Tears of Twilight
Chapter 8.
Thunder lifted his head to stare up at the chains that held him to the mouth of the Gargoyle. It had been at least a half hour since Talpa and Jakada left, and now he was feeling nervous. Talpa had said that tomorrow they would receive training that would give them unbearable pain, and that scared him more than anything else.
He had to escape from this place and help Kaye and Cye as well. It didn't matter if they were related to that beast in an odd way. They were prisoners just like he was, and deserved to be set free along with him.
He gritted his teeth and then pulled against them as hard as he could. The chain grew taunt and it seemed as if it was going to break, but then suddenly the manacles tightened around him and he was suddenly electrocuted with dark energy. He screamed in pain, causing Kaye and Cye to gasp and call out his name simultaneously.
The pain lasted for about a few minutes, but it left Thunder feeling weak. He panted heavily and let his head drop to his chest.
"Thunder?" Kaye asked quietly. There was no answer and she frowned. Had he lost consciousness?
Cye bit his lip. This seemed so hopeless. Where were the others? Why weren't they coming to help them? No, he couldn't believe that. They were going to come.
"Kaye, we have to do something."
"Well, if you've got a plan, I'm more than happy to hear it."
"I don't," Cye admitted with a frown.
"I..I do," came Thunder's weak voice.
"Hey, are you okay?" Kaye asked in concern.
"I've had worse, I'll be fine," Thunder replied.
"What was this idea you had?" Cye asked, curious about what Thunder was thinking of.
For a long time Thunder was silent as if he had passed out. But that wasn't the case, he was deep in thought, thinking of how he was going to say it. He knew there was a chance it may not work, but at this point there was nothing left to try. "Ok," he finally said, "all of us know that Talpa and Jakada want us to use our powers right?"
"Right," the siblings echoed.
"Well, we can use that to our own advantage to get out of these chains," Thunder said.
"Eh?" Kaye raised an eyebrow. "What are you getting at, Thunder?" She didn't see how anything would get either Talpa or Jakada to take them down from the Gargoyles.
"Yeah," Cye added, "Talpa isn't the type to do that."
Thunder smiled a little. "If he wants us to rest properly so we can train to use our powers they'll do what we request."
"And that would be?"
"Simple, we ask for a comfortable room with beds."
"You're kidding, right?" Cye said with disbelief.
"Would you rather stay in these chains in the mouths of the Gargoyles here?" Thunder asked calmly.
"I see your point," Cye said with a grimace.
"It's only until we can get out of here," Thunder said quietly.
After reading through the ancient prophecy a few times, Sage looked at Ryo. "Well, Ryo, it's your call. Do we go after them now?"
Ryo was silent as he was thinking. He was a bit worried. The Dynasty could be expecting them and could very well have a trap set out for them. For a moment he was undecided on what to do. He wanted to go after them, but he couldn't risk anyone else getting caught. He turned away from the others and stared out at the window.
"Ryo?" Rowen asked. "I know you're concerned, but we can think of a plan to get into the Dynasty and rescue them."
Ryo shook his head. "It's not getting into the Dynasty that worries me, Rowen."
"Then what?" Scorpio asked Ryo as he stared at the Ronin leader.
"What if the Dynasty has a trap for us?" Ryo asked as he looked at them all. "We can't risk ourselves falling into it, and yet we can't leave our friends trapped there. I'm at a loss of what to do."
"Ryo," Mia said softly, "I know if there is a trap, you and the other Ronins will do your best to avoid it. You always have before."
Ryo smiled a little. "Thanks, Mia.
"What is this Dynasty like?" Flash asked suddenly.
The three Ronins and Mia frowned deeply. It was as if they were being asked the most threatening question ever. Which none of them really wanted to answer. Sage looked right at Flash then, and she could have sworn she saw misery in that one violet eye.
"The Dynasty is a vast realm just outside of this earth. It's almost like the earth, but it's filled with Talpa's evil. The sky and the water are both different colors, kinda like a golden and greenish color. Talpa is always trying to merge the two worlds together so he can control both."
"And if that happens," Rowen continued, "you can expect total chaos."
Scorpio frowned more as he shook his head. "Then we need to get our friends out of there as soon as possible."
Ryo nodded. "Right. Um, does anyone know a way in?"
