JUST LOVE

Chapter Twenty Two

Elena woke up from her sleep and sat up from her bed. She looked at her foot and noticed that it was bandaged. "The doctor must have treated it while I was asleep." She looked around the room. "I wonder where Ryudo is?" Elena turned to the night stand and saw Ryudo's note. "It's a note for me." She reached for it and opened it. The note said:

Elena,

Guess what? The Granasaber was all ready so I decided to take it outside to look for the others. I was going to tell you about all the stuff the engineers did to it but you were having such a nice sleep. Anyway, I hope your leg feels better and I'll be back as soon as I can.

- Ryudo

Elena sighed and put the note back on the night stand. She stood up from her bed and winced as she felt a small pang of pain on her foot. She then limped to the window and looked up to the clear blue sky. She put one hand on the window and the other over her heart. "Ryudo, please be careful."

***

Millenia tapped her foot impatiently on the floor with her hands on her hips. "It's 9:00 in the morning and Ryudo is still not here. What's taking him so long?" she asked.

"Well, Liligue is a pretty big place," Roan answered, who sat on the couch calmly.

"And Ryudo does not know where you live so it would take him awhile to find us," Tio added.

Melfice sat across from Roan and Tio in the living room. His eyes were fixed on the wall and he had his right hand under his chin as if he was in deep thought.

"You're awfully quiet," Millenia commented.

Melfice snapped from his trance. "Oh, I was just thinking about something."

Millenia arched an eyebrow. "About what?"

"When we re-group, we're going to have to come up with a plan to tackle our enemies. I was wondering if we should attack the Cathedral Knights or that crazy Ninja from the Birthplace of the Gods," Melfice answered.

"Yes, that is right but we cannot really discuss that right now. We are three people and a bird short," Roan said.

"That reminds me... Millenia, did Lance say when he's coming back?" Melfice asked.

"He didn't..." Millenia was cut off when someone knocked on the door. She went up to the door and opened it. It was Lance. "Oh, it's you. I guess that answers one question." She let the Ninja into the house and led him to the living room.

Melfice stood up from the couch and glared at the Ninja. "Where have you been?!"

"I had some thing to take care of," Lance said coldly with a glare of his own.

"You should've told us where you were going and when you were going to come back. If you want to continue travelling with us, you should tell us these things so we don't run around looking for you. You can't just leave and come when you please," Melfice scolded.

Before Lance could retaliate, there was another knock on the door. Millenia answered it and saw the person they had been waiting for. "Ryudo! I'm glad you're finally here," she smiled and then scowled at him. "It's about time!!! We've been waiting forever for you to show up!!"

Ryudo scratched the back of his head and chuckled a bit. "Sorry, I had some problems with the Granasaber."

"What problems?" Millenia cocked up an eyebrow.

"He couldn't program Liligue's co-ordinates to the computer," Skye snickered.

"Shut up Skye!" Ryudo snarled.

Millenia turned around and called out to everyone in the living room. "Hey, Ryudo is finally here!! Get your butts out here!" Millenia stepped into the porch and was soon followed by the others.

"Brother!" Ryudo greeted as he saw Melfice.

"Hey Ryudo, it's good to see you again and in one piece," Melfice told him.

"Hello Ryudo," Tio said.

"It is good to see you," Roan added.

"It's nice to see you guys again. Well come on, let's go. The Granasaber Ship is just outside of the city," Ryudo announced and started to walk. "So, how did you guys get here? Skye said you were attacked by a dragon."

"It's the same dragon that chased us around Raul Hills," Lance remarked.

Millenia shot a scowl at the Ninja. "How come you didn't tell us that?"

Lance returned the red head's scowl. "It wouldn't have mattered if I..."

"Anyway," Melfice interrupted. "We ended up here because we fell down the river when the bridge we were crossing was attacked by the dragon. We washed up in a forest and then we went to Lance's Ninja Fortress. We spent the night there and finally got here the day after."

