Disclaimer: I don't
own the Ronin Warriors, though I wish I did.
Sovereign Warrior
Chapter 3
Cye had frozen in his tracks; even from this distance he could feel the animal's feverish heat. But his blood ran cold. Did this creature come back to complete the task it had failed to finish two days ago?
Before he even realized that the cat had taken a step, it was leaping up to the gallery. He stepped backwards a few steps, surprised by the beast's fluid movements and amazing speed, before turning and retreating back to his room to retrieve his armor orb.
Cye stumbled blindly toward the nightstand next to his bed. Even though the creature stood in the doorway, its flames gave off no light; instead it blocked the moonbeams, however red, from reaching in through the window and illuminating his way.
By memory he traced the way around his bed and doubtfully reached out and felt about for his orb. When he didn't find anything he leaned out farther and continued the search.
The cat in the doorway was curiously watching this act, but the curiosity was being quickly replaced by his previously bloodthirstiness.
Fear and panic gripped Cye's chest, making it tight. Sure of himself this time, he attempted to put his weight on the stand to grab his armor orb.
Due to an unfortunate miscalculation, he missed the small table and toppled over. Flipping around as he fell, his head came in painful contact with the nightstand, jarring it and his side. A cry escaped Cye's throat; and the distinct sound of something marble-like rolling across a wooden surface and falling with a carpeted thud behind the cabinet, made him gasp.
The beast grinned as it closed in on its prey. The boy couldn't seem to find the small ball that it searched so desperately for. This would be the easiest kill yet. :Don't kill him; just bring him to me!: A telepathic voice reached it. Nevertheless it approached Cye with the same fire in its eyes.
Cye cringed.
He was totally unaware when the kanji of trust flared brightly on his forehead. But the creature did as it screamed.
Compared to the sound it made now the cat had been completely silent before. A blood-curdling scream tore the air in half in its wake, as the bright blue light stung its eyes. Cye clapped his hands to his ears.
The other Ronins all woke with a start to the sound, and Kento, who was on one of his nightly fridge raids, ran for the stairs.
Before he even reached the top of the stairs he spotted Ryo and Rowen entering his room already in their sub armor. He joined them and analyzed the situation before him.
An incredibly large, flaming cat obscured most of his view. Was this the same thing Cye had met in the woods two days ago? Cye himself was quickly backing away toward the open balcony doors. His eyes were pinned to the beast before him so he had not noticed his friends' arrival.
"Cye!" Mia's voice surprised them all. She stood in the doorway wearing a bathrobe. Cye's gaze turned from the creature to the other Ronins.
The cat didn't let his sudden drop of guard go unnoticed. It raised a giant paw and, with a force equal to that of a semi truck, knocked Cye out the balcony door. The gallery rail broke under the sudden pressure and sent him tumbling to the ground.
The other Ronins gasped and ran toward the balcony door, all except Ryo.
"Mia, you need to get away from here." He said firmly, pointing toward the hall. "Now!" She turned and ran. Ryo watched the beast as he walked towards the gallery, but it made no move to follow. He jumped from the balcony to the ground where he found Rowen and Kento.
"Why hello! Glad you could make it on such short notice." Ryo spun around on his heel to face a man that stood over the fallen Cye. He was clad in Anubis's armor of Cruelty, which surprised the three of them. "You can call me Lorn and your friend, Kayura, was more than happy to supply the armor. But I can't talk now, I've got what I came for."
With that, Lorn let out a shrill whistle and the cat leaped to his side. He moved around to pick up Cye.
Ryo attacked. He had had enough of this; no one was going to take his friend. Behind him he heard Kento and Rowen following in his footsteps.
Sensing the attempt, Lorn stood and thrust his arm towards them. Bolts of energy lanced from his fingertips straight at the trio, hitting them dead on. They were thrown back a good thirty feet and were disappointed to find, upon their attempt to rise, that they were paralyzed from the neck down.
"Sorry to do that, boys, but I can't have you spoiling Master Talpa's plans." Lorn said as he lifted Cye onto the cat's back. Ryo, Rowen, and Kento were surprised he wasn't even singed by the creature's flames. "Next time, don't be so overconfident of your skill or that will be your downfall."
With that, man, beast, and Ronin disappeared in a spectral flash.
Kento, Rowen, and Ryo felt the paralysis spell lift and they rose to their feet. The brief encounter had left them all thinking one thought: Talpa was back.
* * * * *