Guardian Souls
By: Ghost of the Dawn
Chapter Twelve: Blood and Stone
Myune sat in her chambers, brushing her hair as she readied for bed. It had been a trying day with the Ceremony botched and the Priestess of Hardrock denouncing her title in front of the entire royal court. It was going to be a lot of work to patch this one up and it made Myune tired and agitated just thinking about it. Brushing her hair was one of the few things that soothed her in times like these.
It was not a priestess' place to be vain about anything, but Myune had a certain pride for her hair. It was long and thick with perfect natural curl. She always took good care of it and usually had it up to keep it protected. If one such as her could have pride in anything, it would be this. The one thing she had that was all hers and she did take pride in it.
Tonight, however, even the calming motions were doing little to quell the feeling rising up in her stomach. She had no powers to see the future, only what was already at hand. But she could sense a current uneasiness--in the castle and at the horizon. Something was going to happen very soon. Something that, she felt, would set everything in motion. With or without the completed ceremony, they would have to take action soon.
'Even the skies are at unrest tonight', she thought as she set down her brush and looked out the window. Clouds were moving in from the direction of Akuma's kingdom. Dark, angry clouds. A storm was coming.
Lightning flashed in the distance and Myune shuttered involuntarily. Despite her armor title, she wasn't too comfortable when she saw lightning. It sent unrest down her spine. It also brought up bad memories...
Myune shook herself, not allowing her mind to wander into the dredges of the past. She had to stay alert. Turning her attention, Myune then went to polish her sword. Unbelievably thin and light, it was made from the hardest material found in Falnan and would never shatter despite its size. Myune had it made special. She wanted it light so she, too, could cause unrest and strike like lightning. For when the time came, she knew, she would have to be quick, or all would be lost.
Robyn gasped out the window at the approaching clouds. Even in the darkness, she could see them coming during the lightning flashes. It would probably rain soon. Then would be a perfect time to escape. She could easily disappear in the downpour, but Robyn wasn't about to do that. First of all, she hardly had storm attire to be out there in that weather. Secondly, in the darkness, she couldn't see the edges of Akuma's kingdom and would easily get lost. No, she was going to wait until right before the sun came up the next morning and sneak out then. She wasn't sure if she would make it, but might as well try. What else did she have to loose? She was sure those who didn't like her here could not think any less of her by now.
Robyn turned her gaze from the window when there was a knock at her door. She looked at it quizzically. Who would be seeing her? It was late at night and she was currently in room arrest. The Ronins themselves had already had their talk with her so who else could it be? Unless it was Her Royal Pain who wanted to give her more grief. Or maybe it was Myune come to yell at her. Or Captian Darris to give her his version of a scolding. Whomever it was, Robyn was sure their company was not welcome here.
"Come in," she said, less than enthusiastic.
She was, however, quite surprised to see Mia's uncertain form enter the room and close the door quietly behind her. Robyn turned full to face her. She hardly even spoke to Mia this entire journey. What could she possibly want now?
"Um...hi," Mia greeted softly when Robyn made no further movement. "I'm really sorry to bother you but...I need to ask--I just wanted to know um..."
Robyn arched an eyebrow as Mia trailed off. She wasn't used to the older brunette being like this. Mia always acted so confident. What did she want from her?
"What?" Robyn asked. "Come on, ask." She smiled crookedly. "I"m sure whatever you've got to say isn't as difficult as some of the talks I've already had today."
Mia smiled back, a bit of her confidence returning. "Well, I was just wondering if Anubis is still around anywhere. I haven't heard anything of him since the hotel room back in Oregon."
"Anubis?" Robyn asked, looking dubious. She couldn't understand why anyone would want to talk to that guy. He was a bit annoying with all his 'I am so wise, but I don't give out my knowledge' mumbo jumbo he was trying to pass off in the spirit world.
"Have you...seen him anywhere around here? In the castle?" Mia pressed.
Robyn idly scratched her cheek. "Sometimes--now and then. Though it's not like he talks to me much or anything." She looked pointedly to a place at Mia's left.
Mia looked to the empty space beside her, then back at Robyn. The red head now had her arms folded and one eye brow arched as if someone was talking to her and saying things she didn't particularly like.
"He's here...right now?" Mia squeaked, a bit surprised at what she just realized.
"Yeah," Robyn confirmed, with even less enthusiasm as before.
"But..." Mia questioned, furrowing her brow. "You just said you don't see him much."
"I don't," Robyn replied, flopping onto her bed and resting back on her elbows. "He's usually following you around."
Mia's eyes went wide at that revelation. Her hands went to her mouth as her face began to feel warm. He had been following her around all this time and she had no idea? Her heart began to flutter as she thought of him always being around her like that.
"Don't worry," Robyn said, misinterpreting her reaction. "I don't think he watches you while you bathe or anything." She paused and turned to the space at Mia's left. "I know, I just said that!" she said to the space then turned back to Mia. "I see him camped outside your room when you go in. I don't think he follows you there."
But this new information only made Mia's face flush even more. Robyn's eye brows shot up as she finally figured out what was going on.
"Ah, I see," she nodded.
Mia made no move to argue to what Robyn was implying. Slowly, she found her voice again. "Robyn, um...co--could you ask--"
She stopped as she saw Robyn's face change right before her eyes. It wasn't just a change of expression, it was almost as if she was someone else--yet, still Robyn at the same time.
"Come," Robyn offered, patting a place next to her on the bed. Her eyes had narrowed as she smiled with more confidence than Mia had ever seen in her. She obediently sat down, looking into Robyn's green eyes, questioning.
"I am going to give you a gift," Robyn answered in a deeper tone, also more calm and confident than her usual. "Then you can ask him yourself."
Mia wanted to ask what she was talking about, but when Robyn leaned her face in, Mia had another question in mind. Like, why was she trying to kiss her? And why she suddenly felt like she couldn't pull away? Robyn leaned in close, her breath on Mia's mouth and Mia felt some kind of essence pour into her even though they weren't physically touching.
Robyn pulled back and Mia blinked in surprise. A tall figure was slowly materializing in front of her.
"Anubis!" Mia cried.
The tall man blinked at her, also a bit surprised she could see him.
"See? Much better!" Robyn exclaimed happily, now back to her usual self.
Mia stood up in awe, looking Anubis over. He was right there in front of her like he had never died.
"And I'm sure you two have SO much to catch up on now!" Robyn continued, herding her towards the door. "So you guys should go off and chit chat." She all but pushed Mia out the door. "So have fun kids, don't stay up too late now!"
"Oh Robyn, thank you," Mia gushed, hardly aware that she had just been kicked out.
"You're welcome," Robyn sang hastily. "Buh-bye!"
She shut the door in Mia's face--then opened in again.
"Keep that guy off my back, how 'bout it?" Robyn whispered, tossing her head in Anubis' direction. Then she shut the door once more.
Now alone in the hall, Mia turned to Anubis and smiled self consciously.
"Um...it's good to see you again..."
Anubis smiled kindly at her. "As it is to see you, Mia."
Her heart flip flopped again at hearing his voice. It had been a long time.
"Would you like to...come back to my room? I'll invite you in this time," She added with a small laugh. "I'm afraid I would get weird looks if we talked anywhere else. Especially this late at night."
