Utopia

[Reno]

"Well," Sora said in his perky way, not even noticing the way Iris was a sunny yellow. "I'm a metal finder for my people. I go around looking for things we can use. But these are my treasures, the things I found and kept. I wanted to show you them." He looked around the cavern, before nodding to a wall, "Come on, let's sit this time."

The Divine hesitated for a moment, then nodded. They headed over to the wall, sitting down, neither noticing the comical stare down their two dragons were now having, Iris, who was a good deal smaller, crouching some as her scales shades to a deep red. She was certainly not afraid.

Even though he was hungry and his taste buds were tingling at the idea of more rare, wonderful things, Sora insisted he go first. His excitement at showing Riku his things was enough to push almost anything else aside. He grinned when the other agreed and he showed him many things.

First was the rare little artifact in the circle with the crack down the middle that reflected himself back when looking into it. He admitted he was a little surprised when, as Riku held it, his image too appeared in the circle. Maybe it was a sign the item was worthy.

Then he showed him another item, one he found nearby the old ruins many moon turns ago. They were linked two metal pieces of some sort that were precisely identical, and when moving them they created a happy little jingle of noise. Sora knew not what they represented or meant or even what they were for, but he liked the three-pointed symbol, almost imaging they were peaks of trees on level ground - much like the crater was made of.

"This one, took me awhile to figure out." Sora said, pulling out another piece, Riku taking it carefully. He ran one dirty finger along the smooth crescent curve, "But when I held it up to the sky one night, I suddenly understood. It's the moon. But I'm not sure what this is." He poked the piece that danged from the top edge of item. A mystery it was to him, the five-pointed shape, but he somehow liked it anyways. "Nor what this was for." He poked the tiny notch at an outer edge of the moon, making a small ring that was too small for fingers to fit through. "It must have a piece missing that was lost long ago."

[Rikugurl]

Riku smiled as he fingered the pieces, making sure he was gentle with them all as he was sure that these were the only things Sora had besides the rags on his back. "They are all very wonderful." The Divine was sincere, honesty in his word even if each piece was broken and dirty, rusted by time and radiation. They were special to someone so it meant that they were quite priceless. "This one is my favorite." He held up the last item, the one Sora believed to be the moon. "I love the moon... perhaps because I'm conceded." The brunette gave him a strange look for that comment. "Well... I love how it glows... and is silver like my hair. It also... reminds me of myself. Though I live with my brothers and sister and parents... I feel....awfully alone, just like the moon. It is surrounded by stars but nothing is quite like it. It looks so lonely up there..."

He looked over his shoulder up at the bright orb in the sky, smiling softly. "When I was just a boy and noticed the moon changing, disappearing, I was scared that it was so lonely that it was going away. I talked to it for hours each night and when it became just a sliver, I began to cry. When it completely disappeared, I locked myself away, thinking I was the worst friend ever because I promised the moon that I would fly to it one day and give it company. I cried so that I lost all my tears and begged for it to come back. The next night, a sliver returned..." He chuckled, looking back at Sora. "The moon... sort of feels like my only friend. I didn't feel ashamed when I learned that it was normal for the moon to hide because, perhaps it's not. Just because you have a routine, doesn't mean something isn't wrong. I know I can't fly to the moon but maybe it has secrets of our past and maybe it shies away for a reason..."

He shook his head, his long, silver hair falling over his shoulders and into his face. "Thank you for sharing these with me." He carefully handed the pieces back, feeling their skin come into contact for the first time.

[Reno]

"You're welcome." Sora said with a smile, but as the last piece was handed over, the one Riku liked, he hesitated and then braved grabbing the other's retreating hand, placing it back into his palm. He curled his fingers around it and smiled up at him, "Why don't you keep this?"
"What? I couldn't..."
"I want you to have it." Sora said, then his smiled widened, "And you can give me something in return." He noticed the way Aquamarine eyes darted to his own bag and laughed softly, but shook his head. "Not the fruit, though you can keep giving me that as well if you like."
"Then what?"
"I want you to tell me more." He waved a hand, vaguely in the air "Of everything. You. Your siblings. What it's like there... I've always wanted to know what it's like, living in paradise." He paused, then said softly, seeming careful as if worried he was stepping out of bounds assuming things, "And I'm sure, because you keep returning, you're curious as well. I can tell you things about my life too, if you'd like. I have siblings too."

