32 Surrounded (1/2)

”Not every day that I get called upon by the great General Ralf Arvo” A Raavi woman said as she approached Ralf, who was standing on the city wall, overlooking the vast dunes of the Goliath desert.

She looked to be very young, a little older than an average 12 year old human child. She was clad in a rose-colored dress, with white flowers and cerulean vines.

The woman had small prickly teeth that showed out from her lip, and her feline ears were drooped down unlike other Raavi.

She trotted forward and looked at Ralf playfully, like she was meeting an old friend.

”I can't get used to seeing you like this, Lisandra.” Ralf muttered as he got down on one knee so his eyes would face hers. ”This form will reduce your strength by a large margin, not to mention never being able to breakthrough to the next level.”

Lisandra's face fell, she turned around to face the other side, and spoke. ”Enough of your games, why have you called me for one measly human ship.” She said, irritably. ”You showed up in my city unannounced, and I didn't say anything, but now you want me to leave for this, I need an explanation.”

Ralf smirked and stood back up, he turned to look at the sky and whistled. ”Don't forget, why someone of your questionable past can stay here as governor so comfortably.” Ralf chided. ”I only asked for you, because there may be some trouble ahead, and I need you to escort that ship.”

Lisandra wanted to turn and ask why, but before she could, she heard a loud screech. She too raised her head and saw a massive bird swoop down towards them.

”One of yours, I assume.” She remarked. ”Quite an impressive beast.”

The massive bird flexed its legs and landed in front of Ralf, it then dropped its head and its wings in a light bow.

”It's a Sky Eagle, I captured it in the Bleeding gorge. Although its strength is limited, its speed is unrivaled in the incarnation stage.” Ralf recounted as he got up on the wing and mounted the bird. ”Get on, we don't have all day.”

”I still need an explanation.” Lisandra didn't budge, she did however seem intrigued by the sky eagle, she could feel its robust life energy.

”The humans on that ship have information that is vital to the empire.” Ralf stated, flatly. ”Is that good enough. Now get on.”

”Fine.” Lisandra retorted, before getting on the bird. The massive bird flexed its wings, and then flapped them wildly as it flew off the city wall.

If Koren could see this bird, he would recognize it as the same sky eagle he encountered.

”That way Raka.” Ralf pointed towards the pyros dunes, as his other hand lightly patted the birds neck.

'Kaaaaaaa'

The Sky eagle let out a piercing, loud screech, as its wings started to glow. When the intensity of the glow reached its highest, it rushed towards its distant destination in a blaze, only leaving behind a cloudy trail of green mist in its path.

************

Sappa looked over at all the women and children he was supposed to be protecting, then he looked back at the huge lizard like spiritual beast, whipping up a tornado like its nothing.

”Bro, don't worry, we can get out of here.” Haruki declared, as he grabbed Sappa by the shoulder. ”I can't explain it, but I know we will be OK”

”That's right Uncle Sappa.” Enri who had been standing behind Haruki this whole time, spoke up. ”Koren promised, we will all be safe.”

Sappa who had been sweating profusely while trying to find a way out of this predicament, suddenly widened his eyes. He turned to look around the group huddled together on the top deck.

”Where is he?” Sappa asked, worry apparent in his tone. ”Where's Koren?”

Enri suddenly realized that she had slipped up. She was about to lay out an excuse but was stopped by Haruki.

”Its fine Enri, there's no point in lying.” Haruki patted Enri's little head, and then looked at Sappa, who assumed the worst.

”Don't worry bro, Koren wasn't on the ship.” Haruki said, soothingly. ”He left the ship shortly after we departed from the village.”

”He's been gone this whole time and you didn't tell me.” Sappa wanted to get angry, but he knew what was at stake, he quickly concentrated his gaze back on the massive beast. ”Where did he go.”