Destiny
(Ronin/Witchblade Crossover)
By: Yin-Yang & JanimeLee
~Chapter Sixteen~
Cold. Dark. Numbing.
Sekhmet was lying on his back in what looked a continuous gray stone hallway. He sat up, turning his eyes from end of the hallway to the other. One side was lighted by white, the other dark green.
"Where am I?" he couldn't help asking aloud.
"The Crossroad of Life."
Sekhmet turned his head and Reficul stood before him.
"... Reficul..." he said quietly, slowly getting to his knees then to his feet. He still looked the same from whence he was shown the Memory Crystal but his hair looked lighter, a white blonde now and his face also looked a bit weathered. "Even with immortality the years have not been kind to you."
The other man chuckled softly, looking at the ground before looking up again. "You did have a wit as sharp as a viper."
"You said this was the Crossroads of Life. So why am I here?" the young half-breed asked, ignoring the comment.
"This is your crossroad, my son. You have to choose which way to go. One will lead you back to your life. The other… well I shouldn't have to tell you."
"I have a feeling you're not going to tell me which way is which."
Reficul shook his head. "That is your choice. And don't let the colors fool you."
Suddenly, the green and white lights switched places.
"What are you trying to do?" Sekhmet yelled.
"I'm not doing anything," said Reficul. It's you."
"How can I be doing this?" he retorted.
"It's a test and I can't help you. Everyone who comes here has to figure it out on their own and it's always different."
"That's a big help," he hissed, trying to see a difference between the doors but the colors kept shifting. "So it falls down to this... the joy."
"... I may not be able to help you but I can give you a bit of advice. If you really want to return to your life you must think what you want to return to. A reason for you to continue living, as it were."
Reficul leaned forward. "Let go of what you have nurtured inside the most, Sekhmet, and you will be surprised."
Sekhmet stared at his father. What did he mean what he nurtured the most?
The caring of his friends…
Abigail…
Naomi…
His unborn son…
Ineisha…
No.
It was anger.
Angry that he had been abandoned.
Angry that he and the other Warlords had been used.
Angry that his mother never told him the truth.
Angry of what had become of the Nagashin people.
Angry that he never knew the man he saw in the memory crystal--the real person who was his father.
Angry that he and Abigail split apart.
Angry that he and Naomi never had a good father/daughter relationship.
Angry that if this battle didn't end now, he might never meet his son.
Sekhmet closed his eyes, releasing the hate which had built in him all his life.
As he released all the pent up anger he had festering inside him for year one of the doors began to grow dark. Darker and darker it became that it appeared black then... it was gone. All that was left was the single door that was pulsing a soft white light. Reficul smiled weakly but then again he never doubted him.
Sekhmet opened his eyes and stared at the bright door. It seemed like it was beckoning him to come, to enter and return to his life. He was startled out of his thoughts though when he felt a hand touch his shoulder.
"The door that is gone was because of all the anger you had dwelling deep inside. Although you care about your family and friends to return to them the anger was clouding your mind," he explained. Nodding to him he pushed him towards the door. "Return to where you belong, Sekhmet... return to those who need you the most..."
He turned to his father. "Come with me."
Reficul shook his head, removing his hand. "I can't. Talpa has control of my body. Sekhmet, don't let my body die with Talpa as the conscious one. Your mother knows what will happen."
He opened his mouth to argue but deep down he knew this to be true. Slowly he nodded and took a deep breathe headed for the doorway. But before he passed through he turned to the man--the father he never knew--and gave him a bow of respect. "You will be with us once more... father."
Since Talpa came to collect on the deal they made years ago he never had a reason to smile... until now. "I'll be waiting... my son."
Dini threw out the six scythes on her back, watching as they hit the ground before webbing spurted out and trapped Talpa where he stood. Zenida grunted softly as she hurled the clawed chain through the ground, watching as they multiplied and exploded under the demon lord's feet and wrapped around him. But despite their best struggle it was no use. The webbing tore and chains were uprooted. The bearer of summer armor fell back as the bearer of spring armor was pulled towards him by the chains.
