Author's note: Much thanks to Dixxy who has NEVER stopped encouraging me to keep working on my Ronin fics. And to emeraldteardrops who's current fics have been keeping me going and excited about writing. (She also gives me lots of shout outs so it's time to return the favor.) Also, thanks SO much to those who have sent me reviews lately. You guys are awesome. I know when you've been sticking with a fic series as long as mine is, you say something once and then never think about it again as the months/years go by. But to those who still make the effort to drop by every now and then and let me know that they're still around and still reading, I appreciate that a lot. So thanks so much for sticking with me this far!
This is the turning point of this fanfic. Everything's going to pick up from here.

Guardian Souls
By: Ghost of the Dawn

Chapter 14: Disappear

Darris looked up as four men entered his planning room. The captain raised en eyebrow at the group. It was not quite all of whom he had expected to come in.

"You took your time," he admonished. "And there seems to be some of you missing."

"Cye's staying with Robyn a bit more," Ryo explained, his voice making it sound like more of an apology. "He'll be here later."

"And Hardrock?" Darris pressed.

Ryo scratched the back of his neck nervously. "Well, he..."

"He won't be coming," Sage stepped in, his voice firm. "He had something else he had to do."

The two men stared each other down. It was obvious Darris wanted to ask what Kento was up to. But it was also obvious from Sage's face that the blonde wasn't going to give out any answers.

Though both men were of equally strong will, Darris was the first to look away from Sage's piercing violet eyes.

"Akuma's troops are on fast attack." Darris went right into business. "They're marching deeper into the Queen's territory as we speak. We need reinforcements out there now. Akuma's forces are too powerful. I am leading the rest of our troops out myself. We hope to be rallied within the hour. Will you join us, my Lords?"

Ryo, Sage, and Rowen looked at each other. This was the first time they had been asked if they wanted to do something instead of being told to do it.

"Do we have a choice?" Rowen asked.

"There is always a choice, My Lord," Darris replied, looking over his maps. "Akuma's forces are strong. I won't lie to you, this army was fashioned not to fight my men, but to fight you. They will be ready for you and your powers. I cannot defeat them without your help. There is no one in this world that can make you, but I am asking you–will you help me?"

The three looked to each other again. They were short two members: one who hated fighting and one who loved it. They would be making this choice without those two. But Darris was wrong. There was no choice in the first place. If they wanted to go home, only one option was left to them.

Ryo pressed both his palms to the table top. "We are with you."

Darris nodded and looked to Sage. "You do not have to go. Your mantle of responsibility was lifted from you."

Ryo and Rowen blinked, they almost forgot about that. Sage no longer had the armor of Halo. Still, they fully considered him one of them and always would. But Darris might be right. Without Halo's power, Sage didn't really have to go.

Sage stared the Captain down yet again. "It IS my responsibility. I'm going to fight."

A smile tugged at the end of the captain's mouth. "Still know how to use a sword?"

The blonde mirrored the crooked smile with one of his own. "How can I forget? It's in my blood."

Darris extended his hand and Sage shook it.

"Glad to have you with us...er.."

"Sage."

"Sage." Darris nodded. Then his gaze turned to the figure idly watching in the corner. "And you?"

Hariel blinked, a bit surprised that he had been addressed. He moved away from his place on the wall and stepped forward.

"Am I correct in assuming that you will not be participating in this battle, Prince Hariel?"

"I can't," the deity confirmed. "I am not allowed to take any part in this. But I am still coming. Yanushi isn't supposed to meddle either. If he does, I'll handle him." He cracked his knuckles and grinned, revealing his sharp, cat-like fangs for emphasis.

Ryo sighed on this inside. Even if Hariel could not directly help, Ryo still felt better that he was coming along.

"Then it is settled," Darris announced. "Go prepare yourselves, My Lords. I will send for you as well as Torrent and Hardrock, I gather?"

"We'll tell Cye. Kento's gone," Sage offered.

