Chapter 2: Windian Crypts

Balio and Sunder arrive at the kingdom of Windia, the grand castle rising majestically against the skyline. The journey has been long and arduous, but the prospect of a rich reward fuels their determination. As they approach the massive gates, they are stopped by a group of royal guards, their polished armor gleaming in the midday sun.

"Halt! State your business," one of the guards commands, eyeing the two rough looking men and their covered cage with suspicion.

Balio steps forward and bows, a smirk playing on his lips. "We request an audience with the king," he declares.

The guard raises an eyebrow. "And why would the king entertain the likes of you?"

Sunder takes a step closer, his expression sinister. "Because we've captured a dragon," he says, his voice low and filled with significance.

The guards exchange incredulous looks. "A dragon, you say?"

Balio nods. "Yes, a dragon. See for yourself."

At a signal from Sunder, they pull back the sheets covering the cage. The guards peer inside, their eyes widening as they see the small dragon whelp sleeping fitfully within. Its scales glimmer faintly in the dim light, and even in slumber, it exudes an aura of latent power.

The lead guard's expression shifts from disbelief to urgency. "Open the gates! Summon the royal family at once!" he orders, his voice rising with excitement.

The massive gates of Windia creak open, allowing Balio and Sunder to enter the kingdom with their precious cargo. The guards escort them through the bustling streets, past curious onlookers who whisper and point at the unusual sight of ruffians escorted to the castle. They make their way to the grand castle, its towering spires and intricate architecture marks the evidence to the kingdom's wealth and power.

Inside the castle, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation. Courtiers and servants scurry about, preparing for the arrival of the guests. Balio and Sunder are led into the grand hall, where they are instructed to wait as the royal family is summoned. Moments later, the doors at the far end of the hall open, and the King of Windia enters, followed by Queen Sheila and their daughter, Princess Nina. The king is a tall and wide imposing figure, his regal attire and white wings bearing commanding respect. The Queen exudes grace and poise, her white wings show their heritage. And Princess Nina, with her wide, curious green eyes, seems fascinated by the commotion.

The king of Windia takes a seat on his throne, his imposing figure radiating authority. Queen Sheila, and their daughter Princess Nina, sit beside him, their eyes fixed on the covered cage with a mix of curiosity and anticipation. The grand hall falls silent as the king's gaze sweeps over Balio and Sunder, his expression stern.

"Explain to me why ruffians are allowed within my castle walls," the king demands, his voice echoing through the chamber.

Balio steps forward, bowing slightly. "Your Majesty, we captured a dragon," he declares confidently.

The king raises an eyebrow, skepticism clear in his eyes. "Impossible! Dragons have been extinct since the Great War. What you have must be a lizard masquerading as a dragon."

"We assure you that this is a genuine dragon that we captured. It has magical powers and can breathe fire like the dragons of legends." Assures Balio

Sunder steps forward, his tone insistent. "Your Majesty, we believe that dragons may be coming back from extinction. This dragon is proof of that."

The king's eyes widen at the possibility. "Dragons… returning?" he mutters, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

Balio seizes the moment. "For a price, Your Majesty, you may have the dragon for research purposes. It could help defend against any potential threat from future dragons."

The king, intrigued yet cautious, nods. "Very well. Remove the sheet. I wish to see this dragon with my own eyes. Only then will I open the royal coffers for you."

With a flourish, Balio and Sunder pull back the sheet, expecting to reveal the magnificent dragon whelp. Instead, they find themselves staring at Ryu, now in his human form. He sits there, wondering where he is and how he got there.

The king's expression turns to one of anger. "Is this some kind of joke?" he demands, his tone sharp and unforgiving.

Balio and Sunder's panic becomes palpable as the weight of their situation settles in. Balio's voice cracks as he shouts, "He changed back! What should we do?"

Sunder, his face twisted in frustration, suggests a desperate measure. "We beat him until he transforms again," he growls. Without waiting for further discussion, they both start kicking the cage, hoping to provoke Ryu into becoming enraged and turning back into a dragon.

Ryu, lost and confused, curls up tighter as the blows rain down on the cage. Tears stream down his face, and he begins to cry, his voice filled with anguish. "Please, stop! I don't know how to change back!"

