Elements of Power
By Mardrena
"We got the inspiration from Dais," Bak Thraplek explained as he stood at the edge of Danae's Crater. He and Ryo stared up at the polished black hull of the ship taken from Avitor's realm. "We originally intended to use the holo-projectors to conceal our supply cache, but decided to re-purpose them to envelop the whole of the craft like so," Bak tapped his tablet and the air rippled. The craft vanished from sight and only the empty crater remained.
"Wait…why leave the crater open? What if someone walks into it and bumps into the hull?" Ryo asked and frowned. Bak blinked and wrinkled his blue-gray eyebrows.
"Who…would purposely walk into a gaping crater?" he commented.
"I can think of a few people," Ryo sighed. Bak hummed to himself and tapped his chin with a claw. He tapped the tablet a few more times and once more the air rippled, this time shifting to a huge imposing rocky hill studded with twining tree growth. "See, that's more like it."
"There is one other thing…the titanodracoasaur…I've been told you're capable of recalling him to a pocket dimension where he dwells outside of combat…"
"You think I haven't tried?" Ryo snorted and raised an eyebrow. "Here, watch this." He raised his right hand and reached for the AnimArmor ring.
The air whistled dully as a huge snaking white mass emerged from the top of the illusion. Raurgoth craned his neck down and glowered menacingly at the two. Ryo raised both hands, keeping his fingers spread and palms open before lowering his arms at his sides. Raurgoth made a satisfied snort before lowering his head back under the illusion field to resume his nap.
"What was it Ander used to say…'Give them an inch'?" Bak muttered and glanced at Ryo. "Naz and the Apprentices are currently assessing the interior. The vessel is actually only half-finished. I assume your intrusion disrupted Avitor's construction. From what we can tell, it is possible to get it partly operational, but at some point we will have to launch an expedition back into Avitor's realm to scavenge additional parts and supplies."
"How you expect to do that? 'Tear a hole in space'?" Ryo wrinkled his nose.
"No. You don't just…tear a hole... If space and time can be thought of as fabric, then you find a weak spot in the threads and nudge them apart some," Bak rolled his eyes then made a parting motion with his index claws. "Case in point; that," he pointed up into the sky at a barely noticeable distortion in the air: the dimensional scar left behind from Avitor's attack. "Naz suspects a concentrated sustained energy burst can re-open the portal temporarily. The Inferno Armor may be able to achieve the desired result with the support of…erm…other individuals…"
"You mean the Mystics?" Ryo smirked. Bak's scaly lips wrinkled in a pout and he averted his gaze. "I'm sure Kayura, Shannon, and Michelle can do it, no problem…"
"From what you described, you entered a pocket dimension, which is created-again, using fabric as an analogy- by folding space upon itself like so," Bak demonstrated with one of the flaps of his waist armor. "But such a feat requires far more power than what Avitor displayed."
"He kept rambling about some 'benefactor' that gave him his powers," Ryo shrugged.
"I see…so the self-styled 'god' merely served an even greater power…one you may be called to face in the future… You know, it's strange; for someone who so thoroughly denounced humanity, there are obvious influences taken from his past life in the military. Anubis insisted we name the vessel, so for the time being, we've taken to calling it the Argonauth."
"You mean like the old Greek myth?" Ryo glanced at him. Bak blinked then shook his head.
"Oh, Argonauth is a combination of Thunthen and Thangien words; 'Auregh' meaning hero or champion and 'natuhor' meaning vessel, or ship. Though, Anubis did mention that same story," Bak admitted and wagged a claw. "A fitting name… It will make an excellent mobile staging platform for future engagements." Ryo did a double take at him, wrinkling his eyebrows.
"Whoa, wait-you want us to use this thing? I dunno…we've traditionally always fought our battles on foot," Ryo shook his head. Bak cocked his head down at the Ronin Leader.
"Lately, your enemies have been anything but traditional," he chided. "Let me tell you something…roughly thirty years ago, your people sent a probe into space made of duct tape, elbow grease, and spit," Bak began pacing behind Ryo then paused and pointed at the sky. "It's still going. We passed it on our way here. We read what it had to say, and if anything, it told us that your people are on the right track. It just takes some time. It took us decades to visit our neighboring planets, centuries to visit our nearest solar system." Ryo reflected on that. While the vessel nowhere near matched any of Mal Daggur's super-carriers, he could imagine it hovering in the sky opposite of Talpa's fortress in the event of another large-scale attack.
"We'll need volunteers among the Ronin to accompany the expedition. I'll inform you once Naz completes his 'shopping list'," Bak added. Ryo nodded understandingly. "Naz figures he can use a cluster of closed-fusion cores to substitute for the engines until they can be completed, and once he's confident of sustained lift, all we need is the portal."
"And a blue police box," Ryo chuckled and walked away. Bak wrinkled his eyebrows and glanced from side to side, puzzled.
"'Police box?'" he remarked and looked after Ryo.
"We should totally start putting some snacks down here…a plate of cookies, maybe some punch…" "Do I look like a housekeeper to you?" "Didn't someone once say they wanted to marry you?" "That was me." "This is a battle conference, not a board meeting." "I dunno, is there that much of a difference?" "Where's your brother, the fearless leader, anyway?" "He went out to Danae's Crater to talk with Bak about Raurgoth's new pillow." "What do you suppose has Kayura so concerned? Must be serious to call us all down here…" The Staff Bearer leaned against the wall on the left side of the archway looking quite anxious.
"Sorry I'm late, guys," Ryo apologized as he entered the chamber and walked over to his seat. Chatter among the other Ronin quieted down as he seated himself. Ryo blinked and glanced about the central tile. "…we really should start putting some snacks down here," he commented.
"Eh! Eh?" Kento leaned back and reached behind Sage's back to jab Cye in the shoulder with a knuckle. Sage chuckled softly and shook his head and Cye blew his bangs in exasperation.
"Thank you all for gathering on such short notice. As you know, I have spent the past few days undergoing extensive meditation sessions in an effort to discover artifacts the Mystic Alliance left behind as a precaution against both the Dynasty and other great evils." While Kayura explained, Ryo noticed Miz nudge into the room meekly. The little Common approached Kayura from behind and held a small device with both hands. He peered up at the Staff Bearer and shifted on his feet, apparently hesitant to speak.
"One such artifact has presented itself. It's actually a collection of ten-No, Miz, I do not need your little presentation!" Kayura whirled on her heels and snapped at the little Common. Miz hung his head and arms and slunk out of the conference room dejectedly, whining in dismay. Sehkmet snickered and Dais let out a bemused snort while Kayura turned back around and brushed loose strands of hair back into place. "As I was saying, one of the members of the Mystic Alliance was a master gem-cutter from Greece who specialized in binding powerful energies into precious stones. His greatest creation was called the Dekahedron.
"You'll be looking for small pyramids of precious stone. The exact location of these crystals is unclear, but I did discover potential clues in an archaic poem; Where flame boils, and rage roils. Where Earth breathes, and wind heaves. Where light breeds, and dark feeds. Where tide swells, and sickness dwells. Where stone resides, and vision hides.
"There are direct references to the birthplaces of the Wildfire, Strata, Halo, Torrent, and Hardrock armors. 'Rage roils' sounds a lot like the Armor of Cruelty." Anubis smirked at that remark. "'Wind heaves' is most likely the Armor of Typhoon," Tanya glanced at Rowen warily. "'Dark feeds' indicates the Armor of Corruption," Sage and Cale exchanged glances. "'Sickness dwells' describes the Armor of Venom," Sehkmet wrinkled his nose. "And 'vision hides' represents Armor of Illusion." Kento flashed Dais an excited grin, and Dais sighed in dismay.
"I strongly suggest you separate into pairs and investigate the original landmarks. Ryo and Anubis should head to the magma lair. Sage and Cale should look around the site of the Pinnacles, where the Halo Forge resides now. Cye and Sehkmet should inspect the coast along the bay. Kento and Dais should visit Mt. Dojo. The last location might be rather tricky, as the only place that seems likely would be where Rowen re-entered the atmosphere during his fall. I'll leave the issue of transporting Tanya up to you…" Rowen tented his fingers and tapped his index fingers together, smirking at Tanya craftily while the Lady Ronin flipped him the bird.
"Sounds good to me. If we can find the stones for Wildfire, Halo, Torrent, Hardrock, and Strata, we might find leads to the other crystals as well," Ryo nodded in approval.
