Blood of the Eternal Star: Stories of the Lost ones: Final and Done
Chapter 1(Brin)
"I want out of this job," I muttered. "I don't like the benefits package." Laori grinned and shook her head.
"What benefits package?" she asked. "If we had one of those, I'd probably get rid of it."
"Where are we going?" I wasn't really enjoying being dragged around. Every part of my body was telling me to stop moving and stop being a damned idiot. I couldn't fight. Not the way I was.
"Back," said Laori. "Everybody's moved to the mortal realm. Talpa and… the warlords included." I laid my hand on her shoulder.
"Are you gonna be okay?" She nodded grimly.
"I have to be. Whose gonna watch your ass?"
"Oh, that's funny." I rolled my eyes when she grinned again. "Let's go."
"Armor?" I gave her a look and she laughed. "Guess not."
"No. No armor."
Poor Brin, chuckled Keshen. You got the living shit beat out of you.
Shut up.
"Ready?" I nodded and both of us stepped into the shadows. I had to keep a hold on Lay's arm. I didn't have enough strength to get there on my own. "Brin!"
"What?" I groaned, shaking my head clear. "Did I…"
"Yeah, you passed out." I tried to move, but something stopped me. "Stay. We, uh, didn't quite make it home."
"Where are we?"
"Brin?" asked a voice. I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling over my head, terror and hope flooding my worn body and mind.
"Lay, am I losing my mind?" I said fearfully. I didn't want to tell myself it was him. I didn't want to be… "Lay?"
"No," she said. "You're not." Someone picked me up and held me close. I wanted to cry, but even there, in the arms of my father, safe, I couldn't bring myself to tears. All I could manage were dry sobs of happiness.
"Oh, god," I whispered. "God, god, god, please don't let this be a dream."
"Shh," said a familiar voice, chocked with emotion. "You're alright. I can't believe you're alright. I thought… Oh, Brin…"
"Dad… Dad, I'm sorry. I gave up. I didn't think…" What didn't I think? I had given up on finding them. My father, the others girls parents, everyone. I had set my only remaining family as Briana.
I had lost hope.
"It's alright, fire lily," he whispered. "It's alright."
Fire Lily? You never said that was you're nickname.
Never asked, now did ya?
You're exceptionally giddy. Stop it.
No. "Dad…"
"Brin, as cute as that is, we should really get them out of this god forsaken place."
"Them?" Call me slow, but it was then I realized all the parents were around us: Nicka's, Ary's dad, Saki's mom, Micja's dad, both of Laori's with their arms wrapped around their daughter who they hadn't seen in almost five years. Gotta love it. "Yeah, you're right. The Dynasty gonna get pretty bad, with the guys beating Talpa and all-"
"Optimism."
"Sorry." I grinned. "Let's go. We can take four at a time."
"What? No way. You're still-"
"If I use my subarmor-"
"You'll just hurt yourself more-"
"But I'll have the power I need to take two myself. The faster we get everyone home, the better-"
"You're insane."
"I know."
"Fine. Get yourself killed. See if I care." We both grinned at each other. "Let's go." I reluctantly pulled away from my father and stood up.
Spirit
Devotion
"Whoa." I shook my head clear of another wave on unconsciousness and raked my fingers through my hair. "Wait a minute. When did I lose my bandanna?"
"When you were fighting with Kaji."
"Ahh… dam- darn it!" Never swear in front of your dad. NEVER. Laori giggled.
"Smooth, Fire Star." She brushed bangs out of her face and nodded. "Let's get a move on."
Chapter 3(Ariogya)
"Down!" I yelled to Nicka. We both hit the ground as Hario's power went over us. She leapt up the instant it was gone.
"I'll get that bastard!" she raged. "Hario! You coward! Get your ass back here!" She ran off into the shadows. Leaving me alone. I sent my armor away and looked around. I could sense Grant, but he was nowhere near me, so I was safe.
Safe? Me? He was the one who was safe.
