Blood of the Eternal Star: Stories of the Lost Ones: River of Hope
Chapter 1(Saki)
I struggled the lift my head. I hadn't had strength enough to scream in days and somehow, the Nether Spirits kept me alive. Only to torture me further, of course.
"Why can't you just let me die?" I whispered, looking down. Cye was unconscious. He and the guys were getting more of the torture then we were, depending on you looked at it. Listening to the people we cared for screaming in pain was a torture in a whole different way, but abuse nonetheless.
"Hey Saki," said Nicka. I heard her shift uncomfortably behind me. "Did you ever think we'd die like this?" I shook my head.
"I always thought... I'd die a hero. That I'd go out saving an innocent life in the greatest battle in history. You know, the kind of thing that would bring honor to my family."
"They're probably in more pain then we are," said Ariogya. "I never... maybe if we give in, they'll let the guys go."
"No," I said bitterly. "This is the Dynasty. For the life of me, I want to do everything to free them, but anything we could do would only be manipulated into keeping them here and getting what they want."
"We grew up here," said Nicka. "Or part of us did. We know what the Dynasty's capable of."
"How much longer, do you think?" asked Ariogya.
"Until what?"
"Until we're dead, until we lose what we swore to protect, until we're rescued, until something. I'm so sick of just hanging here."
"Don't you be the pessimist," said Nicka. "That's my job. We will get out of here, by the way. We have to."
"Don't start fighting. That only gives the spirits more to use," I said. One by one, the guys groaned. "Hey Cye, how are you doing?"
"My head's pounding," he muttered. "And I can't move. What about you?"
"I've been better. Uh oh, the spirits are- AHHHH!" I cried out in pain, the first real time in awhile. It resonated through the armor and came back, magnified. Darkness closed in and I passed out, hearing Cye's yells of anguish as my own died away.
Chapter 2(Brin)
I opened my eyes slowly and looked around. Somehow, we had made it to a cave. Rowen and Ryo were out cold, which was really understandable. That last fight had taken a lot from them, Ryo especially. For a mega armor that would save the world, it sure did some damage.
My thoughts rushed back to the last few minutes before I had fainted. The warlords had given their powers to Ryo. Maybe it didn't need to be the Ronin armors to be the Inferno armor. That was something to dwell on later. Much later, if I had the time.
I stood up carefully and ran my hands through my hair. It couldn't have been more then a day since we had fought. I didn't want to think about the fact that I had been against the guys. I had warned them and still, they were willing to protect me from the evil that had consumed me.
"I can barely move." groaned Ryo. "Did anybody get the license plate of the truck that hit me?" Rowen opened his eyes too.
"You took a pretty hard hit," I said. "How do you feel? Both of you?"
"What happened?" said Ryo.
"Kayura tried to corrupt the Inferno Armor," I explained. "And I wasn't any help."
"There was something different about the warlords," said Rowen thoughtfully. "They were ready to fight for against Kayura. It was almost like..."
"They weren't evil," I said. "They were, for once, following the true powers of the armors. Serenity, Obedience, and Piety. Kayura's power must have cancelled out the darkness in them, since it's darkness too."
"Whoa," said Ryo.
"I gotta go see Laori," I said. "She's probably worried like nothing else about Dais."
"Be careful, Brin," said Rowen. I nodded.
"You guys stay here. That took more from you then it did me," I said. White Blaze stood up and growled. "You too, White Blaze. This is something I can do by myself." I slipped into the shadows and came out somewhere in the waters and mists I had arrived in. Laori was already waiting, with Micja.
"What's going on?" she asked. "A stream of fire just ripped through several gateways and you look like you've been to hell in back in the last twenty four hours."
"Trust me, it's not good. Dais and Kale... they helped Ryo defeat Kayura's dark magic."
"What? Are you sure?" asked Micja. I nodded.
"I was there." I explained what happened as quickly as I could. I didn't know where the shadows would take me next, but I had to get back to the guys, A.S.A.P. Micja closed her eyes and shook her head when I told them I didn't know what had happened to the warlords.
