Blood of the Eternal Star-Seasons of the Armors Trilogy: Winter Gale of Rock
I'm Micja Nurama. Unlike my other friends, I don't have anything in common with Veria, the voice in my head. She's a little off the edge nuts, whereas, I consider my self to be quite calm and reserved. I have my hair in four braids, which have no particular placing on my head, and my eyes are dark hazel. But, unlike the others, I have more in common with my double, Zarin, then just the fact that we use bow and arrow as our weapons...
I'm Laori Nurama. I know at this point, you've heard very little from me. In fact, all you know is I'm Micja's cousin who suddenly disappeared in the fifth grade. Well, guess what? I'm back. I like to have my hair short, about my chin, but loose. Occasionally, it gets annoying, but it never blocks the almost-dark-black that is my eyes. There's this little thing with me: I'm very close with a warlord. In actuality, Dais isn't all that bad, just wrong minded. If I can get him to see that Talpa's the father of all scum, then I've done something good with my life.
Prologue(Micja)
We were dying, plain and simple. Somehow, they had gained the upper hand and were beating us. Us! It was really unfair. Aren't the good guys always supposed to win?
It's a trail, Micja. The good guys win only after they have earned it, said Veria. I shook my head and pulled out another arrow. The soldier glowered from his helmet as he did the same. Nicka collapsed behind me, her armor disappearing back into it's orb. She was the last. Only me and Brin stood now. Laori was almost dead, Saki unconscious and being hauled away by the soldiers, and Ariogya was struggling to stay up without her armor. They didn't have the strength left to fight.
Spirit We can do this... don't give up.
Honor. I can't. He's taking all of my energy. I'm sorry...
Courage. Damn him! I'll kill him yet!
Faith. I... can't... let him win…
Devotion. Don't give in, you two. You're the only hope we have left.
Compassion. Lovely. What are we supposed to do? Brin's armor glowed and there were small flashes from the hands of the others. Could it be? Were we... was it possible... the guys had a mega armor... did we?
Don't do it, Micja, said Veria. I ignored her and let the arrow fly to distract the soldier. He dodged aside as I sent my armor away, then my sub armor. The glow brightened and surrounded Brin. The soldier loosed his arrow and immense pain ripped through my side. He groaned and fell to one knee, clutching his ribs, but I still stood. Maybe I was too stunned... he had actually shot me. Blood seeped from the wound, soaking into my shirt. Suddenly, the ground was a lot closer....
Ariogya yelled and staggered to her feet.
"Don't you dare die," she said harshly, kneeling by me. Sage came and supported her shoulders until she gained some balance. "Can you heal her?" He hesitated.
"There might be too much poison in her blood from the arrow," he said quietly. I shook my head as darkness settled over my mind.
"No... the poison's always been there... always."
Chapter 1
"Ready, Micja?" I nodded and raised my violin up from my lap. The orchestra teacher lifted his conducting stick and I listened carefully to the rest of the group.Somewhere, someone hit a flat note, but kept going. Slowly, everything quieted down, save the other violinists and I started to play. It took all of three seconds, to me, before the rest joined in and my solo had ended. Still, it gave me a sense of pride that I did it and didn't back down.
From over the director's shoulder, I saw Brin and Nicka. They both waved, then Brin tapped her watch. I looked at my own and saw it was almost nine. I had been at rehearsal for five hours and not even known it. Still, I had to wait for the rest of the music to stop before I whispered it to Mr. Skolten.
"Is it really? Well, then, I'll see you all tomorrow." Everyone started to pack up and my friends came out and jumped down into the pit.
"Hiya," said Brin. "Having fun?" I just nodded. "Come on. The others, more or less, are outside."
"Who's less?" I asked, picking up my violin case.
"Everyone other then Mia and Rowen. Bree and Yuli are stuck in their rooms for trying to kill each other, Cye and Saki are out, probably at the movies, and they managed to drag Sage and Ary along, and Ryo and Kento were having dinner the last I checked," said Nicka. "Now come on. Cye made some kind of beef noodle casserole that's really good and I want to get some before Kento eats it all."
