Prelude Part Four: Judgment
Ryo looked down at his phone. There was another text message from Mia. She was asking how far he was from the house. He told her about twenty minutes and then set the phone down. He watched the road, having flashbacks of the countless times in high school that he took this road to Mia's to talk with her and the other Ronins.
Ryo sighed. Except for this time, he said. I won't be going there to talk to Mia and the Ronins, just Mia. Ryo's heart began to race. What could be wrong? His mind drifted back to the email he had gotten from Mia about two weeks ago.
Ryo,
How are things? They're going well for me. How is Trisha? I hope she's doing well. Has the morning sickness kicked in yet? Ha, ha, just kidding Ryo. I still can't believe you're married and already have a kid on the way. It seems only yesterday you and the others were practically living at my place, but then I remember that it's been two years since you left. Wow, it's been forever Ryo! Five years since the defeat of Talpa, three since Azuri, and two since you moved to America. Then it's been 6 months since you got married. I don't know if I ever emailed you to apologize for not being able to make it to the wedding. Did any of the guys ever make it? Sad to say I haven't seen them in a while, they've all been busy.
Sage is engaged, and would you believe that Kento is even getting close? It's amazing what a few years can do to someone. Sai is still dating Kay, but I'm not sure of all the details with that, I haven't talked to him in a while. Rowen still hasn't had a girlfriend. I can't understand why. He's been on a few dates and all, but that's about it, nothing serious. He could have steady dated Ellie, but he never asked her for some reason or other. He's such a confusing person…
The house seems so quiet now that you're all gone. Every now and then Yulie stops by, but it's not quite the same. He's already hit high school though. He keeps telling me that he wishes you guys were here for him to get help on homework. He tells me that he's already thinking of a girl he wants to go out with. Time goes by so fast…
Well, goodbye Ryo, and give my best to Trisha.
Mia
P.S. Jake finally proposed! I know I didn't make it to your wedding, but do you think you could make mine?
Ryo smiled to himself. Time did go by fast, and it did seem like only yesterday that they were all practically living at Mia's. Ryo's eyes darkened as the thought of his most recent email from Mia.
Ryo,
Something has happened. I don't know what it is, but the others have some sort of sickness. They had all come over to help me set up for a party yesterday and out of nowhere they all began to feel sick. They collapsed in the living room. I didn't have anyone to help me take them upstairs and so I laid them out on the couches and floor.
Ryo, I'm so scared. I've called a doctor but he has no idea what it is. It isn't serious enough that they need a hospital, but it's not just an ordinary flu or anything. Please, try to come; I get the worst feeling that I'm going to lose them.
Mia
Ryo pulled into the driveway. He got out of the car and looked at the house. So many memories had been made there. While it had only been two years since he'd last seen this place, he felt so alienated from it. He had a completely different life now. It was as though the entire world had changed on him.
He walked up to the house and rang the doorbell. As he waited there a moment he caught a glimpse of the lake, the place where the last battle had been. He thought about Sachi and his Aunt and Uncle. He had been emailing Tyrra and Rich the past two years. It had taken Tyrra a month to finally talk to Ryo again, but when she did she apologized for the way she had acted. Sachi…Ryo hadn't heard from or seen her since she told him about the stars. He sighed. Somehow, he really missed her.
The door opened and Ryo saw Mia standing there. She was wearing jeans and a white t-shirt. He could see the worry in her face and the redness in her eyes from crying.
"Ryo," she said. She put her arms around him and began to cry on his shoulder. He held her there a moment.
"It's ok," he said. "I'm back."
She pulled away looking down at the ground. "They're slipping Ryo. I don't know what to do, I'm so scared…"
"Shh," he told her, placing a hand on her shoulder as she began to sob again. "It's alright, things will work out." Although he said the words, he couldn't get himself to believe them. "Can I see them?"
Mia nodded and led him into the living room. Ryo saw Yulie going around and checking on each of his friends. When Ryo entered he turned and saw him. The same look that was evident on Mia's face was on Yulie's as well. Yulie hurried over and gave Ryo a tight hug.
"You're back," he said. "I've missed you so much.
Ryo smiled. "I've missed you too Yul." He looked over at his friends. He held back the tears that were threatening to fall. "How are they?" he asked quietly.
"Not good," Yulie said looking at the others. "They'll sometimes gain consciousness, but none of them have done that for a little while now."
