Chapter 3: Camping

Ryu wakes up dazed and disoriented. The air is dry and hot, and he realizes he's in a tent, hidden behind a curtain in its back section. Thick ropes bind his wrists, ankles and torso, making movement impossible. His eyes scan the dimly lit space until they land on Nina, who is also tied up.

"Ryu, are you okay?" Nina asks after letting out a deep breath of relief and worry.

Ryu nods, his head still throbbing. "I'm fine, Nina. Are you hurt?"

Nina shakes her head. "I'm okay. They brought us to some town called Genmel. Balio and Sunder left us with someone running this tavern to keep an eye on us."

Ryu's eyes narrow with determination. "We need to get out of here."

He starts to gnaw at the rope binding his wrists. Nina watches in astonishment. "What are you doing?" she whispers urgently.

Ryu pauses briefly to answer, "Trying to cut through the rope with my teeth."

Minutes pass, and Ryu's persistence pays off. The rope frays and snaps, freeing his hands. He quickly undoes the robe around his chest and legs, then moves to Nina, biting through her ropes as well.

As her bonds fall away, Nina rubs her wrists, looking at Ryu in admiration. "Where did you learn to do that?"

Ryu smiles faintly. "My friend Rei taught me how to escape being tied up. Though, I wish I had the teeth of a Warren to make it easier."

Nina's eyes widen with understanding. "Rei, one of your friends you're looking for?"

Ryu nods. "Yes, and I won't stop until I find him and Teepo."

Nina places a reassuring hand on Ryu's shoulder. "We'll find them, Ryu. But first, let's figure out how to get out of this place."

Together, they carefully peek around the curtain, assessing their surroundings and planning their next move. On the other side of the curtain, they see the barkeep slumped over a table, barely moving except to reach for a bottle of booze to take another drink.

"Looks like he had a bit much to drink," Ryu whispers, gripping Nina's hand. "Stay close and be quiet. We're getting out of here."

They slowly walk past the drunk barkeep. As they pass him, Ryu notices a large demon sitting in the corner of the tent in a meditative position. The demon's eyes open and locks themselves at Ryu. The demon sends chills down Ryu's spine, but yhe demon doesn't move or say anything to him. They continue towards the tent entrance, trying to stay as quiet as possible.

Just as they are about to step outside, the barkeep stirs and wakes up,seeing them. Panic grips both Ryu and Nina as they slowly turn to face the barkeep. He rubs his eyes, still groggy and drunk. "Where are you kids going?"

Nina quickly realizes he's too intoxicated to grasp the situation. "We're... going nowhere," she replies calmly.

The barkeep nods absentmindedly and goes back to sleep. Taking advantage of the situation, they rush iut the tent and rally outside.

Outside the tent, Nina breathes a sigh of relief. "That was close."

Ryu glances back at the tent, a frown forming on his face. "That demon inside was watching me for some reason."

Nina's eyes widen slightly. "Did he say anything?"

Ryu shakes his head. "No, he didn't do anything. Just watched me."

Nina lets out another sigh, this time of relief. "We should get out of the camp before anyone realizes we're gone."

They move swiftly through the rogue camp, sticking to the shadows and avoiding the gaze of any bandits or wandering rogues. The camp is a labyrinth of tents that surrounds a massive structure. They overhear that this building serves as a battle ground for contestants who fight for the entertainment of others.

As they make their way towards the outskirts of town, Ryu can't shake the feeling of the demon's eyes on him. He tries to focus on the task at hand, but the memory lingers.

As they leave Genmel, they find themselves in the middle of a vast open desert. The sun blazes overhead, and the heat is almost unbearable. Ryu looks around, trying to get his bearings.

"Where are we?" he asks, shielding his eyes from the sun.

Nina squints at the horizon. "We must be in the desert in Central Windia. It's a vast area that separates many regions."

Ryu frowns. "Do you know how to get back?"

Nina shakes her head. "This is the furthest I've ever been from the castle. I don't know the way back from here."

Ryu scans the area, searching for any signs of civilization. In the distance, he spots some mountains with what looks like machinery—cables used in lifts.

"Look over there," he points. "Those mountains have some kind of machinery. There must be people working there who can give us directions back to Windia."

Nina follows his gaze and nods. "You're right. Let's head that way."

They begin their trek across the desert, the hot sand crunching under their feet. The journey is arduous, with the sun beating down on them relentlessly. They take frequent breaks to conserve their energy and stay hydrated with the small amount of water they have.