"You," he hissed as he looked at her angrily, "should have kept quiet when you had the chance."
Zenida gripped the sickle in her hand. She raised it up to strike him but Talpa threw her to the ground.
"No!" Rowen yelled when she landed. He glared at Talpa; aiming his bow at the dark emperor, he pulled back the arrow.
Sekhmet grabbed it before Rowen let it fly.
"Dad!" Naomi cried.
"Sekhmet!!" came the relived cry from everyone.
"Hey, why'd ya stop the arrow?!" the bear of Strata asked with a scowl.
"Because... we cannot kill him," he said calmly but refused to give the arrow up.
"But if we can't kill him then how are we gonna get rid of him?" Kento asked, quickly helping Dini up even as Zenida got to her feet.
"You can't," said Reficul. "Unless you want two people here to die and one in the Mortal World to miscarry."
"Abigail…" Sekhmet whispered in horror.
"Sekhmet!" Cale and the other Warlords stared at him.
"Naomi…" Cye looked at her. "Oh my God…"
"I told you... we can't kill him!" she cried, ignoring the tears running down her face. "He may be a demon but he's still my grandfather!"
"Then... how can we defeat something we can't destroy?" Lupia asked quietly, suddenly feeling bad for the argument they had earlier.
Ryo was at a loss. He remembered when Talpa had taken over Inferno and in turn himself but ordered the other Ronins to attack him with all their power. For that brief moment, he was no more but the Jewel of Life saved him. But... would it even work again? That jewel was powerful and even then it reacted only when they had no options left.
Kayura was sweating uncontrollably. "They can't… kill him…" she gasped out. "Or else Sekhmet… and his children… will die…"
Mia wiped the cloth across the Ancient's forehead. "There must be something we can do to help them."
Kayura shut her eyes. Kaosu, please help me. What can I do?
She remained quiet for a long time. "Kayura?" Mia asked worried.
"I've done all that I can…" Kayura raised her hands and the Jewel of Life appeared.
"What are you doing?"
"This will be the first and last promise I will break in my life."
"Kayura! No!" Mia pleaded.
It was too late.
The Jewel of Life began to glow and the light enveloped Kayura. Then it shifted to Mia. She felt a warm sensation starting in her chest and spread throughout her body. She could hear her heart beating and her child's heart.
The tiger that was ordered to watch over the ladies knew something was happening but unfortunately, he was too late to stop it. When the light diminished the bed where Kayura had been laying down was gone. There was nothing to show she had been there except for the rumpled blankets and wet cloth.
"Kayura... no..." the young woman cried, covering her face in her hands. "I can't believe it... she's gone..." The large feline whined in sympathy as he rubbed his head under her chin, trying to at least cheer her up but they had both lost a dear friend. Mia looked at him sadly before wrapping her arms around him tightly, both in need of comfort.
In the Dynasty the group felt a surge of dread hit them dead on; the girls were confused at the feeling but the look on the former Warlords' and Ronins showed that something terrible had just happened.
~That last of the Ancients... is gone,~ Halo said sadly.
'Kayura... you promised to never use this. Especially in your condition,' Ryo thought a bit angrily but not at her. More at himself. His hands closed even tighter over the hilts of his swords, trying to be strong for everyone.
"She's gone…" Kento said.
Everyone jumped at the voice, no longer weak but strong and soothing.
I will always be with you. Call me and I will answer. Ryo, Mia and your daughter are alright.
"Daughter…?" Ryo blinked.
This battle will end today.
"It will? How?" Naomi asked, rubbing at her eyes with a fist.
Someone will be joining your side.
"No!" Ryo shouted. "Don't let her come here! Mia! Stay away!"
Mia took the shakujo into her hands, surprised that it was lighter than she had expected. A golden glow formed around her and Mia found herself wearing the robes of an Ancient priestess. White Blaze looked up at her, purring as she reached down and rubbed at his ears.
