Infinity

By Cyber-Mouse 9000

[email protected]

http://www.angelfire.com/anime/UkyouRyouga

inspired by

Kahlil’s A CHINESE GHOST STORY…

Chapter One:

Confrontation

An armor clad soldier stepped over a small stone, and overlooked the field. His red armor almost glowed with his pride.

The slaughter covered the long flowing blades of grass. Battle cries and screams of horror rang in the light of the afternoon as the men charged forward. The two armies collided into each other, and soon neither force could be visible from the high point.

Most of his life encircled around fighting and conquering. The man called for his soldiers.

"General?" asked the man. Another man ran up to the Captain. He was however, focused on the bloodshed, and hating it.

"Yes, Captain," asked the general. It disturbed the man greatly that the captain seemed to be daydreaming. It seemed almost as if he didn’t care at all. It happened very often when he led wars. It was a puzzlement that he battles any wars at all. He was quite skilled at the art of martial arts, and even so, causing his authority to grow.

"How do you think things are going?" asked the captain. The second man nodded.

"I think it is going very well, sir. Do you have orders for me to take out?" asked the second.

"No, I will send in the scouts. No need for a display. Clean cut," said the man. But the leader was not in fact a man, but was a boy of sixteen. It was a surprise he had risen in rank at the rate he did.

He slipped off his helmet, revealing his long black hair. He had a scar going down his cheek. It was from a previous battle where he learned never to get too close to an enemy with a blade. But that happened before he suddenly ranked up. His features were bold, and were weary from lack of sleep. Why his people chose him, was obvious. He was highest of his class. He was designed to be a first class soldier, but fate took him there.

"Officer Ryo," Called another man. Ryo turned to him. He became enraged that someone had interrupted his thoughts.

"WHAT!?" he yelled. Then he composed himself. "What do you need?" The man nearly fell back in fear. Ryo was fierce and hot-tempered. Anybody who wanted to live to see the next day would challenge him in anyway. He lived a pretty solitary life as anyone was concerned.

"The other force has reinforcements and is now overtaking our own army… Ryo, sir," Said the man. A wave of frustration hit him. Everything was going wrong.

"DAMN!! Send for our own reinforcements!" Ryo said. The man hesitated and did not move. Ryo was disgusted at his uncertainty of orders. No one should ever doubt him considering his high rank.

"May I speak sir," asked the man. Ryo nodded. "Our forces may take days to get here. The battle is lost, my captain." Ryo sneered. He called for his horse. A white stallion came galloping toward him. It came to a stop, kicking up some dust. Ryo climbed up into it. He took a last glance at the battle. (How disgusting. All those men are weak.)thought Ryo. He turned his stallion around. He didn’t bother to signal the retreat. He could afford to lose them all.

"Don’t inform any men. It may interfere with our personal retreat. Just the generals, boy. Just the generals and scouts. We need the high rankers and the spies," The boy nodded at his request. He jogged off the tell the generals and their scouts. Ryo finally galloped away. He rode to the nearby camps. The distance wasn’t very far. It was where most of the awaiting men were. They were reserves. Not much of reinforcements though. What they lacked in number, they had in skill. Ryo figured if that was the fact, he would find a more suitable candidate.

He rode to a small ten where a boy was drinking whiskey. The boy was leaning against the tent. He was about Ryo’s age and seemed to preferred light-green clothes. He was tall and his face seemed to have less scars than his own. In fact, there were no scars at all.

"YOU, BOY!" yelled Ryo. A boy with golden blonde hair looked up. He dropped the whiskey bottle and stood straight. He was a scout.

"Sir!" he formed his salute. Ryo looked down at him. He seemed fit enough. He had recently lost a lot of Assistant Captains. None were as skilled or "daring" as he himself was.

"You’re my new general. Come with me," the boy with the blonde hair paused.

"What’s your name, boy?" asked Ryo. The boy looked back up at him.

"Sage, sir!" the boy replied. Ryo smiled. He had a good feeling about the boy.

"You got fight in ya?" asked Ryo. Sage smiled and nodded.

