Disclaimer: See previous chapters

Chap. 20

"They are part of the clan known as The Way."

The three were on their way back to the Cortex after their mission and battle with the Death Dealers. While in the carrier, Koemai had asked him about the three Ravens that had saved them, specifically the one called Sword. After hearing what clan he was from, Koemai sat back.

"I've heard of those guys. Aren't they some sort of Raven cult?"

Cain frowned, "No. The name of the clan simply shows they follow a singular path."

Koemai narrowed his eyes at his partner's frown, indicating that he knew more.

"What path?"

"The way of the sword."

Koemai suddenly laughed, "Hahaha! It figures. What did these guys do, copy off of you?"

Cain looked away, "Yes…and no."

Now it was Koemai's turn to frown, "You know, I really hate it when you answer like that. What the hell do you mean?"

"Long ago, Sword was once Sentinel. The first time I met him was in the arena. You were out on a mission that time, so I chose him as a partner. Anyway, I must have made an impression because when I heard him next, he had changed from Sentinel to Sword."

"How much do you want to bet that it was in the arena again?"

"That would be a bet you'd win." Cain smiled briefly before his eyes became downcast. But that was some time after…the accident. I wasn't myself and he knew it."

Flashback, Arena grounds

"We meet again Glaive.">

Glaive stood in the arena, with a scarlet colored AC on the opposing end. Inside, Cain narrowed his eyes as he tried to figure out who this was.

"Have we met?"

"Once."> The Raven answered. "I was once called Sentinel, remember?">

"I remember."

The Raven continued, "But thanks to you, I am now a stronger Raven and as such, I have been renewed.">

"Renewed to what?"

The AC's arm lifted into the air and a blue-white blade blazed into the air. A Moonlight blade!

"Sword!">

A burst of energy could be seen, showing Cain that Sword had just gone into overboost. Cain activated his own and soon shot at the incoming AC. The two machines soon came close and Sword slashed out with his blade. Glaive dodged the attack and shot off to the side, extending his own blade. Sword's boosters flared and the AC began to circle around Glaive. Glaive went in reverse and soon met up with the scarlet AC. Sword saw this and attacked again with his blade. Glaive's blade arose and the two blades flashed upon impact. Glaive continued to back away, but Sword suddenly stopped.

"What is this?"> Sword questioned. "You are not the same Raven as before.">

Frowning, Cain drove Glaive in to attack, slashing out at Sword. But Sword simply sidestepped the attack and let Glaive go on by without attacking.

"No, you are. But a heavy burden weighs upon you heart. Your blade…your attacks tell me this.">

Glaive wheeled around to fight, but Sword didn't move. Cain thought of attacking, but he found himself reflecting over Sword's words. The truth is that he was right. Alia had been on his mind throughout the entire battle. The grief and pain followed and Cain found himself gripping the controls tighter. As he struggled to get a hold of himself, Sword suddenly turned around and began to walk.

"Wait. What are you…?"

"You will not survive like this."> Sword replied as he stalked away. "Recapture your heart and bring back your strength. When you do, I will return.">

"This guy sounds like you."

Cain shrugged, "Maybe. He seems more…ancient than me."

"Ancient?"

"Yeah. Like he follows and old code or something. I can't explain it really, but I admire that in him."

Koemai shook his head, not understanding a word Cain just said. Moving on, "So what happened afterward?"

"I hadn't seen him again until a few months ago, before I met Elijah. We fought to a draw." His eyes stared into space, "It was one of the greatest battles I've ever been in. Nothing but blades and skill. After the fight, he asked me join the clan he had formed." His eyes lowered, "But I still wasn't ready."

"I have to say I'm a little surprised." Koemai responded. "They are a group of sword wielding, honor bound Ravens. It sounds like you'd fit right in with them."

"The same could be said of you and the Death Dealers." Cain retorted.

A grin/frown crossed his face, "Yeah well when we see them again, they are going to know what vengeance is like, right Elijah?"

Koemai turned to Elijah, but the young Raven was silent. Koemai repeated his earlier comment, but Elijah kept silent. It soon occurred to Koemai that Elijah had been silent throughout the entire trip back.

"Hey, you alright?"

No response. Elijah simply stood up and left the carrier as it stopped at the Cortex HQ. Koemai frowned.

"What's his problem?"

This time, it was his partner's turn to be silent.

Late night…

Elle stood alone in front of her hanger door looking out into the sky. Behind her, the AC Phantom stood, seemingly watching the female Raven with its emerald visor eyes. Her dark hair bristled in the wind as she sat in silence. A slight shuffle was heard, but she didn't move nor turn around. Her body shifted after a minute before she spoke.