Ryo walked over to the nearest one which was Sage. He knelt down next to the couch. "Sage?" he said.
Sage stirred and opened his eyes ever so slightly. "Ryo?" he said.
Ryo smiled. "Yeah buddy, it's me."
"What took you so long to visit?"
Ryo laughed a little. "Been busy, you know, I've got a wife now, and a kid on the way."
Sage swallowed. Ryo noticed how pale he looked. "Yeah, Gabrielle and I sealed the deal last week; at least we're engaged anyways."
"That's great Sage."
Sage began coughing. Yulie hurried over and gave him a drink of water. When he was done Sage shook his head.
"I think I just got her hopes up."
"What do you mean?"
Sage looked at his friend seriously. "Unless they figure out what's wrong with us Ryo, I don't think I'm going to be getting married."
Ryo understood. Sage had no hope of living. "Does Gabrielle know you're sick?"
"She and Kelsey, Kento's girl, are on a one month vacation. They left the day we got sick. No one's written to them yet. I don't want her here when…"
"You're not going to die Sage," Ryo said. "Not you, not Rowen, not Kento, not Sai. None of you are going to die. I'll make sure of it."
Sage smiled. "No offense Ryo, but since when were you a doctor, or a specialist in disease research? You barely passed Biology with a C-."
Ryo couldn't hold back any longer. The tears began to fall. He laid his head down on the couch next to Sage and began to sob. Mia took Yulie outside so that Ryo could have some time with him alone.
"Hey," Sage said tears coming to his own eyes. "No point in you breaking down too."
Ryo looked up at him. "Sage, you guys are my best friends," Ryo sobbed. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you."
Sage closed his eyes. "Sorry Ryo, I'm getting tired, do you mind if…?"
Ryo shook his head. "No, you get some rest."
Sage nodded and fell back asleep. Ryo stood up and went outside. He told Mia and Yulie that he was going to go for a walk, and then he headed towards the lake. He walked along the dock and when he reached the edge he removed his shoes, rolled up his pants, and stuck his feet in the water. The setting sun was reflected on the lake's surface and the wind blew across it making small waves.
Ryo sighed. "I don't know what to do," he said. "I don't even know what's wrong with them. I've lost so much already, do I have to lose them too?" He looked up at the sky. "Sachi, please, I need your help."
There was the sound of footsteps behind him. He turned and saw a girl with goldenrod hair and a flowing white dress on. Ryo quickly stood and went to her. "Sachi!" he exclaimed embracing her. Sachi was surprised at first, but then she returned the gesture.
"You called," she said gently. "I am here."
Ryo stepped back. "It's the others, they're sick. I don't know what's wrong, but they're dying and I don't know what to do."
"I know," Sachi said solemnly.
Ryo stared at her in disbelief. "You do?"
Sachi nodded.
"You know what's making them sick?"
Again she nodded.
"Well, what is it?"
Sachi looked down. She walked to the edge of the dock and sat down placing her feet in the water. About four inches of her dressed dipped in with them, but she didn't care. Ryo walked over and sat down beside her placing his own feet in the water again.
"The Council has made your friends sick Ryo," Sachi said watching her feet moving around in the water.
"The Council?" Ryo asked looking at the water as well.
Sachi nodded. "The Londran council."
"Why?"
Sachi sighed. "They say that you and the Ronins have committed a crime."
"How? What crime?"
"I don't know what the crime is. My father would not tell me." She removed her feet from the water and hugged her knees to her chest. She stared out across the lake. "They have made the others sick as punishment until a trial is held."
"But how can there be a trial if they're all sick? They're not going to be able to defend themselves properly."
"No, they won't be able to. However, it would be much simpler and more beneficial, both for the Council's sake and your defense, if only one spoke on behalf of the five."
"But who?" Sachi turned her head to face him. Ryo understood. "They want me to speak for them."
"Yes," Sachi said returning her gaze to the lake. "They thought it fitting since you are their leader…"
"We don't' have a leader," Ryo told her. "We work together."
"Yes, but it is you who bears the Armor of Inferno, therefore you have more responsibility than the others just as a leader would. At least, that is the Council's reasoning."
It was quiet after Sachi's last comment. A question came to mind, and while he wasn't so sure that he wanted to know the answer, he knew the question had to be asked. "What will happen if I don't go to trial?" No response. "Sachi?"
He looked at her and saw the tears forming in her eyes. His question was answered. Ryo turned his gaze to the fading sunset. "So my decision means their lives."