"Well, then, you’re in," Sage nodded and grabbed his pack. Ryo stopped the boy.

"No. None of that. Only this," Ryo signaled to one of his other generals. Sage couldn’t see what Ryo was calling them for. The general handed Ryo a large sword. Ryo took one glance at it and handed it to Sage. Sage tried not to grin. It didn’t work. Gratitude was written all over his face.

"Be useful about it, general. Few people get these type of weapons," Said Ryo. Sage nodded. Ryo gave another signal. Another general on came with a white stallion. It had no rider on it. It was for Sage- he could tell. It still looked a bit wild. Ryo figured that Sage could handle it if he was good enough.

"This horse is yours. Only those in high ranks may receive these," said Ryo. Sage’s grin grew to a smirk. Sage grabbed the reign for the first time and surprisingly jumped up onto it with ease.

"First time on a stallion, captain?" asked Ryo. Sage nodded. Ryo smiled. This one had skill. His last general died. He ran from a fight and was struck in the back with an arrow. He had a feeling this one would live for a long time.

Ryo’s words could barely be heard over the cries of war. Sage looked at his new sword. He was starting to like this job. Besides, his loyalty would prove useful to Ryo. And being a scout had heightened his experience.

Yes, that’s what he was before this, a scout. Scouts were obviously soldiers whom were hired to gather secrets of the enemy. He was most likely promoted because it was said Sage was the best. He was practically a legend among his friends.

Sage gave a side glance to the troops staring at him. his uneasy feeling didn’t make it any better.

"Your first assignment, Survive!" Ryo yelled above all the noise. He pulled back on his reigns, rearing back his horse. Sage followed his example and reared his own horse.

"GOOD! NOW SECOND ASSIGNMENT, KILL!!!!!" Ryo commanded. He followed Ryo. Sage thought of something as he followed his captain. They galloped away from the battle field. They were going around it.

"RYO, SIR!!!" cried Sage. Ryo turned to him.

"DON’T CALL ME SIR!" called Ryo. Sage nodded, and asked his question.

"Why are we going around the battle, to the rear?" asked Sage.

"We are going after the captain!" cried Ryo. Sage shrugged. It made sense. Without the captain, they could make no judgements, no decisions, and would probably lose without him. They left the open field where the battle was taking place and headed into the trees. The trees would make useful cover. Both their stallions proved to be agile and flexible..

The war was taking place in a meadow surrounded by a forest. The scene would have been beautiful… if it wasn’t for the bodies that seemed to be… severed. Sometimes Sage wondered why he ever joined in the first place. He saw no value in fighting, except to defend.

Sage felt as if he had ridden this stallion all his life. He loved the wind in his face, and the trees ‘flying’ past him. It was a familiar sight. In war, people die, but at least you get some descent scenery. Sage smirked. He always looked on the bright side of things. That’s why he was always so cheery.

He watched Ryo’s every move to help coordinate his own.

Ryo slowed to a stop as they reached the edge of the forest, and found a clearing on the opposite side of their own camp.

Then as Ryo, slowed his horse they saw a clearing not far ahead. Ryo’s horse came to a full stop, and he hopped off. Sage passed him up. Ryo was alerted at Sage’s disobedience. He didn’t stop. (Foolish boy. He’s going to blow our cover. Well if he dies, it’s his fault) thought Ryo. Then as he watched Sage go out into the open, he saw the stallion. It was jumping about, kicking it’s rear legs and running full speed.

"FUCK!" He looked up from the reigns he held and saw a branch not so far ahead of him.

"shit…"He slammed into the tree limb . When Sage opened his eyes, he saw that he was still hanging from the branch. Hit stomach hurt from the impact.

He mumbled some words. CLAK. Sage looked up to see a soldier put a sword to his throat. His eyes widened. (Look what you got yourself into) Then … *SNAP* The branch began to moan, Sage knew it was about to-

It broke, and Sage fell to the ground. Lying on the ground, he rubbed his back. It was sore as hell.

"Damn horse!!" yelled Sage. He looked up to see Kento grinning and laughing lightly at him. (This is your day, no?) Sage thought to himself.

