SHIFT 2 - Purgatory

End of term

"Is the library on fire?" Ryu blinked the sleep from his eyes.

Nagisa sat up. He could hear the flames. "Again!" He cried.

Snagging his wrist, Ryu moved toward the window. He felt the resistance of the fighter.

"We're naked!" Nagisa yelped.

"I'm shifting, won't bother me." Ryu tried to pull Nagisa with him.

"No, I can take care of myself, go!" He pushed the larger man toward the window.

Ryu refused to go. Nagisa grabbed his clothing, a pack Ryu hadn't seen, then vanished in thin air.

"Pocket world!" The dragon grumbled. He turned toward the window.

Coughing on the smoke. He launched himself against it. The glass didn't give way. In fact he bounced off of it. He tried prying the window open, but it wouldn't budge. With all of his dragon strength, he couldn't force it open. He lurched toward the door out to the library, but he felt the heat several feet away.

He was a dragon. Without the need to worry over Nagisa's safety, Ryu roared out. Shifting he slammed out into the library. It was ablaze with fire. The walk was engulfed. Under his weight the floor he stood on, gave way. His wings flashed out, keeping him in the air. The sparkes flashed up to him.

The flames licked higher. His wings were feeding them as he tried to find a way to escape. He flew along the ceiling, every window, was barred against him. He couldn't get out. He heard coughing.

Dipping low, he found several students huddled in a room. The blast from fresh flames tore the door off. Ryu growled. He didn't have Nagisa to talk for him. Then one of the figures stepped forward.

"RYU!" Akara cried.

"Is Nagisa with you? Is he safe?" the dragon couldn't answer her, not in their current form. If he transformed he would be in the same predicament as them. Instead, he shook his head, flying as close to them as he could.

Akara was smart. She understood what the dragon wanted. "OK, he is a friend. We need to run, jump to his back." She told the other four in the room.

"Are you insane! The floor won't hold us!" A voice cried.

Akara looked back to Ryu. "Can you get Nagisa?" She asked, but then answered her own question.

"No, we don't have that much time." Spinning, she grabbed the girl's arm who had protested.

"Run, or die!" She warned the others.

Putting her words into action, Akara yanked the girl after her. She raced over the burning floor. Reaching the edge, she didn't hesitate. The girl tried to stop, but Akara jumped. The dragon dipped under them, catching them easily. The other three quickly followed.

With all five on his back, Ryu swung about. "No wait! Where is Cassidy?" Akara cried.

Ryu glanced back. He saw a prone figure on the floor. She was unconscious, but he couldn't tell if she was breathing. Opening his mouth, he tore the burning wood apart. Reaching the girl, he gently lifted her in his mouth. With that, he swung back around.

The Archivists had sealed the windows and doors. He couldn't get out that way. Now, he couldn't use his jaws either. He had one hope. One possibility to escape with the six students. He flew for the heaviest amount of flames. They were eating up the side of the outer wall. Ryu had to hope he could fly through them fast enough. If not, the humans were in grave danger.

He flew forward. The air before him shimmered. He didn't think anything of it, as they were in smoky flames. Suddenly a dark ball opened up right in line with the spot he was going to bust through. Nagisa stood within it. He was dressed, jeans and a grey tee shirt. His feet were bare as he held onto the weapon. He saw the students.