[Rikugurl]

Aquamarine eyes blinked slowly, a slight frown wearing over his pale lips. Paradise. These poor people... how could he possibly want to know about this poor man's life when he didn't have to worry about a thing? He wasn't sure if he wanted to know how they starved, or died, or hardly washing and eating right. He didn't want to learn of the sores that were all over their body due to the lack of vitamin C. But when he looked back at the man's face, all he saw was pure happiness and wonder. How could someone, who lived in ruins of old and surrounded with nothing but sand be so happy? There was something very special about Sora.

"A-alright..." He started faintly. "My brothers and sister... they have hair like mine though different. Their hair is a pure silver while mine has a shade of... lavender base. They mock my father, whose hair is a more yellow yet faint color, by wearing black robes to contrast their pale skin. I'm the only one who wears white... it's sort of strange. My mother... she always told me that I was different from the rest. I can't tell yet if that's a good thing or not. Still... things are very peaceful. We don't speak much as there's not much to talk about. We see the same things, know the same things. Even with things so similar, we are all different and unfortunately, we don't know much about each other, on a personal basis. My eldest brother, his name is Sephiroth. He is wise and strong, carries a dry humor and always willing to teach us. Kadaj is next in age though probably the shortest. He is fastest and wise as well, taking things serious but still has a big heart for us all. Then there is Yazoo... He and I don't always see things eye to eye. He is the closest to mother... and shares the same views as her. He's quite smart, knowing the in and outs of things though is more careless than the others."

He paused, smiling some. "Then there's me... then my sister. She quiet, I don't think I've heard more than a hundred words come from her mouth since we were born. She knows the land well though and could guide you anywhere you want to go. My youngest brother is the strongest and his hair the shortest. He's... quite simple though and gets upset easily. And then of course, my other brothers and sisters who too have personalities of their own." He smiled more, looking back at Yue who chirped, ignoring Iris look.
When the glowing, soft eyes looked back at the brunette though, they were full of wonderment, an idea sparking.
"As for my land... I couldn't possibly describe it to you without feeling absolutely horrible. But... perhaps I can bring you there... one night.... if you wish."

[Reno]

Sora listened with rapt attention, hearing of the other Divines, trying to imagine them and wondered how grand it would be to meet them all. He too could tell, just from Riku's descriptions, how similar yet individual they all were and it made him smile and thing of his own family. When he heard the other hesitate about the land and offer though, his eyes widened as he looked at Riku.

Then slowly he shook his head, his eyes falling to his knees. "It is a kind gesture... but I don't think I'm quite yet worthy to go there yet." He glanced at his bag, "It is why I collected these things actually. I hope to present them to Divine." There was silence for a small while, before Sora spoke again, "I wonder if there is but a reason why we are out here and you guys are in there. Many have grown bitter and think she does not care for us at all, but I can not believe as truth. Such thoughts bring only hopelessness, and there is always hope." The brunette said this with such conviction, it was as if there was no argument to it.

He turned to Riku, saying, "I personally wonder if maybe she is looking for something. Something she wanted us to find." He shrugged some. "That is but one thought..."

Riku was silent for some time, and Sora sat there for awhile as well, and when the other did not answer he knew it was probably because he did not know the true reason either. Disappointing but that was alright. He just smiled. "Let me tell you about my siblings now. I have three. We are similar too as we were born on the same morning and we are pairs that look almost identical." He paused, then said, "I am the eldest. My second brother is Ventus, who has sand-colored hair and eyes like the sky, like mine. He is the smartest of us - in fact of all the sky fliers. He is always making things - oh!" He jumped up suddenly, making Riku blink in surprise and watch him curiously as he ran over to Iris, taking something from her before hurrying back. "You see? He made this from just scrapes of metal I found! Isn't it genius?" He let Riku take it sitting back down and explaining the mechanics of the sand shifter. "He's made many other things too. Better reigns for dragons and a water shifter to clean up the water we dig up."

With that topic of course let to Sora explaining no water existed on land here - it was all underground and had to be found through digging for it like in the cavern they were in currently; which was one of the old wells.

