Flower 8: Unexpected Separation

The dune buggy kicked up sandy trails as it journeyed across the harsh expanse of Thessaldonia's desert. Ryder had stashed away rations from Vicky V's, ensuring everyone could eat and drink as they traveled—albeit for a price, which Mine promised to settle once his mission was accomplished. A brief stop for a stretch and some relief, and they were back on the route as guided by Gunther's goggles.

Molly nestled against Mine, using his suit jacket as a blanket, and dozed off while Ryder kept himself entertained in the backseat, humming along to a tune tapping on his helmet in his lap. Meanwhile, Trey engaged in a peculiar chat with Gunther, the plush beaver in goggle form, as the journey pressed on.

“So this is your first time seeing the universe?” Trey asked.

“Indeed matey,” Gunther grumbled, “Mine and I forged our pact in El Dorado. Ever since then I’ve always been by his side.”

“Wow, that’s crazy. I want a creed.”

“Sorry to tell ya kid but ya gotta be a Heart to form a creed.”

Trey sighed, “That sucks.” He was quiet for a moment and then asked, “What business could Mr. Heart have on this planet if he’s been locked up for six hundred years?”

Gunther chuckled, “We may not have been able to leave, but we had occasional visitors.”

“I thought El Dorado was supposed to be really hard to find.”

“Well, most people were simply lost and found their way to El Dorado,” Gunther said.

“Huh? How does that work?” Trey asked.

“El Dorado is a place that tends to collect lost things and people. You didn’t know where ya were before ya found the door right?”

Trey thought back to Leivviel and shook his head, “I didn’t know where I was but there was a map that led us to the door.”

Gunther's laughter filled the air, coinciding with a sudden blackout on the screen guiding Trey. Startled, Trey hit the brakes hard, jolting the dune buggy and waking Mine from his slumber. Instinctively, Mine held onto Molly, who remained undisturbed, continuing to snore lightly against his chest.

"Are you alright?" Mine inquired, turning towards Trey. His gaze shifted to the backseat where Ryder remained in an unbroken concentration, his eyes glowing faintly under closed lids as he worked. The helmet resting in his lap emitted a similar pulsating light, yet its screen remained blank.

“I’m fine,” Trey said, breathing heavily with his hands gripping the steering wheel. He snatched off the goggles and tossed them in the backseat.

Gunther was still laughing when he returned to normal and said, “Forgive’em cap’n. The boy said he had a map that brought him to El Dorado.”

“I did,” Trey snapped, “Molly did something to my watch and we were led to it by a map.”

Mine noticed that the boy was upset and placed his hand on his, “I believe you dear. Never mind Gunther.” Mine turned to the plush beaver and scolded him with his eyes, “He already told us that bit of information back at the saloon dear.”

Gunther waved him off, “I dunno if I was payin attention at the time.” He shrugged, “Ta be honest I woulda laughed then if I had been. There’s no way ya can find El Dorado unless yer lost.”

“Anything is possible in Tucy,” Mine said with a coy smile. Gunther stopped laughing and glared at him. He hated when Mine used his logic and words against him.

“There are also rules,” Gunther noted, “In order to find yer way to what’s lost is to be lost. Having a map means ya know where ya are and where ya goin.”

“Ask her,” Trey spat, pointing at Molly, “She’s the one who did it.”

Mine raised his hand stopping Gunther’s response before he even started. He sighed and said, “I believe you Trey. However, Gunther you aren’t wrong. That’s how everyone else found El Dorado, however, no one came in through one of the doors in the chamber. Casto, wrong portal coordinates. The Avalon, crash landed. Neblina, literally fell from the sky and crashed into the throne room. Bazpo was meandering about the cosmos. They were lost, but none of them used the doors. Maybe Molly has a better understanding of things connected to the doors somehow.”

Gunther rocked his head side to side and finally said, “I guess yer right.”

“Of course I am dear,” Mine said, “I’m a genius after all.”

Suddenly, a blaring alarm shattered the quiet of the desert, prompting everyone to snap to attention. All eyes turned to Violet, who was propped in Ryder’s lap. She began to float and her screen lit up, followed by her urgent voice. “There’s a storm approaching. Seeking shelter is highly recommended.”

"Seems we're in a spot of trouble," Mine remarked, glancing around at the encroaching sandstorm. "We need shelter, and fast. Any suggestions, Gunther dear? What’s Nowhere got to offer?”

