Chapter 15

The generals were scattered about in their room. Malice and Naga were sitting in chairs while Fuzen was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest. Karver stood close to the door as if he was waiting for someone to come in.

"Why are you so on edge?" Naga asked, glancing at him.

"I'm listening."

Fuzen gave him a sideways glance. "For what?"

"Her footsteps. They're light but with a confident stride in them."

"The things you focus on," muttered Malice, shaking his head. He grabbed his weapon and started sharpening it, too dull for his taste. He wanted his blade to slice his enemies in half, not simply injure them. "What do you even want with the girl?"

"It's been a while since I had a good lay, and she's perfect for what I had in mind." Karver licked his lips. "I want to see her break underneath me, to see her eyes lose the fire that is in them."

The three generals shared a knowing look. Karver was different than they were. They wanted to get their job done and over with, but Karver took his time. He watched them suffer, wanting until they lost the will to live before he killed them. It's not that the three generals weren't a fan of torture but that Karver enjoyed it was too much than the others. Karver tortured everyone that stood in front of him, man, woman, or child.

"You may want to be careful around her," warned Fuzen. "She is a Priestess after all and we are inhabiting the bodies of the Warlords. She could force us out of their bodies if she got a hold of you."

Karver turned to him. "It sounds to me you're scared a little girl, Fuzen."

"No, I'm just cautious."

They heard footsteps approaching the door and Malice and Naga got up from their seats while Fuzen pushed himself off the wall. Kai walked in, closing the door behind him before addressing the generals. "I'm here to deliver a message from Lord Sephiran. None of you are to touch the Priestess." He eyed each of them after he said that and his gaze lingered on Karver. "Anyone who does will answer to him."

"And why not?" challenged Karver.

"Stop it, Karver," Malice ordered.

Karver turned to him in disbelief. "You know what we did in the past. Our old master loved it when I broke his enemies."

"We serve a new master now and he ordered us not to touch the Priestess. Unless he says so the Priestess is off limit, am I clear?"

"But-"

Malice took a step towards him, cutting off what he was going to say. "I said am." Step. "I." Step. "Clear." He stood inches from Karver.

"Crystal," Karver gritted out.

"Good."

"Let Mika know when you see her," said Kai, turning to leave the room. Malice and Naga sat back down and Karver stormed out of the room, slamming the door shut. Fuzen rolled his eyes at Karver's immature nature and walked over towards Mika's room to relay to her what Kai had said, but when he opened the door, Mika wasn't in her room.

Tiffany sat on the mattress, rubbing her hands up and down her arms to try and calm herself. She was no longer in her jeans, T-shirt, and sneakers but in a violet kimono. Her feet were left alone, giving her no protection against the cold floor. Asami had brushed her hair, pulling it back in a simple braid. She didn't like this attire, but didn't fight against it for she didn't want her mother to pay the price for her disobedience.

The door to her room opened and Mika walked in, glaring at her new appearance. "Well, well, well, look who's getting the royal treatment."

"Oh yes, the accommodates are just outstanding," snarked Tiffany. "Given new clothes, have the whole room to myself, and no access to the outside world."

A smirk played on Mika's lips. "Glad you are enjoying your stay, but you look a little uncomfortable." She raised a hand. "Let's change that." Her fingers curled and Tiffany's body stood up straight, her arms pinned down at her sides. Pointing her fingers towards herself, Tiffany came off the mattress and hovered in front of Mika. A stone levitated in the air before it was thrown towards Tiffany, jabbing into her stomach. Tiffany opened her mouth to scream but it slammed shut. "Oh no, we don't want you screaming. Sephiran doesn't want to hear your screams from across the castle anyway." More stones were thrown towards her and all Tiffany could do was stand there and take the beatings. Muffled screams were heard and it took everything that Tiffany had to not let the tears forming in her eyes to fall.

Mika stopped her assaults and reached behind her to take out a knife. It gleamed in the low light. "You make me sick. The Ronin Warriors are here to protect the world from people like you. What motive do you have to bring back Talpa? What sick game were you playing?" She scoffed. "You didn't even love Ryo, did you? You ungrateful bitch."

Tiffany wanted to speak, shake her head, anything to get Mika to stop. She wanted to explain everything to her and that she was lied to, but her body wouldn't listen to her.

"I loved him more than anything. He understood me and looked out for me. But they will be free." She pulled the knife back. "Once you are out of the way."

