The Sixth Ronin Warrior
Chapter 5
Assault
The next day didn't prove to be much better. We spent the day trying to conduct a plan. The only thing we could really do was enter the Nether Realm and go from there.
Like the ronins' armors my armor gains strength from a single source and the wearer's spirit. However, while theirs are from the earth's elements, mine gains strength from the good living spirits around it.
Other than coming up with the very simple plan, we spent the day resting up for the upcoming battle. I was extremely bored and restless. I wasn't in the mood to just sit and wait. Plus, I had a lot of major energy to waste.
"How are you?" Rowen asked as he sat down on the couch next to me. I was curled up at the end hugging a pillow.
"I'm worried about the scouts. For all we know they could be dead," I declared solemnly. My eyes were downcast and full of fear, exactly what the dynasty wanted. I couldn't shake the feeling as much as I wanted to.
"I know what you mean. We'll do our best to get them back," he smiled sweetly at me, even though his face had been grim all day. He was very serious most of the time. Only when he talks to me do I ever see him smile. Unless I am wrong. That fact scared me. Why does he like me?
I smiled back. The sun was low on the horizon. It was evening. I made my way to the back porch. Rowen looked after me as I got up off the couch.
The lake held the reflection of a crimson sky with stars and a bright, full moon. The sun stood halfway above the horizon. It glowed like a brilliant candle flame. I closed my eyes and visualized the picture in my head so would never forget it. It might be the last beautiful sunset I'll ever get to see.
I thought about that thought and tears welled up in my eyes. More questions began to flood my head. Are the scouts all right? Will we be able to rescue them? Can we defeat the dynasty?
I brushed off the ideas of fate. I need to resist them and that's exactly what I'll do. They won't get my armor if I have anything to do with it. I was crying now, but they dried up as soon as they came.
It was now almost dark. The sky was a deep purple and navy blue. The stars and moon glowed brightly on their background.
"Hey," someone said from behind me. I turned to see Ryo's worried face looking at me.
"Hi. I'm just thinking and admiring the sunset," I replied. I gazed into the growing darkness.
"It's beautiful. I thought I saw you crying out here. Are you all right?" he asked.
"Yes. Fine. I'm just concerned about the scouts. Sekhmet said they would be good allies. I think they're going to brainwash them," I said.
"I wouldn't doubt it. We'll get them back don't worry."
"I do worry. I can't help but worry. Even though I know for a fact it won't do any good for the present situation."
"We're going to leave tomorrow for the Nether World. Are you going?"
I stood and said to his face. "Of course! They're my good friends! I'm not going to waste my power or time by sitting here waiting for you and the others to return, if you do."
"Okay. Okay," Ryo raised his hands in surrender and laughed. "I think we have another ronin."
* * *
I didn't waste a chance for a good night's sleep. No dreams haunted me as my body regenerated. I don't know why White Blaze slept beside me all night. He should be with Ryo, but he wasn't. He made me feel safe and secure, which helped me sleep.
The ronins fell asleep as quickly as I did knowing that they will need every ounce of energy they could have.
Early in the morning, before sunrise, we rose and headed for the dynasty gate. Our subarmors were visible because they will provide some protection from any forces that may come against us. Before we arrived there Lady Kayura appeared before us. She still wore the clothes of the Ancient and held the staff.
"Let me help you rescue the scouts," she said. Her robes disappeared to reveal her own armor that she wore while serving Talpa. She somehow was able to retrieve its power and use it for good.
Ryo stepped forward, "Of course."
"Can you get us inside the palace wall and gates?" Sage asked.
She smiled and nodded. The staff reappeared in her hand and it glowed brilliantly to transport us into the "danger zone."
Our guard had to be up every millisecond we were in dynasty territory. The bright yellow light that surrounded us disappeared. We could see the gloomy features of the Nether World. The castle stood as high as the clouds and was protected heavily by dynasty soldiers.
I looked around and a shiver ran slowly down my spine. I swallowed hard, This was no time to be afraid, but I was.
A scream pierced the eerie silence. I recognized it.
"Serena!" I yelled. Kayura put a hand over my mouth and shushed me. I pulled away and continued to look in the direction the cry came from.
The Ronin Warriors ran toward the direction of the scream. I hurried after them. I was surprised how easy it was to keep up with them. I had thought I'd be panting like crazy. Man! I'll bet this ability comes from my armor.
We approached the castle and entered to find soldiers in every direction. We stopped.
"More dynasty jerks! Looks like we're going to have ourselves a party," Kento joked, "I wonder who was supposed to bring the finger foods." He lunged for the first soldier and knocked him to the ground. The others followed the suit. The soldiers were never ending and fighting hand-to-hand combat got tiring and old.
"Ronin Warriors to arms!!" Ryo commanded.
"Armor of Wildfire, Tao Jin!"
"Armor of Halo, Tao Chi!"
"Armor of Strata, Tao Inochi!"
"Armor of the Torrent, Tao Shin!"
"Armor of Hardrock, Tao Gi!"
"Armor of the Spirit, Tao Ai!"
I chose the bow and arrows as my weapon this time. The army of soldiers seemed unending in the long hallway of the castle. I was frustrated because I wanted to rescue the scouts, but I had obstacles to overcome first. Sai and Sage took the first attack.
"Super Wave Smasher!"
"Thunderbolt Cut!"
Their power fused together to make a twice as powerful blow that would incinerate fifty percent of the soldiers in front of us.
Rowen and I raised our bows and arrows. In unison we said, "Armor of Strata and Armor of the Spirit, Arrow Shock Wave!"
The force of the arrows brought down several walls in front of the remaining dynasty dorks and us. Sage, Ryo, Rowen, White Blaze, Kento, Sai, Kayura, and I made our way closer to where the scouts were being held.
Something caught my attention and I stopped dead in my tracks. I looked up to see Kale, Warlord of Corruption, balanced on top of a wall to the left of the group.
"Well, the girl isn't so weak after all. She was the first to spot me," he thought aloud. He's right. It is strange that I should be able to sense his presence before the others do. It's the nature of my armor, besides, his heart is naturally good. He's just been swayed against his will back to the dynasty.
Kayura jumped up and landed on the wall near Kale. "Warriors, proceed without me. I have a duty here to accomplish. Rescue your friends and defeat the Black Devil," she said.
We stared at her with bewilderment about who the Black Devil was, but continued on our way.
* * *