The Lost Mystics and the Dream Bearer
Chapter 1: The Unexpected Visitor
By: The Mysterious One
"What should we do now? Sage went off to meditate, and who knows where Cye is," Ryo asked.
"I don't know," Rowen answered. He looked at the mansion before saying, "But I don't think Yulie will be able to keep Kento from eating all the chow Mia bought not too long ago."
As if on cue they heard Yulie's shout, "Kento!"
"See what I mean?"
"Yeah."
"I'm going to go talk to Sage," Mia said, then added with a smile, "You two can take care of Kento."
Ryo and Rowen nodded.
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Kento looked up when the two boys entered. After swallowing the food he had in his mouth, he asked, "Is Cye back yet?"
The black haired boy shook his head, "No."
"We're just here to make sure you don't eat Mia out of house and home," Rowen said.
"Well, I'm a growing boy, I can't help it if I'm always hungry," Kento countered.
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Upon hearing the voices of the humans, the artic fox dashed up the stairs and into a room to hide. From underneath the bed, his hiding place, The White Fox listened to the voices that were muffled by the floor boards.
A minute later he felt a wave of sleepiness wash over him, so The White Fox lay his chin between his front paws.
Wh… But his thought was never finished as he fell sound asleep.
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The evening's cool wind rustled through the trees. If one was to pay attention to it, one would hear it's ancient voice that often told of the earth's secrets that it gathered during the many years of it's unpredictable life.
Even though the blonde, who sat on the ground indian style, was silent, he didn't listen to the wind. You could tell he was not really there. His facial expression was that of a person who was in deep thought.
My armor was the only one to pick up the presence of evil…but nothing happened…Why is that? I know that I have the kanji of wisdom and the power of spirit and light-
"Sage?"
The blonde opened his eyes and turned his head to look up at boy who had interrupted his thoughts.
"Weren't you going to go home earlier today?"
"No, I'm staying," Sage answered.
The auburn haired boy looked into the blue eye that wasn't covered by blonde hair, trying to understand why Sage was staying. Something must be wrong. He thought as he saw the troubled expression in the blonde's eye.
"Cye," Sage stood up, "I sensed an evil presence earlier."
"Talpa?"
"No, at least I don't think so. It was different. More powerful."
Cye blinked in his confusion, then asked, "Do the others know?"
Sage nodded.
"It's nice to see that you're back Cye. The others were wondering where you went." Mia said as she walked up to the two boys.
"I was just saying good-bye to the city. But," Cye then looked at Sage, "It looks like I won't be leaving any time soon."
Mia nodded, understanding what he meant, "I know…You two should come inside. Not only is it getting cold and dark out here but I think that you guys should talk with the others to figure out what to do."
"Good idea."
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Yollani looked down at the floor of the prayer room in which a circular sky light allowed a beam of light to shine down on her head and made her black dress sparkle.
Pardon me Kasteina for making you sleep. But you are only made of frozen water, so you have no feelings. In your new form you will understand, understand many things that you've never understood before, but you must not be awake during that transformation. I am risking everything by bringing you back, but it must be done, otherwise everything will be destroyed.
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"I think you should go to bed Yulie," Mia said.
"But I'm not even tired," Yulie said, while trying to hide a yawn.
Mia shook her head, "Come on."
"I want to stay and listen!"
"Do as she says."
Yulie looked at the black haired ronin which he had deemed his hero from the beginning, "Oh…alright."
'Thanks' Mia mouthed to Ryo as she ushered the little boy out of the room, not noticing that the warrior of fire didn't make any attempt to reply; instead, he just stared ahead, in an awkward silence. But someone noticed, as the others talked oblivious to what was happening with Ryo, Sage looked at the black haired boy and saw how he seemed to be frozen in time. It was hard to tell that he was even alive. The only way to know that he was still living was that his eyes blinked occasionally.
"What do you think we're up against?" Cye asked, trying to get back on track.
"I have no idea, and that's what I hate!" Kento said.
"Really…" Rowen sighed in agreement.
"I wish they'd show themselves. Then we could see some action!" Kento said.
Then everyone became silent for a few moments, but the short gap in the conversation didn't last much longer as Rowen said, "…It's really weird." All the others; except Ryo, who was still staring blankly in front of him, and Sage, who was watching his black haired friend; looked at the blue haired boy with questioning expressions on their faces. "Sage was the only one to sense them, and that was this afternoon. Nothing has happened yet."
But before anyone could reply to Rowen's comment, Ryo suddenly stood up, knocking his chair over, his eyes wide.
"Ryo?"
He stared at the wall in front of him, "It's a…" His eyes then narrowed, "Leave her alone!"
"Ryo what are you talking about?" Cye asked.
The black haired boy didn't answer as he jumped over the table and banished his clothes, only to land on the other side wearing his red and white sub- armor.
The others glanced at each other in alarm as they stood.
I knew something was up… Sage thought.
"I don't see anything," Kento said.
Rowen agreed, "Neither do I."
Ryo acted oblivious to what they said as he attacked the air with a few punches and kicks, only to fall backwards into one of the walls or a piece of furniture every time, as if something had returned his attacks.
"We should stop him before he hurts himself," Cye said, taking a step forward.
Sage stopped him, "No, not yet."
"Huh?" Cye looked at Sage.
Instead of replying to him, the blonde just watched Ryo. There isn't anything here…The only thing I am sensing is Ryo's armor reacting…But...to what?
"Rgh! This isn't working," Ryo frowned. "Armor of Wildfire! Tao Jin!"
After the transformation he drew his katanas and crossed them so that they formed an 'x'. "Alright wolfie, you wanted to pick a fight with us."
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Mia looked up when she heard a few large bangs and clashes from the room that the boys were in.
"Are we under attack?" Yulie asked her.
"I'm not sure…but if we are, I'm sure the ronin warriors will protect us." Mia answered as she walked toward the door, adding, "I'll be right back."
"Where is Whiteblaze?" Yulie asked before she could get very far.
Mia stopped at the doorway and looked over her shoulder at him, "He's probably with the others."
"But I didn't hear him roar, if something bad is on it's way he always warns us."
"I don't know Yulie, but don't worry, he'll be okay." Mia reassured before she walked out of the room.