Darris still looked like he wanted to ask, but Sage's face continued to say it was none of his business. So the Captain opted for a safer question.

"Will he be joining us eventually?" There was no judgement in his voice.

Sage relaxed at the question. "In a few days, maybe. He's seen the maps of this kingdom so I'm sure he can find us. When he is able, he will join us." He added in a reassuring tone. "Kento doesn't miss a fight if he can help it."

"Very well. Please ready yourselves. It's going to be a tough journey. Horses will be prepared for you and I will send for you when the troops are ready to move out."

The three turned and left with Hariel following behind them.

"Well Sage, at least you don't have to deal with that 'M'Lord" crap any more," Rowen said, clapping his friend on the shoulder. "And we'll watch your back. They're going to learn you're pretty nasty when you've got a sword in your hands–with or without your armor."

"This is temporary," Sage informed him. "I will get Halo back."

"You sound pretty sure of yourself."

"I am, Rowen. I can feel it."

Having lived around the blonde as long as he had, Rowen knew better than to question any feeling of Sage's and let it go. Behind them, Ryo held back, falling in step with Hariel who always followed behind them; just like White Blaze did.

"Hariel?" he asked softly.

"Yes, Ryo."

"Is that true? You're not going to be able to help us at all?"

Hariel stopped and grabbed Ryo's shoulders, turning him so they were facing each other. They looked into one another's eyes; deep blue drilling into warm brown.

"As Hariel, my hands are tied. I'm not supposed to interfere. As White Blaze, however, I am the Guardian of Wildfire. I will keep you safe out there."

Ryo glanced down the hall at his two friends. "What about their safety?"

"As White Blaze, have I done anything else but taken care of the lot of you idiots?"

Ryo chuckled. "Thanks."

Hariel grinned back, gripping Ryo's shoulders tighter, sizing him up. "Hey, you seem quite tall to a tiger, but in reality, you're a bit short, aren't ya?"

"Shut up," Ryo retorted. He pulled out of Hariel's grip and slugged the taller man in the shoulder.

It was true. With Hariel at least a good head higher, Ryo was still fighting Kento for the position of shortest of the Ronins. But that didn't mean he liked being reminded of it.

"You're so funny, Ryo," Hariel laughed.

Ryo glared and walked off.

Miniko was refusing to leave her room. With all that had happened lately, she was scared. Sage had his armor taken away. All the Ronins were probably mad about that. Especially at Myune–possibly the other priestesses as well. Robyn had been near fatally wounded by Myune; which added confusion to Miniko's fear. Both of them were supposed to be not only on her side, but they were the same as she was. Why were they fighting each other? Why did Robyn renounce her title? Why did she try to run away and then why did Myune try to kill her? More importantly, what would happen to her if she went to either side?

Even worse, she had no one to talk to about it. The only one she felt close to was Mia and the brunette was no where to be found that day. Well, it wasn't like Miniko had been looking too hard. If she saw any sign of ronin or priestess she instantly went the other way. Tired of running this way and that, Miniko ran back to her room. She hoped Mia would just magically show up at her door, but she was pretty sure it wasn't going to happen. Still, she hoped.

What AM I doing here? Someone IS going to come looking for me sooner or later. Why am I hiding in here like a coward? She kept asking herself. But then she would always answer. Because I don't know what I should DO!

"Miniko."

She spun around at the mention of her name. How had someone gotten into her room? More importantly, why was SHE the one in there?

Myune saw Miniko's face drain of color and she did not look impressed. "Oh, don't worry," she rolled her eyes. "I'm not going to do anything to you."

Miniko was trying to get her breath to slow down as Myune wandered to a chair and sat down in it. "We need to talk."

Miniko shifted in her own chair. Her bed was separating them. If Myune decided to attack, did she have enough room to get away?

"Ah...about what?" she said, hoping Myune didn't notice the shaking in her voice.

