Heart: A Ronin Warriors Fanfic
By: Malaizjan De Jesus
Author's Notes: This story was inspired by a young woman only known as 'Aleksa.' No one seems to know what happened to this young woman except that others are claiming to be this woman, and I am assuming that this is a woman, and that is simply not true. I do not know who this person is but I have thought of writing such a thing and I hope that this is almost at the standard of the other author that I mentioned.
Story Notes: I an focusing on Sage of the Halo, or in the Japanese version, Kourin no Seiji. I will stick with the American version names and armor, except for Sage. I am using the name Seiji. However the other Ronins will call him Sage. Secondly, This is part of a concept that I came up with. There are others out there that are trying to use such a concept. This is mine and cannot be used without permission. The Ancient Armors, names and powers are mine. The names of the new characters are also mine. Ask for permission of use.
Chapter 3
Kayura felt Dais' arms around her waist as they stared at the fire in their cabin near the ruined relic that was Talpa's palace. They were waiting on the arrival of Cale and Sehkmet. "Dais…something's wrong."
"I know." His voice quivered slightly. He knew something was indeed wrong. He knew things that the others weren't aware of. He could sense the stirring of power being localized in one place…the one place that he had always found solace in: Catelyn's Palace. But if Sehkmet and Cale sensed the same thing, they would have gone toward it. Sehkmet and Cale were older than Dais, more seasoned than him…yet there was a nagging feeling that something was happening in the shadows…and it was about to go mainstream…
"Kayura…gather your things. We're going to the Ronins. We're not safe." Dais released Kayura and turned to watch the door and windows.
Recognizing the low tone in his voice, Kayura left him to gather her bags. While she was gone, Dais saw the flicker of shadows by the window. His stomach knotted. He didn't want it to be true.
Kayura came back quickly with two bags. "Dais, I'm going to open the portal." She raised her staff and chanted quietly. The portal to the ningenkai opened and Dais rushed her through right after he stepped in.
Seconds later, the door blew up, scattering the splinters everywhere. Treyon entered the home first, sword raised. Then his twin, Vaeyon followed. Both were hard to tell apart with the braided black hair and coal-colored eyes.
"They're gone," Vaeyon commented. "I wanted blood."
"Dais sensed us," Treyon said. "We will not fail Master Talpa. We will get him and Kayura. Since he's being a coward, shall we travel to the ningenkai?"
Vaeyon grinned wickedly.
The twin Aztec warriors walked back out, the need of blood lusting in their eyes.
Kento stood up when Cye came back into the house. "Hey Cye. You okay?"
"Yeah. Just worried." Cye then headed off to the kitchen.
Ryo quickly stood next to Kento. "Go outside and clear your head, Kento. Maybe that's all Cye needed."
"You'll talk to him, right?" Kento asked.
"Yeah." Ryo headed off to the kitchen.
Kento opened the door and exited.
Outside, balanced precariously on a tree branch of a tree closest to the Ronin home, was a girl about 16 years of age. She was unseen at the moment. 'I love hiding among everyone.' She watched Kento as he headed to the trees and to the beginning of the forest. She had long, white hair that was pulled into a thick braid as her blue eyes flashed. Her outfit was very similar to the one Kayura had worn in the days before she turned good. Her leggings were black and the tank-style bodysuit was a deep gray. Over her C-cup breasts was a bronze breastplate, extending over the shoulders and down to her wrists.
Around her waist was the same metal, styled like the Ronins' armor, protecting her thighs and butt. From her knees down were her shin guards. Settled on her left hip was a large bronze ring, and behind her, resting on the upper thigh was a bronze metal staff. On her thighs were her sais, one on each thigh.