The sight of the boy's helplessness and the ruffians' brutal actions begins to upset the queen and the princess. This breaks the last of the king's patience. He slams his septer against the arm of his throne, then stands up, his face a mask of fury. "Enough!" he roars. "Guards, take these ruffians and the child to the dungeon immediately!"

The guards move swiftly, seizing Balio and Sunder and pulling them away from the cage. Balio struggles, shouting protests and curses, while Sunder tries to break free, his eyes wild with desperation. But the guards are trained and disciplined, and they subdue the two ruffians with practiced efficiency. As the guards open the cage, Ryu looks up at them with tear-filled eyes, his small body trembling with fear and confusion. The guards feel bad for taking a child to the dungeon, but they must do as the king asks.

The trio makes their way to the dungeon, the heavy doors creaking open to reveal the cold, dark cells within. Balio and Sunder are thrown into the same cell, their protests echoing off the stone walls. Ryu, however, is placed in a cell of his own, the guard handling him with care.

Hours later, the damp, musty air of the castle dungeon grows thick with tension. Balio and Sunder pace restlessly in their cell, their frustration mounting with every passing minute. The dim light of the torches casts flickering shadows on the stone walls, and the sound of Ryu's crying echoes through the narrow corridors, a constant reminder of their predicament.

Balio clenches his fists, his face contorted with anger. "Shut your mouth, kid!" he shouts, his voice harsh and grating. "It's your fault we're in this mess!"

Sunder, equally agitated, adds, "Yeah, if you had just stayed a dragon, we'd be rolling in riches by now!"

Ryu's cries continue, the sound a mix of fear and confusion. Sunder shakes his head, muttering to himself, "We've got to get out of here soon, Balio. We can't miss the contest. If we don't show up, we'll lose everything and the boss will be pissed!"

Balio stops pacing and leans against the cold stone wall, his expression grim. "I know, I know. But how are we supposed to get out of here? The guards are everywhere, and the king's not going to let us go after what happened."

Ryu's crying gradually subsides as he listens to their conversation. His heart still heavy with sadness, he wipes his tears and takes a seat on the small bed in his cell. The cold stone beneath him feels uncomfortable, but the exhaustion from the day's events starts to weigh on him.

Soon, the creaking of the dungeon gates echoes through the stone corridors. Princess Nina, dressed in a red dress and leather shoes, sneaks in quietly, her green eyes wide with determination. She walks swiftly to Ryu's cell, her footsteps barely making a sound on the cold floor.

Ryu, hearing the soft approach, stands up and walks to the cell door, curiosity etched on his face. "Who's there?" he whispers. At the cell door, he sees the young girl who is no older than he is. He admires her long blonde hair tied into a ponytail. A massive ribbon wraps her waist, ending in a bow on her back. Her green eyes are friendly and makes him feel calm.

Nina smiles warmly. "Hello, my name is Princess Nina. What's your name?"

Ryu blinks in surprise. "I'm Ryu. What are you doing here, Princess? You shouldn't be in here by yourself."

Nina's face softens with sympathy. "I felt bad about what happened to you in the grand hall. It was wrong for you to be treated that way. So, I decided to let you out!"

From their cell, Balio and Sunder overhear the conversation and cheer. "Yes! We're getting released!" Balio shouts.

Nina moves to their cell and her expression hardens. "Not you! I won't let you out because you will abuse him again."

Balio sneers as he quickly tries to change her mind. With a false smile, he says "Princess, we have reformed. We no longer want to hurt that boy, we promise."

Nina is skeptical, her brows knitting together. "Do you both promise to leave Ryu alone?"

Ryu, sensing danger, speaks up urgently. "Princess, they're lying. You can't trust them."

"Ignore him, Princess. He's just a little thief who stole money from us. You can trust us," says Balio, acting as sincere as possible.

Nina hesitates, thinking for a moment. "If you both promise never to hurt Ryu again, I'll let you out."

Balio and Sunder nod eagerly with their arms over each other's shoulders, their long faces looking as friendly as possible. "We promise," they say in unison.

Nina takes the key out of her pocket and unlocks the cell. As they step out, she reminds them, "Remember, you promised. Leave Ryu alone."

Balio and Sunder exchange a quick, sinister glance. "Of course, Princess," Balio says smoothly. "We promised that we won't bother... HIM!"

Realization dawns on Nina's face too late that she has been tricked. Balio strikes her, and she is sent flying against a nearby wall. She crumples to the ground, dazed and in pain.

