The next night, a pair of flying guards had peeked into Clef’s window, checking that she was still there. After confirming that she was still there, they began to talk.

“She’s still here…” One guard said.

“Yeah, what was Xatl so worried about?” The other guard said. “Infected by a demon… she’s of royal blood, there’s no way a demon could infect her.”

“She’s just being a brat… a little re-education, as Xatl is putting it, is all she’s gonna need.” One guard said.

“Yeah let’s hurry up and finish the first patrol, I wanna get some Zs before we start the next one.”

“Yeah… quit your hollering.”

The guards had quickly flown off, continuing their patrol. After making sure they were actually gone, Clef got up and picked up the bag, filled with food and some tools.

“Perfect, I’ll have plenty of time to get these to those guys and get back here before next patrol… hopefully these tools will help them fix up their ship.” As Clef walked over to the window, a wrench fell from her bag and hit the floor… oddly enough, making a hollow noise. “Oops…”

Clef bent down and picked up the wrench, realizing that the drop made a small hole in the stone. She could see the other side of the stone and ran her hand across it, which opened a small compartment. All that was within it, is a note… which she removed, it was addressed to her.

“Dear Fae… I won’t always be around to protect you, so I left a small supply of stuff for you if you ever need to run away… I hid it in a place that only you and I would know to look, find the mound…” Clef read it, stopping at the end of the note. “Love, Denza…”

Clef looked around the room, making sure no one heard the wrench hit the stone. She didn’t have the luxury of time to go searching for a hidden cache of gear, so she pocketed the note. After shoving the note away, she ran and flew out of the window, scurrying to wherever Ryuu and Kidd were.

She landed in the clearing that the ship was being parked in, dropping the bag of food and tools on the ground. Ryuu and Kidd turned to face Clef.

“Hey, so you didn’t rat us out.” Kidd said. “Good on you.”

“You thought I was gonna tell the other Avenix about you?” Clef asked. “How shallow do you think I am?”

“Ah, don’t listen to him. Kidd is just kinda sketch.” Ryuu said.

“Stop calling me that…” Kidd said as he picked up the bag. “Tools… thanks… we didn’t have any.”

“Why not?” Clef asked.

“We just didn’t have any, I never packed any when I left home.” Ryuu said.

“That’s not worrying at all…” Clef said.

“Speaking of… I hope you don’t mind me asking why you want to leave so bad?” Kidd asked.

“Well, my brother always wanted to go out and see the universe… but he passed away.” Clef said. “And it made me want to go out and discover what’s out there, I kinda just want a change of pace.”

“While a change of pace is understandable, there’s gotta be more to it than that.” Kidd said.

“Kidd, don’t pry on it so much.” Ryuu said.

“No, it’s fine…” Clef said. “My dad is just a little… overbearing. He thinks that I don’t need to see it all, that it’s dangerous.”

“Oh yeah, and who’s your dad?” Kidd asked.

“Well, he’s kinda maybe the king of the Avenix on this planet.” Clef said, nervous.

“Your dad is a bloody king!?” Ryuu asked.

“He’s not gonna come after us if you end up leaving, is he?” Kidd asked.

“He might… but at the same time he might not.” Clef said. “He’s so grounded here that I’m doubting he does anything.”

“But at the same time, he sounds pretty set in stone on keeping you here too.” Ryuu said.

“Avenix aren’t exactly technologically advanced.” Kidd said. “We probably don’t have anything to worry about, they use those oversized toothpicks they call spears to fight.”

“That doesn’t mean they aren’t scary… my dad has numbers on his side.” Clef said. “It’s easy to get overwhelmed.”

“Nothing we can’t handle… we took out those Federation goons back in Crash Town.” Ryuu said.

“You guys fought the Federation?” Clef asked. “Not a lot of people can say they fought them and survived.”

“Yup, you’re looking at the guy that’s gonna captain the greatest treasure hunting crew in the 88!” Ryuu flexed. “A good captain has to be strong for his crew!”

“So you’re strong huh…” Clef said. “Good to know…”

“Anyway your majesty, you oughta be heading back.” Ryuu said. “Don’t wanna get caught by King Scrooge.”

“Oh, yeah!” Clef said. “It takes a while to get back!”

“Don’t forget, if you aren’t around by noon tomorrow. We’re leaving!” Kidd said.

“Right, noon!” Clef said. “I’ll be here.”

Clef stood up and took off, flying back towards the palace. She looks back at the two hunters and smiles, looking at Ryuu in particular. As she went faster, she took her eyes off the two and didn’t realize that the group had been watched… Xatl peeked out from a tree, cackling as his eye began to twitch… looking at a picture of the trio talking.

“Got you… Fae…” Xatl said as he flew off.

Later in the night, Clef had landed in her room, quickly getting back into bed as the next patrol got to the window. They had left soon after making sure she was still there. After they had left, Clef took out the note she found earlier. Reading through it, she tried to figure out where this cache might’ve been left… she knew where it was. She was getting ready to fly out and retrieve it, until her father barged into the room.

