Chapter 4: The Challenge of Morpheus

As the song ended, the boys were sent back stage as the next song began playing. As the concert ended, Clara took her bows and quickly went backstage where Kayla and the guys were waiting for her.

"All right, whose idea was this?" Rowen asked in a stern voice with his arms crossed.

"Hey, don't look at us," Kento said as he shrugged and pointed at Kayla, "Kayla's the one who dragged us here."

"Don't look at me, Clara's the brains behind this operation."

"Clara is this true?" Rowen asked as he turned to face his innocently smiling wife with his hands on his hips.

"Yes, this was all my idea."

"Thank you." Rowen whispered softly as tears welled up in his eyes and leaned forward to kiss his wife on the lips, who was taken by surprise.

"And that's not all Rowen," Audrey said as she came up and joined the group, holding a clipboard in her hands. "the guys are staying here for 2 weeks. After their 2 weeks end, we're going back to Japan together to help them pack for their big move."

"You're moving?"

"We sure are, Clara found an enormous house for sale in Kokomo, Indiana." Kayla said with a big smile on her face.

"We're all going to live together so that we never have to be separated again." Clara said as everyone began cheering.

That night as the fireworks lit up the night sky, Clara and the guys watched in amazement and wonder. Kayla sat by Cye under the colored night sky, but said nothing throughout the entire evening. As Cye lay in bed dreaming, a voice interrupted his sleep, "Cye of the Torrent meet me in Central Park. I will be waiting for you."

"Cye Mouri is on his way as I speak." said Morpheus, a tall dark-skinned demon wearing a dark gray robe as he bowed deeply before his master. "Are you sure this is the only way Lord Chaos?"

"Yes, I have seen the future and unless Cye and Kayla are brought together, the future as we know it will change forever." Chaos said sadly as he turned from his friend and slowly walked away.

"I'm here, what do you want with me?" Cye asked as he stood in the middle of Central Park with his hands down at his sides. "I know you're here."

"Greetings Cye Mouri," a deep voice spoke as a dark gray mist appeared and solidified into the shape of a man. "I am Morpheus. My master, Lord Chaos bids you welcome. I am here to give you a test."

"Why should I trust you? You and your kind turned Clara to stone, stole her from us, tried to take over the world using her power, and you expect me to trust you?" Cye asked incredulously as he stood his ground with his arms crossed.

"What happened to the girl could not be avoided," Morpheus said sadly as he bowed his head and turned away. "Chaos did what he did to bring Rowen and Clara closer together. As will this test, should you accept it."

"What does this test entail?"

"That you Cye Mouri would become an animal of my choosing and do 3 things."

"I'm listening, go on."

"First you must find the woman who loves you and get her to take care of you. Second, you must get her to realize your true identity. Last, you must get her to admit her true feelings for you." Morpheus said as he watched the moon rise in the midnight sky. "If you can accomplish these three things, the spell will be broken and the 2 of you will do great things. However, if you cannot then you will remain as you are and you will lose her forever. I know you have no reason to trust my master, or me but I can assure you that I am your friend and that I only wish to help you. Are you willing to undergo this test, Cye Mouri?"

Cye stared at the demon before him as he thought this over for a few minutes before he squared his shoulders proudly. "All right Morpheus, I'm ready to accept your challenge."