Return of Rowen
Chapter 3
by Rowen
"Drive to Rowen's house," said Sage as he buckled his seat belt.
"All right, but you still have to tell us what the receptionist told you," said Mia as she backed the jeep out of the parking space.
"It was about his parents," he began hesitantly.
"Sage, you've got to tell us what you heard. It's the only way we can help Rowen," urged Ryo.
Sage let out a deep sigh, and said, "Well, she said his parents appeared to be in a trance, and seemed to have this bad aura,"
"Bad aura?" wondered Kento out loud.
"Yeah. That would be the best way to put it. She just felt uncomfortable being with them," finished Sage.
"Grandfather!" burst Mia.
"What?" asked the others together.
"When the Nether Spirits possessed my grandfather, that's exactly how he was! You remember, right Ryo? You were there too, Yuli!" she continued.
"Hey you're right, Mia!" exclaimed Yuli.
"Then the Dynasty is at it again," concluded Ryo.
"Mia, does this mean that Rowen's parents are going to d... d?" asked Yuli, unable to utter the last word of his question as he remembered the fate his family had nearly
suffered.
"That would be a big loss," grumbled Kento under his breath, but the others heard him.
"Kento!" they shouted in unison.
"Sorry guys. It's just hard for me to care about Rowen's parents after seeing how much they've hurt him," apologized Kento.
"I know what you mean, Kento, but we've got to save Rowen's parents. It's what he would want. Right Sage?" asked Cye.
"Right," answered Sage as he turned away to hide the tears forming in his eyes. "Rowen, where are you? What have they done to you?" thought Sage as Mia's jeep sped down
the expressway. He looked into the darkening sky, saw a star and remembered... remembered how simple, yet special their friendship used to be. No worries about the
Dynasty, just enjoying each other's company...
[flashback]
Six years ago, the playground of Han'a Elementary School. Laughter fills the air as groups of children play soccer, basketball, and run across the lush grass. In such an idyllic
setting, it is difficult to imagine that one would find a child in tears, but there is. A young boy with blue hair sits alone in the grass softly sobbing. Another boy, one with blond
hair goes to him. "Rowen, I have something for you. Happy Birthday my friend!" said the boy as he gives a small package to his blue haired companion.
"Sage! You remembered!" replied Rowen.
"How could I forget? You're my best friend," said Sage.
"Best friend? But I only met you this year!" said Rowen.
"I know, but I feel closer to you than to my other friends," explained Sage.
"I've always felt the same way with you. I think you are my best friend!" replied Rowen.
"Then I guess I am getting a present from you, Rowen," said Sage happily. "Now open the package! I hope you like it!" Rowen quickly tore away the wrapping and opened
the box.
"A book about stars! Sage, thank you!"
"What is it Rowen?" asked Sage as he looked at the thoughtful expression on his friend's face.
"I am just thinking. Today I was sad because my parents forgot about my birthday and my mother was so mean to me, but now I am so happy. I am happy because I see that
you brought me a present, but not just the book. You gave me the gift of friendship as you always have, and I hope I can do the same for you."
"You already have, Rowen, and I promise to always be here for you." replied Sage.
[end of flashback]
Yes, he remembered. That was the day- the day they had promised to be friends for life. "Nothing will stop me from keeping that promise, Rowen. Not even the Dynasty,"
"Sage!" called a voice interrupting his thoughts.
"Huh?" said Sage turning to see who was talking to him.
"Sage, we're here," said Mia.
"Should we all go in?" asked Cye.
"No. I don't think so. It could be a Dynasty trap," replied Sage.
"Then why don't you go in with Ryo, Sage? Kento and I will wait outside with Mia and Yuli," suggested Cye.
"That's a good idea, Cye," said Mia.
"Okay, come on Ryo," said Sage as he got out of the jeep. Ryo followed him up the sidewalk and to the door of Rowen's house.
"Hello?" asked a woman's voice after a moment.
"Hello, Mrs. Hashiba? May we see Rowen?" asked Sage.
"Well, Rowen needs to rest, but I suppose seeing his friends will make him feel better. Come in," invited Mrs. Hashiba. As they stepped into the house, the warriors of Wildfire
and Halo felt a sudden chill, but they followed Mrs. Hashiba into the living room. "His room is at the end of the hall," directed Mrs. Hashiba.
"Thank you," said Ryo and Sage as they made their way towards Rowen's room.
"Rowen," called Sage as he entered Rowen's room.