"He's your boyfriend," said Brin.
"Yeah, but he has the manners of a puppy." We laughed as the cool night air wrapped around us and sent shivers down my spine. "Geez, it just keeps getting colder."
"Yeah, but you know Ary's loving this," said Brin. I nodded and slid into the back
seat next to Nicka.
"Hi," I said.
"Hey Micja," said Rowen. I nodded to him too. I'm usually not one to talk, unless it's to my close friends.
You don't consider the Ronin a close friend? asked Veria sarcastically.
No, not as close as Brin and Nicka. From the memories Veria had showed me, she had really been the only one who wanted to Ronins to die. She was very committed to Talpa and the Dynasty, even if she knew he was wrong. I guess that's what she gets for being the kanji of compassion.
Oh yeah, make it my fault. It's your kanji now too, you know.
Not until I get my armor, it isn't, I shot back, looking out the window. Dark (normal) clouds were hanging low over the ocean, a sign of snow coming. It was only a week until Christmas, actually, and we hadn't seen any of the white crystals yet. Ary was a little ticked about the lack of snow, but the cold was keeping her temper at bay. She hadn't really threatened Sage since the clouds had come, even if they just stayed over the water.
"Does anyone know what I wanted to do this weekend?" asked Nicka suddenly. We all looked over at her and she grinned sheepishly. "Well, I knew this morning..."
"Shopping," said Brin quickly. "You always forget when you want to go shopping." Then she frowned. "Come to think of it, that's what I was going to this weekend too." I chuckled.
"Brin, you have a hard time recalling your own name sometimes," I pointed out. She laughed.
"Yeah, that too." The car suddenly jerked to a stop. "What the-"
"It's the Dynasty!" said Mia. "There are some soldiers coming up the road right now!"
"What?!" asked Brin and Nicka in unison.
Life
Spirit
Honor
"Talpa's pulling a load of bull shit," said Nicka. I got out of the car so she could get out too. "He knows I'm hungry."
"I don't think he knows how pissed you get when you don't eat, though," said Brin. Rowen rolled his eyes. "What was that for?"
"Your entire lack of sanity," he answered. "Let's go. This shouldn't take too long."
"Nope." All three of them ran off to fight and felt Veria's familiar envy, but there was something more....
Chapter 2
I turned my head towards the trees. What was this? It was like someone was trying to tell me something. I got back out of the jeep and started towards the forest.
"Micja, where are you going?" asked Mia.
"I'll be fine," I told her. "I just saw something and I want to get a closer look."
"Okay... but be careful." I walked carefully into the trees, heading in the general direction of east, away from the fight. Veria was gleeful in the back corner of my mind, sensing a battle we might actually participate in.
No way, I told her. I'm not going to fight anyone.
How did I end with a pacifist?! she yelled angrily. It's not right. I want to fight! I want to see my enemy fall from my hands again. I want-
I want you to shut up, I snapped. I'm not going to fight anyone, got it? The trees ended at a clearing and I faced the only person I didn't want to meet by myself in the middle of a forest: Zarin Ceruan of the Acid Air armor. He wasn't angry, like Brin said she always felt when she was around Kaji, or insane like what Saki said about Micael... he almost seemed happy.
"I've been waiting for you to come," he said softly. He wasn't in his armor, or even his subarmor. "Are you ready?" I knew exactly what he wanted.
"You took my cousin from me," I whispered, suppressing my anger. "And yet, you're more then willing to give me a chance to see her again. Why?"
"You and I have a lot in common, Micja. Including that we've both lost family in this life. My time in the Dynasty hasn't changed my heart anymore then it has Laori." I closed my eyes against tears. Out of all of the Dark Stars I had known growing up- Kaji, Hario, Grant, Micael, Wes and Zarin- he had always been the nicest. There had been times when I wasn't sure how much of a Dark Star he really was...
