A Challenge of Warriors

The situation had turned against the KH team once again. Lu Bu had managed to take Jim Hawkins captive and took the map for himself. Sora and the others could do nothing to stop Lu Bu because of the individual who impeded their path. Standing Eagle, widely known as Osiris, prevented their attempt to pursue Lu Bu.

"Stand aside!" shouted Riku.

"I can't do that!" replied Osiris. "I have a goal to achieve! The goal of fulfilling our mission and sending the treasure back to the Empire!"

"We won't let you do that!" said Mickey.

"And what do you intend to do about it!"-

"We intend to fight!" shouted Sora.

"Sorry, my friend." Osiris uttered. "But I can't permit you to do that."

"Why not?"-

"Because I know for a fact that you wouldn't stand a chance against me."-

"Is that so?"-

"I'm afraid that's the reality." Osiris began to increase his power. The more power unleashed, the stronger the wind became. The KH team was starting to lose ground. "You've seen what I'm capable of doing. That should be the first clue that you stand no chance against the likes of me."-

"Well, we won't know unless we try!"-

"You can try all you want, Sora. But even your strong will to endure would not be enough to withstand the true power of the wind master."-

"Then, I'll take you up on that!" Sora sheathed his sword and stepped forward towards the shinobi. Pointing his finger at the ninja he announced his intention. "Osiris! I challenge you to a one on one duel!"

"Sora!" Riku protested. "Are you out of your mind!"

"Don't worry about it, Riku!" Sora chuckled. "I can do it! If you can engage in a one on one fight, then I can do the same too!"

"But this isn't a game, Sora!"-

"I know, but I also want to face at least one of these guys in a one on one fight. Besides, you got to fight Anubis one on one. Now, it's my turn."-

"This is not a contest of egos, Sora! This is serious! The only reason why I fought Anubis one on one was because we had another mission to fulfill! And that was to stop those mobile dolls from destroying the Earth and ZAFT!"-

"This predicament is the same." Sora walked up to Riku and whispered. "The reason why I do this is so while I'm fighting Osiris, you and the others go and rescue Jim. We can't have Lu Bu gain access to the treasure."

"I guess you're right, Sora. But this guy's strength is incredible. He makes Anubis look like a joke."-

"Don't worry, Riku. I can handle him. Just have faith in me."-

There was a silence between to two boys as each looked into each others eyes.

"Alright." Riku uttered. "I leave the situation to you."

"Thanks, Riku." Sora replied, hugging his best friend.

"OK! OK! Don't get all mushy over me!"-

Sora turned to confront Osiris and pointed his finger towards the shinobi once again.

"Well, Osiris!" shouted Sora, gleefully. "What do you say! Will you accept my challenge!" But Osiris began to laugh maniacally.

"You fool!" he chuckled. "Do you think me for a simpleton! I know what it is you're planning! By challenging me to a one on one duel, you're stalling time for your friends! While you and I fight, they will go ahead and stop Lu Bu from gaining access to Flint's Trove! And by fighting me one on one, your friends will save a lot of time and effort when it comes to the upcoming battle with Lu Bu!"

"So I take it that you're not going to accept my challenge?"-

"Are you kidding! I'd love to fight you one on one! Two warriors fight to the death! I like that! Besides, if I know Lu Bu, you'll need all the strength you can muster!" He walked up to Sora. "I accept your challenge, Sora!"

"Alright!" Sora turned to his friends. "OK guys! Time for you to go and get Jim and the map back from that monster!"

"We gotcha!" said Mickey. "Let's go!"

"Oh...uh...here." said Goofy, handing a senzu bean to Sora. "You might need it just in case."

"Thanks Goofy." Sora uttered.

"Are you sure you're alright with this?" asked Riku.

"I'm sure."-

"You take care of yourself, alright?" Riku placed his hand on Sora's shoulder. Sora took hold of his hand.

"I will. I'll come back alive."-

Riku nodded his head. Then turning towards the others, he gave the signal to advance.

"OK, you guys!" he ordered. "Mickey, Donald, Goofy! Get the gummi ship fired up and let's track down, Lu Bu!"

"Right!" they replied. Riku turned to Delbert, Silver, and B.E.N.

"Well, don't just stand there, get in!"-

"Yes!" replied Delbert. "Right away!"

"Oh Boy!" shouted B.E.N. "We're gonna go on a trip! We're gonna go on a trip!"

"Shut your noise, you!" said Silver, grabbing the mechanical man and pulling him into the gummi ship. "We have treasure to find!"

