Chapter 11: Nightmare
I moaned feeling like someone had just hit me over the head with a five-ton hammer as I opened my eyes. I looked around and saw I was in my room at Mia's. How did I get here? The last I remember is Ryo had disappeared and I told the others I won't leave without him. So how did I get here? I asked myself, and then I got out of the bed and went down stairs. When I got downstairs Sage, Kayura, Cye and Sekmeht was talking but when Sage saw me he looked nervous. " You okay Serenea?" He asked that stopped the talking. I looked around seeing Harry was on the couch still unconscious, everyone was there but Ryo, Ryo wasn't in the room.
"Where is Ryo?" I asked, everyone exchanged look, I gulped down my increasing fear. "Where is he? Where is Ryo?" I asked. "Serenea, Ryo is ... well he is dead. We couldn't find a body but the Dynasty didn't take him or we would know." Cye said, I was shaking not in fear but in anger. "Which one of one knocked me out?" I asked looking at the floor but when I looked up my fury was burning in my eyes. I knew Sekmeht did it but Mia sensing a disaster about to happen and stopped it. "Ryo would have wanted you and the others to escape, Serenea." I looked up at her and with the fury raging inside me stormed out of the house.
I ducked among the trees in not caring where I went and or answering Kento when he called out my name. "Serenea stop right there." "Don't you move."? "That's a order young lady." I heard the voices of Kento, Cye and Anubis. I ignored them and walked away faster they started to follow and I broke out into a run. But I didn't get far until I got tangled up in some undergrowth in the woods. When I untangle myself the guys had caught up with me, Cye garbed my by the shoulders and shook me hard. "Are you crazy? Storming off like that? The Dynasty could have just got you and we wouldn't be able to go and get you." I pulled away from him but looked away from the look he was giving me.
I returned to the house but no one was in a good mood, we were all mourning Ryo's death. Mia said we had to act normal but it wasn't easy, the Dynasty had became oddly quiet so we had no way to fight out our anger or avenge Ryo. And the only things that kept me from losing it was training, the weird dreams I had been having and Yuli. He asked me to train him so he could be a stronger fighter and he became like a little brother but even with that I couldn't stop feeling like someone had just destroyed everything I care for and left me stand alone, I welcomed sleep at night, but there was one night I wish I didn't.
Outside the edge of the city, an ancient volcano had begun to smolder for the first time in generations. Deep down in the belly of it slept the Ronin Warrior, Ryo. His bed was the lava. And as he floated on the top of the molten rock, he slowly fought his way to awareness. Then across his forehead flashed the ancient symbol, 'Jin'. "Virtue," the warrior whispered, identifying the symbol's meaning and the power that fueled the Wildfire Armor. The young warrior opened his eyes. As he pushed himself up and out of the lava, his armor began to pulse and he could feel the power return. He looked around perplexed, he could feel the heat of the lava but his armor protected him from the seething liquid. " What is this place?" he wondered aloud. "I remember the fight with Talpa's goon, Anubis . . . the power of the Dynasty must have put me into the volcano." He stood up fully and his face shield retracted letting Ryo get his first breath in the furnace.
It hurt but did not burn like he expected. "My armor is protecting me from the heat," he thought aloud. "I've got to get out of here and find the others." He looked up and saw the opening far above him. He groaned. It was so high and with the bulk of the armor, holding him back this was going to take some time. Then with a sigh of resignation, he walked over to the heated wall and found his first handhold and began his journey up. In the volcano, Ryo struggled up the wall. The mystical armor was a necessary hindrance. It was still too hot to change back into his simple body armor. If he could of had, it would have been a lot quicker. "Must be close," he said. "Just a little bit farther." Then his hand slipped and caused him to fall back a few paces. "I can't . . .," he said in despair. He shook his head. "No, I won't fail." He continued up and wished once more he could remove the heavy armor. Just a little further," Ryo said as he struggled to find another handhold. "If I could only see the top of this hole . . . yeah, then I'd be jamming." He labored a few more minutes then to his delight, he cleared the top of the crater. When he pulled himself up, the first thing he saw was a dark pair of armored boots. "Huh," he said as he leaned back to get a better view.