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Each paw silently landed on the ground as the large white and black tiger ran in long even strides. Small white clouds hung around his muzzle, only to disappear into the cold night air a few seconds later.
Whiteblaze had left the mansion, when Mia, Sage, and Cye had entered the house, feeling as if something was drawing him outside. And now here he was running, trying to find the force that was drawing him towards it. He planned to answer it's call and see what it wanted from him; this, was why he left.
He finally came to a stop, with his sides heaving as his lungs fought to grasp onto a steady pattern once more, waiting for his heart to calm it's wild beat that it shared with his lungs.
The tiger then perked his ears, trying to hear over the pounding sound of his heart, Something's here…
You came. Out of what was nothing but shadows a creature materialized. It's sleek body was that of a white tiger, only opposite. Instead of white with black stripes, it had black with white stripes. The moon's light gleamed on it's body like water that was on something very smooth and slightly curved. But that was, for the most part, all of it's normal appearance it had. Surprisingly, folded carefully on it's back, were two dragon wings covered with purple feathers. And it's head was covered with a mane like a lion's but made of fire instead of hair.
Whiteblaze let out a small growl, surprised at the sudden appearance of the creature, Who are you? And why did you call me here? He could sense that this creature was what called him outside.
Mortals have the need to name things, everything, for them, must have a name. They call me by different names, some call me The Unbalancer, others call me the ABC, another name I am called is The Creature of Mourning and Revenge, yet there are many other names that I have not said, mortals have given me many names.
Then, one who has many names, Whiteblaze put in respectively, realizing now, from what the creature said, that he was talking to an immortal, why did you call me here?
The creature sat down and looked silently at Whiteblaze with golden eyes before answering him, Whiteblaze, the tiger stiffened, because it knew his name before he even told it, you have been mourning the lose of a friend for a long time.
Yes… Whiteblaze agreed, still wary of the creature sitting in front of him, but he stayed still and didn't say anything more as he waited for it to continue with what it wanted to say.
And you have now taken the Lost Mystic of Dreams as your new friend.
1 Who do you mean? I am only friends with the…Ryo? You are talking about Ryo?
It's eyes gave a look that told Whiteblaze that it was smiling, You are right.
2 Why is it that you call him the Lost Mystic of Dreams?
Tides come and tides go, change always comes, but it's a cycle, the change is always the same.
Whiteblaze blinked not understanding the answer he got from the Unbalancer, What do you mean by that?
It is not meant to have a meaning but to know. Can one know the meaning of time? Yes maybe in human standards, seconds, minutes, hours, but these are only names that harness something much more than that. Dreams are the same. Humans try to understand them, try to harness them, interprate them. But they are something more. They are a part of them. A part that they cannot control, just like time. You can try to harness it with medicine or names, but dreams and time is much more than that. More powerful than their attempts to control them. The first to awake is dreams, for though time came before dreams, thoughts came before time, and dreams come from thoughts. Time, dreams, they are not meant to be fully understood, for who can, save for our creator?
You're right about time and dreams, but what does all of that have to do with Ryo? Whiteblaze asked, more confused now then before.
A mother has a secret, then she waits too long to make it known. Only by the cover of darkness and the coming of evil will the Lost Mytic of Dreams see the powers that he had all along.
Then in an instant, without any type of warning, the creature was upon the white tiger. But Whiteblaze reacted quickly enough, even though he was caught off guard.
He noticed that the Unbalancer wasn't guarding it's throat all that well, so the white tiger lunged at the strange creature and bit at it's fiery neck. He was surprised that his mouth wasn't burnt by the fire, and he was also surprised that he reacted the way he did. Wouldn't have biting at the creature's neck have been useless? Apparently it wasn't as the Unbalancer slunk to the ground, still alive, but wounded.
Blue blood trickled down from it's bite wound from underneath it's fiery main, which should have been able to protect it from Whiteblaze's assault. The blood gathered into a puddle, but strangely enough, the puddle began to glow and form into a small chain like necklace with a clear orb, that you could see through, attached to it. The glowing stopped and then the blood hardened.
The Unbalancer stood, Take this. You'll know what and who it is for. The strange looking creature turned and walked away, showing no signs of wanting to fight any more, Be ready, a mother's secret is to be revealed…The Lost Mystic of Dreams must be the first to awaken to the realization of his powers…Though it will take longer than any of the others who are to be awakened. With that it was suddenly gone. It was as if the Unbalancer was never there. The only clue that told the confused Whiteblaze that he hadn't imagined the entire episode was the necklace that lay on the ground in front of him.
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Mia came into the room and watched the red armored boy attack an invisible foe, "What's going on?"
"I don't-" but Rowen wasn't able to finish his answer.
"Flare!" Ryo placed his two katanas together shouting out the first word of his attack.
"Ryo stop!" Cye said.
"Up!" Ryo shouted, apparently he didn't hear what Cye had said.
Cye looked at the others, his voice full of urgency, "We've got to stop him now! Before he burns down the entire house!"
Kento gave a quick nod of agreement at what his friend said before jumping over the table and forcing Ryo's arms down to his sides, making him separate his katanas; which, in doing so, he had stopped him just in time. If he hadn't stopped him just then, the white glowing of Ryo's attack would have been fully created. But luckily it had just started to form around the blades of his weapons, and so when Kento stopped him, it suddenly evaporated into thin air, as if it wasn't even called upon in the first place.
"You let it get away…" the black haired boy said silently, before his body suddenly went limp in Kento's hands.
"Ryo? Hey Ryo?" The blue haired boy shook him, trying to revive him, but his attempt was unsuccessful.
Mia walked over and checked for Ryo's pulse, "He's still alive, he just fainted."
"What happened?" Came Yulie's voice from the stairs.
"That's what we'd like to know," Rowen answered.
Yulie looked downstairs and say Ryo's limp body, "Ryo?" His voice came out as a squeak when he asked the question.
"It's okay Yulie," Mia said. At least I hope so… She then turned to the guys, "Help me bring him upstairs."
Kento, who was already holding onto the black haired boy, only nodded, "I can take him." With that he hoisted his friend onto his shoulder and slowly walked up the stairs to Ryo's room.