Riku stepped into the ship, looking back at Sora who now confronted the next of the Cavendish Shinobis all on his own.

"Stay alive, Sora. That's all I'm hoping for."-

The doors on the gummi ship closed and the Leviathan, hovering in the air with its immensely loud boosters, continued on its way to find Lu Bu, leaving the two duelists to battle on the grassy field.

"So it comes down to you and me then." said Sora.

"Let us begin our little match." Osiris replied.

"If you don't mind, because I'm in bit of a hurry, can we skip the warm up?"-

"You won't be going anywhere if your dead though. So don't jump the gun just yet."-

"Pardon me. But it won' be me that'll be dying today."-

"We'll see about that." Osiris began to power up with incredible speed. The winds began to blow around him. But still Sora didn't flinch. "I take no pleasure in killing a worthy opponent."

Meanwhile, Lu Bu had stopped for a while, dropping Jim on the ground. Jim, still unconscious remained motionless on the ground.

"Get up boy!" Lu Bu shouted. "Open up that map and lead me to the loot of a thousand worlds!"

"Why...should I?" Jim uttered, staggering to his feet. But Lu Bu picked him up by the throat.

"You'll do it if you value your life."-

"If you kill me, then you'll never see single coin, or jewel of that treasure."-

"I could care less on whether you lived, or died. The fact of the matter is, even if you die, the Empire will chart this planet in and out and will search every square inch until the treasure is found. So your death would be in vain." Lu Bu threw Jim to the ground. "Besides, death is eternity. And I don't think you want to spend the rest of eternity in death do you!" Jim, having no other choice in the matter, began to unlock the maps code.

"No Jim!" a voice cried out. "Don't do it!"

Jim and Lu Bu looked up to see the Leviathan coming in for a landing. From the descending gummi ship, Riku landed onto the ground. Presenting himself before Jim and Lu Bu, he drew his sword at the giant warrior.

"Well, you guys are more resourceful than I expected." said Lu Bu. "But your efforts to track us down was in vain. If you insist on getting in my way, then I have no option but to kill you."

"You're not going to go any further." said Riku. "This fight is between you and me."

"Us too!" shouted Mickey as he and others landed safely on the ground. "We can't let you fight this guy on your own, Riku!"

"He's right." added Goofy. "'All for one and one for all' as we always say."

"We'll fight him together." said Donald.

"Jim are you OK?" asked Delbert, running to his friend. Jim slowly rose to his feet. "You're not hurt are you?"

"Not really."-

"You best be gettin' to safety, Jimbo." uttered Silver. "This is no place for you to be. Stay out of harm until we win this thing."

"But why?"-

"What would the point be in us trekking all the way here if you died? You're the only one who can open the map, my boy."-

"He has a good point there, Jim." added Delbert. "It's best that we observe this fight from a safe distance."

"What about you, Silver?" asked Jim.

"Don't you be worrying about me." Silver replied. "I'll stay here and battle this here ruffian."

"Silver." said Riku. "I suggest you stay behind and protect Jim."

"But I'm going to fight! I have to take revenge for what he did to me crew! I won't just let him...!"

"But if something happens to us, then you will be the only one that stands in the way of the treasure and Lu Bu. I leave Jim and Dr. Doppler in your care."-

"Very well then." Silver turned to his comrades. "Alright you two, let's get out of here."

"OK." said Jim. The three retreated to the rear while Riku and the others stayed to confront the mighty Lu Bu. Lu Bu only chuckled silently to himself.

"You worthless fodder." he uttered. "You've stayed behind to fight me then? You've made a terrible mistake, my friends. A terrible mistake!"

"It is you who's made the terrible mistake." said Riku. "You're outnumbered now and we don't have to hold back any further without anyone else, besides us four, getting hurt."

"Don't think that there's safety in numbers here. I could take on twelve of you."-

"We'll just see about that."-

"Fodder! Come an die!" Lu Bu suddenly rushed the group. "And don't hold back! The one thing I can't tolerate the most is when my opponents don't take me seriously!"

"Don't you worry about that!"-

"Let's get him!" shouted Mickey. The four attacked with great ferocity, but Lu Bu only brushed them aside with his pike like insects. Still, the KH team attacked with all they had.

"We four members of the Kingdom Hearts group will put an end to your tyranny!" said Donald.

"You shall feel the might of our steel!" added Mickey.

"Let's get him!" shouted Goofy. "Come on!"

"Heh! You dogs are all bark and no bite!" chuckled Lu Bu. "Pitiful! Can you do no better than this!"