She waited for Kento to move under the tree she was in and braced herself to land behind him. She wanted her shot at Kento, because he was considered the strongest of the Ronins. In the Dynasty, few could match her skill. At least, her father said so. And if Treyon and Vaeyon did their job, Kayura and Dais would not be able to help…
Kento stood at the edge of the forest, looking out into it. He thought about Sage and now the trouble the Warrior of Wisdom was in. He suspected that Sage was hidden something…something that might help clear up what was going on. But the blond was notorious for not revealing much about himself. Only Rowen knew him well, and the blue-haired boy wasn't the type to spill the bearer of Halo's secrets. He felt the faintest of wind behind him and he whirled around. And came face-to-face with a small girl with white hair pulled into a braid and dark, bronzed-colored makeshift armor. It reminded him of Kayura's armor when he first met her. And now, this girl wore something similar. On her left wrist was a dulled-colored gold bracelet with a white pearl in its middle. His stomach flopped. "Who are you?" Kento demanded. 'Damn, she looks like Dais.'
"I am the strongest of the New Dynasty Warlords. And you are Kento of Hard Rock, the strongest of the Ronin Warriors. I challenged you, warrior. To a battle of strength and skill. Do you accept?"
"New Dynasty Warlords! Talpa's still alive!" 'That can't be!'
"Of course," she said calmly, as if it was common knowledge.
"CYE! RYO! WE GOT COMPANY!" cried Kento, as he shifted to his left side to a fighting stance.
Just as the door was thrown open, the girl smiled. "Wrong move, Hard Rock." She raised her left arm into the air. "ARMOR OF THE CRESCENT SUN! DIYA-NICHI!"
"WHAT THE-!" Kento heard Ryo say.
The sun that was set so high in the sky was suddenly eclipsed by a dark mass. It darkened the skies and ground, blackening everything as sakura petals rained down on them all. As the petals touched the girl, they transformed the makeshift armor into a deep bronze and off-white armor. A cloth was belted over her body, the symbol marking what was happening in the sky. All of her weapons were in the same exact locations as before, except the sais, which were now in her hands. She then whispered something and 400 of Talpa's soldiers came existence. "Soldiers! Attack the remaining Ronins! Hard Rock is mine!"
The soldiers ran right toward Cye and Ryo, who began to armor up as they ran to help Kento.
Kento called on his armor as well.
She stood there, waiting. "I am called Catelyn." It was said with such calm, as if there was no impending battle awaiting her.
Kento charged at Catelyn while the others were engaged by the soldiers. When he was close enough, she grabbed his tetsubo as it was lunged at her. She winced as the blades pierced her skin. But she kept a hold on it and threw him and the tetsubo aside. "I hope you still want to fight me. That wasn't much of a shot." She smiled at him. As if this was nothing but a game she was playing.
Kento glared at her with uncaring eyes. "You wanted to fight me? You got it!" With that, he charged her again.
She quickly pulled out her bo staff and extending it, she lunged it at Kento. He dodged the bo staff as it was aimed at his head. He tried to sweep her legs from under her, but Catelyn dodged the leg sweep, and elbowed him in the jaw. He staggered back, blood arcing from his mouth. He placed his hand against his jaw. It was sore and she wasn't pulling punches. She landed a few feet from him, her bo staff held out to defend herself should he try to ram her again. He took the time to admire this girl. Checking her earlier confirmed the lush curves she was sporting. He couldn't help himself; he was definitely interested in Catelyn. It was just too bad she was on the wrong side.
Then again, when has that stopped Kento of Hard Rock?
Catelyn watched how Kento stared at her with interest. He was definitely thinking something the way his expressions ran across his face. She felt like a girl in that moment, blushing slightly at being noticed. She then shook her head, realizing the gravity of the situation. "Hey get that goddamn smirk off your face and fight, idiot!" She ran up on him and smacked him in the face.
"Wha-?" Kento snapped out of his stupor, but Catelyn was on him. A hit to his knee buckled him, a kick to his ribs rattled them, a second slap to his face pissed him off. When her fist came for another punch, he grabbed it. Dropping his tetsubo, he managed to punch her hard in the ribs before she flipped herself free and away from him. "What? Running away already?"