Gunther disappeared behind Mine and reappeared a moment later, “Nuffin cap’n.”

Ryder jolted back to reality and erupted into screams, bolting out of the dune buggy and dashing aimlessly across the desert sands. His frantic sprint transformed into futile attempts to scale a nearby dune, only to slide back down to the bottom. Trey found himself chuckling at Ryder's antics, even as Ryder pointed fingers at the laughing Storm Child, blaming him for their chaotic situation.

“I can’t control the weather,” Trey managed to say. “I didn’t drive into the storm.”

“Then what’s the point of being called Storm Children.”

“Because of my mother duh,” Trey said as he knocked on his head.

Mine and Gunther exchanged curious glances but didn’t say anything.

“You’re completely useless,” Ryder yelled, throwing his hands in the air. He turned to walk away and Violet fell on his head. Her voice came across clear but only audible to him, “Capture is imminent. I suggest we abandon the others.”

Before Ryder could issue a warning, he was enveloped by tremendous pressure. When he glanced back at the dune buggy, Trey stood with his hands raised, while Mine held Molly close and simply observed. Ryder let out a groan and turned, discovering they were surrounded. Grateful for the helmet he wore, he noticed seven Sisters of Olympus, riding large, sharp-beaked birds, encircling their dune buggy. Each of the sisters were draped in vibrant cloaks with shimmering gold trim, an impressive sight.

“Hi, I’m-“ Trey started to say.

”Silence,” snapped Sister Akik’ibe as she threw off the hood of her red cloak. She was an older woman with red and white hair braided back. Her face was framed by a thick scar and her cloak was adorned with more patterns than the other women she was accompanied by.

“I don’t wanna die,” Ryder whispered.

The elderly woman vanished leaving her mount, and Violet abruptly flew off Ryder’s head as he was kicked in the face, burying his head in the sand.

“Silence was a command,” the woman declared, turning to the others. “Do you understand?”

Trey nodded earnestly, while Mine regarded the woman unimpressed and unamused. With a deep breath, he sighed and acknowledged her.

“Very good,” the woman, known as Sister Akik’ibe, stated with pursed lips. “I am Sister Akik’ibe. You have trespassed on the sacred ground of our monarch, Queen Zeus Titan. You have been charged and found guilty of the following crimes…”

Mine began to laugh and covered his mouth, but Akik’ibe’s eyes snapped to him. He attempted to raise his hand to speak but couldn’t contain the fit of giggles that spilled from his lips. The woman vanished again.

“I’m sorry, but this is outrageous. How can we be charged and found guilty without a trial?” He asked, blocking her attempted strike with his cane.

The woman completed a series of backflips to put space between her and Mine. She raised her hand and said, “On behalf of the Sisters of Olympus, my judgment is final. Kill them!”

Ryder scrambled to free himself from the sand, shaking his head in disbelief. The distant war cries of the Sisters of Olympus echoed, and he looked up at Mine, panic etched on his face. "I don't wanna die, boss."

Mine met Ryder's gaze and sensed the sincerity in the man's eyes. He drew in a deep breath and shook his head gently. "This isn't where my story ends, and as long as you're in my employ, I can assure you that yours won't either." He placed a comforting hand on Ryder's shoulder and offered a reassuring smile.

Snap!

The scene shifted abruptly as Mine and the others disappeared, causing the Sisters of Olympus to halt their advance and rein in their birds. Sister Akik’ibe cursed under her breath, scanning the surroundings until she noticed a sleeping figure beneath a suit jacket. She signaled to her fellow sisters to stay alert and cautiously approached the vehicle, carefully removing the jacket to reveal a resting individual.

Molly stirred from her slumber, rubbing her eyes and blinking groggily at her surroundings. She spotted the limp Gunther plush on the seat next to her and hugged it tightly, finding comfort in its soft fur. Yawning and stretching, she glanced around, immediately noticing the nine cloaked women surrounding her, their faces obscured by their cloaks. Feeling a pang of anxiety, she swallowed nervously and clutched the plush Gunther closer to her chest.

***

Mine, Trey, and Ryder reappeared at the mountain's base, finding themselves in the heart of a quarry bustling with a diverse group of men, all diligently mining crystals of varying colors. Curiously, none of the workers appeared surprised or disrupted by the trio's sudden appearance.

