The Ancient's Warning

By Robin Gurl

"Man I'm starving… if we're going to have a last battle meal it should be good." Kento looks around their surroundings. "There has to be something different than a canned food."

He hears a short cry out of pain and turns around, his eyes widen at seeing Sage heal Cye. "W-Woah, dude, are you ok? I didn't know you were hurt!"

"I-I'm not. He's just a bit rough is all."

The blonde rolled his eyes before sighing, "We all have injuries that need be healed before we go up against Talpa. I'm sure even you have a few."

"Minus the hard head?" Torrent asks wincing as the warm green light engulfs his body again and he's forced to lay back.

Hardrock blinks, "Heeeyyy I think that was an insult, Cye."

"Was it?" Green eyes bat playfully acting innocent.

He sighs smiling relieved to see his friend was ok. "Wait a sec, you like to cook right? Do you think in all of your all mighty cooking knowledge that you could come up with something yummy?"

"I may be able to come up with something."

Halo sits back helping the youngest back to a sitting position, "Ok, is there anywhere else and don't lie. Not all of us are built of rock like Kento."

"No, I believe you got it all." He moves his arm wincing a bit, it was still tender.

"Your arm?"

"I'm just sore is all. I can't be the only one that is sore after what we've all been through." Cye offers smiling. "Even hard head over there is sore somewhere."

"There ya go again, dude!" Kento walks over and offers his hand helping the water bearer to his feet before he pulls him into a side hug, wrapping his arm around the smaller shoulders, their sub armor clanging together. "SO! What kind of magic are you going to cook up?"

"I don't know.. I'll need to go look and see what's around."

"Well why don't you let me walk ya around."

"I'll do better without you, you will just try and eat everything." Cye rolls his eyes smiling as he pushes his friend away. "Now stay here and let Sage check you over."

"You can't go alone."

"I'm going right over there." He points to a building that had a restaurant at the bottom of it, then looks to the side as White Blaze growls walking over with Yuli. "And I'll have company."

"Yeah but Talpa's goons are everywhere.. let one of us come with you."

"There is no need to worry, I have cast a protection spell around the vicinity. It's several blocks wide. Anything that is brightly lit is protected."

Kento turns to see the Ancient was walking back towards them. "A-Are you sure though?"

"I am sure. Fear not. You are all safe."

"Then it's settled, Yuli, White Blaze and I will go look for some food." Cye nods smiling. "We'll be back soon."

Yuli happily claps his hands before walking with the bearer of Torrent to the next building. Mia watches them go before turning back to the others.

"Hardrock, Wildfire, Strata, and Halo. I must have a word, it's important."

Everyone lifted their heads. Sage lowered his hand as he and Rowen stopped glowing green. He stands and offers a hand to the bearer of Strata. Ryo is the first to walk up and greet the Monk, "If it's important, then wait for Cye. All five of us are a team and we work together."

"Yeah, that's right."

The monk holds his hand up telling them to be quiet before he smiles, "I am aware and for that I am very proud. You have all fought bravely. But this is not for the five of you but the four. While your armors come from the body of Talpa, there is one armor that holds the bond of the 9 together. Without this armor and it's bearer the Ronin Warriors will be no more and the defeat of the Dynasty will not happen."

Mia walks closer listening curiously. "I-I heard from my Grandfather this same thing."

"Wait, hold on a sec… one of us is the key to our team working?" Ryo turns and looks at the four of them. His eyes widening, "It's Cye isn't it?"

"Cye? The Torrent armor keeps us together as a team?" Rowen looks up in thought then to Sage.

"His virtue is trust. If we don't trust in one another, we can't fight with each other." Sage looks back to the ancient, "Why did you want to speak to the four of us?"

"You four must protect the Bearer of Torrent as well as each other. If Torrent falls, your bonds will weaken and in time break. If this happens during the battle with Talpa, you will fail."

"Hey, no sweat, I'll always protect my best buddy!" Kento grins giving a double thumbs up.

"Yes, I am aware. You have done well protecting your friend, but I will need the others to step up as well." The ancient turns to Kento, "It is noble that you are willing to sacrifice yourself to keep him safe, but you no longer have to do it on your own."

"What? Kento, you knew about this already? Why didn't you tell us?" Ryo demanded frustrated, "We could have helped."

"W-Woah hang on, I didn't know about any of this until now." Kento holds his hands up looking to the ancient. "You're gunna get me trouble, man."

"Hardrock accepted his armor in order to keep Torrent safe from harm during battle."

The bearer of hardrock blushes bright red but grins sheepishly. "Yeah, ok that may have been a thing…" He sighs dropping his shoulders. "Look, I found my armor first, but I refused to use it. I have siblings, ya know and a family… I didn't want them to get hurt if the bad guys came for me…. T-then I met Cye, and he was ready to get out there and kick butt… but I couldn't let him go out there alone… I mean… he's my best bud and I'd do anything to protect him. The Ancient appeared to me and when he told me Cye had already agreed to use Torrent to battle Talpa, I immediately joined with Hardrock as long as he protected my family." He then shrugs, "But I had no idea about this other hocus pocus.. I just did it 'cause I love my best buddy." He punches his fist into his hand grinning, "My theory is sound though, man, if I run in there head strong and just beat the crap outta them all then Cye won't get hurt. Hasn't failed me yet."

Sage sighs dropping his gaze. He had a lot to apologize for later. He smiles shaking his head, "That explains a whole lot of your fighting style."

Ryo just laughs high fiving the bearer of Hardrock, "And that's why you rock."

Rowen turns to look at the ancient who stood there silently as they spoke. "Why are you telling us this now? Why not earlier?"