"Yes," Sachi said quietly. "I am doing the best I can to convince my father to call the Council to reconsideration, but nothing has come of it so far. I'll keep trying if you wish."
"Thank you," Ryo said. "I would greatly appreciate it."
Sachi gave a single nod. She stood up. The fading sunlight shone on her hair turning it almost gold it seemed. "I will return once I have news."
And then she was gone. Ryo realized that the sun was completely gone now. He looked back at the house and could see that Mia had left a few of the lights on for him. He stood up and went back. As he entered the house it was completely silent. He walked into the living room where his friends lay and saw Mia standing by the window with tears streaming down her face. Ryo went to her. When she saw him she quickly wiped at her eyes.
"You should get some rest Mia," he told her. "I'll stay with them." She nodded and then left. Ryo went over and sat beside Sai who was situated on the floor near the window. He folded his legs and just looked at him. He was just as pale as Sage. Ryo felt a pang in his heart that seemed as though it would never go away. He hung his head as the tears rolled down his cheeks once more.
Sai began to stir. Ryo's head snapped up and he tried to see if Sai would wake long enough for Ryo to talk to him.
"Sai?" he said. Sai's eyes opened further than Sage's had. He saw Ryo and smiled.
"Hey Ryo," he said. "Long time no see."
Ryo smiled back at him. "Yeah," he said. "Sorry about that."
"No problem, you're here now."
The two friends were quiet.
"How's Trisha?" Sai asked.
"She's good, she's about six weeks now."
"Glad to hear it."
The silence returned and Ryo wasn't sure if he wanted to break it. He knew that if he tried to speak he would break down and cry, and so he held his tongue. Sai smiled at him. "Do you want to know what I admire most about you Ryo?"
"What?"
"You're so strong. Even though you've been through a lot, you're still living on. No matter what life throws at you, you stick it out and see it through to the end."
Again Ryo could not hold back the flood of tears. "I don't think so," he told Sai. "I don't feel so strong right now."
"But you are Ryo. You're doing something that others couldn't. Some people wouldn't even be sitting where you are if they knew they were going to lose their friend. Not to mention you're going to walk away from all of this and still move on. Sure, you may mope about it and cry about it for a few months, but that won't stop you from living your life."
Ryo smiled. "You should get some rest Sai," he said.
Sai smiled. "Gee Ryo, leave us for two years and then think you can come here and boss us around."
Ryo laughed. "Exactly," he said.
Sai closed his eyes and went back to sleep. Ryo grabbed a nearby pillow and set it on the floor. He spent the half hour before sleep took him thinking about what Sachi had said.
"So my decision means their lives."
"Yes."
Ryo awoke to the sounds of someone tossing and turning. He sat up and looked at the clock on the wall. Two am. He looked to see which of his friends was having the difficult time sleeping. It was Kento. He stood up and went over to him. He was lying on the floor between the two couches.
"Kento, wake up," Ryo said shaking his friend gently. "Kento buddy, wake up."
Kento opened his eyes. Ryo smiled at him. Kento squinted in the darkness.
"Ryo? When did you get here?"
"Yesterday afternoon. Mia emailed me the day after you guys all got sick. I came as soon as I could. How are you feeling?"
"Sick, how else would I feel?"
Ryo smiled at Kento's humor. "I'm sorry I haven't been to visit sooner."
Kento waved a hand. "No worries Ryo, you're busy, I get that."
Ryo shook his head. "No," Ryo told him. "I've neglected you guys. I haven't even emailed you guys like I should. I email Mia every now and then, but never you and the guys. The last time I spoke to you guys was when I invited you to my wedding."
Kento looked away. "Sorry about not making it," he said quietly.
"Hey," Ryo said. "If you couldn't make it then you couldn't make it. It's all good now. But I'll promise you this, I'll be there for your wedding."
For the first time that they'd known each other Ryo saw tears coming to Kento's eyes. Ryo knew what he was thinking. "You're not going to die Kento," he told him sternly. "None of you are."
"I admire your determination," Kento said. "But I don't think it'll be enough this time Ryo."
Ryo looked down. After a moment he said. "Get some sleep Kento, you'll need it." He stood up and went out onto the deck. He leaned against the railing and looked out across the horizon. Ryo knew that Kento was right. Ryo's determination meant nothing. He didn't want his friends to die, but if Sachi didn't change the minds of the Council, he'd be required to stand trial or let the sickness take them.