"Bear in mind, while the Dynasty cannot spy upon us here, they may become suspicious of all of you venturing out simultaneously. I cannot guarantee you won't be attacked at some point, so be on guard at all times. You will have the advantage of being in pairs, so hopefully the Dynasty will be unable to commit as many resources to respond," Kayura warned.
"Our wrist-coms should allow us to alert each other if there's an attack," Rowen added.
"Hey, we should avoid using our armors to teleport, you think?" Cye brought up.
"Definitely. The Dynasty would sense the sudden energy shift," Sage agreed.
"So Dais! We get to be battle buddies!" Kento smirked.
"'Battle buddies'?" Dais sneered, grimacing in disgust.
"I call shotgun," Sehkmet declared and raised his arms.
"You can't drive anyway…" Cale reminded.
"The Raider can comfortably seat two," Anubis commented and glanced at Ryo.
"This whole *censored* is *censored* *censored*," Tanya grumbled sourly.
"Then it's settled; Ronin to Arms!" Ryo shouted cheerfully and rose from his seat.
Cye convinced Mia to loan him the jeep and sat comfortably at the steering wheel while Sehkmet looked out the window at the passing cliff face along the highway. Sage drove his own car and said nothing on the way to the Pinnacles, and Cale proved even less of a conversationalist. Trees bowed from the powerful *WHOMP* caused by Raider streaking overhead. Anubis manned the controls while Ryo sat quietly in the back seat staring at the volcano smoking in the distance. Rider screamed along the highway headed up north. Kento gripped the handlebars giddily while Dais sat behind him sullenly. Rowen enjoyed flying with his Strata Armor. Tanya, on the other hand, strongly objected to being towed via grapple.
"You know," Ryo began as he made his way over jagged rock and cooled lava. "I think this is the first time we've set foot on the slope and not been at each other's throats."
"I'm not exactly feeling nostalgic at present," Anubis huffed as he trudged up the incline beside Ryo. "I'm assuming you'll find your crystal in the magma lair. I haven't the damndest clue what 'rage roils' is supposed to mean." The two arrived at the summit clad in full armor.
"I'll start looking where 'flame boils'. Who knows, maybe you'll get lucky and find it lying around. Or it might even find you," Ryo shrugged and peered into the crater. "Better get this over with," he muttered and leapt into the smoldering depths. Smoke wafted away from his passing as the volcano slumbered peacefully. He spotted the bubbling pool of magma at the bottom and drew his swords, digging the blades into the crater wall to slow his descent.
The surface of the magma bubbled and hissed, yet despite the intense heat, Ryo felt completely at home as if revisiting a childhood swimming hole. His armor protected him from the normally hazardous environment and he clambered along the shore in search of any clue. He paused when he noticed a patch of magma being unusually bubbly in comparison to the rest of the lair. He slipped his legs into the pool and waded out towards the area. Bubbles swelled and burst from gas and blobs of magma flew into the air before falling back into the pool.
'Where flame boils'…I wonder… Ryo plunged his hand into the pool and fished around, grasping and searching. His eyes widened when his fingertips brushed against something and he closed his hand around a hard edged object. He withdrew his arm and stood up in the pool.
In his open palm rest a bright red ruby cut in a three-sided pyramid. Magma dripped off like water, leaving only the flawless gem. No glow or aura emanated from it, but power coursed through Ryo's body like an electric charge. Whoa! This is unreal! The power…I can feel it all over! Ryo waded back to the shore. He spotted a silhouette through the smoke and looked up, surprised. "What are you doing all the way down here? I thought you weren't a fan of the heat."
"Hmm?" Anubis looked up when he saw a form leap out of the smoke-filled crater. "Finished already? You were successful, I presume? I've found nothing thus far," Anubis grumbled and kicked a loose chunk of lava. Anubis' eyes widened slowly in shock as the smoke began to clear, revealing an armored figure that looked nothing like Ryo.
"That so? A pity. I have only one prize to send to Master Talpa then," General Duratir rumbled. In the crook of his left arm he held Ryo's unconscious body. In the palm of his upraised right hand he held a small pyramid of cut ruby. Anubis cried out and reached towards him in protest as violet flame engulfed the ruby and it vanished. "The news of the execution of the Ronin Leader, however, will be just as well welcomed by the Master," Duratir tossed Ryo away a few feet and raised his arm, aiming his arm gun at Ryo's head.
"No!" Anubis hurled his chain, snaring Duratir around the chest and keeping the Nether Lord's arms pinned to his sides. "Has Talpa learned nothing? He still clings to his futile ambitions?! If the Mortal Realm hopes to survive the coming darkness, we need these treasures! The Dynasty suffered just as grievous losses as the mortals. Would you repeat that?"
Duratir said nothing and stared at Anubis calmly. "Ever the reckless one as always, my erstwhile pupil…" Anubis had only a fleeting recollection of himself as a young nobleman under the tutelage of a grizzled veteran general, but he remembered the mustached face of an elderly man, not the cold robotic visor Duratir bore now. Duratir squirmed under the chains that bound him, and Anubis frowned when he saw the thick plates over the forearms begin glowing red hot. His eyes widened when the links in his chain began glowing as well, hissing and slagging.
Before he had a chance to react, Duratir flung his arms to the sides, sending molten shards of metal spraying in all directions. The shards solidified as they whistled through the air, and Anubis convulsed and gasped when a cluster of shards impaled his chest plate. He remained standing a few seconds, blinking in disbelief. His mouth moved but words refused to come, and the burning in his lungs told him the shards had pierced his chest cavity. He dropped to his knees, his armor clanking in protest and he leaned forward slightly, struggling to breathe.
"You should know full well; Emperor Talpa will be more than willing to devote his powers to defending the Mortal Realm…once it is his to control." Anubis tried to voice his protest but the excruciating pain in his lungs stifled any cry. Not in a long time had he felt as close to death as he did now. "You still refuse to divulge the location of your treasure? Perhaps you require sufficient motivation," Duratir turned his attention back to the still-unconscious Ryo.
"H-H-How d-d-da-are yo-ou!" Anubis finally managed to wheeze. Duratir paid him no mind. "Y-y-you…who…are…less…th-a-an a man!" Anubis croaked and forced himself to stand by sheer force of will alone. He saw Ryo laying there completely helpless, and anger hotter than the shrapnel in his chest burned inside his heart. "You dare…attack a man…unable to defend himself…" Anubis snarled under his breath and lurched forward.
Duratir grunted in surprise when Anubis grabbed his wrist and yanked his arm up before bullets had the chance to leave the barrels. "What is this? How is it you move with ease?" Duratir sputtered when he saw Anubis had not only traveled the distance from where he'd fallen, but he'd also left his weapon strewn over the lava-encrusted ground.
"You…who have…abandoned his humanity…you who has no honor…" Anubis growled and tightened his grip. Duratir activated his special ability and his armguards began glowing red hot, but Anubis did not relax his grip. He didn't even seem the least bit affected by the heat. "You dare attack my friend…you dare call yourself a warrior?" Much to Duratir's shock, Anubis began squeezing his wrist, crumpling the armguard.
"I-I-I do not understand! How is this possible?" Duratir stammered.
"You dare threaten that which I am sworn to protect!" Anubis raised his fist and a golden glow emanated through his clenched fingers. "You dare to even EXIST!"
"No! No, what are you doing?! What are you DOING?!" Duratir howled and struggled to escape the Ronin Warrior's iron grip. Golden light rippled like flame around Anubis' fist.
"DIEEEEEE!" Anubis shrieked throatily and drove his fist into Duratir's chest with enough force to eject the core processor and send it careening into the crater.
"Where…is…this power…coooooomiiiing…frooooom" Duratir trailed off as his eyes went dark. Anubis bellowed in rage again and the golden light erupted from his fist, causing Duratir's body to explode. Pieces rained onto the ground and into the crater and smoke hung in the air.
Anubis stood on the edge of the crater. He panted heavily as the power-induced daze wore off, leaving him exhausted. He stood there a few moments before shaking his head in disbelief and gasping in realization. He clapped one hand over his chest and patted himself several times only to find his armor completely repaired as well as his wounds healed. He blinked when he felt something solid in his clenched fist and opened his fingers to see a golden yellow citrine resting in his palm. Of course…'and rage roils'. Anubis held the stone close to his chest. Somehow it had appeared at a dire time of need. Anubis suddenly remembered Ryo and walked over to him.
"Uhhhnn…Anubis? Wha-" Ryo groaned when he felt himself being moved and opened his eyes to see Anubis carrying him in his arms.
"Cover your face," Anubis simply said. Ryo glanced to the side and saw the smoking crater.