Anubis chuckled at the mental image. "Yes, I think that is a good idea."
Robyn was still leaning against her door as she heard them leave. She laughed a bit to herself. This was going too well. Previously, she was afraid Anubis may drop by while she was either escaping or had already left. Even if he was a ghost, she worried he might find a way to nark her out.
"This is perfect," Robyn said quietly to herself. "Those two will keep each other busy until I'm long gone."
But it wasn't just that. Robyn had also worried about Mia. With everything else going on, she was kind of getting put by the way side. Even if Mia was having the time of her life learning about this world's history, Robyn worried with the lack of attention on her, no one would be watching out for her if something happened. This, Robyn was sure, was an all around good thing. Now she should probably get to bed. As Robyn got in bed, she could hear the rain starting to fall outside. She would need all the rest she could get if she was going to get up before dawn tomorrow.
It was late in the night, the rain was coming down heavily now. A lone horseman raced from the countryside up to the gates of Kutou Castle. The towering gates were built thick and shut tight during the night time.
"Who goes there?" called the watchman from the tower at the top.
"I come from the border!" The horseman called, his panting steed pawing at the ground. It was obvious he had been riding for quite a distance. "I have urgent news for the captain! Let me in!"
"Ho! Open the gates!" The order rang out from inside. The few soldiers who were on gate duty got up from where they were lounging around. They moved towards the dozen or so large oxen who were also on duty at the time. The massive animals were all tied to thick ropes and, upon command, jerked forward on their halters.
The pulley system connected to the gate creaked and groaned as it was slowly lifted. This particular gate was the largest ever heard of being built in that world. It did well to protect its castle and was quite a chore to open in the middle of the night. But for this reason, it had to be.
"Captain!"
Darris looked up as one of his soldiers came into the room. He had been snoozing in his chair, having been quite sleep deprived for the last couple of days, when the armored young man came in.
"Captain!" The soldier saluted. "We just had an informant ride in not too long ago."
"Yes?" Darris responded, standing and trying to wipe the fatigue from his face. He grew concerned by the grimness in the soldiers expression.
"It's not good, Sir."
Cye was shaken from his sleep by a knock at the door. He blinked in the darkness, wondering who was knocking at this hour. As he grabbed his robe and got up, he could see out the window that it was still raining and dark out. There was a small ribbon of light on the horizon as the storm was almost finished. The sun was still trying to decide whether it was time to rise or not. It was the 'butt crack of dawn', as Kento sometimes called it. So what was going on?
Cye opened the door and found a servant girl standing there.
"My Lord, sorry to disturb you," she bowed. "But the Captain of the Guard asked that all of you be aroused."
"Why's that?" Cye wondered, trying to hide a yawn.
"A few towns on the border of the kingdom were attacked tonight."
"What!" Cye exclaimed, not expecting that.
"It was Akuma's men," The girl continued, looking quite worried herself. "He's begun his siege on Her Highness! Falnan is under attack!"
Cye was fully awake now. He looked out into the hall to see that the other Ronins were getting similar wake up calls.
"Lord Strata! Lord Strata!" One poor girl was yelling and pounding at Rowen's door with no response.
"I got this," Kento told her, motioning the servant girl aside and letting himself into the room to wake the slumbering Strata.
Cye watched him to in then looked further down. His eyes locked with Ryo's who was standing in his doorway as well. Ryo's gaze was intense and serious. Cye nodded. This was it. Things were starting to move now; with or without any ceremonies. Soon, they were going to have to fight and they badly needed to know beyond a doubt whom they were fighting and what they were fighting for.
Robyn woke up to a light shaking at her shoulder.
"Huh?" she asked groggily. She blinked at the figure standing over her in the darkness. "Is that you, Caska?"
"Yes, My Lady. Sorry for waking you."
Robyn sat up as she rubbed her eyes. "What are you doing here? I'm under room arrest. I can't have any visitors."
"I know," Caska replied. "I snuck in. There was some news that came in tonight. I thought you should know about it."
"Okay, what's going on?"
"There have been attacks on the border of Falnan. Akuma's forces are moving in."
Robyn sat up stiffer. The servant girl had her full attention now. "Do the guys know about this?"
Caska nodded. "The Captain as summoned them from their chambers. They should be discussing what's going on shortly."
"What about the other priestesses?"
"They, too, were awakened and will be briefed also."
"But they're not going to call me into that," Robyn said, mostly to herself. "That's perfect."
It was Caska's turn to blink into the darkness. "My Lady?" she asked, confused.
Robyn, who had been lost in thought for a moment as a plan hatched in her mind, suddenly looked up. "Caska, you have to help me get out of here."
The servant girl fell back a few steps. "What!" she cried, louder than she wanted to.
Robyn crawled over her bed towards her. "Caska, I have to get out of this castle. You don't understand, I HAVE to. There is something very important that I must to do. It won't get in the way of the Ronins. They can still protect this kingdom just fine. But I need to do this, Caska. Please help me."
The servant girl looked at her, a dubious expression on her face. The request was odd. And, if she got caught helping Robyn, who knew what her punishment would be. But then again, Caska had to remind herself who exactly she was working for. It wasn't the queen. Her loyalties were to the title of Hardrock. The old woman, Shinmei had specifically told her that the Priestess of Hardrock might make some odd requests from her and she was to follow them.
Caska sighed, wondering if the old woman knew the Priestess was going to ask for something like this.
"Alright," Caska replied. "I will help you."
"Thank you," Robyn replied with more gratitude in her voice than Caska expected. She was suddenly glad she did agree to help. After all, Robyn seemed to really need it in this place. "I promise I won't get you in trouble for this. No one will ever see you."
Caska nodded. She would make sure no one saw neither one of them.
The five Ronins stumbled their way to the other side of the castle where the soldiers barracks were. They were yawing and fighting back their fatigue, Kento didn't even bother putting on a robe, as they were herded into a small room. Inside, Captain Darris was already in there with a few of his men. They were standing around a table in the middle with a large map sprawled out over it.
"My Lords," Darris greeted as they came in. "Forgive the early awakening, but I thought this was important."
"Is the Kingdom really under attack?" Cye asked, his eyes wide.
The captain nodded. "Akuma's forces have begun attacking the towns at our border just tonight."
Ryo squinted at the map. "Weren't there any defenses for those people?"
"We had an outpost right on the border," Darris explained. "That was attacked first. Unfortunately, Akuma's full army was present and our numbers were far smaller. We weren't expecting him to attack from that direction. After the outpost was taken, the army marched into the closest village. They killed any who fought back and took the rest captive."
"So this is it then, huh?" Kento asked as he clenched and unclenched his fists in excitement. "We gotta go out there and stop this guy from taking over and hurting any more people."
The captain was about to reply when two more bodies entered the room: Diana and Miniko, the latter looking quite tired. Darris nodded respectfully to them as they entered. Behind them, one of the servant girls came in.
"My Lady Halo apologizes," she said as she bowed humbly to them all. "She said to continue without her. She has a matter see must see to and then she will be with you as soon as she can."
Cye and Kento looked at each other as the girl left. Cye's expression seemed to ask. 'You think she's going after Robyn again?'