"What about you Mister Ryudo? What happened to you and Elena after you got trapped in the Birthplace of the Gods?" Roan asked.

The group finally reached the gates of Liligue. Ryudo pointed some thing ahead of them. "Hey! Look, there's the Granasaber Ship. Wait until you see what Roan's engineers did to it."

Millenia ran ahead of everyone. "Last one to the ship is a rotten eagle egg!"

"Hey! Wait up you cheater!" Melfice called out and went after Millenia.

"No way I'm getting there last," Ryudo said and followed Melfice with Roan, Tio, and Lance right behind him.

***

Nekura stared at the gates of the city that stood in front of him and the two guards that guarded it. "Ah, so this is Cyrum Kingdom. It's rumoured that the Roan who helped defeated Valmar lives here. If I find him, he could tell me where that Geohound, Ryudo, is... before I kill him." Nekura chuckled at the thought of his katana, Zankuro, slicing and dicing anything that stood in his path.

The two knights at the gate stared at Nekura. He had been standing around and doing nothing else. They wondered what was happening in his head. The two of them and the rest of Cyrum's knights had been ordered to be on a look out for a man with long, black hair and dressed in a purple Ninja gi and Nekura fit the description. The two decided to approach the Ninja and question him.

"Sir, would you please come with us. We've got a few questions to ask," the first knight requested.

"Gee, let me think," Nekura replied in a mocking tone and put a hand under his chin. "Uh... um... how about no." He quickly put an arm forward and shot a beam at the knight. The knight flew towards the wall and let out a pained groan.

The second knight drew his sword. "Stay right there! Don't move! We don't want any unnecessary violence here!!" He looked at his companion from the corner of his eye. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm alive," the first knight replied.

"Go get some back up and inform the other knights of his presence."

"Will do." The first knight got up and ran back to the city.

Nekura chuckled. "You're going to sic an entire army against little old me? That's not fair." He levitated a few feet from the ground. "Well, I'm going to invite some of my friends and make a great big party." Nekura raised a hand in the air and a ball of purple energy formed around it. "Creatures of the Dark, come forth and wreak havoc!" he yelled and threw the energy ball at the ground. As soon as the energy ball hit the ground, a black portal appeared and a Magna Valmar emerged out of it. The Dark Ninja smiled at the knight sadistically. "Meet my friend. I hope you two get to know each other real well."

"What are you doing? Where are you going?!" the knight demanded.

"I've got a meeting to attend to," Nekura answered and flew towards the city.

"Wait! Come back!" the knight called out and then immediately turned around as he heard the Magna Valmar growl. "Damn! It's one of these things again!"

***

"So what do you guys think?" Ryudo asked everyone about the Granasaber Ship. The group just had a tour around the ship and were now back in the bridge.

"Impressive," Melfice commented.

"It is amazing how much work the engineers have done in a short amount of time," Tio added.

"I can't wait to fire the De Esperanza at any dragon that Gatta sic on us. I'll bet it'll roast them good," Millenia remarked.

"I knew you'd say some thing like that," Ryudo chuckled.

"Too bad Lance sits on the weapon station," Skye chortled.

Millenia glared at Skye. "Shut up bird!"

"How much longer till we get to Cyrum?" Roan asked.

Ryudo went over to his computer terminal and checked the screen. "According to the auto pilot, about half an hour."

"Will it be okay for you guys if I retire to my room and leave the ship in auto pilot?" Tio asked with a fake smile on her lips.

"Sure," the others nodded.

"Thank you." Tio turned around and went to the warp platform.

The others watched Tio leave the room and then went to their own stations. Ryudo sat down on his chair and wondered how Elena was doing. Was she awake and waiting for her? Was her leg healed? He thought about the promises they made to each other back in the Birthplace of the Gods. He promised her that he would come for her and she promised him that she would wait for him when everything is back in order. He just hoped that he would not wait very long to fulfil his promise.

