet."

Garr, who has been listening silently, suddenly speaks up. "I know Sin City well. I used to run with that gang, so I can help you navigate it. Let me go with you."

Nina's gaze softens, and she sighs. "I appreciate the offer, Garr. But your history with the gang could make things more complicated. If they see you in Sin City, they'll get suspicious. They might think you're there for revenge or that you're working against them. We can't risk tipping Mikba off."

Garr's expression hardens, but he nods, understanding the logic. "I understand ."

Nina reaches out and places a hand on Garr's shoulder. "Thank you, Garr. I know this isn't easy, but it's the best way to make sure we succeed. Please stay in Windia, we'll be back with good news."

Rei nods as well, his determination clear. "We'll take care of Mikba. This ends now."

Ryu adds with quiet resolve, "We'll make sure he can't hurt anyone else."

With their plan set, the group rises, ready to face the challenge ahead. The journey to Sin City will be dangerous, but with Nina, Ryu, and Rei on their way, they are determined to bring Mikba to justice once and for all. Garr watches them go, confident in their strength. He can only offer a prayer for the three of them, hoping for a safe return.