Yumiko observed what occurred in front. Ayuka was zapping around the place, furious. "Where the hell are you?!" she sped from one corner to another, leaving others bewildered. "We clearly said not to split up!" Ayuka was practically steaming from anger.
Kou circled his finger in the ear. "Guys... She might need a therapist. She's lost her mind." He stated. Everyone moved their heads left and right. "I think so too." Claimed Yumiko.
Ayuka didn't stop running around. She continued raging around, shouting for Tim.
She stopped in front of others with her back turned to them. Her fingers started jiggling left and right, and her vein popped on her head. "Oh... When I find you... I'll make sure that your legs stay in one place!"
Her face was like something that came from a comic. "Should we stop her?" questioned Yumiko, pointing her finger at Ayuka. "If you want to live another day, then I'd suggest you don't." Kou shrugged his shoulders. "Good point."
Ralphie jiggled his way in dance-like movements and spun around Ayuka in a hurricane of hearts. "Ayuka-swan! You've become even prettier when angry! Who could it be for? Me! Hey is it for me?!" Ralphie called hearts in his eyes.
Ayuka received distorted, pupil-less eyes, her teeth becoming like fangs. "How annoying!" she shouted. She spun around and rammed her palm into Ralphie's face, dragging him forward. She smashed him in the white snow that bounced up into a vortex.
The next moment he received a massive bump, palming his face into the cold snow. Yumiko, Kou, and Alina remained immobile, receiving squiggly eyes. They heard a gentle wind whistling past them. "Why doesn't she get angry when we need it?" wondered Kou, terrified. "You better ask the person who made her. They'll know." Yumiko added. Even Alina was startled. "Is she... always like that?"
Yumiko and Kou slowly nodded their heads. "Yup." They claimed simultaneously. Alina returned her view on Ayuka. "Is that why your ship is so roughed up?" Yumiko and Kou nodded once again. "Yup."
Alina folded her arms. "I'm happy I didn't judge her too fast."
Tim and the girl came to a dead end with furious citizens on their backs. "Gah! There's no exit!" he freaked out.
He felt his wrist getting grabbed by the girl and dragged in a different direction. Because the citizens were too far behind, they missed them and instead ran past.
Tim had a moment to take a breather and then stretched his arms. "Much better! But I don't know where that person went." He thought, leaning his finger on the jaw.
The girl looked at him in a kind manner. "You said you were looking for me, didn't you?" she asked. "Um... Yeah. I was looking for you because of that fire fox." The girl became insecure and steadied her position. "No. I'm not going to let you have her. She's been hunted down by too many people, and you won't be an exception to catch her!"
Tim looked the girl in the eyes, waving his hands in front of his chest. "Catch her? No, I only want her ability to heal the goddess. I don't want to steal her." The girl softened up, becoming relaxed. "You want to heal the goddess? Are you talking about Etuna?"
Tim nodded slowly. "Yeah. I learned about the goddess' illness which can cause corruption and it could endanger people's lives. We heard that if we use her power, she can heal wounds and even illness." Tim explained, "Earlier, you were searching for her, so we thought you'd be her owner. That's why we've been trying to find you."
The girl straightened up, befuddled. "Now that I look at you. You kinda remind me of the white-haired pirate that rescued multiple islands. Are you related?" she spoke, intrigued.
"I don't have a brother or any other relations. I'm the only person who they call the white-haired pirate. So, yeah, that's me." His introduction astonished the girl. "What, you are? I mean... if you *are* him, aren't you supposed to be a pirate?" Tim didn't quite catch what she meant, becoming silly. "Um... Kind of?" he told.
"If you're a pirate, then why are you helping people? Shouldn't you be digging for treasure and raiding the islands? Isn't that what you pirates do?" she was anxious talking to him but noticed him chuckling, friendlier.
"Yeah, that's the gist of it, but I'm not exactly a pirate. I'm merely a Spiritual Duelist who found himself on the Vast Expanse. I'm just trying to find something specific, but it hasn't been easy. What I do is; if I come across somebody or something that needs help, I'll do so. I've been increasing my bounty because of taking care of those horrible leaders that constantly endanger people." The girl noticed that he couldn't be masking his lies.
He was telling the truth.
"I haven't seen that kind of a pirate in my entire life." She quickly realized that she forgot to introduce herself. "Oh, I'm sorry! My name's Kyora, and yeah... I'm the owner of that fire fox called Flare. But we've been separated for a week, and I still haven't found her, so I'm worried she's in danger. Trust me, I would love to help you and the goddess if I could, but I would need to find her first." Tim listened carefully. "To be honest, I've been trying to find Flare to cure Etuna's illness, but I had no luck finding her. I asked everybody around the Monmouth, and none saw her."
She observed Tim's blinking. He noticed just how scared and worried Kyora was. "I'm sure she's all right. She may be an animal, but she's your friend, right?" Kyora nodded. "I understand how worried you are, but don't give up. I'll help you look for her if you'd like?" Kyora raised her head, looking Tim in the eyes. "You really mean it?" Tim politely chuckled, happily nodding.
"Yeah, for sure. I want to help Etuna as much as you do. Etuna's been suffering because of that illness, and based on what I heard, she struggles to know that she's killing people because of it while practically having no control to change it."
Kyora smiled. "Thanks a lot!" she squeaked in happiness. "Everyone I asked wouldn't do anything to help me. I am so glad to meet somebody who wishes to help Etuna just like I do!" Tim nodded. "Oh... by the way," she scratched her hair in embarrassment. "I only know you by the nickname, but I don't know your actual name."
Tim happily responded. "It's Timothy in full, but call me Tim to make it simpler. I would like you to meet my friends, but I don't know where they are. So, how about we just go searching for Flare? If something blocks our way, I'll make sure to clean them off!"
Kyora became serious and thoughtful, putting one of her fingers on her chin. "I don't think we'll be running into trouble. I think. But I do know that some other people are trying to capture Flare. I don't know their reason, but it can't be anything good. I've seen how they act in a crowd. They aren't friendly." She explained, giving Tim a reason to listen. "I think they might want to use Flare's healing powers for some other reason, but it's not to heal Etuna's disease."
Tim didn't hide his determination. "Well, that's fine. If we find them, I'll kick their asses. We'll find Flare, and that's a promise!" Kyora smiled, nodding her head. "You bet! I'll help you kick their asses as well." Tim looked at her, confused and curious. "You can fight?" his hand dangling in front of his chest.
"Of course, I can! Did you expect I'm a citizen who can't fight? I'll let you know that I'm one of the best around, and I'm sure you'll need me to navigate the island. I've been studying navigation, so it's like my hobby."
Tim's eyes sparkled in amazement, excitement, and happiness. "Does that mean you're a navigator?!" he shouted, leaning in close and making Kyora uncomfortable. "I guess you could call me that." Tim leaned in closer. "Does that mean you could easily navigate through the sea?!"
Sweat trickled down Kyora's forehead. "Well, if I was on the sea, yeah. Though, I've spent all my life on this island. I've studied weather, directions, and navigation my whole life, and even drew an entire map of the whole Winterpeak Island. So, if I were to go on the sea, I could easily navigate through and symbolize the weather, but I don't think that's important right now." She explained, and that's when Tim's excitement grew outstandingly.
"Awesome! Let's hurry up and find Flare so you can join my crew!" Tim dashed in the distance. "Yeah sure...." but she realized. "Wait! What do you mean join your crew?!" Tim continued speeding on into the distance. "Hey! I didn't sign up for this! Wait up! Without me, you're gonna get lost in the city! Tim!" she sprinted after him.
To be continued...