"Talpa's getting closer everyday," she murmured. "That's it. I'm not staying here anymore. Screw what could happen if I go back there with the complete Acid Air armor. The fate of the world is a little more important then my health."
"Kale won't like it," said Laori.
"I don't care! He might not even be alive!" she yelled. Laori sighed in frustration, then nodded.
"We have no choice but to go back. Brin..."
"I won't try and stop you. This is completely what you want to do."
"I was actually hoping... if something does go wrong with the armors, you have to stop us, before we destroy Ryo or any of the others."
"Oh, well, yeah, that I'll keep you from doing." Micja suddenly laughed.
"Don't sound so uncertain, Brin. We're big girls, we can handle ourselves." She disappeared into the shadow of the rock and for a moment, Laori and I just stood there, exchanging glances.
"I know," she said finally. "Sometimes I miss the less crazy Micja too."
"But at least this one knows how to fight," I replied, following Mee into the shadows. We came out somewhere in the middle of a group of buildings. Micja gave a low whistle that was barely audible and we looked up. She waved towards both ends of the path we were on and we joined her on the roof. "What's up?"
"Talpa's beefed up security," she said. "I'm thinking Ryo and Rowen are here somewhere, but I haven't seen them." Suddenly, I heard a crash and one of the soldiers' weapons shot through the air and disappeared over the horizon. Horns started blowing and more soldiers ran around below us, towards where the weapon had come from. "Hmm... subtly isn't their forte apparently."
"Of course not," I said. "Let's hurry before they get themselves killed. Armor of-"
"Wait!" said Laori. I stopped.
"What now?!"
"Let's see how far they can get on their own. After all, technically, this is something they have to do on their own."
"Huh?"
"Come on, spacey, think about it. The Ronin Warriors are supposed to fight the Dynasty and defeat Talpa. Now how much of that destiny involves us, I have no clue, but I'm pretty sure we've screwed it up enough already. We should try and find the others, then we'll come back and save their asses, if they need it."
"You're not making sense, other then the fact that we've screwed with destiny," I sighed. "But you're right. They have to defeat Talpa. We on the other hand, only have to defeat evil doubles. Most of us anyway." Micja laughed.
"You make it sound like it's our fault," she said. "Which, it is. Okay. Can we go now?" I nodded. "Alright! Armor of Acid Air Star! Tay Niea!"
"Armor of Fire Star! Tay Daoji!"
"Armor of Satanic Earth Star! Tay Sarie!" I was honestly and truly afraid for Rowen and Ryo. Every part of me knew they were going to walk into about four traps every five minutes and I hoped to god they could get their own way out of it.
Chapter 3(Laori)
And this, I thought. Is why we don't split up.
It was Fire Star's Idea…
Yeah, well, she's been known to have her moments. Moment? This was the stupidest thing she had ever done!! Suggesting we break up and go in different directions to find the others. And me. Agreeing. Honestly. I should've had more sense then that!
You don't use sense well.
Oh, hush. I climbed a rocky ledge and crouched to avoid being seen by the soldiers passing by. Big guard, huh?
You've given Talpa one hell of a run for his money. He doesn't like you.
I gathered that much. I stood up and slipped among the shadows to the edge of the tower. Don't ask me what a tower was doing way the hell out in the middle of nowhere. It's Talpa. Who knows why he does anything? Should we see if we can get in?
You can try, but I recognize this magic. It's the Nether Spirits. These towers were made to hold something powerful.
Something… or someone?
Ah. That's the question little shadow. Who and why?
Why I can answer… it's the who I worry about.
Don't tell me you still care about that warlord.
He has a name… how could I not?! God, Mioua, I wonder where you are when the important things happen. I walked around and froze as there was a metallic clink ahead of me. Armored something or other…
"Laori?" I gasped and felt about three days of tension disappear. Mioua made a hissing in the back of my mind, but I didn't care. I ran to Dais and threw my arms around his neck. He put his arm around my waist and held me where I was. "Are you okay?"
