Chapter 19
Karver pulled Tiffany alongside him through the castle, grunting at her attempts to free herself. He liked her fiery spit but this was starting to annoy him so he picked her up and throw her over his shoulder, smiling at her screams of protest. He turned a corner and stopped in front of a door, pushing it open. Doors lined either side of the room and the smell of mildew infiltrated his nose. He walked down the hall, passing by the doors until he came to one with no viewing area on the door. He pushed that door open and tossed Tiffany onto the ground.
The floor was filthy and Tiffany could feel the dirt sticking to her hands. She heard water dripping from the corner of the room but other than the light coming from the open door, she couldn't see what else was in the room. The light from the outside slowly narrowed until a loud thud echoed from the closed door. Tiffany blinked, trying to adjust to the darkness that surrounded her.
"You know what I like about this room?" Karver's voice sounded from the room. Tiffany turned towards the entrance, thrusting her hand out, expecting him to be there, but felt nothing. A sharp pain slashed across her arm and Tiffany released a surprised scream. Her hand went to her arm and felt something wet against the palm of her hand, already knowing she was bleeding. A kick to her back pushed her down on her stomach. "The darkness makes it easier to hide, making my victims wonder what's going to happen to them next." Chuckles echoed throughout the darkened room as Tiffany slowly got to her feet, trying to locate Karver. "I don't think I told you, you could get up, little girl." A punch was thrown to her gut, making Tiffany gasp in pain before another punch hit her face, forcing her back to the ground.
Tiffany's hand moved to her stomach, trembling as she sat back up when a foot pressed on her back, pushing her back down. She felt the weight shift on her back and felt Karver pressing himself on top of her, his breath on her neck. "You know," he whispered. "I could take you right here and now." He traced his hand up and down her hip, smiling when he felt Tiffany jerk underneath him. He leaned in closer to her, his ear right next to hers. "But no matter how much I want to take you, I can't right now. You're not…ready yet." Tiffany relaxed slightly but tensed when she felt Karver's lips on her cheek. "But don't relax now, my dear. I will claim you." His hands trailed down her hip and towards the front of her kimono. "And I will claim this as well."
Tiffany grabbed his hand, pulling it away before he could touch her. "You will not claim anything."
Karver chuckled. "We shall see, sweetheart." He kissed her cheek again before thrusting her to her feet, hoisting her arms up above her head. Tiffany felt chains wrap around her wrists and then heard a click from them. Karver stepped away from her and Tiffany could barely touch the floor, her toes just lightly grazing the floor. She heard jingling from the corner of the room when a light turned on. Tiffany rapidly blinked to adjust to the brightest and when she could properly see, she saw Karver standing in the corner, looking down at something. He turned towards her and her heart stopped at what he was standing in front of. A table with various weapons was displayed for his amusement. Knives, belts, gauntlets, whips with various spiked ends, a rod which Tiffany suspected sent an electric shock, but the one item she couldn't take her eyes off was a metal poker, one end formed a sharp point while the other end had Karver's initials.
"Don't worry." Tiffany looked back at him and his smile darkened, showing off his teeth. His eyes lit up in excitement and Tiffany trembled at that stare. "That little number won't come after I've claimed you. I just want to show you my toys. Now," Karver picked up one of the whips which separated at the end into spiked tendrils. The lights went out again, leaving Tiffany in darkness. "Let's have some fun." She felt the whip against her back and a scream escaped her lips.
Kalana hurried through the forest with White Blaze right beside her. The warriors trailed behind the two animals as they lead them to their destination. Kalana suddenly stopped, her claws digging into her ground to stop herself as dust picked up from behind her. White Blaze came up beside her as the warriors stared at her.
"Did she find something?" whispered Rowen.
"Don't know," Ryo answered, staring through the trees. They heard footsteps approaching their spot and Kalana lowered herself to the ground, ready to pounce when she straightened herself up. She darted out of the trees and a surprised grunt was heard and White Blaze went into the clearing.
"White Blaze!" Yulie's voice exclaimed through the trees which relaxed the warriors. They came out of the forest to see Yulie with his arms around White Blaze and Kalana on top of someone, her tail wagging a mile a minute.
"Let him breathe, Kalana," Mia laughed, gently pushing the wolf aside. The animal obliged and Anubis sat up, scratching the wolf's neck. "Good to see you too."
"Anubis?" Kayura gasped with wide eyes. "But how?"
"Tiffany," was his answer as he got to his feet. "She saved me from what took over my body."
"Wait, so if you're here, that means there's one less general to deal with," stated Sage.
"Which also means the generals have taken over the Warlords' bodies," added Rowen. "Now we know what really happened to them."
"Are you ok?" Kayura asked Anubis, laying a hand on his shoulder. He smiled at her then rested his hand on top of hers. "I'm fine, Kayura."
"What happened that got you and the other Warlords' possessed?" Cye asked.