In a rush of laughter, Ryder leaped to his feet, frantically patting himself all over. However, his amusement swiftly turned to concern when he realized Violet was nowhere to be found. Hastily, he pulled up his trench coat, attempting to shield his face from view.

“Where are we?” Trey asked with a wrinkled brow. “How’d we get here?”

Mine sighed, “We were in the desert but would end up here eventually. I just made it happen without all the fuss, dear.”

“I don’t get it,” Ryder said, “But I’m alive and that’s all that matters.”

Trey glanced up at Mine and asked, “Where’s Molly?”

Mine realized he wasn’t holding the small voskia girl anymore and frowned. He looked around and said, “Gunther isn’t here either. It’s possible she never came to this place with us.”

“Where is she?” Trey asked. “We gotta go back. We can’t just leave her behind.”

“She’s with Gunther, she’ll be fine,” Mine said, “However, I’m curious as to what would lead us to this place without her.”

“What if those ladies took her?” Trey asked insightfully. “Maybe she’s with them.”

“If she’s amongst the women of this planet its safe to assume she’s safe,” Mine said, “From what I’ve been told Thessalddonia is unforgiving to men.”

Ryder turned to him and peeked from within his trench coat and asked, “What’d you mean?”

“I thought you knew the monarch,” Trey pressed.

Mine chuckled, ”We all end up where we’re supposed to be dear, even when the reason isn’t clear.” He leisurely walked through the quarry twirling his cane.

“Why are you like this?” Ryder asked as he followed.

“Like what dear?”

“So, nonchalant,” Ryder said, “We lost Molly, you don’t know why we’re here, and you…” he looked back to see where Trey was and whispered, “Don’t know the Monarch.”

“I know why we’re here,” Mine said simply.

Trey scanned the workers in the quarry, observing their vacant stares and the burden rune necklaces adorning each of their necks. A shiver ran down his spine; he'd been warned to steer clear of Thessaldonia but never understood why. His mother had always emphasized the Queen's formidable power, and that was enough to keep him away. Stranded on this planet, a sense of foreboding grew within him. Just as he started to voice his unease, he noticed Mine and Ryder had wandered off. Racing after them, he inadvertently caught the attention of a woman seemingly made of metal in a yellow cloak with black trim.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Ryder seemed baffled, "So, hold on. You're saying you're six centuries old and Bazpo gave you his star vessel after he swapped places with you as the resident of El Dorado?"

“A solid summary,” Mine nodded as he headed toward a cavern, “Listen dear, all I want is to settle my business here and return home. The ship I gave you blueprints for will help me get to my destination. Once we get back to El Dorado we’ll use Bazpo’s star vessel to find a place of respite for you to work in and go from there. I promise you’ll need for nothing and you’ll be safe in my employment.”

Ryder leveled a skeptical gaze at Mine. "You said that, and we nearly died. Those women were going to kill us."

"Did we, though? The truth is, we wouldn't have ended up here if that were a fact," Mine responded calmly. "From what I gather, we'd have been enthralled by them and sent here to work until... well, until we died," he continued nonchalantly, observing an old man collapsing nearby. "But none of that matters now," he added, arms outstretched. "All that matters is the present, and here we are."

There was a sudden uproar, and both men turned to see Trey racing toward them. Mine raised an eyebrow, tilting his head, while Ryder took off in the opposite direction. As Trey neared Mine, he waved and bolted past, urgently shouting, "Run!"

Behind Trey, the Sister of Olympus who had spotted him earlier charged through the quarry workers effortlessly, her stride flawless and her legs visibly crafted from metal. Mine, intrigued, remained rooted to the spot.

"Mr. Heart!" Trey's panicked voice echoed from several yards away, "She's a Perpetual!"

"A what—" Mine began, but before he could finish, the woman unsheathed a red crystal katana from her belt and sliced him cleanly in two.

Terror widened Trey's eyes as the grim reality sank in. This was precisely why his mother had forbidden him from being on Thessaldonia. The women here were fearsome. With that chilling realization, he swiftly pivoted and raced toward the cavern where he'd seen Ryder vanish.

***

“This should prove useful,” Sister Nozu said as she tossed a small vial to Gilda.