"The Armor Bearers are speaking with the captain. They are preparing to move out with the army soon," Myune told her. "We will be going with them. No matter what has happened, the safety of this kingdom comes first."

Miniko was a bit puzzled. "Why were we not summoned to speak with Captain Darris as well?" She suddenly longed to be with the handsome young man. She even trusted him more than she trusted the woman sitting in front of her.

"There is no need to talk to you about it,' Myune replied. "Strata has decided to go and as its guardian, you too will be going. I go of my own choice until I can find a suitable bearer for Halo." The older woman shifted in her chair and sighed in annoyance. "Like I have the time to look for one with this war going on. Though we would need someone to wield it, it may have to wait."

A silence fell over the room. It was too weird to Miniko. Why was Myune here just to talk "business" with her? She straightened up when Myune looked at her again.

"You worry about what I did. You're afraid of me now," Myune told her. It wasn't a question. "You shouldn't be. If you remembered who you really are then you would understand why I did what I did and you would know why you shouldn't be afraid of me, Higashi."

Something stirred in Miniko at the sound of that name. She had never been called that before, but it somehow felt like she was meant to be.

"Why did you call me that?" Miniko wondered. That name seemed to stir up feelings that Miniko wasn't sure she liked it.

"That's who you are," Myune insisted. "Who you really are. It was your original name when you first became a Priestess--your first life."

Miniko nodded slowly. She had been told all this before, but she also felt deep down she had known this all along. "And your original name isn't Myune."

The Halo Guardian nodded. "With the way I got here, it's just been easier to refer to me by the last name I was given."

"But your real name is...Kita. And Diana was--no, she is Nisha." Miniko told her.

Myune smiled. "You're remembering."

"Kind of," Miniko shrugged. "There's still so much that's a blur. Most of this stuff that everyone tells me, I have to take as face value. I feel like it's true, but I don't know for certain. I can't remember any life before this. I still feel like I am Miniko and I've always been."

Myune pressed her lips into a firm line, her eyes darkening. "We need to change that," she announced as she stood. "I need you on my side."

Miniko tensed again as Myune approached her.

"What are you going to do?"

Myune pulled up a chair and sat across from her. "I can see the present, but you can see the past. Look at my past lives and it will help you remember."

"H-how am I supposed to do that?" Miniko wondered. In truth, she had never been comfortable with the idea of having extra powers, let alone trying to use them. She avoided the subject at all cost if she could.

"Here," Myune said, reaching out to gently touch the sides of her head. She pulled Miniko forward until their foreheads were touching. "Focus on these memories to remember your own."

Miniko was about to ask what Myune meant by that when she was suddenly no longer in the room. In the span of a breath, one hundred years rewound themselves before her eyes. Then a hundred more--lifetimes upon lifetimes unraveled. Then came her first life. Miniko remembered always wanting to be a priestess when she was young. She remembered her desire to protect her people when the armor bearers turned on them, drunk on power. She remembered the look on the original bearer of Strata's face and the crunch of his bones when she ran her blade through him.

All her previous life times flew through her brain. Her last one hit her hard in the chest.

"Minami! What are you doing? You can't DO this! Stop this madness! They're doing this because of what you did!"

"No, Higashi, THEY are wrong! After all we have done for this world! Isn't it enough? They can't treat us this way! They have no right! The fate of Hardrock is MY decision and if they hurt him I'll--"

"Stand down, Minami! You'll do no such thing. The two of you brought this on yourselves by what you did. Lord Hardrock is in the hands of the people now. I will not have you interfere. Hold her down. We'll have to seal that strength of hers."

"Let me go Kita! You will release me or I swear, when I get out of here I will unleash a hell on this world that you could only dream of! And then I will come for you, Kita!"

"Minami! What are you saying! We're friends! Please understand, this is for the best. How did you get like this? I remembered you being so different."

"If you only knew how different I really am, Nisha then we would all be in trouble."

