Sorry for the delays everyone. I have been sick with pneumonia but I' m
better now and here is what you have been waiting for.
Ch5. Hurricane Weather
Rowen stalked nervously through the tower stairs. He was tired still from making the journey but he and Kayura had managed to evade Kale and make it back to the castle in one piece. Kayura had been taken to some temporary quarters. Seiji-sama had requested to see him and they had talked and held council with the others. That's when it came; the pain. Shooting pain racked their bodies ever so often. The source was Ryo. They could feel his pain through the link in their yoroi. He was being tortured and Rowen felt like he had betrayed Ryo by leaving him there. He walked on; he was on a mission. Cye came down from the upper flight of stairs and saw Rowen. He stopped him.
"Where are you going?" He asked.
"I'm going to my room." Said Rowen, "We have to make plans to get Ryo out."
"You do realize that Seiji-sama has restricted you to the castle for the next few days." Said Cye, "And don't make any plans to go back into Kurayami no Okoku. Not for now anyway."
"But we have to go back and get Ryo!" Rowen shouted his eyes widening as Cye turned to walk away.
"First, we have to stop Kurayami no Okoku's invasion of our borders. If they get through then Korin is done for." Said Cye not turning around, "Kayura said that they will attack tomorrow."
"Ryo is in danger now; not tomorrow!" snapped Rowen tears threatening to race from his eyes, "Who knows what's happening to him?"
"I know what you are saying, we can all feel his pain but storming Kurayami Okoku won't help a thing. They are still riled about the escape last night besides you've only been back four hours you need to rest." Said Cye turning around.
"No, I don't! Ryo needs our help but all we do is sit here in the castle and do nothing!" shouted Rowen then clenching a fist. Logic told him that Cye was right and that he was stressed out but he wasn't running on logic right now, "I promised Ryo that I would come back for him as soon as I was able to and I'm not going to wait! He's our friend; don't you care at all!"
Cye stopped. He felt a snap of anger course through him. How dare Rowen even question his care for Ryo. They were like brothers, "Of course I care! But we have our duty to protect the people of this kingdom. If we don't set up against the border attack then countless people will be killed. Don't you understand that, Rowen!" His voice came out harsher than he had meant it to.
"What if Ryo dies while we just go along with our stupid little war, huh? Did it ever cross your mind that they might kill him in the meantime!" shouted Rowen, "We have to get him back now!!"
Cye's anger was choking him, "Of course the thought crossed my mind! But Ryo would want us to protect the people first!"
"I don't have to listen to this!" shouted Rowen his fury taking over, "I'm leaving!"
He threw down his kanji orb. It clattered against the stone floor as it rolled away from him, "I won't serve a kingdom, which doesn't look after its own friends!" He turned his back and started down the stairs. He was going to get Ryo back even if it meant going himself.
Cye was beyond fury, "Ryo would be very disappointed with you!" His own fist curled into a ball from his anger. How could Rowen do this at a time when they needed him most. Sure, he, too, was worried about Ryo but the villages needed their help more at the moment. Ryo was strong; he could hang in there. That's why Ryo had sent Rowen back.
Outside the sky was covered in dark threatening storm clouds, which were as black as pitch. The villagers frightened, ran to the safety of the castle grounds. A storm was brewing of the kind that they had never seen before. Shuu was at the outer villages helping the people there to board up their houses and animal keeps so that the damage would be minimal. He could only hope that all of the villages would be prepared when the storm hit. The wind started picking up sharply turning violent real fast. Shuu frowned then looked up at the castle; the storm was centering there. That's when it hit him! This must be Cye and Rowen's work! Together he had seen them make it rain during the dry season to keep the crops from drying out. Something bad must be happening. Jumping onto his horse Shuu rode back to the castle at a break neck speed.
Rowen turned around ever so slowly casting a dark look at Cye, "What did you say?" His voice was dark and low as of an animal stalking it's prey.
"You heard me." Hissed Cye his eyes dark, "It's the truth and you know it." Cye threw his kanji orb down as well; it clinked against Rowen's.
The space between them was tense and still like a spring about to break loose from its restraints. In one motion they both leapt forward lashing out at each other. Rowen landed a punch to Cye's left eye and Cye's fist connected with Rowen's jaw causing his bottom lip to bust. They fought and tore at each other with the fury of rabid creatures. The anger drove them feeding them battle adrenalin as they connected time after time. Cye knocked into Rowen and they both fell down two flights of stairs still fighting. On the ground floor they fought both well bruised and bloodied. The door flew open and Cye found a strong hand on his shoulder jerking him off of the ground and away from Rowen. He knew that it was Shuu and that it would be impossible to struggle against his iron grip. Shuu caught Rowen's fist as he tried to connect with Cye again and slammed the younger boy into the wall holding him there.