Balio kneels before the princess and says, "We have no use for that freak. But a princess? We can get much more money by ransoming you."

Ryu, horrified, watches as Sunder grabs Nina's arm and begins to drag her deeper into the dungeon. Seeing the dire situation unfolding, Ryu's heart races with desperation. He calls out for help, his voice echoing through the cold, stone walls of the dungeon. "Help! Somebody, please help!" But his screams fall on deaf ears, and nobody comes to his aid.

Realizing he has no choice but to try and escape on his own, Ryu gathers his courage. Luckily, in the chaos of his arrest, nobody had thought to check for any weapons on him. He pulls out his short sword, its familiar weight giving him a semblance of confidence.

Ryu strikes the metal door with his sword, but the blade merely bounces off, leaving the door unscathed. Frustration and fear bubble up inside him, but he knows he cannot give up. He tries to tackle the door, slamming his shoulder into it with all his might. Pain shoots through his arm, but the door doesn't budge. Gritting his teeth against the pain, Ryu takes a few steps back, his eyes focused on the door. He knows he has to try again, but this time, something within him stirs. As he prepares to charge, his body begins to emit a faint white light, the energy coursing through him.

With a fierce determination, Ryu slams himself into the door once more. This time, the force is overwhelming. The pins on the hinges break, and the iron door crashes to the ground with a resounding clang. Breathing heavily, Ryu stands free from his cage. His shoulder throbs with pain, but he pushes it aside. He knows he must hurry if he is to save Princess Nina. Following the distant sounds of Balio and Sunder's footsteps, Ryu dashes through the winding corridors of the dungeon. As he moves swiftly and silently, Ryu's mind races with fear and resolve. He must rescue the princess and put an end to Balio and Sunder's plans. The thought of his friends, Rei and Teepo, fuels his determination.

Finally, he spots Balio and Sunder struggling with Nina's resistance. They are near the castle's lower levels, heading toward a set of stairs leading deeper into the prison. Ryu grips his sword tightly, ready to confront the ruffians once again. "Stop right there!" he shouts, his voice steady and commanding.

Balio and Sunder turn, surprise flashing across their faces. "You again? How did you get out!?" Balio sneers, his grip tightening on Nina's arm.

Ryu takes a step forward, his eyes blazing with determination. "Let the princess go. This is your last warning."

Sunder laughs, his tone mocking. "And what are you going to do about it, kid? You're outnumbered and still hurt."

Ryu doesn't respond. Instead, he takes another step forward, his body still glowing faintly with that mysterious white light. He channels all his fear, anger, and hope into a single purpose: saving Princess Nina and stopping Balio and Sunder.

"What if he changes back into a dragon?" asks Sunder.

"He won't. Not unless he wants to hurt the princess too." They then release her and get into their fighing stance.

As Ryu charges forward, Balio swiftly counters with a powerful kick to Ryu's gut, his hooved foot connecting with a sickening thud. Ryu is immediately incapacitated, doubling over in pain and falling to the ground. Sunder joins in, the two ruffians relentlessly attacking Ryu until they are sure he is unconscious again. Once he is unable to move, Balio and Sunder turn their attention back to Princess Nina, only to realize she is gone. Panic sets in, "Dammit! If that girl gets to her father before we get our hands on her, we're as good as dead!" They then rush to the lower floors, desperately searching for her, their footsteps echoing through the dungeon.

Once the coast is clear, Nina cautiously emerges from her hiding spot behind a large, crumbling pillar. She rushes to Ryu's side, her heart pounding with fear and concern hoping that they didn't kill him. Ryu lies on the cold stone floor, out cold and moaning in pain. Nina is relieved that he is still alive. She then pulls out some medicine she had brought for him, carefully administering it to him. After a few minutes, Ryu's eyes flutter open. He groans as the pain subsides, his strength slowly returning. "Thank you, Princess," he murmurs, his voice weak but grateful.

Nina smiles, relieved. "Thank you for your bravery, Ryu. I'm sorry you got hurt because of me."

Ryu pushes himself up, still a bit unsteady on his feet. "We need to get out of here," he says, glancing toward the dungeon's entrance. Together, they make their way back to the entrance of the dungeon, only to find the iron gate locked.

Ryu turns to Nina. "Do you have the key?"

Nina's face falls. "Those guys stole it from me."