The scene flew by and Miniko/Higashi couldn't stop of the flood of memories and emotions. They were almost too great. The hatred of the people she felt when the past bearer of Hardrock was put to death was no match for the hatred and destruction unleashed by Minami's wrath afterwards. It was as she had promised. She had unleashed every natural disaster on the land that she could think of. All of the royal forces tried to stop her and she mowed them down like insects. There were so many deaths, so much destruction.

The royal family was next and then, as promised, Miniko/Higashi recalled that Minami finish her threat. She remembered she saw Minami kill Myune/Kita as she, too lay dying by Minami's hand. Miniko was gasping by the time she recovered her senses. So much boiled inside her as she remembered she also recently graduated high school and wanted to be a nurse, maybe even get married. But now she was in a different world--even though it was the world she was always meant to be in.

"Do you see now?" Myune asked, still looking calm. Almost like stone. "Do you understand what I fear will happen? What I'm trying to stop?"

Miniko fought to catch her breath. "We can't let her come back, can we?"

"No. It might mean complete destruction for this world if she's allowed back. But that girl..." Myune shook her head. "I honestly wasn't trying to hurt her like that. I understand she is an innocent through all this. But if Minami is going to use her as a vessel to this world, we may have to do something very unfair to that girl."

"The life of one to save the lives of many," Miniko replied, sounding more like her previous self. "You've always thought like that."

"Indeed. It's a hard truth. But it is the truth."

"But--" Miniko grabbed Myune's sleeve as a memory came back to her. "We died before Minami was killed. we have no way of knowing if her soul was properly sealed. Or --how did they even kill her without anyone to help them?"

"We know," Myune confirmed. "By this time, the Armor Bearers were being hunted by Talpa during the confusion. They were unable to aid in her capture. There was one priestess left who saw to her death. Nisha took her down."

"DIANA?" Miniko squeaked. She always seemed so...harmless! "Torrent took out Hardrock?"

"As I have been told. And I greatly hope she remembers how to again if the worst should happen. Come, I sense the two Torrents are going to be leaving that girl's room. We need to get in there and see that girl's situation for ourselves. If we get there early enough, we may even be able to save her."

Miniko nodded and followed the Halo Priestess out. But as she left, something Minami said came back to haunt her.

"If you only knew how different I really am, then we would all be in trouble."

Rowen didn't have anyone to bother. Sage had locked his room to meditate. Kento was gone. Hariel had already called dibs on bugging Ryo. And Cye...Cye had other things to worry about and Rowen wasn't completely heartless.

With nothing else better to do, Strata sat himself down on a balcony with a big sigh. He was worried and without anything to distract him, he had to think about it. He worried about the battle, about Yanushi, about Myune. But mostly, he worried about Robyn. Her injury had affected him just as badly as it had affected the others. Rowen just didn't know how to show it.

If Robyn had died–Rowen wasn't sure how he would have taken it. He was used to losing things. With his parent's divorce, he was always being passed around from place to place and person to person. It was better not to get too attached to one thing and one way of life. But no one had ever died on him. His mother and father may have been far apart, but they were always just a phone call away if he really needed them.

To loose someone for good; that thought was frightening. And it made him realize the full reality of his situation. When they went out to participate in this war, there was a very real possibility that any of them could get hurt or even killed. It made a horrible sinking feeling in Rowen's chest. He worried not so much for himself, but for his friends. What would he do if he lost someone for good? The Ronins, Mia, even Miniko. Would he be able to handle it? Would he be able to do anything to prevent it?

Rowen was starting to understand how Cye often felt and why he always spoke up against them fighting.

"What are you doing here?" A young girl's voice caught his attention. Queen Laelia was now standing before him. "You're about to go to war. Are you just going to sit out here? By yourself?"

Rowen sighed inward and out. This was the last person he wanted to talk to.

"Is there something I can...do for you?" he asked in a non too helpful tone.