"ACK!" he let out. Kento glared at him, maintaining his grin.

"what do we have here? One of Ryo’s soldiers?" asked Kento.

"And what are you going to do about it? paint me orange?" Sage replied to Ryo’s surprise. Ryo looked thoughtfully at Sage. Sage spit at Kento’s feet. Kento hit Sage in the side of his head.

"That hurt, quite a bit, my friend. I think I’ll return the favor," said Kento, blandly. He stuck the staff down into Sage’s stomach, knocking the wind out of him. Sage, despite the pain, grabbed the staff, and pushed it back into Kento’s chest. Kento fell back over.

Sage scrambled up. (Don’t die, don’t die, don’t die.) the thoughts ran through his head, reminding himself not to trip-

Ryo was extremely impressed. Until the next moment. Sage didn’t see the rock in front of him. He tripped. (You know what? I feel like shit) Sage landed on his elbow, and he thought he broke it. The pain kept his mind of the thought of death… but perhaps it would have been better as vise versa.

"FLARE UP NOW!!!" yelled Ryo. It was a really quick attack. It didn’t have any feel to it though. The attack passed Sage and struck the others. What Ryo didn’t know was that it also missed Kento

Ryo ran out into the open, helped Sage up and they both ran off into the foliage. Ryo and Sage jumped onto the remaining stallion. They galloped off once more.

Kento sat up, and saw them getting away. (stupid men. I’m gonna kill the people who chose my body guards) Kento looked at his fallen soldiers. It wasn’t even Ryo’s full power extent. He ran toward his own white horse. As he ran after the two, he took a glance at the Sage’s former horse, which was now grazing. Kento smiled. The horse looked up at him and seemed to smile back.

"Where’d you train soldier?!" Ryo said to Sage as they rode.

"I didn’t train , sir!" Sage said. Ryo put the puzzle pieces together. Ryo’s army only accepted trained soldiers. He must have lied to get in. (Who would go that far just to join an army?) Sage would.

"Don’t call me Sir. I’m just Ryo Sanada to you!" Ryo said. Sage nodded. (Wow.. I never… Sage, keep you mind on what’s ahead of you. That’s what got you into this mess now) thought Sage. He laughed in his head. It was stupid. He was feeling really sarcastic at the moment. He didn’t want to feel anything else. Ryo snapped at the reigns.

"KiYa!!" Ryo yelled. The horse increased speed.

"SANADA!" yelled Sage. Kento was catching up to them on his own horse. Ryo glanced at Ryo’s armor. Sage didn’t have his on at the moment. He only had his pre-armor. One of the soldiers pulled up to their side and started swinging at them. Ryo was successfully dodging the swings, but Sage was getting worried. Ryo wasn’t able to fight back, he had his hands at the reigns already. The hits were missing Sage by only a hair. Sage finally got tired of it. Sage grabbed one of the katanas strapped to Ryo’s armor and struck the soldier down.

"You’re really starting to piss me off!!" Sage yelled. Another horse caught up and galloped beside them. He jumped at the soldier ramming him off the horse. In doing so, he was knocked off, and Sage got the extra horse. The soldier lost balance and fell of the side. As the soldier fell off and hit the ground, he was nearly trampled by the hooves of his fellow soldier’s horse. (Damn lucky bastard) thought Sage. Sage forgot to regain his own balance and he swerved back and forth till he was waving his arms and screaming.

"HOLY SHIT!" he yelled quickly. He fell to the side. Ryo saw him fall off the horse that he stole.

"Sage!" yelled Ryo, looking back on the ground. Where was Sage? He could see him. There was too much dirt being kicked up.

"A little help here!?" Ryo leaned over the horse to see Sage hanging on to the saddle of the other horse, practically being dragged. Ryo sighed impatiently and grabbed Sage. Sage managed to fully pull himself on the other horse with Ryo’s help.

The horse Ryo was riding, turned out to have the worst stamina. And Sage’s horse was pulling ahead of his. (Gee, Kami has favored you today, hasn’t he?) Sage gave a twisted smile.

"RYO!" called Kento.

"What ever is the matter??" mocked Kento. Ryo gritted his teeth.

