It has been about one week since Kenshin, Iris, Gabriel, Sen, and the wolves have left the first village on the northern side of the mountains.  During that time they passed through one other town.  This town was located on a river just north of equator.  While there the group got much needed supplies, and Kenshin took out another group of Black Knights.  But now the group is moving into a very dangerious area, Leviathan Bay.  "Leviathan Bay."  Kenshin thinks.  "This bay used to be a normal bay.  But that was until the leviathans came.  They entered the bay about five years ago, and ever since that time they have had control of the bay."

                "Isn't there another way to get to the Frozen Deaths?"  Iris asks.

                "Of course.  We could try to cross the Dragon Mountains and then the Desert of Dragons.  Or we could go around the Dragon Mountains."  Gabriel says.

                "Going around them would be the safest way to go."  Sen says.  "Then we could avoid the dragons and the leviathans."

                "Let's go!"  Iris yells.

                "No."  Kenshin says.  "Going around the mountains would take too much time.  We have to take this route."

                "But...but," Iris starts to argue but then thinks it better not to.  "Fine."

                The group heads into the city.  It is largest city they have been in.  But its population is barely bigger than that of Elsa's hometown.  The city used to have a population of more than 10,000.  It was a ship building town in the time before the leviathans came.  But when the leviathans took over the bay the ship building industry died out.  The king had been playing on sending aid, but no aid has come as of yet.  This lack of aid has made the people upset.  "What now?"  Gabriel asks as the group sits around a table in a restaurant.

                "We'll have to charter a ship to take us to the Scorched Plains.  After that we can travel along the fringe of the Dragon Mountains."  Kenshin says.

                "I'm assuming that you mean through the Scorched Plains and the grasslands to the east of it."  Sen says.

                "No.  We're going right through the desert."  Kenshin says.

                "What?!?"  Gabriel yells in shock.

                "Are you insane Kenshin?"  Sen also asks in shock.

                "I'm not joking."  Kenshin says.

                "What's wrong with going through the desert?"  Iris asks.

                "The dragons."  Sen says.

                "I know all about the dragons."  Iris says.  "But if we stay along the mountains we should be fine."

                "That's right."  Kenshin says.  "The dragons mostly stay to the interior of the desert, minus the dragons that hunt on the Scorched Plains that is."

                "But..."  Gabriel starts to speak, but Sen interupts him.

                "It doesn't matter right now.  It's going to be damn near impossible to get a ship anyway."  He says.

                But a sailor that has been listening steps over to the table and speaks.  "If you're looking for a ship to get you to the Scorched Plains, I know of one."  He says as he takes a seat.

                "Really?"  Kenshin asks.

                "Yeah.  My ship is heading that way in two days.  You can probably book passage on it, for a price of course."  He says with a smile.

                Kenshin turns to Sen.  "It's a good thing I took that job in the last town."  He whispers in Sen's ear.  Sen only nods.  "Very well.  After we eat we'll go down to the harbor and book passage."

                And they do.  The next two days are spent preparing to leave.  Kenshin disappears into the countryside for the most part.  Both times he returned to the town bruised, bleeding, and beaten.  But he would not tell anyone what he was doing.  He simply recieved a healing spell and went about his business.  Then the day finally came.  Since the journey was so dangerous and the ship was so small, it was decided that the horses would have to be sold.  But after looking at the horse breeder and sellers in the area Sen convinced everyone to let the horses run wild.  So the group sold everything that they could go without and boarded the ship.  The ship was a small gallon type ship.  It was used mostly for the transport of mercant goods between the Scorched Plains and the small towns in southwest of Leviathan Bay.  It contained a small crew of 15 or 20 men.  Kenshin and his group were the only passagers and the wolves were the only animals on board.  "So what are we going to do if some leviathans show up?"  Sen asks.

                "We'll take care of them."  Kenshin says.  He has been scanning the bay in search of the most powerful leviathan.  "There!"  He thinks.  "If we stay on course and it doesn't move much," He calculates in his head.  "We should meet up with it in a day or two."  It is about two hours before anything eventful happens.  "A little more."  Kenshin says.

                "Damn it!"  Iris yells.  Iris is concentrating hard on combining her ki and magic powers.  She easily made a magical fire ball.  But she is finding it unbelievablly hard to make a ki fire ball with the correct amount of ki.  Finally she loses her concentration and both balls disappear.  "I almost had it!"  She exclaims as she falls to her knees exhausted.

