~Chapter 5- The Four~

After Chief Theo heard of the theft of potions in Titus Forest, he called on Temp and Koka for information on what happened. Koka didn't clearly see the culprits; the most striking visual from that night was that of pitch-black wings descending upon her home.

Temp reported a similar situation, saying that they fled with the potions on a series of black-winged birds. Once they rose far enough into the sky, there was nothing he could do to stop them.

"It was the Sky Bandits. I'm sure of it." Temp declared.

"What makes you so sure?" Chief Theo asked from his bamboo chair. Temp had learned the Theo was considered the strongest of all the Phantine in the world.

"I met them before. I have an idea of where they might be too," Temp said.

Chief Theo twirled his red-tinted trunk in the air as he thought, "I'd like you to speak with some guests that are coming to Titus Forest very soon. They should be able to help me reclaim those potions."

Temp stood at the edge of the forest with Theo and looked to the north. Grassy plains spread across the landscape, but a figure was traveling towards them. As they traveled at high speed, the earth around them seemed to transfigure and reshape as it passed through. Once the figure passed through, the landscape would return to its original form.

The figure stopped short of the forest, and Theo met them. Temp saw it was a boulder-shaped Densius with purple eye stones. Small pieces of rock levitated in the air around them.

"Amethi!" Theo greeted, standing over twice the Densius's height. Theo took Amethi's rocky hand in his and shook it.

"Good to see you, old friend," Amethi gave a rocky smile, and Temp followed the two of them back into the forest.

Temp had heard of Amethi from his friend Ruben. Most believed it to be the strongest of all the Densius in the world and was several centuries old. Apparently, Amethi achieved enlightenment and was not only able to control the earth forming its body, but the earth surrounding it as well. The small stones circling Amethi seemed to prove it had control of more than just its own body.

Ruben told him that "Densius aren't limited by the bodies they're born with. Amethi believed that once a Densius had achieved true enlightenment, the bounds of their bodies had no limit."

"Are Dama and Therma here?" Amethi asked Theo.

"Not yet. They should be on their way."

Temp went with Theo and Amethi to the southern end of the forest and waited at its edge. In the distance, two parallel plumes of smoke were traveling through the terrain at high speed - they appeared to be racing. As they drew closer, Temp could make out that it was two incredibly fast individuals. They skidded to a halt a short distance from the forest and leisurely walked the rest of the way.

It was Dama, the headmistress of the Fighting Academy, who was considered the strongest of all Ralosians. Beside her was the Mecarne woman known as Therma, the leader of operations at Weld Mountain. Short, with a magenta tinted skin tone and a fiery personality, she was considered the strongest of all Mecarne.

Any one of them could've won the tournament last year with hardly any effort. The strongest warrior of each race had assembled in Titus Forest. The Four.

Theo brought them to his quarters, a large hut of bamboo. "Now Temp, tell everyone what you know."

Temp looked at The Four and began, "A few nights ago, bandits riding black-winged birds stole some potions. They looked just like the Sky Bandits. I've met them before. Sky Bandit 3 is a man named Lucar, and Sky Bandit 4 is named Razan. They're the fathers of some friends of mine."

Theo spoke, "You said you had an idea where they might be staying?"

"Yes, they were going to travel around, but I know Platt Mountain was one of the places they would visit," Temp explained, "I think they are back to theft, but their sons wouldn't be involved."

Dama spoke, "That does line up with recent reports of the Sky Bandits. Most of the thefts have occurred between here and Platt Mountain. There've been reports that they were seen on the Mountain as well. That should be the first place we go."

Therma leaned against the wall and folded her arms, "Don't you think it's silly for ALL of us to go after them? I'm sure people have exaggerated how strong they are."

Dama shook her head, "I faced some of them decades ago, and they managed to best me. I think it's fair to assume that they've only improved since then."

"I welcome a challenge," Theo said. Therma nodded in agreement.

The Four prepared to embark west towards Platt Mountain when a red streak became visible in the sky. Temp figured it had to be Corri atop her bird. The red bird glided through the air towards the mountain at the center of the forest. Corri was Razan's daughter; maybe she'd know where he is?