The boots were connected to the rest of the Dark Warlord's armor. "Worked up a sweat, huh boy?" the evil one laughed. "Anubis!" Ryo stood and faced his antagonist. "You're surprised," Anubis taunted. " Well you should have stayed at the bottom of this molten pit. Now, I must send you back!" Anubis attacked with a sharp lance. The blow knocked Ryo back into the volcano. The young warrior managed to grab his remaining sword and plunge it into the wall, stopping his fall. As he dangled helplessly from the sword, Anubis used the lance to knock rocks onto the powerless Ronin. The rocks battered Ryo causing his hand to loosen. Above him Anubis sneered, "Time to die . . ."
Ryo heard a cry from White Blaze. He dodged the next blow and catapulted up into the air. He and the tiger crossed and in White Blaze's mouth was Ryo's second sword. His fingers locked down on the hilt of the weapon. "You!" Anubis screamed as he turned to face the now fully seasoned warrior. Ryo attacked. The two rivals parried one another's blows, but they were equal in strength. "You won't beat me again, Anubis." " That's what you think, boy." Yuli and Mia came up behind the gladiators. "Hey, it's Ryo!" Yuli cried. "Yes," Mia said, "and he's alive!" "Yuli . . . Mia," Ryo yelled, looking toward them. It distracted him enough to let Anubis get a blow in. The punch caused Ryo to fall into the volcano.
"Nooo!!!" Yuli and Mia screamed as the hero disappeared into the crater. There was a brilliant flash
of light. "Ryo!" Mia cried out as tears fell down her cheeks. Anubis stood on the edge of the volcano victoriously. "He's finished," he laughed. The earth trembled beneath the Warlord's feet. "Huh?" Anubis backed away from the ledge. "Something is happening," Mia warned as she caught Yuli from falling. "What is it?" Yuli said as he clung to Mia. The volcano erupted. The hot lava spewed out, straight into the air. "This is nothing I could have done," Anubis growled, but he knew who could of. In the stream was Ryo, riding the molten rock. "Prepare to die." Anubis hissed as he raised his weapon.
"No way," the warrior said drawing his swords. "Ryo!" Mia shouted. "Get him," Yuli cheered. Ryo looked over at Mia and Yuli who were huddled beside a rock using the stone as a barrier from the lava. Mia could tell there was something different in the eyes of the Ronin. Yuli saw it too. "Mia, he's changed . . . what happened to him?" "I think his armor must have gained power from the volcano," Mia told the child in awe. "What!" "Ryo's armor is the Wildfire," Mia told Yuli. "The volcano's heat will power him to fight this Dark Warlord." "But will it work?" "The power is described in the legends," Mia said. "It's our only hope." Ryo finally pulled himself out of the lava and landed in front of Anubis. The heat of his armor melted the rock he stood on and caused the air to fill with blistering steam. "You're finished," Anubis cried as he attacked." I don't think so," Ryo said. He blocked the lance with his swords and threw the blade aside shattering it.
Anubis could feel the power coming from Ryo. "What's going on here? He's different . . . stronger." He dropped the broken spear and took out his chain sickle. He launched his weapon. Ryo caught the sickle between the cross of his blades and pulled the Warlord closer. "Oh no," Anubis said as he struggled against the hold. The end of his weapon burst into a thousand pieces. Anubis looked up at the young warrior and could see the symbol of Virtue shining of his forehead. "Look at that," Yuli cheered. "Ryo's is beating him!" "How is he doing this?" Anubis growled. "I'll show him all my incredible power!" Then the Warlord leapt into the air twirling his broken weapon. "Have a taste of this!" Ryo watched his foe and thought to himself, "Whoa, what's happening to me? I'm on fire from the inside out. But my body is more powerful than ever."
"QUAKE WITH FEAR!!!" Anubis cried from high above. He launched his fearsome weapon. Ryo deflected the blow and caused the weapon to turn on its owner. Anubis crashed to the ground entrapped in chains. "Want more, Warlord?" Ryo said as he stood over the fallen villain. "Now I see it," Anubis said. "His armor is the Wildfire, the heat of the volcano has given him tremendous power." "I've had enough of you," Ryo said raising his weapons. He attacked. Anubis leapt out of the way and landed behind Mia and Yuli. He looked down at them and began to laugh. "Don't touch them!" Ryo warned.
