Ryo and Sakura staring and panting at the space where Talpa had just been.  They were exhausted.  The magic had drained Sakura of her energy, and Ryo's use of the Armor of the Inferno drained him also.  The other warriors were free, rejoicing in Talpa's defeat. 

"We did it" Ryo said happily picking up Sakura and swinging her around. "We actually did it."

"You two were awesome." Mia said to Ryo and Sakura.  "But I don't really understand something."

"What's that?" Kento asked.

"Well, I understand why Ryo is the bearer of the Armor of the Inferno, but what I don't understand is why Sakura wasn't absorbed into the armor like the others were. She was with Ryo in a dress." Mia said puzzled.

"To tell you the truth." Sakura admitted. "I really don't know myself, why didn't I get absorbed?"

"To know that, you must understand the Armor of the Inferno." Ancient said appearing behind them.

"Understand the Armor?" Yulie asked.

"Yes, one must know about it." Ancient said.

"Do you know about the armor Ancient?" Sage asked.

"Yes, and I will help you with any questions you have." Ancient replied.

"All right, first question," Sakura said. "Why was I with Ryo and not absorbed like the others?"

"Because you are a part of him." Ancient answered."

"A part of me?" Ryo said confused. "How is she a part of me?"

"She causes the Inferno." Ancient replied smoothly.

"I what?" Sakura asked dumfounded.

"Let me put it this way," Ancient patiently explained. "You, Ryo, have the armor of the Wildfire correct?"

"Yes"

"And you, Sakura, have the Armor of the Cyclone."

"Yes" came Sakura curious reply.

"What is it that makes a fire a wildfire?" Ancient asked them.

"Well, I guess it is the grass and things that it burns." Ryo answered with a shrug.

"Correct, but, what makes the wildfire a raging inferno?" Ancient questioned.

"Wouldn't that be more things that it can burn?" Kento guessed jokingly.

"Yes, but that is not all. What spreads it?" Ancient prodded.

"It's the wind." Sakura said softly, realization dawning on her.

"Correct," Ancient said pleased. "The wind spreads the fire, in a sense gives it motivation. You, Sakura, give Ryo his motivation." Ancient said, taking her hand and placing it in Ryo's. "Ryo's motivation to keep you safe, his love for you, is what drives him to use the Armor of the Inferno. Your presence allows him to focus and your love for him also helps strengthen his attacks."

Sakura and Ryo gazed at each other. Both thinking about what Ancient had just said.

"You see it was destiny that you two be together." Ancient concluded. "For only if you two were together could you have beaten Talpa. You two are the warriors of destiny."

"I can feel it, Sakura." Ryo said to her.  "I've always felt that you and I were supposed to be together."

"I felt it too. I tried to repress it for so long, because of my father, but that only seemed to strengthen it." Sakura admitted.

"And as long as you two are together, you will always be complete, for one is not enough, it needs the love that you two share to create the Armor of the Inferno." Ancient ended, and with that disappeared.

Ryo and Sakura looked at each other, neither saying a thing.  They didn't have to.  They each knew what the other was thinking and leaned in close together, when , of course, they were interrupted.

"Drat!" Sage said. "Here come the warlords"

It seemed as though Talpa had absorbed each of them as well, they were angry and rebellious about Talpa's betrayal of them that they immediately joined the Ronin side. Anubis and Sakura gave each other a hug.

"I missed you big bro." She whispered to him, a tear trickling down her cheek.

"Right back at ya little sister." He said warmly wiping her tear away. " You were right all along, Sakura. I never thought that Talpa would betray us the way he did. From now on, we are also a part of the Ronin warriors."

And so it ended.  The warlords joined the Ronins all living together in Mia's house, and Talpa was never heard from again.  Sakura's pets kept a close watch on things around the forests and cities, warning the Ronins of any signs of danger, which turned out to be a full time job. With Talpa gone the Shadow lands became a part of the neutral area, and Talpa's castle, now Sakura's castle, become a home for all her pets.  After Ancient died, Anubis became the new Ancient One.  As for Sakura and Ryo, the two became engaged later that year and were married two years later, and experienced many adventures together, but that's another story to be told another time.  

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I hope you all liked this story.  I'm trying to think up ideas for a sequel. Any good villain ideas or anything that you think might help would be appreciated, and I will give credit where due, Just be sure to keep a look out for a new story and please send me your reviews of what you think of the ending. –Vegetasgirl4eva