"Brin said you had been taken," I told him. "That you gave your power to Ryo and… god, this has been one hell of a week."
"Gave my power to Wildfire?" He thought about this, then nodded. "I remember that. It was because of Kayura. Where are they?"
"We split up, Brin, Micja, and I. Ryo and Rowen are somewhere in that god forsaken maze of Talpa's… I don't know about anyone else. Just that they're trapped."
"You have to stay out of sight. Just as the Star Gaze can sense you, so can the Dark Stars, at a close enough range. Stay away from the castle and the maze." I nodded.
"I will."
"Promise me you will. I know you, Laori. You say one thing and do another because the future wills it." A blush/anger rose in my cheeks. I had forgotten about that incident.
"I promise, Dais," I said. "You had better return before the other warlords notice you're gone." That was a stupid reason for him to go. Kale would probably be with Micja(God, I hoped so. He needed someone like Micja) and Sekhmet would be off on his own. They were never much of a team off the battle field. But the more we were together, the easier Talpa would find out. An unnecessary risk. "Be careful."
"I will." He let me go and disappeared back into the shadows.
What you see in that warlord…
Be nice. That 'warlord' saved my life. Remember that. I leaned against the wall and buried my face in my hands. I couldn't protect the one I loved…
The trees seemed to be so much taller then usual. I hugged my knees and cried. I hated this!! Those stupid kidnappers… why did they want me?!
"Little girl!" called a voice. I felt a growl rise in my throat. I was ten, but if they tried to do what they had been trying to do… "Come back to us! We'll take you home!"
"No!" I cried. "You said you would and you haven't!"
"I promise this time-"
"The promise of evil doesn't count!" I felt a dark rage building in me.
"Ah-ha!" I yelled and jerked to my feet. The leader of the band of kidnappers, Usagano, made a grab for me. He caught my wrist and held tight. "You're more trouble then you're worth, girlie!"
"Let me go, Baka!" I screamed, fighting. Suddenly, a dark shadow fell over us both. Usagano looked up and paled and started to back up. In is confusion, I tore free and started to run, but ran smack into a giant armored person. Usagano took off in a dead run, headed for places other then where we were, but I couldn't move. It wasn't fear that held me… more like familiarity.
Dais! said a voice in the back of my mind. Warlord of Illusion!
"D-Dais?" I stammered. He knelt down and held my arm so I was eye level with him. "Warlord… what's a warlord?" What can I say? The curiosity of a ten year old is only surpassed by their energy.
"You know who I am," he said. "Is it Mioua who tells you?"
"Mioua?"
I am Mioua. What does the warlord want with me?
"Apparently," I said. "She wants to know why you want her."
"It's not the warlady I seek," he said. "It's you."
"Me?"
"You have a great power in you, Laori. My master can teach you to use it."
"Power?"
Talpa and the Dynasty… do not listen, child. It is only for evil that he wants your power.
"But if the power is mine, then he cannot have it," I said thoughtfully. "What does you master want my power for?"
"If you come with me, you will know." He held out his hand and despite Mioua's half rant about how evil he was and how evil the Dynasty was, I took it…
Do you ever regret that decision? I lifted my head and looked around me. The barren wastes of the Dynasty were one way, the strange towers meant for the Ronins (and probably the warlords) were the other. Then I thought about Dais…
No, I told her. Never.
Even though you've almost died more then once, you've somehow managed to fall in love with evil, and a demon lives in your armor?
No. Even with that in mind. Actually, that much hadn't crossed my mind and she knew it, but it still didn't matter. This was the life I chose to live. Let's go. I still have to find the others.
Good luck there. Maybe you should set your sites on Fire Star. I think she's in trouble. I looked towards the horizon and saw a bright flash of red light. That could only be Brin and Kaji. Either of them alone wasn't capable of such power, but together… Just hope they aren't Together in the full armor.
God. I do, I really do.