"He's not there!" exclaimed Ryo. The two exchanged glances and hurried back to the living room.
"Mrs. Hashiba, Rowen's not..."
"Looking for me?" asked a familiar voice as the two stepped into the living room. It was Rowen.
"Rowen, is it really you?" asked Sage.
"Yes, Sage. It's me," replied Rowen.
"Hold it Sage. Don't get any closer to him," warned Ryo.
"There's nothing to be afraid of Sage," said Rowen, but Sage did not move. "Sage there's nothi..."
"Yaahhhh!" yelled a voice cutting off Rowen.
"Dynasty soldiers!" shouted Ryo as he turned to see a sword falling toward his head. The two quickly changed into their subarmor and began fighting.
"Uh!" yelled Sage as he vaulted over the coffee table and pounded his legs into the chest of a Dynasty soldier. He seized the soldier's spear and thrust it through the armor.
"Take that!" shouted Ryo as he dodged the sword and administered a fist to another's face.
"Nice moves Wildfire! But you'll need to do better than that to defeat me!" laughed a deep raspy voice.
"Cale!" said Sage in disbelief.
"But I thought you're on our side!" called Ryo.
"Guess again!" yelled another voice.
"Dais! Sage! Get the others!" cried Ryo.
"Right!" replied Sage as he kicked a soldier out of his way and lunged for the door.
"Aren't you going to put on your armor?" jeered Cale.
"As you wish! Armor of the Wildfire! Dao chi!" retorted Ryo.
"You don't know what you're getting yourself into Wildfire. Today is you're last battle," warned Dais.
"We'll see about tha- uh!"Ryo let out a moan of pain as a powerful kick sent him smashing through the wall.
"Ryo!" yelled Yuli as he watched the warrior fly across the pavement.
"Ready for more?" asked a familiar voice. The other Ronin Warriors looked on in disbelief as a blue-haired figure emerged from the hole created by Ryo's flight.
"Rowen?" gasped Ryo as he tried to sit up.
"Stay where you are!" ordered Rowen as he kicked Ryo in the chest.
"Rowen! What are you doing?" cried Yuli.
"Well, I'm going to put an end to it, whatever it is!" proclaimed Kento.
"No Kento! Wait! Can't you see how powerful Rowen has become? He's not even wearing his subarmor!" said an astonished Mia, but she was too late. Kento was charging
towards Rowen his weapon poised to attack.
"This is for you, traitor!" shouted Kento as he swung his staff.
"Kento! No!" yelled Sage.
"This is too easy," laughed Rowen to himself as he dodged the attack and plastered Kento's face with an uppercut. As Kento fell to the ground, Rowen smashed his elbow into
his back. "Weakling," taunted Rowen as Kento let out a groan. "Play time is over. It's time to finish you all- starting with you," he continued looking Sage in the eye.
"No!" screamed Sage as Rowen's stormy blue eyes locked on him.
"Armor of Strata! Dao Inochi!" called Rowen.
"That's it Strata! Destroy Halo!" yelled Cale as Rowen's transformation began.
"Put on your armor, Sage!" urged Cye.
"No! I can't! I won't hurt Rowen!" cried Sage.
"Sage, you've got to!" shouted Kento.
"Arrow Shockwa... Ahh! What's happening to me? That light," moaned Rowen as he broke off from his attack. The others looked up into the air to see the figure of a woman
floating in the air. Brilliant yellow light emanated from the staff she was carrying.
"It's Lady Kayura!" exclaimed Yuli as the woman landed in front of Rowen.
"Rowen, listen to me. I can help you," she began.
"Kayura, free me from the Dynasty" he whispered.
"Yes, Rowen, I will," she said as she raised the staff of the Ancient.
"Dais, we must inform our master of this!" called Cale.
"You're not going any where!" said Ryo as he slowly got up, but the two warlords were gone.
Meanwhile, a dark laughter filled a chamber of the Dynasty castle. "So they think they have won. Little do they know Rowen of the Strata is still mine! Haha Haha!"
As light continued to pour forth from the staff of the Ancient, Lady Kayura closed her eyes and began chanting. The rings on the staff began to shake violently as her voice
grew stronger. Suddenly they turned into discs of white light and flew from the staff. One by one they floated above Rowen's body surrounding him with a column of white
light. Blue light began to emanate from the white as the rings swirled over Rowen's body. When Kayura finished her chant, she lowered the staff, causing the white light to
vanish. In its wake was Rowen. His kanji flared to life as he collapsed to the ground.