Melfice and Millenia sat next to each other and talked about various things. The two had become quite close since they first met even though they did not realize it.

Lance checked his computer to learn more about the ship's weapon system. Cathedral Knights, Nekura, Rhea, and Elena would not leave his mind. All of them troubled his mind so he decided to bury himself in the computer.

Roan observed everyone. They all had some thing to do or to think about. He had nothing to do but he thought about Tio. He wondered what was wrong with her. All of them had a nice breakfast, courtesy of Melfice and Millenia, and a good rest before they left Liligue. How could she be tired? Curious, he left the bridge silently and warped to the living quarters. Roan went down the hallway and knocked on Tio's door.

"Who is it?" Tio asked from inside.

"It is Roan," the Young King answered. "May I come in?"

"Yes."

Roan pushed a red button to his right and the door slid open. He entered Tio's room and found her by the window. She just stood there and her amber yellow eyes were fixed on the clouds that passed by. "I... Tio... I came to see if every thing was okay."

"I... am... alone..." Tio whispered.

Roan frowned. "What?"

Tio turned around and sat on her bed. "I am alone," she said, a little louder so Roan could hear.

Roan sat down next to her. "What do you mean Tio? I am afraid I do not understand."

Tio sighed and stood up. "Elmo gave me back the memories that were stolen from me. I learned a lot about my past." Tio went over to a small table and ran her fingers through the flowers in the vase. "I used to be human just like you. When I was little, a man managed to kidnap me and turn me to what I am now." The Automata strode towards the window and stared at the clouds again. "I endured a lot of pain from the experiments and tests those scientists performed on me," she sniffed. "But the worst part is that I never got to live my life as a normal girl or got to see my parents again. I miss them so much now and I never got to say good bye or tell them how much I love them." She faced Roan. "I will never see them again Roan. I am alone."

Roan gave Tio a sympathetic look. "I am very sorry to hear that Tio... but you are not alone. You have us. Your friends are your family now."

"I know. That is what I keep telling myself but it hurts so much."

"I know how you feel. It hurts a lot but it will get better. I have lost my mother too when I was little. Well, I will leave you now and hope you feel better."

"Thank you Roan... for coming out here and talking to me."

"Anytime Tio," Roan smiled and left the room. He walked down the hallway and headed back to the bridge. When Roan got to the bridge, he sat down on the pilot's seat and stared at the horizon. Cyrum was just twenty minutes away and he could already spot it. He then noticed some thing ahead of them. From a distance, smoke rose to the sky and soon purple pillars of light. "Some thing is wrong out there. What is happening?"

The others caught sight of what was going on ahead of them and strode towards Roan. "Whoa, what's with the fireworks?" Millenia asked.

"Do you think the city is under attack?" Melfice told everyone.

"I've got two guesses," Skye replied.

"Elena... oh no! I left her there all by herself," Ryudo thought.

"We have to hurry! My people and the city could be in terrible danger!" Roan cried.

"You said it Roan but I don't know how to drive this thing," Ryudo said.

"But I do." Tio warped into the bridge and ran to her seat. "Everyone, please sit down and fasten your seat belts. I will put the Granasaber Ship in hyper drive mode." Everyone did as they were told and felt the ship move faster. "Do not worry Roan, we will get there in no time."

***

Elena tapped the pencil in her hand against the study table. She had been working on what she should name her song, the same song that Ryudo saw. "Oh, what should I call it? How about... no, that will not work." She stood up from her chair with an irritated groan and rubbed her temple. "Come on, think. Wait! I know..."

The door in her room burst open and Paulk charged in. "Lady Elena, please forgive my intrusion but I have some urgent news."

Elena turned around to face the knight and smiled at him. "It is okay. What is wrong Paulk? You look really worried."

"Before Lord Ryudo left, he told us to be on the look out for a man with long black hair and dressed in a purple Ninja gi. We found the man and he attacked our guards at the gate. Now, he had breached the city and is causing havoc. I came here to warn you and to inform you that a few guards will be here shortly to watch over you."