Kento's expression was dubious to his worry. Robyn was confined to her room with guards at the door. No one could get in or out so it wouldn't matter one way or the other. And yet...Kento couldn't ignore a growing unrest rising up inside him. But that could just be the thought of battle, too.
Though, it seemed Sage wasn't paying much attention either. He was looking a bit distracted as the captain explained to them.
Well, whatever it was, it was going to have to wait. They had a kingdom to save.
Robyn got dressed and followed Caska out the hidden passage she had used to sneak into the room. From there, they wandered here and there through the secret shadows of the castle. First they snuck off to the storage rooms to pack food and supplies which Robyn slung in a pack over her shoulder. Then they set off again, to another part of the castle. Robyn couldn't believe how well her plan was going. No one was around at this early hour and no one was going to see her leave! This was perfect!
"Okay," Caska whispered as they crept into the chill night air. There were still tall spires and arches in the courtyard so it felt they were half inside, half out. "Follow the path out this way. This will take you to the main castle gate. It's closed during the night, but it should be open now. They had to open it to let the soldiers in and I doubt they'll close it again at least until night fall--if that. Find it and sneak out and wait for me by the hill."
Robyn nodded, she knew which hill Caska was referring. It was the one she and Ryo had went to a few days before. The hill with the large tree with the carving in the trunk. The hill with the thousands of graves lined below it.
"Meanwhile, I will sneak into the stables and get your dragon," Caska continued. None of the guards would be alarmed if she went after Seiji. After all, she had been caring for the creature since its first appearance in the castle. "Though he's still not old enough to fly, he could easily climb the wall and he'll meet you there."
"Will you come?" Robyn asked. "I mean, how else will the dragon get there if you don't take him?"
Caska smiled. "I'm not sure. But trust me, dragons are smarter than any other animal. He will find you."
"And then what?" Robyn asked. "I can't just ride a dragon like a horse, can I?"
"You will. A dragon can run faster and farther than any horse. And you'll be safer with it. With Seiji you'll reach Akuma's castle in two days instead of five. So go My Lady." Then she added. "And have a little faith."
Robyn gave her a half smile, but then frowned in the shadows when Caska left. Have a little faith, she says. Robyn didn't have much faith in anything concerning that place. Since the moment she got there she felt like powers beyond her control were pulling her in one direction. A direction in which, she felt deep down, was not a pleasant one, and yet, was not a pull she could break free from either.
So, she thought as she sucked in a breath, might as well run at it full force and get it over with quickly. Thus, she steeled her nerves, adjusted her travel bag, and set off in the direction of the castle gates.
The rain had stopped and night was beginning to fade away as Robyn squinted at the large wall ahead. She wished she had been paying more attention the first time she left the castle. Nothing looked familiar in the dim light. But Caska said it should be straight ahead of her. So Robyn took in a deep breath and slowly walked towards it, trying not to draw any attention to herself. When she got to the wall, all she found was...more wall. Thick bricks of stone and large wood logs; no sign of an entrance anywhere.
"Are you waiting for the gates to open?" a male voice spoke to her.
Robyn froze and her heart picked up. "Um...yeah," she answered in a small voice. She ducked her head so the soldier approaching could not see her face.
"It will be a while," the man replied. "A few of the pulley ropes snapped. They're replacing them right now. You may want to try coming back later."
Robyn chewed on her lip. 'Later' wasn't much of an option. Later was going to end her up in trouble if she had to stay skulking about the castle grounds. Sooner or later, it would be discovered that she was no longer in her room. Then what?
"Hey, I know you."
Robyn's blood froze when another soldier came up to her.
"You're the Hardrock priestess. Or--the former one now, am I right?"
"No kidding?" the first soldier asked, shocked.
"I bet my life on it. No one in this kingdom has hair that color."
Robyn cursed herself on the inside. Why didn't she wear a hood or something? Why didn't she just announce it to everyone in the vicinity who she was?
"Hey, aren't you supposed to be under room arrest?" the first soldier then accused.
Robyn raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you guys required to show a little bit more respect to me?"
Both men laughed.
"Not any more, we're not," said the one who had originally identified her. "You resigned your title, remember? No one gives a lick about you any more."
Robyn's shoulder's slumped. Ah, back to where I used to be in the social latter.
"Again, shouldn't you be in room arrest?" he continued. "What are you doing out here? You think you're going to leave?"
"We should escort you back and let the Queen know what you've been up to," said the other.
Robyn looked at them wide eyes. Crap! I'm screwed!
"No, wait," said the guard who recognized her. Robyn didn't like the mocking look on his face.
"I'd like to see how you plan to get out. No one's going anywhere until the gate is up. You're stuck here, little girl."
The two guards started laughing at her and Robyn could feel her face get red. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. She had a good plan! And she was doing something that was right! It wasn't fair for this to happen!
"I AM leaving!" she barked at them. "I don't care what you say!"
The men kept laughing, calling attention to others as Robyn marched over to the gate to get a closer look. There had to be SOME way she could climb it or squeeze under or something. Behind her, more soldiers and other passer-bys were being called to the scene. She could hear them whisper among themselves of her being the priestess and what she had done the previous day.
"Shouldn't we do something?" she heard a voice speak.
"No," replied the soldier she now hated the most. She glanced back to see his arms crossed over his chest, a smug grin on his face. "She thinks she can make fools of our royalty and this country and then skip out on her duty whenever she wants. So I want to SEE her run away from this now."
"Coward," someone mumbled from the growing crowd; along with other choice words for her.
Robyn forced herself to look away. She stared hard at the gate blocking her path. It didn't matter what they thought of her. Saving her friend was the important thing and she would do that any way necessary. If only she could get the gate open. It was nearly fifteen feet across and even higher than it's width. It was made from large, thick logs which used to be ancient tree trunks and bound together by thick rope. Secured tightly, it's job was to keep anything out and it did its job quite well.
Stupid thing, she thought, suddenly having the urge to pry it apart.
From somewhere in the crowd, a dirt clod flew out and struck her in the back, exploding dirt all over her upon impact. It didn't hurt much, but it was degrading. The crowd laughed even more. Robyn felt her world spinning out of control as her anger flared.
"Stupid gate!" she suddenly spat, attacking it with her bare hands. She slipped her thin fingers as far as she could between two of the logs and attempted to pry them apart.
The crowd laughed again.
"What do you think you're doing, little girl?" one man laughed.
"There's no way you could break that! Are you stupid?" scoffed another.
Robyn was beyond going back now. Her embarrassment and her anger had complete control of her now.
"This damn country!" she cursed. "With it's stupid people and their rules! And their secrets and their ARROGANCE! Move, you sonofabitch gate! I said MOVE!"
The crowd continued to laugh and the wood let out a heavy creak.
Caska made her way into the royal stables unnoticed. Hardly anyone was on guard any where in that area. It was so early in the morning and so many other important things were going on. In the last, largest stable, separate from the horses, was a large, pale blue dragon. He was curled up and sleeping among the straw, but picked up his head when Caska neared.
"Hello there," she smiled at the creature. "Ready to get out and find your mistress?"
"No," came an older, female voice.