Laelia either ignored his tone or didn't notice it. She stepped out onto the balcony next to him and looked up at the sky. "You're going off to fight later this evening," she said. "We all are," Rowen replied, failing to see her point. "It's what all of YOU wanted us to do since you brought us here."

Laelia stayed quiet, but Rowen noticed her grip the side of the balcony tightly. Rowen sighed again. Crap, I'm going to have to TALK to her.

"So...what's up?" he ventured.

"Up?" Laelia questioned, looking confused. "Like...?" She pointed skyward.

"No, I mean, what's on your mind? What are you thinking about?"

Laelia's expression fell again and she looked at her hands. Rowen waited semi-patiently for her to speak.

What does she want from me? Doesn't she have anything better to do? She IS the queen, after all. Certainly there is something more important–

"What if...you don't make it back from this?" Laelia spoke. "What if I don't ever see you again?" She looked up at Rowen's surprised face, her eyes wide and watery. "I don't want anything to happen to you."

For a while, Rowen didn't know how to reply. He wasn't any good with kids--or with people for that matter. What was he supposed to say? He hardly knew her.

"Now why...why is a kid like you worry about things like that? We have our armors, right? Nothing's going to hurt us."

He had said it with gusto, but the little queen did not reflect his confidence. Instead, her tears began to fall. Rowen's shoulders fell as he wondered what he had said now.

"You--You're an idiot!" Laelia rasped as she scrubbed at her eyes with her sleeve.

"Me?" Rowen demanded.

"You don't know anything!" Laelia yelled at him. "You judge me just because I look like a child!"

"Well it's hard to do anything else," Rowen shot back, a bit annoyed. "You won't TELL us anything, so how CAN I do anything but assume, Your Highness?" The last two words were full of sarcasm.

"I am NOT a child!" Laelia shouted, stamping her foot. "I'm older than you, you big jerk! YOU'RE the one who's a child! You're only 19!"

"ONLY?" Rowen repeated.

"You want to know so bad? Fine! Since it all happened 100 years ago--when Minami came and tore this kingdom apart--no one has aged. NO ONE."

"No one?" Rowen echoed again. "But that means--"

"Yes," the Queen nodded and Rowen began to see the true age in her eyes. "We know for sure all that has been told to you has happened because we all were there. And you--" Her eyes started to water again. "You like that girl and I don't understand! Why do you listen to her? Why do you take her side? She's going to bring back Minami! Minami killed my parents!"

With that, she threw herself at Rowen, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face in his stomach.

"I can't take this!" she cried. "Why does this have to happen? Why did she have to do this to all of us?"

Rowen loosely put his arms around the sobbing form. He kind of felt bad, now. This girl, however old she was, never wanted anything bad for them. She was as much a victim as any one. But Rowen didn't know what to do for her. All he knew was that there was no option left for them as the Ronin Warriors but to fight this war--a fight to protect Laelia's kingdom. But now Laelia did not want him to go. What should he do?

He looked up for answers and what he saw made Rowen's breath catch in his throat.

Shinsetsu looked up from his study as he heard someone come in. He did not need eyes to know who it was.

"Get out," he said simply. "You're not welcome here, Shinmei."

"That kind of attitude is what started this whole mess in the first place," the old woman responded. "Besides, being rude to me isn't going to stop what is about to happen, my brother."

Shinsetsu rose to his feet, alarm clear in his actions. "What have you done?" he breathed.

"You, of all people should know, you cannot stop Destiny," Shinmei responded. "How can you want to continue to live in a world that stagnates forever? I don't want to stay in this old body for another 100 years. And this entire kingdom is living in a foolish dream if they think they can beat this destiny or avoid paying restitution for what it has done."

Shinsetsu did not turn around. "They have to hope," he said quietly. "It is what has kept us going all these years. Yes, it may have been written in countless books that this world will soon come to an end, but I believe one can change one's destiny is one has enough power of will. If one person can find the courage and the strength of heart to deviate from an unalterable path, then the possibilities are endless."

