Journey Ahead

(Lucan slowly stirred to as the low light of the morning sun peaked over the trees and through the window; Lucan sat up and put his boots on as he stood up and looked at the window to a fresh coat of snow from the night before.)
Lucan: "Winter is certainly sneaking up on us quickly."

???: "I sense three people in this home; one of them is of this country. What a pain." (A mysterious figure with a white blindfold was standing across from the home as he slowly turned and started to walk away as he walks he bumps into a curious Lucan.)
Lucan: "What's your business with this home?"
???: "I have no business here; I'd suggest you move out of my way, I'm quite quick to get angry."
Lucan: "You were staring for far too long to have no business here, I want an answer."
???: "Or What?"
(Lucan and The Mysterious man were face to face as Lucan was racing through his mind on what to do before the man tried to step out of the way and Lucan quickly stepped in front of him.)
Lucan: "Did I say we were done here?"

???: "I warned you kid." (The man was suddenly behind Lucan.)
Lucan (Thinking): "He's behind me?!?!" (The man was in the middle of throwing a punch as Lucan quickly turned on his feet to face the man before he realized that he has no time to block the punch as it came full force towards him and struck him.)

(Dust was flying everywhere as a small crater was seen in the ground where Lucan was once at; the man looked confused as his head whipped around; Lucan now on top of the tree next to the home looked down at the sheer force of that punch as he calmed himself and waited for the man to leave.)
???: "Interesting." (The man turned and slowly disappeared into the distance as when he was far enough away Lucan dropped from the tree and exhaled.)

Lucan (Thinking): "If I hadn't grabbed that branch and pulled myself out of the way of that punch; I would probably be dead. I'm not sure what his business was so I won't bring this up to Ryota or Kiyomi." (Lucan quickly dusted himself off and retired back inside as he walked into the shared common area and sat down on a chair in the corner.)

One Hour Later

(Lucan was seen sitting in the same chair reading a book that he had retrieved from his room as Kiyomi appeared from up the stairs and was surprised to see Lucan completely awake.)
Kiyomi: "I did not take you for an early riser Mr. Vance."
Lucan: "Just Lucan, I understand the professionalism; but I'm pretty sure I am younger then you and I don't deserve to be addressed in such ways."
Kiyomi: "If you insist... Lucan; Ryota is not awake yet and I am quite impatient, would you like to accompany me to the markets instead?"
Lucan: "If that is what you would like for me to do, then I will accompany you." (Lucan closed the book and stood up, grabbing and fastening his sword on his hip as he approached the front door and opened it for Kiyomi.)

Kiyomi: "Wouldn't you like to fetch your winter wear?"
Lucan: "Uh... This is the only clothes I have Miss." (Lucan chuckled and embarrassingly smiled as he said this.)
Kiyomi: "Oh... I see, My apologies." (Kiyomi stepped out the door as she shivered a little bit from the cold in the air with Lucan following and closing the door behind her.)

(Lucan was walking behind Kiyomi as he rested his hand on the hilt of his blade; following her from booth to booth and shop to shop.)
Merchant: "Thank you Ma'am!"
Kiyomi: "No, Thank you, have a good day now."
Lucan: "So May I ask a question?"
Kiyomi: "Of course."
Lucan: "What is your homeland like? I've never been from outside these lands; actually I haven't been out of my village very much, this is the first time."

Kiyomi: "My homeland is a usually peaceful nation; a very gorgeous land that is known for our happy and kind people, but everything was changed when my father fell ill and my uncle took over. He was a very angry man."
Lucan: "Was?"
Kiyomi: "Sadly for his involvement in starting the war that resulted in many people deaths; I had to make the decision to put him to death for his treason."
Lucan: "That's very tragic, I am sorry to hear that."
Kiyomi: "Its simply the duties of leading a country, which sadly have fallen upon me as the eldest daughter of my father. Lets go into this store."
(Lucan opened the door of the store for Kiyomi as he followed her in and looked around at a clothing shop.)
Lucan: "Didn't think you would want clothes from our lands."
Kiyomi: "Who said I was getting anything in here."

