Chapter Five: Onward!

We left poor Akio in the dust, so to speak. A few...um...weeks have passed by with little event. They have finally made it to the demon kingdom and are standing at the castle.

"They aren't here..." Akio blinks looking around franticly.

*That's obvious! Where could they be, Akio?* Ymir tilts his head to one side. He seemed to be getting bigger each day but they weren't quite sure. It could be just their imagination.

The sprite, Lucy, flutters around a flower or two, "This is not good. They could be anywhere. Where would they be Mister Akio?"

"I have no clue. Zia would know..."

"From what you say you really got him angry. He won't be helping you anytime soon," Gray fiddles with his is sword, "Stupid thing's coming out of the hilt..."

*Soddy sword,* Ra Dai hops on to the now still head of Akio. *Most should stay together.*

"This thing is generations old. It deserves to break down."

"I guess we get to stay here tonight..." Akio begins to walk to the castle.

"He doesn't seem to be in a good mood," Gray dusts himself off and stands.

"I guess we should follow them..."

"It is supposed to be my home...I don't remember much."

*How can you not remember such a splendid!*

"I was like four...give me a break."

*I see,* Ymir plays with a fluffy white pillow.

*Why isn't it dusty? I mean it's been along time since you've been here,* Ra Dai is staring at the pictures placed on the night stands.

"It’s simple magic. If anyone enters the palace it automatically cleans itself. A simple spell really. We should find some maps or something..."

*But It's so late! I'm oh so tired!*

"Fine you can go to bed while I look for maps. If you need anything just ask Gray. Good Night," he waves his hand and leaves.

*What's his problem?* Ra Dai looks at Ymir with a sudden spark of curiosity.

*I don't really know...*

Akio has been searching for a few hours now and has found nothing he's been looking for. On the other hand he's found the armory, four different sleeping quarters, a kitchen, two studies, clothes, and an umbrella. He had almost given up hope when he spotted something from the corner of his eye. "What's this?" He walks up to a wall hanging. It was simple and had a red and blue rose in the center of it. Nothing major, but it was being hung in an odd way.

He snaps the hanging off the wall with a slight tug. Lo and Behold! A door way! "How classic. Now this has to be the strategy room or something like it." He turns the door knob and the door swings open, "Soddy workmanship..."

The door reveals a dim lit room. It seems to be the strategy room because of a large oval table in the center. This was...far too easy. He takes a step inside and the door slams behind him. "Oh dear," He looks around and decides that it's best not to move. Then light floods the room and almost blinds him as he leans against the door. What was going on? A knife lands in the door right to his head. Not waiting for the others to fly he slams the door open and quickly shuts it when he's out. Akio slides to the floor in a little heap, "This place is worse then home! Hidden doors lead to traps! I just want to find the maps..." a clanking is heard from behind him, and a sword is suddenly sticking out above his head.

"MEEP!" he yells as he runs and crawls across the floor to make it to the other side of the wall. This was just too much!

A running thumping sound is heard from down the hallway. "What now?" Akio mutters as he jumps to his feet. A massive gold blur flies on top of him and forces him against the wall.

*AKIO! Are you okay!?*

Akio gasps for air, "You're--crushing--me--Ymir."

The dragon jumps off and sits near the hidden door. *I'm sorry! What happened?*

Akio lets out a painful sigh, "I found a hidden room...It turns out it was a trap...I think you broke a few of my ribs."

*So sorry! I'm still getting used to this. How do I look?*

"Sure to wow the ladies."

Ymir blinks at that, *Riiight.*

"What is that supposed to mean?" Akio hugs his sides. Thank the heavens he was a demon.

*I'll tell you later! I'm so happy! I'm an air adolescent! Be proud!*

"I am and I really hope you become a bit humbler. I don't want to here you bragging about you looks and how many dragons will fall for you!"

*For a demon you're no fun! You should brag sometime!*

Akio snorts, "No thank you! I enjoy my life as it is. Well, I'd be better if I didn't have so many attempts on my life."

Ymir snickers, *Oh come on! Your life is much more interesting now then it ever was! Admit it!*

"It is more interesting...That I admit."

*I win!*

"Are you sure you're an adolescent? You act like you're four."

Ymir blinks, *Hardy har har! Can we go to bed?*

"I have to find a map!"

"You are a stubborn demon!" Gray comes walking down the hall with Lucy on his shoulder and Ra Dai on his head.

Ra Dai takes his place on Akio's head, *What happened? Why is Ymir so big?*

"He's an adolescent now and I fell for a trap."

"That's one heck of a trap!" Gray is examining the door that has been pierced by the sword, "Thank heavens you're still alive!"

Akio sighs and hugs his rib cage, "Maybe I should go to bed."

*I said I was sorry...*

"I think you found the right room!" Lucy lands on the blade of the sword with great precision.

*What makes you say that Lucy?* Ymir sniffs the sword curiously making sure not to suck up the little sprite.

"You know a map would be a great thing for the enemy to steal! Only the king and his few closest would know how to deactivate the room!"

"And how do we deactivate it?" Akio raises an eyebrow knowing the answer.

"I have no clue! You are the prince you should know!"

"Sorry to burst your bubble but I don't."

*Isn't this the part where something magical happens and a special door flings open?* Ymir looks around.

Nothing happens for five minutes.

Akio grins, "Guess not."

*Now what? You do need a map to go anywhere,* Ra Dai sifts his weight.

"We could pray that a portal opens and throws us on top of Nightingale," Akio takes another deep breath. He was getting weaker for some reason...he should have been able to take Ymir's little blow. Did this have to do with failing to save the world? It better not! That funny feeling in the bit of his stomach said differently...was he becoming...human? He choked at that thought.

*Akio are you all right?* Ymir walks up to him with concern. What was he keeping from him?

"I just need to go to bed. Shall we?"

*Oh, Okay. Gray, Lucy and Ra Dai can look for maps. I'll get you off to bed. Are you sure you're okay?*

"I'm fine let's just go..." Akio sighs as he walks to his room. Ymir follows in silence. That night was going to be rough...as where many nights to follow. If they didn't find Nightingale soon the world would be lost...