~~~~ Chapter 7 ~~~~

By: Cat Paws

A strange sensation swept over him causing him to shiver. It was like icy hands wrapping themselves around his entire being. " What is it?" asked Hojin, feeling him shudder and pull away both physically and mentally.

" Get away from me."

" Why? What's happening?"

" Get away, now!" She let go of him and sat back. He got up and walked away, clutching his stomach.

" Sage, what's going on? Tell me." Tell me, please.

I... don't know. Confusion washed over her, but not her confusion. Something's.....not--, " Ahhg!" Before he could finish the thought, a huge shock of energy surged into him. He collapsed to the ground. A familiar, almost comforting presents was forcing its self into him. It completely severed the connection between Hojin and Sage, leaving him open to the takeover.

He struggled to keep out the intruder, throwing up whatever he could to stop it, but he was too weak to keep up the defenses. The intruder wiped them down as if they were nothing. Part of him began to wonder if he truly did want this to happen. Maybe he did. Yesssss.

" SAGE!!" SAGE!! screamed Hojin on both levels. She could not feel him. Desperately, she searched for his presence but only found a cold, solid wall where the connection had been. I wont give up on you that easily, brother! She shut her eyes and concentrated everything in her on connecting to her brother. Again, she slammed into a wall. She tried again and again, but could not break the wall that surrounded his mind.

"Don't even try, my poor sister." She opened her eyes and saw before her what had become of Sage. What she saw terrified her. "Personally, I think it's an improvement." smirked Sage of the Halo. He was completely transformed. His new armor was a deep forest green and black. It seemed to have become a part of his body. His hands had become claws. His face was the same, though there was a darkness over it now. His golden blond hair shone like it was on fire. His eyes glowed a blinding white with a tint of violet. The sense of pure evil emanated from him as if it had always been there, like it belonged.

His eyes changed back to normal. "Sorry, dear sister, but I don't want to blind you."

"Thanks for your concern." she said coldly, lowering her arm.

"What's the matter? Don't you like my new form?"

"Not particularly." Hojin rose and casually walked over, picking up the demon's lost no-dachi.

"Do you challenge me, sister?" questioned Sage, drawing his own blade, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

"Perhaps. Are you threatened, brother?"

"No, not really. Though, I am reluctant to harm you, sweet sister."

"Don't be." She raised her weapon and the battle began.

They were a fairly equal pair, though Sage was faster. Hojin made up for this with her determination to survive and save her brother, one way or the other. If only she could reach him, maybe she could pull him free from the demon. She had to try. After all, he had saved her when he hardly knew her.

They fought both throwing fatal blows, neither side making any progress. Out of boredom, Sage flashed his eyes blinding Hojin. She screamed and dropped the sword to shield her eyes. Blinking, she stumbled to find a wall to lean on. "I'm blind, dam it!"

"You'll be fine. I only stunned you." He sheathed his blade and came towards her. "We don't have to fight. If we can't kill each other, then maybe we should be allies."

"What..."

"Your fighting skills are formidable, and your mind has so much potential." He placed his clawed hand on her face. "Let me inside your head, Hojin." The cold fingers of his mind oozed their way into hers, taking the place of Sage.

"No...." she whispered. "No, no. NO!!!" She slammed him out of her head, making him pull back. She shrank down to the ground shaking her head, as if that would make him disappear.

"Don't fight it, Hojin." Once more, he slipped his way inside, only to come to a wall. "Let me in, Hojin."

"No." she hissed. He was going to take away her freedom, the thing she had only recently received; the one thing she never truly had till now. She was not about to give it up that easily. Maybe this was his plan all along. He would be the one to succeed where his father had failed.

"Maybe I am the one." She looked at him, confused anger written on her face. "Yeah, I picked up on that thought for a moment."

"How?"

"Your defenses are good, but you lack the concentration to completely protect yourself." He stepped back and crossed his arms.

"Why didn't you over power me if you found a way in?" she inquired, her mind working on an idea. Not really caring if he picked up, she started to wonder if her brother was still there, locked away, unable to take full control. Maybe there was still a chance to find him.

