By Lady Eclipse
Chapter Three
It was Rowen who finally broke the silence proceeding Anglarana's information. "So what now?" Anglarana lowered her eyes. "I do not know." Her eyes held weariness but her smile was strong and determined, "I do know, however, that we must fight and I am sure that our true enemy will be revealed in time."

"What will it take to defeat Crynis? It totally thrashed us," Cye asked.

"To defeat Crynis you only need to weaken him enough so that I might be able to imprison him again. I believe he was only able to defeat you this time because you did not know his powers. I sense in all of you a stronger power than what was displayed last night. Were you holding back in that battle?"

"We can combine our armor's powers to form a very powerful white armor," Sage replied. "It's what we used to defeat Talpa and the Dynasty." Anglarana nodded slowly.

"What about you?" Ryo asked thoughtfully. "Can't you take Crynis by yourself? You were able to stop his attack and chase him away."

"I truly wish that was so, but I merely caught Crynis off guard. The next battle will be harder. NO doubt he has had plenty of time over his enforced sleep to concoct ways around the power of my people."

"So what can you do?" Kento's frustration was showing in his voice. A ghost of a smile crossed Anglarana's lips.

"I can teach you to fight him. The power of your armors should be powerful enough. You share his ability to wield the power of the elements, you can use that to your advantage. I will teach you all I know about him and his abilities and possible ways you can counter him with your own. During battle, I will do what I can to control his elemental attacks."

"So that's it then!" Kento said standing triumphantly. "We'll teach that stupid monster not to mess with the Ronin Warriors!"

"Yea, and whoever else's controlling him!" Cye joined in. The rest of the Ronins rose to their feet with a lighter spirit then when they had sat down. Meanwhile Mia sat and observed everything. She was particularly thoughtful about Anglarana rather than what she had said. She silently went back inside to her computer. She definitely had something she needed to check into.

Anglarana sat complacently on a rock by the lake watching the Ronins training. The sun was setting leaving a blush on the countryside that reminded her of a different time. 'Am I really so old that I dream of such far away days?' She thought to herself sternly. The last two years of searching plagued with a looming sense of danger had driven her with an intensity that left no room for anything else. She sighed and rubbed her temples, 'If I keep this up, I'll end up just as dower and intimidating as I seem.'

She sighed again and shifted her eyes contemplatively to the mansion. Mia was a very sharp person with a ready belief for the legends and unusual things of the world. 'I'm sure she's already started trying to try to figure out what I am and I don't doubt that she has the information to eventually learn of my true nature. I wish I could tell the Ronins more, tell them what they're really up against. However, this easier story will give them the confidence they will need to destroy Crynis so I can go on to the real danger.' Anglarana's features saddened. 'For my people, I will go.' She let her eyes close in weariness. So much sacrifice, so many knotted threads of deceit to unravel....

Before the red-tinged blackness of her eyelids, Anglarana saw an apparition of a white and blue clad man bearing a chiming staff. "You watch them still?" she asked it softly.

"The Ronin Warriors are of my creation, I will watch over them for all time." She smiled sadly at that. "What do you wish of me, old friend?"

"Stay with them, I can no longer protect them. You have the power and it is of your nature and purpose to do so."

"I will guard them, for they are worthy of guarding. I have rarely seen spirits as pure as theirs." It almost seemed like the apparition smiled beneath the cover of the bleary mist surrounding him.

Anglarana was jolted out of her sleep by a gentle hand urgently shaking her shoulder. Her eyes flew open to meet the violet eyes of Sage. His expression was unreadable holding some emotion that she did not recognize.

Anglarana checked around herself, the sky was fully dark now sprinkled with stars. She stretched and rose from the rock. "Yes? What is it?" Sage smiled, "We're going in for dinner now."

"So?" Sage looked a little confused.

"Wouldn't you like to join us?"

"Oh!" Anglarana breathed, catching on. She looked to the house and saw the rest of the boys standing impatiently. Anglarana couldn't suppress a slight chuckle at the image of them. "Okay," she said cheerfully and went to the house with the guys.

Something inside her told Anglarana that this guardianship job wouldn't be that bad. All the bad omens of the past few minutes disappeared from her mind. It did feel good to be out with people again and fighting as she was born to do.

The private scene was witnessed by an unfriendly viewer through a large, crystal wall. The person watching looked to be human, but the melancholy brown eyes were dull due to lack of emotion. The man's clothing was hidden beneath a long, black cloak. His pale-blonde hair was tied back; its lengths reaching his upper back. The image on the crystal wall lingered on the silver haired woman.

"Ah, my dear Anglarana. I was indeed worried you were not still alive. I have missed our conversations, what a rare pleasure it will be to see you in person again." He waved away the picture leaving the obsidian wall black and empty. The sounds of footsteps on stone alerted Justin of the entrance of another creature. "You return late, Crynis," he said without turning.

"Master, I was detained by having my wounds healed," the creature replied, bowing.

Justin smiled coldly. "You were hardly wounded. But I am not concerned about that now, are you ready for our plan."

"Yes, all is ready. I am only waiting for your word."

"Then launch the attack tomorrow."

"Yes, Master," Crynis replied respectfully and bowed again.

"Crynis," Justin called as the beast turned to depart.

"Yes?"

"Be sure the woman remains unharmed and is brought to me."

"As you will it."

Well, what do you think? I like it, but if you have some comments :), or some criticism :( go ahead and tell me. If you think this story could be better you'd better say something or it won't do much changing. Hope you're enjoying things so far!! :P