Chapter Eleven - Descent Into Another World

The night sky fading at the horizon so lightly as the burning orange morning sun crept its way into the sky. Five brave warriors standing straight-line without a word. Subarmor adorned, muscles tensed, minds racing, they were prepared to descend into hell itself, for where they were headed, there was no worse place.

Anubis came up to them holding his staff tightly. "Are you ready?" he asked quietly. The five warriors nodded. He walked past them each. "You have grown extravagantly over the past week. More so than I had hoped, but there is still something lacking. Is all well between you?" he went on.

"We're fine. Let's get this over with," Ryo stated directly. Anubis seemed a little surprised at the harshness in his words but kept his state.

With a pat to White Blaze as he walked by he went towards Mia and Mina. Mina seemed a little nervous at his approach, but to her relief he came face to face with Mia. "Do you have it?" he whispered. Mia nodded slowly as she pulled out the Jewel of Life. He smiled lightly at the sight and carefully took it from her trembling palm. "Fear not, good woman. All will be well. I shall see to it," he said as he gently took Mia's hand. Mia smiled in return and lowered her head to hide her blushing cheeks. Anubis then turned to Mina and she stood straight forward.

Anubis put a finger under her chin and turned her face towards him. "I take it you are one that has captured the heart of one of the Ronin Warriors, hm?" he asked lightly. Mina blushed but nodded as he removed his hand from her chin. "Be not afraid for him. I shall be sure to return the one you love," he reassured her.

When he turned his back to her, the small grin fell to a frown. Which one is that? she asked herself in her mind.

Mia was watching her out of the corner of her eye. She wasn't very happy towards her but she knew that she loved Ryo very much and cared for Sage deeply. So torn between the two, and the others, knows one knows and the other doesn't... except for Kento.

Something's up here. I can feel it. This is bad mojo, Kento thought to himself as he stood in the quiet line. I know we're quiet at times like this, but this is too quiet.

Anubis placed the Jewel around his neck and breathed heavily. "I shall explain to you the plan of action once we arrive. When there, be careful as to when you adorn your armor for you will not be fighting the Warlords alone, but the ground they stand on." They all stood silent. They had no idea as to what that meant but they knew to expect all unexpected possibilities when dealing with the other world.

Standing center and raising the Staff high, Anubis bellowed forcefully as he thrust it into the ground. The blue pillar engulfed them all in an instant as they were transported within a second. The pillar faded before the two on looking women. They stared at the scorched earth, neither of them said a word. Mina began to walk off towards it and stared. "Are they okay?" she asked.

"They're fine," she answered, "they're always fine." Mina just stared at the ground quietly. "You are going to stay until they come back aren't you?" Mia asked, breaking the silence.

"I shouldn't impose more than I have."

"You're not just going to go home after all this, are you? Please, it's no trouble to me, you'll be keeping me company."

"I don't think I would be much good company to you."

"Oh? Why is that? Is something wrong?"

"It's kind of a long story."

"Well, we have a while before they get back, why don't we get some breakfast going and we can have a chat about it."

"Yeah... yeah, okay. I need another woman's perspective anyway."

They started to walk into the house together. Mia didn't know why she was being so nice to her. After harboring all these harsh feelings for her, she was sure she would kick her out of the house before they left. Something inside her told her different, though. Perhaps Mina saw things differently; maybe there was some reason that Mia didn't see. She couldn't possibly see it past all the smiles and hugs between her and Ryo.

Placing some pots and pans on the stove and moving some things around in the refrigerator, they seemed to forget the fact that five close friends just went off into another world to save this one. Mina obviously showed her fear for it, but Mia showed her experience in the situation by not letting it dominate her thoughts. "So, what's this long story you have to tell?" Mia asked, trying her best not to show she knew just about everything.

The Dynasty sky was its normal golden yellow and the clouds high above meshed with it well. Rowen peered up at it lightly as a random thought entered his mind every moment. A slightly tugging shoulder brought him back to reality as he turned to see Ryo getting his attention. "Hey, man, you okay? You seemed a bit out of it there," he asked.

"Hey, I'm fine, buddy. It's just being back in this place again, after last time." Ryo smirked and put a hand to his friend's back and led him to where the others landed. "You remember last time I was slumped over White Blaze while you were holding your own with Lady Kayura. If anybody can survive in this place it's definitely you." Ryo smiled. Rowen looked to the ground with a sheepish grin.

"So you are all here, finally." Anubis's voice echoed in the field.