"Get out of my way, bitch," said Kaji, shoving me roughly to the side. He faced off with Brin, while Ariogya squared her shoulders and stood only a few feet from Grant, Saki glared at Micael, and Nicka all but growled at Hario. Zarin, on the other hand, reached out his hand and helped me to my feet.
"Let them fight," he said softly. "But we don't have to." I shook my head and turned away from my friends as they dove for their sparing partners. In the end, we came out victorious, but by how much... I opened my eyes.
"Thank you," I said gently. "I'm ready."
Chapter 3(Laori)
Kaji lunged at me, practice staff raised, ready to slam into my ribs.
He's aiming high! yelled Mioua.
I know! I'm not blind! I ducked and threw my own up above my head, hands gripping it around the middle. There was a clatter of wood and on instinct, I kicked with the leg not supporting my weight. Kaji hit the dirt and groaned as he pushed himself to his feet.
"Bitch," he muttered, picking up his staff.
"Oh, don't be such a sore loser," I chided. "Anyone else?"
"I'll take you on." Dais, who had been watching from the sidelines, picked up another staff and walked to the middle of the "arena". Basically, it was an empty space in the middle of a group of buildings, but did I care? No, not really. Instead, I grinned.
"All right," I said, balancing my weight again. "You're mine, warlord." He gave me a look of grim determination that he always always gets when he's about to fight, but I wasn't worried. I knew for a fact Dais could kick my ass in battle with one hand tied to behind his back, but staffs and practice fights were my forte.
I attacked first, for no apparent reason other then I wanted to, and brought my staff down towards his head. He blocked, but I back flipped, caught the middle of the staff with my ankles, knocked it free of his hands and grabbed it before it hit the ground. My hair chose to shake loose of its ponytail at that moment, so I brushed from my face and barely avoided a non-staff attack from the warlord.
"Are you insane?!" I yelled, lowering my arms from my face. "No way was that fair."
"The enemy doesn't always fight fair, Laori," he said, walking away. He vanished before he reached the edge of the "arena". I sighed in frustration, propped the staffs up against the wall and followed him through the shadows. How did I use the shadows? Welcome to one of the better parts of our sub armors that we got to keep in the split: shadow traveling. Using the universal connection between every one of those black things that seemingly go nowhere... unless you know where you're looking. The only thing I haven't figure out yet is how to use my own shadow. But that's just a technicality.
Trust me, when you're a warrior, everything is a technicality.
I stepped onto the ledge above one of the Dynasty's many yellowish rivers. Dais was there, watching the horizon. For what, who knows, but after several moments of silence, I sighed again.
"Okay, so I'm a novice," I said finally. He gave me a small smile (yes, Dais can smile other then that malicious one he's always giving the Ronins) and nodded.
"Yes you are," he said. I grinned happily. At least I was still able to break down the dark shields he always had after a battle. "I have to meet with Master Talpa. Will you be alright?"
"I'll be fine," I told him. "It's you I'm worried about. You know I don't trust Lord Talpa anymore then I, or Mioua, have ever have." He gave a light sigh.
"I wish you would," he said, vanishing again. Another frustrated sigh and I headed back, this time not thinking of any particular direction to go. Why wouldn't he believe me? I knew Talpa's grand plan didn't involve him and the other two warlords and the last thing I wanted to do was to lose him... Rrgghh! Damn the Demon Overlord!
"You're back," said Wes. I nodded and picked up a staff. "You still want to fight?"
"Fight, destroy, what's the difference?" I asked, balancing my weight. "As long as I win."
Chapter 4
"You're growing strong, Laori." I kept my body bowed, but gave a slight nod.
"Thank you, my lord Talpa," I said, forcing at much gratefulness into my voice without making my stomach heave. Oops, too late.
"And yet, there are still two Earth Star armors."
"Forgive me, my lord, but neither Wes nor I feel we have the strength to survive a rejoining of our armors," I explained. Well, part of it was true. I didn't think I would survive. Wes would be the one controlling the Satanic Earth Star armor, not me, thanks to the huge amount of evil in the Dynasty.