"Ryo…," called Sage..

"not now!" said Ryo. He kicked the horse. It temporarily increased its speed before going just as slow as before.

"DAMN IT!" cried Ryo. He balanced and stood on the horse while it was still galloping. Sage looked confused.

"Follow me, Sage," said Ryo. Sage shrugged. Ryo jumped high into the tops of the trees, leaving the horse to run without a rider.

Sage hesitated for a moment and followed. He jumped just as the soldiers was in the line of sight with his own stallion.

Ryo and Sage held on the to trunk of the treetop as the Kento’s men passed by below them. They looked down on Kento and his men. They had no idea where they had gone. After all, the forest was very dense. They couldn’t have seen them jump anyway, because it was near late afternoon.

"Where did they go!" cried Kento. "Find them you idiots!" One of the men spoke up.

"I saw the horses go that way, sir!" he reported. Kento screamed,

"WELL GO GET THEM!" he yelled. Sage and Ryo were still quiet, hoping not to let Kento know they were there. Ryo and Sage looked at each other. Kento paused and looked up. Ryo and Sage held their breaths for the longest time. Kento sneered before finally trotting away. Ryo and Sage let out a large sigh of relief.

********

"DARN THEM ALL!" cried Kento. "Did we win the battle?" He looked to one of the smiling men. None of them said anything.

"Yes, we did, captain," Said one other the men standing around him. They were back in his domain. It was a large stone castle, filled with decorations all around. Portraits of him hung around. They were all gifts. He hated bragging about being the Captain and ruler of the land. So much power he didn’t know what to do with it. His heart wasn’t in being a captain. He’d rather just rule. But it was the responsibilities of a ruler was to be a captain too.

"Well, did we manage to get some hostages from Yoshida? With worth?" asked Kento. He didn’t really want hostages. He just wanted to win and end the war. Surprisingly, the people wanted more to fight than peace. He was the wrong ruler in the wrong place. Oh well. He felt important, and it gained his favor.

"No, but we managed to capture Mia from Rowen’s kingdom". A struggling girl was brought to the front of Kento. They threw her down on the floor. She began yelling obscene words and insults. She sure knew how to struggle. At this thought, Kento smiled.

"YOU BASTARD!" cried Mia. She charged at Kento. The guards at his side struck her down before he could touch Kento. he was displeased by their cruelty. He kept silent though. She looked very attractive. Kento thought (At least the men have good taste in who to take hostage!) Kento shamed himself. (You’re not a hentai. Don’t start being one now) he told himself.

"Good. Send her to the dungeon. Remember to at least treat her so she’ll actually survive the night. You were all foolish enough to let the last die because of poor health!" he cried. The generals grabbed Mia an bought her out of his sight. He would apologize for them to Mia later. Right now he had some important decisions to make one of them being choosing the new officials. Most of the people who had died were his generals.

"Bring forth the men," said Kento. He was going to choose a new general. He only had one surviving general left. He had to have more than one to regulate the community and help him with battle. The men rushed forward and formed a line. Kento looked each and every one of them over. Then he looked at the young boy with the bandana, much like his own.

"I like your style boy," said Kento. The boy with the bandana smirked.

"What’s your name?"

"I’m Yuli, at your service, SIR!" he stepped forward and saluted.

"Well, Yuli? You’re awful young for a boy in the war. How old are you?"

"I’m…. uh… fourteen, sir," said the boy hesitantly.

"It’s alright. As long as you’ve got skill, you’re in," said Kento. The boy nodded.

"Now, you come with me," said Kento. He stood up and walked over to Yuli. He leaned over and whispered,

"This is between you and me," said Kento. If the boy blabbered about this, then he wouldn’t qualify. It was actually a test to see if he’s say anything to anyone else. Yuli nodded again.

"Within which dungeon is the Princess being held?" asked Kento. One of the guards led the way. Kento was unsure that the boy would keep the secret he would tell … or show him soon. The whole court saw as Kento retreated into the prisoner hall.

"Tell me guard. How many have suffered a casualty or died themselves," The guard pretended not to hear. The guard knew that the death rate of the prisoners suddenly rose within the week. He knew this would upset his lord.