Mia looked up at the hideous face. "Oh no," she thought to herself. Anubis knows the power of Ryo's armor is fueled by the heat of the volcano. What's he going to do?" Aloud she cried, "Run, Yuli!" She pushed the child in front of her and they both began to flee. "We're out of here," Yuli agreed. "I won't let you get away." The Warlord's sickle snaked out and wrapped around both of them. "Nook!" Ryo yelled.
White Blaze vaulted and clamped his powerful jaws onto the arm of Anubis. The Warlord began to
shake his arm but White Blaze's hold would not be broken. "Get away!" Anubis screamed. He finally
ripped his arm free and tossed the tiger against some boulders. "White Blaze!" Ryo cried attacking. Anubis dodged the blow and then pulled Mia and Yuli in front of him. "Anubis, let them go now or else . . ." "Ryo, help us," Yuli cried. "I'll trade you these two for . . . your life," Anubis offered. "I can feel the burning power of the armor," Ryo thought to himself. "I have nothing to be afraid of."
He again attacked Anubis. The Warlord blocked the blow with the blade of his weapon. The heat from Ryo's armor caused the weapon to smolder. Yuli and Mia screamed out in pain. "It's hot!" Yuli yelled. Ryo broke off his attack and leapt back. "What's the matter, Wildfire?" Anubis tightened his hold on his hostages. "Come and fight me," he taunted. "My armor is scorching," Ryo thought. "I can't get close to Mia or Yuli, or I'll burn them. It's too dangerous." "Ryo," Mia begged, "leave me . . . save Yuli." "Ryo, help us!" the child said. "Release them," Ryo commanded. "This is between us."
"Okay, have it your way then. I'll bring the little darlings to you." Anubis dragged his captives closer to the blistering warrior. For every step he took, Ryo stepped back until his heels hung over the edge of the volcano. "You've run out of ground," Anubis sneered. "But not out of fight," Ryo stated crossing his blades. Yuli and Mia struggled hopelessly against their bonds. "Let me go," Yuli demanded. He kicked the Warlord in the knee. Anubis laughed at the child's futile attempt. Then to Ryo said, "Do you think your power is enough to defeat me?" "Let's see, metal head." "First thing first," Anubis said and he threw his two captives into the mouth of the volcano.
"I think we need to talk to her." Kayura said looking up the stairs, I had been sleep for a day and since there was no school today not much was thought until after lunch and I still had not come down from my room. Then Kayura, Anubis, White Blaze and Mia went to my bedroom to wake me up. " Mia! Yuli!" I said seeing them being thrown into the volcano as the nightmare continued.
"Mia! Yuli!" Ryo did not hesitate and leapt in after them. He sheathed his swords as he fell and tried to think of a way to save his friends. "I can grab them," he thought, "but my armor will incinerate them." He pictured the scene in his mind and shook his head. "No, that won't work. I have to do something fast!" His armor was weighing him down so he was falling faster then they were and he was almost to them. Then he knew what he had to do. He willed his Wildfire Armor back to its resting-place and in a flash was once again clad in only his body armor. "Mia, Yuli, I got you!" He grabbed one under each arm and used his super strength to jump from wall to wall until he had them safely out of the molten pit. When he reached the top, he collapsed to his knees and let his two companions fall to the ground. He too fell, his sides heaving as he tried to catch his breath. Ryo watched as Mia slowly opened her eyes.
"Ryo," she whispered. "Hey," he said softly, "you're safe now." The young warrior had pushed himself up to his knees, when Anubis's weapon struck from behind and encircled Ryo's neck. Anubis then used his armor's power and pulled Ryo across the crater to where he stood. "Ryo!" Mia screamed as she struggled to stand. Anubis pulled Ryo to the ground at his feet. "I got you now, you pathetic little boy." "No, you don't," Ryo said in defiance as he loosened the chain's grip.
"You'll have to give up now . . . without your armor, you're powerless against me." He advanced, twirling his weapon. "Well, I can fix that," Ryo said. He rolled out of the way and leapt into the air. "Armor of Wildfire!" he cried. He crossed his wrists, but before he could complete the command Anubis chain wrapped around him. The ability to call the armor was lost. "No, it won't be that easy to reclaim your armor." Anubis used the chain to toss the warrior around, bashing the trapped youth into the ground time after time. "Get up, Ryo!" Yuli screamed. "So that's why Anubis threw us into the volcano," Mia said. She now knew the reason. "So Ryo would have to shed his armor." Ryo struggled to stand but again fell face first into the harsh ground. "You disgust me," Anubis said.
