Kuro 2: The Dragons of Yin

Chapter 0.3: Light Runner

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The 21st hour, the Slumber.

Ryn was jolted awake by sounds in the aft. He checked his light watch, the dial glowed brightly, yet another electronic convenience.  He’d remembered finding it hard to sleep just before, so he was surprised that he had actually fallen asleep. Such a thing had been quite normal for him of course - he normally slept like a log through the flights – but there was something that made him uneasy about this flight. 

His unanswered questions, the odd weight setting that he had noticed on the Kite unit earlier.

Everything seemed to put him on edge. Ryn sighed, forcing himself to think back to Shyla and Aidan, at the family he had left behind. He smiled and thought only of the trip back home. The trip that would finally buy him his freedom.

“So this is the one that’s taking us to Yin?”

Ryn was so startled by the strange voice behind him that he immediately swung around. 

It was too dark, but two shadowy figures appeared behind him.

“Well, least we know where the weight discrepancy comes from,” said Ryn to himself before turning to the figures. “Who are you? This is a Government Class Transport Vessel. It is a complete violation of Taiyou-Shi law to be aboard this Vessel except on official business.”

“Ah, but we are on official business, little man,” said the voice. A rich, throaty laugh echoed around Ryn.

Ryn tried to make a mad dash to reach the console, but he found that he couldn’t move. There was something strange holding him back, a hidden force that seemed to stop him dead in his tracks.

“Yes,” a second voice chimed in, now. “Play by our rules, and you might yet survive to see another day.”

“What would you have me do?” asked Ryn in a weak voice. He felt the strange force wrap itself around his neck, stifling his breathing. Already he was finding it difficult to speak.

“Complete your mission, Light Runner,” said the voice simply. “But before you do so, we are to make a small detour.”

“A detour?” Ryn asked.

“Yes, Light Runner. I, Misha Diskarma Kurayami Mikaboshi, Vessel of the Dark command you to do so.”