Shinmei gave a loud, hollow laugh. "And you think five confused young men with armors are going to be able to do that? My dear brother, I'm afraid you may have errored in that type of thinking. One may be able to find the power to change their destiny, but those young men will not find that kind of power here. You have pushed them all into hating this world. They will not fight for it like they fought against Talpa. They have no reason to. Although..." She paused for affect, knowing her blind, twin brother was all ears. "I may have helped your cause even more than you have."

Shinsetsu swallowed. "What do you mean?" he asked in a raspy voice.

Though he could not see, he could feel his sister give him a gloating smile behind his back.

"When Miniami comes, those five are going to take a VERY personal interest in your war. But even then, I doubt it will be enough to deviate from what Destiny has planned. That is quite a feat, even for them."

Shinsetsu turned his head. "You mean IF Minami comes, don't you?"

Shinmei cackled again. "Oh my dear, sweet, NAIVE brother. She's already here. She's been under your nose for quite a while now."

The woman continued to laugh and Shinsetsu's trembling fist closed around a small bag on his desk. He clutched it and spun around, hurling the small bag at his sister. The laughing was gone even before the bag exploded. A green light came from it and wrapped around the area, spreading to cover the door, then racing to touch the walls, ceiling and floor. Shinsetsu sighed as he sat down in the now quiet room. That blocking spell might stop his sister from coming back to heckle him for a time, but not forever. Plus, Shinmei was right. It seemed a fool's wish to hope that the destiny of Falnan could be altered. So far, he was doing a poor job of it and he could just feel the walls of inevitability closing in.

Though Shinmei had, in her own way, gave warning of what was coming, Shinsetsu made no move to stop it. Instead, he sat back down with a heavy breath, clutched his hands to his head, and hoped.

Rowen couldn't believe his eyes. Robyn was walking by, crossing the threshold of the balcony. She stopped to look at him, her face was blank. Her front was soaked in blood where she had been stabbed and her appearance didn't seem quite solid. Rowen could see the pattern of the tapestry right through her. The apparition only stopped for a moment before continuing by and out of sight.

"Robyn," he breathed as he tore from Laelia's grip and ran into the hall.

He heard the young queen's cry of surprise at the sudden movement, but ignored it. Rowen frantically gazed down both ends of the long corridor. There was no one anywhere. The hairs on the back of Rowen's neck began to stand on end. What had he just seen?

Panic filled his heart. He had seen Robyn's phantom go one way, but he raced the opposite, down the hall towards her room. He was sure Laelia was trying to follow, but she would never catch up. Not only were his legs longer, but Rowen could run like the wind when he had to. She would never catch up.

Rowen tore through the corridors so fast, Cye and Diana almost didn't notice him until he was right on top of them. They were coming up the opposite way at a casual pace. Rowen practically attacked Cye, grabbing his shoulders urgently.

"Robyn!" Strata barked at him. "Where is she? What happened to her?"

Both Torrents looked at him in confusion and alarm.

"What are you talking about?" Cye demanded. "We only left her room a few minutes ago. She was sleeping. She's just fine."

Rowen shook his head. "No...no...Something's wrong..."

He pulled away and stumbled down the hall, as if in a daze, but still determined. Cye and Diana looked at each other before Cye turned to follow after him. Rowen was being ridiculous. They had just barely left Robyn who was sleeping peacefully alone in her room. But Cye still had to check. If nothing else, then to yell at Rowen for scaring him. There couldn't really be anything wrong. At least, he hoped not.

After her discussion with Yanushi, Mia went back to her room, inviting Anubis to come along. There was a lot of new information to think about and she mulled it all over in her head. It was all so different now. Everything she had previously believed had been wrong. Just when she thought she had it all figured out, a new door opened with infinitely more possibilities. More history to learn and research. It was so exciting.