Mia half heartedly encouraged everyone to go to their bedrooms and try to get some sleep since they had stayed up so late. But she knew better. Even though they did what she suggested, no one was going to fall asleep. Not after what happened.
Silence spread throughout the mansion. Everyone was left to his or her own thoughts in the comfort of their own rooms.
Everything that has happened today isn't making any sense… Sage thought, How come I'm the only one sensing anything at all? Does it have to do with my armor? My powers of spirit. Are we dealing with some ghost? If so, what does it want from us? No…I'm sure it wasn't a ghost…Then what am I sensing? The first time it was something evil. The second time it was Ryo's armor reacting. What was his armor reacting to? And why didn't ours react? Why is it that I was the only one to sense his armor reacting? Why was he so rigid while the others were talking about our new enemies? He shuttered, It was as if he was stone, or frozen in time…Why, when he was fighting nothing but air, was he oblivious to us? And what did he mean by "wolfie" and "her"? Was that what he saw? If it was, then what did "her" and the "wolfie" have to do with anything? Is that a warning about what is going to happen? The blonde furrowed his eyebrows as he thought, There are way too many questions that don't have any answers…Whatever is happening, or is going to happen, I'll have to be prepared for it, so should the others.
Meanwhile the thoughts going through Cye's mind went like this, What was it that Ryo saw, and why did Sage stop me when I wanted to help Ryo? Sage knows something, something that we all don't. I wonder why he doesn't tell us? Or maybe he doesn't know anything and he's as confused as we are…But I still don't understand why he stopped me. If he doesn't know anything, then what is up with him? And why did Ryo act so weird? He has been spacing out a lot lately. It's like something is happening to him but what? And why did he faint? The auburn haired boy sighed as he turned to lay on his side. I don't know if I will be able to fall asleep, but I should at least try. Mia was right, we should all get some sleep, I just hope we'll be able to. Who knows what's going to happen next… With that last thought, Cye closed his eyes, and lay there waiting for sleep, which gradually over came him.
Everyone else also thought about the day's events in their own perspective, all but one, the person who it was all happening to, Ryo.
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The creature of ice had been foregoing through a change of form during the night. And by now the White Fox awoke, while it was still dark out, shivering, What is this cold feeling? I've never felt it before… Awkwardly the changed creature crawled out from underneath the bed, but it wasn't given much of a chance to realize the changes that had happened to it. The White Fox only cared about warmth and sleep. The only place to receive both was to crawl underneath the soft, warm blankets on the bed, and to curl up next to the warmest object that it could find lying under the blankets.
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"So, the child has turned against us? Hum…just as predicted."
"Yes, but what are we going to do with her now?" Yollani's master asked.
"The decision of her fate will soon be decided, Nica, but for now we have other worries. The first of the Lost Mystics have been called…And another shall gradually waken, but we need not fear the Lost Mystic of Dreams, it is the Lost Mystic of Ice we need fear. For she is the one who awakens all of the others. Once she is destroyed, we can then destroy the Lost Mystic of Dreams."
"I know," Nica nodded, "And if you wish, I shall take care of the first before she herself is awakened."
"Do that…But be forewarned, do not underestimate any of our enemies…If you lose, the possibilities that the Lost Mystic of Ice will have her powers awakened are very high."
"Yes, I shall keep that in mind," Nica said. He bowed his head quickly before turning and walking away, fading as he went.
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A small shaft of light found it's way through a crack in the curtains. Which were meant to hide the room from unwanted pairs of eyes who might want to look inside, and kept the sun from shining in unnecessarily. But someone had obviously been careless when they closed the currents; for, the beam had found a way to get into the room.
The light found that it's path was stopped abruptly by long waves of silvery hair, and decided to nestle down amongst the strands, making the hair glow with a soft shimmering radiance.
Upon seeing the beautiful silvery glow of the long strands of hair when he woke up, Cye blinked his eyes several time to make sure that they still weren't muddled with sleep, but the hair didn't disappear from sight. Huh…? He sat up to get more of an idea of what was lying snuggled up next to him.
What the!? His face shown with surprise when he saw that the owner of the long silver hair was a girl. The sun's light made her long strands of wavy hair glow, illuminating her calm peaceful looking face. The fact that she was there was surprising enough, but what he discovered next made his surprise even greater. Oh no…Who is she, and what is she doing here like this?…I don't remember anything happening last night…
Even though he knew he should look away from the girl in the current condition she was in, Cye found that his head wouldn't move and his eyes wouldn't close. She's very beautiful…But…I shouldn't be even staring at her like this!
His face flushed at his thoughts, and the redness of his face only deepened when the girl's eyes fluttered open. "Uh…m…m….miss? I hope…y…you…don't mind me asking…b…but, what…ar…ar…are you doing in here?" He stuttered uncertainly.
The girl lay there, looking up at him with her grayish blue eyes, not understanding why the boy that sat there looking down at her was stuttering and blushing so deeply.
Cye found himself silently staring into her eyes, They're like ice…I feel lost…and cold… He shuttered slightly, coming out of what seemed like some sort of trance.
"Please miss, put something on…" The auburn haired boy suggested, quickly looking away, his face still red with blush.
The girl sat up, blinking, still not understanding why he was acting so weird, Am I not a fox? Why is it that he talks to me as if I was a female human… With this last thought, she lifted one of her hands and looked at it in shock. I…I'm human!! I'm a human girl! She looked up at Cye, Why?…Why human? Why did my new form have to be human?
Cye glanced at the girl out of the corner of his eye and saw that she was just sitting there, acting as if she didn't know what to do in her graceful silent way. The expression on her face was that of a person who had discovered that they had grown a tail, but she looked more curious than shocked. "I'll uh…get you something to put on…" He finally said, standing up, making sure that he didn't look at the naked girl. "For now…would you please stay here?"
The girl didn't nod as she watched him leave the room. Instead, once he was gone, she carefully tried out her new form. As she clumsily stood up, she used the wall to help support her. This is so strange…It feels so different…Humans are so weak and clumsy… She continued to use the wall for support as she walked towards the door that she had seen Cye go through before.
(Side note: Cye was wearing clothes you perverts!!)