Mia frowned. "Anubis is dead, so he can't help, neither can Kayura, because I'm expecting her to be evil now as well.."
"You said it's a realm right?" Flash asked.
Rowen nodded his head, still trying to think of who could help them out.
"Good. Then I'm pretty sure my wolf can get us in."
Lightning stared out the window. Ever since he had been brought back, he had been feeling nothing but concern and guilt. His concern over Kaye and what she might have been told had been worrying him so much, he had almost forgotten about Kento and of his feelings about the Dream Walker.
The tiger let out a sigh and looked at the bearer of Hardrock. Kento had been staring at the floor with a dull look, but one could tell he was fighting the urge to cry. Hardly ever did Kento show his tears, but now it seemed as if a dam wanted to break loose.
Lightning went over to him and gently placed a large paw on Kento's shoulder, giving him a mournful look. Kento stared at the tiger and sighed a little. He knew he couldn't give up hope like that. He needed to go back to the others and see about rescuing his beloved fiance. And so, Kento of Hardrock stood up and walked back out the door with the tiger following behind him.
When they both got there, he found the others discussing about getting into the Dynasty to rescue the others. This further helped relieved his feelings of terrible burden as he quickly made himself known. "So we're going in there finally? Well, what are we waiting for?!"
"Kento, calm down," Rowen said as he looked at his friend. "Flash was telling us Blaze can get us in there, but the rest will be tricky."
"Huh?" Kento took on a dumbfounded look.
"Talpa may very well have a trap laid out for us, Kento," Ryo said with a frown. "Our only option is to get into the Dynasty without being seen and to get in.. Unfortunately, and I hate to say this, but we need to remain as stealthily as can be to save our energy. We're going to need it when we face Talpa and this Jakada person."
"What I'd like to know," Sage said, "is where this Jakada person came from."
"Who knows?" Ryo said. "We only know we have to stop them both."
"And get our friends back," Flash added.
"Then let's do this," Rowen said as his blue eyes narrowed.
The three prisoners were silent as they could be. They could hear footsteps marching up and down the hall outside of their dungeon area, and each of them were just waiting for that door to open up. So far, no one had come into the room, and it had been a good hour and a half since Thunder came up with his idea.
Cye was beginning to feel hungry now, having not eaten since the day he had been captured. He wondered if Kaye was also hungry, but he doubt that Talpa would feed them soon. He shifted in his chains wishing he could get off his feet. He felt so uncomfortable just hanging around, and now on top of that, his cut on his stomach was beginning to irritate him.
Kaye frowned. She could feel Cye's discomfort and her main concern was that it might become infected if it wasn't treated to properly. And if that happened, what did that mean for her? She wasn't sure she wanted to find out. They had to think positively about this whole matter, otherwise they would all just go insane.
Suddenly they heard footsteps approaching, and listened as the doorknob turned slowly. The door finally opened, and they could hear footsteps entering into the room. They all looked up.
Talpa and Jakada stood in the room, studying their prisoners carefully. Both seemed almost amused at their stubbornness.
"So, Sekhmet was right," Talpa said. "They haven't rested at all."
"So it seems," Jakada said as he stared hungrily at Kaye. This leer made Kaye feel all the more uneasy, and it slowly began to piss Cye off. Still he held back from saying something he knew he'd soon regret.
Talpa narrowed his eyes at his prisoners. He wasn't very happy with all three being awake, when they should have been sleeping. They needed to be at their best condition for the Prophecy to be fulfilled correctly, and here they were, still wide awake! Well, he'd show them!
"Why aren't you three resting?!" he demanded as his eyes glowed red with anger.
Both Kaye and Cye glanced toward the third Gargoyle statue, waiting for Thunder to speak up. Both weren't sure whether Talpa would agree or not, but they had no choice but to see what would happen once the Storm Warrior asked.
"We wanted to ask something first," Thunder said quietly.
Talpa raised one suspicious eyebrow at him. "What?"
"We know you wish to use our powers for this Prophecy," Thunder continued, "however, we won't be able to rest properly while hanging from these chains here."
Talpa crossed his arms across his chest. "And what do you want me to do about that?" he sneered.
"Well, do you want us to be at our best for this thing you're forcing us to go through?"