                "Almost doesn't matter when you're dead."  Kenshin says.

                "Shut up!"  Iris says in anger.  "This is hard!"

                "Is it?"  Kenshin asks.  Suddenly two balls of fire appear in his hands.  He moves them together.  They almost immediately combine into one.  He tosses it into the sea where is fizzles out.

                "It's only easy for you because of your blood."  Sen says.

                "Why are you so determined that Iris learn how to combine her ki and magic anyway Kenshin?"  Gabriel asks.

                "Because a combination attack is more powerful than either one of the original attacks."  Kenshin explains.  "And because if she can learn to combine her magic and ki than it will be easy for the two of us to combine our own attacks."  Kenshin stops talking suddenly and looks off in the distance.

                "What is it Kenshin?"  Sen asks.

                Kenshin thinks for a second then speaks.  "Master Sen, please tell the captain to change his course.  Tell him to take the ship more to the east."

                "Why?"  Sen asks.

                "There's a rather large leviathan about six miles to the north, northwest of us.  It looks like he might be heading right towards us."  Kenshin says as he floats into the air.

                "Hold on!"  Iris yells as she floats up next to him.  "I'm coming too."

                "All right, but you're still tired from trying that combination attack."

                "Don't worry I'm stay back."

                "We'll stay here!"  Gabriel yells at them.

                Kenshin waves back as they fly off.  After a few moments of flying the two of them arrive around where Kenshin sensed the leviathan.  "He should be around here."  Kenshin says as he hovers in the air, about 30 feet off the water.  Suddenly the leviathan surfaces.  It is shaped like a snake, has two arms, two legs, and a blade-like object jutting out of its forhead.  This one is about 50 feet from head to tail.  That is really big for leviathans, since they rarely get over 20 feet.  Kenshin turns to Iris.  "Stay here."

                "All right."  She says.

                Kenshin descends rapidly to the sea and stops about ten feet from it.  They just sit there eyeing one another for what seems like forever.  Until finally, "Are you going to attack?"  The leviathan asks.

                If Kenshin is surprised that the leviathan spoke he doesn't show it.  "Actually I was waiting for you to make the first move."

                "I have no desire to attack you."  It says.  "However I do wish to speak to you."

                "Really?"  Kenshin inquires.  "About what?"

                "Seeing as how you can fly, I wonder if you are a sorcerer of sorts."  It says.

                "Of course, we're sorcerers."  Iris says as she descends.

                "Very good."  The leviathan says with a smile.  "Then I have a request to make of you."

                "What sort of request?"  Kenshin asks.

                "I would like for you to kill the large leviathan that leads our group."  The leviathan says.

                "Why would we want to do that?"  Iris asks.

                "Because if you could kill the leader than I would become the leader.  And if that happened I could finally lead my people out of this accursed bay."  It says.

                "What do you mean?"  Kenshin asks.  He is completely bewildered at what the leviathan is saying.

                "This bay is not suited to sustain our people.  If we stay here for much longer than our clan will become weaker and could possibly die out.  About seven years ago our leader ordered us into this bay.  At first all went well, we ate of the fish and plants in the bay and grew strong.  But then the fish and plants became scarce.  Some of us had to resort to attacking attacking boats to get food.  But our leader still will not lead our people out into the open sea.  If this madness persists than we will all surely die."

                "Why have your people stayed?  Why hasn't your leader taken you away from here?"  Kenshin asks.

                "I have inquired about this as well.  I found our leader speaking to a man on a ship one day.  From what I learned from reading their lips and from speaking to the man directly, someone has made some kind of deal with our leader.  We are to stay here in the bay and disrupt trade and industry in the bay, and some time in the future the leader of our clan will be made king of all leviathans."

                "That is odd."  Kenshin thinks.  "This is obviously the work of Argo.  But why has he done something like this?  It doesn't make sense."  Kenshin turns to the leviathan.  "The leader of your clan is the oldest, largest female, correct?"  He asks.

                "Yes."  The leviathan says.

                "We should come upon that leviathan in two days.  We shouldn't have that much trouble taking care of that leviathan.  But I warn you.  If you doublecross me, I will hunt you down.  Do you understand?"

                The leviathan's smile disappears.  "I understand.  I will go ahead of you and make sure that she doesn't leave her current locale."

                "That would be best."  Kenshin says as he and Iris float back into the air.  "Until then."  Kenshin says with a wave.