"I'll show you!" shouted Riku.

The continued with the KH team attacking the brutish warrior head on. The grand fighter however brushed his attackers off if they were flies. Simultaneously, they assaulted him, and each time, Lu Bu stood their attacks.

In the meantime, Sora and Osiris were duking it out in an impressive confrontation of skill and strength. Osiris, acting as a shinobi, eluded Sora's sight and attacked him when he least expected it. Sora was continuously on his guard, dodging and deflecting any attack thrown by Osiris.

"Come now, Sora!" said Osiris. "I was hoping for a real fight, not a side show!"

Again Osiris went on the prowl, attacking Sora when he least suspected it. Sora dodged again when the shinobi charged him again.

"This guy is tougher than I thought." Sora thought to himself. "No! I can't allow myself to be intimidated by him. I'll just allow him to show himself off for a while."

Again the shinobi attacked with great swiftness, descending upon Sora from behind. Sora turned again, only to be pummeled by the shinobi again.

"I have to somehow strike him when he least expects it." Sora thought. "The only way I can strike him when he goes on the offensive is to stand still and keep myself open."

Sora instead decided to stand still, opening himself to any attack. Osiris saw this and suspected that Sora was expecting him to attack.

"Won't work on me!" he chuckled. Osiris deployed a whirlwind and launched it against Sora. Sora suddenly saw himself caught in a vortex of strong winds. The twister pummeled him around in its funnel before diminishing into the atmosphere, dropping the young warrior onto the ground. Sora slowly rose to his feet.

"Well, I didn't see that one coming." he uttered to himself.

"What did you think of that?" asked Osiris. "Not bad I have to say." Sora slowly stood up to face Osiris. "Listen Sora. I'm starting to get a little bit bored with this. Now, since I am the chivalrous type, I'll make a deal with you. Now, I won't kill you, but if you manage to get at least three effective strikes on me, then I'll withdraw from this fight. You see in my entire career as a member of the Cavendish Shinobis, no one has ever managed to hit me once. So, if you manage to get at least three hits on me, I will diminish myself and withdraw from this battle."

"But why would you make such a deal? You have a mission to fulfill don't you?"-

"But that doesn't mean that I can't have any fun in the process. By offering you this challenge, I could see where you stand in strength."-

"Alright then. I accept your challenge and I'll show you just how powerful I can be! I'll be the first one to ever strike you down!"-

"That's right, Sora! Keep telling yourself that! Boost your confidence! Just don't cry when you lose! We keep fighting until you're drained of all your strength! Just be grateful that I'm not in a bad mood today and have decided to let you live with your humiliation of defeat rather than taking your life!"-

"Enough talking!"-

Sora began his run again, but once more the shinobi evaded and dodged Sora, eluding him for a further round.

"He's calm." Sora thought to himself. "Too calm. Why is it that he's so calm? Could it be that he has nothing to fear from me?" Just then, Osiris emerged again before the young warrior, hovering in the air as if taunting him.

"Tell me, Sora. This girl you fight for, is she really worth going through all this trouble?" asked Osiris.

"Kairi is always worth fighting for!" Sora replied.

"Don't you see the bigger picture though. A universe is on the verge of destruction, but you only care about a girl."-

"Both the universe and Kairi are worth saving! What are you getting at anyway!"-

"If you were to choose one, which would you fight for? Would you fight for one you love so dearly, or would you fight for a million faces which you don't know?"-

"Well, I would..."-

"If you choose to fight for that one person you love, then you have chosen a weak motive. A cause that is insignificant to everything else."-

"The cause to save Kairi is not insignificant!" said Sora. "She is all the world to me! And that is worth fighting for!"

"So, you're saying that you're willing to sacrifice a million innocent strangers for the sake of one person? Now tell me, do you think that's logical!"-

"Stop it! Be quiet!"-

Suddenly, Osiris appeared behind Sora and deployed what looked like crescent shaped objects at the keybearer. Sora dodged the attacks, but realized that even though the objects passed by harmlessly, they still managed to create cuts on his face.

"Did you like that attack?" asked Osiris. "That's just one of my minor attacks that I like to call Wind Shurikens. They are actually composed of compressed air which has been accelerated to an incredible speed. With the proper air pressure and the right amount of speed, the wind develops a cutting edge. As you can see, the results have had some rather severe consequences."

Sora wiped his face of the blood and rubbed it between his fingers.

"Who am I dealing with?" Sora said to himself. "I have to watch out for this guy. He may try something like that a second time."