Caska blinked as the old woman, Shinmei, seemed to magically appear right beside her.
"No?" Caska repeated. "Why not? What's going on? You told me to do as my Lady wishes."
Seiji, by now, had gotten to his feet and trotted over happily to the old woman. He made a purring sound as Shinmei patted his nose.
"Yes," the old woman agreed. "But I'm afraid Lady Hardrock will not be leaving the castle at this time."
Caska's eyes went wide. Despite the old woman's passive expression, something about those words chilled her. She backed away a few paces, turned, then ran.
The crowd went silent.
There was more creaking in the ancient wood. Someone screamed as it groaned from the stress. The small red haired figure continued to pry apart the two thick logs with all her might. A rope snapped, the frayed edge whipping against the side of the wall. The soldiers that had mocked her stood in awe. She had denounced her title, hadn't she? Then how?
Robyn gave out a small cry as she struggled to break down the gate. A large crack appeared, then another. The logs, thicker then she was, began to snap and crumble. Members of the crowd began to back up, some running away, as the gate began to give way. Robyn could now get her fingers all the way in between the two logs. There was a sliver of light coming in from the rising sun on the other side.
"I told you," she growled as she gave it one last heave. "I'm getting out of HERE!"
More ropes snapped and then there was a loud crack that seemed to split the very air. When Robyn opened her eyes, the entire gate was bent at the middle, bowing from either side where her hands had been. There was also a hole large enough for her to walk through. Robyn stared at it with wide eyes for a minute. Half of her still couldn't believe she did that. But a part of her accepted it and if she always knew she could. She took one last look at the frightened on lookers and then took a step towards her freedom.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Robyn froze at the question, then slowly turned around.
Standing behind her was Myune. Her wavy hair now pulled up in the thick pony tail on top of her head, as usual. She was dressed in battle gear with a hard look on her face and that thin, menacing sword of hers in her hand.
"I'm leaving," Robyn said levelly.
Myune rushed forward, extending the blade of her sword in front of the exit Robyn had made.
"I don't think so."
"Oh come on," Robyn argued. "I have something I gotta do. Let me go!"
"Do you mean to betray this country?" Myune accused.
"What? No! I'm not trying to stop you guys from doing anything," Robyn insisted. "I'm on your side, but you have to let me do this."
"How can I believe you when you don't listen to a word anyone tells you? You turn up your nose at our traditions. You don't care at all what happens to this kingdom."
The look on Robyn's face told it all. She really didn't care too much what happened to the kingdom. It wasn't hers, after all.
This only made Myune madder.
"You're a traitor, I knew it the first time I saw you. And I am NOT letting you leave."
Robyn glanced at the hole she had made. Animals much larger than her would have trouble making such a dent. "You're not going to stop m--"
Before she could finish her threat, Robyn suddenly found herself slammed into the wall, her muscles feeling numb and tingly at the same time. She fell to her knees, trying to regain her senses and control back to her limbs. What was that?
"You're not the only one who can tap into your title's powers, little girl," Myune said, her face smug. An arch of electricity surged around her free hand. "And I've been at this far longer than you have."
Robyn pulled herself to her feet.
"That's fine," she said. "You can use your power all you want, but I'm still going." She started again towards the hole in the gate.
Myune's blood boiled. A shock like that would have stopped most men dead in their tracks for a good ten minutes. But Robyn, obviously had the power of Hardrock protecting her against the blows. Her element was earth, Myune reminded herself. Lighting had little affect on her. But she was still determined to get her point across. Robyn would not be leaving the castle grounds, no matter what she had planned.
"No you're not!" Myune demanded. "If you want to leave, you have to fight me for that right! You can't just turn your back on us and walk out of here as you please!"
Robyn chewed on her lip. Myune's words were a bit truthful. She wasn't helping them; she was turning her back. Even if she wasn't doing anything to hinder them, just not supporting them may have been seen to Myune as a traitorous move. Then again, when did she ever swear loyalty to this cause in the first place? Who were they to decide where her loyalties were? She was doing something she felt was right and that was far more important to her than anything Myune thought about or fought her for.
"You're going to have a short battle," Robyn replied as if the challenge were hardly important to her. "I'm not going to fight you, I'm just going to leave."
"We'll see about that."
Another blow of electricity struck Robyn, sending her flying several feet. The landing hurt more than the shock itself. Still, Robyn was more than a little stunned as Myune stood over her.
"Arm yourself and fight me," she said. "I know deep inside, you want to. She's in there with you somewhere. I don't know how or why, but Minami's spirit is a part of you. And I know she, at least, aches to stand up and challenge me."
Robyn didn't move.
"I said defend yourself!" Myune raised her sword and swung it down for a deep blow. It imbedded harmlessly in the wood hilt of a spear.
Robyn opened her eyes. She was aware there was one the ground by her, but she didn't remember picking it up or using it to deflect the attack. Myune smiled as she drew back to blade for another round.
"Now, Hardrock, the battle is upon you. And this time, I will teach you that you cannot live for your own selfish reasons. The greater good of the people should ALWAYS come before any of your desires!"
The side of Robyn's mouth ticked up into a smirk. She looked less like her usual self just then.
"You sound like you've got a chip on your shoulder about that, Myune. What dream did you weakly give up on for this?" she replied in a low, sarcastic voice.
Myune suddenly saw red and attacked.
For Mia, the night went on like the hours were merely minutes. The entire night was spent conversing with Anubis. Inside, Mia knew she should quit and get some sleep, but she just couldn't bring herself to tell him to leave. They talked all night about everything. About what Mia had been doing since Talpa's defeat, about Anubis' thoughts on his whole ordeal as a Warlord and his life before, and even about the little time they had spent together fighting the Dynasty and hunting for the Jewel of Life.
Anubis asked where Yulie was these days. Mia said he was doing well in school. So was she, picking up where her grandfather left off and Mia noticed a hint of regret in Anubis when she mentioned her grandfather. Mia sighed, she wished she could pat his hand or something to consol him. She knew he felt bad about what he did in the past and she didn't hold anything against him for that.
"It wasn't your fault, Anubis," Mia insisted. "None of it was. It was Talpa's. He tricked you. He tricked all of you into doing what he wanted. I'm sure my grandfather would say the same thing if he were here."
Anubis, though dead, still gave a heavy sigh. "I will probably never find that out," he admitted. "I doubt, when my soul goes to rest, that it will be in the same place a man like your grandfather has gone."
"What do you mean by that? But you did so much good as well. Surely that--"
Anubis shook his head. "I really could not tell you, Mia. Can good deeds erase all the bad ones? Especially deeds such as mine under Talpa's command? I do not know. I did my best to atone for what I had done with the last of my life but..." He trailed off for a moment, looking at an ornate tapestry on the wall. "But the truth is, Talpa's powers, as you so learned yourself, cannot taint the innocent. That truth was the same in your time as it was in mine. For each of us Warlords, perhaps even Kayura, there had to be a darkness in our hearts to begin with for him to approach us. I fear that darkness, though I tried to deny it at the end, may still remain with me."
Mia wasn't sure what to say to that. It didn't sound right, but her mind could not come up with a satisfactory argument. She turned her head to think and caught a glimpse of the sun peeking over the mountains.