"Not by a long shot, Kento." Catelyn felt the pain in her ribs. She heard the crack of her armor and winced, gathering herself for her next assault. The stories were true-Kento was so strong that he could crack her armor, an Ancient Armor no less. She would not lose to him.
Kento wasn't going to wait. He swung a punch at her head but she dodged it, falling on her butt and kicked upward with her leg. Kento back-flipped away, her kick barely making contact. He startled himself by doing such a move. "So you're a kicker. Should've known you'd try that like every other girl."
Catelyn got back up. 'The stories never said he was agile too! Then again, by looking at him, no one could see that.' Her eyes flashed again. "I'm not like every other girl, Kento." She glanced at her hands, seeing blood there. She hadn't seen her own blood in nearly two years. She saw Kento come at her again, fist cocked. She caught it as soon as he threw it. "You made me bleed, jerk!" She kicked him in the balls.
Kento gasped, clutching himself and falling to the ground. Not even mystical armor could have protected him from such a blow.
Catelyn sat on top of him the instant he was down. She threw a hand to his throat as she grasped one of her sais. He began to choke. He struggled to move his arms but something was holding them down. And Catelyn obviously didn't weigh enough to hold down his arms. "That was fun, Kento. But I have to end it. Sage is mine. He will join us Warlords. Remember that." Her sai was raised and lowered.
Kento let out an agonizing cry as the sai penetrated his armor and went completely through it in seconds. The grass under Kento turned red, and a pool was forming. Catelyn got up and smiled. Then her eyes flashed again and a sadness touched her features. "Tootles, Ronins!" she called out. She then faded away in a swirling fog.
"KENTO!" cried Cye as he caught the blow that took Kento down. He knew he had to hurry. Cye fought back in earnest as he slowly made his way to Kento.
"WEB OF DECEPTION!"
"QUAKE WITH FEAR!"
Webbing and chains infused with energy hit many Dynasty soldiers as Kayura and Dais came toward them in full armor as well. It freed up Cye and he dashed to Kento's side.
With the help of Kayura and Dais, Ryo was able to send the soldiers packing and once the soldiers were gone, all of them ran to Cye and Kento's side. Kayura immediately went to her knees and bowed her head trying to heal Kento.
Kento's eyes opened up instantly, feeling the pain of healing that was so evident in his eyes. "Where…is she? Cye?" he whispered. "Where is she, Cye!"
"Rest, Kento. We got you," came Ryo's voice.
"She…she said…her name was Catelyn. Talpa's alive. And Sage was…hers…" his voice trailed off, passing out again.
Dais went pale at the news.
Rowen and Sage got ready for the ceremony in silence. Each young man was in his own thoughts.
Rowen couldn't believe that Sage never said a word about the people he'd seen or that they mentioned his family by name. That meant that whoever Rikshiran worked for, knew of the Date family. And Sage was in danger now. But why did this person, demon or whatever want Sage?
Sage pulled on his jacket and felt like something wasn't right. It was either his nerves or that whoever wanted him was watching and waiting…He looked at the balcony door.
"Sage? What is it?"
Sage took a quick glance at Rowen then at the seemly empty space in front of the balcony door that was connected to his old room. "Nothing. It's…nothing." He turned to leave the room, seeing as Rowen was already out the door. He looked back again at the balcony doors. Then he left.
Rowen and Sage found everyone outside near the terrace, which was off to the right of the house. Raine and Amie were outside with their long kimonos, along with Sara Date. Daio and Masamunte wore black suits. All of them went before the small shrine that was made and placed within the terrace. "We ask our ancestors to bless our current family as it is," began Daio. "We humbly ask for their help once again. Our charge is still missing after 7 years. It is not the fault of my son. A child cannot protect and undo the mistakes of the adults." Daio glanced at his father to silence him. "The attacks have begun again. Only our charge and my son can end this war forever. Help us, ancestors."