Chapter 4(Brin)
He came at me fast, from behind. I felt something slam into me and then the nearest side of the castle. Kaji grabbed my arm and twisted the katana from it. I kicked his ribs and pushed him off me.
"Bastard!" I yelled. "Coward!"
"You left yourself open, my twin. I simply took the opportunity," he sneered.
Since when was he an opportunist?!
"Exactly," I said. "Give me back my sword, you ass. Then we'll fight for real."
"I consider this real fighting," he said, throwing my weapon down. It was still too far out of my reach. If I went for, I'd be dead in no time. Or I'd get the living shit beat out of me within the same moment I grabbed my sword. I knew who I was fighting, what he was capable of.
"What? The fact that you have more weapons then I?" I shot back. He sheathed both of his swords.
"Then we will fight without weapons. Without armors."
I smell something bad… something very bad.
You too? "Fine. But we disarm at the same time."
HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?!
Probably. You're in it, aren't you? "Ready?" He nodded. I closed my eyes and felt my power slowly leave my body. I could feel Kaji doing the same. Both of us wanted to fight, but the longer it took, the more energy we would conserve. Both detransformations ended at the same time and I opened my eyes in enough time to see Kaji lunge. He grabbed my sword (which hadn't left with my armor since they weren't attached) and regained his balance.
"You said no weapons," I told him angrily.
Stay calm, Brin. He'll use your anger against you. He has before.
Yeah, I remember. I remembered all too well, so I was determined to keep my mind clear.
"You're so close to him, you know, Brin," said Kaji, holding the sword level with his hip. "Your father."
"My… father?" I asked. "Where is he? You're the one I owe for his disappearance. Tell me where he is!!"
"Why should I?" He lunged and I leapt back. "He's not really your father. I don't see why you care." I faltered and was rewarded with a sharp slice down my arm.
"Liar!" I screamed. "Don't you dare say thing like that!"
"Don't fool yourself, Brinara. You know it. You've always known it." We were circling each other now, his eyes on mine and mine on him in general. If I could see just one movement, I could be saved. But my mind was running through was he was saying. I had always suspected that maybe I wasn't really my father's daughter… but that didn't matter. He was still my father.
Brin, don't listen to him. He's trying to get you to second guess everything. Pay attention and ask yourself questions later! If there was ever a more perfect thing for battle, it was has having Keshen in my head. She would snap me out of whatever trance I was in.
"I don't believe you," I said coldly. "So stop with your lies. And tell me where my father and the other parents are."
"NEVER!" He lunged again and I misjudged the timing. The blade, my blade, pierced my subarmor. No pain came. It simply vanished, leaving us both confused.
The weapon belongs to you, Brin. It will never kill you, no matter who holds it.
Really?
Really.
Cool. I grabbed Kaji's arm and flipped him onto his back just as I heard footsteps. "Tell me, you third rate scum of a warrior."
"No. And you're only trying to fool yourself. You know I'm right. But I know something you don't, Fire Star."
"Oh yeah? What's that?" He locked his eyes with mine and I saw a new mixture of amusement: it was full of hatred and darkness, but nothing in it said 'lie'.
"I know who your father is."
Chapter 5(Micja)
"Of all the…" I emerged from the shadows and looked around. Soldiers were lined up in perfect lines, as if ready for something. They were headed by the warlords on horses. "Talpa's gone too far."
They're warlords. This is their life.
And? He's pushing my buttons and I'm gonna show him the consequences. I got up slowly and slipped down the mountain ledge, moving among the soldiers' shadows to reach the back. I can't be seen.
Too late, little warrior. I heard a horse whinny and whirled around, facing a very angry Kale.
"Major uh-oh," I managed. I knew for a fact that he was being controlled. So well, I took a step back. Okay, I had developed some form of a crush(and a half) on him. But I was fighter. I knew possession when I saw it.
"Who are you?" he asked gruffly. I raised an eyebrow and kept backing up. Hopefully I could reach some form of a shadow. And soon.