"Man! Does the sun ever go down in this place?" Kento bellowed with a hand shading his eyes peering at the golden sky in disgust.

"I forgot this place even had a sun," Sai replied, leading his friend over to Anubis.

"We must proceed quickly. We have run out of time as it is," he explained in a worried tone. They gathered round, Sage, Rowen, Ryo, Sai, and Kento, all waiting for what seemed like a battle of time instead of power.

"With your newfound strength, it should not take more than two of you to halt the advances of each Warlord, yet we can't spare any more than that and we cannot take longer than two days to do so. Keep in mind they no longer follow Talpa of their will. They will seek for you to kill them at any chance. The opportunity may present itself without any other option but I bequeath you, their souls are no longer evil, but merely possessed."

Anubis looked over the Warriors to see their response to his words and they seemed unchanged. "They truly are prepared for anything," he stated to himself. "We shall split our forces here and travel to each destination. Be aware that every terrain is filled with the power of each warlord you shall face. You will not only be facing your opponent but the very ground they stand on." Anubis again stood silently as they only one to seem to change expression was Ryo.

"Sekhmet to the east, Cale to the north, Dais to the west, and Talpa's guard to the south. Guarded by Kayura and the pit of flame. We shall meet there after our battles. There will be no form of contact so the battle will proceed with or without you there. Then the battle with Kayura will commence. As a team, she should be as equal an opponent as before, but just as lethal. Then... we shall carry out the plan, that is, if you are still willing to do it."

All eyes turned to Ryo, who seemed to be meditating. His eyes glowed with fire as he looked back up and said, "I don't have any other option."

They all nodded in determination and Anubis seemed to examine Ryo as if he had something else in mind. "Well then, choose your opponents, Ronins, time is of the essence."

A few looks were exchanged around and then a loud clang of metal. "Hey, we got that maggot Dais in the west!" Kento exclaimed, hugging Sai in a headlock with one arm. Sai smiled in agreement.

Rowen was about to put a hand to Ryo's shoulder when he felt a hand on his. As soon as he turned, he saw Sage. "Rowen and I will take down Cale no problem." Rowen put his hand down from where it was headed and nodded in agreement with Sage.

"I guess that leaves me with Sekhmet," Ryo said sullenly.

"Fear not, Wildfire. I shall accompany you in this battle," Anubis interjected. Surprised eyes turned to him with a gasp or two.

"Well, then, you heard him, time is of the essence! Let's move it!"

"We'll see ya at the main fort, and we'll bring Dais's helmet as a souvenir!" Kento boasted as he and Sai walked off a western path.

"Just don't hot dog and blow it like last time!" Sage smirked in reply. Rowen quietly followed him down the northern path.

"I wish you all best of luck, Ronins," Anubis finalized as he and Ryo started down their own pathway.

The path was thick with forestry, amazing to the two Ronins who had become accustomed to the desolation of the Dynasty world. It was hard to believe that actual green life survived in this golden wasteland. They didn't trust it, however, as it was nether world grown. Each time Kento heard his stomach growl he picked off a piece of some unknown fruit but every time he brought it close to his mouth, he pitched it into the sky beyond view. "Man, I'm going to die if I don't get something good under my belt soon."

Sai looked over quietly. Normally he would make a joke or crack about how Kento ate so much, but ever since all of them entered this mirror image of hell, they all have been different. Sai was impressed that Kento held out against his hunger temptation. "Don't worry, Kento, once we get on the battlefield and armor up, nothing else will matter."

That made Kento a little curious. "Hey, you okay Sai? You never seemed so calm about going into a battle. It's kinda got me worried, dude."

Sai just chuckled lightly as he continued the path. He settled down a little and folded his arms behind his back and looked into the sky. "I just tell myself if we do this really well, I mean really finish the job, it will all be over. Then we can get our own lives in perspective," Sai explained, dreamy-eyed.

"Hey, Earth to Torrent! Earth to Torrent! Come back to me, man!" Kento joked as he waved a hand in front of his friend's face. Sai looked a little embarrassed about it and turned his head immediately away from Kento, taking a sudden interest in the nothingness to the left of him. "Oh, I get it! You can't wait to get this over with so you can settle down with Honey Bunny at the restaurant!" Kento exclaimed loudly.

Sai immediately slapped a hand over his mouth. "You want the Dynasty to know we're here already?!" he whispered harshly towards Kento, who was gasping for air under Sai's clamped palm.

Sai released as they continued and Kento took a few deep breaths as if he was really out of breath. "Seriously, dude, I never seen you like this before. I think it's more than a simple schoolboy crush. Come on, man! Fill me in! I promise I won't tell anybody! I swear!"