"Rowen!" gasped Sage as he ran to his best friend.
"Sage... I'm so sorry," began Rowen as he felt Sage's arms help him sit up.
"Don't be. It wasn't your fault. You were under the Dynasty's control," he comforted.
"No, I should have fought harder," cried Rowen as he embraced Sage.
"You did everything you could," soothed Sage.
"I... I" he started. He turned as he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Ryo, I'm so sorry for everything I did to you," he apologized. "And you too Kento."
"It's okay, Rowen. We're just glad to have you back," said Cye.
"Really?" asked Rowen, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"Really," answered Kento with a smile.
"Yeah, Rowen. Don't be so hard on yourself," added Ryo.
"Is he going to be all right, Lady Kayura?" asked Yuli as he watched the Ronin Warriors' reunion.
"Yes, Yuli. I think so," she replied.
"Hurray!" shouted Yuli joyfully as he did a little victory dance on the sidewalk. Lady Kayura sighed as she watched Yuli's celebration.
"What is it Kayura?" asked a voice.
"Sekhmet?" she asked in amazement as she turned to see the Warlord of Venom standing beside her.
"Yes, it's me Kayura. I too managed to escape from the Dynasty soldiers that attacked me. Now tell me, what's bothering you?" he said.
"Well, something's just not right. The spell cast on Rowen of the Strata was broken far too easily, considering the fact that he couldn't fight it. It's almost like whoever was
controlling him released him," replied Kayura.
"But why? Strata would be a valuable asset- in fact too valuable for the Dynasty to just cast him away. Did you see how powerful he has become? He had Wildfire and
Hardrock against the ropes without even his subarmor!" he exclaimed.
"Yes, I did see, and that's why I think Strata is still in great danger," she said.
"What should we tell the Ronins?" inquired Sekhmet.
"I don't know. Any ideas I have on who is behind this is based on pure speculation," answered Kayura as she walked toward Cye, Kento, Mia, Yuli, RYo, Sage, and Rowen.
"Kayura... Thank you," said Rowen as he noticed her arrival.
She was speechless for a moment, in awe at how handsome Rowen was. "Why do I feel this way when I'm with Rowen? Have we met in another time or place? Perhaps...
Those eyes...like sapphires... They look so familiar," she thought as her face met his.
"Kayura," said Sekhmet gently, breaking her out of her thoughts.
"What? Oh, sorry," she blurted, her face beet red. "I um, just want to warn you that you must be on your guard,"
"We will Kayura. Can you tell us what this was all about?" said Ryo.
"And what's up with Dais and Cale?" asked Kento.
"Yes, how is that you two are still on our side?" questioned Cye.
"We probably can't answer all of your questions, but we will try our best," replied Sekhmet.
"Before you guys start talking, let's get back to my house since it's getting cold and dark. If you're going to be fighting soon, you need to rest," said Mia.
"I think I'll still be sore after a good night's sleep after what Rowen did to me, but whatever you say, Mia," teased Ryo.
"Ryo! Don't say things like that!" hissed Cye as he noticed the hurt expression on Rowen's face upon hearing Ryo's comment.
"I'll go as long as we get to eat!" exclaimed Kento.
"Kento!" they all shouted.
"How are we all going to fit into your jeep, Mia?" asked Yuli.
"I've got that covered," said Kayura as she raised the Ancient's staff. Within minutes, they sitting around the dining table at Mia's house.
"It's a good thing we cooked dinner before we left," said Cye as he pulled a pan of chicken from the oven.
"How did we ever keep Kento out of it?" asked Mia as she carried two baskets of rolls to the dining room.
"A really big lunch!" laughed Cye as he followed Mia.
"Let's eat!" yelled Kento once Mia and Cye had settled into their chairs. Nobody protested and for a while nobody said anything as they dug into a meal of chicken, mashed
potatoes, Caesar salad, rolls, and milk.
Finally Ryo spoke. "Well, we've all had some time to unwind so if you guys don't mind, I'd like to try to figure out what's been going on all this time."
"Fine with me," said Sekhmet, the others echoing his sentiment.
"Okay. I guess we'll tell you our side of the story first," decided Ryo. "If you guys have anything to add, feel free to hump in."
"You bet I will!" exclaimed Kento.