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Nica rematerialized in a dark room, who's long narrow walls made it seem more like a hallway with a dead end. Candles lined the two narrow walls. Each were set apart just enough that one candle's light barely touched another's. But their glow was enough, for a person who was used to the sparse light, to see.
As he walked down the hallway like room, each candle flickered a different color than that of the usual yellow, as he passed by, threatening to blow out. But he didn't pay any attention to the weird candles, he had been in this room many a time, and so he had gotten used to their strange ways.
Once he reached the end of the narrow room Nica stopped walking and said, "Fela akerji gana hon."
"Fela will gana hon," a husky old voice answered in reply.
"Goawe," Nica looked down at the old man who sat before him. His clothes consisting of a large mass of dilapidated and dirt covered cloth that wrapped all around him. It seemed like that was all he was made up of, since you couldn't see his arms, legs, or anything at all, except maybe his face, which was looking at the ground. But Nica knew, from his past experiences in meeting up with the Card Holder, that in reality the old man was actually sitting on the ground with his feet crossed, as if he had been meditating. With his arms crossed over his chest, his long sleeves hanging over them, hiding his arms from view.
"He requests a Card," Goawe said, cutting Nica off as he looked up at him with small eyes that were almost concealed in his age wrinkled face, "This man knows, that is why he comes here. That is why everybody comes here."
"You are right," Nica nodded.
Goawe smiled, "This man wonders what his master wants one of the Cards for?"
Nica knew he wasn't really Goawe's master, but the old man that sat before him always used such formalities with everyone. That, he assumed, is probably why he became the Holder of the Cards.
"I am to destroy the Lost Mystic of Ice," Nica answered.
"Of course," Goawe nodded, unfolding his arms as he withdrew a few of the Cards from a fold in his clothing, "He could have thought of that."
Nica looked over the backs of the cards, and finally chose the one in the middle. Taking it with his index and middle finger, he walked over to the nearest candle and held the Card's face right over the flame. In doing so, the flame of the candle suddenly flickered and touched the Card, but surprisingly, it didn't burn. A few seconds later, Nica withdrew the Card from the fire, and turned it over to look at what he had chosen.
"The guardian and brother of the wood," he said, looking at the creator.
"The humans call it a wolf."
"Indeed they do." Nica nodded, glancing at Goawe, "Now," he looked back at the Card, bringing out of no where a test tube that contained a black liquid, and pouring it's contents onto the wolf, "Natogoro, do as I say."
Steam rose from the Card as the liquid touched it, giving away the fact that the transformation was taking place. After the steam stopped rising, the black liquid soon disappeared, allowing Nica to see the changes that had occurred.
Instead of a beautiful wolf, the Card now showed a creature who's fur barely clung to it's bare muscles and bones, as if the fur had been ripped apart because the fur hadn't grown in size as did the rest of the wolf's body. It's now bone white muzzle dripped with saliva which was red with it's life blood. The ground on which the mutated wolf stood on, was now covered with blood and the fur that wasn't able to stay on the creator.
"Go and find her, and then bring her to me…"
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"Mia?" The warrior of trust walked down the stairs, his eyes still shown with the shock of what he had seen, but he quickly tried to blink it away as he stood at the foot of the stairs. The five people he had come to know very well before, during, and after the battles with Talpa, looked up at him from the table.
"Morning Cye," a few greeted.
"Good morning, is Mia here?"
"Right here, Cye," the requested woman answered as she came out of the kitchen, bearing a few plates of food.
"I let you sleep in," Mia said, explaining the reason why she was cooking that day. Cye had asked to cook for her in return of the hospitality she had for letting them stay at her place for such a long time. "I thought you'd need it. So I cooked this morning."
"Thanks."
"So, is there something you wanted to tell me?" Mia asked, after placing the plates on the table.
"Yes there was," Cye nodded.
"Hey, who is she, and what is she doing here like that?!" Kento blurted out.
"Huh?" The others turned to see who the blue haired boy was talking about only to spot the silver haired girl, who was using the railing of the stairs for support, blinking in uncertainty as she looked down at all the people below her.
"Oh my," Mia said.
But no one else was able to react any more than that of a few blinks and faces full of shock, for within a split second, the far wall creaked and then shattered by forced entry. Millions of pieces that had once been part of the wall flew in all directions, showering the house's occupants with the debris.
On pure instinct, Cye, who was the closest to Mia, pulled her down and covered her with his body to protect her from the flying fragments. While the others ducked underneath the table, or behind some nearby furniture.
Once the dust cleared, and the danger of getting hit by the pieces of the wall had passed, everyone got back to their feet to see what had caused the damage.
"Are you okay?" Cye asked Mia, getting off of her.
"Yeah, thanks."
"Ah!" Yulie cried out in surprise as he clung to his hiding place, looking fearfully up at the creature who had entered the house in such a destructive way.
The creature who towered over them was at least three times the size of Whiteblaze. Patches of what had once been a part of it's lovely fur coat barely clung to it's bare muscles and bones that gleamed red with it's life blood. It looked like the creature's fur had been torn into shreds as it's body grew unnaturally large in a very fast rate, in which the fur could not catch up.
"What is the world is that?" Mia asked.
"Don't ask me. I have no idea!" Kento said.
"It looks like a canine of some sort…" Rowen stated.
"Well I could figure that out." Kento mumbled.
Under normal circumstances Rowen would have just smiled and shook his head, saying something in the lines of, 'Sure you could Kento, sure you could.' But now wasn't the time for joking around.
The mutated wolf looked down at the people who stared up at it, but then it turned it's attention towards the girl on the stairs. A small growl escaped it's throat as it looked at her, it's eyes suddenly glowing red. Go and find her, and then bring her to me… Those were it's orders. And it had found her.
The girl looked at the creator as it took a few steps nearer to her, Brother of the wood, what are you doing here? And what has happened to you?…
You…I am here for you.
Brother, I don't see why, why are you here?
You'll find out. With the last part of the conversation said, the mutated wolf took the girl in it's jaws and turned, leaving through the hole it had come through.
The wolf, the girl! Sage thought, So that was what you were talking about Ryo, wasn't it?
"We've got to save her," Cye said.
There might be something special about that girl… Sage thought.
The four ronin warriors walked through the opening in the wall and glanced around, trying to see where the wolf had gone.