Sai blushed lightly but he seemed to be giving in. "You really want to know, don't you?" he said, looking at the ground.

"Well, yeah. You're my best buddy, I want to know what's going on with ya."

Sai was quiet for a moment but nonetheless agreed. "Well we have been... going out, I guess you could say."

Kento went wide-eyed in surprise, this he didn't expect. "You already went out?! I've totally misjudged you, my man! So, how many times have you laid a little kissy face on her?"

Sai blushed even heavier as he turned away again. "I... lost count... "

Kento's face beamed in delight as he wrapped his arm around Sai's neck and gave him a fierce set of noogies. "Oh, baby, you are the man, Sai! I never knew you had it in you! I have newfound respect here!"

At this point, Sai's blushing was out of control. "Kento, would you get off me already! That hurts!"

"Well, fill me in! What she look like? Is she like evil gorgeous or goddess gorgeous? Is she the schoolgirl next door or is she the exotic temptress? C'mon, man, I gotta know! Tell me tell me tell me!"

Sai immediately slipped out of Kento's grasp and rolled behind him. "Would you relax, already! You sound like a little kid!" he yelled. Kento ignored it and seemed to get antsy as he paraded around Sai, who seemed to be trying to curl up in himself. "Look, Kento, I know it may seem hard to believe and maybe it is, but could we please just focus on the task at hand? I would like to be able to go back to her."

And at that, Kento seemed to wind down. He walked side by side with Sai, who still seemed wrapped up in himself like a cold little rabbit. "So, have you told about the armor yet?" Kento asked, trying to sound as serious as possible.

Sai put his arms down but he didn't look at Kento yet. "No, not yet, and to be honest, I'm getting worried if I should tell her or not."

"You think it will be like what happened with Ryo and Mina?"

"...Yeah."

"Well, I don't really know what to tell you, buddy, except that, if it's love, it will work out."

"Thanks, but it's rather hard to believe in fairy-tale endings in these times."

"Hey, don't say that, dude. My sis traveled all the way to America to be with the guy she loved."

"Countries and mystical armor are different things."

"Yeah, I know... Okay then, look at it this way. Mina was mad that Ryo didn't tell her and it slipped out. If you tell what's-her-name on your own will, that's a real sign of trust, love, friendship and all that."

Sai looked at Kento who seemed to be admiring the mountains and the golden sky for inspiration. Could it be that Kento actually said something profound? The Warrior of Trust couldn't help but smile as he realized that he would never find a better friendship than this. "Lucia," he said meekly. Kento looked over with question written all over his face. "Her name's Lucia," Sai repeated.

Kento just smiled and gave his friend a slight slap on the back. After a minute of silence, Sai began to chuckle to himself. It was contagious enough to catch Kento who also was giggling lightly as he asked what was so funny. Sai just waved him off but Kento kept asking as they disappeared over a hill.

"Hey, Rowen, you've been quiet this whole trip. Something on your mind?" Sage asked, looking over at Rowen silently walking beside him with his arms crossed.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine, Sage," he replied lightly.

"Are you sure? You don't seem to be yourself. You can't tell me nothing's wrong when it's written all over you."

Rowen huffed at that; Sage could read him like a book. "I've just been thinking about my family a little," he lied.

"You mean that photo?" Sage asked.

"Yeah, it's just been on my mind. If I'm ever going to be able to find out who he is."

"Hey, don't talk like that. You know we're going to pull this out, we always do."

"Yeah, you're right. But even if we do, would I still be able to do something about it?"

"I'm sure you will. If anyone can find out anything about it, it's definitely you."

"You sound pretty confident in my abilities."

"Well, I know I can count on you so I know you can take care of yourself."

Rowen rotated his shoulders once and cricked his neck. To Sage it looked like he was just stretching a bit, but he was actually preparing for the biggest mind puzzle he could play on Sage without him knowing what he was trying to do. Sage knew Rowen well enough to know when he was playing tricks with people's heads, so he had to try to make it seem like a normal conversation.

"You seem to be confident about a lot of things lately. What happened? You finally manage to talk to a girl without falling on your face?"

"Heh, very funny. I don't need to worry about anything like that anymore. We got bigger things to worry about," Sage answered grimly.

"Yeah, you don't want to get wrapped up in a mess like Ryo, right?"

"That was his own fault. If he was just straight with Mina in the first place he wouldn't have lost her."