"Master Talpa, if I may give my report," said Kayura, appearing beside me.
"Yes, Kayura, give me your report." I backed up slowly into the nearest shadow and ended up near where I lived. I set my mouth in a firm line, angry and scared at the same time. There was no possible way I was letting Wes get my armor until I was done with it. And I had a feeling he felt the same way.
"Laori!" said Zarin in surprise when I ran directly into him. "I thought you'd still be in a meeting with Master Talpa."
"Kayura wanted to give her report, so I left," I said. I looked past him and saw another person standing half hidden in the doorway. "Whoa. I must really need some sleep." He looked over his shoulder and gave a small grin.
"I thought you'd want to see her," he explained. "So I brought her here." The figure moved into the light and I gasped. It was!
"Micja!" I said. She smiled.
"Hey cuz," she said quietly. I hugged her, joy overwhelming uncertainty. She was here! Wait a minute... she was here?!
"Oh, Micja," I said, pulling back. "It's too dangerous."
"I know that," she said, shrugging. "But remember. We share something, a trait that the armors have given us."
"Other then a slightly annoying voice in the head?"
Excuse me?
Kidding Mioua. Micja grinned.
"Other then that." I knew what she was talking about. Each of the armors had given the wearers an ability that differed with each person. Brin, for example, can erase and or add memories to a person (which you know she would love, if she knew she had it), Ariogya can heal injuries (at the expense of her own strength) Saki can control parts of the weather, Nicka can talk to sea animals (Yes, just a tad Little Mermaid-ish, but she didn't know she could do it yet), and Micja can see things that happened in the pasts of all of us. Even as far back as before the original wearers joined Talpa and the Dynasty. I, on
the other hand, can go the opposite way, into the future, and for the life of me, I had known Micja was coming, but sometimes, things can change. Like when I had first known about the armors, prior to my joining the Dynasty, all of my friends had been consumed by the darkness that came with the full armors. We had destroyed the Ronins again and the Dynasty had over thrown the mortal realm, since all resistance had been stopped. But after I went with Wes, when I left the mortal realm, it had changed. To what, god knows, because I hadn't figure it out yet.
"Micja, it's not safe."
"I don't care," she said firmly. "I've found you and that's all that matters."
Chapter 5(Micja)
I tossed in my sleep, dreaming unimaginable things. Deaths no one knew of, wars never recorded. I saw kings fall, queens murdered in their beds, all for freedom. Then freedom failed and all was lost to a storm of dust.
This is what happened to my village, said Veria. That's how Talpa was able to turn me into a warrior for darkness. I had never known anything other then hate.
Stop this! I yelled, feeling pain double and triple in my chest. Please...
You cannot stop what has already happened. I bolted up, stifling a cry. Darkness never came in the Dynasty, but it was pretty easy to fall asleep when you were tired enough.
Laori's present glittered in the yellowish light. A gift to make up for the birthdays she had missed, but it was almost too much. The kanji orb of Air Star, my armor, shone with an blue light as unnatural as the glow from the moons outside. I picked it up and felt its power flow into me, forming my subarmor. It was black and dark blue, so dark they were close to blending into each other.
My feet hit the ground and made barely a noise. I had to clear my head. Everything wanted to happen before I could get a handle on it. I had my armor, but I trapped in the Dynasty. Did the others know I was gone? Would they come after me? I prayed they didn't. They wouldn't stand a chance, not here. All of my faith rested in the fact that the Ronins were able to convince them with some sanity.
I was definitely hoping for too much.
For a second, I realized I had started running. Usually, I avoid physical sport. I tend to make an ass of myself when I do. Sports are just not my thing. But now, I was running and really not caring. Until a cliff's edge came up. I hit the end and jumped off, twisting around into a dive. The water came up quick enough and it felt good to cool off. Gasping for breath, I staggered onto the shore underneath a rocky ledge and collapsed, watching the sky. What could I possibly do? Laori said I had two choices: join Talpa or die. The thing was, it was becoming a tough decision. How much did I want to stay with
my cousin? Was it worth betraying my friends?
