...Schala has agreed to teach Akel how to control the orb. Meanwhile, Kain, Valvalis and Edge make their way to the
Ruins of Zot, but something is amiss...

Dragoon Kain
Part 9


Edge looked through the portal at Valvalis. He grimaced and turned back to Kain. "So how do we know we can trust HER?"
He asked, pointing an accusing thumb at her.

Kain looked the fire-emblem on his amulet. "When Rubicant gave me this pendant, he also gave me his memories. Those
memories support her story. Also, I seem to have this ability to...sense emotion. If she was lying, I would know." Kain looked
at Molly. "That's why I don't trust the girl. She's not telling the truth. Something about her story doesn't settle well."

The airship dropped to the ground with a heavy thud. The steel landing struts that held the ship upright also served as
walkways. Kain and Edge made their way down first, followed by Valvalis and Molly. Kain stopped short and faces the girl.
"Wait." He spoke, glaring down at the girl. There was something odd about her eyes...almost cat-like.

"What is it?" Valvalis asked.

"Step away from the child." Kain said, pulling out his new silver spear, a gift from Edge.

Valvalis held the child close. "What are you doing, Kain?" Edge snuck up from behind and grabbed Valvalis, pulling her away
from the girl. "Are you two insane?! She's just a girl!" Kain lifted the spear above his head. "No!" Valvalis shrieked as Kain
sent the bladed tip whistling down.

A fur covered hand caught the spear, it's razor sharp claws digging into the wooden shaft. Valvalis looked on in shock as the
girl grew to nearly eight feet tall, her body twisting and shifting. The human face was replaced by that of a cat. Striped orange
fur covered it's body. "How perceptive." Keytrin hissed, her tail whipping back and forth.

"I thought you were a man." Kain said as he wrenched the spear from her grasp.

"Cretin. Appearances can be deceiving!" The Cat-woman said, circling her opponent. Edge let go of Valvalis, and the two
advanced upon the lycanthrope. She was surrounded on three sides. Laughing, she pulled a small crystal from a pouch on her
belt (her only surviving article of clothing), and tossed it to the ground. The glass shattered, and a black cloud issued forth. The
onyx mass formed into a doorway. The three companions stepped away as a huge armored man stepped through the portal.

His finely crafted plate armor glittered in the late afternoon sun, the orange-red of the sky reflecting vividly. His purple cloak
whipped wildly in the wind. Long ivory horns protruded from the massive helm that hid all but his glowing eyes. "Yessss."
Garland hissed. "You have done well, Keytrin. I will dispose of these rodents myself." the knight rumbled in the deepest voice
any of them had ever heard. It was as if the ground itself were speaking. "Now, go. Find the orb and bring it back to me!"

Keytrin nodded and ran toward the fallen tower. Kain slipped past the knight and ran after her. "We'll hold him off!" Edge
shouted, pulling out his twin blades. "I hope..."


"What in the name of Zemus is all that racket?!" Akel crowed, poking his head out of the window. Outside, he could see two
forms running toward his tower while three others fought in the distance. He smiled. "More visitors!" Keytrin reached the heavy
oak door and began to pound her shoulder against it. Swiftly, Akel pulled open the door, sending Keytrin sprawling into the
entryway.

"Kill it!" Kain yelled, as he ran into the hall.

"Now why would I want to do that?" Akel sneered. Then he perked his head. "Well if it isn't my tardy protector!"

Kain Pinned the Cat-woman to the floor with his spear. "You in a good mood today, Akel" Kain quipped. Schala entered the
hallway , curious about the noise. Kain smirked. "No wonder."

"Mind your manners, boy! It's not what you think." Akel retorted. He then turned to Schala. "Just so there's no confusion, I'm
a Man's man. Got it? No interest in women."

Schala tried to smile. "Uh...okay..."

Akel turned back to Kain, who was just about to impale the cat-girl. "I suppose you're here to save me from Garland and his
minions, huh?"

Kain looked at the mage, an irritated look on his face. "If you would just shut up and let me kill this bitch, I'll be happy to do
just that!"

"Ah, ever the vigilant one." Akel grinned. Keytrin used the distraction to toss Kain's spear away. Kain, knocked off balance,
stumbled backwards. The creature lunged at him, tearing at his throat.

"Aren't you going to help him?!" Schala yelled. Akel just watched on as the two fought for survival. A twisted grin on his face.


Black Blood poured from the many blades embedded within Garland's body. He was down to his last spells, and his blade
had been long broken by the Wind Elemental. Together the two were more than a match for the knight. He stumbled an
dropped to his knee. The knight pulled off his helmet and sighed. His black hair was matted with blood. "No more. I yield." He
groaned, reluctant to surrender. Edge called for several of his crew to put the knight in chains.

"Well, come on you sorry excuses for gnats!" he prodded, as they reluctantly exited the airship. "I swear, scared by one lousy
knight." Edge scoffed.

"Just...take me to the wizard. I just want to return to my home." Garland pleaded.

"What the hell." Edge shrugged. What was the knight going to do, drool him to death? Garland was hardly in any condition to
struggle. "Let's go." The group walked towards the ruins. Suddenly, a fiery form burst through the main door. It's body twisted
in agony as the flames tore through it's flesh. From the shrieks, they could tell it was Keytrin. The pitiful thing collapsed on the
ground, twitching.

Edge drove his sword deep into her charred chest, ending her agony. "I guess Kain won."

Akel stood at the door, laughing. A hunk of metal gleamed in his hand. "No!! Valvalis cried, recognizing the fire-pendant.

"What?" Edge asked, not understanding.

"The only way the pendants can be removed is if the wearer is dead!" Valvalis ran past the mage, and into the Great hall. Edge
followed hurriedly. "Where is he?" Valvalis searched the room frantically. She turned to the mage, grabbing him by his collar.
"What have you done?"

"Me? Nothing at all. Kain fought bravely and proudly." Akel grinned. "Oh, I'm afraid he lost his little duel, though." he
chuckled, pointing towards the door at the far end of the hall. Valvalis ran to it and threw it open.