Ryo chuckled at Kento's remark, but his face became very serious as he began to recount the day's events to Lady Kayura and Sekhmet. "The morning and afternoon passed
without incident. Everything started when we went to visit Rowen in the hospital."
"Ryo, it would be better if you started from the very beginning," interrupted Cye.
"The very beginning?" puzzled Sekhmet aloud.
"Yes. I guess everything really started Friday night. Kento, Cye, Sage, Rowen, and I went out to eat. After that I went home, Kento and Cye went to Kento's place, and
Rowen and Sage went to Sage's house."
Sage sighed and said, "I'll take it from here, Ryo." Ryo nodded his head and Sage began. "Once we got home, Rowen and I talked for a little bit and went to sleep. At around
two in the morning, I woke up and found Rowen out of bed, and my mom checking on us. Then it happened," continued Sage, his voice filled with emotion. "I... I can't explain
it, but something... something was," said Sage, his voice cracking. Sage could still see the scene clearly in his mind- Rowen's body thrashing wildly under the blankets as he
struggled to breathe.
"Do you remember any of this, Rowen?" asked Kayura quickly.
"No. All I remember was this intense pain. I could hear Sage trying to tell me something, but everything hurt too much to pick up what he was saying. Then, I passed out and
woke up in the hospital," he replied.
"When we first saw him at the hospital, Rowen was still unconscious. The doctor's put him on a respirator," said Mia.
"And there was that thing with his kanji!" burst Kento.
"Explain," said Sekhmet.
"Well his kanji appeared on his forehead. It started out blue, but then it turned blood. Then, it just disappeared! When that happened, Rowen seemed to be in pain and his
body started shaking," said Kento.
"What happened the other days you visited him?" asked Sekhmet.
"He regained consciousness and was taken off the respirator," replied Cye.
"Then my parents came," said Rowen,
"Your parents came? When?" asked Ryo.
"Sunday afternoon. They started arguing and I... I felt that awful pain again, and I passed out. When I woke up, I found myself in some castle. The Lord of the Dynasty..."
"Talpa?" asked Kento.
"No, not Talpa, but Cyboth. He introduced himself as the Lord of the Dynasty. I could feel this evil coursing through my veins. I was me, but then again I wasn't. My body
willingly followed his orders, but my mind tried to resist him, but couldn't," answered Rowen.
"And then you came and beat Ryo and me up," finished Kento. Rowen winced and sunk deeper into his chair when he heard this.
"What can you tell us?" Sage asked quickly, noticing Rowen's reaction to Kento's comment.
"And what do you make of our story?" added Cye.
Kayura sat for a moment, deep in thought. "The only thing I know for sure is what we all know. This, Cyboth, is after Rowen, but I don't know why. It seems that he would be
trying to turn Ryo to his side in order to obtain the Armor of Inferno. As for what happened in the hospital, I believe the attacks and pain Rowen felt were caused by Nether
Spirits, attempting to infuse him with dark energy so that he would serve the Dynasty," answered Lady Kayura.
"Would that explain why Rowen was so powerful when he attacked us?" inquired Ryo.
"No, I can still feel a tremendous power within Rowen, but it is not tainted with the dark energy. Besides, breaking Cyboth's spell reversed the effects of anything he might have
It's possible that the Nether Spirits were simply used to unlock this power," she theorized.
"Unlock?" wondered Ryo.
"Yes. That would be the best way to describe it, but I've never felt such a power before," she replied.
"Is there something we don't know about my armor?" asked Rowen.
"It's possible. Why don't I look in my computer? I'm sure Grandfather has what we're looking for in his files if there is something to be found," offered Mia.
"That would be a good start. Sekhmet, tell them your story. I would like to spend some time in meditation. It will allow me to better understand the recent turn of events,"
announced Kayura as she rose from her chair.
"Very well," said Sekhmet as she left the dining room. Rowen watched her for a moment before standing and following her.
"Rowen?" asked Ryo in astonishment as he watched his friend.
"Let him go. He probably needs some time alone," said Sekhmet his gaze returning to the gathering around the table. "Now, here is what happened to us," he continued as
Rowen's footsteps softly echoed down the hall.
"Yes, please do," said Cye as Mia returned to her seat with her computer.
"We were continuing our work, trying to repair the damage Talpa had done to the Nether World. In order to cover more ground, we split up. A few days later, Kayura felt a
dark power emerge. She attempted to contact Dais and Cale, but was unsuccessful. As you know, our search for them was also unsuccessful, but at the time we did not know
what happened to them," he said...
