Storm and Leyocan traveled together to the site where the dwarf had indicated the attack on the convoy took place, It didn't take them long to find it.
They found a small camp where the soldiers had no doubt stopped to rest. Indicating that the attack occurred after dark.
The area around the site was blackened from burning and were still smoldering despite the time that had passed. At certain spots, fires continued to burn.
One wagon was cleanly ripped in half, another laid on it's side with a large dent in it's side facing the sky.
Storm examined the ground where several strange groves were cut into the ground.
Fires continued to rage in these groves.
At first he thought it was just the gloves from the wagon wheels cutting through the ground.
But a quick look at the large wheels immediately disapproved that theory.
The groves were much smaller than the wheels, so they couldn't have been responsible.
Leyocan picked up a bucket filled with water and threw it out on the flames.
They were extinguished immediately, only to suddenly flare up again a moment later as if nothing happened.
"The fires can't be put out!! These aren't regular flames!!" Said Leyocan.
"Any ideas what made these?" Asked Storm as he gestured towards the groves.
"Your guess is as good as mine, I've never seen anything like it." Exclaimed Leyocan.
They looked at the wagon that was ripped in half.
"This wagon wasn't broken by pulling it apart.
Something big enough hit this with enough speed to completely rip right through it." Explained Storm.
"Hello?" Called an unknown voice.
They both looked up and saw a small human boy no older than 10 sitting on top of one half of the wagon.
Much like a Kitsune or Nogitsune's human form, he had deep set almond shaped eyes.
His short black hair was carefully tied into two distinct buns on either side of his head.
He was wearing a simple white baggy, long sleeve shirt over a red vest, a small jade pendant hung from his neck.
A red sash was tied to his waist and he was wearing a pair of baggy black trousers with no footwear.
The clothes he was wearing was of a completely different style than those Storm had seen the townspeople wear.
Indicated that he didn't originate from the same place as them.
In his hand was an ornate spear that was even longer than he was.
What was especially strange of this spear was that the tip was constantly burning with flames.
"You shouldn't be out here alone, kid! Where are your parents?!" Asked Leyocan.
"Don't have any." Replied the kid.
"What are you doing here?!" Asked Storm.
"Playing. How about you?" Asked the kid.
" We're trying to find the one who did this." Replied Storm as he gestured to the scene around them.
"You just did, silly!" Stated the kid.
"You're saying you did this?" Asked Storm in disbelief.
"Uh huh!" Replied the kid.
"Why?" Asked Leyocan.
"They bullied my friends." stated the kid.
"Look, we don't have time for childish fantasies, kid. Where did you get that weapon anyway.
It's dangerous for a kid to play around with a weapon like that, please hand it over.
The kid shook his head.
"Nope!!"
Storm glared at the unruly child.
"So why does a dragon, a Nogitsune and a Djinn care about the fate of some farmers?" Asked the kid
Look, child. ..We...." started Storm.
He suddenly stopped when he realized what the child just called him.
"I... I... h-have n-no idea what you're talking about!!" Stammered Storm.
"Liar!" Called the kid.
Realizing that the kid somehow discovered their biggest secret, they abandoned all attempts at subterfuge.
Fulgur left Storm's arm and floated up to the kids face. The kid didn't flinch or show any signs of fear or suprise as the tiny lightning dragon hovering in front of him.
Fulgur sniffed the air a few times. Before quickly returning to Storm's side.
"You didn't answered my question!?" Asked the boy.
"We will need to find where these bad men meet up so that we can chase them away from here." Said Storm.
"Ohh, I already know where they meet!! Leave it to me!!
I'll take it from here!!" Said the boy.
"What about us?" Asked Leyocan.
The boy seemed to think it over.
I suppose you can join my team! Just make sure you can keep up!!" Exclaimed the boy.
"Leyocan!! You're not seriously considering bringing this child into battle?!" Exclaimed Storm.
"Do you seriously still think this is a normal child, Storm!! It's no more a boy than you are!!" Exclaimed Leyocan.
" I still don't think this is a good idea!" Exclaimed Storm.
He looked up and he saw the boy glaring at him with hostile intent. First thing Storm noticed was that the air seemed to have gotten much hotter than it was a moment ago.
A fiery red aura seemed to form around the boy and the fire covering the tip of his spear seems to grow even brighter.
"You question my power?!!" He exclaimed in a deep booming voice.
No longer sounding like the higher pitched voice of the child he resembled. If Leyocan and Storm needed any more confirmation that this being wasn't a regular child. They just got it.
Leyocan quickly tried to do damage control before things got out of hand.
"Not at all, uhhh... 'Great one', he just wishes to measure his own power compared to your own!
To see if he's worthy of fighting by your side!" Stammered Leyocan.
The fiery aura that surrounded the boy dissipated entirely. Once again resembling a regular child.
"Fair enough!! It's not easy fighting by the side of a living legend! I'll allow a brief demonstration, but I warn you. I won't allow you to join if you don't manage to impress me!" Exclaimed the boy excitedly.
"Leyocan!! What do you think you're doing?!"
"Saving your hide!" Replied Leyocan.
"You don't seriously think I'm going to beat up a child just to prove a point!!" Said Storm
"Something tells me you won't have to worry about that!!" Replied Leyocan.
The boy placed his spear aside and took a combat ready stance.
"Enough talking!! Let's play!!" Exclaimed the boy as he rushed at Storm.