"The third born is Vanitas. He looks almost precisely like me, except his hair is as dark as night and his eyes the color of the sun. He is very competitive with us, always wanting to be the best at everything. He's grown distant from us lately and always seems to be in a foul mood. He sometimes worries me, because the only enjoyment of life I see him ever truly have is when a raid is happening, allowing him to go and fight."

Sora trailed off for a moment, then shook his head. "Then there is Roxas, who looks precisely like Ventus. He is our serious brother, always taking things for what they are and never allowing for much fun. He wants very desperately to be respected by others and not seem as a kid so he is learning how to be a hunter." He paused, then said, "He also has a very special talent. He is a Dragonsiren. He can sing to any dragon, tamed or not, and have them listen to whatever he says. Compared to him and Ven and their skills, heh, I feel just kind of average." He laughed though, the sound bright and happy, as if he truly didn't mind at all.

[Rikugurl]

A dragonsiren? He had never heard of such a thing but it sounded quite wonderful. To be able to sing to any dragon and to have it listen to you? He would think it would grant the youngest of Sora's brother much respect. He did not understand what a 'raid' was but it didn't sound good.
"There's nothing wrong with being average." The silvertte smiled, running his hand over the gift that Sora had given him. "But still, you're not very average at all, are you? I mean... you're the only one whose spoken to..." He paused, looking down into Sora's eyes. "What is it that you... call us? Divine?" He blushed some and shook his head. "Our mother is Divine... we are not even close to being anything like her but it is an honor to be called under her name."

He placed the gift in his robe and finally took his own pouch, opening it up. He took out the banana first, slowly peeling it from the top. "Sora... I don't understand why mother won't allow any one else into our home... but I don't think it's because you're not worthy." He said softly, and for the first time, he lied to the brunette. The silverette knew why. It was as Yazoo claimed it to be. She was waiting for them, the Skyflyers and Landchasers to die out before expanding her kingdom. Riku didn't think it was right, the first and only thing he didn't agree on with his Divine mother.

"Still, you saved my life and gave me one of your precious things. I insist... I want you to come with me, one night... back to my home. We'll have to go in secret and we can't stay long, your eyes only being able to see it under the light of the moon but... it would... make me feel... good to know that... you would feel worthy... to come with me."

[Reno]

"Perhaps one day..." Sora said softly, smiling some, the idea to him nothing more than fanatical and grand. At least for now. "For the moment, tell me about this one." He asked pointing to the fruit.

It was called a banana. they grew in trees in a large number and were colored green for a time until they turned yellow to mean they were matured to eat. Then they grew brown when aged. It was a lovely taste - not quite as sweet as the others and not as wet, but he liked this one very much.
He also tried grapes, which grew on vines and were kept in these ingenious little bundles. They were really sweet and small, easy to pull off the plant with his teeth. Kiwi was more sour than sweet, making his toes curl. Blackberries were the smallest of all, so delicate and tiny that even Riku handled them with care. He didn't even need to chew them, since he could mash them on the roof of his mouth with his tongue.

When he left, he waved to Riku - and for the first time, they promised to meet the next night.


The moon fell, the sun came, burned the ground into a red haze, and then too disappeared for the bearable night to return. Landchasers, who had become completely preoccupied with their underground workings and nearness to haven, were hardly attentive enough even to find food those days.
As for the sky fliers, they continued life as normal, unaware of their rivals' grand discovery. Had they of known, they would of been trading their metal in for weapons, not unneeded survival tools.

But for now, a blonde waited in a tower, arms crossed, and looked up when a red-head finally appeared and walked over, "Ah, I wondered when you would appear." He stood. "So what's the next lesson?
Up in the tower, Oathkeeper and discs called Chakrams swung and flew through the air, this lesson one of skill and technique with moving targets.

Down many levels below that they were almost on the sand, there was laughter in the cave. "I feel so energized lately. See?" The brunette grinned as he preformed a cartwheel in the cave, landing back on his feet with a little bounce. "I haven't done that in years! Those fruits are really something else!" There was a patient and amused smile on the Divine's face as he reached into his pouch, producing another fruit the shape of the sun but colored like one fading in sunset. He called it an orange and Sora was eager to try it.
At the other side of the cave, two dragons where just a couple of steps closer than they had been the night before.