As the sun begins to set, coloring the skies with hues of yellow, orange, and red, Nina stops and sighs, her face flushed with exhaustion. "Ryu, I can't walk anymore. I'm too tired."

Ryu nods, understanding that Nina, as a princess, may not be used to such strenuous travel. "It's okay," he says gently. "We can camp here for the night."

He quickly sets to work, pulling out his camping gear from his pack. Nina watches in amazement as he efficiently sets up a small tent and lays out two sleeping bags. "You're really prepared for this, Ryu," she remarks, admiring his skill.

Ryu drives a stake into the sand to secure the tent. "I learned everything I know from my friends Rei and Teepo," he explains with a fond smile. "We used to camp out a lot. They taught me how to survive in the wild."

Nina sits down on one of the sleeping bags, still catching her breath. "They must be great friends," she says softly, sensing the deep bond Ryu shares with them.

"They are," Ryu replies, his eyes shining with determination. "And I won't rest until I find them."

As night falls, the desert air cools rapidly, and the two settle into their makeshift camp, finding comfort in their shared determination and newfound friendship. Ryu uses his sword to cut any wood he can find to make a campfire. Meanwhile, Nina uses her magic to locate a nearby oasis, gathering water to replenish their water bottles.

When she returns, Nina uses her magic to light the wood on fire, creating a warm, flickering glow that chases away the chill of the desert evening. They sit side by side, enjoying the warmth of the fire and the comforting presence of each other.

As they nibble on some apples, Ryu looks up at the starry sky. "This isn't so bad," he says with a smile. "Being out here, under the stars."

Nina nods, her eyes reflecting the firelight. "It's peaceful," she agrees. "And… I feel safe with you, Ryu."

Ryu blushes slightly at her words. "I'm glad," he replies softly. "I'll always protect you, Nina."

They fall into a companionable silence, the crackling of the fire and the occasional rustle of the desert wind the only sounds around them. As the fire burns low, they prepare themselves for sleep, laying down in their sleeping bags and gazing at the sky.

As Ryu lies on his sleeping bag, the cool desert night feels anything but comforting. His mind is restless, swirling with thoughts of Balio and Sunder. He can't shake the fear that they might find them while they sleep. They've traveled far from the rogue camp, but the distance doesn't ease his anxiety.

Staring up at the starry sky, Ryu sighs and turns his head to look at Nina's sleeping bag. "Hey, Nina," he whispers, "are you awake?"

Nina turns to face him, her eyes wide open. "Yes," she admits softly. "I'm worried. What if they find us?"

"I'm worried too," Ryu replies, feeling a bit of relief knowing he's not alone in his worry. "I can't stop thinking about it."

They lay in silence for a moment, the crackling fire now just embers casting a faint glow. To pass the time and distract themselves, Ryu decides to ask something that's been on his mind. "Nina, you mentioned something about the Brood Clan earlier. What is the Brood?"

Nina looks at him in surprise. "You've never heard of the Brood Clan? But… you're a dragon."

Ryu nods. "I know. To be honest, I have no idea where I got this power from. I just learned how to change into a dragon only a few days ago."

Nina's eyes widened with curiosity and concern. "What about your family?" she asked gently. "You know, like your mom and dad?"

Ryu shook his head, his expression somber. "I never met them. In fact, the first thing I remember was waking up in a cage in the forest only a year ago. A couple of hungry currs were trying to break my cage open to eat me. I was naked and afraid, but that's when Rei found me and rescued me. He brought me to his home, and that's when I met Teepo."

Nina listened intently, her heart aching for him. "That must have been so frightening," she whispered.

"It was," answers Ryu, his voice barely a whisper. "The only clue I have to my identity is this other power I have." He wiggles his fingers, and small bits of light resembling tiny stars begin to dance around them.

Nina gasps, her eyes wide with recognition. "You have healing powers!"

Ryu nods, a hint of frustration in his expression. "I don't know how I got this power. Rei said that I might be a preacher's son to be able to heal wounds. But no matter how much we searched, there are no kids with healing powers that are missing. I can't even be reunited with my family. And now, because of my dragon powers, I'm even more confused about who I am."

Nina's gaze softens with empathy. "It must be so hard, not knowing where you come from or why you have these abilities."

Ryu sighs, looking up at the stars. "It is. Every day, I wonder if I'll ever find out the truth. If I'll ever find a place where I truly belong."