"Tell me, Sora! Is this really what you want, to suffer so much for the sake of a loved one!"

"Silence you!" Sora demanded. "I don't like the way you're bad mouthing Kairi!"

"You must be her lover then."-

"We're just friends! But she's a friend who'd I be willing to fight and die for! I'd do the same for all my friends!"-

"Really! Then, why don't you focus on the issue at hand! While we stand here talking, your other friends are probably being severely injured in the fight against Lu Bu! Can you hear their screams! I can! They desperately need you!"-

"Don't let him fool you!" Sora said to himself.

"Tell me! What is it that you really want out of all this! Affection! Unity!"-

"I just want to be together with all my friends! As far as I know, Kairi is alone and frightened wherever she is! I have to rescue her!"-

"You fight for a weak cause! You fight for the sake of a friend, who would in the near future forget about everything that you've done for her!"-

"That's not true!"-

"Human ignorance is painful! She'll eventually forget your efforts! She only wishes for you to save her, but when you finally do, you'll only be given a pat on the back and things will go back to what they were! And all your efforts would eventually diminish out of their memories! That's what people always do! They always forget! Always remain ungrateful for the suffering and efforts that others have gone through just for them!"

"Shut up!"-

"But why! That is the reality, Sora!"-

"I said shut up!" He attacked with great ferocity, but the shinobi easily evaded.

"Try this on!" Osiris lunged forth with a new attack. A powerful sound wave bellowed forth, knocking Sora off his feet. He could feel as the air was blew passed him as he fell to the ground. Sora slowly staggered, seeing the shinobi glaring at him like a vulture.

"As I said before, the cause you fight for has weak motivations." said Osiris. "As we stand here fighting, thousands of other worlds are falling victim to the Empire. You say that you are willing to protect the masses as well as your friends, but in reality you can only look after one, or the other. Delay in trying to save those people, and you increase the chances that your friend should suffer. The same happens to the masses if you brush them aside to save a friend. But it's the way this universe works, to help one, you must forsake the other."

"Is my cause so insignificant?" Sora began to question himself. "Have I neglected the reality of the situation, hoping that everything will be alright?" Sora pounded his fist on the ground. "No! I'm not wrong! My cause isn't insignificant! I am protecting someone! I may not be able to protect all people, but I can at least save one!" Sora stood up, his sword in his hand gleaming in the bright sun. "I am not wrong! My cause is worth fighting for! I fight to protect a loved one! That is a cause that is always worth fighting and dying for!"

"But that cause is rendered meaningless if your strive so hard only fail in the end! To see those loved one's of yours die and you're not able to do anything about it! As far as you know, that girl is dead!"-

"You're wrong! You're wrong!"-

Sora attacked the shinobi in blind fury. The two grappled violently against each other, but it was clear that Osiris had the upper hand over Sora. He deployed several other wind attacks to repel and anger Sora. Sora, still determined to point out that Osiris was wrong, continued his assault that were many times in vain. Sora hadn't even touched his opponent, let alone delivered a severe blow. It became crystal clear that delivering three blows would not be as easy as Sora expected.

"That's right! She's dead now! They killed her! And the worst part is that you never even knew it!" Osiris continued to mock. "There's nothing you can do against me!"

"Stop talking!" shouted Sora. But again as he lunged at Osiris with his sword, Osiris kneed him in the gut. Sora fell to the ground in pain, his sword falling close by his side.

"I can't believe that you and your friends were the ones who took out Isis, Horus, and Anubis." Osiris uttered in sheer disappointment. "I thought I was gonna fight a warrior that was strong in heart, mind, and body, but I was wrong and a fool to get my hopes up on a climactic battle with the legendary keybearer. You are a waste of my time Sora. Just as your time is wasted on trying to save a girl."

"I don't understand it." Sora thought. "How is this guy beating me? I can predict his every move, but I can't seem to coordinate myself very well." It then dawned on Sora on how Osiris was able to gain such a great advantage over him. "That's it. I know how he does it."

"What's the matter, Sora?" said Osiris in a sarcastic manner. "You giving up already! What a waste of my time alright! I shouldn't have agreed to a one on one fight with you! You are just a pathetic excuse for a warrior! I can't believe I put such much high faith in you!"

But Sora stood up and sighed. He shook his head and smirked.

"You just don't get it do you." he uttered.

"What do you mean?" the shinobi asked.