And somewhere in the middle... harsh breathes and groans echoed as a black-haired male pinned his own brother to the ground of a long-abandoned room, their hips sliding together in a fierce way, a grin of triumph on his lips as the other's head arched back with a cry.
"You love it..." He purred the lies in his ears, deceptively sweet as his fingers curled around the other's length.


And things were normal and, for the most part, peaceful for a few weeks. Axel and Roxas had cleared out the ruins of the dogs in as many spaced out meals as he could afford, and were able to find a small family of moles to bring home just a few days okay. They did not have any further issues with dragons consuming any meat they shouldn't. But they did have one issue.
Roxas had still not made his first kill.

Blue eyes strayed to Oathkeeper, able to see the sheen of blue of his eyes in the fine but dusty metal. He had deliberately kept it dirty, to keep the gleam from catching the sharper eyes of their prey. He lowered it and his eyes back to the sand, the color or orange and less violent to look at as the sun slowly fell. It was not the ideal time to hunt but Axel had told him many nocturnal creatures hunted at this time to catch prey just going to bed - with any luck they might spot something.

[Rikugurl]

"This is a citrus fruit so it will taste a lot different than the ones I've given you before." Riku warned as the brunette came to sit before him, his mouth opening to except the fruit. "Like banana's though, you can't eat the outside so you have to peel it and it splits up in little pieces perfect for popping into your mouth." As he spoke, he took one of the wedges and placed it into Sora's mouth, pulling his finger away to watch the brunette chew on the new texture. He loved doing this, seeing the expressions crossing over the brunette's face with every new taste. When he first met Sora, he wasn't sure how he felt. It was strange and new and exciting.

Still, it was very exciting to meet the brunette under the moon at night. However, his feelings about this nightly meetings changed and he wasn't sure if it was for the good. Sora had so much life and light in his heart. When he looked at the ruins in his bedroom at night for all those years, he knew others lived out there and were doing everything they could to survive and how wrong it was. Now... he was angry because... Sora and his people deserved a good life just like he and his family.

Nearly a week later, or to them, a few moon raises, they once again, met in the sky, the Divine no longer having difficulties finding the Flyer. However, unlike any night before when the two would fly down to the cavern, the feathered dragon pulled up and away, slowly gliding back towards the Crater. Riku looked back and held out his arm, signaling for Sora to follow him.


"A-aaaauhhh..." The blonde Skyflyer with the tiny ponytail jerked against the ragged blankets he was laying on, his body arching up towards the heat above him. His dull spiral blues looked up at the shimmering gold, seeing the pure wicked glace over them, the rotten sharp teeth grinning in his face. He was so sick of this face, that wild black hair and the typical dirty skin. Ven didn't know when he finally broke down and decided it was enough. He was the proclaimed 'genius' of the Skyflyers for all his inventions but he couldn't think of a way to stop Vanitas. That was when he realized that... he couldn't stop Vanitas. So, he stopped struggling, hoping that it would bother his brother and he might stop but it was just the same, now the youngest saying that it was proof that 'he loved it'.

The blonde was once again, skin and bones, no longer wishing to eat because nothing was going to get better. Ever. The only way he could stop Van was to die, which sounded so good about now....
"NAA!!" His eyes widened when there was a hard thrust, pulling away from his thoughts. Quickly, his eyes clothes when he felt chapped lips smash down onto his, a wet, disgusting tongue invading his mouth as tear ran down his dirty cheeks.


The Unbroken flew up above the other, keeping the distance between them so Roxas could concentrate. He needed to see how Roxas would feel after his first kill to really get the kid's 'feet wet'. He couldn't jeopardize their lives going into a raid or large hunt if the blonde was squeamish after killing something.
His sharp green eyes caught something moving in the sand and had to bit his tongue not to point it out. A badger was looking for an evening snack.

[Reno]

But when no wing beats sounded behind him, the Divine had to stop and look back, realizing Sora had halted in the sky, looking nervously from him to the land he felt unworthy of. The silver-haired male frowned before turning his dragon around, flying over.

The brunette spikes shook slowly, "R-R-Riku... I can't..."