"Ary!" I turned and waved to Sage and Rowen. "Hey! Where are the others?"
"Brin and Laori are just now coming from the Dynasty… Nicka's following Hario, and Micja and Saki are somewhere north of us." Sage nodded and I pointed to Rowen. "You. That way. Brin's gonna need you're help. She's living off the power in her subarmor right now."
"What happened to her?" Sage asked as Rowen went off. I shrugged.
"Bademon decided she was the best way to raised Harial."
"And… why?"
"Because with Harial, he could control the white armor."
"Ah… That's nice." He picked me up by my waist and kissed me warmly. "I'm glad you're alright."
"After that, so am I," I said half breathlessly. "You know, occasionally, I warning would be nice." He kissed me again.
"Ary, I kissed you." I rolled my eyes.
"You're a moron." I wrapped my arms around his neck. "But… you're my moron, so I'm okay with that."
"That's good…" There was a cough behind us.
"Am I interrupting something?" I froze.
What the…
"Ary!" said Sage. "I need to breath, kid. Let. Go!" I blinked and slowly took my hands from off Sage's neck.
"Dad…" Sage gently set me on the ground and I turned. It was him! "Dad!" He hugged me and I swear to god, I never wanted him to stop. He was alive! "But… how?"
"Briana and Laori found us," he explained. "And brought us back. But I didn't think that you'd be… one of them."
"One of them? Oh, that's nice." I gave him a hurt look. "Hey, this is something I do. And well, mind you."
"What about him?" My dad pointed to Sage, who blushed. "What's he got to do with all this?"
"Uh, Dad, meet Sage. He's a… friend, a Ronin. He helped defeat Talpa." I was really busy trying not to blush myself at the fact that Sage looked incredibly cute embarrassed. Then again, there aren't many times when Sage isn't cute. Just a thought.
Talpa's truly gone…
What? Well, yeah, there wasn't any doubt, was there?
No, I guess not. I don't know what came over me. I suddenly hugged my dad again, then Sage and started dancing around happily. Sage and my dad exchanged a glance.
"She hasn't changed."
"Nope."
"Stop that!" I ordered with a laugh. "We won! We bloody freaking won!"
"And you had doubts?" asked Sage.
"What? God, no!" I grabbed his hand and danced him around with me. "Seiji, we won!"
Chapter 4(Saki)
"Electric Blade SLICE!" I ran at the soldiers, then slammed my power into them. "Nakunaru!"
"Watch it, Saki!" yelled Micja. "You're gonna kill something!" This, she said, as she nocked an arrow and ripped several well placed holes in solders. "Which, of course, isn't a bad thing."
"Exactly."
"Earth World DESTRUCTION!" I grabbed Micja and both of us leapt from the path of Laori's power. It finished off the rest of the soldiers and cleared quickly. "Hi all!"
"Lay!" I said. "Brin! What's up?!"
"Uh… sky?" came Brin's half awake reply. "Seriously. Put me down. I can walk." Both of them emerged from the shadows and behind them. More people. My mom…
Saki, hon, wanna try that again?
My mom!!
Better. I let my armor go and ran to the only family I had left. She hugged me and cried with me, just like she always had. I didn't care about anything right then, except that she was alive. Alive!
I never thought I'd see her again, I said to Nycoelle. That the Dynasty would take her from me…
They destroy so much. Losing hope is just one side effect.
You've never lost hope, have you?
Just wait. I'll tell you about the war as I knew it and then you'll see…
Right then.
"Brin!" Rowen and Ryo came from down the road, and Rowen, obviously blind to the other people, picked up Brin and kissed her warmly. "Thank god you're alive." I laughed at the slightly confused look on Brin's face.
"Uh, Ro?" she asked. "I think you remember my father, Branden Lijak. At least, you should." Rowen started, then blushed. I couldn't help it. Not really any of us could. The only ones not laughing were Rowen and Brin. Even her dad found this incredibly funny.
"It's nice to see you again, Rowen," he said. "I see you've been taking care of Brin."