Frustration wells up in Ryu, but he quickly pushes it aside. "We need to find another way out. There must be another exit somewhere."

Nina nods, determined. "I know there's a secret passage used by the guards for emergencies. It leads outside the castle walls."

Ryu's eyes light up with hope. "Let's find it."

As they navigate the dark and winding corridors of the dungeon, they move cautiously, aware that Balio and Sunder might still be searching for Nina. The tension is palpable, each shadow and sound making their hearts race.

Finally, they find the entrance to the secret passage hidden behind a loose stone in the wall. Ryu pushes it open, revealing a narrow, dimly lit tunnel. "This way," Nina whispers, leading the way.

They climb down a set of stone stairs, each step echoing ominously in the dim light. The air grows colder and carries a rancid smell of dirt and decay. Ryu shivers, both from the chill and the unsettling atmosphere. "Where are we?" he asks, his voice barely above a whisper.

Nina glances around, her expression serious. "We're in the catacombs of Windia Castle," she explains. "This is where we bury the citizens of Windia after they pass on. It's a creepy place, but there's a hidden path that leads to the royal burial chamber. From there, we can leave the castle and get into the city." Ryu nods, trying to suppress his unease. The walls are lined with ancient, crumbling tombs, and the faint flicker of torches casting eerie shadows that dance and sway. The oppressive silence is occasionally broken by the distant drip of water and the rustle of unseen creatures.

As they move deeper into the catacombs, the path narrows, forcing them to walk single file. Ryu keeps a firm grip on his sword, ready for anything. Nina leads the way, her knowledge of the castle's secret passages proving invaluable guidance in this maze.

On the end of the narrow path, Ryu and Nina come across an old tombstone. They approach cautiously, the air around them thick with the musty scent of decay. The tombstone stands solemnly, partially obscured by overgrown ivy. They lean in to read the engraving on the stone tablet.

The engraving reads: "Push the green, remember the red." Ryu furrows his brow, pondering the clue. "It must be a hint to the secret exit," he says. Since they can't go any further, they turn around and return to the main chamber. The catacombs are vast and maze-like, filled with twists and turns that make it easy to get lost. They move carefully, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls.

As they explore, a low growl echoes through the chamber. Ryu and Nina turn just in time to see a zombie shamble out from the shadows, its eyes glowing with an eerie light. The creature lunges at them, its decayed hands reaching out.

"Stay back!" Ryu shouts, positioning himself between Nina and the monster. He swings his sword at the zombie, but it catches the blade with an iron grip. Ryu struggles to shake it off, panic rising as the zombie's strength overwhelms him.

Doubt creeps into Ryu's mind. How can he protect Nina if he can't even fend off a single monster? But then, he hears Nina's voice, clear and urgent. "Move, Ryu!"

Trusting her instinctively, Ryu lets go of his sword and dives to the side. Nina raises her magical rod, chanting the incantation for her simoon spell. A ball of light erupts from her rod, engulfing the zombie in a ball of fiery inferno.

Ryu watches in awe as the zombie shrieks and flails, its rotting flesh consumed by the flames. Within moments, it collapses to the ground, burnt to a crisp. He turns to Nina, who stands holding her magical rod, breathing heavily from the effort of casting such a powerful spell.

"Are you okay?" Ryu asks, as he picks his blade back up.

Nina snaps her fingers, causing her magical rod to vanish in a wisp of light. She laughs sheepishly, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. "Sorry for using such a powerful spell all of a sudden," she apologizes, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Ryu's eyes widen with excitement and admiration. "Nina, your magic is amazing! I've never seen anything like it. We should definitely work together to get out of the dungeon."

Nina's face lights up with a cheerful nod, her heart swelling with relief and joy. She's used to being treated like a delicate princess, someone to be protected and coddled. But here was Ryu, acknowledging her strength and abilities, seeing her as an equal partner in their escape.

"Thank you, Ryu," she says, a genuine smile spreading across her face. "I'm glad you think so. Let's get out of here together."

Ryu nods eagerly, feeling a newfound sense of camaraderie with Nina. They move forward with renewed determination, their bond strengthened by mutual respect and the shared goal of finding their way to safety. As they navigate the eerie corridors of the catacombs, they work seamlessly as a team, each confident in the other's abilities.