The sky crackled with thunder for several minutes…Then the sky opened up and a ray of light shined onto Rowen and Sage. The rest of the family smiled, realizing that the ancestors of the Date family were bestowing their strength onto them, the two warriors present. After several minutes, the ray of light dissipated and the sky darkened again.
"Seiji…Rowen…it looks like you two are going to find our missing charge," Daio beamed. "You two have been blessed."
Sage and Rowen looked at each other.
Their secret would have to come out now.
They knew they couldn't do it alone.
The others had to know too.
And even the former Warlords.
Both were thinking the same thing.
If the Dynasty was after Sage, then the Date family's charge was in the Dynasty.
And if that was true, the former warlords were the only ones that could help them locate this charge. And if they found this charge-
The Dynasty is so dead.
Cale slowly woke up. His head pounded as he lifted his head. And cursed in an ancient language.
He recognized Talpa's throne room. For a moment, he thought someone had rebuilt it but when he saw the gold and silver thread that weaved through the walls, he knew.
"Hello, Cale," came a soft, menacing voice. The greeter was a young girl, about 5 feet tall…with piercing blue eyes and white hair. "Cale, you don't think I'm a ghost, do you?" she asked after seeing his shocked look.
"You're…you're alive! I saw you dead! I helped lower you into the ground!"
"No, you didn't. My father was able to save me. He warned me that you and Sehkmet would lie. Since you're going over to meet up with Sehkmet, know now that your armors are with Talpa. And you won't be getting them back."
"Catelyn! Talpa always hated your goodness! He could not have destroyed it!" he reasoned. Dais had been in charge of the young girl from her birth until her untimely death.
"JUBAN! Treyon and Vaeyon will escort you to your final resting place…" Catelyn turned on her heels and calmly walked away.
Dais waited until Cye and Ryo were settled in before talking. "I know this Catelyn that Kento spoke of."
Ryo took a quick look at Dais. "What do you mean?"
"Catelyn…is a strong warrior. And she is…my baby sister."
"WHAT!" cried Cye. "She put a hole in Kento!"
"Catelyn was resurrected by Talpa 5 years ago. But she doesn't know that. So the fact that she's out in the open means…Talpa is alive. And active."
"FUCK!" cried Ryo.
"And there's something else you should know," Dais added. He didn't want to reveal what he was about to. He seemed ashamed to ever admit such a thing. "It's about Talpa."
Ryo snapped. He grabbed Dais by the front of his shirt and jerked Dais to him. "You son of a bitch! You knew he was alive!"
"Ryo!" Dais pushed him away. "Let me finish, damn you! Talpa is my sire!"
Utter silence…
Stunned silence…
A pin dropped.
Cye, the voice of reason, stared at Dais in disbelief. "You're serious."
"I am. I would never joke of such a horrible thing. Let me explain…Talpa had five children," Dais began. "I'm the middle child. Hariel and Savron were older. Lai and Catelyn were younger. Talpa had Hariel killed when Hariel challenged him. Savron was killed in battle. Lai was poisoned by an enemy of the Dynasty. But Catelyn…my little sister…that's his true treasure. She was…she was assassinated as a child. Then five mortal years ago, she came back. Healed and hardened. I thought it was some sick joke. But Talpa assured me that it was her and she never died." Dais' fists were balled. "It was strange having her around again. The decade without her was bad for me. We were close. Pretty close-to the point that I didn't want her like me. It was too late when she was attacked…This isn't easy to speak of. I know Talpa really wants Sage. Catelyn was always protected, staying at the second palace until now. He's out to get what he thinks is his."
"Which is Sage. But why?" Ryo asked.
"I wish I knew," came Dais' answer.
"And no one knew?" asked Cye.
"Anubis was the only one I ever told. I mean, if I told everyone, then everyone would have been after me for favors. I was only a favored son as long as I obeyed him and had the armor."