Thunder retorted. "All we're asking is for a more comfortable room with some beds to sleep on."
"All three of you, in the same room?"
"Yes, but with a bathroom with a door on it," Thunder quickly added.
"Hrm." Talpa mused to himself as he stroked his chin. He glanced at Jakada who only shrugged in response to him. For a while no one said anything at all as he seemed to be thinking of a decision. The three prisoners held their breaths as they waited. Finally, Talpa lifted his eyes up at them again. "I suppose I could grant this request," he said. And with a wave of his hand, all three of them found them on the floor, free of the chains. But then suddenly, Talpa waved his hand again, and different colored collar, matching the colors of the armors they wore, suddenly appeared around their necks.
All three of their hands immediately flew to their collars, and they struggled to rip them off. However, their fingers felt cold metal instead of a soft leather, and they all glared angrily at Talpa.
"Hey, what's the big idea?!" Kaye demanded.
"Simple," Talpa answered as he watched the three teens struggle against the collars he had just created. "These are tracking devices, designed to keep an eye on you as you walk freely among my castle. You may be free of the gargoyles, but you are still my prisoners, and as my prisoners, you will be expected to do things you'd never dream possible."
He clapped his hands and soon Cale appeared. The Warlord of Corruption stared at the three prisoners for a moment, then quickly bowed to Talpa. Talpa explained the situation to him, and gave him an order. The Warlord nodded his head, and soon led the three away. They followed him down a hall, past dynasty soldiers, through a main chamber, up the stairs, through several more halls, each one twisting and turning in a different direction, before finally coming to a closed door.
Cale took a set of keys out and unlocked the door, pushing it open. He stepped aside for them and watched as they slowly entered it.
Kaye stared at the room. It was medium sized, having three beds, two side by side, and just two feet apart in the center of the room, a third bed just behind them a few feet away and against the wall, there were three dressers, each on a different side of the beds, a stand with a lamp on it, a bathroom complete with a shower, sink, and toilet. There were no windows at all, but there was a small desk with a chair and some paper and a jar of black ink and small calligraphy brushes sitting inside a jar.
Cye sat down on the bed on the far end of the room, next to the bed that was also in the center of the room. He let out a sigh, not even hearing Cale leaving then. "Well, now what?"
Thunder chose the lone bed against the wall, figuring that brother and sister needed to be near each other. "Just wait and rest I guess.. I know my friends will find a way to come for me, and I'm sure yours will as well."
"You're right, they will," Kaye said as her thoughts turned to Kento. She really missed him, and it broke her heart they were separated in such a cruel way.
And for that moment on, the three just became quiet, each one hoping and praying they would be rescued soon before the training would begin, and before the prophecy would be fulfilled. Their concern and fears soon put them to sleep, and although their bodies were at rest, their minds were far from it.
The four Ronins, the two Warriors, two tigers, and Mia all walked outside into the large front yard. Mia looked across the street and saw several of the guards looking worried as they walked back and forth. She raised one eyebrow and looked over at Scorpio and Flash in curiosity.
"Why are there guards over there?" she asked.
They knew this was going to come sooner or later. Flash looked at Mia right in the eye as she answered. "They're there for Thunder," she replied. "Thunder's a prince. The son of the king and queen of Germany."
Mia looked surprised, but the Ronins were wanting to get this done and over with. Ryo looked at Flash and nodded his head, and Flash put two fingers to her lips. Immediately, Scorpio covered his ears, and he signaled to the others to do the same to which they quickly followed suit. Flash then let out a sharp shrill whistle.
Immediately, the large white wolf that Ryo had seen earlier that day appeared. After being explained to, the wolf nodded his head and closed his eyes as he concentrated. A soft light blue light appeared out of his thick furred chest, and all of them, except for Mia were surrounded by a light.
"Hey, wait!" Sage said, "what about Mia?!"
˜Calm yourself, Halo," the wolf replied, shocking Sage as the Bearer of Halo hadn't expected the wolf to talk. ˜I will guard and protect her. She will be safe."
Sage nodded his head, his eyes still widen a little.
Flash smiled gently at him. "Don't worry," she said. "Blaze is a ferocious fighter."
The light surrounding them increased in its intensity, and they soon vanished from the realm, heading straight to the Dynasty.
"Take care, my friends," Mia whispered.