"Goodness!" She exclaimed. "We've talked clear until morning! How do you like that? I haven't done this since college! I think you may finally have to leave and let me get some--"
She stopped as Anubis whipped his head around in a different direction. His gaze was intense as his eyes shifted this way and that as if listening for the smallest amount of sound in the room.
"What...what is it?" Mia whispered.
"I felt something," Anubis said slowly. "There is a power shifting, waiting to move. Something important will happen soon. Something that will send everything in motion."
Mia looked at him, startled. Then her gaze turned towards the window again. Something did, indeed feel like it was coming. Something big. It sent a chill up her spine.
They had gone over the map and the plans several times. Every Ronin did their best to memorize the country they were shown. It's borders and landmarks and the likes. They were educated on the captain's battle plans, were the stations were, what parts were now inhabited by Akuma's men, and where it was predicted they would strike next.
"So I guess we should go out there and meet them before they cause any more damage," Kento surmised, looking over all the maps with arms folded.
"That is the general idea," Captain Darris affirmed. "But bear in mind, my Lords, Akuma is well aware of your armor powers and what they can do. He will use any trick necessary to cut you off from that power and bring you down--as early in the game as he can. As long as we have you, we have a chance. Without you, I'm afraid my forces are no match with all the extra magic Akuma wields."
"Captain," Rowen spoke. "What exactly can you tell us about this 'magic' Akuma has? What can it do and how can we protect ourselves from it?"
Darris was about to explain to the best of his knowledge when the doors were thrust open by a young servant woman.
"My Lords! Come quickly! My Lady and Priestess Halo are battling near the castle gate! They mean to destroy each other!"
In the back, Diana gasped as the five Ronins just stared. They recognized the servant woman. It was Caska, the one who was always doting over...
"Robyn," Cye gasped and was already out the door. The other Ronins were hot on his heels as he raced down the long corridors.
Up ahead, the passage forked in three different ways. Cye stopped, wondering which way would take him to the front of the castle.
"This way, Cye," Rowen called, steering down the left hall.
Once outside, they could see the castle wall in the distance down the path. There were noises and shouts from the crowd gathered around the gate. As the Ronins neared the crowd, they could hear the sound of metal swinging through the air and clashing with wood.
"What's going on here!" Cye demanded, above the sound of the people.
Those in the back turned their heads to see who spoke More and more fell silent as they saw all five armor bearers standing behind them. The crowd began to part to clear a path and Cye lurched forward, straining to get a good look at what was going on up ahead. He caught a glimpse of Myune swinging her sword and Robyn dodging awkwardly, trying not to be sliced.
"Stop this right now!"
Myune looked over her shoulder and her eyes widened when she saw the Ronins coming towards her.
"Oh, not this time," she said to herself. "You're not going to coddle her this time."
Once free from the crowd, Cye broke into a sprint, only to be flung to the ground. He shook his head, startled at the tingling sensation in his muscles. His clothes were smoking slightly. In front of him, where there wasn't before, now stood a glowing green wall. It crackled with energy and hid anything from view behind it.
"What the hell is this?" Kento, who was right behind Cye, demanded. He punched the wall with all his strength. The glowing shield held firm, only crackling with each contact of his fist.
"We can't get through!" Rowen announced just as Sage, who had been the last one, charged through.
He ran past all of them and jumped. His body passed through the barrier as if it weren't even there. The remaining four just stared. They could not see where their friend had gone or what was happening on the other side. It was all up to Sage, now.
Sage landed on the other side of the barrier, a bit surprised he had made it through. He was relying on instinct when he charged through. But he figured if Myune's powers came from Halo, anything she did with them would neither harm nor affect him. It looked as though he guessed correctly.
Up ahead, however, was a troubling site. Sage could clearly see what was going on now. Myune was on full attack. Sage knew from first hand experience how fast she was with that sword. Robyn, with her limited experience, was just barely managing to dodge or weakly block each blow. The wooden spear she had being using to defend herself was hacked away to hardly any weapon at all. Another quick blow and it was knocked from her hands.
Sage clenched his fists. There were many things that irked him in this world, but very few brought him to the brink of rage. Man or woman, Sage had a hard time forgiving someone who attacked so mercilessly a person with a lower fighting level and clearly did not want to fight at all.
"MYUNE! What are you doing!" he demanded.
Myune, for her part, did not respond at all to her name. Robyn, however, unused to the force and anger in Sage's voice, stopped and stared at him. Her guard was completely gone now, but Myune, however, was still attacking. Her blade thrust forth, unhindered and unnoticed. Sage watched helplessly as time and all his reactions seemed to slow to a sickening crawl. Robyn's gaze turned from him when she felt an odd sensation in her side. She looked down, eyes wide as the thin blade penetrated her body smooth and easy. It went all the way in and out the other side. All Robyn could do was stare at it.
"Robyn!" When Sage found his voice, time seemed to speed up to normal again.
Robyn felt something lurch in her stomach and her knees got weak. She could see her blood, her life energy dripping from the blade embedded in her body. She reached for the sword's blade, feeling numb, but knowing it shouldn't be in there. It sliced the meat of Robyn's hands as Myune withdrew it from her body. Without anything left to hold her up, Robyn felt her body slowly falling to the ground. A pair of strong arms caught her before she hit the dirt.
"Robyn? Robyn, speak to me!" Sage called frantically, his eyes wide. One hand was already at her side--the spot where all the blood was pouring out. He pressed it there firmly in attempt to stop the bleeding. "Robyn, stay with me!"
She looked up at him, in awe at the expression she saw on his face. She had never seen him like that before. Why was he so frantic?
"I'm...okay," she rasped weakly.
Sage sucked in a breath. Any idiot could see that wasn't the case. She needed some kind of medical help and fast. Hi gaze turned to Myune standing over them and his eyes went dark.
"What the HELL were you thinking?" he demanded. "Is THIS what you priestesses are here for? To fight and kill each other? IS IT!"
Those last two words were filled with such force, Myune could feel the power radiating from the guardian of Halo. She felt her own powers ripped from her grasp and the barrier she had called up instantly shattered.
Myune took a step back. In truth, she had not meant to kill or seriously harm Robyn at all. And yet, she could not believe all the blame was being put on her. Lord Halo didn't even care this stupid girl not only wasn't going to help their cause, but she was running away! Didn't that matter? Didn't he understand this was what the soul of the Hardrock Priestess constantly was? Myune wasn't trying to hurt an innocent, she was protecting them from an inevitable menace. Why didn't they believe she wanted what was best for everyone?
This time, it was Myune's turn for her temper to flare. Sage was already distracted, putting Halo's power into trying to seal the gaping wound in Robyn's body. That wasn't right. He was choosing another priestess over his own partner. Which meant he chose that girl's beliefs over hers. And Myune knew that Robyn did not support their cause, nor did she care about the people. Therefore, the bearer of Halo didn't either. If that was the case, there was only one thing to do.
Behind her, she could hear the other Ronins, no longer blocked by her wall, rushing towards them. They raced right past her towards the bloody sight.