She grabbed the vial, emitting a groan. Bruised and aching all over from Sister Nozu's intense training, her entire body protested. She twisted the top off the vial and brought it close to her nose. Instantly recoiling, she gagged and swiftly sealed it shut. "There's no chance I'm drinking this."

“It’ll help with the soreness,” Nozu said, “I believe I broke a few of your ribs, I suggest you drink the mender.”

Gilda stuck out her tongue defiantly, tucking the vial into her cloak just as the door to the training courtyard swung open. Both sisters turned their attention to the entrance, catching the expression on Doro's face. She noticed the awkward gazes directed at her and immediately put on a smile, presenting the sweet bun that had been requested. However, Gilda winced in discomfort as she tried to stand up, emitting a groan. Nozu couldn't help but chuckle, swiftly delivering a backhand to Gilda's midsection before heading toward Doro. The two exchanged a brief, hushed conversation. With a salute from Doro, Nozu departed without sparing a glance back at Gilda.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Gilda asked as Doro approached her.

“Of course,” Doro said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “You look awful.”

“Nozu’s just better at hiding her pain,” Gilda said as she sighed heavily and accepted the still warm sweet bun. “Mmm, thank you. How was the city? Anything new?”

Doro hesitated to reply and after a few moments she smiled again and said, “Sister Leida is having a girl.”

“Really?” Gilda asked not surprised, “That’s not new. When was the last time a woman had a boy on Thessaldonia?” she shook her head and took a bite of the sweet bun. Her hand moved to her cheek as she chewed acknowledging another sore spot from her training.

“I’m sure there are boys born on the surface,” Doro said, noticing Gilda’s discomfort. “You used your sway didn’t you?”

“How can you tell?” Gilda asked after she struggled to swallow. She couldn’t help but smile when Doro offered her another of her favorite treats, “A frizzy melon frizz? What did I do today that your treating me so nicely?”

“I always spoil you,” Doro swatted her playfully, “Besides, Nozu only goes this hard,” she touched dried blood on Gilda’s forehead and she winced involuntarily, “when you use your sway.”

Gilda’s lips twisted upward as she pulled away and said, “You never let me sleep in.”

“I didn’t say I coddle you,” Doro said, “I’m going to heal you up. You still have classes to attend this afternoon.”

Gilda groaned again and asked, “Do I have to?”

“Of course you do,” Doro said as she exhaled and a green smoke billowed from her mouth and surrounded Gilda soothing her bruised and aching body.

“You know this is gross,” Gilda said as her body healed rapidly as it was enveloped in the green smoke. It wrapped around her mouth and her cheek felt better instantly.

“I’m aware you’ve mentioned it seven million seventy-seven times now,” Doro said cutting off the smoke and tying a knot at the end.

Gilda chuckled softly, "Well, as long as you understand." As the smoke dissipated, she stretched, and with a series of pops and cracks, her body completely healed, leaving her feeling incredible. "Thank you, though. It's always appreciated."

***

Trey stole a glance over his shoulder and the Sister of Olympus stood over the two halves of Mine and a tear spilled down his cheek. Trey sprinted toward the caverns, desperate to reach Ryder and potentially join him on his star vessel. Just as he crossed the cave's entrance, he was suddenly jerked backward and pinned against the wall. Mine swiftly covered Trey's mouth, signaling for silence with a gentle finger to his lips. Dressed in a forest green suit with a chocolate brown shirt, Mine smiled warmly at Trey, who couldn't help but embrace him.

“I thought you were dead.”

“Over there I was,” Mine said pointing back to the quarry. “These women mean business. Luckily I’ve got dolls to spare.” He looked around and asked, “Where’s Mr. Gear?”

“He didn’t run by you?” Trey whispered.

“No dear,” Mine said, “I arrived here just as you did.”

“Maybe he ran away.”

Mine chuckled, “I don’t think Mr. Gear is that much of a coward.”

“I do,” Trey said as he let go of Mine and wiped his face.

Trey was spot-on about Ryder Gear. As soon as he entered the cavern, Ryder sprinted forward without a pause. Swiftly reaching into his coat, he crushed another bottle and flung it ahead of him. In an instant, a hover bike materialized in front of him. Without hesitation, he hopped on, activating the silent vehicle with a press of a button. Speeding down the cavern's broad corridor, he skillfully navigated past the working men and delved deeper into the cave's depths.