"It's like it just disappeared into thin air," Rowen said.
Chapter 1: The Unexpected Visitor
By: The Mysterious One
"What should we do now? Sage went off to meditate, and who knows where Cye is," Ryo asked.
"I don't know," Rowen answered. He looked at the mansion before saying, "But I don't think Yulie will be able to keep Kento from eating all the chow Mia bought not too long ago."
As if on cue they heard Yulie's shout, "Kento!"
"See what I mean?"
"Yeah."
"I'm going to go talk to Sage," Mia said, then added with a smile, "You two can take care of Kento."
Ryo and Rowen nodded.
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Kento looked up when the two boys entered. After swallowing the food he had in his mouth, he asked, "Is Cye back yet?"
The black haired boy shook his head, "No."
"We're just here to make sure you don't eat Mia out of house and home," Rowen said.
"Well, I'm a growing boy, I can't help it if I'm always hungry," Kento countered.
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Upon hearing the voices of the humans, the artic fox dashed up the stairs and into a room to hide. From underneath the bed, his hiding place, The White Fox listened to the voices that were muffled by the floor boards.
A minute later he felt a wave of sleepiness wash over him, so The White Fox lay his chin between his front paws.
Wh… But his thought was never finished as he fell sound asleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The evening's cool wind rustled through the trees. If one was to pay attention to it, one would hear it's ancient voice that often told of the earth's secrets that it gathered during the many years of it's unpredictable life.
Even though the blonde, who sat on the ground indian style, was silent, he didn't listen to the wind. You could tell he was not really there. His facial expression was that of a person who was in deep thought.
My armor was the only one to pick up the presence of evil…but nothing happened…Why is that? I know that I have the kanji of wisdom and the power of spirit and light-
"Sage?"
The blonde opened his eyes and turned his head to look up at boy who had interrupted his thoughts.
"Weren't you going to go home earlier today?"
"No, I'm staying," Sage answered.
The auburn haired boy looked into the blue eye that wasn't covered by blonde hair, trying to understand why Sage was staying. Something must be wrong. He thought as he saw the troubled expression in the blonde's eye.
"Cye," Sage stood up, "I sensed an evil presence earlier."
"Talpa?"
"No, at least I don't think so. It was different. More powerful."
Cye blinked in his confusion, then asked, "Do the others know?"
Sage nodded.
"It's nice to see that you're back Cye. The others were wondering where you went." Mia said as she walked up to the two boys.
"I was just saying good-bye to the city. But," Cye then looked at Sage, "It looks like I won't be leaving any time soon."
Mia nodded, understanding what he meant, "I know…You two should come inside. Not only is it getting cold and dark out here but I think that you guys should talk with the others to figure out what to do."
"Good idea."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Yollani looked down at the floor of the prayer room in which a circular sky light allowed a beam of light to shine down on her head and made her black dress sparkle.
Pardon me Kasteina for making you sleep. But you are only made of frozen water, so you have no feelings. In your new form you will understand, understand many things that you've never understood before, but you must not be awake during that transformation. I am risking everything by bringing you back, but it must be done, otherwise everything will be destroyed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"I think you should go to bed Yulie," Mia said.
"But I'm not even tired," Yulie said, while trying to hide a yawn.
Mia shook her head, "Come on."
"I want to stay and listen!"
"Do as she says."
Yulie looked at the black haired ronin which he had deemed his hero from the beginning, "Oh…alright."
'Thanks' Mia mouthed to Ryo as she ushered the little boy out of the room, not noticing that the warrior of fire didn't make any attempt to reply; instead, he just stared ahead, in an awkward silence. But someone noticed, as the others talked oblivious to what was happening with Ryo, Sage looked at the black haired boy and saw how he seemed to be frozen in time. It was hard to tell that he was even alive. The only way to know that he was still living was that his eyes blinked occasionally.
"What do you think we're up against?" Cye asked, trying to get back on track.
"I have no idea, and that's what I hate!" Kento said.
"Really…" Rowen sighed in agreement.
"I wish they'd show themselves. Then we could see some action!" Kento said.
Then everyone became silent for a few moments, but the short gap in the conversation didn't last much longer as Rowen said, "…It's really weird." All the others; except Ryo, who was still staring blankly in front of him, and Sage, who was watching his black haired friend; looked at the blue haired boy with questioning expressions on their faces. "Sage was the only one to sense them, and that was this afternoon. Nothing has happened yet."
But before anyone could reply to Rowen's comment, Ryo suddenly stood up, knocking his chair over, his eyes wide.
"Ryo?"
He stared at the wall in front of him, "It's a…" His eyes then narrowed, "Leave her alone!"
"Ryo what are you talking about?" Cye asked.
The black haired boy didn't answer as he jumped over the table and banished his clothes, only to land on the other side wearing his red and white sub- armor.
The others glanced at each other in alarm as they stood.
I knew something was up… Sage thought.
"I don't see anything," Kento said.
Rowen agreed, "Neither do I."
Ryo acted oblivious to what they said as he attacked the air with a few punches and kicks, only to fall backwards into one of the walls or a piece of furniture every time, as if something had returned his attacks.
"We should stop him before he hurts himself," Cye said, taking a step forward.
Sage stopped him, "No, not yet."
"Huh?" Cye looked at Sage.
Instead of replying to him, the blonde just watched Ryo. There isn't anything here…The only thing I am sensing is Ryo's armor reacting…But...to what?
"Rgh! This isn't working," Ryo frowned. "Armor of Wildfire! Tao Jin!"
After the transformation he drew his katanas and crossed them so that they formed an 'x'. "Alright wolfie, you wanted to pick a fight with us."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Mia looked up when she heard a few large bangs and clashes from the room that the boys were in.
"Are we under attack?" Yulie asked her.
"I'm not sure…but if we are, I'm sure the ronin warriors will protect us." Mia answered as she walked toward the door, adding, "I'll be right back."
"Where is Whiteblaze?" Yulie asked before she could get very far.
Mia stopped at the doorway and looked over her shoulder at him, "He's probably with the others."
"But I didn't hear him roar, if something bad is on it's way he always warns us."