(Lucan looked puzzled at the statement that Kiyomi just said as she started to walk around, picking things off of displays and other things as she glanced back at Lucan every so often.)
Kiyomi: "I'd like to purchase all of these items."
Shop Keep: "Ah I see, shopping for the fella are ya?"
Kiyomi: "Yes, I think he needs a new outfit; I mean look at him."
Lucan: "Woah Woah, you don't have to buy me anything; I am just fine."
Kiyomi: "Just be quiet and go put these on." (She handed all the items to Lucan as he looked uncomfortable and reluctantly went into the changing room to put them on.)

Few Minutes Later

(Lucan emerged from the changing room in a green tunic, brown pants, fur topped boots, a fur lined cloak and new leather armor.)
Lucan: "I appreciate this, but you seriously didn't need to get me anything."
Kiyomi: "You look great! We better get back before Ryota goes crazy thinking something has gone wrong."
Shop keep: "Thank you for shopping here; you two look fantastic together, take care now."
(Lucan opened the door as Kiyomi walked out and he slightly blushed as they headed back to the home.)

Kiyomi: "I was hoping all those clothes would fit you, I don't quite know your size."
Lucan: "They fit fine, but I didn't need these; I'm working for you."
Kiyomi: "Just because you are working for me, does not mean you cannot be a friend as well; and I always help my friends."
(Kiyomi and Lucan Walked down the road, Lucan carrying all the bags that Kiyomi had bought from different merchants throughout the time they were shopping; as the house came into view, Ryota was sitting outside until he spotted the two walking towards him and he quickly rushed to them.)
Ryota: "Lucan, you were not supposed to take the Princess out; that is my job and it was a very dangerous idea. I had come looking and could not find you anywhere; and where did you get those new clothes, I had believed you had no money."
(Before Lucan could speak, Kiyomi cut him off.)
Kiyomi: "First off Mr. Ishikawa, where he got the clothes is non of your business and that was quite a rude statement for you to say to another man. As for why he took me out as my main escort for the shopping was because you were not awake and he was awake before both of us. So I decided that we wouldn't wait and would head out and get it over with ahead of schedule."

(The 3 walk into the house and Lucan quickly walks over to the fireplace in the shared area where he puts 3 pieces of wood in it and quickly starts a fire to heat the room; Kiyomi and Ryota are amazed at how quickly he was able to do it.)
Kiyomi: "You started that fire nearly instantly; do you happen to have some sort of fire magic?"
Lucan: "No, just a lot of practice."
Ryota: "I spent a many years on the road and in battle and never once have I seen a man start a fire that quick without some sort of magic."
(Lucan sat down in the chair he had been in before and picked up the book he was reading, picking up where he left off as Kiyomi and Ryota started to discuss the journey and what was needed to complete it.)

Ryota: "It is a 4 day journey Princess, we are going to need a wagon and plenty of supplies; enough to survive at least 6 days, just incase of emergencies."
Kiyomi: "We will have to plot where we will be staying for the nights; we do not want to be doing it last second."
Lucan: "Between here and the next major town is at least 20 miles of nothing; there will not be a inn for that entire time." (Lucan said from behind his book.)
Kiyomi: "Then what shall we do?"
Ryota: "We will have to make the entire 20 miles in one day."
Lucan: "That's not possible, especially with the weather about to take a turn for the worse; the snow is only getting started. Our best bet would be to get two tents with stoves to heat them; one for the princess and one for us and set up camp half way at 10 miles. "
Ryota: "Is that alright with you Princess?"
Kiyomi: "I will do whatever we have to do in order to get there as safely as possible."
Lucan: "I know the land quite well, I said I haven't traveled much; but I studied maps and grew up in this area, use to take many trips this way to deliver things for the blacksmith and lumberjacks in my village."

Kiyomi: "Interesting, so you spent much of your time traveling?"
Lucan: "I guess you can say that, I always traveled by foot to villages and towns to deliver lumber and weapons to customers; pretty much did anything to get by."
Ryota: "Lucan, if you do not mind me asking; how old are you?"
Lucan: "I do not mind the question at all, I am 17 years old."
Kiyomi: "So young; I would not have guessed you were such a young man."
Ryota: "So the plan is decided then; we will have to fetch the supplies for the tents."
(Lucan closed his book and put it down as he leaned forward and they were surprised suddenly.)