"Mmmm...." Came the groan against Ven's lips, hips thrusting more erratically into the other's bruised and bleeding ass, not caring for the damage there not yet fully healed, nor caring much of the more he was doing. Gleaming gold eyes sparked as they opened, looking down at the other's twisted, pained face.

And the grin returned full force. "You're mine brother... you'll always be mine."



And movement did catch Roxas' eye too - but not the same one as Axel's. His eyes looked forward, until his eyes widened and a gasp choked into his voice, pulling up the reigns to Axel's height. "Axel!" He cried and pointed - but it wasn't to the eat where the badger was. Green eyes blinked, then turned in the direction he was pointing - and his own eyes widened, seeing a small form on the sand, playing with something else in the sand.

It was no mistake. It was a little boy and a tiny dragon.

Landchasers.

[Rikugurl]

"S-sora...?" The Divine called, even Yue chirped as they flew next to each other. "Please... I want to show you... just for a second, we don't have to stay long..."


"What--- WHAT!?" Axel hissed, his eyes focusing on the little boy and what he believed was a Terror. There was a small hole behind the body, surely leading into a cavern underground. Xiu gave a cry as a horn was grabbed and tugged, making him do a turn to double back towards the ruins. Roxas was quick to follow suit, the Zippleback not having a hard time catching up. Now if it was a Night Fury he had to keep up with, it would be impossible. "That Landchaser is way too close to the crater! They must be digging towards it!" The hunter called, the wind in his face pushing back his long, red mess of hair on his head. Once they reached the ruins, the dragons landed quickly and both men rushed through the hallways towards the largest of the bedrooms, bursting into their leader's room.

The two Flyers in the room paused and looked back, the an setting down what he was studying. "Axel? Son?"
"Jet, we spotted a landchaser just a mile or so from the crater."
"What!?" The man, whose hair dragged on the brick floor cried, his wife, a thin blonde snapping up from the bed.
"Are you certain?" He asked, looking at his son to confirm. When he heard that Roxas was the one who spotted the Chaser, he pressed passed them in haste, rushing down the halls and up a flight of stairs. There, he saw two horns from animals they had feasted on year ago. One was swirled and used to signal dinner, the other, curved and larger, this to reach a further distance and to signal... danger.


"UUUUH!!" Ventus pushed himself up against Vanitas to make him sit up, hearing the sound of the meeting horn. His face was red and his body covered in sweat. His wide eyes looked around as he panted, then heard the sound again. That was what he heard. "W-we have to go."


Light eyes looked up in alarm, hearing something bizarre in the wind. "Wha---" He before he could finish, the brunette before him started to panic. "What is it? What does that mean?"

[Reno]

OOC: Hahahahaha, Roxas has a lot of 'I wish this thing I am bashing and breaking right now was Axel's face' moments.
Also, should maybe Riku watch from the crater and see the Raid?

"Riku..." Sora whispered, his hands gripping the reigns - but just then he heard a sound on the wind that made his eyes go wide. It was loud, solemn sound he had always related with battle ever since he learned what the horn meant. Under him, Iris turned pitch black with fear. "Raid..." He whispered, face paling some shades but not precisely in fright of what was about to occur, but for the man before him who had only heard this word once before.

But now Riku really knew it meant nothing good. "You need to go home!" He cried, imaging Riku getting caught in the crossfire of the fighting, imagined Yue being taken down. And it made him almost physically sick. "Now!"
Eyes that were pretty beyond measure blinked at him, Riku slowly shaking his head. "No, No, if you're in some kind of trouble-"

"I'm always in trouble!" Sora shouted in frustration, running a hand through his grimy hair and shutting his eyes, knowing from their meetings over these days and the stories he told, that Riku was slightly stubborn and never really backed down from things easily. So he promised something unwise and not fully thought out, but when you were desperate, you did what you had to to keep those you cared about safe. "Please Riku please. I'll do anything you want later, anything! Just please go home now."
Riku paused, thought that over. Repeated it. "You promise?"

"I swear to Divine herself." Sora said. He watched the other, nerves growing and making tangles like what he believed grapevine might look like through his heart and stomach. And it was a relief when he slowly nodded in consent. Sora fluttered there for a few moments more, watching him retreat back for the Crater, before he reeled in Iris' reigns, spinning them around and charging for home to join the other's.