"It is probably that man who attacked us in Garlan and killed Elmo... aahh!" Elena shrieked from surprise as a deafening explosion rang from outside.

"Curses! He had reached the castle!" Paulk looked at the door. "Where are those guards?"

"It is okay Sir Paulk. I will be fine on my own. Please go, your men outside need you."

Paulk hesitated but decided to do what Elena requested. "Okay. Please be careful and stay here."

"You be careful too."

"Farewell." Paulk nodded and left.

Elena sat down on her bed and clasped her hands together over her heart. "That man is back... I wonder what he wants. Ryudo, wherever you are, please hurry. You have to come back." Elena heard another explosion, which was followed by screams of Paulk's knights. "I have to help them. I cannot wait for Ryudo." The young singer stood up from her bed and picked up her Guardian Staff from the closet.

Elena exited her room and went to the courtyard. She looked around and found Paulk and Nekura in a sword fight. She hid behind a bush and watched the battle. Nekura had the upper hand against Paulk. As a Ninja, he was much faster and as a Valmar incarnate, he was much stronger. Nekura looked like he was not even trying. He just merely toyed with the knight.

"Is that all?" Nekura asked.

"You will never get passed me!" Paulk hissed.

"Really?" Nekura stepped back and shot a beam at Paulk.

The knight screamed in agony and flew to the other end of the courtyard where his men also lay. "King Roan... please forgive me..." he muttered and passed out.

The Ninja narrowed his eyes at the knights and put an arm forward. "Pitiful humans, your meaningless existence ends here!"

"STOP!!" Elena shouted as she ran out of the bush.

"Huh?" Nekura turned around and saw Elena. "Well, well, look who's here."

"Please stop this! You have no right to do this!" Elena protested.

"All right, I'll stop." Nekura put his hands up in the air. "But you'll have to kill me first!" Quickly, he shot a purple beam at Elena.

Elena dove out of the way and silently cried out in pain as her foot hit the ground. Her newly healed foot started to hurt again. "I am in no condition to fight but I do not have a choice," she thought and stood up slowly.

"She's struggling just to stand up. She must be sick or some thing. Now is my chance to kill her before she becomes a real threat," Nekura told himself mentally and unsheathed the Zankuro.

Elena waved her staff at Nekura and casted a Crackle to start off the fight. "Oh, Holy spikes of ice, please come to strike!" Spikes of ice erupted from the ground and pierced Nekura's arm.

The Dark Ninja ran a finger through the cut and licked the blood off. "Hmph, you'll have to do better than that. Brace yourself!" He ran towards Elena and punched her in the stomach. He then knocked her off the ground with a sweep kick.

Elena screeched from the combination of Nekura's assault and the pain that wracked her foot.

"DIE!" Nekura raised his katana into the air with both hands and brought it down but Elena parried it with her Guardian Staff.

Elena kicked Nekura off and rolled away when he stumbled backwards. Elena got up and rubbed her foot. It hurt more than before now. "I cannot fight any longer. I must defeat him now," she said in her mind.

Nekura levitated a few feet from the ground and sheathed the Zankuro. He put both hands forward and fired a huge purple beam at Elena. "DESTRUCTION LIGHT!!"

Elena did not avoid the attack in time. "AAAAAAHHHHH!!!" she shrieked as the attack enveloped her entire body. She sank to the ground and spat out blood. The attack tattered her clothes and drained most of her energy. "He is too strong... what do I do?"

"The answer is simple, just stay there and die!" Nekura laughed and threw a shuriken at her. The shuriken cut her left shoulder. "It was a fatal mistake to come out here on your own and challenge me." He threw another shuriken at her and this time, it cut her right shoulder. "Ha! This is too easy! Come on, where's that amazing power of yours? Show me the power that you displayed back in Garlan!" He threw one last shuriken at her and pierced her right wrist.