"Without your armor, you're pitifully weak." He bent down and lifted Ryo's head up. He then slid the curved blade of his weapon under Ryo's chin next to his unprotected throat. "I've got you right where I want you." He then backed away and once again began to thrash Ryo's limp body against the
surrounding rocks. "Come on, Ryo . . . fight back!" Yuli begged.
Anubis laughed, clearly enjoying himself. He kept the beating up until the young warrior no longer fought. "Ryo . . . oh no!" Mia screamed. "Come on, get up!" Yuli yelled at the fallen fighter. "He has nothing left," Anubis said. He lifted his chain so the limp warrior dangled at the end. "The Dynasty takes another victory. Now there will be no stopping Master Talpa's plans for the world." He walked over to the mouth of the volcano, with Ryo now tucked under one arm. "Even Ryo of the Wildfire can't stand the volcano's heat without his armor." Anubis laughed, and then tossed his captive into the volcano. "Nooo!" His two friends watched helplessly from the far side.
I opened my eyes to someone shaking me, when I saw Anubis I cried out in fright and punched him square in the jaw as I tumbled off my bed. White Blaze rubbed his head against me and I realize what I did. "Oh my gosh, I'm sorry Anubis." I said holding my head in my hands in embarrassment. " What did you that for?" He asked more surprised then angry. " Bad dream. I saw you and Ryo was fighting at a volcano and you nearly killed him." Mia and Anubis looked at me in shock. " Describe the dream." I told them and Anubis shook his head. " That is unusual. I did fight Ryo at Mt. Fuji and that dream you had was exactly what happen but Ryo was playing dead and we both fell into the volcano and he beat me in the volcano. I knew he get me back for that one day." He said rubbing his jaw. " But why did I see what happen in my dream?" I asked shaking a bit from seeing that battle and since my mind's eye kept replaying Ryo being threw in the volcano by someone I looked up to. " I think we may need to talk to the others." Kayura said we all agreed and walked down stairs.
Meanwhile Ryo watched us leave the bedroom. "I bet Anubis didn't except that, she got a good punch though." Then he thought for a moment. "Ancient why did she see the battle in her dream?" Ryo asked the Ancient who was also watching. "Your armors are connected to one another and the connection grows stronger each day. Of course your connection to each other is not just by the armor." Ryo looked away at this turning red in the cheeks. "I wish I was there with them." He said sighing a bit. " Soon Wildfire. It will soon be time." The Ancient said but Ryo didn't hear.
" So let me get this straight, you dreamed about the battle between Ryo and Anubis at the volcano and then you when you woke you punch Anubis?" Dais asked I could see the others were trying not to laugh. "I didn't mean to." I said then looked at little worried. "And White Blaze has been sticking to me like glue. Like he did with Ryo." "I think that because your armor is connected to Ryo's and since Ryo is... dead your his master now." Mia said biting her bottom lip in worry. " I know but if that's the reason of my dream, I have a feeling I'll see what battles Ryo fought in the Dynasty Wars," I trembled thinking about one battle I really didn't want to see. "Even the battle where Ryo fought Talpa." I said
" It's time to contact Kayura." The Ancient said then using the Ancient staff focused on speaking to Kayura. " Kayura, Wildfire is coming back. Do not say anything to the others, she has past the test. The link between them is strong enough to bear the armor. He'll be coming soon." He said then a small portal open under Ryo and Ryo fell through. " Good luck Ronins." The Ancient said and watched.
We sat in silence thinking then there was a knocking at the door, I went to open. When I did I stood in the door in total shock. " R.... Ryo? I thought you was dead." I said, Ryo smiled looking very much alive.
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Hi Icefire here, first thing I like to say I do not own Ronin Warriors. Second I like to say this story isn't just mine, it also belongs to my friend and partner Harry since he and I are co writing this story. Harry helping me a lot in this story so he deserves the credit too.
