Chapter Two

Chapter Two: Arrival in Riverpass

Arrival in Riverpass, The Gathering of Power

After hours of traveling across the sand, finally, Amane arrived at the Riverpass Restaurant, after crossing a bridge, with Kyra and Teo next to him. Walking through the desert they definitely earned at least a cold glass of water. The restaurant and bar were in one building and next to it was the lodging area connected via a sky way accessible by the inner stairs in the bar. In the back of the building there was another building for storage and a cellar entrance. The three of them sat down at the bar occupying the few seats by the counter.

"We have definitely earned a nice break or at least some water after that harsh trek through the desert." Amane said to his new friends.

"I agree, I'm not used to this much heat either." Kyra replied.

"I personally didn't think it was that bad but I was raised and lived in this kind of climate." Teo responded.

"You grew up in a desert?" Kyra asked.

"Not exactly a desert but there were certainly desert parts of where I lived. The air and heat were always like this. We just had a nice cool river not far from our main cities." Teo replied.

"Take me back to the cold mountains of Quadrant Three. I can deal with the cold, just not the heat." Amane replied.

"For a guy who can control fire and has a body heat higher than most beings, it's weird that you can't deal with this." Kyra said sarcastically.

"I know, I'm just not used to this level of heat on the outside. I'm sure I'll eventually adjust though it might take some time." Amane replied as he put his hands on the counter.

The bartender just stayed back listening to them talking. He wasn't in a hurry as they were his only customers currently. "Welcome, are you guys ready to order?"

"Yeah, sorry about that. Got a little caught up in our own world." Amane replied.

"It's alright. Not much business going on right now anyway. Usually starts up closer to dark.

People trying to get inside before the cold takes over." He replied. The bartender was an older man probably in his fifties. He wasn't too strong and he wasn't the athletic type. He had enough strength to do his job alone and that was enough for him. "I'm assuming you want water." He asked.

"That'd be great actually." Kyra replied.

"Three waters it is." The old man replied. He pulled some icy water out of the cooler and set it on the counter along with three glasses. He slid the glasses down to them one by one and brought the pitcher down to fill them up. He poured it quickly and efficiently, filling each glass to the top. "Enjoy my friends."

"Thanks." Amane replied.

"Thank you very much." Kyra said.

"Much appreciated." Teo replied.

Amane picked up his glass and began drinking it feeling the refreshing coldness going down his throat. The enjoyable taste of cold water on a hot day was one of the best feelings for him. As he went to set the glass down he felt a familiar presence behind him and an even colder feeling. The glass he was drinking from became frozen to his hand.

"Amane." A voice stated.

"Toshiro." Amane spoke loudly so he could be heard in the back.

Toshiro stands at six foot as well with his body having a slimmer more athletic build than Amane’s. His hair is shorter but still long enough to be pulled back with longer pieces that frame his face. His complexion is light with a pale blue hue to it. His eyes shine as an icy blue that contrasts with his black hair and eyebrows.

"Uh oh." Teo said to Kyra.

"I'm in agreement. Leave this to him. This is personal." Kyra stated.

"Who's the girl with you?" Amane asked without turning around.

"Who are the people with you?" Toshiro retorted.

"In the interest of rebuilding trust with you: the man is Teo and the woman is Kyra." Amane replied.

"Kitanni. I'm surprised you don't remember her."

"It has been roughly a year and a half since I've really been home...minus one day. Haven't really had time to see anyone, Toshiro. Before that I was training for three years" Amane retorted back. "Nice to feel your presence, Kitanni. Hope life has been well for you."

"Better since you've been gone." Kitanni replied. "Everything got better once you left." She gripped Toshiro's hand. Kitanni stands next to Toshiro at a height of five foot six inches. She’s fit with a pear shaped body and a slender frame. She has her black hair tied up in a bun atop her head for traveling. Her eyes are a deep brown and her complexion is slightly lighter than Amane’s.

Amane was visibly fighting back his emotions and straining to do so. He was keeping his cool knowing why Toshiro was there and still upset it had to be him at all. Hearing someone tell him that it was better without him stung still but he was really trying to not let it get to him.

"Amane." Kyra whispered. "Are you okay?"

"Trying to be." He finally heated his hand up and set the glass down. "Why are you here Toshiro? You could just go home and leave this alone."

"I can't do that. You owe me at least a rematch but you need to be brought to justice." Toshiro replied back.

"I won't fight your girlfriend or be in a fight with her. I have no issues with either of you and less with her if we're going to have one." Amane said strictly.

Toshiro looked over to Kitanni,"Stay out of this, please. I'll handle everything."

"Okay, Toshi. If that's what you want." Kitanni replied. "But if you start getting hurt I'm going to help." She said sternly.

"And if you jump in and help, I WILL put you down." Kyra retorted getting up from her seat. "Stay out of it and out of the way and we'll have no problems."

"Amane you want to get her before I have to?" Toshiro added.

"No. She's her own person. Kyra will do what she thinks is right as you will, as Kitanni will. You want her to stay out of it; make sure Kitanni stays out of it." Amane replied.

"Fine." Toshiro agreed. "You have to stay out of this. I don't want you to get hurt. Truthfully, I didn't expect him to have allies after everything."

Amane shook his head and raised his left hand up, his palm turned upwards with his fingers extended. "I'm standing right here."

"I know." Toshiro added.

"Trying to play it...cool. I see." Amane smirked at his own bad joke.

"Amane, please stop." Kyra asked.

"That was terrible." Teo added.

Toshiro rolled his eyes,"Are you ready?"

Amane shrugged and sighed,"Yeah, I guess so. Everyone here is giving me the cold shoulder apparently.." He turned around finally and started walking towards Toshiro.

Kyra yelled,"Amane! Don't you need these?" She asked.

Amane looked back to see her holding his swords,"I'm not allowed. You said only if you thought I needed them. I don't believe you really think I need them."

"You're right." Kyra said, putting them back in her quiver. "Don't do anything stupid now."

“You know me.” Amane replies, shrugging.

That's the problem. Kyra thinks to herself.

"Do you really think you're going to beat me without your weapons?" Toshiro asked.

"Not at all, Toshiro. I'm actually more level headed than I have been since the day my mother died. I know my skills. I know a good chunk of yours. You know a chunk of mine. I'm here to give you a rematch...but I won't kill you. I won't remove your limbs. I might bruise you and your ego but you'll be alive." Amane added.

Toshiro shook his head and looked at Amane, stepping up to him face to face,"I won't hold back."

"I know you won't. That's the beauty of it. You're willing to kill an unarmed man while I'm not willing to kill an armed man in self defense. Enjoy that thought." Amane retorted.

"Let's go." Toshiro replied as his thoughts now lingered on Amane's words.

"Right behind you." Amane added and shut the door behind them; mostly as a way to keep them inside and out of it. Kyra especially after the trek through the desert and Kitanni as well since she came here with him. What he really wanted was for them to relax and calm down before things got out of hand. He squinted as he looked up into the sky, the hot sun beating down upon them. "Man, it's hot."

"Get used to it." Toshiro's words were quick and precise. He wasn't here to waste time talking. "Ready?"

"Of course." He smirked at him. "Just remember that: you're still at a handicap."

"You have your armor on don't you?" Toshiro asked.

"I do since I don't stop training. I don't have time. I know people are after me. I know you were after me. I don't have to hide from you or them. I haven't met someone in battle that hasn't been defeated." Amane replied sternly and coldly. "I don't want to do this."

"You have no choice. I'll defeat you." Toshiro retorted.

"You can try." Amane said calmly with a shrug.