Chapter 8: Talpas' Domain

"Stop moving or they'll hear you!"

"I can't help it, my nose itches!" Ryo blinked a few times, trying to make out where he was in the dim light.

"Well use your foot then!" the urgent whispering continued.

"This armor isn't exactly made to let me do that!"

"Kento?" Ryo asked as he suddenly recognized the complaining voice. Light filled the small room and Ryo blinked again as he located the source as a boy in dark green armor right across from him.

"Ryo you're all right!" The black haired boys swiveled his head toward the noise and spotted Kento and Cye beside him. In the soft glow he also spotted another boy across from his two companions. His dark blue armor and hair hid him well within the shadows of the tunnel.

"Hi ya."

"Um…hi?" Ryo answered, a little confused. It didn't look like they were still in the tunnel, it looked more like a room made out of stone. He reached up to push the hair out of his eyes and quickly discovered that there were chains binding his wrists. Ryo stared stupidly at the chains for a while, it wasn't a room made of stone—it was a cell! "Where are we?"

Kento grumbled, "Last thing I remember we were almost out, then I got blinded by some stupid light and wake up here. I'm still seeing those weird spots you get." Cye sighed at Kento's remark before turning to Ryo.

"Sage and Rowen say that we're in Talpa's dungeon." Cye motioned his head toward the two new boys. "I guess they've been here for a while."

"You know guys," Rowen said (at least Ryo thought it was Rowen), "it's great to meet you, but…umm…who's going to get us out now? Me and Sage have been hoping that you guys would come get us out after we heard the guards talking about these three other Ronins they had to capture."

"Oh, don't worry 'bout it," Ryo said. "Rye'll come save us."

"Rye? Who's he, the guards only talked about the three of you?" Sage asked the bearer of wildfire.

"She's one of us. Talpa really wasn't expecting her."

"She?"

"Yes, she"

"We're counting on a girl to save us!" Rowen exclaimed.

"Don't let Rye hear you say that," muttered Kento.