~~~~ Chapter 5 ~~~~

By: Cat Paws

In a distant part of the palace's winding streets walked a lone figure in green sub-armor. He was following the sound of a flute, its song weaving in and out of the streets. During an earlier battle, he had heard the strange music drift in on the breeze. He could feel it doing its deed. Once he had rid himself of his attackers, he headed in the direction of which it came. He had not noticed that his comrades could not hear the melody, and so fell victim to its spell.

Now, this melody was leading him through a maze with the reward of finding the source. At times, he would come to a dead end. This song was playing with him.

I feel like a lab rat, thought Sage, angrily. He turned and back tracked as best he could. For some reason, none of the paths looked the same. Each time he turned around, they would change.

Huh, illusions. This is nothing but an illusion. He charged through the wall that blocked his way. It vanished once he passed through, confirming his theory. He turned his attention back to the drifting melody. So little player, now it's my turn, he thought, mischievously.

He let his mind follow the tune back to its origin. Slowly, he came in contact with another mind. A most confused mind that was tied in knots of its own creation was on the other end.

Suddenly, he pulled himself back. What am I doing? I just used telepathy to find someone. Someone other than a fellow Ronin. Could it be... He shook this off and ran straight for the flute player, not bothering to listen for the music. He already knew where to find this confused being.

The slow, sad, entangling melody continued to play as though nothing happened. To it, nothing did. Sage's mental touch was so soft and quick that it did not disturb it.

Whoever you are, I'm here.

************

"Man, how are we suppose to find Sage in this maze? We're going in circles, aren't we?"

"Oh, Kento, quit whining."

"But we're not getting anywhere. Besides, I'm starving, and there's nothing happening. What else am I suppose to do?"

"Shutting up would be good right about now."

"Sorry, Ryo. It's just that all these hallways and rooms look the same. Kayura, you sure you know where you're going?"

"The Palace was designed to make outsiders confused and disoriented. It is understandable that you feel we are lost, Hardrock. However, I know th-" She whirled around and took a fighting stance, the staff clanging because of the motion. The Ronins did the same, standing back to back ready to strike.

The candles that were providing the light blew out, dropping the chamber into complete darkness. They stood on guard, ready for whatever might come. They did not know what to expect.

White Blaze growled low in his throat. His ears twitched, listening to every little sound. His nostrils flared, trying to pick up on the scent of the attacker. His eyes scanned the room, seeing it as clear as day. He stood beside his master, ready to protect him and the others at any cost.

From the walls came a thick smoke. White Blaze growled, louder this time, readying himself to pounce at what was about to attack. The smoke split into five clouds, and moved until facing each of the warriors.

The Ronins and Kayura could smell the smoke. It was a strange scent, like a mix of mint with paprika. It drifted into their bodies through their senses. It was as though learning about them through touch. Its slithering caused some of the warriors to tense up and try to force it out. Others were curious as to what its intentions were, yet not wanting it to fully explore them.

Once satisfied with what they had found, the stray strands of smoke emerged and left the warrior's bodies. They joined with their cloud to share what they had learned. Each cloud began to glow the color that corresponded with the warrior it had explored. They molded, and shaped themselves using what they had learned as a guide.

The cloud's lights dimmed and were replaced by a brilliant flash of white light. It dimmed enough to light the chamber and allow the warriors to regain their sight. When their eyes cleared, they saw before them what the smoke clouds had formed.

Before each of the warriors stood a figure made entirely out of their element, each carrying an exact replica of their weapon. Before Kento was one of rock, Cye one of water, Rowen one of air, and Ryo one of fire. The one before Kayura was a strange one. It decided to take on the form of lightning, though it carried a staff like hers. Perhaps it was confused since it was unclear as to what her element was.

"Oho." The element beings began their attack on the Ronins and Kayura. White Blaze leapt to protect Ryo, but was nearly burned by the fire being. The water being blasted him into a wall, taking him out temporarily.

"White Blaze!" Ryo tried to get to his beloved white tiger, but his flaming double blocked his path. " That's it. Armor of the Wildfire! Toa Jin!" The others followed Ryo's lead and armored up as well, to their duplicate's delight. Now, the real battle began.

************

Sage walked into a chamber lit by two candles with greenish flames.

"Look familiar?" a voice asked. A memory of such a place emerged in his mind. This was the chamber from his many troubled dreams. The ones he could never remember and the one where a girl was tortured. This was where it all happened.

"Who are you?! What do you want?!"

"Only you. There is no need to shout." In the center of the room, a large ball of flame ignited, extinguishing the two candles and providing the light needed to illuminate the chamber. The flame burned a similar greenish hue, though had more of the traditional red in its flame. Sage got a good look at the chamber. It was a elegantly decorated a he remembered.

