No Hope

Mai went flying across the room. Onikage was beating her again. "Why didn't you follow orders?" He kicked her again. Mai tried to stand up, but every time she was forced back down by Hiroko's magic. "You will do as I say."

"Onikage, enough." Onikage stepped back as Hiroko walked towards Mai. "You are very strong-willed. I thought my potion would take care of that no problem." She forced Mai mouth open and poured a red substance down her throat. "You will obey me." Hiroko looked into her bowl of water. Rikimaru and Ayame were running through her castle killing her men along the way. "Onikage, we have visitors. You and Mai can give them a warm welcome." She then turned to Mai. "Bring me the swords. I don't care what you do with the leader. Just make sure you bring your sister back alive." Mai smiled and bowed.

Rikimaru and Ayame had killed every man in the castle and had made their way into a large circular outdoor area. The floor was made out of stone and was covered in blood. Ayame looked over the edge. If anyone was thrown out of the boundary, they would fall to their death.

"I think we're almost to the top," Rikimaru said. "We should hurry." They put up their guard when they heard the sadistic laugh.

"What's the hurry? I want to play with you two for a little while. We have all the time in the world." Onikage walked through the open doors.

"We?" Ayame asked. Then Mai stepped out of the shadows. Her eyes were different now. They had turned red. "Mai, what's wrong? Why are you doing this?"

"She is my woman now," Onikage laughed. "She belongs to me and she will do whatever I want her to do." Mai walked over to Onikage and, to Ayame's surprise, kissed him passionately. "Jinnai didn't deserve you. I'm the only one that can make you happy, my love."

"That is disgusting!" Ayame yelled. "You're nothing but a heartless jerk. Mai, you have to fight it. You can do it. Come back to me."

"She will never come back to you. She belongs to me. Mai, get her twin blade swords. I'll take care of her lover." Onikage ran to Rikimaru and attacked. Ayame ran towards them but was blocked by Mai. She had drawn her reverse-blade sword. Only this time, she had turned the sharp side to Ayame.

"You will hand me your swords, Ayame." Mai's voice was colder than ever. Ayame drew her swords and attacked. "I won't kill you, but I will make sure you feel all the pain in the world." Mai counterattacked Ayame with all her strength. Ayame couldn't keep up with her. She couldn't get one attack to land.

"Mai, please, you have to fight it."

"I belong to Lady Hiroko and Onikage." Mai disappeared. Ayame looked around. She was trying the Shadow attack. 'No, this is different. She has disappeared completely. Is Mai using a chameleon spell?' Mai appeared behind Ayame and slashed her numerous times. Ayame fell to the ground shaking in pain. "The poison will make you too weak to move. And now, sister, it is time for you to say goodbye." Mai was powering up. 'This is it,' Ayame thought. 'I'm going to die.'

Then she heard the impact. She opened her eyes and saw Mai holding Rikimaru in the air. She whispered something to him and threw him over the ledge. Ayame was in shock. How could she be so cold?

"Now that your lover is gone, no one can stop us," Onikage laughed. Mai tied Ayame's hands behind her back and led her deeper into the castle. There was no hope left for her. Ayame had failed Lord Gohda, Kiku, Mai, and Rikimaru. She had failed her country. And now she would pay for it with her life.

What will happen to our heroesnext? Dun dun dun. You'll have to keep reading. Thanks for all the reviews. Keep reading.