"I'm Micja Nurama," I told him truthfully. "And you're about to do something really stupid."
Him?
Hush.
"You are a child. How did you get in here?"
"I used live here." Technically true. I lived in the Mists. Close enough. "You had better let me go."
You had better actually have a plan of escape.
I'm getting there. Be quiet.
"Why should I do that?" He had a slightly amused tone that was beginning to piss me off. Waves of darkness suddenly washed through me. Something very evil was coming, and soon.
"Because… uh, well, just because." I was anywhere near any shadows. Not behind me at least.
You blind… he's casting a shadow.
Oh, yeah. That might work. I looked around to make sure he was the only thing in my way. He was, fortunately. "I warned you. Look, I'm a friend of the Ronins and Star Gaze. You're goin' down." Had I just said that to Kale? By the angry look deepening in his eyes, I had. I just pissed off a warlord. Cool.
You insane baka…
I know, I know. I took a step forward and grinned at Kale. His hand slowly reached up to pull his sword from the scabbard. But I wasn't about to let him attack. "You've been warned, warlord." I did a back handspring and felt the ground vanish when I hit the shadow. He yelled something that sounded like his sure kill, but I was long gone by then.
Happy now?
No, I'm not. I had ended up as far from the castle as humanly possible. In fact, I was at a place very familiar. You remember this place? It was where I first saw Kale… just before I got the full armor. Do you think, Veria, that any of them will survive this war? Laori would die if Dais did… I know her. She may act tough, but love's her one weakness.
It's hereditary. You're looking for love in all the wrong places, Micja. He's a warlord. He's evil. He works for Talpa.
So did you.
Yeah, but I had no choice.
What makes you so sure he does? I had to stay calm. There is nothing worse then being pissed at the voice inside your head. He's been evil for a very long time. He probably doesn't know how to be good. Or anything other then cold and hard for that matter.
And you think you can change him? He's a guy, Micja. They don't change.
He's not a Ronin. I have a chance. She laughed and I knew our battle was over. For the time being.
Chapter 6(Ariogya)
Ever have one of those days?
Uh… yeah? My life, maybe?
If we leave now, then we'll be-
I'm not leaving. Period.
And why the hell not??
I can't and won't leave the others behind-
Saki and Nicka can travel, just like you-
What about Sage, Cye, and Kento?
And? We can come back-
It's not the easy! I can't run! It cowardly!
It's not cowardly if it means living to fight. I sighed.
"Ary?" came Sage's voice.
"Yeah, Sage?"
"What's up? You're quiet." He tilted his head back and gave me a questioning look with his blue eyes. God damn it! I hated that look!
"Oh… uh, Sage…"
"Ary?"
"I don't want to leave you Sage. Not here. Not like this." He opened his mouth to speak, then realized what I was talking about.
"Ary…" He closed his eyes. "You have to do what you have to do. We're fighting to save the world. We can't be selfish about leaving each other behind, not if it means half a chance."
"Sage, you know I love you right?" I said, forcing a smile. "Always have, always will."
"I know," he said. "I love you too." I sighed and concentrated what little energy I had. The chains on my hands disappeared and I felt solid ground beneath my feet. I collapsed to my knees and laid in the dirt, grateful for the rest.
"Ary?" came Micja's voice. "Ary, is that you?"
"Go away, Mee," I grumbled. "I'm trying to take a nap." I felt someone hug me tightly, a bad thing for what were probably several bruised ribs.
"It is you!" she said happily. I felt loved. Micja knew I was me because I was tired. "Where are the others?!"
"I don't know," I said. "I don't know if they got out. And the shadows never lead to the same place."
"Damn it… you're right. Come on, can you walk?"
"Micja, I'm barely managing this conversation. No, I can't walk, and no, I'm not moving unless absolutely necessary."
"Spoil sport. Here. I'll watch you, you sleep for awhile. Then we'll go looking for the others. Deal?"
"Deal…" I let go of my armor and fell asleep before I knew what I was doing.
Micja woke me up probably three hours later.