"I want you to come freely. Forceful takeovers are so energy taxing," he said, giving her a smug expression. Suddenly, for a spilt second, he seemed distracted. Dropping his arms, he detected something that was not to her awareness. He brushed it aside, bringing his attention back to her. She had risen and seemed to have taken on a stronger look.

"Such determination. I'm impressed." Sage remarked. He had to admire her spirit.

"Why, thank you," she said in a sarcastic tone. This could be her chance. Something was here, somewhere that distracted him. If only it would come again.

"Your welcome." he replied in the same tone. His calm attitude made her wonder even more. The demon had much bolder ways of getting what he wanted. Perhaps Sage was more in control then she had first thought.

Again, he became distracted, looking towards the entrance of the chamber. It was as if he was expecting something, or someone. Quickly, she drove herself into his mind. She managed to get a little further inside before coming to the wall of his guard.

Angrily, he snapped his full attention back on her. His eyes began to glow white. He slammed her into the wall and held her there as she grimaced in pain. "What did you hope to accomplish with that foolish maneuver, dear sister?" he hissed. "That you might be able to reach my better half? Well, sorry to disappoint you, but that is no longer in my job description."

"You lie," she gasped. He was hurting her. In their earlier battle, he was holding back. Now, he was hurting her.

"Arrow Shock Wave!" A flash of gold flew past Sage's face and would have hit had he not pulled back.

"Strata," he said, a smile coming across his face. He had released his hold on Hojin. She rushed to recover the demon's no-dachi. She had no idea what was to happen and did not want to take any chances. That attack was unlike anything she had ever seen before.

"Hey, Beastie! Let's tango!"

"Yes, let's, Wildfire." He turned to face the Ronin Warriors. They stared in shock at what was once their comrade.

"What the...." gasped Kento.

"Sage....is that you?" asked Cye.

"It is." The look of amusement was now upon his face. Kayura was wide-eyed and speechless. Was this really Halo?

The shock, disbelief, and questioning expressions on the Ronin's faces seriously entertained him. White Blaze growled. "What's the matter, White Blaze?" Then, addressing the others, "Is it really unbelievable that one of your own could turn bad?" A chuckle escaping his lips.

"I'm glad to see you find this funny, but you won't be laughing once we defeat you, Beastie!" claimed Ryo. This can't be Sage. It just can't be. He refused to believe that his friend was this being of pure evil before them.

"Ah, but it is, Ryo. I am Sage of the Halo, reborn," he answered to Ryo's questioning mind, taking a bow.

"No your NOT!!" Before he let himself see the truth, Ryo attacked. Sage drew his no-dachi to engage Ryo's twin dachi. This would be a most entertaining battle. This cannot be Sage!

You know it is, Ryo. Admit it.

No! "Flare Up NOW!!" Ryo had unleashed his most deadly attack. A wave of fire headed straight for its target, but turned. The wave nearly smashed into Rowen of the Strata. He dodged, bumping into, or rather tripping over, Hojin. He landed on the ground, nearly losing his bow.

Breaking her concentration of trying to reach Sage, she rushed to his side. "I'm sorry. Are you okay, warrior?"

"I'm fine. Who are you?"

"A friend. I am called Hojin."

"I'm Rowen. Do you have any idea what's going on here?"

"Yes. Perhaps you could help me..." As Rowen and Hojin discussed the matter, Kento and Cye decided to get in on the action.

"Hey, Cye! I think these two need to cool off."

"I agree, Kento." Taking his yari, he aimed for Sage. "Super Wave Smasher!" A tidal wave of water blasted out of his weapon, heading right for Sage.

Sensing the attack, he stepped aside and let the wave slosh by. It nailed Ryo in the chest plate, knocking him down. "Nice shot."

"RYO!! What have I done?" cried Cye.

"I said cool them off, not hit Ryo!" exclaimed Kento. They rushed to get to Ryo, but were stopped by Sage's blade.

"Oh no you don't. He'll be fine."