Lucan: "I am going to warn you two, there are many dangerous animals in those woods so you are going to have to listen to me profusely if you want it to go well."
Kiyomi: "We are not worried about animals; they are merely an obstacle."
Lucan: "Not those type of animals, there are far worse beasts in these forests then mere bears and wildcats."
Ryota: "If you mean beasts and bandits; we are not afraid of them."
Lucan: "If you insist on keeping these tough acts, feel free; but I am not going to let you two get yourselves killed because you underestimate what is out there. Miss Kiyomi you are what? A couple years older then me, and you Ryota are only a few years older then her; I can tell you never spent much time on the road or staying in the woods, allow me to take the lead and we will survive without issue."
Kiyomi: "You are not incorrect on us, but if you insist on making things seem worse then they are; then we will listen to what you say when we are out there."
(Lucan grabbed a parchment and dipped a quill in ink as he started to write down a list of things that they needed; as he finished the list he handed it to Ryota.)

Lucan: "I would like for you to go into town and buy everything on this list; ask them to load everything in the wagon and I will be over to collect it tomorrow."
Ryota: "Alright Lucan, make sure the Princess is safe while I am gone." (Ryota grabbed his cloak and put it on as he stepped out the door leaving Lucan and Kiyomi sitting in the shared room as Lucan sat back down and opened his book as Kiyomi stared out a window and pondered.)

(Lucan flipped the page of his book as he started a new chapter; Kiyomi was still looking at the window as she slowly turned her gaze from the scenery outside to Lucan as he read the book. Lucan suddenly had the feeling that someone was looking at him as he slowly lowered his book and saw Kiyomi looking at him; he slowly raised the book again and tried to ignore her before she said something.)
Kiyomi: "You know, I never got to live a normal life due to being a Prestigious Princess and I envy those who got to live a normal life."
Lucan: "as do I Miss Kiyomi."
Kiyomi: "You can just call me Kiyomi; did you not grow up normally? Like a normal person with a normal life and family?"
Lucan: "Sadly I wish, my parents died when I was very young, I was taken in by a family friend but he soon died after, I have pretty much been on my own for 10 years."
Kiyomi: "I apologize Lucan I had no clue that had happened to you."
Lucan: "Don't feel bad; I have a question."
Kiyomi: "What is that?"
Lucan: "Why are you staring at me?"
(Kiyomi's back straightened slightly as she slowly looked away, slightly blushing as she quickly stood up and walked over to a tea pot and started to make a pot of tea; Lucan looked at her puzzled as he didn't understand what he had done, Lucan was about to say something when she sat back down after setting the water to boil and answered his question.)

Kiyomi: "I do not know, I apologize."
Lucan: "No need to apologize, you have quite pretty eyes; I just did not understand why you chose to stare at me of all things."
Kiyomi: "I- Uh.... You are sitting in front of me."
(Lucan closed his book marking his page as he looked a Kiyomi and noticed her red cheeks and scratched his head before he stood up.)
Lucan: "I am going to start preparing dinner."
Kiyomi: "Dinner? You're going to cook? You can cook?"
Lucan: "Woah, hold in your surprise; I'm not just some big oaf." (Lucan pulled out a cooking pot as he placed it over the fire and started to chop various vegetables from carrots to beets.)
Kiyomi: "What are you making?"
Lucan: "A stew my mother use to make; I was picking up the ingredients as you shopped earlier today."

(Lucan set the cut up vegetables aside as he pulled various seasonings as he mixed garlic, onion, rosemary and paprika to make a homemade seasoning, he poured the seasoning into the water and stirred it once; he poured the vegetables into the pot as he then pulled out a rabbit and started to chop it up into finely sliced pieces of meat as he pulled out a smaller pot and poured water into it and put similar seasoning into it mixed with a sauce that came from a bottle that he pulled from the same bag as the seasonings and put the meat in there to marinate before he sat down.)

Lucan: "The trick is to marinate and let the meat cook with the seasoning before you cook it traditionally, then you add a touch of fat left over from the meat mixed with flour to thicken the sauce, adding a few drops of Wine to add a slight more flavor and you're finished."
Kiyomi: "I'm amazed you know all of this."
Lucan: "Ah, you get quite bored when you're on your own; you tend to do anything to fill the time and void."