Serenea saw Ryo and Anubis battle at Mt. Fuji and Ryo finally returned after a month of being presumed dead. But why did Serenea see that battle and we she see others even Ryo's battle against Talpa? What did the Ancient One mean? It looks like you have to find out in Chapter 11: Saber's Return
I moaned feeling like someone had just hit me over the head with a five-ton hammer as I opened my eyes. I looked around and saw I was in my room at Mia's. How did I get here? The last I remember is Ryo had disappeared and I told the others I won't leave without him. So how did I get here? I asked myself, and then I got out of the bed and went down stairs. When I got downstairs Sage, Kayura, Cye and Sekmeht was talking but when Sage saw me he looked nervous. " You okay Serenea?" He asked that stopped the talking. I looked around seeing Harry was on the couch still unconscious, everyone was there but Ryo, Ryo wasn't in the room.
"Where is Ryo?" I asked, everyone exchanged look, I gulped down my increasing fear. "Where is he? Where is Ryo?" I asked. "Serenea, Ryo is ... well he is dead. We couldn't find a body but the Dynasty didn't take him or we would know." Cye said, I was shaking not in fear but in anger. "Which one of one knocked me out?" I asked looking at the floor but when I looked up my fury was burning in my eyes. I knew Sekmeht did it but Mia sensing a disaster about to happen and stopped it. "Ryo would have wanted you and the others to escape, Serenea." I looked up at her and with the fury raging inside me stormed out of the house.
I ducked among the trees in not caring where I went and or answering Kento when he called out my name. "Serenea stop right there." "Don't you move."? "That's a order young lady." I heard the voices of Kento, Cye and Anubis. I ignored them and walked away faster they started to follow and I broke out into a run. But I didn't get far until I got tangled up in some undergrowth in the woods. When I untangle myself the guys had caught up with me, Cye garbed my by the shoulders and shook me hard. "Are you crazy? Storming off like that? The Dynasty could have just got you and we wouldn't be able to go and get you." I pulled away from him but looked away from the look he was giving me.
I returned to the house but no one was in a good mood, we were all mourning Ryo's death. Mia said we had to act normal but it wasn't easy, the Dynasty had became oddly quiet so we had no way to fight out our anger or avenge Ryo. And the only things that kept me from losing it was training, the weird dreams I had been having and Yuli. He asked me to train him so he could be a stronger fighter and he became like a little brother but even with that I couldn't stop feeling like someone had just destroyed everything I care for and left me stand alone, I welcomed sleep at night, but there was one night I wish I didn't.
Outside the edge of the city, an ancient volcano had begun to smolder for the first time in generations. Deep down in the belly of it slept the Ronin Warrior, Ryo. His bed was the lava. And as he floated on the top of the molten rock, he slowly fought his way to awareness. Then across his forehead flashed the ancient symbol, 'Jin'. "Virtue," the warrior whispered, identifying the symbol's meaning and the power that fueled the Wildfire Armor. The young warrior opened his eyes. As he pushed himself up and out of the lava, his armor began to pulse and he could feel the power return. He looked around perplexed, he could feel the heat of the lava but his armor protected him from the seething liquid. " What is this place?" he wondered aloud. "I remember the fight with Talpa's goon, Anubis . . . the power of the Dynasty must have put me into the volcano." He stood up fully and his face shield retracted letting Ryo get his first breath in the furnace.
It hurt but did not burn like he expected. "My armor is protecting me from the heat," he thought aloud. "I've got to get out of here and find the others." He looked up and saw the opening far above him. He groaned. It was so high and with the bulk of the armor, holding him back this was going to take some time. Then with a sigh of resignation, he walked over to the heated wall and found his first handhold and began his journey up. In the volcano, Ryo struggled up the wall. The mystical armor was a necessary hindrance. It was still too hot to change back into his simple body armor. If he could of had, it would have been a lot quicker. "Must be close," he said. "Just a little bit farther." Then his hand slipped and caused him to fall back a few paces. "I can't . . .," he said in despair. He shook his head. "No, I won't fail." He continued up and wished once more he could remove the heavy armor. Just a little further," Ryo said as he struggled to find another handhold. "If I could only see the top of this hole . . . yeah, then I'd be jamming." He labored a few more minutes then to his delight, he cleared the top of the crater. When he pulled himself up, the first thing he saw was a dark pair of armored boots. "Huh," he said as he leaned back to get a better view.