"Uh… erm, yeah, I guess." Now Brin giggled and patted Rowen's arm.
"Take that as a good thing," she said to him softly. "Most other guys he would've killed."
"Um… okay?"
"Hey! There you are!"
"Mia! Yuli! Bree!" I yelled. " Where the heck have you guys been?!"
"Here and there," said Mia, grinning. Briana ran to her father, crying.
"Daddy!!"
"Briana?" He was definitely surprised to see her. "What…"
"After Kaji took you, he left Briana with us," explained Brin. "She's sorta one of us. You remember Yuli and this is Mia Koji. She works at the university with Aunt Bana."
"Hello," said Mia. "It's nice to meet you." I felt a cold chill go through me. My subarmor reappeared as the others looked around.
"Dynasty, anyone?" I asked. "Alright. Show yourselves!!"
"Mia, get them out of here," said Ryo. "We'll handle them."
"Right. Everyone, this way!"
"Saki, be careful," said my mother. "I don't know what you've gotten yourself into but…"
"Mom, it's nothing. Just saving the world, that's all." I smiled gently to show her I was kidding. "Hurry. Before they get you."
"It's so nice to see all of you together again," sneered Kaji. Fog started seeping in, closing off all escape for us, our parents, Mia, and Yuli and Briana. "But now it is time you all die."
"Someone's just a little hurt 'cause Talpa got his ass kicked, huh?" said Brin. Her dad didn't say anything, but I honestly don't think that would've mattered. She had that look in her eyes again. "Whatever you're planning to do, go back to the drawing board. You'll never win."
"Not against all of you, but you, my twin, are too weak to walk without your armor." She growled.
"Watch you're pride," muttered her dad. "He's trying to get to you."
"It's working," she said back. "I could kick you're butt, armor or no armor, Kaji."
"Try me, Fire Star. You'll just get yourself killed and make my job easier."
"Rrgghh… you're going down! Armor of Fire Star! Tay Daoji!"
"Brin!" Her power erupted around her, forcing us back. This was bad. VERY bad. "Stop it!" shouted Rowen. "Brin!!" Her transformation finished, leaving her taking in deep breaths. "Are you insane?!"
"Stay out of this!" she hissed. "Kaji's mine!" She wavered slightly. "No! I'm not giving in to you!"
"You don't have a choice!" shouted Kaji gleefully. "You're too weak to fight me!" He raised his hand and made a fist. But it wasn't just Brin who was effected. My knees buckled and I groaned in pain. This wasn't right… it had to stop…
What is he doing?
I don't know. I can't stop him.
We have to fight! I will NOT go down like this!
He wants me…
This bites.
I have to stop him…
Don't be stupid, Brin. This is all of us. We're friends. We stay together.
He wants ME dead… I won't let him hurt you! There was an explosion of heat from Brin and she dove at Kaji, raging. "Leave them alone!!!" He didn't even flinch. Instead, he crossed his swords and called his sure kill. It slammed into her, knocking her back. She hit the ground and stopped moving.
"Brin!!"
"Brin!"
"No!"
"She's weak!" said Kaji gleefully. "And you follow her! Follow me! I will be the leader you need!"
"Brin's not weak," said Nicka, gritting her teeth. "And besides, we always have Wildfire."
"Me?" asked Ryo.
"Sure. Brin said if she dies that we're to follow you. Why, I don't know, but we don't have a choice," I explained. "You're the weak one, Kaji. Your greedy heart makes it possible for you to be manipulated."
"The child speaks sense," muttered Hario.
"Be quiet!" screamed Kaji. "All of you! I'll destroy the weak on'na, once and for all!!" He crossed his swords, the power building up again.
He'll do it. He's too enraged to remember he dies with her.
No. He doesn't CARE if he dies, just as long as she does.
"Brin!!" The powers converged on her, with all of us powerless to stop it. No one had been close enough to protect her.
Except her father.