(Lucan stood up and put on his leather glove grabbing the smaller pot from above the fire as Kiyomi looked at him with sad eyes; he then pulled the rabbit from the water and grabbed a pan putting it over the fight while bending down as he browned the rabbit on it for 2 minutes before he took it and added it to the stew allowing it to simmer and sit for 10 minutes before he opened a bottle of wine and added exactly 1 drop. He then created a roux of fat and flour pouring just enough into the stew to thicken it as he took it off the fire and put it on the table and pulled out 3 plates filling each one of them equally and setting them on the other table before he poured glasses of wine.)

Lucan: "The meal is ready; feel free to help yourself." (Lucan pulled out the chair for Kiyomi as she walked over and sat down, just as Ryota returned through the door and took his cloak off hanging it up.)
Ryota: "What is this?"
Lucan: "Come, Enjoy the dinner that I have prepared."
(Ryota sat down as Kiyomi grabbed her spoon and hesitantly ate a spoon full of the stew as Lucan sat down and started eating his own plate; Kiyomi's eyes widened and started to glow with the tastes that hit her taste buds.)
Kiyomi: "Lucan this is delicious! I have never had anything like this."
Lucan: "I am glad."

(Ryota doubtfully looked at Kiyomi as he then picked up his own spoon and took a bite for himself and had a very similar reaction; he started to eat spoonful after spoonful until it was all gone. Kiyomi and Ryota had bowl after bowl as after some time Lucan returned to his seat reading his book.)
Ryota: "That was excellent Lucan, thank you for the meal."
Kiyomi: "I agree; its been so long since I've had a true homecooked meal, we have been eating dry rice and bread that we packed as we did not know the cuisine here and were skeptical."
Lucan: "I am glad you enjoyed it, as we are on this journey expect me to cook like this often; nutrients are important to survival and vital on such a long journey." (Lucan flipped the page of his book as he said this and the two took seats across from Lucan as he closed his book marking his spot once again.)

Lucan: "Did you get everything on the list Ryota?"
Ryota: "I did; the hardest thing to get was the long bow you asked for, which I do not understand why we need it."
Lucan: "It will be easier for me to hunt for our meat rather then for us to restock in towns; it will also save Kiyomi money as the bigger the towns the more expensive things get."
Kiyomi: "Money is no issue; we had brought plenty of it with us when we came on this journey."
Lucan: "I understand that, but you will not be using it unless extremely necessary. There is a many of people that will see you with all this coin and run off and tell a group of bandits to get a cut of it when they murder and plunder you."
(Ryota and Kiyomi glared at him seriously as he stood up grabbing his things and heading for the door.)
Lucan: "We have an early start tomorrow so I am going to go ahead and head to bed, Be ready for a long and treacherous journey ahead."

(Lucan disappeared into the darkness of the home as he left Ryota and Kiyomi alone together to ponder what could possibly happen on their journey. Lucan arrived in his room and took off his new leather armor and cloak as he then took off his tunic and boots remaining only in his pants, he got into bed and nestled under the covers as he closed his eyes and began to drift into sleep.)

Several Hours Later

(Lucan stirred to consciousness as the cold of the morning creeped into his room, it was still dark out as he slowly sat up and stretched his arm up to get the stiff feeling from his back as he swung his legs out of the covers and sat on the edge of the bed slowly pulling his boots on as he stood up and slipped his tunic over his head and slightly shivered from the cold as he slipped his leather armor over his head. He put his gloves and cloak on as he fastened his sword to his belt and gathered all his things in his pack as he stepped out of the bedroom door and headed downstairs for the front door.)

Lucan (Thinking): "I hope Kiyomi and Ryota are prepared for how hard this journey will be; these lands are not forgiving to those who don't know them." (Lucan opened the front door and stepped out as the cold wind cut across his face and made him cold as he closed the front of his cloak and started to walk for the stables where the wagon with all of the supplies was set up and ready to go. He arrived at the Stables and a handler stood up to meet him.)
Stable Handler: "What can I do for ya buddy?"
Lucan: "I am here to pick up the wagon that was prepared by a foreign man yesterday; I believe he told you guys I would be here."
Stable Handler: "Ah yes lad, that man said a young lad would be by to pick up the wagon; I had no expected you to be such a large lad though. The wagon is just right this way come." (The Handler opened the stable door as he stepped through grabbing a lantern and leading Lucan to a wagon as Lucan walked around and checked it all out and returned to the man.)