"Time to move, sleeping beauty. Soldiers." I felt like I could've kept sleeping, but "soldiers" was a very bad word, so I got up and followed her into the shadows. We came out somewhere in a cave. "Look. No soldiers."
"I noticed." I leaned against a wall and closed my eyes. "Can I go back to sleep?"
"Actually, no. We've got bigger issues." Both of us turned and saw Brin, Laori, Saki, and Nicka. "Doesn't irony kick ass?" continued Nicka. "You know I love it."
"Except we're together, only guy-less," said Saki. "We need to find the others."
"I think…" said Brin quietly. "If I try, maybe I can find Ryo. Keshen's connection to the Wildfire armor has to have a use, doesn't it?"
"What connection?" asked Saki.
"Uh… um, Keshen was Harial's brother."
Duh. I could've told you that.
Well, you didn't!
You never asked, so there. God, I wasn't in the mood for this.
"Do it, space cadet," I said. She grinned.
"Okay." She closed her eyes and I felt a slight jolt in my body.
What was that?
It takes energy. She's borrowing some of yours.
She should've asked.
She doesn't have time. I hated to admit it, but she was right. Senaara and Brin both. A red glow spread slowly from Brin and across the floor. It was more like fog then anything I had ever seen. It enveloped us all and suddenly, I saw exactly where Ryo was: Somewhere underground, about to get his butt kicked by the warlords. There was a flash of light and the vision ended. Brin was laying on the ground, exhausted and unconscious.
"She must've used up all the energy she had left showing us all," said Saki. "She knew she wouldn't last to tell us."
"Let's get out of here," said Nicka. She picked up Brin and held her over her shoulder. "We've got a trek ahead of us. I know where that place is. Or, rather, Lyri does. But that's just as good."
"Of course," said Saki, grinning. "Let's do this shit."
"Armor of Water Star!"
"Armor of Acid Air Star!"
"Armor of Ice Star!"
"Armor Lightening Star!" All of us transformed and looked at Laori. She shook her head. "And why not?"
"I don't… I just don't want to." Micja grinned at all of us.
"I'll tell you later," she said. "Lay, you watch Brin. She'll need someone to keep her from getting killed, kidnapped, maimed, destroyed, and so on."
"So what else is new?" I asked. "Let's go!"
Chapter 7(Laori)
Basically, I wasn't gonna do it. I wasn't gonna fight Dais. There. That's my simplest explanation.
Oh, god…
I sank against the wall when my friends left and closed my eyes. This wasn't happening. This was not happening.
Laori… I tried to tell you… He's too loyal…
He's supposed to me loyal to me! I raged. How could he do this to me?!
It can't be his fault. Let them fight. We have to watch Brin. I looked down at my friend and sighed. She was still out cold.
"Alright, Fire Star," I told her, lifting her onto my back. "Let's go for a little trip. You and I are gonna go have a chat with Bademon and see how bad he wants his ass kicked."
Is this a good idea?
What? Beating the shit out of Bademon? It's a very good idea. I stepped into the shadows and came out in the darkest place possible. Evil spread to the walls and beyond. Honey, we're home!
Moron… I laid Brin gently on the floor and slipped to the pillar. Bademon was definitely up to something. What's he doing…?
Can I found out? Please?
No, you idiot! You'll get killed… not that that has stopped you in the past.
Nope. I moved slowly, trying to get a clear view of what he was doing. Suddenly, light exploded around us. I was thrown into the back wall and scrambled to keep a grip on reality. What happened?
"Thank you, Earth Star, for bringing me the last thing I needed," said the annoying voice of Bademon. Damn it! I had been suckered into doing what he wanted me to! Wait… what had I done?
"What do you mean, demon?" I asked, struggling to sit up. Brin whimpered and I saw he was holding her by her throat above a black fire. "What do you want with Brin?!"
"It's not Brin I want, Earth Star, but Keshen. She is the last link I need to Harial."
Can he even do what I think he's gonna do?