                "Until then."  The leviathan says as it disappears under the water.

                "Can we trust him?"  Iris asks.

                "Her."

                "Huh?"

                "That was a female leviathan.  They are the only leviathans that can grow longer than 20 feet."

                "Daniel was a good teacher."

                "That he was.  Yes, we can trust her.  Her ki was good."  Kenshin takes one more look at the water.  "Let's get back to the ship."  He says as he speeds off with Iris close behind.  Upon arrival they tell everyone what has happened.

                "What is Argo thinking?"  Gabriel asks.

                "I don't think he is."  Sen says.

                "He's probably just a lunatic."  Iris says.

                "I'm not sure what his motives are for this, but there's probably a method to his madness."  Kenshin says.

                "Organized chaos?"  Sen asks.

                "Something like that."  Kenshin says.  "Anyway, we need to figure out what we're going to do."

                "The simplest plans are usually the best."  Gabriel says.

                "Agreed."  Kenshin says.

                The two days come and go.  "How much further?"  Gabriel asks.

                "Not that much further."  Kenshin says.  "I should probably get going."

                "All right."  Sen says.

                "Just remember, don't get involved, just back me up."  He says.  They all nod.

                "I still don't like this.  You should have to take this thing on by yourself."  Iris says.

                "It's the best plan we could make.  I'm the only one that can go toe to toe with this thing.  You just be ready with a barrier incase it is needed."  Kenshin says.

                "Just be careful."  Iris says.

                "Of course."  Kenshin says as he flies off.  He doesn't fly that far from the ship.  He stops about two miles from the ship.  "I've got 10-12 minutes to kill this leviathan."  He thinks.  He looks to the water.  "Here it comes."  He thinks.  Kenshin quickly flies up higher to avoid the leviathan.  It jumps out of the water, nearly 70 feet in the air.  Kenshin easily avoids it jaws, and it falls back into the sea with a crash.  "Impressive."  Kenshin says.   The leviathan resurfaces and stands out of the water.  They just sit there eyeing one another.  "So you are the leader of the clan of leviathans in this bay?"  Kenshin asks.

                The leviathan looks surprised.  "I am surprised that you would know such a thing."

                "Why have you come to this bay?"  Kenshin asks.

                "I don't have to tell you that."  It says.

                "Of course you don't.  I already know you're working for Argo."  The leviathan is shocked.  "Although I don't know why.  Nor do I know what his plans are for this planet."

                "Again you have surprised me Mr. Sorcerer."  The leviathan says sarcasticly.  "I do not know what Argo has planned for this planet, and nor do I care.  As for why I am working for Argo, he has promised to support my claim as the King of all Leviathans.  He will put his armies and power at my desposal.  I will rule the oceans as he rules the lands."

                "What a grand desire you have.  But it will not come to be.  Argo will not rule the lands, and even if he did he would not aid you.  As for your desire, you are too weak to control the leviathans. You can barely control your own clan.  Even now there are rumblings against you.  You shall die."  Kenshin says.

                The leviathan breaks out into a fit of laughter.  "And who are you that you think you can kill me?"  She asks.

                "I am," Kenshin begins as he powers up and his aura explodes around him.  "Kenshin.  I am a sorcerer, a swordsman, and a warrior."

                "Kenshin?"  The leviathan thinks.  "I've heard that name before."  She thinks hard trying to remember.  "Of course!  That man that Argo sent to me.  He said that Kenshin was one of the powerful sorcerers that Argo wanted dead."  She smiles.  "If I kill him Argo might reward me even more."  The leviathan flies out of the water straight at Kenshin.

                "Pathetic."  Kenshin thinks.  He moves out of the way with ease.  "This joker isn't going to be much of a challenge.  The leviathans out in the oceans are much more powerful.  He has grown weak during his stay here."  Kenshin pulls out his sword.

                "Ice Blast!"  The leviathan yells out.  A blast of unbelievably cold air shots out of her mouth right at Kenshin.

                "Oh shit."  Kenshin says as it inches closer to him.  It hit him freezing him instantly.  Kenshin becomes a block of ice that slowly falls to the water.

                "You were careless."  The leviathan taunts the block of ice that is Kenshin.  "You thought I couldn't do anything against you.  Well you were wrong, and now you will die."  The leviathan brings its tail to the surface of the water.  Spikes suddenly appear in it.  The ice comes closer and closer to the leviathan's tail.  Just as it is about to strike the spikes it stops.  "What?"  The ice is shattered by Kenshin expanding his ki.  "You!"  Kenshin floats in the air right above the leviathan's tail.