She glanced over at Anubis. They both had been quiet since they had gotten back. Mia was sure he was thinking about the same things she was, but she wanted to ask anyway.

"What's on your mind?"

The spirit glanced up at her and then back out the window. His expression wasn't as excited as hers was. It looked more thoughtful. Perhaps even a bit concerned.

"I was just thinking," Anubis said slowly. "About how everything that has happened–in their past and ours–is all coming together. It feels as if it was all meant to happen this way. Like it's moving towards one certain destiny and then, perhaps, another. Every life, every action is pulled towards something in the distance that we cannot yet see, but a greater power has mapped out for us since before we were even born. Perhaps there is one ultimate destiny where all life will eventually lead. We are the ones trapped in the middle. We were unable to see the beginning and we may not see the end. All we can do is continue on this path, not knowing where it leads."

Mia tilted her head. "You make it sound like we have no choice. That someone else has already made all our choices for us. Do you think where we end up is not our decision?"

Anubis looked thoughtful. "It feels more like destiny already knows the decisions we are going to make and plotted our path accordingly. Either way, it feels like everything is flowing in a certain direction, faster now. Whatever the purpose was for coming here, it's all going to happen soon." His face grew more stern. "I feel, it may be a bit difficult for our warriors, but I don't think they can move on without these events."

Cye and Rowen arrived at Robyn's room. This close, Cye was starting to feel the anxiety as well. He stared at the door handle and a prickling sensation began to crawl up the back of his neck. Rowen might have been right. Something felt wrong here. With heart beating faster, Cye pushed open the door.

"You've gotten quiet," Ryo accused of his companion.

Hariel looked up. "Have I?"

Ryo nodded. Hariel hadn't stopped talking and teasing him since they had left the war room. The deity had been in rare form, bringing up old memories and happily talking about good times in general. Ryo had been in awe of how much Hariel seemed to remember as White Blaze. It felt good to talk and laugh about some things that only he and the tiger would have known.

But a cloud had shadowed Hariel's face quickly and his playful demeanor vanished without warning. Ryo had caught him staring out the window of his room and wondered why the sudden change.

Hariel gave him a weak smile; almost apologetic. "Sometimes, life is hard and we don't understand why things happen the way they do. But we have to stay strong and do the best we can and have faith that everything will turn out okay. Do you understand what I'm saying, Ryo?"

Ryo looked at him with wide eyes. His words alarmed Wildfire quite a bit and the anxiety began to build in his veins.

"Do you know what's going to happen, Hariel?" Ryo asked, his throat dry.

The deity nodded solemnly. "It was meant to happen. I can't stop it."

"It's going to be hard," Ryo surmised.

Hariel smiled weakly. "Aren't most things in life? Otherwise, why would it be worth living?"

Ryo didn't respond to the question. "But...it's all going to turn out okay, right?"

Hariel looked into Ryo's hopeful eyes and then he had to look away; out the window.

"I...I really don't know..."

Cye cracked the door and then flew it wide open. His blood turned to ice in his veins when he saw the room. He hardly felt Rowen shove past him to get inside. This was a nightmare.

"We...we were only gone for a few seconds..." Cye mumbled, hardly able to believe his eyes.

The room was in shambles. In the middle, was a large bed, snapped completely in half. The remains of several yards of frayed rope were scattered about, a sign they were also snapped by brute strength. The fact that there was only a little bit of blood about the place didn't give Cye an ounce of comfort in the least. Robyn was gone and his world felt like it was crashing.

"Oh no!" Diana gasped as she came in. "What happened?"

"I'll tell you what happened!" came the reply from an extremely pissed off Rowen. He pulled an ornamental sword off the wall and kicked at a body laying on the ground. "Someone came back to finish the job she started!"

Myune moaned as she was kicked back into consciousness. Blood dripped down her face from a gash on her forehead. It took a while to recall where she was and what happened. It was hard to concentrate with the tip of a blade aimed at her heart.

