Author: MarieAmethyst
Title: Daughter of the Ancient: Chapter Three
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: violence
Author's Note: An 'old' idea I've had. The Ancient has always intrigued me, so I've decided to expand his background a little more…^_~
~*~
Sage sat straight up as the scream echoed through the house. He instinctively knew it belonged to Ayanna. He grabbed up his transforming crystal and transformed into his sub armor. Running out into the night, he followed the footsteps to where they disappeared. Around her small ones were four larger ones. And he knew what happened.
"No matter where you take her, I will find her!" Sage shouted into the night. "I will find you," he whispered, slowly sinking to the ground, "I will find you." Promise.
Ayanna found herself on a cold, hard floor. Her body felt numb, but she knew later it was going to ache with pain. She slowly pushed herself into a sitting position. Opening her eyes, she let out another scream. Floating before her was the head of a monster.
"Welcome to my realm," his malicious voice boomed, sending shivers down her back.
"What-what do you want?" Ayanna stuttered in a frightened voice.
"Simple. Give me your amulet that hangs about your neck, and you can go free."
Ayanna's hand reached under her collar to grip the amulet she had kept hidden from everyone. "My necklace? What do you want with my necklace? And who are you?"
"I am Talpa, Emperor of the Dynasty. Your necklace has the power to enslave the Earth and I want it. You will give it to me now!"
She instinctively knew that to give in to him would mean the end of her world. "No," she said in a clear voice, sounding more brave than she felt inside.
"You will change your mind," he told her, smiling even more evilly, "take her down to the Nether Spirits."
Two armored guards came and dragged her struggling away to her fate.
"Sit down, Sage. You're making me dizzy just watching you," Cye said.
"We have to rescue her," Sage said in a frustrated voice. But he stopped his pacing.
"We know that," Ryo told him, impatience creeping into his voice.
"There is just one problem," Kento said.
"How do we get into Talpa's castle," Sage answered, this time with desperation in his voice. The others knew in the week Sage and Ayanna had known each other, they had developed a deep bond.
"Hey, we will, Sage. But for now there doesn't seem to be a way into Talpa's castle," Rowen answered.
"There is a way, Ronins," a new voice said.
They all turned and Ryo exclaimed, "Ancient!"
The Ancient nodded, "You must save Ayanna. Should she be lost, the world is doomed."
"But why is she so important?" Cye asked.
"Because she wears an amulet that is powerful. As powerful as all the armors combined. I will make you a way if you are willing to go."
"I am," Sage said immediately.
"So am I," Ryo said just as quickly.
"I think we all are, Ancient," Rowen said.
The Ancient smiled underneath his hat, "I knew I could count on you, Ronins."
"But where is she being held? Talpa's castle?" Cye asked, voicing their original idea.
"I will show you," the Ancient replied. His staff made a clanking sound and an image formed.
They could clearly see Ayanna's form lying face down on the ground, as still as death. Then she groaned and tried to push herself up, but then her arms gave way. She didn't move again. The staff again made a twinkling sound and the image disappeared. "That was Talpa's dungeon. You will find her there."
"Why did she look so weak?" Sage demanded.
"Talpa sent her to the Nether Spirits to see if they could torture her enough to give the amulet to him. Bt he failed. She is protected for now, Talpa will not risk killing her; he needs her to make the amulet work. But soon her resistance will weaken, and Talpa will gain the power he seeks."
"We're ready," Ryo said in a determined voice.
"Then come, for we do not have much time."
~*~
Author's Note: Part Two: I now know not to write in pencil anymore! *tries to read what she had written on the paper* Anyway, I know Ayanna seems a little…weak, but her name means innocent (babynames.com). She'll be stronger later on, as her heritage and the power she holds is discovered. ^_^ Also, if you have any ideas/found stuff I messed up on, please let me know! Merci!