Elena cried out in pain and dropped her Guardian Staff. She held her right wrist with her left hand and backed away slowly.

"Running away now?" Nekura hurled a Burn! spell at her.

Elena closed her eyes to embrace the pain but the attack did not come. She opened her eyes and saw that her Guardian Staff had been destroyed. "My staff!"

"It's your turn!" The Dark Ninja took out his katana and dashed forward.

"Now is my chance." Elena took out a red sphere and chucked it at Nekura. "Here goes my Impact Bomb!" The bomb exploded as soon as it hit the Dark Ninja and knocked him off the ground. Elena put her hands together, closed her eyes, and summoned whatever energy was left in her. "Oh tempted one, return to the world of Darkness!" she chanted. The White Apocalypse bathed Nekura in white destructive light.

"Aaaaahhhhhhh!" Nekura screamed and fell down again before he could fully stand up.

Elena sank on the ground on her knees and panted heavily. "Did I stop him?"

Nekura got up from the ground and wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. "That was quite an attack. But, if that's the best you can do, start praying now." He advanced slowly towards Elena with an insane look on his face. "Your life, your story ends here. It's a pity that your friends aren't here to witness it!" He punched Elena on the side of her face.

"Eaygh!" Elena screamed as she fell down on her stomach.

"Ha! I've waited for this ever since you defeated me back in Garlan." He kicked her ribs.

"Uwah!" Elena gasped and spat out more blood.

Nekura grabbed Elena by the throat and raised her off the ground. He looked at her in the eyes and smiled sadistically. "When I'm done with you, your friends are next. I'll kill them all, one by one." He hurled her towards the wall.

"Gaaahhh!" Elena's back slammed into the wall and felt a few bones crack and snap. Elena's body felt numb. She could do nothing but lean against the wall and cough up blood. Her energy had been depleted and her entire body was wracked with tremendous pain. It took whatever energy she had left in her body and mind to stay conscious.

"Bwa ha ha ha ha!" Nekura gave her one of his psychotic smiles and put an arm forward. "It all ends here now. Farewell human." Nekura fired a purple beam at Elena and cackled when her screams filled the courtyard.

"AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!! RYYYYUUUUDDDDOOOO!!!!" Elena shrieked and collapsed on the ground.

"Hmmm... that takes care of that." Nekura turned around to leave but a Burn! spell from above struck the ground in front of him. The Dark Ninja looked up and saw a giant sword in the sky. "It's one of the fabled Granasaber Ships." A big red sphere came out of the Granasaber's rear and was headed straight at him. As the red sphere got closer, Nekura saw that it carried Ryudo, Skye, Roan, Lance, and three more people.

The red sphere landed between Elena and Nekura. Ryudo, with Skye on his shoulder, ran towards Elena to check up on her. Millenia, Roan, Tio, and Melfice immediately took out their weapons and stood between Elena and Nekura protectively.

Lance just stared at the bloody and limp form of Elena with horror in his ruby red eyes. "Elena... no..."

Nekura smirked. "Ha, the whole gang is here but you're la..." he was cut off when a blur of black motion passed by him quickly. The next thing Nekura knew, he flew towards a statue and crashed into it.

Lance, who had kicked Nekura, unsheathed the Falchion and glared ice cold daggers at him. Millenia, Roan, Tio, and Melfice ran to Lance to aid him.

Meanwhile, Ryudo knelt down next to Elena and ran a trembling finger down her cheek. "Elena?" Panic and worry filled Ryudo's heart as he stared at her lifeless form. "Come on, Elena open your eyes. Please open your eyes," he pleaded. He felt sharp thorns prick his heart and the sting of tears in his emerald green eyes as he received no response. "Elena... please... you promised me..." He let out a choked sob. He shook her shoulders a bit to wake her up but her body remained still. "Elena? No! You can't be..." He hesitantly put two fingers on her neck to check her pulse but there was none.