"You don't know what it truly means to fight."-

"You dare to lecture me about a cause."-

"At least I'm fighting to protect someone I love. You however, fight for a cause that erupts all worlds into chaos. You fight for the sake of your own selfish gain. Isn't that right?"-

"And what if it is?"-

"What exactly are you fighting for, Osiris?"-

"For the sake of the Empire. To assure that it rules over all worlds."-

"But once you achieve that, what would you have accomplished for yourself? Would you be satisfied with the result?"-

"If it is to end the chaos, then I fight with my full body and soul."-

"But chaos can never fully be extinguished so long as there are two who are able to start a conflict."-

"But that will change with the coming of total domination over all worlds by the Dark Empire!"-

"But what have you gained? Have you gained happiness? Have you gained a sense of justice? Would you truly be satisfied with the thought of the Dark Empire taking over everything? If the Dark Empire succeeds, then the lifestyle of many people will die!"-

Suddenly, Osiris was struck by a memories of old, when he was still a young boy. He envisioned his father, his mother, his family. Then suddenly, chaos and blood entered his mind. Images which flashed in his mind in split seconds, coming down on him like rain.

"Is that what you really want!" Sora continued. "Do you really want to see the destruction of all other cultures for the sake of unification!"

Once again, the two remained at a stand off. Sora however found the worth of his cause. Now it was Osiris who questioned his cause. The table of battle had now turned in Sora's favor.

At the same time, Riku and the others continued their battle against the mighty Lu Bu. Lu Bu, a warrior of exceptional strength, did not easily falter when confronted by the KH group. His heavy armor and large pike made him a force to be reckoned with. And because his body had been conditioned to bear such heavy equipment, it was easy for him to move about with ease. Riku and the others eventually lost ground and had to withdraw from the fight to regain their stamina.

They stood in a group gasping for breath. The fight had taken a lot of strength out of them.

"Alright." said Mickey. "Where did we lose control of this fight."

"Maybe someone should tell him that we're the good guys." added Donald. "This is not how it's supposed to happen."

"It doesn't work that way." Riku uttered. "Up to this point, we've been attacking him one at a time, simultaneously. What we need to do is attack him from different directions at the same time."

"But we would risk putting each other in danger."-

"Then we'll have to be careful won't we."-

"Are you sure about this, Riku?"-

"What other choice do we have."-

"I'm willing to try it." said Goofy.

"Me too." added Mickey.

"Then, let's go for it!" Riku replied.

The four ran about and surrounded Lu Bu from all sides. Lu Bu gazed at each of his opponents.

"Planning to attack me from different directions at the same time, I see." he uttered to himself. "When will you ever learn."

"Let's get him!" cried Riku. The four attack from their positions at the same time, but Riku realized that Lu Bu was only smirking.

"Why even try!" shouted Lu Bu. He suddenly pounded his foot on the ground and a powerful sonic boom blew his attackers away. Riku and the others went flying through the air, landing fifty yards away from Lu Bu. Riku managed to regain his stance and jumped to his feet. Mickey, Donald, and Goofy on the other hand fell straight on their faces.

"Did anyone get the number of that rig?" Mickey groaned.

"That was no rig." Donald uttered. "That was a freight train."

"Well whatever it was, it certainly knocked the wind out of us."-

"Mickey! Donald! Goofy! Are you guys alright!" Riku shouted.

"We're alright!" Mickey replied.

"Oooh! Look at all the pretty stars!" Goofy uttered, as a ring of stars hovered over his head.

"You're lucky!" said Donald. "You got stars! All I got were stupid birds!" The ring of birds still flew around Donald's head before he had to forcibly shoo them away. "Will you get out of here you stupid birds!"

"Come on guys!" shouted Riku. "We gotta keep going!"

"Let's get him again!" shouted Mickey. He and Riku attacked Lu Bu head on, but Lu Bu once again pounded his foot into the ground. This time, Riku and Mickey were ready, bracing themselves for impact. However, the blast still managed to break their stance. Riku regained his stamina, but as he did he realized that Lu Bu was coming straight for him. Lu Bu struck at Riku, making severe blows with his pike. With a sudden swipe of the pike, the warrior caused Riku to fly through the air a hundred yards before tumbling on the ground.

"How do you like that attack!" chuckled Lu Bu.

"Riku!" cried Mickey. "Are you alright!"

Lu Bu began to walk over to where Riku was, but Mickey and the others ran and stood in his path.

"Don't go any closer to him!" said Donald.

"Do ya think we can stop him all by ourselves?" asked Goofy.