"Stop it!" shouted Shuu glaring, "This is not how friends act!"
"He started it!" They both yelled their voices dripping with venom.
"I don't care." Said Shuu, "Ryo and Seiji need our support now; not this childishness."
A blast of wind shot through the nearby window knocking Shuu away from Rowen. He looked darkly at the other two, "That's just what you say, Shuu." Turning Rowen stalked out of the tower and into the gusting wind of the storm wiping his bloody lip on the sleeve of his tunic.
Cye, too, broke free of Shuu's grip and stalked up the stairs into the castle's interior not saying a word. Shuu looked worriedly in the direction that Cye had gone then to where Rowen left. Quietly he walked outside as well. He had to talk to them; this shouldn't have happened. Cye and Rowen always worked together. He had never wanted to see the day when things degenerated to this. Suddenly a black horse thundered by its speed blinding as it headed toward the draw bridge which was about to be raised to keep out the storm.
"Rowen, come back!" Shuu shouted at the blue haired rider but his friend ignored him as he finally disappeared out of the castle grounds. What was happening to their friendship? The five had always been so close. What was happening to them?
A heavy rain soon joined the tornado spawning winds hammering the ground like a blacksmith beating a sheet of iron. Shuu felt the rain sting against his skin as it struck with a force more powerful than that of a waterfall. Shuu's heart was empty of feeling as he watched the storm winds throw about everything that hadn't been tied down. A barrel rolled across the way and hit the side of the castle stonewall splintering into a thousand pieces. Shuu retreated back into the castle interior dejectedly. He had only been standing out in the storm for but a few seconds and he was soaked through and through. Sighing Shuu started up the stairs; perhaps he could find Cye and talk some sense into his best friend. As he reached the second story flight of stairs he saw two glimmering objects lying on the floor; stopping he picked them up. He gasped; they were Cye and Rowen's kanji orbs. At a closer look, however, he noticed that the kanji of Faith and Wisdom that had shone so brightly before were gone leaving only the orbs. They were now just oversized blue marbles. Useless pieces of glass. Shuu frowned then suddenly he heard lightening strike outside in the storm. Seiji must be getting upset as well; with his gift he must have known what went on between Cye and Rowen. A salty tear slid down his face. This couldn't be happening, it just couldn't. This was the time that they needed each other the most. Shuu steeled his heart; it was up to him to bring them back. He knew that Cye and Rowen weren't really mad they were just hurt. Quickly Shuu made his way to Cye's room but when he arrived he found that it was empty. He walked down to the medical ward and knocked. A beautiful young girl with long flowing blond hair and bright green eyes answered the door. Shuu bowed.
"Lady Chandra, have you seen Cye about?" he asked quietly.
"No." she answered, "One of the apprentices said that they saw him leave the castle in the direction of the coast just before the rain started."
"Oh. Thank you." Said Shuu depression filling his voice as he started to walk out.
"Is he going to be alright?" asked Chandra her usual cheery voice covered in worry.
"Don't you worry. I'll bring him back." Said Shuu managing a bright reassuring smile for her then walked out. Everything was going to hell.
Mia saw him walking down the corridor toward the outer wall of the castle. Quickly she sprinted to his side. Shuu seemed extremely trouble. Walking up to his side Mia touched his shoulder lightly. Shuu turned to see Mia's worried face staring at him.
"What's the matter Shuu? You aren't thinking about going out into that storm are you?" asked Mia.
"I have to get Cye and Rowen to come back to the castle. This storm will go on forever if they don't come to terms. Seiji-sama is going to worry himself into a frenzy besides we have to get ready for the battle tomorrow." Sighed Shuu pulling a heavy coat around himself.
"I'll come, too." Said Mia, "You might need help talking to them."
Before Shuu could protest Mia raced up the stairs and returned moments later with a large coat and traveling boots. Shuu sighed. He didn't want to argue. There had been enough of that today. He started off on foot. It was too muddy to bring horses and besides the coast wasn't that far off. from the castle grounds. Helping Mia to keep from slipping Shuu traveled to the coast. There he saw a figure standing waist deep in the middle of the raging waters. For any normal person this would have been dangerous but Shuu knew that it was Cye.
Kale stood out on the balcony letting the rage of the storm batter his hair and clothes about causing them to billow and wave violently. He smiled, now THIS was a great day. The wind was howling and the rains were causing destruction. So very perfect. He even bet that a few tornados had sprung from this, this…hurricane weather.
Shuten sat in his chambers looking out at the terrifying weather. Arago had been correct when he said that there would be a violent reaction from the others when Rekka started feeling pain from the power drain. It seemed that Rekka was the centering point of the armors. This was the most destructive storm that he had ever seen. Nothing would ever compare to this. Lightening struck and the resulting thunder shook the very foundation of the castle. He watched as another jagged branching streak of lightening shot across the sky lighting the darkness for a brief moment. He could hear Ryo's pain filled cries before another rack of thunder roared through the castle. The storm, he realized, was the manifestation of pure emotion. Turmoil. That one word could sum it up. They hurt for him, Ryo.