As Ryu and Nina explore the catacombs, they become each other's eyes and ears, constantly looking and listening in different directions to make sure they are not ambushed again. The eerie silence of the crypt is punctuated only by the occasional drip of water and the soft echo of their footsteps. After some time, they come across a tombstone and decide to rest their weary feet.

Sitting down, they both breathe heavily, the weight of their journey and the constant vigilance taking its toll. Nina breaks the silence first, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Ryu, those ruffians… how do you know them?"

Ryu's expression darkens as he recalls the painful memories. "Balio and Sunder are my enemies. They attacked and burned my home to the ground. They said they killed my friends, Rei and Teepo, but I refuse to believe them. I survived, and I believe they did too. I won't rest until I find them."

Nina listens intently, her heart aching for Ryu's plight. When he finishes, she nods with determination and gets up, extending her hand to him. "Then I'll help you find them."

Ryu looks up, surprised. "But Nina, you're the princess of Windia. Your parents will worry if you don't return home soon."

Nina's eyes soften, but there is a steely resolve in her voice. "It's my job as princess to help those who need it. And right now, you need help. I want to do this, Ryu."

Ryu takes her hand and stands, feeling a deep sense of gratitude and respect for Nina. "Thank you, Nina. I promise I won't let you down."

Suddenly, a group of monsters creep up behind them. They go around the tombstone and see formless creatures that look like they are made of plasma, their bodies flickering with an eerie glow. Nina asks in a whisper, "What are those?"

Ryu's eyes narrow in recognition. "They're Volts. I've fought these monsters before. They're not tough. Get ready, we'll handle them!"

Nina, her confidence reinforced from the earlier zombie encounter, "Fine, I'll use my magic." She summons her rod back with a snap of her fingers and casts a jolt spell, sending bolts of lightning at the creatures.

To their horror, the lightning does not harm the Volts. Instead, it makes them grow bigger and more menacing. "I've never seen them do that before," Ryu says with panic in his voice as he slowly steps back. The Volts returns their attack with a lightning spell of their own. Ryu and Nina scatter, desperately avoiding the spell. Realizing the mistake they made, Ryu grabs Nina's hand and shouts, "RUN!" They flee, but the Volts are in hot pursuit. The monsters crackle with energy, their glowing forms illuminating the dark crypt.

They run as fast as they can, trying to escape from the Volts. They climb ladders, jump down ledges, and try to hide. As they flee, the pursuing monsters continue to cast their magic, missing the nimble children. No matter what they do, they can't escape the pursuit of the monsters following them. Ryu quickly understands that they won't be able to outrun the Volts. He stops abruptly and tells Nina, "Hide, now!"

Without hesitation, Nina dives behind a nearby sarcophagus, peeking out just enough to watch. The Volts approach Ryu, their energy crackling ominously. They unleash their lightning spells on him, the searing pain almost too much to bear. But Ryu grits his teeth with his sweat evaporating off his skin and endures, his mind racing. He recalls the last time he transformed, driven by a desire to avenge his friends. Now, he focuses on his determination to protect Nina. As the Volts prepare for another round of attacks, Ryu's body begins to glow brightly. He shouts, summoning a bolt of lightning from the heavens that strikes him and surrounds him in a black orb.

The darkness fades, and in Ryu's place stands a formidable whelp dragon, ready for battle. He screeches, the sound echoing through the catacombs. With a deep breath, he unleashes his whelp breath, a torrent of superheated flames that engulf the Volts. The creatures fizzle and crackle, unable to withstand the intense heat. One by one, they disintegrate, their forms dissolving into nothingness. The fight is over.

Ryu, now back in his human form, stumbles slightly from the exertion but quickly regains his balance. Nina emerges from her hiding spot, her eyes wide with amazement and gratitude.

Nina slowly walks up to Ryu, her eyes now filled with awe and curiosity. "Ryu, are you really... a dragon?" she asks softly. Ryu, fearing rejection and judgment, hesitates before nodding. He braces himself for her reaction, expecting fear or revulsion. Instead, Nina's face lights up with excitement. "That's so cool!" she exclaims, her eyes sparkling.

Ryu is taken aback. "You're not afraid of me?"

Nina shakes her head. "No, not at all. Windians and the Brood Clan have worked together in the past many times! I've heard many stories about dragons and always hoped I'd meet one someday. But I was told that dragons were extinct and I'd never get the chance."