Lost her? Rowen thought. Nothing was final last I heard. Maybe he really is actually planning on taking this all the way, he went on. Rowen looked over at Sage, who seemed to suddenly drop out of his exceptionally amicable mood. Whoops, better think of something to cover up! the Warrior of Life caught himself. "Hey, buddy, don't worry about it. Ryo will get his head back on straight. He always has."

"It's not him I'm worried about."

"You mean Mina?"

Sage huffed as Rowen accurately deduced what he was thinking, and he was getting the feeling that he also played a headgame with him and won. Sage was no fool. He knew that Rowen would probably think that what he was doing with Mina was deceitful and backstabbing. How could he possibly understand the feelings that he and Mina shared? He figured he better tell him about what was going on before Rowen found deep moral convictions about it.

"Look, I'm going to tell you something really important but you can't tell anyone, okay?" Sage said sternly.

Rowen seemed a little surprised about it but kept his cool. Damn, he must have figured out I was playing with him, Rowen contemplated. Nonetheless, Rowen waited for Sage to explain his side of the story. "Go ahead..."

Ryo and Anubis weren't having a very virile conversation, unlike the others. Hours came to pass and not a single word. At the very most there was a grunt or too as the path became more difficult but the only true sign of communication is one holding out a hand to the other helping them along the path. The sun definitely showed it was late afternoon so it was safe to say they had traveled for many hours. Gazing upon its white blazing glory in the golden sky of this dead world, Anubis realized how quiet their travel has been.

"What is your dream, Wildfire?" Anubis asked abruptly.

Ryo looked over with a slightly surprised expression. "My what?" he asked, trying to gather his thoughts.

"What is the one thing you want most in your existence?" the monk replied.

Ryo rubbed the back of his head lightly a moment. "Where did this come from?"

"I am just curious. If it is too personal a question, you need not worry for an answer."

"No, it's just that... well, it's not a typical life goal, you know?"

"A dream doesn't have to be realistic, it just has to be a inspiring force."

"Well then, what is your dream?'

Anubis went quiet for a moment as he looked down at the path he was walking. He picked up his head slowly and smiled. "I dream of a world with no interference. Nature exists in itself and the land runs it life untouched by the advances of man's free will."

Anubis seemed to be dwelling in his thought, as Ryo looked at him a little awestruck. "Wow, that's pretty deep, Anubis."

Anubis returned from his daydream and looked over at Ryo. "And you?" he asked with a slight smirk.

Ryo scrambled as it was his turn to reveal his secrets. With a heavy sigh, Ryo folded his arms and looked into the golden sky. "To be honest... a family," Ryo said and showed no sign of continuing.

"A family?" Anubis asked, urging him to continue.

Ryo seemed a little touchy about it but nonetheless he continued. "Well, yeah. I mean, I grew up by myself. I just like to experience what it would be like."

At that, Anubis seemed a bit puzzled. "What of the Ronins? I would think with what you've been through, you would consider yourselves brothers."

Ryo shook his head lightly. "They're great friends and all, but it's not the same as a family."

There was a bit of silence but only briefly, as the wisdom of being a monk seemed to gather. "A family is not simply blood. A family is those you care for, love and respect. But I understand what you desire. A mother, a father, a sibling, there is not much that could compare to that. Just do not reject what you have just because it's not the same."

Ryo looked over to Anubis and unfolded his arms. "Its gotta be the staff," he remarked smartly. Anubis seemed to chuckle a little as they continued. Silence filled the area again and Ryo seemed to go into his sullen state again.

"May I inquire once again of you?" Anubis asked.

"Sure, go ahead," Ryo replied, not breaking the situation.

"What made you become a Ronin Warrior?"

Ryo seemed a bit shocked at this question. "I really didn't have a choice," he said hastily. "The armor just kind of fell on me."

Anubis shook his head a little. "The Armor chose you, but what made you accept it? You were presented with a chance to cast it aside, were you not?"

Ryo thought back for a moment as the memories returned to him. "Well, yeah, there was this one time. The Ancient had gathered us together and explained this mission to us. It was a long story about how we'll have to be a unit and unshattered circles and billions of other metaphors like that. When he was finished, he asked us if we wanted to back out."

Anubis waited patiently for Ryo's real answer but it would seem he would have to pry it out of him. "What went on in your mind that made you decide to keep the armor then?"

Ryo seemed to blush a moment. "It's kind of a selfish reason..." he said, trying to escape the question.

"There is no shame in wanting power if your intentions are pure," Anubis coincided.