Ryo began to tremble. For some unknown reason it terrified him to go before the Council and stand trial. He knew that hadn't done anything wrong, so why would the Council claim they had? It terrified him so greatly he couldn't decide what to do about the whole affair.
Ryo stood on the deck until sun up. He started to notice how cold he was and went inside. When he returned to the living room he saw Rowen tossing more than Kento had and talking in his sleep. Ryo hurried over to him. He knelt down next to him.
"Ro?" he said. "Rowen?"
A word escaped Rowen's lips.
"Sachi?"
Ryo sat up straight in surprise. Sachi? Of all the people in the world…Sachi?
Ryo tried again. "Rowen?" This time Rowen opened his eyes. He smiled as big as he could under the circumstances.
"Ryo!" he said. "It's good to see you man."
"You too Rowen, how've you been?"
Rowen shrugged. "Alright I guess."
They were quiet. "Mia tells me you still haven't had a girlfriend." Rowen looked down. "You want to talk about it?"
"Ah, you'd just laugh at me."
Ryo smiled. "Nah, I promise I won't."
Rowen looked at him as though hoping his look would confirm it. He took a deep breath and began. "The truth is… there's someone else."
Ryo was surprised by this. "What do you mean?"
"I know you guys all want me to go out with Ellie."
"That's because we thought you liked her, but if she's not the girl you want then you don't have to have her."
"I do like Ellie, a lot, I just…"
"What?"
Rowen sighed. "I'm in love with someone else, and I don't know that I'll ever get over it."
"So marry her then."
"It's more complicated than that."
"How so? Who is it?"
Rowen was quiet and then he said, "Sachi."
Ryo's mouth dropped open slightly. "Sachi? You're in love in Sachi?"
Rowen nodded. "Ever since we first met her.
Now Ryo understood why Rowen had said her name. As he thought about Sachi he remembered what she had said about the trial. His heart began to race.
"Are you ok Ryo?" Ryo shook his head. "What's up?"
"I've been going around seeing Sai, Kento, and Sage. Each time that I've talked to them I've told them that no matter what I was going to make sure you four didn't die. Now I realize it's out of my hands."
Rowen shook his head. "There's always hope Ryo," he told him. "Maybe you've already found it; you just don't realize it yet."
"I know I've found a way," Ryo told him. "I'm just scared to do it."
"Why?"
Ryo sighed. "If I do it, I don't know what will happen, but you four will die if I don't. I don't know what to do."
"Well Ryo, is it worth it? This option you have of saving us, is it worth the risk?"
Ryo shrugged. "I think so."
"Then do it, if it's worth it, do it."
Ryo stood up. He walked to the doorway leading to the front hall. "I've got to think," Ryo told Rowen with his back to him. "If you're still awake when Mia comes down, let her know I'm down by the lake, ok?"
"No problem Ryo."
Ryo left the house and returned to his favorite thinking place. He once again placed his feet in the water. It as about ten o'clock now, and the sun was beating down on him. He shook his head.
"Is it worth it?" he asked himself. "Come on Ryo, you know it is. What are you so afraid of?"
"Perhaps the unknown."
Ryo whipped around to find Sachi standing behind him. The look on her face was grim and Ryo knew that what she had to tell him was not good. He looked away. "The decision still stands doesn't it?"
Sachi sat next to him hugging her knees. "Yes," she said. She withdrew a stone from a pouch in her pocket. "This is a magical stone. It will transport us back to Londra, if that is your choice."
Ryo let out his breath in frustration. "I don't know! I want to save my friends more than anything, but I'm terrified of what will happen if I go!"
Sachi looked at him. "Is the comfort of never finding out really worth the lives of your friends?" she asked incredulously.
"I'm not saying…"
"Well then what are you saying Ryo? From what I can tell the only dilemma you face is your cowardice!"
Ryo turned on her. "You don't know what it's like to spend a large portion of your life wondering and worrying about when the next bad guy's going to get you! If I had been given the choice of whether or not to fight Talpa I wouldn't have done it!"
"Yes you would have!" Sachi yelled standing up and glaring down at him. "You would have because it's not in your nature to refuse a plea for help!" The two of them glared at each other. Sachi sighed, her faced still screwed up in anger. "At least," she said steadily. "That's how you used to be." She turned swiftly and left Ryo to think about what she had said.