"What happened?" Cye demanded and he knelt at her feet. Sage didn't look up from his task as Rowen knelt beside him and was already ripping up his own sleeves for bandages. Kento was at Robyn's other side while Ryo stood over them, looking too shocked to speak.
"Lord Halo!" Myune announced, stretching out her hand. "As Guardian of the Mantle of Halo, I find you no longer worthy of its power and I call it back to me."
Though he was still working to heal Robyn's wounds, Sage opened his mouth to ask what that meant. His answer was a sudden chill that filled his body. A light, HIS light seemed to drain from his very soul, filtering into a tiny ball of green energy that emerged from his chest and floated before him. Sage stared as the orb floated over to Myune's out stretched palm and she closed her fingers around it. In that instance, Sage could no longer feel Halo with him. He slumped forward, his energy gone.
Robyn, no longer being healed, feel from his grasp. Kento quickly caught her.
"Sage you okay?" Hardrock asked, but then his attention was then diverted as Robyn weakly reached up and grabbed his collar. With her remaining strength, she pulled him closer to her and rasped something in his ear. When she had finished, Kento's eyes were wide with this new information.
"Sage, hold on, buddy," Rowen said grabbing his friend as he began to fall over. "Man, he's ice cold."
That was when Robyn fell limp in Kento's arms.
"Oh shit! Robyn!"
"Robyn!" Cye cried, frantically checking her for a pulse. "Her heart's still beating. We have to seal that wound!"
During all the chaos, Ryo stood apart from it. As if watching a play unfold before him. It seemed too surreal what was going on. How could things crumble so fast? Clenching his fists, he turned to the woman standing proudly behind him.
"What have you done?" he growled at her. "Why are you attacking us after you brought us here to help you? And why did you take away Sage's armor?"
"Why are you always on HER side?" Myune shot back. "She's never tried to do anything for our cause! In fact, she was about to run away from it all! Why do you support a coward like her?"
Ryo clenched his fists. "Robyn hasn't tried to do anything to you and neither has Sage! Give his armor back!"
"I refuse," Myune said lowly. "As Guardian of Halo, it is my right and my duty to remove the mantle from anyone who unfit to wield Halo's power. If he or any of you are supporting that girl, you don't care about this kingdom. And you ALL should have your mantles taken away." She brandished her sword. "I'd do it to you, too, Wildfire, if I had the power."
Ryo's eyes widened. he turned to the closest soldier to the scene and lunged, pulled out the sword from the surprised man's sheath at his hip. "You're making a mistake here," he said lowly, holding the sword in front of him.
"Ryo, stop it!" Cye called to him. "We don't have time for this!"
Ryo ignored him. "I'm not letting you near any more of my friends," he continued to tell Myune.
The woman growled. "How DARE you put them before the people?" She swung and Ryo blocked--just barely. He was surprised at how fast she could swing her weapon. Myune grinned. "You think you can beat me with that weapon?"
Looking even more determined, Ryo took a few steps back. He clutched the sword in both hands and the weapon was instantly engulfed in fire. Even the other Ronins were surprised. They had never seen Ryo do anything like this before. When the flames died, the sword of Wildfire was in his hand. He still hadn't even called up his sub armor.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Ryo continued. "We came all this way to help this kingdom. We used the armors powers to save our own world. Why are you saying we're unworthy?"
Myune attacked and Ryo blocked again. Her blade crackled with electricity. But it didn't do anything to the Wildfire sword.
"Because," she spat. "You don't follow all our traditions! You ignore our protocol and are always looking for ways around them!" She swung again. "Don't you realize how much you are looked up to here? Why won't you five stop cutting corners and just do what you're told!"
Ryo was on offensive now. He blocked and then attacked, his greater strength driving Myune back a bit.
"Since when do I have to follow a set of rules to help someone?" he demanded. "We're not here to be perfect and we don't care what these people think of us! We just want to save them!"
"No you don't!" Myune screamed back. "You are all traitors to this country!"
Ryo was so flabbergasted at the accusation, he almost forgot to block. "Traitors! But--we're not citizens of this country--or this world! How can we betray it?"
"You became one when you entered the Sealing Ceremony in which you--" Myune cut herself off.
"You mean the one that was never finished?" Ryo replied, lowering his weapon.
Myune paused, stunned. Ryo was about to turn away when she raised her blade again. It swung down only to be caught by a metal rod. Ryo blinked as Cye stood between them. He had grabbed one of the metal spears that had been leaning in a row against the giant wall.
"This isn't important right now," Cye announced. He turned his gaze a bit towards Ryo. "What we really need to do is--"
They were suddenly blinded by a great, searing light. Both shielded their eyes and stumbled back on the visible onslaught. When the light died down and they could see normally again, Myune was gone.
Cye let out a heavy breath. At least the fighting was over and they could attend to their friends. He turned to Wildfire who stood with his back to him.
"Come on Ryo, forget it. We need to get Robyn to a doctor."
Ryo didn't budge. "Everything is falling apart now, isn't it Cye?" he asked softly.
"What?" Cye wondered, not believing the tone he heard.
"It's true," Ryo continued. "Robyn's hurt bad, Sage lost his armor and Myune's gone crazy. What's going to happen to us next? It's all falling apart."
Cye put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "It might be a bit, but it's not anyone's fault. Now, come on."
Again, Ryo didn't move. He clenched his fists as he suddenly felt eyes upon him. Someone was watching and he could feel their amusement of the scene boring into him.
"No," he said in a low voice. "It's HIS fault."
"What?" Cye asked again.
Ryo thrust his sword upward. He didn't even have to look around to know where HE was. He pointed the tip of Wildfire's blade to the figure standing on the titled roof of the gate's watch tower. There he stood, white hair and majestic silk cape of purple and gold trim floating in the breeze of the morning.
"This is all YOUR fault!" Ryo screamed to the figure above him. "YOU did this!"
The other Ronins looked up to see a man they had never seen before. The people of Falnan saw him and recognized who he was instantly. They gasped and some even ran away. The god of their world was watching them.
He grinned down at them from his place on top of the watch tower.
"MY fault, Wildfire? Are you sure?"
"How could you allow this to happen?" Ryo accused.
Yanushi flippantly put a hand to his ear. "What's that, Wildfire? I can't hear you from all the way down there."
Cye, for his part, was wide eyed. He swore he could literally see Ryo's blood boil.
"Ryo, don't..." he warned.
But it was already too late. Ryo's temper had a hold of him and would not let him go any time soon. He gave out an angry cry and Cye had to step back as his whole body was engulfed in flames. They died down as the armor of Wildfire appeared on his body. Cye was even more surprised he had called up his armor in such away. Without even the subarmor up first. Cye didn't even have a chance to stop him before Ryo leapt to the top of the wall, rebounded off, and up to the roof of the watch tower.
"Why did you let this happen?" he asked again through clenched teeth.
Yanushi looked at the brandished Wildfire sword as if it hardly threatened him.
"I told you, I don't meddle in the affairs of mortals. What they do is what they do. If someone does something you don't like, I can't stop them. In any world in existence, man must have their own free will. Gods shall not intervene."
"You lie," Ryo hissed between clenched teeth. "You fashioned this entire thing to happen. I KNOW you made Robyn leave her room somehow. What do you want from us?"