Tiffany shut her eyes and a tear leaked out of them, running down her face. Just when Mika was about to throw the knife, she stopped when Tiffany morphed into herself. Mika froze, staring at herself and when her eyes glanced over to a mirror next to Tiffany, she saw Tora staring back at her. Mika gasped, backing away which freed Tiffany from her hold. Tiffany stayed on the ground, trembling from the pain, not paying much attention to Mika.

As Mika stared at Tiffany, her mind raced back to her childhood. She saw herself crouching on the floor, holding her hands up to protect her face as Tora threw kick after kick at her, screaming that everything was her fault and she was the reason for her mother's death.

"What did you do?!"

Mika turned around, opening her mouth to apologize for something she did that pissed off Tora, but realized he wasn't there. Asami stood in the doorway, wide eyes filled with terror. Mika was snapped back to the present and the memories quickly came back to her. "I-"

"Did you not hear what Sephiran said?!" Asami rushed past her, gathering Tiffany into her arms. "My girl," cooed Asami, stroking Tiffany's hair. "My poor, sweet girl."

Mika stared at the exchange and zoned in on Asami's black eye and bruised face. She knew those injuries too well from her own experiences and she backed out of the room, turning when she made it out of the door. She walked back to her room but quickly picked up the pace, practically sprinting towards her room. I'm not turning into him, she told herself. I'm not like him. I didn't…I didn't…I…Her thoughts trailed off and she came to a halt, staring at the ground. No matter how she tried to deny it, tried to defend herself for her actions, she couldn't deny the truth. She was becoming him, becoming a monster.

Kayura walked through the forest with Kalana right beside her. The closer they got the house, the more they could hear swords clashing against each other. Kayura quickened her pace, knowing that the guys were probably training but wanted to be sure and, sure enough, saw the guys training with one another. Relieved, Kayura slowly approached the warriors.

Rowen was the first to notice her and called for a break, each of them turning to her. They put away their weapons but kept their armors on.

"I know something happened with Tiffany, but what is the full story?" she asked.

"From what Yulie told us, Tiffany was ambushed and taken," explained Sage. "We have no idea where they took her."

"They will send a message, though" said Ryo.

"How right you are, Ronin." The sky above them turned dark, thunder rumbling and lightning flashing. The warriors brandished their weapons and Kalana and White Blaze barred their teeth. Kayura kept back to keep Yulie, who was watching the guys train earlier, out of harm's way.

The lightening pierced the ground in front of the warriors, a shadow forming in the light. The darkness consumed the light and all that was shown was a piercing pair of red eyes.

"Greetings, Ronin Warriors. It is good to finally see you in the flesh."

"But we can't see you," declared Kento. "Come out from the dark and face us like a man!"

The voice chuckled. "All in good time, eager warriors. But first, a proposition for you."

"What kind of proposition?"

"I will give you three days to train to your maximum strength and, after the three days, I will transport you five to my world where we will fight. Winner claims the Priestess."

"You expect us to wait three days while Tiffany is left with you?" growled Ryo.

"My generals will not lay a finger on the Priestess while in my care. I give you my word." The thunder rumbled again and the lighting pierced the ground where the shadow stood, collecting it and taking it up to the sky. "I await our fight, my young warriors." Laughter filled the air, almost like it was taunting the warriors to even try and fight.

"Does he really expect us to sit here and wait three days?" Kento asked in disbelief. "I would have fought him now!"

"We would be no match against him now," reasoned Cye, turning to look him in the eye. "He would easily beat us and whatever he wants with Tiffany will be attainable."

"Cye is right," a new voice said.

Heads turned, shocked to see Mia standing on the porch.

"Mia? But how did-"

"I told Mizuki to communicate with Mia," Kayura answered.

"I think I have an idea of why this new enemy wants Tiffany. It's the same reason Anubis went to the Dynasty to help you five."

"Wait." Sage recalled a memory of Talpa trying something with the nine armors and Tiffany. "The spell Talpa tried. That's what they want, to try the spell again."

"Then it's a good thing he gave us three days," commented Rowen.

"I'll try to learn everything I can," Mia input, turning around to go inside with Yulie right behind to help her.

"Let's get back to training," ordered Ryo.

"I'll train with you," declared Kayura, donning her armor. "I need polish my fighting skills."

Sephiran sat back down on his throne, feeling accomplished with his task.

"Three days is very generous, my Lord," stated Kai.

"I want to fight them with their full strength. Besides, where's the fun if you're not going all out?"

"Of course, my Lord, but aren't you worried that they'll win."

Sephiran glanced over at him. "Do you doubt my capabilities, Kai?"

"No, not at all, but you are so close to getting your body back along with your full power. One slip up and you'll lose everything."

"Do not worry, Kai. Everything will go according to plan."