Ryo looked down at the water. She's right, he thought to himself. I wouldn't have said no. A thought came to Ryo that scared him a little. Have I really changed so much that I don't care about the world any more? Has the luxury of not having to protect the world made me become bitter towards it? These questions and others like them swirled around Ryo's head as the day passed. It was about three o'clock when Yulie came running towards him as fast as he could.
"RYO!" he yelled. Ryo stood up. He took hold of Yulie by the shoulders. "Calm down," Ryo told him. "What is it?"
"Rowen's dying!" Yulie sobbed. "He's breathing is slowing down and so is his pulse. He's dying Ryo! He's DYING!"
Ryo sprinted towards the house, Yulie on his heels. He slid into the living room and saw Mia and Sachi there. Mia was sobbing. "Rowen," she was saying urgently. No response. "ROWEN!"
Sachi turned her eyes pleading. "Ryo!" she exclaimed. "You have to decide now!"
"Rowen," Mia sobbed. It was as though she hadn't heard a thing Sachi said.
"Ryo! Please!" Sachi begged. She held out her right hand. The stone sat in it sunlight glinting off its surface. "Ryo, now!"
Ryo's head was filled with confusion. He couldn't think clearly. Then something came to his mind.
"Well Ryo, is it worth it? This option you have of saving us, is it worth the risk?"
"I think so."
"Then do it, if it's worth it, do it."
"RYO!" Sachi screamed.
Ryo leaped to the stone and touched it. He was blinded by a white light, and then he and Sachi were gone.
"So," Sachi said leaning against the chair. "That's what happened."
The Ronins looked down at the table. They were sitting in a café just forty minutes from Mia's. Sachi had asked them to meet her there.
"So what happens now?" Sage asked.
Sachi stood up. "Come with me," she said.
Sachi led them to one of the city parks. They followed her until she reached a place where they were secluded from the rest of the world and where they would not be bothered. The four Ronins made a half circle in front of her.
"Your time," she said. "Has ended; the days of Rowen of Strata, Sage of Halo, Kento of Hardrock, Sai of Torrent, and Ryo of Wildfire are over. You need not fight again." She pulled a small intricately carved box out. She opened it. "I have been sent to collect your Jins."
Sage, Rowen, Kento and Sai looked down. They'd always dreamed about never having to fight again, but now that they were truly giving it up for good it saddened them greatly. Sachi smiled. "I'll take care of them, I promise."
Slowly, each of the Ronins withdrew their Jins. Sachi opened the box the saw Ryo's there already. After the Ronins had placed their Jins next to Ryo's, Sage asked, "So, what's happened to Ryo?"
Sachi gave a smiled that indicated that she did not know, and that even if she did she couldn't tell them. Sage nodded in understanding. Sachi closed the box and looked down at it. "The Ronin Warriors," she said. "Shall not be forever gone; a new generation will arise."
The Ronins looked at her curiously. She looked up and smiled kindly at them. "Farewell my friends," she said. "I shall miss you dearly." And then she left. She reached the small pond in the middle of the park. She looked around to make sure that no one was around to see. She magically changed from the jeans and white button up shirt she was wearing to a dress similar to the one she was wearing when she first met the Ronins, only it was dark velvet green. A golden rope was tied around her waist with the ends reaching down to the ground. Sachi withdrew the magical stone that had transported her and Ryo to Londra and was about to return when she heard her name.
"Sachi!"
Sachi turned to see Rowen running towards her. She was surprised that he was there. "Rowen," she said. "What is it?"
Rowen stopped in front of her to catch his breath. "I have to tell you something," he said panting.
"What?"
Rowen almost lost his nerve, but when it came back he said, "I love you."
Sachi was blown away. This was not what she had expected. Rowen stood up straight. He was two inches taller than her. He looked deep into her eyes. "I love you Sachineera Koojima. I have ever since that day we walked together around the lake. I've been going crazy the past three years hoping and praying I'd get the chance to tell you. I love you."
When Sachi said nothing Rowen leaned in and kissed her gently. A moment later he pulled away. Still Sachi said nothing. "Say something," Rowen said quietly.
Sachi looked down and Rowen's heart began to sink.
"Rowen," she said. "We come from different worlds. I have my responsibilities in my world just as you have yours." She looked up and saw the pain she felt also being reflected in his eyes. "We can't Rowen. It wouldn't work."
Rowen hung his head. Sachi turned and walked away. There was a flash of white light and when Rowen looked up she was gone.