"What did you do to Robyn?" Rowen demanded, real threat in his voice.

"I don't have her," Myune replied, calm and icy.

Cye didn't think it was possible. It wasn't often he saw Rowen get so angry, but Strata was now even more steamed.

"You tell me what you did to her, or I'll--"

"Please stop! She didn't do it!" Miniko called as she pulled herself out from under some upturned furniture. She looked just as worse for wear as Myune did. "Please, put down your sword, Lord Strata! We didn't come to hurt Robyn. If you don't believe her, then believe me! We were trying to save her before Minami took over!"

"Which we failed," Myune said darkly. "We were trying to save that girl from--"

"That girl--the one you stabbed? The one you tried to kill?" Rowen snarled, his blade moving up to Myune's jugular.

Miniko and Diana looked alarmed.

"Rowen," Cye said, gently putting a hand on his friend's arm. "Come on, what are you going to do? Kill her? It's not worth it and Robyn wouldn't want you to."

Rowen steeled back his rage with a heavy breath, lowering his weapon.

"What happened here?" Diana asked. For the first time ever, the Torrent Priestess looked a bit miffed herself.

"I've had a feeling Minami's been crawling around in that girl's body for a while now," Myune replied. She took note that Rowen still hadn't completely lowered his weapon. "We were attempting to place a seal on that girl's soul while she slept in hopes of keeping Minami from taking control while her body was weak. But..." She glared at the broken bed.

"We didn't get to finish," Miniko continued. "All I remember is when we were about to do the spell, her eyes suddenly opened and then...nothing. She moved so fast! It was incredible!"

"You're lucky she didn't kill you." Rowen's voice was chilling. There was no concern in it at all. The words he left unspoken seemed to say 'Because you would have deserved it.'

Cye stared at him. Rowen was a pain, but he had never seen him this...heartless; angry. It wasn't like him at all. In fact, he had been the last of them to loose patience with this world. Was it all really coming down to this?

"At any rate, it's Minami's move now," Myune informed them. "Like it or not, we will all be joining in with the army's attack on Akuma's kingdom. I am sure she will find us when she's ready. Right now, the main priority is to stop him before more innocent lives are lost."

She moved to leave the room.

"Wait!" Cye called. "What about Robyn! We can't just wait until she decides to show up! She's hurt! We have to--"

Myune stopped and looked at him. "If you see her, you must remember that she is no longer the person you knew. To trust her might mean your death, Lord Torrent." She turned to leave again. "You better hope that girl–Robyn–is strong."

With that, Myune walked off. Miniko, though looking quite torn, hurried to follow. Diana stayed where she was, her eyes riveted on Cye. He looked so lost, so hurt. Something inside her hurt for him. She wanted to comfort her Lord, but the clatter of a sword on the floor stopped her.

Rowen stepped up, giving a warning glare to Diana as he put a hand to Cye's head, pulling him to him protectively. Cye stepped closer, almost resting his forehead on Rowen's shoulder, but refusing to move in all the way. His eyes were shut tight with his fists clenched to his sides. It was all his pride would allow him to do.

Rowen continued to watch Diana suspiciously. Cye may have trusted her, but he had given up all confidence in these priestesses. He was not going to let any of them near his friends again. And he told Diana so with his eyes.

The Priestess of Torrent knew when she was not wanted and regretfully retreated from the room with a respectful bow.

Once alone, Cye lost the battle with his tears. No matter how tightly he shut his eyes, twin streams flowed hotly down his cheeks. Rowen put both arms around his friend and hugged his shoulders. Cye still kept his fists to his sides and refused to return the gesture; but Rowen understood.

"This is all our fault," Cye whispered through gritted teeth. "We never should have brought her here."

Rowen stayed quiet. He didn't know how to answer. Even more so, he didn't know how they were going to tell Sage what had happened, or Ryo.