Noticing the look of loneliness and frustration on Ryu's face, Nina decides to change the subject. "Why don't you tell me a little about your friends? What are they like?"

Ryu's expression softens into a smile as he recalls his companions. "Rei and Teepo are more than friends; they're like my brothers. They took me in and trained me."

Ryu's smile widens as he begins to speak about Rei. "Rei is a member of the Warren tribe, you know, the ones with tiger-like features. His body is so agile and nimble that sometimes, it feels like he's more of a shadow than a person. Rei is older than me, about 16 years old, and he's the tallest, strongest, and oldest member of our group. He towers over me and Teepo, not just in height but in his quiet confidence and strength. When he draws his two daggers, you know the fight is going to be over before it even begins."

He pauses, reminiscing about his time with Rei. "Rei's fingers are so quick that he can pick someone's pockets while looking them straight in the eye. He can easily jump on the roof of anyone's home without a sweat. It's incredible to watch, and I've seen him do it a few times to teach people a lesson. But it's not just about his skills. Rei taught me everything I know about hunting and survival. He showed me how to make a tent, track animals, set traps, and move silently through the forest. We spent hours together in the woods, practicing until I got it right."

Ryu's eyes light up with admiration as he continues, "But more than the skills, it's the bond we share. Rei was the first person who made me feel safe after I woke up in that cage. He was my protector, my mentor, and my brother. There were nights we would sit by the fire, and he would tell me stories about his tribe and his adventures. He always made me feel like I belonged, even when I doubted myself."

He chuckles softly, "Rei has this way of knowing exactly what to say to cheer me up or calm me down. When I first discovered my healing powers, I was scared and confused. Rei was the one who helped me see it as a gift, something to be proud of. Because of that, he made me the main healer of our party. He always believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself. I owe so much to him, and I can't rest until I know he's safe."

Ryu's eyes soften as he shifts to talk about Teepo. "Teepo is a year older than me, a human kid with a knack for swordsmanship that rivals any adult I've ever seen. Despite his age, Teepo's skills with a sword are unmatched. But it's not just that; he wields magic with his other hand, seamlessly blending both blade and spells. It's amazing to just watch him fight."

He takes a deep breath, his voice tinged with both admiration and affection. "Teepo is an adept magician who fears no monsters. He has this icy, unfeeling exterior, but beneath that, he has a heart of gold. He's always putting his friends first, willing to lay down his life for those he cares about. There's this fierce loyalty in him that's hard to describe, but it's something I've always respected."

Ryu's expression grows more introspective. "Teepo taught me how to wield a sword. He was relentless in his training, pushing me to my limits and beyond. Even though his personality seemed cold, I always felt his care and dedication through his actions. He tried to teach me magic too, but I'm not as good with spells as he is." He raises a finger, concentrating as a small flame, the burn spell, flickers to life. "This is about all I can manage," he says with a hint of a smile. "I picked up a bit of magic from training with the Mage Goos in Cedar Forest around our home, but it's nowhere near Teepo's level."

Ryu's face lights up with fondness and determination. "Despite his cold attitude, I was close to Teepo. He was like a brother to me. We spent countless hours training, talking, and sometimes just sitting in silence, understanding each other without words. He may not show his emotions easily, but I know how much he cares. It's that unspoken bond that makes our friendship so strong."

Ryu takes a deep breath, a wistful smile playing on his lips as he begins to summarize his relationships with Rei and Teepo. "In our little group, I'm often described as the crybaby of the team. It's something they tease me about in a brotherly sort of way. But despite the teasing, we were, and still are, brothers, bound by our fight for survival. And-"

Ryu is then interrupted by the sight of Nina sleeping; Ryu's stories about his friends sent her to the land of dreams like a bedtime story. He smiles and gently covers her to make sure she doesn't get cold. As he does, Nina murmurs in her sleep, "We'll find them... And when we do... I promise I'll help them find a home... In Windia."

Ryu's smile broadens at her words. He feels a warm surge of gratitude and hope, knowing that he has found a true friend in Nina. He watches her for a moment longer, reassured by her peaceful expression.

With a contented sigh, Ryu settles back into his sleeping bag. The stars twinkle above them in the vast desert sky. As he closes his eyes, Ryu's thoughts drift back to his friends, Rei and Teepo, and he silently vows to find them, no matter what it takes.

Reassured by Nina's promise and his own determination, Ryu finally lets the day's exhaustion wash over him. He drifts into a deep sleep, dreaming of the day when they will all be reunited and find a new home together.