"Wait, Anubis?! I don't-" Anubis unceremoniously chucked Ryo into the magma lair. "ANUUUBIIIISSSS!" Ryo howled in protest as he vanished into the depths. Anubis folded his arms over his chest and waited, tapping one index finger on his arm idly. Suddenly the crater erupted with streams of magma and billowing smoke. A red streak of light shot up into the air before arcing down towards the crater lip. Anubis turned to the side to greet the rejuvenated Ryo. "Mind giving me a warning next time you do that?" Ryo grumbled as his face mask parted.
"Just keeping you alert, that's all," Anubis smirked then frowned. "Unfortunately it seems Duratir stole yours," Anubis held up his palm to show Ryo his stone. "He sent it away before I could intervene, otherwise you would have recovered faster."
"Man…Kayura was right: Talpa is keeping tabs on us…better warn the others trouble's headed their way…" Ryo raised his wrist-com. "That's weird…the open channel's not working…you figure we're getting interference being this close to the summit?" Ryo muttered and glanced at the crater. Anubis remained quiet while Ryo tried to signal the other Ronin teams.
Anubis' brow furrowed and he stared off into the horizon. "Ryo…what the Thunthen always say about there being no distinction between magic and technology…" Ryo blinked, slightly confused. Anubis glanced at him, frowning. "That goes both ways," he said simply. Ryo looked down with dismay at his wrist-com and the static-filled screen.
Kayura entered the comm. room to see Miz and Ita at their customary seats at the console and Bak pacing worriedly behind them. "Bak! What's going on?" Kayura asked worriedly.
"We lost all contact with the Ronin Warriors. At first we thought only the open channel was affected, but we haven't been able to raise the individual teams at all. Danaetanera!" Bak leaned to the side when Chi Chi Lina, Danae entered the room. Kayura blinked; she swore Danae's abdomen looked bigger by the day despite her expected pregnancy requiring several months. "Have you been able to reach your brother at the northern garrison?"
"No. I sent Pegasus to investigate but I have not heard any news," Danae replied.
"I see…Miz and Ita are trying to discern the cause of the disruption, but have no luck so far."
"That's because we can't find any. Whatever's going on, it's not on our end," Miz spoke up and rose from his seat briefly, showing his results on the screen.
"Captain, you should take look at this," Ita hissed and nodded at the screen. Bak walked over followed by Kayura and Danae. Ita had called up satellite maps from each of the five regions the Ronin had ventured into. "Same phenomenon occurs at each region. Cannot be coincidence. Like sky is boiling," Ita commented and wrinkled her brow, twitching her eyebrows and mustache. Bak leaned closer and inspected the views. Thick dark cloud cover shrouded each region, and he squinted slightly, wondering whether he really saw a sea of swimming robed figures or not.
"They're Nether Spirits," Kayura spoke up suddenly. "They're able to disrupt technology such as the kind used in the Mortal Realm. It's how Talpa crippled military offensives."
"But, how can there be so many? Many perished during the siege on Ouagli's fortress by my brother and his forces, and a great many more fell against Mal Daggur's fleet," Danae argued.
"You forget; Talpa draws his power from the suffering and negative thoughts emitted by Mortals. With his flying fortress positioned over the city, he can absorb power from the populace without having to capture them, like an inverted funnel. Every petty grievance, every violent outburst, every greedy scheme gives him more than enough power to maintain his armies. He can easily produce more Nether Spirits and troops from that alone," Kayura explained.
"Would that my brother could bring all our Ranks to drive Ouagli from the heavens…but we must maintain vigil against Mal Daggur's return…" Danae muttered and rubbed her knuckle against her chin. She glanced at Bak and noticed he looked pensive. "Bak Thraplek, you look troubled…" Danae commented. Kayura looked at him as well.
"It would seem that we Thunthen-who have often ridiculed the Ronin for their belief in magic-are ourselves guilty of being overly confident in our technology," Bak sighed, drawing raised eyebrows from Kayura and Danae. "Miz, Ita, how long will it take to get the Armor Signature network online?" Bak asked and walked over to the chairs.
"We haven't tested it yet," Miz argued.
"It doesn't have to be. Can you do it?" Bak reiterated. Miz and Ita exchanged glances.
"It should be up within hour," Ita replied uneasily.
"Do better," Bak ordered and turned around.
"Pardon me for asking, but…what is this 'Armor Signature' you refer to?" Kayura asked.
"During our studies of the Ronin's armors, we've found that each armor produces energy of a particular wavelength that can be tracked and monitored. The wrist-coms require a satellite link, and for all of Rowen's ingenuity, it is subject to interference of the kind we're experiencing now.
"The Armor Signature network is designed to use the energy the Ronin Armors use as itself a frequency by which to transmit and receive communications. It's the," Bak paused briefly and made a grumbling snort, pursing his lips and rolling his eyes toward the ceiling. "'Deep spiritual link' they incessantly refer to," he huffed, hanging his shoulders.
"…Wow…" Kayura raised both eyebrows and smirked in mock surprise. Danae looked similarly amused. "That must've taken a lot of effort," Kayura grinned. Danae chuckled softly.
A crab scuttled out of the path of two figures walking on the beach. Cye gazed out at the lapping waves of the bay while Sehkmet walked beside him and kept his eyes on the sand. Cye glanced out the corner of his eye and noticed the guilt-ridden expression on the former-Dark Warlord's face. Sehkmet looked physically ill, as if he somehow trod upon sacred ground.
"Sehkmet, I've already forgiven you. What happened during the Dynasty Wars wasn't your fault. The past is past, and the bay has healed itself. It's alright," Cye assured.
"Look Cye, telling me not to feel guilty won't actually make me feel not guilty," Sehkmet paused to face him. Cye stopped as well and listened patiently as Sehkmet continued. "If you ever go 'dark side' yourself, I'm sure you'll know what I'm talking about. In the meantime I'll keep beating myself up probably until the day I die." Cye nodded sympathetically and hummed. Sehkmet averted his gaze and fidgeted. "But…I suppose having friends telling you they forgive you helps a little," he admitted and continued walking. Cye smiled and followed.
Cye paused abruptly when he could've sworn he saw something out the corner of his eye and glanced at the sliding surf. He watched a few seconds then tensed when he saw a light blue glow in the water. It disappeared when the tide receded then reappeared. Sehkmet noticed and turned around to see Cye change into sub-armor and walk into the surf up to his knees. Cye kept his eye on the glow and tensed, waiting for the right moment.
Sehkmet watched, impressed as Cye speared the tide deftly like a fisherman catching his scaled prize. Cye withdrew his hand and stood up before opening his hand to see a three-sided pyramid of beautiful aquamarine of the same quality as used in Shannon's Ronin Cross.
"Well would you look at that! 'Where tide swells'!" Cye crowed and displayed his find.
"Excellent! Now I just have to find mine…where 'sickness dwells'," Sehkmet muttered and walked further down the beach. Cye trudged out of the surf and followed. Sehkmet paused and grimaced in revulsion. "I think I have an idea where…what on Earth is that?"
Cye saw what drew Sehkmet's attention; a loose ring of half-submerged rocks encircling a pool of glistening gunk and other unwholesome debris. "Toxic tide…you're not the only one guilty of polluting the bay. Many careless civilians and businesses allow runoff into the water. Bacteria can eventually break it down, but other times it sits on the surface and gets carried by the tide until it reaches shore. Sometimes it gets deposited in formations like this. Disgusting…" Cye explained and scowled angrily, clenching his fist around his crystal.
"You know…maybe…" Sehkmet walked over and clambered atop one of the outcroppings. He changed into sub-armor and peered down into the pool, reaching out with one hand.
"Awww, Sehkmet! Don't tell me you're seriously going to-," Cye groaned in dismay.
"Hey, 'sickness dwells', right? This fits the bill," Sehkmet shrugged and began fishing through the polluted pool with his right hand. Cye turned away to watch the tide in the meantime. He looked down and turned the aquamarine pyramid over with his fingers, studying the facets. They looked completely perfect, though he noticed the three sided pyramid didn't look quite even with some sides larger than the others. He glanced at the water when he saw a shadow moving overhead. At first it looked like a mere cloud, but it took on a shape all too familiar to Cye. He gasped and whirled around to face the intruder.
A powerful blow to his chest sent him flying into the tide where he landed back-first in the wet sand. The crystal pyramid had flown out of his hand only to be caught by a large hand covered in dark metal. "How gracious of you, Cye of Torrent, to bestow upon me this tribute," Talpa mocked. Cye's eyes widened as he stared up at the vile juggernaut in horror. The Dark Emperor spread his fingers and violet flame enveloped the crystal before it vanished.