The boots were connected to the rest of the Dark Warlord's armor. "Worked up a sweat, huh boy?" the evil one laughed. "Anubis!" Ryo stood and faced his antagonist. "You're surprised," Anubis taunted. " Well you should have stayed at the bottom of this molten pit. Now, I must send you back!" Anubis attacked with a sharp lance. The blow knocked Ryo back into the volcano. The young warrior managed to grab his remaining sword and plunge it into the wall, stopping his fall. As he dangled helplessly from the sword, Anubis used the lance to knock rocks onto the powerless Ronin. The rocks battered Ryo causing his hand to loosen. Above him Anubis sneered, "Time to die . . ."
Ryo heard a cry from White Blaze. He dodged the next blow and catapulted up into the air. He and the tiger crossed and in White Blaze's mouth was Ryo's second sword. His fingers locked down on the hilt of the weapon. "You!" Anubis screamed as he turned to face the now fully seasoned warrior. Ryo attacked. The two rivals parried one another's blows, but they were equal in strength. "You won't beat me again, Anubis." " That's what you think, boy." Yuli and Mia came up behind the gladiators. "Hey, it's Ryo!" Yuli cried. "Yes," Mia said, "and he's alive!" "Yuli . . . Mia," Ryo yelled, looking toward them. It distracted him enough to let Anubis get a blow in. The punch caused Ryo to fall into the volcano.
"Nooo!!!" Yuli and Mia screamed as the hero disappeared into the crater. There was a brilliant flash
of light. "Ryo!" Mia cried out as tears fell down her cheeks. Anubis stood on the edge of the volcano victoriously. "He's finished," he laughed. The earth trembled beneath the Warlord's feet. "Huh?" Anubis backed away from the ledge. "Something is happening," Mia warned as she caught Yuli from falling. "What is it?" Yuli said as he clung to Mia. The volcano erupted. The hot lava spewed out, straight into the air. "This is nothing I could have done," Anubis growled, but he knew who could of. In the stream was Ryo, riding the molten rock. "Prepare to die." Anubis hissed as he raised his weapon.
"No way," the warrior said drawing his swords. "Ryo!" Mia shouted. "Get him," Yuli cheered. Ryo looked over at Mia and Yuli who were huddled beside a rock using the stone as a barrier from the lava. Mia could tell there was something different in the eyes of the Ronin. Yuli saw it too. "Mia, he's changed . . . what happened to him?" "I think his armor must have gained power from the volcano," Mia told the child in awe. "What!" "Ryo's armor is the Wildfire," Mia told Yuli. "The volcano's heat will power him to fight this Dark Warlord." "But will it work?" "The power is described in the legends," Mia said. "It's our only hope." Ryo finally pulled himself out of the lava and landed in front of Anubis. The heat of his armor melted the rock he stood on and caused the air to fill with blistering steam. "You're finished," Anubis cried as he attacked." I don't think so," Ryo said. He blocked the lance with his swords and threw the blade aside shattering it.
Anubis could feel the power coming from Ryo. "What's going on here? He's different . . . stronger." He dropped the broken spear and took out his chain sickle. He launched his weapon. Ryo caught the sickle between the cross of his blades and pulled the Warlord closer. "Oh no," Anubis said as he struggled against the hold. The end of his weapon burst into a thousand pieces. Anubis looked up at the young warrior and could see the symbol of Virtue shining of his forehead. "Look at that," Yuli cheered. "Ryo's is beating him!" "How is he doing this?" Anubis growled. "I'll show him all my incredible power!" Then the Warlord leapt into the air twirling his broken weapon. "Have a taste of this!" Ryo watched his foe and thought to himself, "Whoa, what's happening to me? I'm on fire from the inside out. But my body is more powerful than ever."
"QUAKE WITH FEAR!!!" Anubis cried from high above. He launched his fearsome weapon. Ryo deflected the blow and caused the weapon to turn on its owner. Anubis crashed to the ground entrapped in chains. "Want more, Warlord?" Ryo said as he stood over the fallen villain. "Now I see it," Anubis said. "His armor is the Wildfire, the heat of the volcano has given him tremendous power." "I've had enough of you," Ryo said raising his weapons. He attacked. Anubis leapt out of the way and landed behind Mia and Yuli. He looked down at them and began to laugh. "Don't touch them!" Ryo warned.