“I knew it!” Alto yelled out. “I had a feeling you were sneaking out!”

“AH!” Clef yelled out as she fell back into her room. “What?!”

“You were defying your father… I could handle this rebellious nature for the past few years.” Alto said. “But lying to me is the last straw!”

“But… but… but…” Clef said.

“No buts, young lady!” Alto yelled. “I will give you one chance to tell me what you have been doing at night.”

“I was… just doing some late night flying…” Clef said.

“I don’t believe you, tell me the truth!” Alto said.

“I am telling the truth!” Clef said.

“Fine… have it that way! Guards!” Alto yelled out as a pair of flying guards and flown into the window. “I want guards watching this room at all times. No more leaving the palace until your coronation! Now, we will finish this in the morning, okay?”

“Yes sir…” Clef said as she walked over to her bed, realizing that there wasn’t anything else she could do.

The next morning, Clef had awoken to two guards outside both her window and door. One of them looked back at the young Avenix, confirming that she was awake and still in the room. After the guard turned back, Clef had a plan to escape, packing a few belongings. She stood up against a wall that was parallel to the guarded window and began running, immediately after jumping through the window, the pair of guards grabbed onto her wings.

“Nice try, Princess…” One guard said. “You really thought escaping would be that easy?”

“Honestly… I thought you’d be too surprised to go after me.” Clef giggled nervously.

“Gotta appreciate that honesty.” The other guard said as Clef swung her talons at one of them, cutting up the side of the guard’s face.

“YOU LITTLE!” The guard screamed. “CAPTAIN!”

The guards bought Clef into the palace’s throne room and threw her onto the ground. Both guards were now scratched up and bleeding thanks to Clef’s fighting back. Alto was surprised to see his daughter had been attacking the other Avenix, as he opened his mouth to speak, Xatl chimed in.

“Don’t you see, sir…” Xatl said. “She’s clearly infected by some demon, what princess would attack her own people.”

“I… I can’t believe it.” Alto looked at his daughter.

“Dad! Please!” Clef shouted.

“Don’t listen to the siren song, that thing is no longer your daughter!” Xatl said as he took out a photo. “Not only that, but I found it fraternizing with off worlders.”

“NO DON’T!” Clef said as Alto had taken the photo.

“I don’t know… what do you suggest we do, Xatl?” Alto asked. “Exorcism?”

“We allowed the demon to fester for far too long… there is only one solution…” Xatl said.

“You don’t mean…” Alto said.

“Please, don’t!” Clef shouted.

“We perform a Skyfalling…” Xatl said.

“That would kill her though!” Alto said.

“Allowing this demon to continue living would destroy everything that your father worked for…” Xatl said. “What would your father do, Alto?”

“Don’t listen to him! I’m not possessed by a demon!” Clef shouted.

“Don’t listen to that monster! It speaks using Fae’s voice!” Xatl shouted.

“I… I suppose you’re right…” Alto said. “Set up the Skyfalling…”

“DAD!” Clef said as the guard’s carried Clef away.

“I… can’t believe this would happen to my Fae… of all people.” Alto said as he watched the crying Clef get carried away.

“My condolences, sir… surely this can’t be easy.” Xatl said. “For now, we need to ready the Skyfalling.”

“Yes Xatl… make sure everything is ready.” Alto said as he stood up from his throne.

Back at Ryuu and Kidd’s camp, Kidd had finished up with the ship. He came out from under the bottom of the ship covered in oil, putting his hat back on. He looked at Ryuu, who had been watching the skies for Clef, but she wasn’t coming.

“Still waiting for her to come?” Kidd asked.

“Yeah, we said we’d leave with her.” Ryuu said.

“Looks like you’re catching feelings.” Kidd laughed.

“It’s not that… it’s just that it sounded like she needed to get out of this place…” Ryuu looked at his watch. “It’s almost noon…”

“Doesn’t look like she’s coming, she might’ve changed her mind.” Kidd said.

“No… something doesn’t feel right.” Ryuu said as he looked into the woods surrounding them.

Ryuu walked closer to the woods, listening… until he jumped up into the air and started to breath a heavy black cloud out of his mouth.

“BIG BANG DRABELLOW!!!” Ryuu shouted as the cloud engulfed the woods, chasing a small group of guards out of the woods.

The group of guards spotted Ryuu and Kidd, holding their spears up. Kidd pulled out both of his guns, pointing them at the group of guards.

“Yeah… this isn’t happening!” Kidd shouted as he began to rapidly fire his guns. “BULLET HELL!” 

The two quickly dealt with the guards, who were no match for the duo. After swiftly knocking out the inexperienced guards, they were quickly tied up.

“Looks like she blabbed about us.” Kidd said.

“No, I still have a feeling that this wasn’t her.” Ryuu said. “She was genuine, I know it!”

“Suit yourself… I take it we have to go after her now?” Kidd asked.