"In order for this to work, the bearer of Torrent must not know. This must be kept a secret as long as possible. I was not able to properly separate you and keep him safe while I explained it." He sighs gripping his staff tightly. "Now that you know, you will have another job but one that comes naturally, I hope. You four already do with this without thinking about it."

Ryo glances back to the other three before smiling, "I guess we kinda do, huh?"

"Alright then, we'll fight together to defeat Talpa."

"And protect Torrent as well!"

The Ancient's eyes glow briefly as he tips his hat, everyone goes quiet. "I see Torrent has arrived with food. I must say I'm impressed. I did not know if you would pull this off."

"Honestly, I didn't either." He smiles happily pulling a cart behind him. "It's not much better than what we've been eating but it's hot."

"That's my Cye!" Kento runs over holding both his hands up for a double high five. "You rock, dude. What did you make?"

"Kento, keep your bloody hands off the food until it's your turn!"

"Aw come on man, I'm starving!"

"We all are hungry not just you. Besides the Ancient One is here and he should choose first." Cye physically shoves the larger warrior to the side, which is impressive considering Hardrock is twice his size. "Where are your manners, Kento?"

"I left them in my pocket and forgot about them because of how hungry I am!" He mutters.

The ancient smiles warmly, "Thank you. I will eat after you all are done. You are going into battle after all."

"See? Come on dude let me-" Kento's screams are muffled as Cye knocks him to the ground literally sitting on him.

"Just for that, you get to eat last." The british Ronin just smiles sweetly at everyone else as he kicks Kento in the side to be quiet, "Please, take your fill.

The other three walk over and start to get food unable to hide their grins of amusement.

Mia sighs looking over to the Ancient as the others go eat the food. "…you were holding something back about Torrent, weren't you?"

He shifts his glance to her then sighs, "You are very perceptive."

"I know the last part of the armors bond. Why didn't you tell them?"

"They need to figure this out on their own, Mia. If I told them, they would learn nothing and would repeat the short comings of those before them."

"That's not fair."

"I am not worried, child. They are a good team and a good group of warriors. Their mind, hearts and spirits are one."

"But they are human! One disagreement a-and –"

"You can not tell them. Promise me this."

"Then finish what I'm about to say. Confirm it."

He sighs turning towards her, "If the bearers start to fight within themselves, the bearer of Torrent will start to crumble, his powers will diminish, and his life force will weaken until it is no more."

She hisses angrily. "This isn't fair on Cye either. Did you tell him any of this when he agreed to bear the armor?"

"Calm yourself… I did not but I did not have to. It was he who told me he was going to make sure the five of them "behaved" and worked together. I know this is a fear you hold and you are correct in that it's not fair on them nor the bearer of Torrent but it is destiny and the way of the armors. I had to create one armor out of the 9 that would bond them together otherwise Talpa could easily over take them."

"Then what of the Warlords?"

"Talpa grabbed them before I could rescue them and their bearers. If we can pull them from Talpa's grasp, they would have the same orders – to protect Torrent. You must keep this a secret. If Talpa were to find this out, he could easily win this battle. Do you understand? This must remain a secret if you wish for them to have any chance of returning."

She sighs before nodding unable to look him in the eye.

He smiles, "Your grandfather would be proud of you. His spirit is inside you and it's strong. Don't lose hope, Talpa will be defeated."

~*

"Cye, let me see your shoulder and don't say it's just sore. You weren't moving it very well during dinner." The blonde calls as he walks over sitting beside him at their make shift banquet table.

"Oh alright but let me take a plate of food to the Ancient. He's been waiting patiently." Cye gets up and puts together a plate of the food that was left over and walks up the hill to where the Ancient was sitting. He stands a bit nervously before clearing his throat, "Here, I brought you some food."

"Thank you, Torrent. I see you have grown in strength, power and confidence since we last met." He takes the plate then smiles as the other blinks before blushing and looking away.

"I'm not sure about power or strength but I'm able to hold my own."

"And what of your desire to make a difference with choosing to bear the armor?"

The water bearer turns to his friends and sighs, "I may not be the strongest but I am able to keep my friends safe and who knows – maybe save the world in the process. I'm still not sure why the armor chose me. I'm not strong like Kento, smart like Rowen, I don't fight as well as Sage and whatever Ryo is everyone combined… I can just shoot water out of a trident."

"The ocean is peaceful but powerful when provoked. You are no different."

"But I hate fighting. I hate when people disagree and when they get physical with each other out of no where. Especially when people get hurt, innocent people."

"And this is why you make such a great warrior. You are a warrior for the people and strive to protect the innocent. Don't allow your doubts to cloud your judgement."

"Yes, with an attack that doesn't do a lot of damage. I've been concerned that I'm nothing but a burden on my friends…"

"Damage does not define whether an attack is good or not. Have you considered that your strength may not lie in being physically strong but something else?"

"Like what exactly? I can't cook Talpa away, I'm afraid."

"Your spirit and your kindness. These two things have made you just as powerful as anyone else."

Cye looks down at the sitting Monk not sure if he believed him or not, "And what good does that do in battle!?"

"Torrent, you earned your rightful place with the other Ronin Warriors. Your armor is more powerful than the Wildfire if the bearer's heart is true. Now is not the time to be questioning this. You must trust yourself and your armor if you hope to defeat Talpa. Your friends are ready to fight for their lives and for yours are you willing to do the same?"

"I-I …I am." He sighs then smiles nervously. "I apologize for Kento's behavior. I'm afraid he's without manners, no matter how hard I try and teach him."

The other chuckles, "That is quite alright. Please, go down with your friends and rest. You have quite the battle before you and need to rest while you can."