"I don't know."-

"We have to try." said Mickey. "We have to fight him off."

"If you value your lives, stand down!" Lu Bu shouted.

"We can't and we won't! We intend to fight and defeat you, Lu Bu! We won't run away!"-

"Then, you're making a big mistake!"-

Mickey, Donald, and Goofy took their stance and prepared to battle the giant. But Riku suddenly made his way in front of them.

"Riku?" uttered Goofy.

"What are you doing Riku?" asked Donald.

"I'm going to fight." uttered Riku

"But you're hurt."-

"At least that's one fatality. I don't want to gain anymore."-

"What do you mean?"-

"I want you guys to withdraw from this fight. I'll take Lu Bu on myself."-

"You can't!" said Goofy.

"Yeah!" added Mickey. "You'll be killed!"

"Please let me do this." Riku uttered. "Have faith in me."

"But why do you want to face him alone?"-

"In reality, I can't fight without having to worry about your safety too."-

"But we're all in the same predicament."-

"We're a team, Riku!" said Goofy. "And we're gonna stick by you to the bitter end."

"Are you guys really willing to do that?" said Riku. "But what if the worst were to happen? If we fall today, who would continue the quest for find Kairi and stop the Empire's expansion?"

"He has a point." said Mickey. "Alright Riku. I see what you're driving at." Mickey withdrew his keyblade and began to fall back. "Goofy, Donald, let's retreat for now."

"But your Majesty?" uttered Donald.

"It would serve no purpose to die today. Riku can handle himself if we believe in him."-

"Gawrsh." said Goofy. "Are we doing the right thing?"

"Riku will win. We just have to believe."-

"Alright." Donald replied.

"OK, Riku. He's all yours."-

"Thanks Mickey."-

Mickey, Donald, and Goofy withdrew to a safe distance, joining Jim Hawkins and the others who were watching the fight from behind a line of trees, a hundred yards away. Riku took his sword and held it before him.

"Now, it's just the two of us." Riku uttered.

"Attacking alone?" said Lu Bu. "What are you stupid?"-

"Stupid, or not. I can't allow you to harm my companions any further."-

"Putting all the burden's weight on your shoulders, eh! You're brave! I'll give you that much!" Lu Bu drew his pike and lashed it out before Riku. "But do you really dare to stand against the mighty Lu Bu!"-

"You'll pay for all the suffering you caused! Today, I will cause your downfall!"-

"Just keep barking!"-

The two made their stances, ready to continue in a one on one fight. Riku's face sweated from the anxiety, but he held his ground. Now he stood alone against this most legendary of Chinese warriors.

"Sora." Riku uttered to himself. "I hope you're having better luck than I am."

Luck had been gained in Sora's favor as he managed to find the soft spot which caused emotional sensitivity within Osiris. Something had been triggered by Sora because now Osiris was now the one who felt insecure. This was painfully obvious now due to the slight shift in accuracy and timing in Osiris's attacks.

"What's the matter with him?" Sora thought to himself. "He's slightly slower than he was before. What's wrong with him."

"I am not wrong." Osiris uttered to himself. "I do this for the good of the universe. To assure that all worlds will be under the control of the Dark Empire. But if I were to fulfill that, I would be..." flashbacks began to appear in his head, further nullifying Osiris's ability to stay focused. "...be no different."

"What's wrong with you!" said Sora. "Why all of a sudden, are you losing your grip!"

"Shut your noise!" shouted Osiris. "Don't change the fact that we're still enemies and still in combat!"

"What!"-

"I'll win this! I am a warrior! I have no remorse for my enemies, or my opponents!"-

Osiris attacked Sora head on, swooping down from the sky. But Sora saw the attack and reacted in time. Using his Stopga spell, he paralyzed Osiris for a period of seconds, but it was enough time to land his first effective strike. With his sword still sheathed, Sora struck Osiris in the gut, forcing the shinobi to pummel to the ground. The ninja slowly arose, his face displaying an expression of shock and anger. He stood on his feet and turned towards Sora sneering.

"No one has ever done that to me!" he growled.

"Well, there's always a first!" Sora replied. "And as far as I know, that was hit number one! Two more hits and you withdraw from this fight!"

"Well, I'll be sure not to distract myself this time!"-

Osiris began to use after images, attempting to distract Sora and hopefully put him of guard. Osiris hovered around like a ghost around the young keybearer. However, his emotional stress was still present for his movements were not as consistent as before.

"There's something wrong." Sora thought to himself. "Is he doing this on purpose? Is he deliberately allowing me to see his movements? I wonder what's going through his head!"