Family is the most important thing in the world, said Veria.
I know that, but still... Brin, Ary, Nicka, and Saki have been my friends since Laori vanished. Not to mention the Ronins have protected me from the Dynasty soldiers and warlords too.
Speaking of warlords... be wary of them.
What do you mean? I sat up, brushing my head on the rock. On the other side of the water was the warlord of Darkness: Kale. He didn't see me, but seemed angry about something nonetheless. You know, he's actually cute without that helmet on...
You're not serious.
I am, but come on, Ver. He's a Dynasty Warlord. A) what's he gonna see in a fourteen year old mortal and B)... I don't know a B yet, but give me a few minutes.
We had better get back before Laori wakes up and finds us gone.
Okay. I stood up and gripped the side of the cliff. My foot found a rock to support my weight and I started climbing the sheer wall. Don't as me why, I was just really hyper. My subarmor was giving me an insane amount of energy. Think caffeine coated Fruit Loops and you've got the basic part of it.
I reached the top and Zarin was waiting for me.
"What are you doing?" he asked. I shrugged.
"I got bored, waiting for something to happen."
"It's amazing, isn't it? All the power, the strength." I nodded.
"It is amazing." I looked back down and saw Kale was gone. Cold chills went through me suddenly, followed by a dark feeling. "What is that?" I whispered, looking at Zarin. He didn't look back.
"Talpa's calling us," he said quietly. "We have to go see what he wants."
Chapter 6(Laori)
Micja stood by Zarin, her braids at the base of her neck by a dark blue hair band. She almost didn't look like the same person who had come two days earlier.
"I will have the Acid Air Star and Satanic Earth Star armors," said Talpa.
"My Lord Talpa!" I said. "Please, she's not strong enough yet. Both of them will be killed." Kayura appeared near us, a welcome sight. For once.
"Emperor Talpa," she said formally. "The Ronins and the other four Star Gaze have appeared, just as you said they would." My jaw fell open and I looked up at Dais. He didn't say anything, only looked at Talpa. Holy-! He had known! He had known my friends were coming!
"Jesus-" I muttered. I was cut off by an explosion. I saw Brin, standing on top of one of the smaller towers around the castle.
"Where is she, Master of Shadows?!" she yelled. "Where's Micja?!"
"Calm down!" said Micja. "I'm alright."
"Die, mortal witch!" Kaji attacked, katanas raised.
"Fight them, my warriors," said Talpa with a cold laugh. "Destroy them." I looked over at Micja as the fight began.
"I won't," she whispered. "Not against them."
"We have no choice," I said. "Armor of Earth Star! Tay Sarie!"
"Armor of Air Star! Tay Miesha!"
I can't believe your going along with this! You're fighting with Talpa!
I have no choice. This is my mistake. I must live with it.
Mistakes were created to learn from. Fighting for Talpa won't fix what you've done: it'll make it worse.
I. Have. No. Choice.
You always have a choice.
"Earth Stone Destroy!" I heard Wes yell his sure kill and whirled around to see what it was aimed at: two six year old children I hadn't noticed before.
"NO!" I screamed. "You bastard! World Rock Shaking!" The two sure kills canceled each other out before they reached the children. "Don't even think about it, Wes. I won't let you harm innocence."
"You want to fight?" he asked coolly, leveling his staff at me.
"I'm done with the Dynasty," I said.
"Then you will-"
"Die," I finished quietly. He yelled in rage and attacked. The sharp blade at the top of his staff went straight through my armor. Reality wavered. I gripped the middle of the staff in my hands and glared at him.
"In hell," I said. "In hell."
Chapter 7(Micja)
We were dying, plain and simple. Somehow, they had gained the upper hand and were beating us. Us! It was really unfair. Aren't the good guys always supposed to win?