"I'm not sure if I can do this," she admitted softly but looked determined. "But Ryo and the others need our help." Standing straight she held the staff out before her. 'Kayura, Anubis, Ancient One... please help us.' Closing her eyes she concentrated on locating the others. She could picture Ryo in his mind but he looked worry.
The golden ornament from the top began to jingle softly, spreading a bright light that surrounded the young woman and tiger. She tried very hard not to lose sight of her husband. Her last thought before ht ancient magic teleported her to the other realm was simply this. 'I'm coming Ryo. I'm coming to help.'
"So you expect the last of the Ancients to be your savior?" Talpa asked. "Maybe Kayura should have told you why the rest of that pathetic Clan was wiped out."
"Shut up!" Ryo yelled at him.
Talpa grinned. "So, she did tell at least one of you. What's wrong? Too painful to hear it again?"
"Wiped out? Is there any clan you haven't destroyed?" Lupia asked sarcastically.
"Ryo, you need to calm down," Rowen explained but it was no use. And Talpa seemed to pour salt into the wound and seemed fit to tell his little tale.
"How old was Kayura?" Talpa asked. "Three hundred? Four hundred? Kaosu's descendant knew only part of what truly happened. I destroyed the Ancient Clan with my own original hands. I killed Kaosu and I relished watching his life slip away as his blood poured from his chest. His wife managed to escape with their children and the line went on till only Kayura and her brother's descendant survived.
"And now Kayura's dead," Talpa's smirk grew wider. "Will Mia stay by your side Ryo now that she is immortal? Can the two of you hold on to your marriage while she remains the same and you grow older?"
The leader of the Ronins was getting more and more anger with each passing second. "I said SHUT UP!!" he yelled, bringing his swords overhead before swinging them as hard as he could down. They didn't hit the ground but a stream of fire erupted from the ground, streaking towards the demon lord. Talpa laughed as he held his hands out. The flames hit him, pushing him back just a bit before slowly dispatching into thin air.
"Ryo, you must calm down! If you let yourself be control by your emotions then Talpa will have an easier time to control you!" Anubis told him. That was how he and the others were swayed to the dark side. Yet before anyone else could say anything a bright, gold light seemed to fill the room.
"Oh no, Mia's here!!" True enough as the light time there stood a young woman with long, reddish-brown hair and green eyes with a white tiger at her side. She wore robes of white and blue but in her hand was a tall staff with a gold ornament at the tip. Ryo wasn't sure to be happy or worried now that his wife was here in the battle filed.
"Well, well," Talpa looked at Mia with mock interest, "Lady Mia of the Ancients. How nice it is to see you."
"It's almost over, Talpa," Mia said to the demon. "You won't be destroying anything or anyone ever again."
"I've heard that before. Kaosu said that just before I gave him a new hole to breathe through."
White Blaze roared angrily, his fur standing on end as his claws extended. He had a duty to uphold and come Heaven or Hell he would protect Mia with his life. The young woman frowned at the Demon Lord, tightening her hand over the staff even tighter.
"Mia!! Get away from here before it's too late!!" Ryo called out to her, worry evident in his eyes and voice for not only her safety but that of their child.
"Ah, the protective husband and father," Talpa smirked. "Say goodbye to your most precious ladies!" He threw an energy wave at Mia, but she held out her hand and deflected the attack. The wave flew to the side and crashed into the mountain.
"Whoa…" Kento said. Everyone else was in silent agreement.
"It's over," Mia glared at Talpa. She held her arms out; the rings on the shakujo clanged loudly and the nine Armors began to glow. "You wanted to control the power of the Ancients and the Mystic Armors? Let's see how well you can handle it!"
"What's going on?!" Lupia cried, watching the strange fire emit from her Armor.
"You're asking me?!" Dini asked herself, looking at her hands with wide eyes.
Zenida looked around, noticing that the lady, Mia, was bringing out all the power of the armors. For what purpose she wasn't sure but she couldn't help but be a bit frighten by it. An armored hand slid into her own, making her jump as she turned to look at the owner of the hand.