Ryu feels a wave of relief wash over him. "Thank you, Nina," he says, a smile breaking out on his face.

Nina extends her hand with a warm smile. "Can we be friends?"

Ryu takes her hand and shakes it firmly, feeling a strong bond forming between them. "Yes, I promise we'll be friends."

They both smile at each other, feeling a deep sense of trust. With their friendship solidified, they continue their journey through the catacombs, their spirits lifted and their resolve stronger than ever. Together, they know they will face whatever challenges lie ahead.

After several hours of navigating the dark and damp catacombs, Ryu and Nina come across a tombstone with many words carved into it. Each word is slightly raised, almost as if they can be pushed like buttons. Nina steps forward, examining the tombstone closely. "I'm sure this is the secret exit," she says confidently.

Ryu nods and recalls the clue they found earlier: "Push the green, remember the red." He examines the words closely and notices faint traces of what looks like faded ink. "These words must have been colored once," he muses. "But they've faded over the years."

With no other options, Ryu decides to press the words randomly, hoping to find the correct combination by luck. He tries once, but nothing happens. He tries again and again, each time with no result. After the fourth attempt, they hear a series of clicks, and suddenly the floor in front of the tombstone opens, dropping Ryu into a pit.

Nina, alarmed, rushes to the edge. "Ryu, are you okay?" she calls down.

Ryu's voice echoes back up. "I'm fine! It's safe to jump down." Nina hesitates for a moment before taking a deep breath and jumping down after him. They find themselves in what appears to be a large, industrial room filled with furnaces and pipes. The air is thick with the smell of fire and steam.

Ryu looks around in bewilderment. "Where are we?"

Nina surveys the room and then explains, "This is the steam generator room for the kingdom of Windia. These furnaces use Chrysm to create steam to power turbines, which provide power to the city."

Ryu nods, understanding the significance. "So, we can use this path to get out of the castle?"

Nina smiles. "Yes, we just need to find our way through here and we'll be in the city."

Together, they navigate through the maze of furnaces and pipes, the sound of steam hissing and metal clanging filling the air. As they move forward, they remain vigilant, knowing that Balio and Sunder might still be on their trail. Their shared determination and newfound friendship keep them focused, ready to escape and find safety.

After navigating through the floor filled with hot furnaces, Ryu and Nina find a trap door. Ryu carefully opens it, peering down to ensure it's safe. Seeing nothing amiss, he nods to Nina, and they both jump down. They find themselves in another crypt, the air cool and filled with a solemn stillness. Nina looks around and smiles. "We're in the royal burial chamber now. I've been here before. The city is just outside."

They walk out of the chamber and step into the bustling city of Windia. Ryu's jaw drops in awe as he takes in the sight. Towering buildings reach towards the sky, casting shadows on the busy streets below. People move about with purpose, their faces relaxed and carefree. The scent of freshly baked bread wafts through the air, mingling with the myriad other smells of the city.

Ryu stands there, overwhelmed by the sheer size and vibrancy of Windia. "So this is Windia," he murmurs, his eyes wide with wonder. "Now I understand why Rei and Teepo dreamed of coming here."

Nina smiles at his amazement. "It's a beautiful city, isn't it?"

Ryu nods, still taking in the sights. "Yeah, it really is."

Nina takes Ryu's hand, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Let me take you on a tour of the city," she offers.

Ryu hesitates, a sense of responsibility tugging at him. "Shouldn't we return to the castle and talk to the king?"

Nina shakes her head, a determined look in her eyes. "I don't often get a chance to see the kingdom without being escorted by guards. We'll go back to the castle soon, but I want to help you find your friends first."

Ryu smiles, grateful for her support. "Okay, let's do it."

Nina leads Ryu through the bustling streets of Windia, pointing out various landmarks and sharing stories about the city. Their first stop is the top of a tall tower, where they can get a panoramic view of the entire city. As they reach the top, Ryu gasps in awe, discovering that the kingdom is built on a mountain.

"Wow," he breathes, taking in the breathtaking view.

Nina smiles at his reaction. "Windians aren't afraid of heights. It's probably because we once knew how to fly."

Ryu nods, still speechless from the beauty of the city. The sprawling buildings, the bustling markets, and the serene mountain backdrop all blend together to create a picture-perfect scene. Standing at the top of the tower, with the wind gently rustling their hair, Ryu and Nina share a moment of quiet wonder. For Ryu, this city represents hope and new beginnings. With Nina by his side, he feels a sense of purpose and determination.