"Cye! No!" Sehkmet abandoned his search to rush to Cye's aid. He sprang into the air and lunged at Talpa, attempting to catch him from behind. "ARMOR OF VE-" With shocking speed, Talpa lashed his left arm to the side and caught Sehkmet by his neck. Cye scrambled to stand.
"Sehkmet, I must say I am surprised to see your skills in self-preservation have dulled that you would rush headlong into your own death coming to the rescue of one of your 'fellow Ronin'," Talpa rumbled and held Sehkmet several feet above the beach. "Tell me, Sehkmet; have you disclosed the truth to your 'friends'?" Sehkmet stopped squirming but didn't reply. "Hah hah haaaah! I see that you have not! Why, I am somewhat pleased by this perverse loyalty you display, you threw in your lot with the Ronin a long time ago, and as such, you have no further use to me," Talpa reached behind his back with his right hand and drew a sword from the rack.
"Sehkmet! Sehkmet, no!" Cye ran forward but not in time as Talpa plunged the blade straight through Sehkmet's chest. Sehkmet's eyes widened and his body quivered briefly before going limp. Talpa lashed his right arm down, flinging the body into the toxic pool. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Cye shrieked at the top of his lungs.
"He did not have his trinket on his person. It matters not. I will have it one way or another. You should know full well by now; I always get what I want! Mourn your 'comrade' all you like, Cye of Torrent. I already have relieved the other Ronin of their treasures," Talpa stated.
"I WON'T LET YOU GET AWAY WITH THIS! GREAT WHITE SHARK!" Foam Reaver appeared briefly before changing into Cye's AnimArmor. Cye brandished the four-bladed glaive then threw it into the surf. "TIDE BREAKER!" The blade hovered over the water and began spinning rapidly before submerging into the tide. A bulge of water rose up and erupted into a swirling pillar. Cye swept his hand forward and the funnel snaked forward, enveloping Talpa. Cye could make out his silhouette through the waterspout.
"Your anger and grief pleases me, Ronin Warrior. HAH HAH HAAAH!" Talpa-not the least bit fazed by the attack- cackled before vanishing. The waterspout dispersed and the glaive spun back into Cye's grip. He dropped it on the beach then staggered over to Sehkmet's body.
"Aw man…oh no…Sehkmet…no…" Cye dismissed his armor and grabbed Sehkmet by the shoulders, pulling him out of the pool and onto the beach. Even if Sehkmet's natural immunity protected him from the pollution, Talpa's blade had gone right through his heart, severing the spine. Blood mixed in with the frothing filth. "You…you didn't deserve this…you deserved better…you deserved better than this…" Cye wept and hunched over the lifeless body. Tears dripped from his cheeks into the wound. Despite his gruesome demise, Sehkmet looked at peace.
Cye sniffled and tilted his head up when he thought he saw a red-orange glow. His gaze moved over to the hideous wound in Sehkmet's chest and he blinked tears away when he saw a dark-green stone hovering in the air. It looked like a peridot almost, but the crystal flashed again as if burning from within with red-orange flame. The glow intensified, forcing Cye to shield his eyes and turn away. The glow faded abruptly and Cye looked back at Sehkmet.
The wound had vanished and the crystal rest atop the intact chest plate. Sehkmet's eyelids twitched and he groaned softly before his eyes fluttered open. "Uhhh…what happened? Oh, hello there," Sehkmet tilted his head up and spotted the dark-green pyramid. He glanced to the side and noticed Cye kneeling beside him. "Hey Cye. You okay?"
"Am I okay? I should be asking you that! You had a hole through your chest the size of my fist! By all rights you were dead and done for, but somehow your crystal just up and appeared and healed your wounds. Don't ask how it happened, it just did it on its own."
"Cool…that's neat…Lemme guess: Talpa stole yours?" Sehkmet asked and sat up slowly.
"Mm hmm. I'm not so worried about it though. I'm just happy you're alive!" Cye beamed, fighting down the urge to bear-hug Sehkmet and settling for patting him on the shoulder. Sehkmet smiled in relief but deep down he wondered if Cye understand what Talpa had said. Did he suspect anything? Sehkmet looked into Cye's eyes and saw only heartfelt gladness. Either he hadn't noticed or even if he had, he didn't care in the slightest bit.
"What I don't understand," Cale grumbled as he used a glow stick to examine crags and pockmarks in the walls while Sage had the convenience of one of his light orbs. "Is if you've been here before-twice- how come you never noticed such a powerful artifact before?"
"We probably didn't know where to look, much less what to look for. I thought about asking the others if they had any luck finding anything but for some reason the open channel's down…pretty poor reception underground I guess," Sage commented and glanced at his wrist-com. He tried cycling through contacts but met with snowy static each time.
"If you're meant to look where your armor was formed, good luck with that. You blew out the ceiling the first time and the floor Australa scavenged to build the Halo Forge," Cale snorted and nodded at the middle of the deep chamber. The greenish phergon-fed flames of Australa's Halo Forge-the facility she used to restore Sage's Sword of Light- swam and swelled in the confines of the thick stone walls. Sage paced around the complex, scanning every exposed surface. He walked around the split remains of the anvil Australa had used but paused when he thought he spotted something. He remembered how Sandstorm, Australa's Pegasi steed, had consumed copious amounts of native rock to create the anvil to begin with. Sage had cut the anvil through with his restored sword as a test of its strength, and the halves rest on the floor.
Sage knelt down beside the split anvil and narrowed his eyes, peering at the exposed inner side of one half. It looked dull at first, but he swore he spotted a faint triangular outline within the metal. He reached out with his free hand and rubbed the outline with his fingertips. Without warning it flashed brightly with a soft green light and popped right out of the metal and into Sage's startled hand. A brilliant emerald that emanated intense power now rest in Sage's palm. "'Where light breeds'," Sage whispered. Cale walked over and peered over his shoulder.
"Well look at that…who knew a Pegasi ate your crystal and crapped it out by accident," Cale chuckled and slapped Sage on the shoulder. Sage let out an amused snort and Cale moved to return to his investigation. He paused when he noticed a shadow close to the Halo Forge. For some reason the light from the crystal didn't penetrate the pool of black at all. It looked like a deep fist-sized opening beneath the anvil pedestal that had been exposed when it collapsed.
Cale knelt down and reached inside up to his wrist. His fingers grasped a small object. He leaned back and pulled out a tiny pyramid of polished onyx with rusty-colored bands through the middle. "'And dark feeds'!" Cale remarked and held it close to Sage's emerald pyramid. The onyx pyramid drank up the light of the emerald without the light so much as touching its facets. "Mission accomplished," Cale crowed. Sage grinned in delight.
"No. Mission terminated!" Sage and Cale looked skyward and sprang away when something dropped into the chamber and landed atop the Halo Forge. A bulky metallic humanoid figure straddled the flaming pit and shockingly enough thrust both palms into the forge. Sage and Cale watched in horror as rippling heat surged up from the forge into the intruder's palms. Within seconds the red gems inside went dull and the phergon-fed flames Naz Dassyr claimed would burn for years had died entirely. "Such rich energy the Outworlders produce! It is now mine, thanks to my new enhancements!"
"Sage, take your stone and get out of here! ARMOR OF CORRUPTION!" Cale summoned full armor and drew his sword, keeping his gem clenched in his other hand.
"ARMOR OF HALO!" Sage armed himself but remained close to Cale. "What are you talking about? We have to work together on this!" Sage hissed in protest.
"Stay out of this! I have more reason than you to exterminate this fiend with my own hands!" Cale glared at Sage, but Sage saw not overweening pride but a deep revulsion. Cale looked at once absolutely sickened and fully outraged at the sight of the intruder.
"My forces are gathered. The time is nearly at hand and the pitiful denizens of this Mortal Realm will quail at the resurrection of my empire of darkness!" The smoking visage of Talpa rumbled from behind the flaming braziers of the throne room. "My Dark Warlords…" Anubis, Sehkmet, Dais, and Cale stood at attention in the flickering torchlight. "You shall serve as my vanguard and spread my shadow to the four corners of the world."
"As ever, we stand ready," Anubis, Dark Warlord of Cruelty, nodded.
"As do I, Emperor Talpa," the four looked behind them to see a lightly-armored woman walk up the aisle. A black leathery cape draped over her shoulders and a spiked crown reached up from her bright green hair. Silvery metal plates covered her fingertips like claws.