He dove and scooped her up in his arms. There was a flash of light and the energy scattered, like it had hit a shield. It had. And it was Brin's dad…
In the red and white subarmor of the Wildfire.
"What in the…"
"Whoa…"
"I'm sorry," Brin's dad said to Ryo weakly. "I had to borrow it one more time."
"You? It was you?" yelled Kaji. "You, the Ronin that Master Talpa hated so much? The one that resealed his prison thirty years ago." The subarmor vanished and he struggled to stand.
"Yes, it was me."
He's dying.
I know. There's no way out of it this time. Poor Brin and Briana…
"DADDY!" Briana knew what was happening, knew that he wasn't going to live. She ran and threw her arms around his waist. "No! You can't leave me!"
"You have Brin," said Bryan Lijak, kneeling in front of his youngest daughter. "She'll take care of you."
"But…" She sniffed. "You said you would never go."
"I'm sorry, little one. I didn't know then it was a lie." He groaned and doubled over.
"Daddy!! No!" I grabbed Briana and held her, my armor disappearing.
"Go," I said, glaring at the Dark Stars. "Before I kill you all."
"You wouldn't," said Micael. But he knew deep inside him that I would. I cradled the little girl in my arms as her father died and our enemies left. I would never let her go.
"When we gave the armors up to seal the prison, we didn't know they were too weak to hold," said Bryan quietly. "And I didn't know that my own family would be taken into the war that would result. Ryo."
"Yes sir?" Bryan grinned.
"You're truly the bearer now. I'm… going… back to them now…" He closed his eyes and I heard my mom give a strangled cry. I tried not to lose it… Bryan Lijak had been the only one who ever knew what we were inside. He was helped us when we were younger… he had known he was going to die… he had been a Ronin.
There was another flash of light, this time less harsh, and his body was gone.
"No!" I hollered, unable to contain myself. "No!! God… no!"
"Saki!" I felt Cye shaking my shoulders. "Get a hold of yourself. He was a Ronin. That's what happens when we die." I glared it him.
"Don't you ever die," I said, my voice harsh and racked with tears. "Cye…. You can't…"
"It happens…" I buried my face in his chest, not quite realizing someone had taken Briana from me, but knowing she was gone.
"Not to you," I whispered fiercely. "Not to us."
"I don't know what's gonna happen to us," he said softly. "You're mom is back. You've done what you set out to do."
"No," I told him. "No. There's still Micael and Kaji and Hario and Grant and the Dynasty total." I looked up at him. "It's not over. It's far from over."
Epilogue(Brin)
I tried to stay calm. I had to. Briana…
"Bree?" I asked. She was curled in my arms. She had been, for almost five hours, crying. She had worn herself out. "Bedtime."
"Mmm…" she groaned softly. "No…"
"Don't worry. I'll be with you," I said, standing up. I took her upstairs, to her bed, and covered her up with her blanket and mine, to keep her warm. I remembered with Anaya died… my dad had done the same for me. But now, he couldn't do that for her. I to do that. I had to take of her.
But whose gonna take care of you? asked Keshen.
I don't need anyone to watch me, I stated firmly, rounding the corner. I ended up running into Rowen. He put his arms around me to keep me from falling. "Oh… hi."
"Hey," he said. "Are you gonna be alright?"
"Yeah," I said, biting my lip. "I'm fine." He gave me that Look. The one that says he knows me better then that.
"Brin…" He wrapped his arms around me and held me close to him. Before I knew it, I was crying. "I knew it."
"It's all my fault," I said. "All my fault."
"Brin, it's not your fault," he said. "You know us. You know how Ronins think."
"Rowen…" I had to stop. I was showing weakness. Kaji would know. He would use it against me. "God. I can't believe it. My dad… was a Ronin."
"There was a leak in the seal almost thirty years ago. Evil leaked out and the Ronin armors had to be used. We were told about it but I never thought…"
"Neither did I." I looked back at Briana, asleep on the bed, clutching the blanket tightly. I didn't. I really didn't.