It's a trail, Micja. The good guys win only after they have earned it, said Veria. I shook my head and pulled out another arrow. The soldier glowered from his helmet as he did the same. Nicka collapsed behind me, her armor disappearing back into it's orb. She was the last. Only me and Brin stood now. Laori was almost dead, Saki unconscious and being hauled away by the soldiers, and Ariogya was struggling to stay up without her armor. They didn't have the strength left to fight.
Spirit We can do this... don't give up.
Honor. I can't. He's taking all of my energy. I'm sorry...
Courage. Damn him! I'll kill him yet!
Faith. I... can't... let him win…
Devotion. Don't give in, you two. You're the only hope we have left.
Compassion. Lovely. What are we supposed to do? Brin's armor glowed and there were small flashes from the hands of the others. Could it be? Were we... was it possible... the guys had a mega armor... did we?
Don't do it, Micja, said Veria. I ignored her and let the arrow fly to distract the soldier. He dodged aside as I sent my armor away, then my sub armor. The glow brightened and surrounded Brin. The soldier loosed his arrow and immense pain ripped through my side. He groaned and fell to one knee, clutching his ribs, but I still stood. Maybe I was too stunned... he had actually shot me. Blood seeped from the wound, soaking into my shirt. Suddenly, the ground was a lot closer....
Ariogya yelled and staggered to her feet.
"Don't you dare die," she said harshly, kneeling by me. Sage came and supported her shoulders until she gained some balance. "Can you heal her?" He hesitated.
"There might be too much poison in her blood from the arrow," he said quietly. I shook my head as darkness settled over my mind.
"No... the poison's always been there... always."
"Micja," said Zarin, crawling towards me. "You should've moved, damn it. I'm the
one who's supposed to die."
"No..." I said. "I was born to die. It's better I go this way."
"Celestial Star Fury!"
"Hell's Vehemence!" I slowly sank away. We had a mega armor... so did they. But as long as no one died for me, I'd die happily.
Maybe you were the right choice for the armor, came Veria's voice. Anyone who values life like you deserves the Acid Air armor.
I don't want the armor, I said. I just want peace.
Compassion.
Vengence. Power and strength shot through me. Incredible warmth overthrew the pain in my
side.
No! I cried. I don't want you to die for me.
Why is he giving up power? Veria started yelling.
You! she shouted. Get away, demon of the armor!
We remember you, said the cold voice. The hot headed little girl who Lord Talpa chose to wear the Acid Air armor. Is this one the same as you? Will she forsake herself to destroy the Ronins?
No, I said coldly. I will not destroy the Ronins. They are my friends.
Yes, there is potential in you. Potential corruption. Master Talpa will enjoy darkening your soul.
Like hell he will. As long as I'm here, she's protected from the Master of Shadows.
"Micja..."
Look. I understand this is important, but to hell with it. I am in control and no over hyped demon voice is going to tell me how to wear it. The same goes for you, Veria.
"Micja..."
FINALLY! She shows backbone! I felt someone shaking my shoulders.
This is far from over.
Of course it isn't.
You bet. I opened my eyes and looked around. Brin lay a few feet from me and I was staring into Zarin's green eyes.
"Are you still alive?" he asked quietly.
"Barely," I answered. "The armor..."
"It's whole. And yours."
"Why? Why did you give it to me."
"You're the only one strong enough. I know I'm too weak."
"It must run in the blood," said Ariogya's voice. Rowen knelt down and tried to wake Brin. "Laori's half dead, but she's fighting for her full armor."
"What?" I bolted up, to the dislike of my partially healed side and saw an unarmed Laori struggling against Wes while being pinned down with his staff "Lao-!"
"She has to do it on her own," said Zarin. "I only gave my armor to you. You earned it by fighting the demon."
"Demon?" said Ary. "What demon?" She blinked. "Oh."
Seraan must have told her.
You're still here? I thought you would go when the armor was complete.