"I don't know Yulie, but don't worry, he'll be okay." Mia reassured before she walked out of the room.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Each paw silently landed on the ground as the large white and black tiger ran in long even strides. Small white clouds hung around his muzzle, only to disappear into the cold night air a few seconds later.
Whiteblaze had left the mansion, when Mia, Sage, and Cye had entered the house, feeling as if something was drawing him outside. And now here he was running, trying to find the force that was drawing him towards it. He planned to answer it's call and see what it wanted from him; this, was why he left.
He finally came to a stop, with his sides heaving as his lungs fought to grasp onto a steady pattern once more, waiting for his heart to calm it's wild beat that it shared with his lungs.
The tiger then perked his ears, trying to hear over the pounding sound of his heart, Something's here…
You came. Out of what was nothing but shadows a creature materialized. It's sleek body was that of a white tiger, only opposite. Instead of white with black stripes, it had black with white stripes. The moon's light gleamed on it's body like water that was on something very smooth and slightly curved. But that was, for the most part, all of it's normal appearance it had. Surprisingly, folded carefully on it's back, were two dragon wings covered with purple feathers. And it's head was covered with a mane like a lion's but made of fire instead of hair.
Whiteblaze let out a small growl, surprised at the sudden appearance of the creature, Who are you? And why did you call me here? He could sense that this creature was what called him outside.
Mortals have the need to name things, everything, for them, must have a name. They call me by different names, some call me The Unbalancer, others call me the ABC, another name I am called is The Creature of Mourning and Revenge, yet there are many other names that I have not said, mortals have given me many names.
Then, one who has many names, Whiteblaze put in respectively, realizing now, from what the creature said, that he was talking to an immortal, why did you call me here?
The creature sat down and looked silently at Whiteblaze with golden eyes before answering him, Whiteblaze, the tiger stiffened, because it knew his name before he even told it, you have been mourning the lose of a friend for a long time.
Yes… Whiteblaze agreed, still wary of the creature sitting in front of him, but he stayed still and didn't say anything more as he waited for it to continue with what it wanted to say.
And you have now taken the Lost Mystic of Dreams as your new friend.
1 Who do you mean? I am only friends with the…Ryo? You are talking about Ryo?
It's eyes gave a look that told Whiteblaze that it was smiling, You are right.
2 Why is it that you call him the Lost Mystic of Dreams?
Tides come and tides go, change always comes, but it's a cycle, the change is always the same.
Whiteblaze blinked not understanding the answer he got from the Unbalancer, What do you mean by that?
It is not meant to have a meaning but to know. Can one know the meaning of time? Yes maybe in human standards, seconds, minutes, hours, but these are only names that harness something much more than that. Dreams are the same. Humans try to understand them, try to harness them, interprate them. But they are something more. They are a part of them. A part that they cannot control, just like time. You can try to harness it with medicine or names, but dreams and time is much more than that. More powerful than their attempts to control them. The first to awake is dreams, for though time came before dreams, thoughts came before time, and dreams come from thoughts. Time, dreams, they are not meant to be fully understood, for who can, save for our creator?
You're right about time and dreams, but what does all of that have to do with Ryo? Whiteblaze asked, more confused now then before.
A mother has a secret, then she waits too long to make it known. Only by the cover of darkness and the coming of evil will the Lost Mytic of Dreams see the powers that he had all along.
Then in an instant, without any type of warning, the creature was upon the white tiger. But Whiteblaze reacted quickly enough, even though he was caught off guard.
He noticed that the Unbalancer wasn't guarding it's throat all that well, so the white tiger lunged at the strange creature and bit at it's fiery neck. He was surprised that his mouth wasn't burnt by the fire, and he was also surprised that he reacted the way he did. Wouldn't have biting at the creature's neck have been useless? Apparently it wasn't as the Unbalancer slunk to the ground, still alive, but wounded.
Blue blood trickled down from it's bite wound from underneath it's fiery main, which should have been able to protect it from Whiteblaze's assault. The blood gathered into a puddle, but strangely enough, the puddle began to glow and form into a small chain like necklace with a clear orb, that you could see through, attached to it. The glowing stopped and then the blood hardened.
The Unbalancer stood, Take this. You'll know what and who it is for. The strange looking creature turned and walked away, showing no signs of wanting to fight any more, Be ready, a mother's secret is to be revealed…The Lost Mystic of Dreams must be the first to awaken to the realization of his powers…Though it will take longer than any of the others who are to be awakened. With that it was suddenly gone. It was as if the Unbalancer was never there. The only clue that told the confused Whiteblaze that he hadn't imagined the entire episode was the necklace that lay on the ground in front of him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Mia came into the room and watched the red armored boy attack an invisible foe, "What's going on?"
"I don't-" but Rowen wasn't able to finish his answer.
"Flare!" Ryo placed his two katanas together shouting out the first word of his attack.
"Ryo stop!" Cye said.
"Up!" Ryo shouted, apparently he didn't hear what Cye had said.
Cye looked at the others, his voice full of urgency, "We've got to stop him now! Before he burns down the entire house!"
Kento gave a quick nod of agreement at what his friend said before jumping over the table and forcing Ryo's arms down to his sides, making him separate his katanas; which, in doing so, he had stopped him just in time. If he hadn't stopped him just then, the white glowing of Ryo's attack would have been fully created. But luckily it had just started to form around the blades of his weapons, and so when Kento stopped him, it suddenly evaporated into thin air, as if it wasn't even called upon in the first place.
"You let it get away…" the black haired boy said silently, before his body suddenly went limp in Kento's hands.
"Ryo? Hey Ryo?" The blue haired boy shook him, trying to revive him, but his attempt was unsuccessful.
Mia walked over and checked for Ryo's pulse, "He's still alive, he just fainted."
"What happened?" Came Yulie's voice from the stairs.
"That's what we'd like to know," Rowen answered.
Yulie looked downstairs and say Ryo's limp body, "Ryo?" His voice came out as a squeak when he asked the question.
"It's okay Yulie," Mia said. At least I hope so… She then turned to the guys, "Help me bring him upstairs."
Kento, who was already holding onto the black haired boy, only nodded, "I can take him." With that he hoisted his friend onto his shoulder and slowly walked up the stairs to Ryo's room.
