Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King

CHAPTER SEVEN - Challenges

Horo Horo flew rapidly over skyscrapers and busy highways as he followed a trail of destruction. Outwardly, he was determined and fine, but on the inside, he was screaming. 'Ren, I can't kill you... I really couldn't bring myself to do it. I'd rather kill myself than allow any harm to come to you... but what do I do? I can't allow Rahu to take over the world, either. What would you do, Ren? ...I know, you'd destroy Rahu, but you were always so much stronger than me, I don't know if I can...' his mind tormented him without ceasing, and before he knew it, he had come to a waterfall, far from the city borders. He brought his board to a stop and glanced about warily.

"I knew you'd come... And now, we are far from the city, no one will hear you scream..." a menacing voice laughed maliciously.

"Show yourself, Rahu!" Horo yelled, surprising himself with his clear voice.

"You want the boy? Come back here and get him..." a chuckling was heard and something flashed behind the curtain of water.

"Pilika, stay here." Horo Horo ordered as he dropped her onto the soft dirt and zoomed in, but stopped once again when he was inside.

"Stupid boy..." someone snarled, and something flashed somewhere, but it was impossible to tell where because everywhere he looked was made of mirror. Shards and shards of reflections stared at him, no matter where he turned.

"Shall we play a game? I'm slowly killing the Tao's soul, you know, but there is a way to save him. Find your way through the mirrors, several challenges lie in wait, if you choose the correct path, make your way through the gate. Some hints are given, some you must find, but remember this, you must come in time. In one hour I destroy what you seek, so you better get moving, time wastes as we speak." it rasped.

"Do you think this is some kind of joke! Stop playing around!" Horo shouted, his voice echoing through the cave.

"I like this fun, so much suffering. However, if you'd like to turn back now, you may, and I will do away with his impudent soul." Rahu said, and he could almost see the sneer on his face.

"Fine. Play it your way, but I won't give up." he snapped, breaking off his spirit control. He walked forward and ran straight into a wall. He turned another direction and hit a wall. He hit another wall and got impatient.

"Damn my eyes! Wait... My eyes! If I don't use them," he pulled his headband down over his azure orbs, "I can find the way." he approached the wall again, this time intent on finding the correct way through his fingers. Feeling his way along, he methodically weaved around the room until he found the crack of a way. He slipped through and lifted his blindfold.

Suddenly, the smell of blood reached his nose and he stepped toward it. With every step, the scent became keener and more overpowering, and he was tempted to revisit his breakfast, but he forced himself to continue on. When he looked down he saw it. First a drop, then another, and a few more before a puddle of the crimson liquid.

Lying in the middle of it was the pale form of Tao Jun, her eyes glassy with death and her mouth forever frozen into a scream of horror. Horo fell to the ground and wretched when he saw this, and to the side of her was a beheaded Bailong. He heard a small splash of liquid and looked up to see his love, tears streaming down his face as he looked at his blood stained hands.

Hazy eyes caught his and Ren fell to the ground in twisted agony, curling on himself before lying flat, breathing in short gasps. His body convulsed in an inner battle and his muscles twitched, his eyes rolling back in his head as he struggled to speak. "Ho...ro... go... now...he can't kill my... soul... yet..." he was cut off as a coughing fit attacked him and he went unconscious.

"Ren!" Horo called as he bent over him, checking for life. The Chinese shaman's eyes snapped open and a look of rage settled over him. He grasped Horo's neck and stood up, holding him an inch or two above the ground.

"You haven't finished the game, yet. You pathetic humans think you can just walk in here and stop the mighty Rahu! Ketu couldn't even stop me!" he growled, dropping Horo unceremoniously to the ground. Cole's words came floating back to him. 'Horo, he truly loves you. If it comes down to it, use that to protect yourself and strike. If you do not strike with all your mind and heart made up, the world will fall and Ren will be lost forever.'

"Ren. I know you're in there. I know what I have to do. Take control. Fight him for me, and I'll set you free." Horo said, crystalline tears falling off his cheeks to mix with the blood below. Everything seemed to stop for a moment when darkened eyes turned light gold and Ren held off Rahu for the split second Horo needed as he plunged a black sword deep into his stomach. The dark mist in his eyes cleared completely as Ren gasped, choking on his own blood, eyes wide with pain as one last tear trailed down his pale cheek.

"Ren... I'm sorry... I love you..." Horo whispered as he removed the weapon.

"Arigatou, Horokeu Usui. You have given up the one thing you loved most for the good of mankind. Such self-sacrifice is rare. Let me help you, as you have helped me. I am Ketu, Goddess of Destiny." A glowing white spirit ball said softly, and Ren's wounds were healed.

"Ren!" he exclaimed, and hugged him close, relieved to feel him hug tightly back.

"Not so fast! You may have forced us back to the skies, but I'll leave you a little present, as well!" A black spirit ball, Rahu, rasped before disappearing like Ketu.

"Wonder what that was all about?" Horo said.

"Horo, I, I killed my sister. I killed her." Ren sobbed shakily.

"No, Ren, it was an illusion. Look." Horo motioned and Ren saw that it all disappeared and they were merely in an empty cave.

"I love you, Horo." Ren smiled.

"I love you, too, Ren." Horo said as he closed the gap between their lips. Little did they know, that was exactly the thing that would bring a curse upon them of a terrible nature, for Rahu's threats are not to be taken lightly...