~Chapter Ten~

Daigo settled down on the dirt clearing in the arena.

The bleachers were rusted, practically falling apart.

"They threw us in here when they did the tests. They said we wouldn't see our parents again. My... my... our other cousin died from the tests." Oaka said to Miki, watching Daigo with careful eyes.

Miki nodded solemnly, remembering Akito.

Enzo walked over to Daigo, morphing into his bear form. He growled playfully at him, knocking Daigo over gently.

"Cousin? No family can have different morphs?" Miki asked.

Oaka gave him a look. "No. It's impossible."

Miki nodded.

Enzo turned back to human, laughing. "Daigo, that's cheating."

Daigo responded in his little voice. "No it's not Enzo, I won."

Miki chuckled and walked towards Daigo and Enzo.

Enzo gave him a look but then turned to Oaka. "Oaka! Can you help Daigo?" He shouted.

Oaka nodded and walked towards him. "Okay, buddy, are you ready?"

Miki watched as Daigo squeezed her hand, closing his eyes.

Daigo suddenly turned into his owl form, his feathers fluffed up. His wide eyes interpreted his human ones, both of them big and adorable.

Miki smiled.

"Miki, come here." Miki heard Oaka's voice and walked towards her.

"Yeah?"

"Hold his talons." She ordered, shifting aside.

Daigo's little talons dug into Miki's skin, but he kept following the order.

"We're gonna make him fly." Oaka whispered.

Daigo squawked, his tone filled with eager and nervousness.

"One, two, three!" Enzo counted them off.

Miki let go of Daigo, Daigo just a blur in the sky.

But then the image came clear. He was doing it. Daigo was flying.

"Daigo, yes!" Oaka exclaimed.

Daigo let out happy squeaks, his wings flapping.

They let him fly around for a little, Miki and Oaka in deep conversation.

Oaka's eagerness faded as she turned to Miki. "We need to get him over the gate."

Miki froze. Daigo just flew, and the gates were armored.

But Oaka seemed clear in her decision.

They were putting the young boy in grave danger.