"What - Fuck!" Vanitas snapped as he heard it this time too. He got off of Ven, not precisely kindly, but they had little time to waste - even if Van even had made times for things as trivial as apologizes. Clothes were thrown on in haste,all the passion of the moment gone. But for Van a different one was growling, zinging his blood with excitement.

Finally, some excitement!


And echoing, like a remembered howls of Atteris' destruction, the sound of the horn echoed in the small hole that was closest to the Skyflier's home, zinging down the tunnels and making dragons and humans alike raise their heads. And then, a moment later, a new sound was echoing, a sound of banging against metal that creating a loud reverberating noise. Boom. Boom. Boom.

"Caleb get down here!" His mother was snapping, plucking her son right into the hole and into the world below, holding him close as she hurried down the halls, not caring for the Terror wedged between them. Humans and Dragons alike met in the grandest room of all - the room of the leaders where Hatori stood watching them gather.


In the feasting room, a similar gathering was occurring, Sora the last to arrive and nearly toppling over his dragon as they swooped inside and Iris slid to a stop somewhat abruptly. He was up and off her though in moments, stumbling a little bit as he slid into the seat next to Ven, seeing he was panting hard and his face red - where had he been to of run so hard and fast?

[Rikugurl]

Yue landed artfully but Riku took no time hopping off her back and rushing across the cool bricks towards his room. He shot up the stairs and down another hall before bursting into his room, running across it over to the window. He was panting now as he peered out, his eyes wide and full of worry. All he could see was the growing darkness over the world, the distance between the ruins and spouts from the sand, which he learned was the Landchaser's way of getting oxygen, seeming so close now. He had seen a 'raid' once before when he was younger, though in the company of his brothers and sisters. He was the only one who felt any sadness, seeing both rider and dragon going down, being mercilessly gunned down to make sure they were dead.

What if he saw Sora get hurt? Fall and then attacked, killed right before his eyes? He only found little comfort when Yue walked up to his side, looking out the window with him.


Feet fell heavy on the dirty and mud slicked floor when a tanned man jumped off his mount in front of his brothers den where the rest of the tribe was gathering. He made his way inside, spotting Aqua and Caleb instantly and hurried over, wrapping his arms around both their shoulders, whispering his concerns to make sure they were both alright. It was then that he heard the bluette reveal that she found Caleb on the surface. A golden eye widened and he looked down at his son, grim expression on his face.
"I... I'm sorry daddy..."
"What did I tell you about going up there?" The man hissed, gripping his son's shoulder a little tighter.
"B-but... Nukey...."
"Caleb... you have no idea..."


"What's going on?" The young inventor asked as he hiked up into the den, seeing a few other members there already, including his lover, Terra. He walked up to him quickly and stood by his side. "Those Skyflyers are announcing their death? Don't they remember that you have a Murderous Dragon? Why call a raid?"


Arms wrapped around the indented stomach, trying to ease the pain that had formed there again while his tried to catch his breath. His eyes shot next to him when his brother sat down but quickly looked away when matching blue eyes looked at him in concern.

"PEOPLE!" Their father's voice boomed loud and clear, making all the Flyers look up at him as he approached the middle of the room. "During a hunt, my son, Roxas spotted a child Chaser on the surface... just MILES from the Crater. We should have known that they would tunnel their way into a Divine life while we are stuck in these sand ridden lands forever. We must destroy their tunnels that they had made in the last several years. At least the ones that are closest to the Crater. We cannot and will not allow them to get any closer. I ask you, my men, to draw up your weapons and gear to stop these Chasers in their tracks. We must go, now, and show them that we will never fall behind their footsteps!"

Lilo, the youngest girl of the Flyers looked down at her feet, wishing she could do something to help but as much as Jet believed in equality over his people, there were only three females in the whole flock. They couldn't be lost in battle.

"GO!"
Instantly, all the men shot up from the floor and disburse to their respected towers to get geared up and ready for battle. Even if this wasn't a planned attack, spirits were high due to the talent their Flyers had along with their dragons.
As they left, the leader of the Flyers looked back at his lover, giving her a gentle smile though tears formed in his eyes.