Out of the shadows stepped a slender, yet strong figure dressed in an odd combination of armor. She seemed to not have a weapon, but still walked towards him with a stride of determination.

She stopped before him a few meters away, and brought her gaze up to make direct eye contact. Her eyes sparkled with their own energy. They showed very clearly what emotion she was feeling. Currently, they flashed with curiosity. She tilted her head sideways and smiled. "I see you are as curious about me as I am you,"

"Perhaps more so." She thought for a moment and then shook her head.

"No." A chiming laugh burst out of her. Sage stepped back, a little surprised. As he did this, chains that were lying on the ground quickly snaked their way around him. They locked into place to serve as his restraints.

"What the?"

Suddenly, she stopped laughing and in a serious tone said, "My master has instructed me to bring you to him once I had you in my grasp. However, he is currently busy with your friends, so we have some extra time. "Her expression changed from serious to mischievous intrigue. " I want to know more about this great warrior who stands before me. I will ask a question, and you answer. If you do not answer, then the chains will tighten. Are we clear on this?"

"Do I get to ask questions as well?"

"It depends, though you are not in a very good position to negotiate."

"No, I'm not," he said looking down at the chains, " but it would only be fair."

"Fair? Maybe." Cocking her head, she smiled. " I like you. What's your name?"

"Sage Date."

"Your armor, what is it?"

"Halo."
"Then your are one of the wearers of the mystical Ronin armors?"

"Yes."

"There are five of you?" she said, looking at her hands counting, then back at him for a response.

"Yes."

"Are you more powerful then the others?"

"No, I don't think so."

"Why has my master chosen you, then?"

"I-I don't know."

"There must be some reason my master would want you and not the other four, as well." She narrowed her eyes. "Are you lying to me?"

"No!" The chains around him tightened. "I'm not lying," he said, gritting his teeth.

"No?"

"No."

"Too bad." The chains tightened more.

"Why are you doing this?"

"I did not say you could ask a question." Once more, they tightened causing him to drop to his knees. "Oh, I did not mean to hurt you." The chains loosened a little. " My master does want you alive, after all. My mistake, you may ask a question."

"Who is your master?"

"Helios."

"Does he always hurt you?"

"What?" Her concentration and guard fell completely when he asked this question. In the place of her strength was now fear. She sat next to him. He looked into her eyes and could see he was right. She had been hurt deeply. Not only physically, but mentally as well. His compassion towards her surprised him. She looked away, afraid to show her true self, yet there was something about him. Her shame was now coming through. She covered her face with her hands in humiliation.

"Let me help you." She looked up at him, tear marks lightly streaming down her cheeks. For some reason, she trusted him.

"Who are you?" Her curiosity sparked once more, she slipped her way into his mind. He did not know what to think when he felt her probe his head. "Don't worry."

Her eyes grew wide with amazement as she stumbled onto something important. A broad smile spread across her face, and the chains that had locked themselves around him fell. She leapt at him, taking him completely off guard.

BROTHER!!! She screamed in his head.

What? He thought, his eyes growing wide with shock.

Remember? She pleaded. Remember me? Your sister? He gave her a blank look. You don't know? But you must. You have to!

Laughter erupted from her and echoed off the walls. She jumped to her feet and said with a note of desperation, "You're pretending to not know me! You are a clever one. If father knew that you know about me then it would not work! Clever."

"What? You're making no sense. What do you mean father?" Sage stood, not able to comprehend everything that was coming at him. He was completely lost at this point.

"Why, our father silly. Helios." She smiled brightly, then her face twisted as she began to think hitting Sage with all her mixed and confused ideas in one flash of thought. For some reason, he had me search for you. But, if he knew who you were, then why did he have me find you? Images, thoughts, and ideas all mixing into and over one another, causing her mind to become a tangled mess. She then uncovered all the strange things that had happened to her and displayed them for Sage to see in her mind's eye so he could understand.

Sage backed up. He had never come in contact with this type of thing before. What was he suppose to do? He was reluctant to go any further into her mind; afraid he might become lost. Yet, there was a need too strong for him to pull away and leave her this way. She was his sister, that much he believed.

Slowly and carefully, he proceeded to try and explore her mind. As he did this, he began to untangle the knots, allowing her mind to become more focused. What has he done to you, sister?

What do you mean?

This is not right. You need help.

Help?

Yes.

Brother, what are you doing? What are you doing?! Why are you pulling away. Without realizing it, Sage had begun to pull away from her. He could feel another part of himself calling.

"Don't worry." The guys need me.

"What's happening?" Can you tell me?

"No, I can't." This I can't share. He turned and was about to go for the door when a large figure moved to block his path. The girl dropped to her knees humbling herself to the creature.

"Please stay." it said in a smooth, deep voice. "It's not every day that both of my children are together."