Mia looked up at the hideous face. "Oh no," she thought to herself. Anubis knows the power of Ryo's armor is fueled by the heat of the volcano. What's he going to do?" Aloud she cried, "Run, Yuli!" She pushed the child in front of her and they both began to flee. "We're out of here," Yuli agreed. "I won't let you get away." The Warlord's sickle snaked out and wrapped around both of them. "Nook!" Ryo yelled.
White Blaze vaulted and clamped his powerful jaws onto the arm of Anubis. The Warlord began to
shake his arm but White Blaze's hold would not be broken. "Get away!" Anubis screamed. He finally
ripped his arm free and tossed the tiger against some boulders. "White Blaze!" Ryo cried attacking. Anubis dodged the blow and then pulled Mia and Yuli in front of him. "Anubis, let them go now or else . . ." "Ryo, help us," Yuli cried. "I'll trade you these two for . . . your life," Anubis offered. "I can feel the burning power of the armor," Ryo thought to himself. "I have nothing to be afraid of."
He again attacked Anubis. The Warlord blocked the blow with the blade of his weapon. The heat from Ryo's armor caused the weapon to smolder. Yuli and Mia screamed out in pain. "It's hot!" Yuli yelled. Ryo broke off his attack and leapt back. "What's the matter, Wildfire?" Anubis tightened his hold on his hostages. "Come and fight me," he taunted. "My armor is scorching," Ryo thought. "I can't get close to Mia or Yuli, or I'll burn them. It's too dangerous." "Ryo," Mia begged, "leave me . . . save Yuli." "Ryo, help us!" the child said. "Release them," Ryo commanded. "This is between us."
"Okay, have it your way then. I'll bring the little darlings to you." Anubis dragged his captives closer to the blistering warrior. For every step he took, Ryo stepped back until his heels hung over the edge of the volcano. "You've run out of ground," Anubis sneered. "But not out of fight," Ryo stated crossing his blades. Yuli and Mia struggled hopelessly against their bonds. "Let me go," Yuli demanded. He kicked the Warlord in the knee. Anubis laughed at the child's futile attempt. Then to Ryo said, "Do you think your power is enough to defeat me?" "Let's see, metal head." "First thing first," Anubis said and he threw his two captives into the mouth of the volcano.
"I think we need to talk to her." Kayura said looking up the stairs, I had been sleep for a day and since there was no school today not much was thought until after lunch and I still had not come down from my room. Then Kayura, Anubis, White Blaze and Mia went to my bedroom to wake me up. " Mia! Yuli!" I said seeing them being thrown into the volcano as the nightmare continued.
"Mia! Yuli!" Ryo did not hesitate and leapt in after them. He sheathed his swords as he fell and tried to think of a way to save his friends. "I can grab them," he thought, "but my armor will incinerate them." He pictured the scene in his mind and shook his head. "No, that won't work. I have to do something fast!" His armor was weighing him down so he was falling faster then they were and he was almost to them. Then he knew what he had to do. He willed his Wildfire Armor back to its resting-place and in a flash was once again clad in only his body armor. "Mia, Yuli, I got you!" He grabbed one under each arm and used his super strength to jump from wall to wall until he had them safely out of the molten pit. When he reached the top, he collapsed to his knees and let his two companions fall to the ground. He too fell, his sides heaving as he tried to catch his breath. Ryo watched as Mia slowly opened her eyes.
"Ryo," she whispered. "Hey," he said softly, "you're safe now." The young warrior had pushed himself up to his knees, when Anubis's weapon struck from behind and encircled Ryo's neck. Anubis then used his armor's power and pulled Ryo across the crater to where he stood. "Ryo!" Mia screamed as she struggled to stand. Anubis pulled Ryo to the ground at his feet. "I got you now, you pathetic little boy." "No, you don't," Ryo said in defiance as he loosened the chain's grip.
"You'll have to give up now . . . without your armor, you're powerless against me." He advanced, twirling his weapon. "Well, I can fix that," Ryo said. He rolled out of the way and leapt into the air. "Armor of Wildfire!" he cried. He crossed his wrists, but before he could complete the command Anubis chain wrapped around him. The ability to call the armor was lost. "No, it won't be that easy to reclaim your armor." Anubis used the chain to toss the warrior around, bashing the trapped youth into the ground time after time. "Get up, Ryo!" Yuli screamed. "So that's why Anubis threw us into the volcano," Mia said. She now knew the reason. "So Ryo would have to shed his armor." Ryo struggled to stand but again fell face first into the harsh ground. "You disgust me," Anubis said.