Lucan: "Everything looks good, I appreciate you guys for holding it for us."
Stable Handler: "Its not problem lad, your friend paid a good chunk for all of this and then even more to us." (Lucan shook the mans hand as he got onto the wagon with the two horses and grabbed the reins as he slowly pulled it out of the barn as the Handler and another stable keep opened the giant barn doors for him as he waved at them and headed for the house to collect Kiyomi and Ryota.)

Ryota: "I see you already collected the wagon; very well I will fetch Lady Kiyomi and we will be on our way." (Lucan stepped down from the wagon as he waited for them; when they emerged from the house with the remaining stuff Ryota and Lucan loaded everything because helping Kiyomi into the back of the wagon and Ryota got in next closing the top of the wagon completely as Lucan got in the drivers seat.)
Lucan: "Alright, this marks the start of our journey. I take you know how this type of wagon works Ryota?"
Ryota: "I was given a rundown by the salesman yesterday; quite the invention."

(Ryota got up from his seat in the wagon and grabbed 2 pieces of dry firewood and loaded it into a stove build into the side of the wagon with a stove pipe leading upwards as he puts them in and starts a fire slowly heating the back of the wagon as he sits back down.)

Kiyomi: "This Wagon is very interesting; but I can't help but to feel bad for you Lucan as you do not get to be inside the heat with us."
Lucan: "I am quite more use to this type of cold then you two, I will be fine."
Ryota: "We could switch at some point if you need to Lucan, I am not opposed to driving the wagon."
Lucan: "No, I will drive and watch the roads; you are far more capable of protecting the princess then I am."
(Ryota looked a Kiyomi as they shook their heads and started to ponder before Kiyomi spoke up to ask a question.)
Kiyomi: "So how far are we going to go today; you said we should go at least ten miles each day if we want to make it there in two days."
Lucan: "Today we are going to be going five miles, as much as I would like to go ten miles there is a storm coming and it would be better if we could get camp set up before it hits." (Lucan looked to the sky as he worryingly looked at the clouds.)
Ryota: "How do you know there will be a storm?"

Lucan: "The simple way for me to answer that question would be to simply say that I can read the clouds; there will be a massive snow storm hitting us in about 4 hours as we are already 1 hour in, I would like to stop just before the 5 hour mark and set up camp."
Kiyomi: "Interesting; how does one learn to read the clouds? Is that a special skill that is very hard to learn?"
Lucan: "Not one bit, I learned from farmers to do it." (Lucan chuckled as he said this and got a uneasy feeling as he pushed the horses to go a little faster.)
Ryota: "Did you get that same feeling Lucan? Its almost unsettling."
Lucan: "I did and I don't like it."
(Kiyomi looked at them confused when suddenly the side of the wagon was attacked by a massive attack as Lucan quickly disconnected the horses as the wagon got flung on its side; Ryota grabbed Kiyomi as they took a tumble and Lucan was flung from the wagon 10 feet into the forest landing head first in the snow as he passed out.)

Ryota: "Lady Kiyomi are you alright?"
Kiyomi: "Other then being a little rattled I am fine, what in the world was that?"
Ryota: "We are under attack and I believe Lucan was flung from the wagon, he may be injured."
Kiyomi: "What do we do? We need to go and check on him."
Ryota: "Stay in here Princess; I am going to go outside and check what is going on."
(Ryota emerged from the back of the wagon as the cold snowy wind cut through his body and made him shiver slightly as he had one hand on his blade looking around as he turned facing the direction they were going and came face to face with 2 men; he stood there staring at them with a serious look as they were back to back smiling.)

Ryota: "Who are you and why do you wish to attack this wagon?"
???: "Look at this guy; the boldness on him can you believe it brother?"
???: "I can't brother, he must have a death wish to step to both of us on his own."
Ryota: "Take one step and I'll cut you both down where you stand." (Ryota drew his sword as he controlled his breathing to calm himself before he heard something as the hairs on his neck started to stand up as he felt breath on his neck and one of the tall men; one with blue hair and a blindfold was standing behind him.)

???: "Was that an empty threat? I believe I just moved and I don't feel cut down."
(Ryota quickly pivoted on his heels and slashed at the man before he leaped and landed next to the other equally tall man with orangish red hair and a mouth cover on.)
???: "I guess we should introduce ourselves; just to be polite brother, I am Draven Drayke one of the Scourge-Twins and we were sent to kill you and the princess."
???: "You're correct brother, I am Ignis Drayke the other half of the Scourge-Twins and I was also sent here to kill you and the princess."
Ryota: "Kill the princess!?! Over my dead body will that happen!"
Draven: "That's kind of the plan."