"We'll find them," Nina says softly, sensing Ryu's thoughts.

Ryu turns to her, a look of gratitude in his eyes. "Im sure we will. Thank you, Nina."

She squeezes his hand. "Let's continue our tour. There's so much more to see."

The next place Nina takes Ryu is the bakery. The shop is bustling with activity, and they watch in amazement as conveyor belts carry loaves of dough into massive ovens, emerging on the other side as perfectly baked bread. The aroma is intoxicating. Nina buys some bread, and they find a bench outside to sit and enjoy their snack. The warm, fresh bread is delicious, and they savor each bite while watching the lively street scenes around them. People pass by, each one a part of the vibrant tapestry of city life.

Soon, they spot a group of kids their age running by, laughing and playing. Nina's eyes light up with an idea. She jumps up from the bench. "Let's ask other kids if they've seen your friends," she suggests.

Ryu hesitates. "Do you think they'll be able to help?"

Nina nods confidently. "It's worth a try." They approach the group of kids and say hi. The kids, full of energy and curiosity, quickly invite them to join a game of hide and seek. Nina grins and nudges Ryu. "This is perfect! While we play, we can ask them about your friends."

Ryu smiles, feeling hopeful. "Okay, let's do it."

As they start the game, they take turns hiding and seeking, blending in with the other kids. Between rounds, they chat with the children, asking if they've seen anyone matching Rei and Teepo's descriptions.

One boy, with a thoughtful look on his face, pauses. "I think I saw a kid like that near the old market square. He was asking around about work a few days ago."

Ryu's heart skips a beat. "Really? Can you show us where?"

The boy nods enthusiastically. "Sure, follow me!"

Nina and Ryu exchange excited glances as they follow the boy through the winding streets, their hopes renewed with the possibility of finding Rei or Teepo.

At the outskirts of Windia, Ryu and Nina hurriedly approach a small shop where the owner is tidying up. Ryu steps forward, his expression serious. "Excuse me, sir," he begins, "have you seen some kids around here recently? We're looking for someone."

The shop owner, a middle-aged man with a worn apron, looks up from his task and squints at them suspiciously. "Some kids, you say?" he responds cautiously. "Yeah, one came sneaking in earlier, tried to nab some food. Took off toward Eygnock road to the south when I caught him."

Nina nods, her eyes scanning the horizon. "Thank you," she says politely, "We'll check that way."

As they leave the shop, Ryu's mind races with worry for his missing friend. "We have to find that kid, sounds like it could be Rei," he mutters to Nina. "Let's head south to Eygnock road, like the shopkeeper said."

They make their way out of Windia, following the southern road until they reach a crossroads. As they look around, Nina spots a humble hut nestled among the trees nearby. "Ryu, look," she points, "maybe someone living there might have seen something."

Ryu nods in agreement, determination etched on his face. He strides towards the hut, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Just as he walks in the door, he hears Nina's scream pierce the air outside.

His heart races as he rushes back out, only to find Balio and Sunder looming over Nina, their menacing presence casting a dark shadow. Rage boils within Ryu, his hand instinctively gripping his sword. "Let her go!" he demands, his voice trembling with anger.

Balio smirks, brandishing a wicked dagger. "Try anything funny, kid, and the princess here gets it," he threatens, pressing the dagger against Nina's throat.

Ryu's fists clench with frustration, but he knows he's outmatched. He casts a desperate glance at Nina, silently pleading for her safety. Feeling defeated and helpless, he lowers his sword, his gaze burning with defiance.

Balio sneers, his grip tightening on the dagger as he steps closer to Ryu. He then places his hand on his head, rubbing his blue hair while saying, "Looks like it's your lucky day, kid. We can't kill you right now; it'll be too messy, and we don't need the royal guards snooping around. We also can't let you run off to tell the royal guards about us either, which means that you'll have to come with us." He then raises his foot to deliver a punishing kick to Ryu's chest.

As darkness encroaches on Ryu's vision, he hears Nina's voice calling out to him, filled with fear and concern. "Ryu! Are you okay?" Struggling to stay conscious, Ryu tries to respond, but the world fades into blackness, leaving him helpless and at the mercy of his captors.