Chapter 8.
Thunder lifted his head to stare up at the chains that held him to the mouth of the Gargoyle. It had been at least a half hour since Talpa and Jakada left, and now he was feeling nervous. Talpa had said that tomorrow they would receive training that would give them unbearable pain, and that scared him more than anything else.
He had to escape from this place and help Kaye and Cye as well. It didn't matter if they were related to that beast in an odd way. They were prisoners just like he was, and deserved to be set free along with him.
He gritted his teeth and then pulled against them as hard as he could. The chain grew taunt and it seemed as if it was going to break, but then suddenly the manacles tightened around him and he was suddenly electrocuted with dark energy. He screamed in pain, causing Kaye and Cye to gasp and call out his name simultaneously.
The pain lasted for about a few minutes, but it left Thunder feeling weak. He panted heavily and let his head drop to his chest.
"Thunder?" Kaye asked quietly. There was no answer and she frowned. Had he lost consciousness?
Cye bit his lip. This seemed so hopeless. Where were the others? Why weren't they coming to help them? No, he couldn't believe that. They were going to come.
"Kaye, we have to do something."
"Well, if you've got a plan, I'm more than happy to hear it."
"I don't," Cye admitted with a frown.
"I..I do," came Thunder's weak voice.
"Hey, are you okay?" Kaye asked in concern.
"I've had worse, I'll be fine," Thunder replied.
"What was this idea you had?" Cye asked, curious about what Thunder was thinking of.
For a long time Thunder was silent as if he had passed out. But that wasn't the case, he was deep in thought, thinking of how he was going to say it. He knew there was a chance it may not work, but at this point there was nothing left to try. "Ok," he finally said, "all of us know that Talpa and Jakada want us to use our powers right?"
"Right," the siblings echoed.
"Well, we can use that to our own advantage to get out of these chains," Thunder said.
"Eh?" Kaye raised an eyebrow. "What are you getting at, Thunder?" She didn't see how anything would get either Talpa or Jakada to take them down from the Gargoyles.
"Yeah," Cye added, "Talpa isn't the type to do that."
Thunder smiled a little. "If he wants us to rest properly so we can train to use our powers they'll do what we request."
"And that would be?"
"Simple, we ask for a comfortable room with beds."
"You're kidding, right?" Cye said with disbelief.
"Would you rather stay in these chains in the mouths of the Gargoyles here?" Thunder asked calmly.
"I see your point," Cye said with a grimace.
"It's only until we can get out of here," Thunder said quietly.
After reading through the ancient prophecy a few times, Sage looked at Ryo. "Well, Ryo, it's your call. Do we go after them now?"
Ryo was silent as he was thinking. He was a bit worried. The Dynasty could be expecting them and could very well have a trap set out for them. For a moment he was undecided on what to do. He wanted to go after them, but he couldn't risk anyone else getting caught. He turned away from the others and stared out at the window.
"Ryo?" Rowen asked. "I know you're concerned, but we can think of a plan to get into the Dynasty and rescue them."
Ryo shook his head. "It's not getting into the Dynasty that worries me, Rowen."
"Then what?" Scorpio asked Ryo as he stared at the Ronin leader.
"What if the Dynasty has a trap for us?" Ryo asked as he looked at them all. "We can't risk ourselves falling into it, and yet we can't leave our friends trapped there. I'm at a loss of what to do."
"Ryo," Mia said softly, "I know if there is a trap, you and the other Ronins will do your best to avoid it. You always have before."
Ryo smiled a little. "Thanks, Mia.
"What is this Dynasty like?" Flash asked suddenly.
The three Ronins and Mia frowned deeply. It was as if they were being asked the most threatening question ever. Which none of them really wanted to answer. Sage looked right at Flash then, and she could have sworn she saw misery in that one violet eye.
"The Dynasty is a vast realm just outside of this earth. It's almost like the earth, but it's filled with Talpa's evil. The sky and the water are both different colors, kinda like a golden and greenish color. Talpa is always trying to merge the two worlds together so he can control both."
"And if that happens," Rowen continued, "you can expect total chaos."
Scorpio frowned more as he shook his head. "Then we need to get our friends out of there as soon as possible."
Ryo nodded. "Right. Um, does anyone know a way in?"
