A side story
After the dynasty lost and all is normal again. The guys and Kira are living at Mia's house for the time being. They all go to school together and it has been over a year since the dynasty reared its ugly head. The ex-warlords were visiting for a few weeks. Relationships were good. Anubis was the new Ancient and Kayura had his armor.
Everyone was doing their own thing. Kento was playing video games with Yuli. Cye was out swimming. Sage and Sekmet were meditating. Rowen had taken a trip to the mountains to have some time alone and practice his archery.
Ryo came up to Kira who was sitting on the couch watching Kento. "Wanna go for a ride?" he asked. "Sure, sounds like a plan." Kira answered.
The two went outside and climbed on White Blaze. Blizzard was out wandering the woods.
White Blaze took off into the forest. Kira was behind Ryo, holding tightly on to his waist. Kira leaned her head on Ryo's back.
"What's wrong?" Ryo asked.
"I don't know, I just feel like something's not right." Kira answered.
"I feel it a bit too." Ryo said as they kept riding.
After about 20 minutes of riding, White Blaze came to the edge of the forest. At the perimeter, the forest turned into a clearing of tall grass. Standing at the center was a man. White Blaze roared and Ryo jumped off.
"Do you dare fight me? Ryo of the Wildfire" the man yelled.
"White Blaze, stay with Kira" Ryo said.
Kira hopped off White Blaze keeping her hand on his head.
"Who are you and what do you want?" Ryo yelled, changing into his sub armor.
"I am Panthera the Lion, warrior of Talpa," the man said, grimacing, "Fight me if you dare."
The man was very tall, over 6 feet and very large. He was all muscle and you could tell he moved like a lion. He was dressed in a hide like outfit. It was tan and didn't look like armor. His feet were bare and he wore a lion mane around his neck. He looked like a lion and was dangerous. He carried a staff like spear (sort of like Anubis' weapon).
Ryo charged Panthera who side-stepped and hit Ryo on his back. He was all grace and very lithe.
Five minutes later it was over. Ryo fought well but Panthera overpowered him and didn't give him a chance to put on his full armor.
The last thing Panthera did was take his staff and run Ryo through.
"No" Kira yelled as the momentum flung Ryo back into the grass near Kira.
Ryo lay in the grass, unconscious, slowing dying.
Kira ran up to him and fell to her knees by his side. He was very pale and breathing rapidly. Panthera stood there watching all this quietly, seeming to understand that Kira needed a moment and he was perfectly happy to wait to kill her.
Kira, crying, sat there. Suddenly, she put her hands on Ryo's chest and concentrated. Kira could feel the energy seeping from her to Ryo. She was healing him. His wound closed up and color came back into his face. His breath went from labored to relaxed. Kira sat back, light headed and confused. How did I do that, she thought.
"Are you ready to die?" Panthera said.
Kira slowly stood up and walked towards Panthera. Panthera knew she couldn't fight so he let her come closer. Kira came, a calm yet angry look on her face.
"Why are you doing this?" she asked. "I must as Talpa's slave" Panthera stated, his eyes clouded over. Kira, acting instinctively reached her hand up and placed it on Panthera's face. He grabbed her wrist but it was too late. Panthera convulsed and his eyes became clear. He dropped his spear and grabbed Kira by the shoulders. Kira dropped her hand and staggered a bit.
"Who are you? How did you do that?" Panthera asked. "You freed me from Talpa's control." "I thank you."
"Who are you?" Kira asked.
"I am Panthera, an animal warrior, my brother and I were captured by Talpa after trying to kill him. We were put under his control and forced to do his biding. You have set me free, I am eternally in your debt. I vow to protect you." He picked up his staff and placed it in a holder on his back.
"I have never done anything like that before, I don't know what happened," Kira said, "but I am glad you are free for everyone's sake." "I think I need to sit down," Kira said.
Just then, though not a sound was heard, something happened. Suddenly, there was a dart sticking out of Kira's right arm. Both people cried out, Kira in pain and Panthera in anger. Kira reached up and pulled the dart out, starring dizzily at it before collapsing. Panthera caught her before she hit the ground. She opened her eyes and stared up at him. Thanks, she whispered.
"Just rest, I will help you," Panthera said. He carried her over to Ryo, who was still out cold.
"Wildfire, wake up," Panthera said, poking Ryo with his foot. Ryo stirred, slowly opening his eyes. Looking up to see Panthera hovering over him, he jumped up into a crouch. I'm alive, I'm healed, how did this happen, Ryo thought.
Looking warily at Panthera, he noticed he was holding something, Kira's body. "No, what happened to her," Ryo cried out, "What have you done."
"This is not my doing, Ryo of Wildfire."
"Why aren't you attacking me?" Ryo asked.
"She has set me free, I was a slave to Talpa." "I am now in her debt and we must help her."
"She healed you and now you must help her."
"She healed me, but how?" "She doesn't have an armor," Ryo said.
"She doesn't understand either but we don't have time to ponder that right now." "Her life is in danger." "We must go."
"How do I know I can trust you?" Ryo asked.
"Ryo, listen to him, he is a friend." Ryo and Panthera looked down. Kira's eyes were open and it was she who had spoken.
"What happened to her, Panthera?" Ryo asked.
"We were talking and she was hit with a dart." "I have seen this before." "It is very poisoness."
"Only 10 of these are made a year and only by a certain mountain clan, because of the venom they contain, it will slowly shut her system down." Panthera said.
"We need to get her back to Sage and Sekmet," Ryo said.
"First we need to find my brother, he is probably fighting one of your friends right now,"
Panthera stated, "Ryo, you ride the tiger as you are still weak from your almost death. I am sorry about that my friend. I will carry Kira."
"It is not your fault, you were being controlled," Ryo said, "but thanks." Ryo climbed on White Blaze and they set off, Panthera loping and keeping up easily with Blaze.