To this, Yanushi did change his expression to one of annoyance. "I don't care for your accusations and your tone, Wildfire. One might think you were actually looking for a fight with me."
Ryo did not change his stance. "If you come near ANY of my friends again I'll--"
"You'll what?" Yanushi replied, taking a step forward. "Not even that armor is a match for me, Wildfire."
"We'll see about THAT!" Ryo yelled as he attacked.
Yanushi, though he didn't look armed at first glance, suddenly had a large, silver sword blocking Ryo's swing.
"Are you sure you want to get into this?" the white haired man asked. "You're starting something you cannot win."
Ryo growled and pulled back; then swung his sword again. "If this is the only way to keep my friends safe I will fight you."
Yanushi grinned. "Very well then."
Below, Cye watched helplessly. What was he supposed to do? Robyn was injured, maybe dying. But on the other hand, Ryo just might get killed himself in this battle he started. Cye didn't want to loose either of them. What could he do?
"What happened here?"
That was Captain Darris. Cye turned to see him running up to them. Diana and Miniko were behind him as well as a few armed soldiers.
"Robyn's injured," Rowen called before Cye could respond. "She needs a doctor! Fast!" Sage was still slumped over his shoulder.
Diana gasped and ran to them. She knelt down to Robyn and Kento, tearing her robe, trying to help stop the bleeding.
From above them came a loud cry. Yanushi had swung his massive blade. From their place on the ground, they could all feel the force of the swing and Ryo was no longer on top of the watch tower.
"RYO!" Cye cried. He turned to the captain. "Take care of them." He motioned to the group huddled around Robyn's body. "I'll help Ryo."
"My Lord, be careful," Diana called. "That man Lord Wildfire fights, he is the creator of this world. He is very powerful."
Cye looked from her to the hole in the gate Robyn had made and he set his jaw. "Well, so are we." His subarmor appeared on his body as he said those words.
"Armor of Torrent! Dao Shin!"
In a burst of light, the Torrent armor appeared on his body. He pulled out his yari from his back and jumped over the gate.
"Kento, you should go help, too," Rowen suggested. "The rest of us can take care of Robyn."
"I..I can't," came a weak voice. For the first time, Rowen noticed that Kento sat a bit slumped and the color was draining from his face. "I can't get up."
Rowen stared at him. "Why? What's going on with you?"
Kento looked down at his hand that was pressing against the stab wound in Robyn's abdomen. He was holding it as firmly as he could, but he could feel his strength leaving him.
"I can...feel her dying," Kento whispered. "I think I'm going to pass out, Rowen. I'm sorry..."
"Kento!" Rowen called as he slumped over.
"It's okay," Sage said next to him. "Put me down, help them. I'm not going to die. Get help for Robyn."
Rowen reluctantly let Sage go as Captain Darris barked orders to get all those who could not stand back into the castle.
Meanwhile, Cye was on the other side of the wall, running to the cloud of dust and dragged earth which he assumed was where his friend landed. The mere distance Ryo fell from the tower surprised Cye. Ryo didn't just fall from that height, he was thrown. He hit the ground so hard that it tore up the earth where he landed and left long, deep skid marks to where he stopped. If he had not been wearing the Wildfire armor, Ryo could have easily died from that.
"Ryo! Are you alright!" Cye called as he approached.
Ryo groaned a bit as he got to his feet. He hadn't taken a hit like that in quite some time. Yanushi floated down to stand before them; not a hair of his was yet out of place. Ryo growled, straightening his stance.
"Stay out of this, Cye. This is my fight."
"Oh come on!" Cye argued back. "Stop being so stubborn Ryo! Look what he did to you! You can't take him alone!"
"We'll see," Ryo mumbled to himself.
He got in a familiar stance and Cye instantly knew better than to be anywhere near that.
"Armor of Wildfire! FLARE UP NOW!"
Yanushi raised an eyebrow as the armor powered up and a great ball of searing hot energy shot towards him. When it was about to hit, he suddenly jumped into the air, meeting it head on. Ryo watched with wide eyes. The man was engulfed in the flames as he swung his sword, cutting the attack in two and dousing the inferno without hardly an effort. Before Ryo could recover, Yanushi was upon him.
"What was that Wildfire?" he grinned in his ear. "I thought you were a master of this power. You're still just a child. You don't even know how to use it properly."
The deity circled around, swinging his foot into Ryo's gut. The impact was explosive and Ryo was sent flying several yards into a grove of trees.
Off to the side, Cye watched, speechless. Yanushi turned to him and approached.
"Ah, Lord Torrent. You seem a bit more level headed than Wildfire over there." He motioned his head towards the grove of trees. "I want you to explain something to him in words he can understand. Beings like me built your armors. I don't plan on falling to something so below my level, understand? And you cannot even call upon the Inferno armor." He added with a slight chuckle. "You don't have a Halo any more."
Cye blinked at him. "Why ARE you two fighting? I don't understand what is going on."
Yanushi grinned. "Well, you see, your friend, while he's a bit on the slow side, does seem to have a sense for when something is going to happen. And he's quite right. However, I have warned him before not to get involved."
"Involved in what?" Cye ventured. "What is all this about? This entire thing? Why were we brought here?"
With that question, Yanushi actually put away his weapon. "Torrent, by now, I'm sure you are quite tired of being lied to and manipulated, so I will be forward with you this once. No matter what this kingdom's rulers tell you, you were ultimately brought to this world to fight me."
Cye blinked again. "You? Why?"
"Because, Lord Torrent, it is my wish to destroy it."
Cye took a step back, not expecting that answer at all.
"And," Yanushi continued. "If you get in my way, I will destroy you also."
Cye gripped his yari in his hands. This threat was familiar. Maybe this was why Ryo had gotten so mad.
"You can't do that!"
"Sure I can," Yanushi grinned. "I created this world. It is my right to see to its end when I see fit."
"We'll see about that!' Cye yelled at him, powering up his yari for the attack. "Su--"
He didn't even get half the attack name out before Yanushi grabbed hold of his staff. The weapon crackled in his grip. Before Cye knew it, he was whirled around and sent flying. His body experienced the sickening feeling of cutting through the air without any control before he, too crashed through the grove of trees, taking many of the smaller ones with him.
Behind the castle gate, Rowen stood looking towards the sky.
"I think the guys might need assistance," he told Miniko who was standing next to him.
She furrowed her brows at him. "Do you want some help?"
He had to smile at her. "I'm not sure. I don't know what you could do. If that guy is thrashing my buddies in their armor, he'd make quick work of you."
Miniko hung her head, feeling useless. A feral roar made her raise it again.
"It's White Blaze," Rowen pointed to the white tiger running their way.
The large animal didn't stop as it charged through the opening in the gate and kept right on going. Rowen took one last look at Miniko before calling up his sub armor and followed after the large cat.
Ryo coughed. He tried to get his head to stop swimming. That was a hard blow he had taken--twice now. He wasn't sure how much more thrashing he could stay conscious through. This Yanushi really was a higher being. How else could he withstand those attacks without any mystical armor of his own? Shaking a bit, Ryo used his sword to help him get back on his feet, only to see a blue clad figure go flying through the trees past him.