"Beast Warden Dygra, how gracious of you to join us…" Talpa spoke.
"What brings you here from your repose?" Dais, Dark Warlord of Illusion, snorted.
"I have learned much in my studies, and as you are aware, I have my own retainers whom I have blessed with increased power and ferocity." Dygra beckoned behind her and several figures lurched into the light of the throne room. Anubis and the others recoiled at the sight of the vaguely humanoid monstrosities. One looked like a tall muscular reptile covered in deep red scales. Another looked like a skeleton clad in lacquered armor. The tallest resembled a proud king of the deserts with magical talismans strewn over his broad shoulders. "I make this offer to you, Dark Warlords, that I bestow such power unto you," Dygra spread her lips in a wicked smile.
Anubis fought down revulsion and the bile rising in his throat before composing himself and squaring his shoulders. "I must graciously decline. Such 'blessings' would be wasted on us, for we have the might of our Armors as well as our own physical prowess," he replied smoothly.
"I see…is that opinion shared by your comrades?" Dygra flicked a glance at the other Dark Warlords. Anubis bristled in anger, recognizing the clear attempt to undermine his authority. Dais' single eye regarded Dygra's Demon Warriors with disgust while Sehkmet, Dark Warlord of Venom, looked mostly indifferent. Anubis glanced out the corner of his eye when, much to his surprise, Cale-Dark Warlord of Corruption-stepped forward to speak.
"It is. Mortals by nature are abhorred by such creatures you command, but for them to see us in mortal form would kindle a more profound fear. They would perceive their fellow man taken over to darkness, and see within themselves the capacity for such evil. As we serve as Talpa's vanguard, any who defy his will shall look upon us and become consumed with doubt."
Anubis never considered himself one for gratitude but glanced at Cale and silently thanked him for his support. Dygra put on the façade of understanding but her eyes glittered with rage at being refused so deftly. "Very shrewd, Dark Warlord…it is clear the Emperor values your logic."
"As they served me in the past, so too do they serve me now. Return to your studies, Beast Warden. Keep your forces in reserve until I call upon you to harry the mortals into submission," Talpa laughed, his form rippling. Dygra bowed grandly and turned to leave.
"The Dark Warlords may pave the way for the Emperor's might, but my machines of war shall truly break the mortal's will!" a boisterous voice echoed from the rear of the throne room. Dygra's retainers parted ways and a trio of armored figures strode forward. "Behold the future! The spirits of men sworn to the service of the immortal Dynasty, now granted immortality as Nether Warriors!" Lord Artisan Tchnetun boasted.
Anubis felt a cold sickness in his gut. While the two accompanying warriors' faces resembled that of the rank-and-file Dynasty Soldiers, he clearly recognized their distinctive armor. Cale looked similarly horrified, as he also recognized the two warriors.
"Admiral Duratin and General Duratir; once mere mortal commanders, now exemplars of my arts. Even the Dark Power can only prolong pitiful mortal lives for so long, the exception being the armors worn by the Dark Warlords. But now, I have mastered the technique of keeping the mortal spirit intact and transplanting it within a powerful metal body. This is the future of the Dynasty! This is the future of our overwhelming conquest!" Lord Tchnetun crowed.
Anubis gazed upon the face of General Duratir with sadness, remembering the encouraging elderly man who had trained him in his youth. Cale averted his gaze from Admiral Duratin, feeling almost betrayed at the sight of one he once held in high esteem. Not even for limitless power and immortality would he, Cale, ever consider completely surrendering his humanity.
"Just looking at you makes me sick to my stomach, but I'll tell you now I relish tearing your precious 'creations' to pieces with my claws," Cale sneered and brandished his claw gauntlet. "Sage, leave him to me. I have a score to settle with him!" Cale swept his sword to the side then pointed the blade skyward. "BLACK LIGHTNING SLASH!"
Lord Tchnetun held out his right hand, palm facing forward, and the incoming attack smacked into his palm. Sage thought he spotted a tiny crystal lens embedded in the armor. Instead of being torn apart, Lord Tchnetun merely absorbed the stream of energy.
"You are not as observant as I took you to be. Did you not see how I extinguished the fires with ease? With this new body I developed for myself, I am capable of consuming any attack directed at me. I will bleed you dry of your precious power!" Lord Tchnetun boasted.
"There's more in me than where that came from! BLACK LIGHTNING SLASH! TOTAL DARK!" Cale threw the full mastery of his power against the smug Nether Lord.
Sage watched, startled and humbled by the determination Cale displayed. He never quite considered the former Dark Warlord as a friend, even when redeemed, but he couldn't help but feel admiration for Cale's fury. He couldn't hope to understand whatever ancient grudge occurred between them, but Cale displayed far greater strength confronting it now than ever.
"Damn it Cale...you still don't understand!" Sage sprang to the other end of the chamber, behind Lord Tchnetun. "You're not a Dark Warlord anymore! You're a Ronin Warrior, and you shouldn't ever have to stand alone! THUNDER BOLT CUT!" Sage loosed his own attack.
"Foolish Ronin Warrior! I am not as defenseless as you think!" Lord Tchnetun held his left palm out at Sage and began absorbing the power of the Thunder Bolt Cut. Cale tried drawing from the darkness of the chamber to fuel his attack, but the more power he channeled the more Lord Tchnetun absorbed. Sage tightened his grip on his sword, baring his teeth in a snarl as Lord Tchnetun continued draining his power. Both Ronin had forgotten about the crystal pyramids they held in their hands. Both crystals flashed; Sage's with a bright green light and Cale's pulsing with a deep reddish glow. The glow leapt from the crystals to their respective weapons and merged with the flow of the attacks. Like a whip crack, the surges arched, swelled, and shoved forward. The bulges slammed into Lord Tchnetun's palms.
"What? What are you doing!" Lord Tchnetun struggled to contain the surges. "This…this is beyond my projected capacity! Stop it this instant! I demand it!" The two Ronin paid him no heed. Sage's eyes glowed bright green and Cale's glowed deep red. "Impossible! How can you channel so much energy! Ahh! AAAHH! Stop it! Stop it now! NO, NO! NOOO!" Lord Tchnetun's scream died in a gurgle as the two surges combined into a sphere that enveloped him. Light and darkness swirled together in a crackling frenzy. The sphere expanded, nearly filling the middle of the chamber and the crackling reached a deafening pitch.
The sphere abruptly winked out of existence with a barely audible pop. Sage and Cale snapped out of their trances and blinked, neither speaking for several seconds.
"…What the heck was that?" Sage broke the silence.
"I…I think…the power overloads canceled each other out…" Cale opened his hand and gazed at his crystal. Sage examined his as well. "I've never put out so much power before…did all of that come from such tiny gems? A better question is how?"
"To think of how powerful the crystals would be combined as the Dekahedron. It makes it all the more critical we keep these from the Dynasty's corruption. The others should've found their crystals right about now. I hope they don't run into any serious trouble like we did…"
"If you were gonna gripe about it so much, why not just ask Pegasus to carry us here?" Kento grumbled as he pushed down the Rider's kickstand and he and Dais got off the motorcycle.
"Because he had strong objections to carrying your heavy carcass," Dais argued.
"I thought Pegasi were supposed to be super strong and tough," Kento shrugged.
"Pegasus can carry three people with relative ease…you in your current state count as four."
"Hrmph, I don't hear Rider complaining," Kento sniffed and walked towards the foot of the trail leading up the mountain. Dais followed and the two vanished around a bend.
No sooner than they did the front wheel of the Rider popped clean off its axle and the entire vehicle listed to one side, groaning in metallic anguish.
"Wow…talk about a needle in a stack of needles…" Dais remarked as they reached the plateau where the Throne of the Gods formerly resided.
"Fortunately we're wearing armor, as well as our comfy cozy coats," Kento grinned and flexed his fingers. The biting wind from the mountain peak pushed through the fibers of the ruffs. While Dais paced off to the side to search outcroppings, Kento got on hands and knees and began sifting through the rubble. Very little of the original boulder remained after so many years. He remembered he'd practically blasted the landmark to powder during his liberation. "Hey, think when we're done we can make a stop by the Thangiens' garrison?"
"What on earth for? I don't even know where it is," Dais raised an eyebrow at Kento.