"I figured you'd come looking for me."

A tall figure moved next to her, revealing the invader. Charles.

"How so?"

"Given our fight records, progress as a clan, and the way the corporation have been acting edgy, you're about to make your move through Silent Line."

The leader smiled and moved next to her, looking out in the sky in the same direction as she. "Is it that obvious?"

"As far as I'm concerned, yes it is." She turned a sharp eye to him, "Ever since you asked me to join Nightwatch."

He folded his arms, "And here I though I asked because of your sparkling personality."

"Come on, Charles. You know as well as I do that the only reason you invited me to join was because I am the only one other than you that has come to crossing Silent Line."

"Heh, well that may have been your initiation, but that's not why I chose you as part of the team."

She blinked, "Oh really?"

"Really." he nodded. "I needed a team that could be rounded off. All the other clans have specific styles so I figured to do something different. Something where everyone can contribute something to the cause."

Ellie turned her head fully, "And what do I contribute?"

"You understand speed attacks, agility and stealth tactics better than everyone." He gazed over at her, "You're the fastest. And you know speed is a key issue."

"And the others?" she probed.

"The others…have their uses."

Next day…

Koemai yawned as he exited his dorm room and he strode to the hanger. 'Another day.' He thought as he began to approach his Bloodhand AC. As he did, he passed by Diana's Cloak AC and stopped to look at it. The dark blue coloring made it seem like it had captured the night. Koemai gave a short sigh before moving, only to be frozen once again. Coming up toward him was Diana. She blinked as she saw him before her machine and he seemed to be at a loss for a moment.

"How's your arm?"

"Better." she answered, flexing her arm slightly. "It's just a little stiff."

"Oh…Okay."

She raised an eyebrow, "Did you…want something?"

"Nah. Just on my way to my AC." He shifted nervously and turned away, "See you around."

"Yeah. See you…" she replied quietly as he went his way.

"Graahh! Rahh!!! Come on!!!!"

It has been a week since the battle with the Death Dealers and Elijah was busy training in the simulator. Sweat was smoldered all over his face as he fought the simulated AC and defeated it. Frowning to himself, he started the simulation over and resumed fighting. Just outside, Cain watched him fight furiously and improve on his skills.

"I don't know." Koemai spoke as he came up beside Cain. "Are you sure he's alright? He's been like this for a couple of days now."

"He's fine." Cain answered. "He's just working out."

"Working out?" Koemai frowned. "He's been pushing himself to the brink. I haven't seen him sleep or eat in the past couple of days and he's been spending a lot of time in the simulator and testing arena."

"All day actually." was the simple reply.

Koemai growled briefly, "How can you be calm about this? He's going to have a breakdown at this point."

Cain kept his voice neutral, "If he breaks, he breaks. But I don't think that's going to happen."

Koemai looked at his partner strangely. It was obvious he knew what was going on, but he refused to say anything about it.

"What the hell…?"

Cain looked back at him, "Trust me. He'll be fine."

Koemai shook his head in confusion, but then a beeping could be heard from nearby. The simulator shut down and Elijah stepped out. His com-link was beeping and taking a glance, Cain saw that it was an arena battle.

"Hey kid. What's going on?"

Elijah didn't respond and strode over to the hanger where Havoc was waiting. The machine had been fully repaired and its arm had been restored along with its weapons. Koemai and Cain followed as the young Raven entered the cockpit.

"Hey, what's going on?"

Again, Elijah didn't respond and began to start up his AC. Koemai was getting angry and was about to yell when Cain suddenly reached inside the cockpit and pressed a few buttons.

"What are you…?!"

Elijah stopped talking when he saw his left arm machine gun move away and was equipped with a laser blade. Elijah's eyes widened when he saw what it was.

"You're…lending me…your Moonlight?"

"Just for this battle." Cain answered as he moved back. "It may show you the truth and light."

"Huh?" Elijah and Koemai said simultaneously.

Cain looked over at the equipped weapon, "Blades are simple weapons. Simple and honest. When people use them, they tend to reflect those traits when they fight. Try it out with that in mind."

Elijah frowned in confusion, but closed the hatch and moved out on the railing to the arena. As the machine moved out, Koemai looked over at his partner.

"Can you please tell me what the hell is going on?!"

Cain watched Havoc leave the hanger, "He thinks he's weak. He needs to recapture his heart. I'm just giving him a bit of a hand."