If he kills Brin, he'll release Keshen and the first thing she'll do is find Harial. They're connected by their blood to always find each other.
Their blood? Meaning…
Yeah.
Damn… "Bademon, let her go!" I leapt up, only to be grounded again half a second later. This time, I couldn't move to get up. "No! Brin! Wake up!" He started speaking in a strange tongue and I felt my body go numb. Darkness started to sink in, but screaming snapped it away. I wasn't completely sure of what Bademon was doing, but Brin was dying in the process. A deep red black glow had surrounded her and he moved carefully to put her into the fire. Another shape was already starting to form across the room.
Harial… said Mioua. I'd know him anywhere. That's him!
"Brin!" A wind twisted around us, cold, but warm at the same time. I felt Bademon's spell vanish and felling return to my body. "Put her down, demon!" I leapt up and tried to get to Brin, but he held up his hand. Knocking my backward. AGAIN! "Damn it! Stop that!"
"You're too late, Earth Star! She's finished!"
"Keshen!" The Harial specter shot forward and caught Brin around the waist, becoming a person as he did. Both of them went straight through Badamon and I could've cared less what was going on. I ran over to Brin. He was holding her in his arms, gently stroking her hair. "Please, Keshen, don't leave me."
"Me neither," I breathed, kneeling down. "Brin, Keshen, whoever, don't go. We need you now." Harial lifted his head and looked at me.
"Mioua…"
"Uh… close enough." Brin/Keshen groaned.
Laori! Watch out! I grabbed Harial and pulled him to the floor as a wave of Badamon's power came at us.
"That's it!" I screamed. "I've had it with you, Badamon! Armor of Satanic Earth Star!"
Is this wise? There's so much evil around here…
Yeah, and it's all gonna get it's ass kicked! I ran at Badamon with the sharp end of my staff raised. "Earth World DESTRUCTION!" He lifted his hand and blocked my power, sending it around the room and knocking out the back wall. Light filtered into darkness and I felt a strange energy flow into me. "What the-"
Destroy the Ronin…
Oh, damn it! Not you again! My staff slipped from my hand and I fell to one knee. Stop it! The armor is mine!!
Kill him… he is of no use to the Dynasty…
Yeah, well, he's of plenty of use to me. Pain ripped through my body and I screamed despite all efforts not to. Badamon was gone, leaving me to my fate. He had to tell Talpa of his failure. He had to tell Talpa of my failure, that I wasn't strong enough to handle the armor. It's my armor! I AM STRONG ENOUGH!
"Mioua…" The pain stopped long enough for me to start taking ragged breaths. "Mioua, why didn't you tell us?" asked Harial. "That there were demons in the armor.
"Because," I said. "There was no reason for you to worry about them. Just like there is no reason now. Worry about her." I motioned to Brin. "She needs help. Fast."
"She will survive. Mioua, look at me." I lifted my head and saw he was genuinely concerned.
Why? Why does he care so much? I could lash out and kill him… like before.
It was my fault before… Harial, this Harial, doesn't know that we're both here. He thinks you're me. Please, Laori, we have to send him back.
How? I don't even know what Bademon did to bring him here.
There has to be a way.
"Mioua, there is a way," he said. "To free your armor. All of them."
"How?"
"Do you remember the Jewel of Life?"
Just nod and say yes. I nodded.
"Yes." You owe me one hell of an explanation later.
I know.
"If you find the Jewel of Life, then its power will drive out the darkness. But…"
"But?"
"But it will be up to you to defeat them If you do not, then the armor, and you, will die."
"Oh, holy crap…"
Laori! Move, you ass! We're waiting!
Where are you? I asked Ariogya.
The mortal Realm. You've missed the whole bitch of the matter, Lay.
What?
Lady Kayura was under a spell and… I'll have to tell you later! It's too long! Meet us in the real world!
Gotcha. I stood up and sent my armor away, save a dagger. "Thank you, Harial, but you must return. You're time needs defending now too." He stepped back from me and nodded.
"I am ready."
The End.