"Well, I do. I mean, I helped build the place. I just figured it wouldn't hurt for you to visit your brother-in-law…and maybe they might have some provisions they can share?" Kento hinted hopefully. Dais sighed and continued his search while Kento picked up individual rock chunks and examined them. Kayura specifically described gemstones cut in neat pyramid shapes. "Nope…nope…nope…" he muttered as he chucked each stone over his shoulder after a cursory glance. "Nope-heeeellloo…" Kento paused, nearly tossing a chunk of rock when he spotted a faint glint on one side. It looked like the point of a clear straight-edged object.
On a hunch, he clenched the stone in his hand and crushed it. When he opened his hand, bits of rock tumbled away until only a dusty topaz pyramid remained. "Hah! Look at that! 'Where stone resides'!" Kento beamed and wiped the gem against his coat to clean it a little. He tossed it up into the air then caught it as it fell down and examined the perfect facets again. "Weird how something this tiny could have enough power to scare even Talpa," he muttered.
Dais passed by the ledge overlooking the roaring waterfall but paused when he noticed something out the corner of his eye. He glanced at the ground. Nothing. He had to backtrack a few steps before he saw it; a small opening in the ground. He moved towards it but as he did so the opening seemed to vanish from view. He knelt down and felt over the surface with his palm. Slabs of rock kept the opening concealed and he slipped his fingers under one and pushed it away. A normal person could've easily missed it, but Dais' keen eye didn't. 'And vision hides…' He peered inside the hole and spotted a glittering gem hidden in the darkness. "Ah hah!" Dais reached inside and grabbed the amethyst crystal. "Got it!"
"No, lost it." *POW!*
"Dais?" Kento whirled around and saw Dais flying towards the edge of the cliff. He tumbled and skidded and cried out when he rolled over the edge.
"Whoooaaah!" Dais scrabbled and clawed at the cliff and grabbed a protruding rock, barely catching himself in time. He dangled precariously over the frothing gorge below.
"Dais! Hold on, I'll get you!" Kento moved to aid him.
"I think not!" Something small rammed Kento in the shoulder, forcing him to drop his crystal. Kylyra snatched it and danced away, giggling merrily. "Thanks for saving me the grunt work!"
"Why you-give it back!" Kento lunged and seized her right hand in his left. He punched with his right hand but Kylyra easily caught his fist with her left palm.
"You think you can push me around? The Warrior of Strength? Go ahead and try!" Kylyra pushed, managing to force Kento to step back slightly. He could feel the corner of the pyramid poking into his hand from where Kylyra held it securely. "If you can best me, I may just give you the crystal, but you know what mortals say about small packages," Kylyra taunted. Kento struggled but he kept losing ground to the child-like Dynasty minion.
Arrgh! Dais is hanging on for dear life and here I am wasting my time with this…smug smirky giggling little…Rrrrgh! I can't even use my armor or she'll just mind control me! But what can I do? I can't let her take my crystal or let Dais die! If I don't do something fast she'll-hey…wait a minute… Kento's eyes widened briefly in realization then narrowed in cunning.
"Hmm?" Kylyra blinked in confusion. "Oh, smiling are we? Are you resigning yourself to your inevitable defeat?" she teased when she saw Kento's lips curl in a smirk. It seemed like a trick of daylight made his pupils appear white. Kylyra flinched when she felt something pinch her right hand. She flicked a glance up to where Kento gripped her with his left hand and saw the fingertips digging into her skin. She thought she heard a faint metallic creaking combined with something else…like a whispering crack. "Ooh!" she gasped in protest when she felt another pinch and looked at the fingertips again. It seemed like the metal covering his fingertips expanded and grew into a point. His grip tightened and she grimaced from the pressure. Kylyra blinked in disbelief as it seemed the hand grew ever so slightly larger. She glanced back at Kento's face and cried out in shock at what she saw.
A loud rattling growl emerged from behind clenched teeth as Kento's lips pulled from a cheerful grin into a snarl. His eyes changed from blue to almost pure white and the pupils glowed faintly before narrowing into vertical slits. The material of his coat shifted as his shoulders grew out slightly and the furry ruff slid over the back of his thickening neck. The metal of his sub-armor creaked as it expanded to match his shocking metamorphosis and Kylyra had to crane her head back slightly as he loomed above her. "Ahhh…Aaaah!" Kylyra cried out and tried to squirm away but Kento held her tightly and lifted her off the ground. "AAAAHHHH!" Kylyra squealed in terror and looked down to see her feet dangling high off the ground.
"AAAHHHHRRRGHHH!" Kento let out a guttural growl and leaned close, releasing his grip on Kylyra's left hand and brandishing the pointed fingertips of his right hand close to her face. His hair turned bone white and his skin became a stony gray-lavender. Kylyra briefly wondered if Dais had somehow used his powers, but the beast that held her looked far too real to be an illusion. Drop it…DROP IT! Kylyra thought she heard a voice yet his lips didn't move.
"What? No…No! I cannot! Master Talpa expects me to return this to him!" Kylyra protested. The beast growled again and squeezed her right hand tighter. While she had no bones, she could feel pain shooting through the stone hidden beneath her flesh. Fine…if that is what he desires…I will play along…I will pretend to comply and the second he releases me I shall-
"AAAHAHAAANNN!" the beast let out a snarling cry and lifted Kylyra higher, shaking her roughly. His face twisted in anger and he growled, as if he somehow knew her plan. The beast reached over and closed his right hand around her right wrist. He began squeezing.
What? He-he-he would not! He would not dare! Kylyra tried lashing out and kicking him in the gut, but her feet banged against his chest as uselessly as if she'd kicked the mountain itself. He tightened his grip and Kylyra gasped from the pain. CRACK! "OOHH!" Kylyra screamed and the transformed Ronin Warrior released her, letting her drop to the ground limply.
The crystal fell out of her fingers and clattered to the ground. She had to use her left hand to cradle her shattered right arm. Between her wrist and elbow felt as limp as a sock filled with pebbles. She could only watch as the transformed Ronin Warrior stooped down and plucked the crystal off the ground with his pointed fingertips. "No…no…that's…mine…" she whimpered.
"I don't see your name on it," Kento growled and turned around, walking towards the cliff.
Kylyra let her shattered right arm hang at her side and drew a sword with her left hand. "Give that to me!" she lunged, aiming to impale Kento from behind. He glared at her over his shoulder then whirled around and punched, striking her in the face. The blow sent her body bouncing over the ground some distance before she came to a stop on her side. Half of her face cracked and flaked off, exposing the black stone underneath.
"Hrmpf…fool…" Kento grunted and moved to turn around again, pocketing his crystal. He paused and looked over his shoulder at the fallen minion. She lay there, limp and broken. He began to turn back around but for some reason he kept looking at her. He narrowed his eyes and they flickered with white light. He raised his arms and splayed his claws, growling deeply. Something deep inside urged him to attack. Enemy! He wanted to tear her apart…smash her to pieces! She's not even human! His growling took on an increasingly bestial tone and his eyes glowed white hot. KILL HER! He took a step forward, glaring at the black stone.
Something else deep inside him screamed, protesting desperately against attacking a defenseless foe. His gaze moved to the intact part of her face, the part that still looked like a little girl…so much like the Kayura who had redeemed herself and became a friend… Kento blinked several times and his face relaxed. He lowered his arms and took a step back, feeling numb with realization. He blinked again, trying to regain his senses then suddenly remembered. "Dais!"
Dais couldn't help but look over his shoulder at the sheer cliff face and the roaring river below. "Ehh…it's not that bad…I just need to…" he grunted nervously and tried scooting his grip over the cliff face. "Almost…got it…" Dais secured his grip on a handhold then cautiously reached up with his left hand. Without warning, his handhold gave way. CRAP!
Something grabbed his wrist just in time and Dais drew a sharp breath as he saw rock plummeting into the churning mist far below. "…*whew*…thanks…took you long enough-" Dais' voice caught in his throat when he saw the creature holding him. It took a few seconds for him to recognize Kento. He stood and lifted Dais over the ground. "…That's your other form?" Dais blinked in surprise. "…makes your cheeks look fat." He wrinkled his nose.
"Hey, you want me to drop you?" Kento threatened and held Dais back over the gorge.
"No! Nono! No! Did I say fat? I meant 'distinguished'! Honest!" Kento wouldn't, of course, but seeing Dais clamp onto his arm for dear life made him smile. He stepped away from the edge and lowered his arm. Dais swung his legs down and dusted himself off, sighing in relief.
"Guessing she got your crystal? I didn't smell it on her."
"Yeah…you got yours though, right?" Kento reached into his pocket and pulled out the topaz pyramid. "Well…that's some blessing I guess… Might as well call Ryo and give him the bad news…Hrm…I can't get anyone on the open channel…figures. So much for modern technology; never works when you need it…" While Dais muttered in complaint, Kento glanced over his shoulder at Kylyra's broken form. His white eyebrows furrowed in worry and he frowned sadly.