"Don't worry," Rowen said softly, holding her hand tightly. "We'll get through this together." She just squeezed his hand tightly.
Talpa could feel the power building, growing even more so than he thought was possible that he was becoming a bit unnerved by it all. Could he actually handle this much power? But his pride was yelling at him that he could handle anything. He was the Lord of the Dynasty! He created their armors in the first place!
"Ryo!" Mia shouted.
"INFERNO!" the Ronin leader raised his arms up. The power from the other four Ronins flew to Wildfire.
Talpa smiled in satisfaction. 'Stupid mortal,' he thought.
"Not so fast, Talpa!"
The emperor looked at Mia. She aimed the shakujo at him and a beam of light shot from the top, striking the demon.
Talpa yelled, feeling himself being pushed back and Reficul being pulled forward.
"Ineisha!" Reficul shouted.
The Nagashin woman summoned a sword of pure energy. She ran straight at Reficul and plunged the blade into his chest.
Reficul jerked and looked at the woman he loved. Tears ran down her face. He smiled then his head went back as black smoke flew out from his mouth to the sky above. Reficul collapsed to the ground as the smoke began to take shape of a floating armor helmet with wisps of faded hair.
"G-Grandpa!!" Naomi cried and wanted to help but Cye held her back.
"He'll be fine," he said simply, nodding to her that everything would be fine.
The spirit of Talpa looked enraged. His mortal shell was gone and now he was not only powerless but had no hostage or such to use as a shield. He looked up in surprise and yes, a bit of fear, as the powers merged into the legendary white armor worn by the very first Warlord, Hariel. The same power spread to the white tiger, turning his snow white fur to charcoal gray as matching armor formed on his body. With a roar he bounded over to Ryo who pulled the swords free from his back.
"This time you're going to stay dead Talpa!! Mia was right, this is the end!!" the blue-eyed young man declared.
"No!! I can never be destroyed!!"
"Yes you can... and here's the proof. RAGE OF INFERNO!!" Summoning all the power into his swords he let it all loose at the floating spirit who tried very hard to get away. The last thing anyone saw was the look of pure fear on the lord's face before the attack made contact, an explosion of light making everyone look away as they were temporarily blinded.
An unearthly howl echoed throughout the Dynasty, causing the Warlords and Mia to cover their ears. The howling stopped and the light from Inferno's Rage faded, allowing everyone looked up.
"He's gone," Mia smiled and started to fall.
Ryo dropped his swords, ran to his wife and caught her. He removed his helmet and wrapped his arms around her, resting his hands over her lower abdomen.
"We're okay," she said, sounding very tired.
"…Grandpa…" Naomi said.
Ineisha held Reficul, lightly brushing her fingers across his forehead. Reficul was still alive but the bleeding from his wound slowly flowed out over his chest, spilling to the ground.
The tortured man winced as he coughed up some more blood, gasping softly for breathe. His eyes opened to show them to be dark and filled with past regrets and pain. "Ineisha... I'm sorry... for everything I put our family through..."
"No no it wasn't your fault," she said as she continued to hold him tightly, smiling weakly. "But you're here now and alive."
"Father..." Sekhmet slowly and carefully knelt next to them, opening his mouth to say something but what? Instead he slowly reached out and gripped his hand tightly. "Mother's right... none of this was your fault. You didn't know what Talpa originally had planned."
Reficul closed his eyes momentarily. "I'm proud of you, Sekhmet. And you too, Naomi." He looked up at Ineisha. "I will wait for you, my love…"
"So will I," she said and kissed him. Reficul smiled at her and his eyes slid closed. Ineisha hugged him as she cried
Sekhmet lowered his head. Naomi started crying and Cye held her.
For that moment of grieving no one said anything. They had won the battle alright but in the process they had lost someone close. Such were the casualties of war. Later the group had a small memorial built for Reficul and one by one the members of the group paid their respects before slowly beginning the trek home. Once home as the news was told to the ladies of the family more tears were shed. Today had been a day of victories… and defeats.
~End of Chapter Sixteen~