Shuten frowned in thought remembering what Seiji and Ryo had said to him. The boys' words seemed to stir in his heart not to mention the actions of Sekhmet and Kayura. There had been something worth risking their lives over, what was it? He winced as he heard another scream and he thought about the boy. There was something about the way that Ryo was that reflected a strong caring heart willing to take all the sacrifices that it took to protect that which he cared about. When he had felt that Seiji was threatened by him he had sent his king's soul back to his original body to keep him safe. Shuten felt a burning within himself to join Ryo and Seiji in their cause. It filled his darkened heart with hope, with the dream of a quiet life with his love, the Lady Reinara. Shuten had a lot to think about and let the treasonous thoughts into the corner of his mind.
Ryo hung by his wrists from the ceiling of the tower chamber. There were spirits around him. He couldn't see them but when one of them brushed up against him he felt a searing fiery pain from where they were draining his energy from his body. But it wasn't that which hurt him the most. Ryo could hear them in his soul. Seiji, Cye, Rowen, and Shuu. Their pain echoed his own. He could see them when he closed his eyes. Cye crying at a seashore, feelings of sorrow and pain filling his gentle heart with every wave that rushed upon the shore cracking against the sand. Shuu trudging through ankle deep mud with Mia at his side hoping beyond hope that there would be peace soon. His heart was pained for his friends, scarring it. Seiji was in his chamber; it was dark as no candle was lit. He was lying flat on his bed his mind troubled brewing over thoughts and worries. His brow was creased and he was making himself sick with all of this worry. He felt that there should be something that he could do to make it all stop. Seiji started to cry; everything was crashing upon him ten-fold. Rowen was on the very peak of a mountainous hill curled up with his arms about his knees. He was crying. His heart was bleeding pain like a river. The thought that he had let both Ryo and Seiji down not to mention fought with Cye and shoved away Shuu coursed through him like a burning poison.
Ryo cried, not because of his physical pain but because the others were hurting because of him. Rowen had panicked because he could feel Ryo's pain. Perhaps if he had tried to mute his pain then the fight with Cye never would have started resulting in the alienation of Shuu and the cause of the raging storm outside. Causing Seiji to become worried sick. If he had done something different or had tried harder then everything would be all right now. The fire within him was dwindling down to mere embers. He had to bring them back together some how. It was all his fault.
Cye let the water rage around him striking against the shore with unmatched fury. The storm was driving it to the extremes of its power. His tears mingled with the salty sea as they fell from his face leaving saline trails down his cheeks. Shuu shaded his eyes against the wind blown rain and looked out at Cye. Mia did so as well.
"Cye!" Shuu called yelling so that his voice would be heard over the wind, "CYE!"
Cye pretended not to hear them as he stared only into the darkness of the storming sea. Shuu strove against the wind trying to fight his way to his friend. He had to, there was no other way. This storm must stop! Finally, he has managed to plow though the mud and storming water with determination to Cye's side. He put a hand on the man's shoulder, "Cye, please…" No sooner than those words left his mouth, then Cye turned and cried into his friends shoulder. Shuu smiled lightly and pat his back reassuringly until Cye had stopped, "It's ok. You and Rowen didn't mean it. Come on, this is all hurting us. We can't let this get to us. We'll just have to find a way to save Ryo together. Come on, let's get Rowen, eh?"
"I-I can't. He hates me." said Cye, "I shouldn't have argued and…"
"Stop that. Rowen's our friend. He can't hate you. You both got your feelings hurt and you just need to apologize. Come on." said Shuu smiling at Cye.
"Alright." said Cye unsure as he turned to walk with Shuu and helping Mia to stay up right against the harsh winds. The rain had stopped but the winds still tore through the lands ravaging everything within its path.
Shuu reached out with his heart trying to sense where Rowen was. He could be anywhere. Somewhere high, Shuu decided, somewhere that Rowen went to often. The Skyward Hill. It was tall and one of Rowen's favorite places to go. That had to be it. Shuu started toward the hill but the closer they got the rougher the wind was. It was becoming too much to bear. He turned to the other two. They were a lot lighter than he was, so the struggle must be twice as hard on them. He glanced back to the hill. They hadn't even gotten to the foot of it yet.
"Cye, you and Mia stay here. You guys can't make it in this wind. I'll go get Rowen." said Shuu but he felt Cye's arm on his shoulder.
"We're in this together, I am coming too." said Cye with a soft smile. He had to face Rowen. He had to apologize. He couldn't live with himself otherwise. Shuu nodded. After a little convincing, they managed to get Mia to stay holding on to a tree. They didn't want her to get hurt if things went foul. The two turned and fought their way up the hill.