                "You're right.  I was careless."  Kenshin says as he disappears.  He reappears right in front of the leviathan's face with his fist pulled back.  "Let me rectify that."  He slams his fist into the leviathan's eye cutting it.  The leviathan pulls back screwing in pain.

                "Damn you!"  It says as it looks at Kenshin.  Its gaze is full of hate, even with only one eye.

                "Time to die."  Kenshin says as he begins to prepare a descent size ki attack.

                The leviathan draws back in fear.  "I can't die here!"  It thinks.  "I can't retreat, if I did that I might lose the leadership of my clan."  The leviathan tries desparately to find a way out of its situation.

                "What's wrong?"  Kenshin taunts it.

                Suddenly the leviathan sees something it can use to its advantage.  "That might work."  It thinks.  "Icecicle Blast!"  A blade of ice shots out from the leviathan's mouth.  It heads right towards Kenshin.  But easily sidesteps it.  "You played right into my hands!"  The leviathan screams out.  "You might have saved yourself, but what about that ship?"  It asks Kenshin.

                Kenshin stops building up the ki for his attack, but he does not turn around.  "Idiot."  He says.

                "What?"  The leviathan can't understand what Kenshin is doing.  The blade is large enough to easily take out the ship, but Kenshin is doing nothing.  As the blade nears the ship another ice blade shots out from the water shattering the first ice blade.  Their pieces fall harmlessly into the bay.  "What now?"  The leviathan that Kenshin and Iris spoke to earlier arises from the bay.  "You?"  The other leviathan is shocked.

                "As I said, you can't even control your own clan."  Kenshin says.

                "Damn you!"  The leviathan decides to escape at all costs.  It dives under the water.  "I'll escape by swimming down to the bottom and then out of the bay."  It thinks.  "Even if he follows I can beat him in an underwater battle."

                "Trying to escape?"  Kenshin yells from the sky.

                "She has given up her claim as leader of our clan!"  The other leviathan yells out.  "Destroy her so I can leader my clan out of the bay!"

                "I'm on it!"  Kenshin yells.  "Iris do as we planned."

                "Light Shield!"  Iris yells out.  A protection barrier appears around the boat and the leviathan.

                "Raging sky above," Kenshin begins.  The sky immediately clouds up as Kenshin begins his spell.  "Let thy fury gather unto me!  Lightning Bolt!"  As soon as Kenshin says the final word a huge bolt of lightning strikes the water.  Not only does it strike the water, it parts the water.  It goes straight for the fleely leviathan like a heat seeking missle.

                "No!!"  The leviathan screams out.  But it is too late to do anything.  The lightning courses through the already wet creature electricuting it.  The leviathan is dead almost immediately.

                "So it is over."  The leviathan says.  It has been a few moments since Kenshin killed the other leviathan.

                "It is.  And you will take your clan from this bay as per the agreement?"  Kenshin asks.

                "Yes.  As soon as I round up the rement of the clan we will go back to the open sea."  It says.

                "Good luck to you."  Kenshin says.

                "And to you."  The leviathan says.  "Defeat this Argo.  He is a threat to every living being on this planet.  And if you need any aid, do not hesitate to call for me and my people."

                "We will."  The leviathan dives under the water causing the boat to be tossed slightly by the waves.

                "Let's go!"  Gabriel yells out after a few seconds.  "We have to get to the Scorched Plains as soon as possible."  The crew go back to their jobs.

                "What's going on Kenshin?"  Sen asks.

                "I'm not sure."  He says.

                "Why would Argo employ leviathans?"  Gabriel pounders outloud.

                "Remember, he was only employing one.  The other leviathans had no idea what was going on."  Iris points out.

                "It doesn't matter right now."  Kenshin says.  "We can dwell on the question of Argo's motives and desires later.  Right now we have to get the Frozen Deaths as soon as possible."

                "Why not fly?"  Iris asks.

                "We still need the experience."  Kenshin points out.  "Besides Argo hasn't done much in the way of moving.  He's been staying near the edge of the Capital."

                "So as long as he stays around there we can travel like this, right?"  Iris asks.

                "Yeah."  Kenshin says. 

                "So what's our next move?"  Gabriel asks.

                "Eating would be a good move."  Kenshin says with a growling stomach.

                "Eating it is then."  Sen says.