Suddenly, Osiris assaulted Sora again, but his strike was predicted by Sora and he was able to avoid the attack of the ninja. Once again, as Osiris passed by, Sora took the sheath of his sword and struck him at the back of the neck. Osiris once again fell to the ground, tumbling to the dirt causing clouds of dust to accumulate in the atmosphere. Sora backed off, allowing the shinobi to rise to his feet again. By this time, Osiris's expression was that of pure rage.

"That bastard!" he uttered. "He's making a mockery of me! He's laughing at me!"

"Osiris." Sora uttered. "I can't help think that there's some sort of nagging feeling at the back of you mind."

"Don't you dare to presume such a notion!" shouted Osiris.

"What's gotten in to you? You were so calm and confident only a few minutes ago. But now all of a sudden, you're acting sluggishly as if you don't want to fight me. What's going on Osiris? Or should I say Standing Eagle."

"Don't you dare utter my birth name!" shouted Osiris. "Don't you dare unleash the human side of me! In battle, I am ruthless and bloodthirsty!"

"But from what I can see, you're not the type who enjoys killing! Otherwise, you would have killed me already!"-

"Don't you dare assume what I won't do!" Osiris began to accumulate his power to the max. The wind had grown intense now, blowing Sora off his feet. "This time, I finish you!"

He suddenly unleashed a powerful twister, at least and F5. The twister went charging at Sora, pulling him into the vortex. Sora was spun around violently in the twister. Osiris suddenly deployed his wind shurikens and sent them into the vortex. The shurikens began to tear and cut at Sora and the young warrior could only scream in agony as he felt the sting of each shuriken when they gut his flesh.

"No!" Sora cried. "I won't go like this!" Unsheathing his sword, he deployed his Graviga spell. The intense gravity pulled the powerful twister to the ground, diminishing it completely. Sora landed on the ground dropping his sword by his side. But he then saw Osiris suddenly attack him head on.

"This time, you go down for good!" shouted Osiris. "I change my mind! Because of what you have done to me, I will kill you!"

Sora took the sheath and struck at Osiris. At the same time, Osiris launched a powerful wind punch. So both combatants were knocked of their feet. But Sora went down with a smile.

"That's three." he uttered, before hitting the ground. He lay there battered and bleeding. His body had grown heavy and his breathing had labored itself.

"You think that this is over?" Osiris said, as he crawled to Sora. "I intend to kill you and I will!" He straddled himself onto Sora's stomach and lashed his finger around his throat, choking the keybearer. Sora tried to grasp his arms, attempting to resist. His legs thrashed about mildly. "Die Sora! Die!"

"Don't do this..." Sora uttered, but was gagged by the pressure of Osiris's fingers wrapped around his throat. "Please...don't do this..."

"I'll strangle you!" shouted Osiris, with a sinister look on his feet. Sora began to lose consciousness.

"I've come so far..." said Sora to himself. "But only to have it end here..." Tears began to pour from his eyes. Osiris saw these tears in his victim's eyes and slowly began to release Sora. Osiris suddenly began to cry and fell upon Sora, hid head landing on Sora's chest. His fingers released Sora's throat and Sora began to cough and gasp harshly for air.

"I can't..." Osiris said. "I can't do it..." He got off of Sora and closed himself in a ball. Sora slowly arose and kneeled by the ninja.

"Why didn't you finish me like you said you were going to?" asked Sora.

"Because you had that same look in your eye as my father did." Osiris replied.

"Your father?"-

"It's a long story. I don't want to talk about it."-

"Tell me."-

"I don't want to talk about it!" Osiris pushed Sora away and turned his back, but Sora persisted.

"I might be able to help you."-

"You can't help me! Just kill me! Let me die!"-

"Why would you want me to do that!"-

"I want to join my family!"-

"Tell me!" Sora kneeled in front of the warrior.

"If I tell you, will you kill me!"-

Sora hesitated, but nodded his head, agreeing to fulfill Osiris's request.