"What I thought was... that we're going to have to fight together, as a team. Risking and saving each other's lives, we were bound to become good friends. I didn't have any before that time and now I was getting a guaranteed four. I jumped it. I didn't have anything else in mind, not the Dynasty or anything else the Ancient said. I just wanted to be one of the guys."

Ryo went into his silence again and Anubis just looked at him. That wasn't the usual cause of a Ronin Warrior, but to scold him was wrong on so many levels. "Do the others know about that?" he threw together.

"No, and you're not going to tell them, right?" Ryo replied.

Anubis seemed puzzled at Ryo's response. "Why haven't you told them?"

Ryo shook himself all over as if to get a chill out of his body. "Because they all joined for the right reasons. Rowen joined because he had a really hard childhood with his family breaking up an all. He felt that if he had this power, he could stop other people from feeling the same kind of pain. Sai, he hates to fight, he deplores it, but he took up his armor in hopes that no one else would have to fight. Sage... Sage took his armor because he is a warrior. Darkness has challenged light and he will be its champion. And Kento. Well, his is reason is more direct. He tries to act tough by saying he wants the armor because it helps him fight, but I know it's because of his family. He has a large family and he needs strength to protect them."

Anubis seemed amazed. "You know much of your comrades, why do you hide yourself from them?" Anubis waited for a response but received none. "Why?" Anubis asked persistently.

"Because I'm not good enough," Ryo shot back at his companion.

"And what makes you say that?" Anubis asked, ignoring Ryo's hostility.

"I'm too immature, too guilty, too sad, too weak, whatever the hell it is, it's there. I'll never be good enough for them and it's my own fault. The only time they were proud of me is when I practically killed myself to save them and the world. Twice," Ryo explained hatefully.

Anubis was starting to get a little concerned at this point. He was afraid he had gone too far. "Death is not always the correct solution," he tried to say, buying time until he could solve the situation without provoking Ryo's immature side.

"But it is a solution..." Ryo said with no emotion at all.

At this point, Anubis became worried for Ryo's welfare. He knew something was bothering him since they came to the Nether Realm but Ryo was never so pessimistic of life. Perhaps the strain of being a Ronin Warrior was conflicting too much with his being a human. In a wisp of thought, Anubis directed a path with his staff. "Take this way, it will be shorter." Ryo looked down the path pointed out and it seemed it lead to a small lake. Ryo didn't see any harm in it, he was rather thirsty.

They walked silently for a long time before they reached the lake. Ryo immediately took a seat under a tree and let the weariness of travel soak into his feet. Anubis took a seat on the edge of the lake plunging his legs in up to his knees. "That looks pretty good," Ryo said, looking at Anubis being fully comfortable.

"Come, this a rejuvenation spring. It gives all the benefits of a full night's rest," Anubis explained, ushering Ryo forward.

Ryo came forward and sat as Anubis. The water seemed to seep through his sub-armor as his feet became completely relaxed. "Man, this is good," Ryo stated as he sloshed his legs in the water.

"This spring is used for bathing. Why don't you go in for a while and rejuvenate yourself?" Anubis urged him. Ryo seemed a little hesitant but Anubis continued to coax him. Eventually Ryo couldn't resist any longer and just dove in headfirst. He swam skillfully around the small edges of the lake enjoying every minute of its rejuvenating abilities.

Ryo emerged from the cool waters shaking his head to remove the hair from his eyes. "Man, you were right! I feel like I could take on ten Talpas! ...Hey? Why aren't you taking a getting in?" Ryo asked with a small smirk.

"I have already experienced the abilities of this water," he replied nonchalantly; in fact, he almost seemed sullen.

"Hey, what's the matter? I can't imagine anyone feeling bad in here."

Anubis shook his head a little. "Being reminded of this place. Being restored to do my evil deeds. I can remember sitting in this very spot plotting how I would destroy you in the volcano."

At that Ryo went quiet again. He started to kick himself inside because he managed to form a way to blame himself. If I wasn't acting to so wishy-washy, Anubis would never have thought I needed this and he wouldn't have to bring up the bad memories this place brings, he thought as he started to get out of the lake.

He was exiting on the opposite from which he entered and with one foot out, his eyes became wide with shock as his jaw dropped open. He closed it slowly and his eyebrows furrowed as his anger swelled. Anubis took notice quickly. "Is there something upon the ledge, Wildfire?" he asked lightly.

Ryo just got out of the lake and stood up straight, letting the water run off his subarmor. Anubis stood up as well, removing his legs from the water. "It's time to fight..."