Characters in Thunthen Highscript flickered on the main screen before fading. A dark gray square appeared in one corner then expanded downwards then to the side, forming a row of ten columns. The symbols of the Ronin insignias flickered at the top of each column before dimming and brightening into squares of white light. Portraits of some of the Ronin appeared, and beneath each one a line spiked and rippled from each sound.
Ryo:: "Hey! Open channel's back up! Hey, listen up everyone; the Dynasty's caught on to our mission, so stay on guard!"
Sage:: "Old news there Ryo. Cale and I had a run in with Lord Talpa's-Tech-Support."
Anubis:: "You were attacked as well? General Duratir graced us with his presence. He stole Ryo's stone, unfortunately. I managed to defeat him, though I sense he yet lives."
Cale:: "We still have both of our stones at least. What I don't get is how the heck did the Dynasty know our plans? I thought they couldn't spy on us at home anymore."
The screen didn't display Kento's portrait, but the audio bar moved as he spoke.
Kento:: "They probably saw us all heading out at the same time and figured we'd look for more artifacts." His voice sounded considerably deeper.
Cye:: "Talpa will do anything he can to stop us from getting the upper hand. He attacked us himself and stole my crystal, but Sehkmet still has his."
Sehkmet:: "And I joined the nearly-dead club! Actually, I was more dead-dead than nearly-dead on account of being stabbed through the chest by Talpa…"
Dais:: "Oh that's nice…" While the Ronin spoke over the Armor Signature channel, Kayura, Danae, and the Thunthen listened. Bak frowned and glanced to the side of the screen.
"Why are we not getting any feed from Rowen and Tanya?"
"They haven't responded. Here, I'll raise them manually," Miz said and typed commands. The last two columns flickered to life and they saw the views from Rowen and Tanya's wrist-coms.
"Oh no!" Kayura gasped and clamped a hand over her mouth. Danae's eyes widened when she saw the video feed. Rowen's wrist-com showed Tanya dangling beneath him by her grapple line, while Tanya's showed her hanging on desperately. The shaking video showed a pale robed figure hovering behind Rowen, and Rowen's eyes looked shadowed.
Rowen:: "Sorry, Tanya…" Rowen's voice sounded cold, almost monotonous.
Tanya:: "ROWEN! I SWEAR IF YOU DROP ME EVEN WHEN MIND CONTROLLED I'LL KICK YOU SQUARE IN THE BALLS!"
"How ya hangin' back there?" Rowen hollered cheerfully over his shoulder.
"DO I HAVE TO ANSWER THAT?!" Tanya shrieked.
"You should relax, enjoy the view!" Rowen smiled. Tanya screamed a stream of expletives. "Sorry, couldn't hear you over the sound of the roaring wind! Look, just hang tight. We're almost there! I can sense it!" Rowen assured and continued his flight while Tanya drifted behind him. Tanya let out another burst of nearly incomprehensible swear words.
"You better find it soon because I'm getting real pissed real fast!" Tanya growled.
"I can see it! Look!" Rowen pointed his bow at a blue glint in the distance. He picked up speed and swooped up towards it. Tanya squealed in protest when Rowen came to a hard stop and she dangled below him with her line at full stretch. Rowen approached the hovering sapphire pyramid and carefully reached out to grab it. His fingers closed around it and comforting warmth filled his body. 'Where Earth breathes…' Rowen smiled and held the crystal to his chest.
"Hey! Hey! You finished yet? Earth to Rowen, gravity kicking in!"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Sorry 'bout that." Rowen remembered the weight of the line tied around his waist. "I have an idea where to look for yours. Hold tight, it's gonna be a bumpy ride!"
"More like end of the line."
"What-AHHH!" Rowen howled in pain as a crackling violet bolt struck him in the chest.
"Rowen! What the hell-WHOA!" Tanya yelped when her grapple line came loose from Rowen's waist. She tried to retract and re-launch the golden cord before she fell too far. An armored hand caught it at the base of the bladed tip. "Waugh!" Tanya squawked as she found herself once again dangling in the air. She looked up and saw Rowen. "Thanks Ro. I owe you one-huh?" Tanya frowned when she sensed something. A shadow covered Rowen's eyes.
"This is quite the predicament you are in, Lady Ronin," Bautan chuckled from where he floated behind Rowen. He had his arm raised as if holding something. His pose mirrored Rowen's, and in his other hand he held the sapphire pyramid Rowen had retrieved but seconds earlier. Tanya's gut flipped when she realized Bautan had Rowen under mind control.
"What the hell! I don't see Kylyra anywhere!"
"While that is correct, I participated in the creation of the artifacts that eventually formed her body. I wove the magic deep into the black stone myself, and I know its workings like few others. It is a simple enough matter for me to control this fool alone as he is. Your mind, unfortunately, remains shielded to me…but then again, he is the one capable of flight," Bautan smirked and moved his arm forward. Rowen copied the motion.
"Sorry, Tanya…" Rowen's lips moved but his voice sounded robotic.
"ROWEN! I SWEAR IF YOU DROP ME EVEN WHEN MIND CONTROLLED I'LL KICK YOU SQUARE IN THE BALLS!" Tanya shrieked at the top of her lungs. Too many things happened at once for her to notice her wrist-com flickering to life and Kayura's voice coming over the channel. Rowen opened his hand and released the grapple and Tanya fell. She retracted the line and fired, hoping to catch him by the ankle, but the line fell inches short.
"Enjoy the last moments of your life as a pancake!" Bautan crowed.
"I know you can still fight him Rowen, and I'll give you a fighting chance!" Tanya took aim and fired all blades from the launcher on her other arm. The spinning gold razors sliced through Bautan's patterned robes and he squawked in protest. Tanya lost sight of them both as she fell through the clouds. Well…I'm falling without a chute…things can't get much worse, can they? Tanya exited the cloud bank and saw the mountains far below her. "OH *censored*!" she screamed as she fell. I might be able to use my Typhoon Blast to push myself over water…but will it work in time? Tanya reached for her back, fighting against the force trying to throw her arms outward. With great effort she finally drew both Swirlwind Swords.
Before she had a chance to join them at the pommel, an invisible force caught her, lifted her up, and carried her forward. "Wha? What-what's going on?" The force flowed like a current and lifted her higher and higher. She felt exhilarated by the flight-like sensation. Wow! What is this? This kicks ass! Tanya held her arms out at her sides and let the wave carry her. She laughed with joy and rode the unseen river. She blinked when she spotted a glowing pink light in the distance. She approached it swiftly and sheathed one sword then reached out with her hand to catch it in her palm as she sped past. She opened her fingers slightly and saw a pink pyramid of rose quartz. "That's what the verse meant: 'And wind heaves'!"
Her travels had taken her well over the ocean, and the rushing wave let her down gently. "Thank you Typhoon…" she whispered and plummeted towards the sea. She spread her arms to slow her descent and prepared for the long trip down.
A hand grabbed her wrist and before she realized it, Rowen had scooped her up in his arms. "Hey there you fine damsel in distress. Need a ride?" Rowen asked with a grin. He wore Eagle AnimArmor and spread his feathered wings grandly.
"Ro! You're allright! What happened back there?"
"Gauraax Kayura broadcasted a disruption command that allowed-" Miz Paufan began.
"It was a mystic chant!" Kayura argued. Bak Thraplek and Chi Chi Lina, Danae stood off to the side and glanced from Kayura to Miz as the two bickered.
"By using her psychokinetic power over the open channel to-" Miz spoke in a chiding tone.
"For Heaven's Sake, it was a spell!" Kayura lashed her arm in exasperation.
"Disruption wave." *POW!* Bak and Danae flinched and opened their eyes to see Miz nursing a swelling lump between his horns. Kayura folded her arms over her chest and sniffed.
"It was a spell," she stated matter-of-factly. Bak and Danae sighed and shook their heads.
"Well that's a new one…incantations over the internet. You don't have your crystal on you by chance? I saw that creep Bautan holding it when he had you under his control."
"Ehh, he sent it off with a wave of his hand before I could fire my Void Surge. I sent him packing at least. Did you find yours?"
"Yeah. It was unbelievable! One minute I'm falling to my death and the next something caught me and carried me through the air. It was so cool! It felt…it felt like I was flying for the first time in my life…" Tanya remarked and closed her eyes, smiling.