"Tell me."-

"I remember every detail." Osiris began. "I was and am still a member of the Lakota Sioux. My family and I were returning to the Sioux reservation in South Dakota, to rejoin the rest of our clan. It was my mother, my father, my older brother and sister, and my grandmother. We had returned from a nearby white settlement, doing trade at the local market. We had been shunned from that settlement and the white man scorned to see us there. To prevent a confrontation, we left the town heading back to the rest of our tribe. But when we were nearing our homelands, we were suddenly harassed by rogue soldiers. 'Filthy heathens' they called us. They began to harass us, threaten us, and disturb the tranquility of the morning. I could remember the look on my family's faces as the soldiers began to look about the camp sight we made. They ravaged our teepee and threw out belongings about like trash. Then suddenly, one of the soldiers began to sexually approach my mother, but my father would not allow it. With his concealed knife, he struck the soldier in the gut. The soldier fell dying, but the others immediately retaliated. They shot my father, wounding him in the leg. My mother, grandmother, sister, and brother tried to stop the soldiers, but they shot my family point blank. My father wrapped himself around me, gazing down at me. That's when I remembered seeing that sparkle in his eyes. He was crying and I have never seen my father cry before. 'Stay alive' he said to me. 'Take revenge for what they've done to us, but remember to attack ruthlessly only those who did you injustice.' Then, there was a gunshot and my father toppled over me, still crouching. I remained still as the soldiers took what they needed and rode away. When the coast was clear, I emerged from my father's arms to see my whole family dead on the ground. I grew angry and sword revenge. But little did I know that a soldier still dwelled there. He found me and chased me through the plains. He suddenly caught up with me and threw me to the ground. Taking out his pistol, he dared to shoot me. But suddenly, a figure appeared and slew the soldier. I gazed up to see him, General Kai of the Cavendish Shinobis. 'Come with me and I will teach you how to exact your revenge' he told me. And so I went with him and he gave me to power of wind. I mastered the element and perfected its effectiveness. At the same time, I was taught psychology and I was fascinated with it. I used it in battle effectively, causing my opponents to lose focus, or suffer emotional distress. I never thought that it would be used against me like this. Years later, I took my revenge and killed those who killed my family. But these same soldiers had long since retired from their military careers. Still, I exacted my revenge for my family and killed these men. But the eyes I saw, they were the same as my father when he died. When explaining it to General Kai he told me 'If you wish to halt this bloodshed entirely, you must unify all people. That is what we are trying to do, Standing Eagle. If we can unify all worlds, we can end this chaos. Go and kill all who oppose us. Cause their blood to spill on the ground and let people see its tragedy. Once they realize this, they will cease resistance and halt their ways of blood. Unify this universe for the greatness of the Empire.' And that is what I did. But as time passed, I realized that people had died and yet nothing changed. I continued to see that spark and I could never kill without a sense of remorse, or regret. 'Keep all life sacred' my father told me 'whether they be friend, or foe, never forsake them.' But I could not leave the ranks of the Empire because I had made it my home. But my home had turned to a path where it is responsible for causing the great amount of suffering. That is why I fight and kill. But I can't take it anymore. I can't kill people for the sake of a cause. But I can't withdraw from the place I have already dubbed as my home."

Tears now rushed down Osiris's face in torrents. His face turned red with sadness. He suddenly felt Sora place his hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you for telling me." Sora uttered.

"You said that you would kill me." the young man uttered. "You promised."

"But do you really want me to kill you when you have so much to repent for? Do you really think your father would want you to die without having you live your life in the way both you and he intended? You may not be able to change everything that's happened, but you can make up for it. Make up for the lives you took. It's very easy to kill yourself and end it all. It's much harder to keep on living."

"Sora, I..."-

"If you ever need someone to talk to, you always have us."-

"You?"-

"General Kai only wishes to have you as a disposable pawn. If you lose your sense of purpose, he will reject you. But if you consider us as you friends, we'll never abandon you."-

Osiris began to cry heavily, throwing his face into Sora's lap. Sora placed his hand on Osiris's head and patted him gently.

"It'll be alright." said Sora. "It'll be alright."

Helping Osiris to his feet, Sora picked up his sword and drew it back into the sheath. He then began to walk away.

"Where are you going?" asked Osiris.

"I also have friends who need my help. If you would like to tag along, I'll be happy to have you."-

"No." Osiris said, wiping his eyes of tears. "I need to have time to myself to think right now."

"Alright then." said Sora. "Then take care of yourself...Standing Eagle."

Osiris could only watch as Sora disappeared into the distance. Stoking the eagle feathers hanging from his hair, presents from his father, he pondered about his path.

"My father said he'd place these feathers upon my head when I was older." he thought to himself. "I placed these feathers on my head to make him proud of me. But because of the path I've taken, am I unworthy to wear these in his honor. Father, mother, I will choose the correct path and find my own truth." He sat down on the green grass and lifted his knees to his chin. With a heavy heart, the young Sioux warrior wept in sadness.