AFIRE: fight for the Earth begins✓

38.1 ZURI

The story so far:

----Aija, Zuri, and Ze are three friends, who were working at the Pristine School at Innermost. Aija gets involved with the Ytai first, leading Zuri and Ze to them as well. Zuri falls in love with Nala (Lalana), who is Ytai and works with Thieron. Aija and Ze are captured by Thieron, of H'eon, when they were at the Hospital - Aija was at the Hospital with Kuna of R'ies and Zuri to stop a Harvest; Ze was there to visit his sick student Xan. Thieron has bound Aija to himself, and Nala has bound Ze to herself. Luka works for Thieron(Ah'n), along with Lalana (Nala).

----Aija, Ze, Thieron, Luka, and Nala go to the South Land. Luka admits that they are there for a Harvest. While they are on the Harvest, they get stopped by a group of people - the Zayr. Aija and Ze meet Princess Ruyanir of the Zayr. Ze and the Princess have an instant connection. The Prince has requested Aija and Ze to meet him. Prince Irih'va and Aija have a conversation about the Àvo; he explains how it works. Aija seems to like the Prince. The Prince gives Aija a strand of his golden hair - for protection. Irih' va sees Aija in his future but isn't sure she will choose him. He wants her to choose him. Irih' va catches Ze using his powers, and he shows Ze that he, too, has the same powers.

----Etrie tells Zuri that he is going to kill Thieron and Nala. She is very adamant that she, too, goes to the Ker'zan with them.

----Aija, Ze, Thieron, Nala, and Luka go to the Ker'zan. Ze and Aija escape from the three Ytai. Ze tells Aija about the escape Prince Irih' va has offered them. Ze leaves, accepting the escape offer. Aija rejects the escape offer and goes back in to find Luka.

----Luka, when he searches for Ze, finds Aija running away. He is intercepted by Kuna - who is prepared for an attack. Luka tackles Kuna, and the Gale starts to attack. He sees that Aija is captured other H'eon Ytai.

----Iyler tries to rescue Aija, but she refuses, insisting to go back to Luka.

----Nala sees Etrie, Zuri, and Maya. She sees that Etrie has a gun. 

---- Nala's bond is hurting terribly, and she wonders where Ze is.

✽✽✽

****38.1 - Zuri****

She looked at herself in the mirror. 

The dark brown uniform of the R'ies fit her well and made her look good. Zuri was pleased that Etrie had gone as far as to get her a uniform that fit her. Kuna helped her secure the holster, and the blade and gun into it. Etrie had given her two shots of Izemirn just in case she needed it. 

Maya wasn't thrilled with Zuri's presence, but she didn't utter a single word of protest. Etrie's word was final, and Maya had no say in the matter. Zuri smirked at the red-haired girl as Maya scrunched up her nose in displeasure on seeing her in the dark brown gear. 

Zuri had to skip school since it was a Thursday, but she'd rather be here doing this than suffering alone at school. They had left Innermost sometime in the morning and arrived at the Open just in time for the Ker'zan. It was Zuri's first time in the Open, and it was just as bad as she had heard. Etrie had given her a breathing mask to wear until they reached the Mansion. 

"Let's go," Etrie said after she was ready. 

They drove the car to the Mansion; it was conspicuous, but they needed a quick way to escape, and the car allowed it. They drove on the mud roads, and Zuri looked out the window at the Open. There were fields of crops interspersed with grassy areas. The houses were terribly small – made out of salvaged wood and other materials. They were barely big enough to house three or four people and not even in comfort.