"Neat, isn't it?" Rowen grinned. "Sounds like you found the jet stream." Tanya blinked and looked at him. "Air masses colliding in the atmosphere form the jet stream that influences weather on the ground. Think of it as a massive river of wind."
"It was still pretty damn cool…um…hey Rowen, you mind landing somewhere?"
"Okay, but why?"
"So I can kick you in the balls. Come on…serves you right for dropping me," Tanya squirmed and tried to kick him from where she hung in his arms.
"How about no. Besides, is that really a priority?"
A multi-faceted object containing a seething dark substance bounced from crag to crag on the way down the crater wall. It landed on a ledge precariously close to the magma pool. Rock crumbled and the ledge started sliding into the pool. An armored hand reached down swiftly and scooped up the core processor before the magma consumed it. "I see your haste once more proved to be your downfall, brother," Admiral Duratin commented from where he stood on the shore of the magma lair. "You will be refitted with a new body soon enough. Bautan and Kylyra met with moderate success, as did the Emperor. Lord Tchnetun, however, met his demise at the hands of the Ronin. His spirit is forever lost to us. While it is unfortunate, it is not altogether damning. His knowledge still serves us well." The spirit within the core processor contracted and seethed. Duratin gazed out into the pool. "Master Talpa has what he desires."
The doors slid to the side and Talpa entered the specially prepared chamber. The seized Wildfire, Torrent, Illusion, and Strata stones rest on a pedestal covered with carven symbols. Dozens of Nether Spirits hovered in formation in the air around the chamber. "Nether Spirits, pour your dark powers into these crystals that they will serve me." The Nether Spirits raised their arms and splayed their fingers. Crackling bolts of black energy arced from their fingertips onto the pedestal. The carven symbols glowed and the gemstone pyramids shuddered.
"We have to mount an assault and retrieve the other stones right away!" Sehkmet snarled. He and some of the other Ronin stood gathered in the conference room.
"You nuts? That'd be suicide. A surgical strike would be better." Rowen argued. The recovered Cruelty, Venom, Hardrock, Halo, Corruption, and Typhoon gems rest on the table on the central insignia plate. While the gathered Ronin formulated plans, the crystals began glowing.
"Whoa…guys? What's going on?" Ryo demanded when he noticed the intensifying glow. The Ronin gasped in shock when the crystals rose into the air of their own volition and gathered in a loose circle. Black bolts of energy crackled around the gemstone pyramids.
"It's Talpa! He's trying to corrupt the other stones!" Kayura cried.
"I will alert my brother! We shall bring all our wrath to bear against Ouagli!" Danae shouted.
"By the time the northern garrison mobilizes, it'd be too late!" Rowen reasoned.
"What about that giant battle-wagon sitting in Danae's Crater?" Sehkmet asked.
"Argonauth is in no condition to be deployed at this time!" Bak protested.
"What's happening!" Sage cried in alarm as the crystals began orbiting in a ring.
"Ancient One! I hope you can witness from the Void in which you languish the moment of my victory!" Talpa crowed as the dark energy the Nether Spirits channeled into the four stones swelled. "How ironic…the very artifacts your 'Mystic Alliance' labored to craft to protect the Mortal Realm shall aid me in subjugating it!" The energy danced along the facets.
The pyramids rose into the air and spread out in a loose formation. They began cycling, slowly at first then swiftly until they blurred. A dull rumble echoed through the chamber and a pressure swept down through the chamber. The Nether Spirits seemed to falter and suffered some sort of strain. Another echoing groan rippled through the air and the dark energy vanished into the crystals, yet their color brightened rather than darkened.
"What is the meaning of this?" Talpa raised his arm as a powerful shockwave peeled off bits of wood from the walls and sent cracks through the carven pedestal. The Nether Spirits desperately tried to weave their spells to contain the feedback, but the energy they channeled to subdue the stones seemed only to strengthen them. The air snapped and groaned as a second shockwave slammed down into the chamber, crushing and withering the spirits. They wailed in anguish as their pale skins shriveled and melted away and their entire bodies flowed into the stones. More spirits arrived and tried to assist, but they met with the same fate.
"What is going on? What trickery is this?" Talpa staggered back when he felt the same force tugging at him, as if trying to devour him. The stones blinked as they spun wildly, and with a final echoing crack, vanished from the chamber entirely. "BLAST IT ALL!" Talpa bellowed.
The Ronin, Kayura, Danae, and Bak could only watch stunned as the spinning ring flashed with bright bursts of color. Light flooded the conference room and spilled out into the main cavern, startling all of the denizens. The ring flashed a total of four times before slowing down and coming to a complete stop. Ten gemstone pyramids hovered in the air, gleaming brilliantly.
Everyone gathered watched in awe as five of the stones turned upside down and moved close together, rising up slightly. The other five contracted as well and the ten crystals assembled into a ten-sided object. It had five edges along the middle and tapered into a point at the top and bottom. The glow dimmed slightly before ejecting a pillar of pure white light towards the ceiling. Another faceted object appeared in the stream of light and lowered towards the assembled Dekahedron. The light faded, revealing a clear diamond pyramid.
Suddenly the crystals scattered and dropped onto the table, landing in a neat ring. At the center rest the diamond pyramid. The observers remained speechless.
"It was a magical failsafe!" Kayura explained after the others had a chance to digest the fact that the four stolen stones had returned on their own. "Just as a prism splits light into various spectrums, so too did the crystals absorb Talpa's dark magic, filtering it into pure light energy," Kayura poked her fingertips into her open palm. Behind her, Bak Thraplek opened his mouth and raised a claw. Kayura whirled around and poked her right index finger into his snout hard enough to depress the skin. "Energy can be converted from one form to another, I know that much of your silly laws," she sniffed and closed her eyes. Bak closed his mouth and sighed. "The creator of the Dekahedron anticipated that the Dynasty or some other evil would attempt to steal and corrupt the crystals. Talpa triggered a trap that-" Kayura paused.
"If you don't mind, Gauraax Kayura. Perhaps I can explain this in better words than you," Bak offered. Kayura folded her arms over her chest and cocked her head to one side, interested to hear his take on the situation. Bak pursed his lips and raised a claw. "The crystals…were not there for you to find. They existed in a sub-phased state, programmed-enchanted, if you will-" he nodded at Kayura, who nodded back approvingly. "To present themselves only when designated individuals came in close proximity. That is why the ancient verses stipulated equals and opposites: Passion and resolve, strength and subtlety, recklessness and restraint.
"These crystals, from what we can gather through initial tests, are capable of both producing and absorbing massive levels of energy. They exhibit behaviors similar to our closed-fusion drives, only at a far greater capacity, and in a much more simplistic design." As Bak explained, Miz Paufan peered close at the crystal pyramids, glancing at the readouts on his computer tablet. "It's-it's…it's actually quite…astonishing…" Bak stammered, apparently at a loss for words.
"So what are they for? Besides being ridiculously powerful?" Ryo asked.
"I'm not exactly sure. I suspect they were intended to be cores for new armors, but unfortunately the knowledge of their true purpose died with their creator. They should be placed into safekeeping for the time being. The question is where…" Kayura stated.
"Certainly not in Mia's drawers," Anubis snorted, drawing an annoyed glare from Ryo.
"I might have a suggestion." They looked to the doorway and saw Senior Stone-shaper Bau Daophyn leaning against the arch. "The Apprentices and I just completed it recently. If you will, I'll be more than happy to show you," he grinned proudly.
Ryo set the last of the gemstone pyramids on a cushioned pedestal. The ten colored gems rest in a loose ring with the diamond in the middle. He backed out of the newly excavated chamber and cautiously reached for the glowing panel installed in the wall. At his touch, an energy barrier slid down, separating the vault from the rest of the main cavern. On another pedestal nearby rest the Jewel of Life, where Michelle elected to store it when not in use. Ryo stood on the other side of the barrier and gazed into the vault at the assembled stones of the Dekahedron. There they would remain until arose a time they would be needed…
A satellite hurtled through space high above the planet. A huge object loomed close and the solar panels of the satellite banged into a thin spire protruding from a battered metallic hull. The satellite spun wildly off orbit, unfortunately depriving several thousand customers of quality family programming. A cluster of massive forms hovered above the planet's northern pole.
A deep rumbling voice laughed maliciously. "Hello Earth…" a tall figure stepped out of the shadows and into the light of a porthole facing the planet. His tongue brushed over the tips of each of his teeth. Despite being dental implants, they gleamed with wicked sharpness. "Did you miss me?" Mal Daggur peered at the planet and grinned gleefully.