Mia frowned. "Anubis is dead, so he can't help, neither can Kayura, because I'm expecting her to be evil now as well.."
"You said it's a realm right?" Flash asked.
Rowen nodded his head, still trying to think of who could help them out.
"Good. Then I'm pretty sure my wolf can get us in."
Lightning stared out the window. Ever since he had been brought back, he had been feeling nothing but concern and guilt. His concern over Kaye and what she might have been told had been worrying him so much, he had almost forgotten about Kento and of his feelings about the Dream Walker.
The tiger let out a sigh and looked at the bearer of Hardrock. Kento had been staring at the floor with a dull look, but one could tell he was fighting the urge to cry. Hardly ever did Kento show his tears, but now it seemed as if a dam wanted to break loose.
Lightning went over to him and gently placed a large paw on Kento's shoulder, giving him a mournful look. Kento stared at the tiger and sighed a little. He knew he couldn't give up hope like that. He needed to go back to the others and see about rescuing his beloved fiance. And so, Kento of Hardrock stood up and walked back out the door with the tiger following behind him.
When they both got there, he found the others discussing about getting into the Dynasty to rescue the others. This further helped relieved his feelings of terrible burden as he quickly made himself known. "So we're going in there finally? Well, what are we waiting for?!"
"Kento, calm down," Rowen said as he looked at his friend. "Flash was telling us Blaze can get us in there, but the rest will be tricky."
"Huh?" Kento took on a dumbfounded look.
"Talpa may very well have a trap laid out for us, Kento," Ryo said with a frown. "Our only option is to get into the Dynasty without being seen and to get in.. Unfortunately, and I hate to say this, but we need to remain as stealthily as can be to save our energy. We're going to need it when we face Talpa and this Jakada person."
"What I'd like to know," Sage said, "is where this Jakada person came from."
"Who knows?" Ryo said. "We only know we have to stop them both."
"And get our friends back," Flash added.
"Then let's do this," Rowen said as his blue eyes narrowed.
The three prisoners were silent as they could be. They could hear footsteps marching up and down the hall outside of their dungeon area, and each of them were just waiting for that door to open up. So far, no one had come into the room, and it had been a good hour and a half since Thunder came up with his idea.
Cye was beginning to feel hungry now, having not eaten since the day he had been captured. He wondered if Kaye was also hungry, but he doubt that Talpa would feed them soon. He shifted in his chains wishing he could get off his feet. He felt so uncomfortable just hanging around, and now on top of that, his cut on his stomach was beginning to irritate him.
Kaye frowned. She could feel Cye's discomfort and her main concern was that it might become infected if it wasn't treated to properly. And if that happened, what did that mean for her? She wasn't sure she wanted to find out. They had to think positively about this whole matter, otherwise they would all just go insane.
Suddenly they heard footsteps approaching, and listened as the doorknob turned slowly. The door finally opened, and they could hear footsteps entering into the room. They all looked up.
Talpa and Jakada stood in the room, studying their prisoners carefully. Both seemed almost amused at their stubbornness.
"So, Sekhmet was right," Talpa said. "They haven't rested at all."
"So it seems," Jakada said as he stared hungrily at Kaye. This leer made Kaye feel all the more uneasy, and it slowly began to piss Cye off. Still he held back from saying something he knew he'd soon regret.
Talpa narrowed his eyes at his prisoners. He wasn't very happy with all three being awake, when they should have been sleeping. They needed to be at their best condition for the Prophecy to be fulfilled correctly, and here they were, still wide awake! Well, he'd show them!
"Why aren't you three resting?!" he demanded as his eyes glowed red with anger.
Both Kaye and Cye glanced toward the third Gargoyle statue, waiting for Thunder to speak up. Both weren't sure whether Talpa would agree or not, but they had no choice but to see what would happen once the Storm Warrior asked.
"We wanted to ask something first," Thunder said quietly.
Talpa raised one suspicious eyebrow at him. "What?"
"We know you wish to use our powers for this Prophecy," Thunder continued, "however, we won't be able to rest properly while hanging from these chains here."
Talpa crossed his arms across his chest. "And what do you want me to do about that?" he sneered.
"Well, do you want us to be at our best for this thing you're forcing us to go through?"