OOC: Not sure if I'll be on tonight

[Reno]

OOC: Ending second Gen's High school rp.
I think it sucks DX

Aqua sighed softly, holding Caleb close, knowing well he didn't deserve coddling but rather a good smack on the butt - but she also knew if this was the last time she would get to hug her son, she wasn't going to waste it being furious.

Terra only was able to give a shake of his head before his father started to speak. All the Landchaser's eyes turned to the man before them, looking tall, strong and furious. "Everyone, I'm sure you heard that. The Sky Flier's are planning to attack. The whys don't matter." Teeth grit, looking furious, "We've come too far to fail now. At all costs, we must protect this den and the tunnels to the promised land! Don't even let them take a step on our land without reminding them why we've been there greatest enemy all this time!" His head swiveled around, then ordered, "Everyone, get into your places. Aqua, leave Caleb here. And Terra... you go greet them."

"Gladly." Terra said with a malicious grin, hearing a happy purr in his mind. Dad wasn't screwing around this time. He wanted to hit them hard - and fast. And what better then with a dragon no one could beat?
"Move out!" Hatori ordered, watching the small group turn and leave. Only Aqua strayed handing her son and the little terror over to Ida, her blue eyes full of love for him.
"You be good for you're aunt alright?" She said. "I'll be back soon." She gave him a kiss, smiled to the woman then straightened and hurried out, hoping she could keep that last promise.

In the silence left behind, Hatori wandered over to Ida, rubbing his hand over her cheek in a private, tender moment. "If things get out of hand, you know what to do." She only nodded and he smiled to her, before heading off as well, his dragon following behind.


"I love you." Terra whispered as he kissed Ienzo, hard, knowing he had to get down the tunnel fast so he could meet the skyfliers as they came swooping out of the ruins while the rest waited underground, prepared to jump from the holes in random places to surprise the fliers as they came close. It was a great strategy, and could take down many of them simply by surprise alone.
But damn if he wasn't going to get a good luck kiss - and a victory one after that! "I'll see you after it's over."


"Jet... be careful!" Runa called, her hair up in a braid that was tied back with bendable metal. It swished around her as she looked away once he was gone whispering, "It's times like now I wish I had daughters..."


Heart racing, Sora only heard that as he raced down the hall to his room, looking desperately at his brothers. He and Iris both hesitated at his room, which was first, calling to them as they kept hurrying off. At his voice they hesitated and looked back.
"Don't tell me you want a hug." Van said rolling his eyes.
"Well yes, that would be nice." Sora said back honestly but then smiled, "But... I was more thinking... Why don't you guys promise me? Tomorrow let's play Hunt the Dragons." It was an old child's game they had made up - where one of them would be a 'hunter' and the rest 'dragons' and then the hunter would have to find where the dragons were hiding before they made it to the 'den' which would be some randomly chosen room in the ruins. They would have to get there before the hunter caught and tagged them - which meant you were dead.


Van rolled his eyes then. "You're such a child Sora." And without a word continued on his way, grumbling something along the lines of their eldest being too sensitive and how it would be an honor to die tonight.
Roxas watched him rolling his eyes because he hadn't expected much better, but turned to Sora and nodded, smiling with a twinge of nervousness. "Well I promise. As long as you like." He turned then and hurried on.
Sora glanced at his last brother, still standing there, "Ven?"

[Rikugurl]

"I love you too." Ienzo whispered back, leaning up to kissed the bronzed man again. The younger wasn't the best fighter, not compared to Terra, Xigbar, Aqua, Raijin, or Hatori. Those five would go down in history as some of the best LandChasers in history, he was sure. Still, he had to protect the tunnels that everyone worked so hard on, especially now that they were so close. The only Chasers who were never ordered to fight were children of course and Ida, who if died, the spirit of the Chasers would die along with her.

The two quickly spit up and just before the bluette turned around a corner, he looked back and yelled. "LOVE YOU!" Of course it caught Terra's attention, making him look back to see a remarkable smile, one that was more striking than any smile Terra could ever remember. And then he was gone, whistling for his own dragon, Lexicon, which is a Toxic Nightshade. The dark purple and black dragon slithered from her den and caught up with her master, allowing him to hop onto her back. As he did so, a quicker dragon ran passed him, his blue eyes catching Xigbar as the rider. Though the man was short with his words, he was glad that he was able to fight alongside him.