Halfway up the hill, Cye slipped on the mud and would have fallen if Shuu hadn't caught him. They stopped for a moment. In the distance, they could see Rowen's faint outline. If they could just get there. Taking a deep breath, they started up once more. The winds bore down upon then forcing them to almost walk on all fours to avoid being knocked off. Shuu struggled on but in the end was forced to his knees in the mud. The wind was just too strong. He looked over to see Cye still standing his face set hard with determination. He had to get to Rowen! He bowed his head; it was all up to Cye. He couldn't get back up against this wind.
Cye didn't turn when Shuu went down. If he stopped now he wouldn't make it to Rowen. Step-by-step he planted his feet in the slick watery mud as he fought the wind. Rowen's form was getting closer and closer. Soon he was but a few feet away. He moved closer, his back was not to the cliff side of the hill, "Rowen! ROWEN! Can you hear me? I'm SORRY! I never MEANT to FIGHT with you! PLEASE, ROWEN! People could get HURT! Please I'm SORRY! Let's go home! We'll find a way, I PROMISE! We won't let them kill RYO! ROWEN---AHH!!!"
Cye who had been trying to keep moving forward lost his footing and the wind was strong enough to drive his body so far backwards that he went over the cliff edge. His life flashed briefly before his eyes in a blur of white. It was all over now. Suddenly, his back slammed into the muddy cliff wall. He looked up to see Rowen grasping him by the ankle. The wind had stopped. However, the ground was too muddy for Rowen to gain purchase to pull Cye up and they were both slowly sliding over the edge. Rowen struggled to pull Cye up. He was sorry too… He had never meant for any of that to happen but it had and he couldn't let Cye die over this. His friend had much of life yet to live. He couldn't let him go!
"Rowen! Let go or we'll both go over!" shouted Cye as they slipped.
"I won't do that! I can't! We'll have to die together before I let go!" shouted Rowen pulling. It was almost hopeless as the slick mud slid. Suddenly he felt a large hand grab his shoulders and pull backwards.
"No one's dying today if I have a say it it." said Shuu as he pulled both of them up.
They stood gasping for breath at the hilltop for a moment. Cye had a hand to his ribs; they had hit the cliff wall hard and were paining horribly. He couldn't feel one of his arms either. He was so tired. They returned down the cliff to Mia and Cye with Rowen's help returned to the castle.
Soon, they were all gathered in the infirmary around Cye's bed. Lady Chandra had bandaged Cye's wounded ribs and arm, and was checking her shelves to find something for his pain. At least three ribs and his arm had been broken. Cye's eyes were half closed with pain as he looked up at the worried faces, which hovered over him. He was stripped down and changed into a clean pair of pants for his clothes were saturated with rain, surf, and mud. Rowen helped him to sit up carefully as Lady Chandra made him drink some herbal tea. He closed his eyes as they laid him back down. He was exhausted. Chandra turned to the three standing before her. They were all soaked and muddy. She started to usher them out.
"Go on, get." she said pushing them out into the hall, "Cye needs his rest besides you're all soaked with rain. If you don't get out of those chill clothes you're all going to catch colds and join him in there. After you are washed and changed, go to bed, doctor's orders."
Kayura walked out of her room and sown the hall. After her bath, she had dressed in the new clothes that Chandra had lent her. She mentally marked her path as she wondered about so that she wouldn't get lost going back to her room. She looked out a window at the sky, which was now clear, and the shining sun that was healing the land after that storm had ravaged it the day before. Her heart felt so much lighter and relieved now that she was in Korin on Akari. She had made the right decision. Kayura could only hoe, however, that Sekhmet and Ryo would be able to escape before Arago put them to death. Wandering through the castle, she met many people. The people of Korin were so friendly and kind. They bowed and gave her greetings whenever she passed them. It brought a smile to her face. Not paying attention anymore, she got lost.
Kayura stopped. Maybe she could ask someone for directions. She knocked on the nearest door. She thought that she had heard a 'come in' so she opened the door. Entering she saw that the room was cluttered with books, papers, and ink stands. She looked about, what a peculiar room. Where was the person? Had she heard wrong? She noticed a figure asleep on the bed in the corner.
"Gomen nasai!" she whispered softly not wanting to wake the person. She started to turn when she did a double take.
A wisp of blue hair was waving out from beneath the quilts. It looked familiar. Walking over she saw Rowen's face half buried in the quilts. Reaching out a hand, she gently touched his face. He seemed so peaceful and child-like with his eyes shut with sleep. Kayura smiled down at him. What was that? Light from the sun was glimmering off his cheek. She looked closer and noticed that it was a slat trail, which coursed down his cheek. He must have been crying again. Bending down she gave him a kiss on the cheek and left the room.