(Suddenly Ignis raised his hands in the air and started to charge unusual energy around his forearms before striking the ground with both hands as the ground began to shape into two dragon shaped statues of stone and flew at Ryota as he started to run to dodge them before one of them attempted to strike him as Ryota flipped into the air out of the way and the dragon hit the other before Ryota landed and slid still looking at the two men.)
Ignis: "Damn it he's a slippery one; sorry brother I thought I could end this quickly."
Draven: "That's alright brother; you know the usual plan."
Ignis: "Of Course."
(Ignis once again raised his hands; this time when he struck the ground he kneeled as a 6 wall barrier slowly raised around Ryota as Draven quickly appeared in front of him as the barrier came to a close and they were closed in together.)

Draven: "No running now; this is where you die."
Ryota: "We shall see."
(Draven quickly started to appear around as Ryota stood on guard ready to block any incoming attack when Draven suddenly appeared next to him and suddenly hit him with a backhand sending him into the stone wall as Ryota recovered and got back up on his feet dirty and in pain.)
Ryota (Thinking): "It seems as if he is as light as a feather but that backhand felt like I was hit by a charging herd of bison."
Draven: "You have the smell of a scared rabbit running from its hunter; I love when people like you fear me."
Ryota: "You sure are one confident man."
Draven: "Why should I be any different when I'm just going to play with and torture you till you die; then I'm going to have my fun with the Princess as she screams and begs for mercy."
(Ryota's scowl sharpened as he mentioned the princess and suddenly Draven was right in front of him.)
Draven: "You stand no chance against me; and even if you somehow beat me my brother will murder you before you can even land a serious slash on me, I am going to pick you apart like a buzzard picks apart a corpse." (Draven grabbed Ryota with a firm grasp as Ryota tried to shake it and found it to be impossible and started to feel the weight of his arms on his shoulders become nearly unbearable as Draven cockily smiled and chuckled in his face.)

Ryota: "So you're just a pawn to another man is that it?" (Draven slightly let up as Ryota was able to bear it now as Draven had a big frown on his face.)
Draven: "I am no pawn; I do whatever I want when I want."
Ryota: "It would seem you take orders from another man; so you don't truly do whatever you want do you?" (Draven Snarled as he flung Ryota across the barrier and he quickly used his hand to flip over and land on his feet as Draven skulked back and forth.)
Draven: "I will not allow you to get into my head and bend it; I commend you for trying but that's not going to work." (Draven leaped into the air as he kicked off a tree sticking up in the barrier and was above Ryota as he suddenly and quickly descended creating a crater in the ground where Ryota stood as he rolled out of the just in time.)

Ryota (Thinking): "His fighting style is most unusual; he is not very direct but he has such devastating attacks mixed with such speed..."
Draven: "You just got lucky there; this time you won't" (Draven quickly disappeared; Ryota looked around as suddenly Draven appeared once again as his leg was grabbed from below and he can not move, Draven came in with a flying kick as Ryota sheathed his blade and leaned back all the way to the ground and loosening the grip of the hand as he rolled out of the way as Draven did a downward axe kick revealing Ignis from the ground as they are now both facing him.)
Ignis: "Almost had him brother."
Draven: "Indeed we did." (They fist bumped as they said this.)
Ryota: "I believe I understand your fighting style; it is now my turn to go on the offense."
(Ryota drew his blade as he quickly stutter stepped towards Draven and quickly slashed at his body as he leaped into the air with a cocky smile; Ryota turned and ran straight up a tree as he appeared above Draven spinning with his blade pointed straight at him before Ignis pulled Draven out of the way like a balloon.)
Ryota: "Exactly as I thought; you're not fast or strong, you simply control your mass and manipulate it to make yourself move quicker and hit harder."
Draven: "Very good you stupid fool; you understand my power but there is not enough imagination in the world for you to beat us."