Not a chance. Not with that bloody voice. I have to be here to make sure it doesn't take control of you.
Veria... thanks. I stood up and helped Zarin to his feet. We were both dirty, covered in half dried blood, and weak. Wow, I felt bad for my friends. They were gonna go through hell for their armors.
"You will die!"
"Not today!" Laori gripped the staff with both hands and flipped Wes onto his back. It suddenly struck me that Brin had had a white armor. So much for being the observant one.
"Um, Ary?"
"Yeah, I know, it's weird. Us, with a mega arm. Kaji and the rest, save for Zarin and Wes, skipped out awhile ago."
"Really? The warlords?"
"Talpa drew them back. We've been fighting random soldiers for some time now."
"Goody." Laori planted her foot firmly on Wes' chest and held his staff in one hand, her bleeding middle with the other.
"I'm sick..." she said. "Of the Dynasty's shit. It ends now. The armor's mine." A glow surrounded her, the staff, and Wes. I lowered my head as the full armor took it's place on her. God, I knew exactly what she was going through...
Epilogue(Laori)
"We have to stay in the Waters and Mist," I said. Brin nodded and gave me a quick hug.
"I missed you so much, Lay," she said. "Promise you'll be careful."
"We will," I said. "You guys be careful getting back."
"Got it covered," said Nicka. "There's nothing to getting back. Come on, Kento. Cye and Saki already went back and they said they'd make dinner. See ya' Lay, Micja." She grabbed Kento's arm and half dragged him into the shadows near us. Brin rolled her eyes as the others started to follow.
"God, how I am I supposed to do this?" she muttered. "How can I possibly lead...Nicka?"
"Just keep at it," said Micja. "Brin, look, it's not like we're going to be completely cut off. We'll come and see you guys."
"I know," she said. "I didn't doubt that to begin with. I should probably get back. Who knows what argument Bree and Yuli have gotten into?" She laughed and walked into the shadows. Micja watched her disappear, then turned back. Her eyes widened, then danced.
"Um, yeah. See ya' in a few, Lay." She vanished into the shadows. I turned around to see what she had seen. Dais was standing there.
"Oh, uh, hi," I said. "We... have to go into hiding. I don't trust my armor here, or anywhere for that matter, but less here... in the Dynasty... with Talpa." He caught my arm as I turned to leave and kissed me. DAIS! Holy cripes! This was seriously not like him(A/N: At some point in time, Dais' evil personality will pretty much die. Just to warn you)! But, in all sense, I could've cared less. An electric shock went through my body, 'causing chills, the whole nine yards. It took about a second for the collision of sanity and emotion before I kissed him back. God, I seriously hoped Talpa wasn't seeing this. I didn't want Dais to suffer. That was the last thing on my mind.
"Be safe," he said as he let me go and walked away. I stood in awe, then threw my hands up in frustration.
That was the warlord of Illusion?! said Mioua.
I hope to hell it was.
The End
Micja calmly waited her cousin's return. The warlord of Illusion wasn't bad, he wasn't evil, none of them were. It was Talpa that was the problem. The Demon Overlord would pay for corrupting their souls.
Suddenly, she looked up. She felt the odd feeling of being watched. Carefully, she climbed off the rocky outcropping and started after the shadow in the mist.
You're chasing air! said Veria.
I don't think I am, answered the girl. Abruptly, she was back inside the Dynasty. Ahead of her was the home of the Warlord of Darkness. Smiling, she turned back slowly. Talpa may corrupt your mind, she thought, walking back into shadows. But your heart will always be as pure as winter snow.
The End(again)
A/N: That last part was to hint as the possible relationship between Micja and Kale. The winter snow thing is because Kale's armor is actually the Armor of Winter. Anyway. this is the last of the Seasons of Truth. Everyone's got their armors, now we have the disappearance of the three Ronins(and Nicka, Saki, and Ary) into the Dynasty, the defeat of Talpa, the defeat of the Dark Stars and then... well, there's more to innocence when evil's involved.