"I was wondering when you would say something." Kayura saw three sets of eyes on her as she made her way down the steps to them.
"How did you know?" Dais demanded of her.
"I have Anubis' armor. I gained all of his knowledge when he gave it to me," she answered. She stared at Dais. "Tell them everything, Dais. No holding back."
Leigha-Shae stood next to Matriatrix as Talpa entered their spell casting room. It was a rare appearance for Talpa but when he dared venture in, Matriatrix always made sure her daughter was present.
"Matriatrix." His authority-laced voice held a hint of respect for the ancient sorceress. "Is the armor ready?"
"Yes, my Lord." Matriatrix waved her hand. A small, darkened sphere appeared. Within it was a gray bracelet with a small, lapis-lazuli colored pearl captured between two golden links. "I have found one of the Ancient Armors of legend."
"We will proceed with the plan to capture Sage of the Halo. Once he is here, force the Armor of the Heavens onto him. Without the Date family to guide them, the Ronin Warriors will fall." Talpa's eyes sought out Matriatrix's daughter. "Leigha-Shae. You will go and capture Halo for me. My daughter has completed her task. I would like a true demonstration of your abilities."
Leigha-Shae bowed to Talpa. "As you wish, Lord Talpa." The dark sorceress' daughter turned on her heels and quietly left the room.
"Inform me when Halo is in our possession, Matriatrix." Talpa then exited the room as well.
Matriatrix grinned to herself. 'Everything is going according to plan…'
Ryo listened intently to Dais. He couldn't believe that several women thought sleeping with the demon lord was a good idea. Or that Talpa had five kids, Dais included. "Your mom…was she willing?"
Cye elbowed Ryo. "Ryo!"
"Um…it was a duty to her. I mean, she was taken from her kingdom and family. But she made the best of it. My eldest brother was long gone by the time I was fifteen. He hated my mother. Hariel gave her respect at least. She died shortly after Catelyn was born, leaving me to raise her and Lai alone. Hariel did his best to help but none of us knew anything about a girl. And they both died before they were thirteen." Dais seemed saddened by the knowledge, which meant he blamed himself for their deaths.
"So Catelyn is your resurrected sister. You sure?"
"It was her, Wildfire. See, Catelyn had such power that Talpa wanted her to use it. But she was unwilling to. So he found a way to bring her back to use her powers. However, her powers were severely altered."
"How so?" came Kayura's question.
"She was a shadow necromancer. But now, she lost that power. And he may not be aware of it. She can still weave illusions, but that's it. The ability to trap anyone in a dark dream or to cast shadow over their bodies until they suffocated were gone. She can manipulate fire and light, and she never had those powers. I do not think they are her real powers. They may be the result of tampering with life and death itself." Dais closed his eye. "I do not envy her. He had to tap into some serious demon magic to bring her back. And I doubt Catelyn's soul is at peace." He opened his eye again. "She doesn't deserve to have her soul tortured in such a way."
"So there may be a weakness we can use." Kayura went deep into thought. "Dais, I suspect the reason Talpa wants us four captured is you. The two of you have a deep connection. One strong enough to break his hold on her."
The phone rang, cutting into the conversation. Cye picked it up on the third ring. After a few seconds, Cye cut in. "WHOA! Mia, calm down. I-I don't think I heard you right…WHAT!" Cye's eyes widened in shock. "Okay, we're coming! Stay out of the way!" Cye hung up the phone. "Mia stumbled on a fight. Sage and Rowen are fighting someone. And their car was flipped over."
Kayura took charge. "I'll stay here. You three go help."
Dais, Ryo and Cye nodded in agreement.
One moment they were there.
The next…they were gone.
"Sage?"
The soft voice startled Sage. He found himself in a serene forest. He knew he was dreaming-the forest was from the back of his home, a home he had left several years back until recently. He turned slowly, afraid to see the owner of the voice, knowing that he himself was not as strong as he acted.