"Cye!"
Ryo turned to see Yanushi there, standing in his way. The young Japanese man growled. "I won't let you win," he promised.
Yanushi was no longer smiling. "You don't have a chance to stop me."
He attacked. The gigantic silver sword was back in his hands. He was so fast! He attacked with such strength, Ryo could not hold onto his swords and they were knocked out on his hands. A third strike came, slashing right across the armor's chest plate. Ryo could only gawk at it. No weapon had ever cut so severely through his mystical armor.
"No time to be impressed!" Yanushi barked, plunging his foot solid in Ryo's chest. He kicked the young man straight into a thick, old tree where he hit solidly and made quite an indentation.
Ryo's vision was swimming again. His limbs felt numb and it was hard to move. Yanushi was standing over him and he had no time to recover.
"Your path ends here Lord Wildfire," Yanushi announced as he raised his blade, tip down and aimed for Ryo's chest. "Fools never live long enough to see their true destiny."
Ryo stared at the hulking blade. The silver shined with magnificence. In its reflection, he swore he could see eternity and all the things he could have done if he had survived this battle.
In the distance was a familiar roar. Ryo gasped. While Blaze would die, too, if he attacked this man.
The blade was poised and Ryo closed his eyes as it tore through the air, screaming for the blood of his heart.
"No, White Blaze! Stay away!"
There was the sharp, familiar crackle of steel hitting steel and Ryo opened his eyes. Willowy, white hair floated past his vision. A man stood between Ryo and god of Falnan. His hair was long and white, his figure large, his skin dark. The blade he parried with was large and powerful. Ryo gasped as he recognized the sword in the stranger's hand.
"The Soul Sword," Ryo breathed.
"Ah, I was wondering when you'd show up," Yanushi told the stranger as their blades remained pressed together. "It's been quite a long time since you dared show that face around here."
The man growled in reply, able to hold back the god's massive strength with his own. "You're not allowed to do these things, and you know it. We are forbidden to meddle in the affairs of mortals!"
"And what makes you so special to be excluded from that?" Yanushi grinned back. "After you left this world, and quite disreputably, I might add, you went to another world to mess in those mortals' affairs. You have no room to talk, now stand aside!"
"No!" The stranger kicked Yanushi in the side, making him slide back a few paces.
The attack hardly seemed to hurt the deity as he returned to a fighting stance. Ryo watched as both men stared each other down.
"Really now," Yanushi grinned. "You've done a poor job of being that boy's guardian. He can't even use his mantle properly. Why don't you let me have him and get yourself a new bearer of Wildfire?"
The dark skinned stranger narrowed his eyes. He made a growl deep in his throat that sounded more beast than man. "His world still needs him. You will not have any one of them until their mission is done."
Yanushi tilted his head. "I see. And will you stop me, Your Highness?" He said the title in a mocking tone. "How many hundreds-- even thousands of years has it been since you were in that form? I'm surprised you still no how to use it. Save your weak, little crew of heros from me if you can."
That seemed to be enough. The stranger let out a battle cry and attacked faster than Ryo could see. He wasn't sure what happened, but there was a snap of metal and part of a massive blade flew towards him, landing tip down in the grass at his feet. He looked over and saw Yanushi pinned to a tree. One of the Soul Swords of Fervor was deep in his chest, holding him there. In his hand was the hilt and what remained of his own shattered sword.
All Ryo could do was stare. Though he had been in many battles, they were mostly with dynasty soldiers--empty armors with sprits inside them. He had never seen a man of real flesh and blood run through before. Or was Yanushi of flesh and blood? There was no blood running from the blade embedded in his chest, nor did Yanushi really look wounded at all. He was a bit surprised as the stranger glared down at him, hands still firmly on the Soul Sword. But then Yanushi's surprised expression turned to one of his amused grins.
"Alright, you win for now. You may keep your warriors another day, but we will meet again."
With that, the white haired deity disappeared. The stranger looked darkly at the place on the tree where he was before pulling out his sword from the trunk. He walked over to Ryo who was still sitting on the ground and staring up at him with wide eyes. The stranger smiled at him and offered his hand.
"Come on Ryo, it's over for now."
Ryo, still speechless, took the hand that was offered. This strange man had said his name like they had been friends a long time. And, somehow, Ryo felt he did know him from somewhere. He stood up to look the man in the eyes. He was a bit taller than Ryo--but most men he met were. Then Ryo recognized the deep, brown eyes on his dark face.
"White...Blaze?" he asked hesitantly.
The man grinned wanly at him. "Close enough. Let's go find Cye and get out of here."
He let the way through the trees while Ryo stumbled after him, still a bit dazed. They found Cye's body, tangled and buried amongst broken tree limbs on the ground. He was still in his armor, but didn't seem to be conscious. Ryo ran up to his friend's side.
"Cye, Cye! Are you okay? Wake up." Ryo shook his friend's shoulder.
Cye's eyes fluttered open slowly and then went wide. He sat bolt upright and grabbed his yari, ready to fight again.
"Easy Cye, it's over," Ryo told him. "That guy's gone now."
Cye settled a bit and blinked at Ryo. "What happened? Did we win?"
Ryo looked up at the white haired man standing over them. Cye finally noticed he was there and stared at the strange man smiling at them. Ryo patted his shoulder as a sign it was all right.
"He helped us. I"ll explain later. Can you walk?"
Cye pulled himself to his feet. "Yeah, everything looks alright," he replied.
"Great," Ryo nodded, then got serious. "Let's get back to the castle. We're needed there now."
Cye pressed his lips in a fine line, remembering what just recently happened. He called off his armor, leaving him in just his subarmor and already started back for the castle. Ryo did the same with the white haired man following behind them.
"Hey guys, where are you going?" Rowen called as they passed him. "Isn't there a fight still going on?"
"Not any more," was Cye's blunt reply.
"Fight's over, Rowen," Ryo added as he ran past him.
"Come on man, back to the castle," said the white haired stranger, tugging on his helmet like they were old friends.
Rowen stared blankly at the man. "Who the heck are you?"
There was still a crowd outside the castle. Perhaps an even bigger one than before in light of the events that had happened in the past several minutes. After the Ronins squeezed in through the hole in the gate, they had to work their way past all the people milling about. As Ryo excused himself time and time again to get through, he could hear the high, young voice of Queen Laelia shouting somewhere at the other end.
"What happened here?" The young girl demanded. "And first thing in the morning!"
Captain Darris was trying to explain the situation to her when Ryo, Rowen and Cye broke through from the crowd.
"There you are," Laelia said, hands on her hips. "We have a huge fiasco going on here and you guys--" She stopped in dead sentence when the fourth person emerged from the crowd behind them.
Ryo blinked at the girl who was staring with mouth agape. She took a shaky step forward and pointed at their companion.
"You...you are..." Queen Laelia whispered to him.
As the queen pointed, others around them looked and gasped. The people in the crowd began throwing themselves to the ground, bowing low with faces in the dirt. Even Captain Darris went instantly to his knees. Ryo looked to his friend in question. The man had an almost pained expression on his face at being recognized.
"You are..." Laelia told him in awe. "The first prince of Falnan...Hariel.."