Ryota (Thinking): "I do not believe I could defeat both of them in two on one; I must play carefully here. If only Lucan had not been thrown from the wagon and knocked unconscious."
(Kiyomi looked out the wagon and saw the Barrier as she quickly stepped out and ran into the woods searching the ground for the unconscious Lucan as she started to call out his name until she tripped over something and looked back and realized it was Lucan as she quickly looked over him for any injuries.)
Kiyomi (Thinking): "It doesn't seem that he is injured; he must of just been knocked unconscious from the fall, He should wake if I try." (Kiyomi was about to try till she heard a loud laugh come from the barrier.)
Draven: "Brother you deal with this fool, I smell the woman and I'm hungry for a bite." (Draven licked his lips as he quickly appeared on top of the barrier and leaped down sprinting towards Kiyomi as Ryota realized he could not do anything and screamed out to her.)
Ryota: "PRINCESS KIYOMI PLEASE RUN; HE IS COMING FOR YOU! GO NOW!"

(Kiyomi turned from trying to wake Lucan to see Draven sprinting at her at full speed as she attempted to get up and run from him picking up her clothing to not fall as he slowly closed in on her and she made it onto the road running but it was in vain when he caught up and lunged for her with an open hand licking his lips once again as he grabbed her shoulder and turned her.)
Draven: "As much as I would like to have fun with you; I am going to have to kill you as it would make things much easier." (Draven pulled a fist back and tripled the mass in it as Kiyomi trembled and stared in fear at the thought closing her eyes to wait for it as Ryota was holding off Ignis he suddenly heard an impact as he screamed.)
Ryota: "NOOOOOOOOO LADY KIYOMI!"
Ignis: "Hehehe, You're pathetic." (Ryota turned to Ignis angered as he charged the man, dodging many stone structured attacks and even a few punches as he was now standing behind Ignis sheathing his blade.)
Ignis: "What a terrible swordsman you didn't even cut me-"

(Ignis's sentence was cut off when a gush of blood came from his throat and he fell to his knees turning into a thousand cuts of flesh insides organs and clothes as Ryota leaped over the wall to run to see if Kiyomi was alright, as he arrived to the area where he heard the attack land he was amazed to see that Kiyomi was being held by one arm of Lucan as the other was holding back Draven's arm as it shaking as he had a angry look on his face and couldn't believe what had happened.)
Lucan: "I don't know what is going on; but I take it that you are the man that attacked the wagon and I don't like your smell."
Draven: "You're brave boy; but this is where your life ends."
(Draven quickly stepped back as he charged a massive amount of power into his left leg and quickly stepped with his right leg as he launched himself forward and came with a downward axe kick once again at Lucan who was holding Kiyomi as he quickly tosses Kiyomi into the air and dodged the kick as he slid between Draven's legs as he landed and caught Kiyomi in his arms.)
Lucan: "Are you alright Kiyomi?"
Kiyomi: "Yes I am thanks to you; thank you Lucan."
Lucan: "I'm just doing my job, I am going to give you to Ryota and fight this bastard." (He jogged over to Ryota as he placed Kiyomi on her feet and looked back at Draven.)
Lucan: "Make sure she's safe; I'm going to beat this bastards ass."
Ryota: "Be weary Lucan, he is a formidable foe."
Lucan: "Don't worry about me; just worry about her."
(As Lucan was about to run towards Draven to engage him in combat; a massive pillar of rock shot at him sliding him back as he blocked it as Ignis emerged from the ground as the barrier of rock from before fell. Ryota in shock looked back to where the left Ignis's sliced up body to only see rubble.)

Ignis: "You really think you can write off a Scourge-Brother that easily?"
Ryota: "You Bastard with such tricks, you're no man; you are simply a jester."
Ignis: "That's rich coming from the guy that is about to die." (Ryota suddenly looked down and noticed that his feet were encased in rock as he tried to break it with the handle of his sword and was unsuccessful he quickly realized this was not good and he would not be able to dodge as he looked forward and saw Ignis charging a punch.)
Ryota: "Lady Kiyomi, run and do not look back; and if me and Lucan do not come in the next 30 mins find the boat and return to the Land of the Glowing Sun."
Kiyomi: "But-"
Ryota: "NO ARGUING THIS TIME GO!"
(Kiyomi turned as she hesitated and began to run as she disappeared into the distance as Ignis was now sprinting with the charged rock punch ready to decapitate Ryota as He closed his eyes and accepted what was going to happen before Ignis was sent flying by a tree trunk hitting him in the side as he crashed through 3 trees as Lucan's grip on the tree made it explode into a million pieces.)
Lucan: "You're really starting to piss me off."