"We'd like to see that for ourselves." said Kento. He had about enough of this. He shoved Sage to get him out of their way. Sage, using Kento's forward momentum, knocked him down. Once down, Kento kicked Sage's legs out from under him. Both quickly recovered, jumping to their feet. Kento whipped out his naginata. "Now it's my turn."

"Very well."

They engaged in a fierce battle. They clashed their weapons and executed many powerful moves that never before seemed to be in their ability. Man, he's good. If we live through this, I have got to spar with him sometime, Kento thought. He had never before noticed Sage's fighting abilities. It impressed him and made him wonder if he was good enough.

"Let's hope you are, Hardrock." He looked at Sage a little stunned.

How could he have heard that? I didn't say it out loud, did I?

Our connection through the armors, Kento. No matter what, we are always connected. They continued their fight as though they were the only ones in the chamber.

Kento was beginning to loose. Out of desperation, he shouted " Iron Rock Crusher!" and sent his earth shattering attack at Sage. Caught somewhat off guard, he jumped out of its destructive path. Behind him was an unsuspecting Cye of the Torrent. Cye, caught completely off guard, took the full force of Kento's attack.

"NO!! CYE!! Cye! Oh man, oh man, oh man." Total terror washed over him as he saw his best friend crumble under the impact. "Please be okay." He rushed to his side. "Cye, don't die on me, man." he said as he scooped up the limp body. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for it to hit you. Oh man."

Sage turned from the scene before him. "Never drop your guard, my friend," he whispered.

In the mean time, Ryo had recovered from the tidal wave and Rowen was with him. "Hey, Ryo, we need to create the White Armor."

"But we only have four of the armors. Besides, Cye is down for the count."

"No, we have five. Kayura has the armor of Cruelty and you know Cye will give you his power no matter what."

"But-"

"Just do it. It's the only way to get the Sage we know back."

"All right." Calling on the other three Ronin armors and the one Warlord armor, Ryo transformed into the Inferno White Armor. White Blaze also called forth his armor as the carrier of the Soul Swords of Fervor.

Sage felt an urge to give up his power to the Inferno, but quickly stomped out the feeling. He numbed himself to his former comrades. It would be much easier to kill them if he saw them as enemies, rather then friends. Still, could he face the power of the Inferno?

"Hmmm. The mystical White Armor," he said. White Blaze growled. " Hush now, beast."

Without any delay, Ryo called upon the inferno. A massive wall of flaming energy slashed down onto Sage. Not even trying to avoid the attack, he blocked the flame, scorching his blade. He held it there with all his strength, but the energies were becoming too intense. He dropped the sword and took the hit. It sliced through his armor like paper and scorched his chest. He landed on his back, unconscious, armor sizzling.

Ryo reverted back to the Wildfire armor, giving back the powers from the others. Cye sat up a little groggy. "You're all right!" yelled an ecstatic Kento.

"I'll be fine, but could you stop crushing me," gasped Cye.

"Oh, sorry man," he said, letting go. Cye leaned back on some rubble.

"What happened? How's Sage?"

"I don't know." Kento helped Cye up and together they gathered with the other two around Sage's body. White Blaze roared as Kayura clanged the ancient's staff.

" Ronin Warriors, I thank you for saving my world. I leave you now to engage in my own quest. Till we meet again." She vanished before they could ask what this quest was.

Ryo looked back at Sage. " Do you think I killed him?"

"He's in there, somewhere." said Rowen. "Hey, Hojin, find anything?" She had found a comfortable spot and was searching for Sage with her mind.

"No, but I have not gotten that far yet. Now let me concentrate."

"Oh, yeah, right."

"Hey," nudging Rowen and whispering, "who's that?" a suspicious Ryo took notice of the extra person for the first time.

"She's a Nether Realm sprite. Don't worry; she's on our side. Her name is Hojin," explained Rowen, seeing the suspicious looks on the guy's faces. " Apparently, Sage freed her from the Realm's hold. Now she's her own boss and wanted to help get Sage back. I guess an evil spirit possessed him after he freed her. She's using her telepathic abilities to search for him."

"Oh, okay," said Kento.

"Right," said Ryo.

"Let's hope she can find him," said Cye.

"Got that right," said Rowen.