Ryder sneezed causing him to veer off course and slam into the wall. He was thrown from the bike and hit the ground with loud crash. He ended up with his heels over his head and his coat draped over him. He cursed and growled, “Storm brat, he’s gonna get me killed. I really don’t wanna die.”

He murmured under his breath upon hearing approaching footsteps, quickly taking cover behind a heap of dull crystals. Peering cautiously over the crystals, he spotted two burly men carrying crystal pitchforks on their shoulders. They moved silently, their expressions glazed, much like the other workers he'd seen.

Carefully skirting along the wall, he found an unoccupied cavern and pressed onward, delving deeper into the caves. As he progressed, the passageways grew more labyrinthine until he reached a fork in the path. Glancing back to where he had come from, he realized he was entirely alone; not even the workers had ventured as far into the depths as he had.

"Hello?" His voice reverberated through the cavern, the sound trailing endlessly. Suddenly feeling exposed, he clutched his trench coat tightly. "Is anybody there?"

"Not usually this deep," a voice responded.

Ryder's head snapped around, but he saw no one. Shaking his head and wiping the sweat from his brow, he muttered, "I'm losing my mind."

"Why do you think that?" the voice continued.

"I'm hearing voices, obviously," Ryder replied, his eyes widening as he stiffened. "I was hoping it was my subconscious."

"Zeus Titan," the voice suddenly declared.

"Where?" Ryder hit the floor, covering his head with his trench coat, and began crawling toward the wall. Booming laughter filled the cavern.

"I knew it, you haven’t been enchanted. Who are you?" The voice shouted followed by a booming laughter.

"I’m lost and stressed out," Ryder said, cautiously peeking from beneath his trench coat. He breathed a sigh of relief upon recognizing the voice as male and not that of the Sisters of Olympus. Standing up, he asked, "Where are you?"

"Look out!" the voice warned, and before Ryder could react, a monkey landed on his head. The reddish-brown monkey had turquoise eyes and sported harem pants with an intricate design similar to the cloaks of the Sisters of Olympus. The monkey patted Ryder on the head, "My bad, bro."

“N-no pro-problem monkey,” Ryder said as he fought the urge to fling the beast from his shoulder.

The monkey leaped from his shoulder, and with a swirl of turquoise smoke, he morphed into a towering figure. In the dim-lit cavern, his head remained shrouded, while his colossal frame, broad shoulders, and sculpted back resembled that of an Olympian athlete. A thick, reddish-brown, prehensile tail coiled around his waist, accentuating the harem pants he wore. As he flexed his neck, a satisfying crack echoed through the space.

Ryder instinctively took a step backward, a sudden urge to flee gripping him. But assessing the man's formidable physique, he knew evasion would prove futile. He relaxed slightly, reassured that he wasn't indebted to such an imposing figure. With a subtle movement, he loosened his trench coat and reached within, retrieving a small bottle. He hesitated, prepared to shatter it against the ground, but halted as he caught the piercing turquoise gaze fixed upon him.

"How did you escape the desert without succumbing to enchantment?" The man's voice deepened in his human-like form. He adjusted his stance, rolling his shoulders, and inquired, "You were there, in the desert, weren't you?"

Ryder felt beads of sweat forming on his brow. His nerves palpable as he adjusted his collar with a gulp. "No, that wasn't me. I, uh..." His words faltered as he abruptly froze, pressing against the wall.

A wispy turquoise mist snaked across the floor, extending its tendrils toward them. Reacting swiftly, the man vaulted over the fog and seized Ryder by the collar, attempting to hoist him off the ground. Surprised by Ryder's unexpected weight, he struggled initially, but as Ryder leaped, his body became lighter, allowing the man to lift him effortlessly off the ground.

"We shouldn't be here, Sister Gilda," Doro yelled. "This could be dangerous."

"I heard laughter," Gilda exclaimed, excitement in her voice.

"We shouldn't meander," Doro retorted. "What if we get lost?"

"I've been using my fog to map out Olympus for years. All these caverns are connected," Gilda casually mentioned.

Doro halted in her tracks. "You what?"

Gilda froze, realizing she had revealed her greatest secret. The turquoise mist faded, and Gilda turned back to Doro, her cheeks flushed crimson. "I know a shortcut back to the city," she hurriedly tried to change the subject, but Doro's dark scowl indicated trouble. Nervously biting her lip, Gilda averted her gaze from Doro, bracing herself.