When they reached the end of the newest tunnel, they waited nearly 500 feet from each other, settling their dragons though prepping them for a quick flight. It was a great idea to pop out from the sands, though damage was caused to the tunnel. It was a small price to pay to put a dent into their enemy's number. Ienzo sighed, rubbing his dragon's head. He didn't have to surface last raid but he was sure the Skyflyers were going to go all out if they were raiding because they spotted how close their tunnels were getting. He knew, in his heart, Terra wouldn't allow very many pass him and his dragon.


Ven frowned, hearing his name in question. They were along in the hallway, though the sounds of the other men getting ready for battle echoed through the cold corridors. "Sora," He finally spoke, slowly moving around his brother as he did so, the blood in his veins moving a mile a minute, his heart racing about the battle which was about to begin. "We should all be having children with Lilo, not acting like them. Our people are dying and more will probably fall tonight and all you can think of is of a childish game? We're seventeen now, we're men. We need to start acting like it." His voice was not cruel but true and then he was gone, rushing down the hall towards his room.

Verrill shot up from his sleeping spot, hearing his friend come barreling in and grabbing all sorts of devices. The black dragon rose, allowing his master to wrap numerous straps around his mid-body and face. A heavy piece of metal sat on his shoulders, which is boy called a 'gun'. It shot sharp pieces of metal and rocks from its spout and after every raid, he had to make a new one since it hindered the Fury's speed some and he had to dump it when they needed to get away. It was perfect for flying in though.
Another device was put on his other shoulder, this one a launcher of twisters which was a length of rope with two rocks tied at each end. When it was thrown out, it would hit a solid object (such as a person or wings) and tie around it tight.

And lastly, the dragon sat on its hind legs when Ventus put another contraption on his stomach. This one was the most dangerous piece Ventus had made. It was a spear shooter, only loaded with three spears, it shot them through the air at a high speed, piercing anything it came into contact with. "This... this one is for Van." The blonde whispered, his eyes going dark when he loaded up the shooter. "I'm going to do it, Verrill. I'm going to kill him.... today. It will be an accident, my trigger jammed and everything malfunctioned. Not all my inventions work right the first time..."

The dragon whimpered but nodded when Ventus pulled away, allowing his boy up onto his saddle. It was time to fly.

[Reno]

There was a sigh in that empty corridor, spikes seeming to droop just a little more before the brunette turned into his room, hurrying to get ready as well, like the rest were. As he did he saw Iris changes shades almost constantly, from green of illness, to black and grays of nervousness and fear, to reds of valor. His own self seemed to be doing the same, so he wasn't sure if they were actually his emotions pouring into her or if they just felt the same.

Whoever was comfortable with the idea of death?

He hopped onto Iris and he pushed aside the rags looking out towards the sands, seeing one single shape had slithered out and caught his breath in his throat. Of all dragons to face on the front line - the Murderous was not really giving him much hope. His siege on the Landchasers had been so legendary the Skyfliers had even heard of it; hoping it would truly be the end of it. They were truly a stubborn people though.

Who knew one had the ability to claim - one, he heard, who was almost as young as him. He could never imagine...
His eyes widened, hearing a roaring from his father's dragon telling them it was time to fly out.
Ready or not, here we come. Sora thought bitterly. "Etsl Og!"

And off they went a dozen wings flapping through the air to create a big whoosh of noise. They started to create a line - that broke into scatters as flame ripped for them, the dragon waiting for them not going to make it easy to advance.

Dragons had something called 'shot counts'. A certain amount of flame 'shots' they could let out in a night before they had to replenish it which could take days. But no one knew the Murderous' shot count.
Some rumored it was infinite.

This was not going to be easy.
"Jet!" He heard a call as there dragons spread out again from another shot of flame. He knew that voice - it was Seifer, who rode a dragon who was just as stubborn as he. It was called a bullrougher and could be very bad-tempered. "Ew eedn ot etg astp! Omeones eedsn ot istractd imh! Omeones astf!"