Thunder retorted. "All we're asking is for a more comfortable room with some beds to sleep on."
"All three of you, in the same room?"
"Yes, but with a bathroom with a door on it," Thunder quickly added.
"Hrm." Talpa mused to himself as he stroked his chin. He glanced at Jakada who only shrugged in response to him. For a while no one said anything at all as he seemed to be thinking of a decision. The three prisoners held their breaths as they waited. Finally, Talpa lifted his eyes up at them again. "I suppose I could grant this request," he said. And with a wave of his hand, all three of them found them on the floor, free of the chains. But then suddenly, Talpa waved his hand again, and different colored collar, matching the colors of the armors they wore, suddenly appeared around their necks.
All three of their hands immediately flew to their collars, and they struggled to rip them off. However, their fingers felt cold metal instead of a soft leather, and they all glared angrily at Talpa.
"Hey, what's the big idea?!" Kaye demanded.
"Simple," Talpa answered as he watched the three teens struggle against the collars he had just created. "These are tracking devices, designed to keep an eye on you as you walk freely among my castle. You may be free of the gargoyles, but you are still my prisoners, and as my prisoners, you will be expected to do things you'd never dream possible."
He clapped his hands and soon Cale appeared. The Warlord of Corruption stared at the three prisoners for a moment, then quickly bowed to Talpa. Talpa explained the situation to him, and gave him an order. The Warlord nodded his head, and soon led the three away. They followed him down a hall, past dynasty soldiers, through a main chamber, up the stairs, through several more halls, each one twisting and turning in a different direction, before finally coming to a closed door.
Cale took a set of keys out and unlocked the door, pushing it open. He stepped aside for them and watched as they slowly entered it.
Kaye stared at the room. It was medium sized, having three beds, two side by side, and just two feet apart in the center of the room, a third bed just behind them a few feet away and against the wall, there were three dressers, each on a different side of the beds, a stand with a lamp on it, a bathroom complete with a shower, sink, and toilet. There were no windows at all, but there was a small desk with a chair and some paper and a jar of black ink and small calligraphy brushes sitting inside a jar.
Cye sat down on the bed on the far end of the room, next to the bed that was also in the center of the room. He let out a sigh, not even hearing Cale leaving then. "Well, now what?"
Thunder chose the lone bed against the wall, figuring that brother and sister needed to be near each other. "Just wait and rest I guess.. I know my friends will find a way to come for me, and I'm sure yours will as well."
"You're right, they will," Kaye said as her thoughts turned to Kento. She really missed him, and it broke her heart they were separated in such a cruel way.
And for that moment on, the three just became quiet, each one hoping and praying they would be rescued soon before the training would begin, and before the prophecy would be fulfilled. Their concern and fears soon put them to sleep, and although their bodies were at rest, their minds were far from it.
The four Ronins, the two Warriors, two tigers, and Mia all walked outside into the large front yard. Mia looked across the street and saw several of the guards looking worried as they walked back and forth. She raised one eyebrow and looked over at Scorpio and Flash in curiosity.
"Why are there guards over there?" she asked.
They knew this was going to come sooner or later. Flash looked at Mia right in the eye as she answered. "They're there for Thunder," she replied. "Thunder's a prince. The son of the king and queen of Germany."
Mia looked surprised, but the Ronins were wanting to get this done and over with. Ryo looked at Flash and nodded his head, and Flash put two fingers to her lips. Immediately, Scorpio covered his ears, and he signaled to the others to do the same to which they quickly followed suit. Flash then let out a sharp shrill whistle.
Immediately, the large white wolf that Ryo had seen earlier that day appeared. After being explained to, the wolf nodded his head and closed his eyes as he concentrated. A soft light blue light appeared out of his thick furred chest, and all of them, except for Mia were surrounded by a light.
"Hey, wait!" Sage said, "what about Mia?!"
˜Calm yourself, Halo," the wolf replied, shocking Sage as the Bearer of Halo hadn't expected the wolf to talk. ˜I will guard and protect her. She will be safe."
Sage nodded his head, his eyes still widen a little.
Flash smiled gently at him. "Don't worry," she said. "Blaze is a ferocious fighter."
The light surrounding them increased in its intensity, and they soon vanished from the realm, heading straight to the Dynasty.
"Take care, my friends," Mia whispered.