Mia half heartedly encouraged everyone to go to their bedrooms and try to get some sleep since they had stayed up so late. But she knew better. Even though they did what she suggested, no one was going to fall asleep. Not after what happened.
Silence spread throughout the mansion. Everyone was left to his or her own thoughts in the comfort of their own rooms.
Everything that has happened today isn't making any sense… Sage thought, How come I'm the only one sensing anything at all? Does it have to do with my armor? My powers of spirit. Are we dealing with some ghost? If so, what does it want from us? No…I'm sure it wasn't a ghost…Then what am I sensing? The first time it was something evil. The second time it was Ryo's armor reacting. What was his armor reacting to? And why didn't ours react? Why is it that I was the only one to sense his armor reacting? Why was he so rigid while the others were talking about our new enemies? He shuttered, It was as if he was stone, or frozen in time…Why, when he was fighting nothing but air, was he oblivious to us? And what did he mean by "wolfie" and "her"? Was that what he saw? If it was, then what did "her" and the "wolfie" have to do with anything? Is that a warning about what is going to happen? The blonde furrowed his eyebrows as he thought, There are way too many questions that don't have any answers…Whatever is happening, or is going to happen, I'll have to be prepared for it, so should the others.
Meanwhile the thoughts going through Cye's mind went like this, What was it that Ryo saw, and why did Sage stop me when I wanted to help Ryo? Sage knows something, something that we all don't. I wonder why he doesn't tell us? Or maybe he doesn't know anything and he's as confused as we are…But I still don't understand why he stopped me. If he doesn't know anything, then what is up with him? And why did Ryo act so weird? He has been spacing out a lot lately. It's like something is happening to him but what? And why did he faint? The auburn haired boy sighed as he turned to lay on his side. I don't know if I will be able to fall asleep, but I should at least try. Mia was right, we should all get some sleep, I just hope we'll be able to. Who knows what's going to happen next… With that last thought, Cye closed his eyes, and lay there waiting for sleep, which gradually over came him.
Everyone else also thought about the day's events in their own perspective, all but one, the person who it was all happening to, Ryo.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The creature of ice had been foregoing through a change of form during the night. And by now the White Fox awoke, while it was still dark out, shivering, What is this cold feeling? I've never felt it before… Awkwardly the changed creature crawled out from underneath the bed, but it wasn't given much of a chance to realize the changes that had happened to it. The White Fox only cared about warmth and sleep. The only place to receive both was to crawl underneath the soft, warm blankets on the bed, and to curl up next to the warmest object that it could find lying under the blankets.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"So, the child has turned against us? Hum…just as predicted."
"Yes, but what are we going to do with her now?" Yollani's master asked.
"The decision of her fate will soon be decided, Nica, but for now we have other worries. The first of the Lost Mystics have been called…And another shall gradually waken, but we need not fear the Lost Mystic of Dreams, it is the Lost Mystic of Ice we need fear. For she is the one who awakens all of the others. Once she is destroyed, we can then destroy the Lost Mystic of Dreams."
"I know," Nica nodded, "And if you wish, I shall take care of the first before she herself is awakened."
"Do that…But be forewarned, do not underestimate any of our enemies…If you lose, the possibilities that the Lost Mystic of Ice will have her powers awakened are very high."
"Yes, I shall keep that in mind," Nica said. He bowed his head quickly before turning and walking away, fading as he went.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A small shaft of light found it's way through a crack in the curtains. Which were meant to hide the room from unwanted pairs of eyes who might want to look inside, and kept the sun from shining in unnecessarily. But someone had obviously been careless when they closed the currents; for, the beam had found a way to get into the room.
The light found that it's path was stopped abruptly by long waves of silvery hair, and decided to nestle down amongst the strands, making the hair glow with a soft shimmering radiance.
Upon seeing the beautiful silvery glow of the long strands of hair when he woke up, Cye blinked his eyes several time to make sure that they still weren't muddled with sleep, but the hair didn't disappear from sight. Huh…? He sat up to get more of an idea of what was lying snuggled up next to him.
What the!? His face shown with surprise when he saw that the owner of the long silver hair was a girl. The sun's light made her long strands of wavy hair glow, illuminating her calm peaceful looking face. The fact that she was there was surprising enough, but what he discovered next made his surprise even greater. Oh no…Who is she, and what is she doing here like this?…I don't remember anything happening last night…
Even though he knew he should look away from the girl in the current condition she was in, Cye found that his head wouldn't move and his eyes wouldn't close. She's very beautiful…But…I shouldn't be even staring at her like this!
His face flushed at his thoughts, and the redness of his face only deepened when the girl's eyes fluttered open. "Uh…m…m….miss? I hope…y…you…don't mind me asking…b…but, what…ar…ar…are you doing in here?" He stuttered uncertainly.
The girl lay there, looking up at him with her grayish blue eyes, not understanding why the boy that sat there looking down at her was stuttering and blushing so deeply.
Cye found himself silently staring into her eyes, They're like ice…I feel lost…and cold… He shuttered slightly, coming out of what seemed like some sort of trance.
"Please miss, put something on…" The auburn haired boy suggested, quickly looking away, his face still red with blush.
The girl sat up, blinking, still not understanding why he was acting so weird, Am I not a fox? Why is it that he talks to me as if I was a female human… With this last thought, she lifted one of her hands and looked at it in shock. I…I'm human!! I'm a human girl! She looked up at Cye, Why?…Why human? Why did my new form have to be human?
Cye glanced at the girl out of the corner of his eye and saw that she was just sitting there, acting as if she didn't know what to do in her graceful silent way. The expression on her face was that of a person who had discovered that they had grown a tail, but she looked more curious than shocked. "I'll uh…get you something to put on…" He finally said, standing up, making sure that he didn't look at the naked girl. "For now…would you please stay here?"
The girl didn't nod as she watched him leave the room. Instead, once he was gone, she carefully tried out her new form. As she clumsily stood up, she used the wall to help support her. This is so strange…It feels so different…Humans are so weak and clumsy… She continued to use the wall for support as she walked towards the door that she had seen Cye go through before.
(Side note: Cye was wearing clothes you perverts!!)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Nica rematerialized in a dark room, who's long narrow walls made it seem more like a hallway with a dead end. Candles lined the two narrow walls. Each were set apart just enough that one candle's light barely touched another's. But their glow was enough, for a person who was used to the sparse light, to see.