As Anubis told his tale, Mika stood back in the trees, not wanting to reveal herself just yet. She knew if she walked into the open, all hell would break loose especially with Kento present. Speaking of Kento, where was he? Mika searched the group for him when she felt a presence from behind her. She turned around but she was slammed into a tree, an arm held up to her throat.
"What are you doing here?" snarled Kento, his eyes boring into hers. "Come here to spy on us? Report to your master what we're doing?"
"Kento, what are you doing?" Cye called from clearing.
"Taking care of a traitor."
"Wait-" Mika let out but was silenced by Kento pressing his arm further into her throat. "Shut up. I don't want to hear anything else from you."
"Stop," Ryo commanded, stepping into the area.
Kento turned to him but kept his hold on Mika, not letting her go. "But Ryo-"
"I want to hear what she has to say."
"You want to listen to her," added Anubis. "It isn't what you think."
Kento huffed but released his grip, allowing Mika to get away from him. She rubbed her throat and released a cough as she glared at Kento.
"What are you doing here?" Ryo started and Mika turned her gaze towards him. "Decided to try and see if you can break our group up again?"
"No. I…I don't actually know why I'm here," admitted Mika, looking away and towards the ground. "I was sent here."
"By whom?"
Mika paused before answering, "Tiffany."
The wind howled in the area, the only sound filling the silence that was bestowed upon the group. The guys shared questioning looks, wondering why Mika would be here because of Tiffany.
"It's true." The group turned towards Anubis. "I saw Tiffany envelop her in a light before she did the same thing to me."
Kayura looked back and forth between Anubis and Mika before settling her eyes on Mika. "What did you do to want Tiffany to save you?"
Mika shook her head. "I don't know. I saw Anubis after Sephiran told me they were dead."
"What else did Sephiran tell you?" Cye gently asked.
"He told me that Tiffany was a temptress and she had you five under a spell and that she was trying to bring Talpa back to life. She had killed the Dark Warlords and you didn't even know what was going on, oblivious to what Tiffany was trying to do."
"Why did he tell you this information? Why were you so important?"
Mika stared at each one of them then took a deep breath and answered, "Because he knew I could get close to you guys for how I knew you five in the past." At their confused expression, Mika announced, "I'm Maria."
Silence filled the area. "There's no way you can be Maria," muttered Kento.
"Ask me something then. Something only Maria would know."
"Who was the first person you saw when we separated?" Sage asked.
"Ryo found me and then we came across Cye."
Ryo and Cye nodded in confirmation. The guys stared at Mika, all shocked by this. Their friend they saw die by Talpa two years ago was standing not two feet from them. it seemed impossible but here she was.
Kayura looked back and forth between the group and Mika. She was lost at what was going on and when Anubis saw her puzzled expression, he leaned over to her. "Mika once served Talpa but her original name was Maria. She was sent to learn the secrets of the Ronin Warriors but changed sides after being with them for a bit. She was killed by Talpa because of her disobedience. Apparently, Sephiran brought her back to life to make her do his deeds." Kayura stared at him with wide eyes then turned back to Mika, her eyes softening at her. So much pain for such a young woman. She was reminded of herself and how she was taken and forced to serve Talpa. "I'm sorry," Kayura started and all heads turned to her. "I too was forced to serve Talpa, not able to see the right until I was freed by Tiffany."
"But you were brainwashed," Kento said. "You weren't able to act for yourself. Someone forced you to do it, unlike some people." He turned to glare at Mika who flinched under his gaze.
"No, it's the same," input Rowen and both of them turned to him in shock. "Mika was told to do this just like Talpa did. Only this time, Mika thought we were in danger and thought she was doing the right thing."
"It doesn't explain what she did to us, to Ryo and Tiffany," said Sage.
At his comment, Mika addressed everyone. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what I've done." Mika turned her attention to Ryo. "I'm sorry for what I did to you and Tiffany. I don't even know why she saved me."
Ryo stared at her then released a sigh. He wanted to scream, shout, anything to get rid of this pain inside of him. But if Tiffany was able to forgive him for what he did because of the influence he was under, then so should her.
"I won't forget what you did." Mika nodded in understanding, lowering her gaze to the ground. "But I forgive you." She snapped her attention back up to him and gave him a small smile. It was a start but she knew the other warriors would take a while to forgive her, especially Kento, but since she hurt Ryo the most, it was good that he forgave her.
"What's the plan?" Sage asked Ryo, changing the subject.
"We have to go in," answered Ryo as he turned towards the direction of the city. "If Sephiran has a force field over the city, then he doesn't want anyone to enter or leave."
"There was an army that passed by the house," input Mia. "I'm pretty sure it was headed towards the city."
"If we follow them, they could lead us to an entrance to get into the city," suggested Rowen.
"We could," Cye said, turning to him. "But what if they get in and we can't? We could get ambushed and it wouldn't be a good idea to have Mia and Yulie with us when that happens."
Kayura opened her mouth to suggest an idea when her staff lit up, the rings clanging against each other. She turned her attention to it along with everyone else. She closed her eyes, a hand hovering over the rings as she listened.
"What is it, Kayura?" Anubis asked her.