The soft voice belonged to a tall sixteen-year-old girl with long brown hair and bright eyes. She was wearing torn dark jeans and a top that barely covered her breasts. She gave such a warm smile that he nearly choked with emotion. "Hi."
"Katie? You're alive!" he whispered, tears flowing freely. "My god…what happened to you!"
"I'll live, silly brother." Katie turned sideways, as if to look over her shoulder. "Why aren't you using you powers, Onii-chan?"
"I-I can't. Talpa will know about me too." Sage sounded selfish to his own ears.
Katie chuckled. "He already knows. You can't be his." She sounded almost like she was pleading.
"My powers?" he asked. "Am I that important?"
"As important as the ningenkai's fate," she answered him. "You told me when we were little that I had to embrace my powers, no matter how destructive they were. And I have. So why aren't you using your own advice?"
"Katie, they don't know about my powers. I can't use them." He saw Katie's shocked look. "I haven't since-"
"Close your eyes." Katie walked to him, glowing a soft amber.
Sage noticed the glow. He waited until she got close and saw the laughter in her eyes. He missed her so much. "You got much taller." He then closed his eyes.
"You like tall." Katie closed her eyes reluctantly and her hands went to his temples.
Sage felt a pop in his head, and a warmth in his soul like no other. He felt her ki and was proud. Whatever was missing wasn't anymore. He was whole again. He opened his eyes, only to find Katie gone. Panic set in. "KATIE?"
"Use your heart, Onii-chan. Find me. I want to go home," her voice faded away as the wind blew.
"DON'T LEAVE ME!" cried Sage. He fell to his knees, sobbing into the graying night that had suddenly came about. "Don't leave me again," he whispered.
Sage woke up just as Rowen turned abruptly at the next bend in the road. Sage gripped the handle of the passenger door in horror as he woke up. "Ro, you drive like a maniac!"
"Nice to see that you're awake! Besides, Kento's hurt! You felt him too! So sue me if I want to get there sooner!" Rowen kept his eyes on the road.
"I'd like to get to him-alive!" Sage spoke out. But inside, he wondered why after all these years, he was dreaming of her.
Rowen let up on the gas petal just slightly.
Sage never let go of the door handle.
Right after the ceremony, they both felt Kento getting kneed (and it hurt) and they took Rowen's car back. They felt him get gutted-and because he was wearing his armor, it alarmed them.
Then someone flashed onto the road, and slammed a bo staff down onto the road. It was too late for Rowen to stop but he hit the brakes anyway. The car hit something and was lifted into the air. Both Rowen and Sage braced themselves, their sub-armors coming to them just as the car was thrown over the road guardrail.
Meanwhile, Mia Koji had just turned the bend, desperate to catch up to Sage and Rowen. She had seen Rowen's car driving at a high rate of speed and went after them. She slammed on her breaks, and watched in horror as Rowen's car was flipped over. She'd seen the payphone conveniently set a few feet away in a rest area. She jumped from the car to make the call.
After Mia hung, she ran to the other side of the road, climbed over the guardrail and began her decent down the overturned car.
Catelyn was overlooking a scroll in her small study when a thunderous pain flashed into her head. She grabbed it instantly, the pain too much to bear. "INA!" she screamed. "AMARI!" The pain was searing, terrible. Tears ran down the princess' eyes.
The servants ran into the study and saw Catelyn's obvious pain.
"Amari, get the healers. Tell Master Talpa! I'll try to ease the pain." Ina ran to Catelyn, placing a glowing hand on her head. "Easy princess. Amari is getting help. Try to relax."
Catelyn whimpered.
Ina watched as a glow came to the princess' forehead. As Ina looked more closely, she could make out a symbol. She gasped.
It was a Ronin kanji symbol.
Ina feared the worse-
The sixth Ronin Warrior was trying to break free.
And that Ronin's kanji?
HEART.
Translations:
Juban: roughly, silence