As he walked down the hallway like room, each candle flickered a different color than that of the usual yellow, as he passed by, threatening to blow out. But he didn't pay any attention to the weird candles, he had been in this room many a time, and so he had gotten used to their strange ways.
Once he reached the end of the narrow room Nica stopped walking and said, "Fela akerji gana hon."
"Fela will gana hon," a husky old voice answered in reply.
"Goawe," Nica looked down at the old man who sat before him. His clothes consisting of a large mass of dilapidated and dirt covered cloth that wrapped all around him. It seemed like that was all he was made up of, since you couldn't see his arms, legs, or anything at all, except maybe his face, which was looking at the ground. But Nica knew, from his past experiences in meeting up with the Card Holder, that in reality the old man was actually sitting on the ground with his feet crossed, as if he had been meditating. With his arms crossed over his chest, his long sleeves hanging over them, hiding his arms from view.
"He requests a Card," Goawe said, cutting Nica off as he looked up at him with small eyes that were almost concealed in his age wrinkled face, "This man knows, that is why he comes here. That is why everybody comes here."
"You are right," Nica nodded.
Goawe smiled, "This man wonders what his master wants one of the Cards for?"
Nica knew he wasn't really Goawe's master, but the old man that sat before him always used such formalities with everyone. That, he assumed, is probably why he became the Holder of the Cards.
"I am to destroy the Lost Mystic of Ice," Nica answered.
"Of course," Goawe nodded, unfolding his arms as he withdrew a few of the Cards from a fold in his clothing, "He could have thought of that."
Nica looked over the backs of the cards, and finally chose the one in the middle. Taking it with his index and middle finger, he walked over to the nearest candle and held the Card's face right over the flame. In doing so, the flame of the candle suddenly flickered and touched the Card, but surprisingly, it didn't burn. A few seconds later, Nica withdrew the Card from the fire, and turned it over to look at what he had chosen.
"The guardian and brother of the wood," he said, looking at the creator.
"The humans call it a wolf."
"Indeed they do." Nica nodded, glancing at Goawe, "Now," he looked back at the Card, bringing out of no where a test tube that contained a black liquid, and pouring it's contents onto the wolf, "Natogoro, do as I say."
Steam rose from the Card as the liquid touched it, giving away the fact that the transformation was taking place. After the steam stopped rising, the black liquid soon disappeared, allowing Nica to see the changes that had occurred.
Instead of a beautiful wolf, the Card now showed a creature who's fur barely clung to it's bare muscles and bones, as if the fur had been ripped apart because the fur hadn't grown in size as did the rest of the wolf's body. It's now bone white muzzle dripped with saliva which was red with it's life blood. The ground on which the mutated wolf stood on, was now covered with blood and the fur that wasn't able to stay on the creator.
"Go and find her, and then bring her to me…"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Mia?" The warrior of trust walked down the stairs, his eyes still shown with the shock of what he had seen, but he quickly tried to blink it away as he stood at the foot of the stairs. The five people he had come to know very well before, during, and after the battles with Talpa, looked up at him from the table.
"Morning Cye," a few greeted.
"Good morning, is Mia here?"
"Right here, Cye," the requested woman answered as she came out of the kitchen, bearing a few plates of food.
"I let you sleep in," Mia said, explaining the reason why she was cooking that day. Cye had asked to cook for her in return of the hospitality she had for letting them stay at her place for such a long time. "I thought you'd need it. So I cooked this morning."
"Thanks."
"So, is there something you wanted to tell me?" Mia asked, after placing the plates on the table.
"Yes there was," Cye nodded.
"Hey, who is she, and what is she doing here like that?!" Kento blurted out.
"Huh?" The others turned to see who the blue haired boy was talking about only to spot the silver haired girl, who was using the railing of the stairs for support, blinking in uncertainty as she looked down at all the people below her.
"Oh my," Mia said.
But no one else was able to react any more than that of a few blinks and faces full of shock, for within a split second, the far wall creaked and then shattered by forced entry. Millions of pieces that had once been part of the wall flew in all directions, showering the house's occupants with the debris.
On pure instinct, Cye, who was the closest to Mia, pulled her down and covered her with his body to protect her from the flying fragments. While the others ducked underneath the table, or behind some nearby furniture.
Once the dust cleared, and the danger of getting hit by the pieces of the wall had passed, everyone got back to their feet to see what had caused the damage.
"Are you okay?" Cye asked Mia, getting off of her.
"Yeah, thanks."
"Ah!" Yulie cried out in surprise as he clung to his hiding place, looking fearfully up at the creature who had entered the house in such a destructive way.
The creature who towered over them was at least three times the size of Whiteblaze. Patches of what had once been a part of it's lovely fur coat barely clung to it's bare muscles and bones that gleamed red with it's life blood. It looked like the creature's fur had been torn into shreds as it's body grew unnaturally large in a very fast rate, in which the fur could not catch up.
"What is the world is that?" Mia asked.
"Don't ask me. I have no idea!" Kento said.
"It looks like a canine of some sort…" Rowen stated.
"Well I could figure that out." Kento mumbled.
Under normal circumstances Rowen would have just smiled and shook his head, saying something in the lines of, 'Sure you could Kento, sure you could.' But now wasn't the time for joking around.
The mutated wolf looked down at the people who stared up at it, but then it turned it's attention towards the girl on the stairs. A small growl escaped it's throat as it looked at her, it's eyes suddenly glowing red. Go and find her, and then bring her to me… Those were it's orders. And it had found her.
The girl looked at the creator as it took a few steps nearer to her, Brother of the wood, what are you doing here? And what has happened to you?…
You…I am here for you.
Brother, I don't see why, why are you here?
You'll find out. With the last part of the conversation said, the mutated wolf took the girl in it's jaws and turned, leaving through the hole it had come through.
The wolf, the girl! Sage thought, So that was what you were talking about Ryo, wasn't it?
"We've got to save her," Cye said.
There might be something special about that girl… Sage thought.
The four ronin warriors walked through the opening in the wall and glanced around, trying to see where the wolf had gone.
"It's like it just disappeared into thin air," Rowen said.