After a tense silence, Doro harrumphed and spoke tersely, "Let's return before NLO-8 comes with calvary."

Gilda sighed with relief, and their footsteps quickly faded away.

The hefty man exhaled, the same sense of relief evident as he gently returned Ryder to the ground, landing beside him. He scratched the back of his head, revealing a moment of vulnerability. Taking a closer look at him, Ryder couldn't help but feel a bit intimidated by the man's striking ruggedness. Ryder instinctively ran his fingers through his hair and adjusted his clothes, attempting to present himself as decently as possible in front of the nearly unclothed man.

"Close call," Ryder exhaled gratefully. "Thank you for that."

The man shrugged casually. "Why’d you lie to me?"

Ryder's eyes widened. "What’d you mean?"

"You've got sand in your beard and a knot from Sister Akik’ibe’s kick. I've had my fair share of those..." He lightly poked the knot on Ryder’s head, causing him to wince. "No need to lie to me. Like you," he leaned in, draping his arm over Ryder's shoulder and whispered, "I'm trying to escape this place myself. Help me, and I'll help you."

"Seriously?" Ryder asked, the excitement of potential escape eclipsing the pain.

"Absolutely. My future wife is out there among the stars, and I won't find her by staying here."

“Wife?” Ryder asked, clearly confused.

The man started to laugh and led Ryder through the cavern, “Yeah man, I’m not marrying any of the Sisters of Olympus, my wife’s gotta be far from here.”

Ryder rubbed the knot on his head and said, “I wouldn’t want to marry any of them either.”

The man chuckled and asked, “What’s your name?”

“Ryder,” he grumbled, “Yours?”

“Kyan,” the man said offering him his hand.

The two men shook hands and a low wooshing sound could be heard ahead of them.

“What’s that?” Ryder asked, freezing in his tracks.

“That’s our way up,” Kyan said.

Ryder shook his head, “Nah, I’m good. I just need a spot I can meditate so I can build and not be captured.”

“Well the only way to get off the planet is to depart from the city.”

“What? Why? I can just take off from the ground.”

“Not if you want to smash into the burden barrier that surrounds the planet. Only way to leave the atmosphere is from the highest point on the planet and that’s the city.”

Ryder groaned and said, “Isn’t that where Queen Zeus lives.”

“Yup,” Kyan shouted as the sound got louder. “No worries though. We won’t go straight to the top. You need to finish your build and a safe place right?”

“I do,” Ryder said.

“I can provide that just follow me,” Kyan said, “I know this place like the back of my hand.” He noticed the freckles on the back of his hand and looked at them with wonder, “I didn’t know I had freckles there.”

Ryder’s shoulders dropped and he palmed his face, “What have I gotten myself into?”

“Not sure yet but it sounds like fun,” Kyan said swatting him on the back causing the smaller man to stumble.

The cavern echoed with a whooshing sound, louder than ever, forcing Kyan to shout, “Can you handle heights?”

"As long as I'm not plummeting from them, I'm good!" Ryder yelled, struggling to hear himself amidst the tumultuous noise. Ahead, a radiant light beckoned from the cave's end.

"Great! This is the opposite," Kyan playfully backhanded Ryder, then dashed forward. "Come on!"

Ryder hesitated but feared getting lost, so he sprinted to catch up. He halted when he saw Kyan standing at a cave opening. The wind roared so fiercely that Ryder couldn't make out Kyan's words. Feeling a tap on his shoulder, he saw Kyan pointing at a beaded necklace around his own neck. Kyan removed it and tossed it into the opening. Suddenly, the necklace soared into the air, causing Ryder's knees to buckle, sending him tumbling. Shaking his head, Ryder found Kyan clearly amused as he approached, wearing a broad smile, and extended his hand. Ryder hesitated but took Kyan's hand, instantly regretting it as he felt his body yanked from the ground and hurtling towards the opening. He squeezed his eyes shut, experiencing a fleeting weightlessness before foolishly peeking. His mouth opened to scream, but he succumbed, fainting. Kyan agilely flipped into the opening, catching Ryder's limp body and his necklace as he ascended gracefully.

Mine Imagination: Flight of the Hummingbirds

By: T. M. Ashley