[flashback]
"Another castle!" gasped Sekhmet as he looked upon the imposing structure standing before him. A great wall of gray brick blocked their path, but they could see what lay
beyond. Throngs of Dynasty soldiers marched in formation across the turrets of the castle, while others stood guard at gates. All around, Nether Spirits flew, corrupting the air
with their dark energy. Leading their flight was a spirit unlike the others. His body was solid, not the thin wisps of purple smoke which formed the others. Instead he wore
crimson robes, only his face protruding. It was a horrid face. His skin was a pale green, shriveled and wrinkled like a prune. And there were his eyes - white spheres
surrounding black holes of nothingness.
"Badamon," he breathed as he watched the scene with growing concern. Lightning began to crackle, streaks shooting toward a massive tower. It was built in traditional
Japanese architecture- a pyramidal arrangement of levels, each smaller than the next, until they extended into a long spire.
"This way," directed Lady Kayura as the battle cry of approaching soldiers could be heard. Together they ran, dodging spears, arrows, and swords. Another pack of soldiers
arrived blocking their path. Without a word the two donned their armor. The dark sky lit up with orange light as the Warlord of Venom launched his attack. A dozen soldiers
fell to a pile of rubble as the wave of energy hit them and the venom began biting into their green armor...
[end of flashback]
"I was about to attack again, but found myself in your world," he finished. The room remained quiet with the exception of frenzied fingers pounding against the keyboard of a
computer. Mia looked at the screen in frustration as it blared familiar diagrams of the Armor of Strata.
"Not again!" groaned Mia as the sequence of pictures ended and the computer prompted her for a password.
"Any luck?" asked Cye.
"No. I know the answer to the riddle is 'sky', but it's not working. Maybe there's something wrong with the program," she sighed.
"Why don't you try another word for sky, like the heavens?" suggested Sage. She looked doubtfully at him, but typed it into the computer. The screen cleared and more
images appeared.
"But that's the Armor of Strata," she stuttered.
"No, it's something different, but very similar" observed Ryo as he took a closer look at the screen.
"Hey! You're right! Can you slow down those pictures, Mia?" said Kento.
"Yes," she said and entered a few commands into the terminal.
"So that's why the Dynasty wants Rowen so badly," said Cye as he read the text that accompanied the images. The others exchanged glances and dashed off to find Rowen.
"Kayura," said a voice as she sat on the floor of the den, the Ancient's staff appearing in her right hand.
"Rowen?" Kayura whispered, turning to see a figure standing in the doorway.
"Yeah, it's me," he said softly, stepping out of the darkness and into the soft light. He slowly walked to where she was sitting and kneeled by her side.
"What is it, Rowen?" she asked as she gazed into his eyes.
"I came here to thank you for saving me... and to tell you that I," he began.
"Rowen, I love you too," said Kayura as she fell into his strong arms, their faces getting closer and closer, her lips finally meeting Rowen's. She opened her eyes as she felt him
gently pull away.
"Kayura, I have this feeling that we've," he began.
"Met before?" she finished.
"Yes," he replied.
"But when? It must have been long ago, before Talpa took me from my village," she said as she rested her hand on his pale cheek. "Those eyes. So beautiful, a blue deeper
than the sea, yet so sad," she thought.
"Rowen?" called Sage's voice from outside the room, breaking the two from the reverie.
"Yes?" replied Rowen as he got to his feet.
"We think we know why the Dynasty is after you," said Sage. The two exchanged glances and Rowen rushed to open the door.
"The data in my grandfather's files should answer a lot of our questions," said Mia as she walked to a desk and set down the computer.
"Armor of the Heavens?" asked Rowen as he looked at the images appearing on the screen.
"Yes. The Armor of the Heavens, also known as the Armor of Life in some legends. Its power is greater than even that of the Inferno. What's especially interesting is that it
does not require the combination of the other armors, like the Inferno. This is what Cyboth wants and since you are its bearer, Rowen,"
"He also wants me," he finished.
Meanwhile in the Dynasty...
"Lord Cyboth, Lady Kayura has managed to break your hold on Rowen of the Strata," said Dais as he bowed before his master.
"What?" muttered Cale as Cyboth's sinister laugh filled the throne room.
"Fear not, Dais, my Dark Warlord of Illusion. It was my doing," he said.
"You, master? But why?" asked Dais.
"You shall see," he said mysteriously.