"Without your armor, you're pitifully weak." He bent down and lifted Ryo's head up. He then slid the curved blade of his weapon under Ryo's chin next to his unprotected throat. "I've got you right where I want you." He then backed away and once again began to thrash Ryo's limp body against the
surrounding rocks. "Come on, Ryo . . . fight back!" Yuli begged.
Anubis laughed, clearly enjoying himself. He kept the beating up until the young warrior no longer fought. "Ryo . . . oh no!" Mia screamed. "Come on, get up!" Yuli yelled at the fallen fighter. "He has nothing left," Anubis said. He lifted his chain so the limp warrior dangled at the end. "The Dynasty takes another victory. Now there will be no stopping Master Talpa's plans for the world." He walked over to the mouth of the volcano, with Ryo now tucked under one arm. "Even Ryo of the Wildfire can't stand the volcano's heat without his armor." Anubis laughed, and then tossed his captive into the volcano. "Nooo!" His two friends watched helplessly from the far side.
I opened my eyes to someone shaking me, when I saw Anubis I cried out in fright and punched him square in the jaw as I tumbled off my bed. White Blaze rubbed his head against me and I realize what I did. "Oh my gosh, I'm sorry Anubis." I said holding my head in my hands in embarrassment. " What did you that for?" He asked more surprised then angry. " Bad dream. I saw you and Ryo was fighting at a volcano and you nearly killed him." Mia and Anubis looked at me in shock. " Describe the dream." I told them and Anubis shook his head. " That is unusual. I did fight Ryo at Mt. Fuji and that dream you had was exactly what happen but Ryo was playing dead and we both fell into the volcano and he beat me in the volcano. I knew he get me back for that one day." He said rubbing his jaw. " But why did I see what happen in my dream?" I asked shaking a bit from seeing that battle and since my mind's eye kept replaying Ryo being threw in the volcano by someone I looked up to. " I think we may need to talk to the others." Kayura said we all agreed and walked down stairs.
Meanwhile Ryo watched us leave the bedroom. "I bet Anubis didn't except that, she got a good punch though." Then he thought for a moment. "Ancient why did she see the battle in her dream?" Ryo asked the Ancient who was also watching. "Your armors are connected to one another and the connection grows stronger each day. Of course your connection to each other is not just by the armor." Ryo looked away at this turning red in the cheeks. "I wish I was there with them." He said sighing a bit. " Soon Wildfire. It will soon be time." The Ancient said but Ryo didn't hear.
" So let me get this straight, you dreamed about the battle between Ryo and Anubis at the volcano and then you when you woke you punch Anubis?" Dais asked I could see the others were trying not to laugh. "I didn't mean to." I said then looked at little worried. "And White Blaze has been sticking to me like glue. Like he did with Ryo." "I think that because your armor is connected to Ryo's and since Ryo is... dead your his master now." Mia said biting her bottom lip in worry. " I know but if that's the reason of my dream, I have a feeling I'll see what battles Ryo fought in the Dynasty Wars," I trembled thinking about one battle I really didn't want to see. "Even the battle where Ryo fought Talpa." I said
" It's time to contact Kayura." The Ancient said then using the Ancient staff focused on speaking to Kayura. " Kayura, Wildfire is coming back. Do not say anything to the others, she has past the test. The link between them is strong enough to bear the armor. He'll be coming soon." He said then a small portal open under Ryo and Ryo fell through. " Good luck Ronins." The Ancient said and watched.
We sat in silence thinking then there was a knocking at the door, I went to open. When I did I stood in the door in total shock. " R.... Ryo? I thought you was dead." I said, Ryo smiled looking very much alive.
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Hi Icefire here, first thing I like to say I do not own Ronin Warriors. Second I like to say this story isn't just mine, it also belongs to my friend and partner Harry since he and I are co writing this story. Harry helping me a lot in this story so he deserves the credit too.
Serenea saw Ryo and Anubis battle at Mt. Fuji and Ryo finally returned after a month of being presumed dead. But why did Serenea see that battle and we she see others even Ryo's battle against Talpa? What did the Ancient One mean? It looks like you have to find out in Chapter 11: Saber's Return