"The Ancient's power," she said, her eyes still closed as they narrowed. "Someone else is using it."
"Tiffany?"
"No…it's someone from within the city." Kayura opened her eyes and turned to the group. "Someone else who has the same power I possess."
"It's Iris," realized Sage. "She told us the Ancient One was her husband and that she was the Priestess before she left. She works in the mall now."
Kayura glanced at him. "It's possible that I can connect with her and teleport us all to her location."
Ryo nodded. "Try it and see what happens."
"Ok." Kayura held the staff up and closed her eyes again, concentrating to reach Iris.
Iris walked the hallway of the mall, checking in on everyone. It had been almost an hour since the attacks started and when Iris sensed an evil presence enter the world, she immediately went into action and encased the whole mall in a protective seal. The evil ones wouldn't be able to sense them nor see the location of the mall. It would seem as if there is nothing there and only people with good hearts will see it once they cross the barrier. From inside the mall, they could see what was happening but no one else from the outside world would until they came into the barrier. So, when the attacks started, many people flooded into the mall and were amazed none of the soldiers followed them in. Iris took charge, using the stores as places for people to rest and the food court for people to get rations. The store that had mattresses would only be used for people who were sick, injured, or elderly. Everyone else was provided with a blanket or a pillow to sleep on the floor.
Iris walked into the food court and up to one of the cooks. "Do we have enough food to last a while?"
The cook sighed. "With the number of people we have in the mall and depending on if they will start a riot or not, I'd say about a month. It's a good thing all of us got a shipment of food today before all of this started for then we would have run out in the next day or two."
Iris nodded. "Ok." She patted his arm and then walked away.
Hello? Is this Iris I'm speaking to? Iris stopped in her tracks and looked towards the ceiling. "Yes, who is this?" She ignored the people around her asking her if she was all right.
My name is Kayura. I'm the leader of the Ancient's clan. I'm with the Ronin Warriors now, trying to think of a way to get into the city. But I could teleport all of us there if I can connect with you.
Iris sighed in relief. "Yes, that would be great. I was able to seal the mall away so no one with an evil heart can find it."
Good. Let me know when you are ready and I'll see what I can do.
"Ok, let me find an area and I'll let you know."
"Miss?" Iris looked down at a little girl standing next to her, holding onto a stuffed animal while staring up at her with big blue-green eyes. "What are you doing?"
Iris smiled at the little girl and knelt in front of her. "Communicating with someone who can help us."
"Really?"
She nodded and smiled brighter when a smile spread across the little girl's face and hope appeared in her eyes. The girl then turned and ran to her parents, probably to tell them the good news. Iris chuckled at the girl's eagerness and then walked away, looking for a big enough space for everyone to arrive in. She climbed the stairs and stood in front of the movie theater, looking around to see how big the area was. This should be good enough. Looking back at the ceiling, Iris called out, "Kayura, you still there?"
Yes, Iris. Are you ready?
"I am."
Ok, I'm going to focus on your location and you try and sense for me.
"Got it." Iris closed her eyes, stretching her power out and feeling for a new one. She felt the presence of the people in the mall and the evil presence surrounding the city but nothing new to her until felt something similar to her power. Reaching out to it, the presence ran through her being, connecting herself to the new power. She held on to that connection until she sensed the presence right in front of her. Opening her eyes, she saw the Ronin Warriors along with two animals and some people she didn't recognize. Well, all except one.
"You," Iris stated, glaring at Mika. The young woman took a step back from Iris's heated gaze. "What are you doing here? Only people with good hearts can enter this area."
"Long story short, she was forced to work for Sephiran under lies he told her about Tiffany," explained Ryo.
"Sephiran? Is that who is controlling the city?"
At his nod, Iris glanced around the group, a puzzled look on her face was something, or someone, wasn't here. "Where's Tiffany?"
Ryo tensed at her name, clenching his hands into fists. Kayura glanced over at him before stepping forward and addressing Iris. "Sephiran has her." Iris let out a gasp. "And we need to know what is going on before we can do anything."
"All right. I don't know what this Sephiran has done but I'll do my best to explain what has happened." Iris proceeded to tell the warriors what happened and from what people from outside have told her.
"They were rounding up people?" Kento asked after Iris had finished her explanation.
"Yes, and those lucky enough to escape are either hiding in here and trying to stay hidden within the city. I don't know what is going on, but I fear for them."
"We'll do a patrol, see what is going on outside and tell any survivors to come here," stated Rowen, turning to Ryo for his approval.
"The five of us will go," confirmed Ryo. "Kayura and Anubis, stay here with Mia, Yulie, and Mika."
"Be safe out there," called Mia.
The five warriors walked away from the small group and towards the entrance of the mall, ignoring the whispers of people towards them but that was because of armor they wore and the two animals walking alongside them. They walked outside the mall and stood in their spot, surveying the area around them. The sky was dark, almost black and the city was empty. It was like a ghost town again, just like when they first fought Talpa. The guys shared a knowing look; they weren't going to like what they saw.