“What else?” Ryuu said.

“Okay… I’ll follow you then.” Kidd said. “Let’s hurry along then!”

As the two hurried off into the woods, Clef was being carried along a platform high in the sky. She wasn’t tied up, but she did have her wings out. Xatl held up a wing-like blade, which would be used to cut her wings when the time comes.

“People of Avenos Prime… I bring about sad news!” Xatl said into a microphone. “Our dear Princess, Fae Azta, is housing a demon inside of her… we learned about this after it was far too late.”

The Avenix around the plaza the platform was floating above were murmuring among themselves. Clef looked around the platform, then up to her father, who couldn’t even look in her direction.

“Thus… our only solution was to sadly put her through the most tragic of ceremonies… the Skyfalling.” Xatl said. “In which we cut her wings and release from atop this platform! Now… let us get this over with.”

Xatl took the sword he was holding and walked over to Clef, holding it against the bottom half of her wings. Before he got a chance to start cutting them off, he was interrupted by a shout from Ryuu.

“HEY! BASTARD!” Ryuu shouted.

“INTERLOPERS! GET THEM!” Xatl shouted as a group of guards surrounded Ryuu and Kidd.

“We just need to get up to that platform. I’ll take care of these guys, Ryuu, jump!” Kidd shouted as Ryuu leapt into the air, being thrown up towards the platform by Kidd, using the butts of his guns.

Xatl, realizing that Ryuu was quickly approaching the platform, swung the sword at the Avenix. Clef had screamed as her wings, an Avenix’s means of flight, were cut from the rest of her arms. Ryuu had made it to the platform, but had reached Xatl.

“BIG BANG!” Ryuu had hit Xatl square in the head. “DRABULLET!”

Xatl had swung around until he fell flat on his ass, his eye twitching and darting around as he came back to. Xatl had begun laughing maniacally as Ryuu landed next to Clef.

“What are you laughing at?” Ryuu asked.

“Xatl, knock yourself out of this, now!” Alto shouted.

“NO!” Xatl shouted. “My plan isn’t finished yet!”

“What plan!?” Alto asked.

“TO TAKE OVER YOUR THRONE!” Xatl shouted as he approached Clef.

“No! Get away from me you monster!” Clef shouted as she got kicked off the platform by Xatl.

As Clef fell over the side of the platform, she had no way of saving herself as her wings had been cut off. Alto, attempting to reach for his daughter, missed her hand. But there was one hope, as Ryuu had leapt over the side of the platform, holding his hand out for the free falling bird.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?” Clef shouted at Ryuu.

“SAVING YOU!” Ryuu shouted.

“WHY!?” Clef shouted.

“BECAUSE IT’S WHAT A HERO DOES!” Ryuu shouted as he grabbed onto Clef’s arm, flipping her so that he would land on the ground, holding onto her.

As the two plummeted towards the ground, Clef was screaming for help as her father just watched. Eventually, Ryuu had landed on the ground, back first, Clef had helped him up.

“DAMMIT! THAT ALWAYS HURTS LIKE HELL!” Ryuu shouted.

“That was stupid, Ryuu! You could’ve died!” Clef said.

“But I didn’t…” Ryuu said. “You still wanna get off this rock?”

“Yes… I do…” Clef said as she started guiding Ryuu to his companion.

“Then let’s get out of here!” Ryuu said. “Kidd! Come on!”

The trio began to run back towards the woods, with Clef looking back at the platform, making eye contact with her father. Alto was crying… he had chased off his only living child. He turned to Xatl and approached the man, Xatl was most likely not going to live past this.

The three had been walking for about an hour until Clef stopped them and ran towards a tree with a mound of dirt under it.

“This is it!” Clef said. “This is the tree my brother and I always played around when we were kids… that note, if it leads anywhere, it’s here.”

“You need help digging?” Kidd asked.

“I’ll be fine!” Clef started to dig until she unearthed a big box, opening it. The box had a set of clothes, food and water… but most importantly, a microphone-like weapon.

“Why’s there a mic in there?” Ryuu asked.

“My brother always talked about stuff like this… he always liked music.” Clef said as she gripped the handle, extending the device. “But our father said it was all a waste of time.”

“Harsh…” Kidd said. “We can honor him if you want.”

“No… it’s fine.” Clef said as she turned to the two. “Say, can I asked something?”

“Yeah, what’s up?” Ryuu asked.

“I know we never really discussed it… but can I go with you guys?” Clef asked.

“Huh, why?” Kidd asked.

“Because… I know that I’ll be safe with you guys.” Clef said. “There’s no telling what’ll happen if I go off by myself.”

“I see, but it’s not up to me.” Kidd said as he turned to Ryuu. “What’s your call?”

“Hell! We’d love to have you!” Ryuu shouted.

Clef looked at Ryuu, a sparkle in her eyes, highlighted by a smile.

“Thank you… Captain!” Clef shouted.

Next Chapter - Security