"Tell me. I am speaking to you," Kento persisted. The guard sighed and said,

"There have been six deaths. One from dehydration, one from lack of food, one from poison which where we do not know came, and the last one died from suicide…. Sir." Kento flinched. But they kept on moving. They started to hear noises, and as they went nearer and nearer to them, the got louder. Yuli smiled as they were further down the hall and heard screaming. It was like… this…

"LET ME GO! DON’T TOUCH ME! TAKE THIS!*BAM* *SLAP* *POW*"

"ACK! I’M SORRY! I’LL NEVER DO IT AGAIN!"

"I’LL SHOW YOU "NEVER DO IT AGAIN"!" and again noises filled the air. *CRACK* *SLAM* and then as a body hit the prison bars…. *DONG!* Yuli burst out laughing. Kento just smiled. Princess Mia didn’t exactly sit still for an hour.

"AAAARRRGGG! LET ME OUT OF THIS PRISON!!!! DAMMIT!" she cried. Then as Kento stepped into her view, she settled down. Kento looked at Mia, and then focused on the unconscious prisoner.

"And the last two deaths were by.. her," said the guard. Kento and Yuli smirked.

"…" Mia sat back down on the ragged bed that they gave her to rest on. Kento surveyed over the living quarters of her cell.

"Guard. Open this cell and leave," said Kento. The guard waited a moment, considering his orders, then finally opening the cell. He left shortly after. Kento stepped into the cell and signaled Yuli to follow her.

"Don’t you dare t-touch me! Y-you see what I did t-to him!" there was fear in her voice and it was a weak threat. Her voice was cracking as she said it. She was scared of Kento. Why?

"Don’t threaten one, unless they threaten you first," Kento said. He kept his voice a single tone, not changing it for anything.

"… Don’t touch me," said Mia. She sat further back on the bed. Kento sat down beside her. Mia scooted away from him. He sighed.

"I’m just here to apologize for their ill-tempered treatment," said Kento. He put his hand on her cheek. Then he noticed the black eye she had. He leaned over to take a closer look. Mia had other ideas of what Kento was doing. She slapped Kento. Kento grabbed his face.

"what was that for!" cried Kento.

"YOU TRIED TO KISS ME!" she cried. Kento looked shocked. His tone was no-longer the same.

"I was trying to look at your black eye!" he said. Mia’s jaw dropped.

"You… what?" asked Mia.

"He was trying to look at your black eye. You didn’t know you had one?" asked Yuli. Mia looked at him.

"Well I don’t exactly have a reflection in here, do I?" asked Mia. Yuli pilled out a small mirror of his own. It was the size of his palm, but smaller. He tossed it to Mia. Mia caught it and looked in it. Her expression became dark.

"Just don’t hit me now," Kento said. He grabbed her face gently, and pulled her in for a closer look.

"How did you get this? In battle?" asked Kento. Mia shook her head.

"Your men…," said Mia.

"Which one hit you?" asked Yuli. He seemed to be enjoying being part of the conversation.

"It was the guard that opened my cell and left just now. Damn hentai’s harass the women down here …," She said he last words silently. Kento was dumbfounded.

"Off with his head," Kento smiled. Mia could help but grin. He let Mia’s face go.

"Well, I better go before they think I’m doing anything horrible" Said Kento. Mia nodded. She actually didn’t want him to leave anymore.

"Could I say a bit?" asked Yuli. Kento nodded. As Kento left the two alone to talk, he felt that there was going to be something going on between them. He smiled a last time, before going out to face his court once more.

********

"This is really creepy," said Ryo. Sage nodded.

"It’s almost sunset and the demons will be out," Sage said. (You didn’t have to remind me, Sage ) he thought and smiled.

"I’m looking forward to that, thanks," Sage chuckled at Ryo’s remark. There was a short silence after.

"You’re a pretty good . You’re just a scout right?" asked Ryo. Sage nodded.

"Why are you a scout. If you’re that good, shouldn’t you be a soldier by now?" asked Ryo. Sage shook his head.

"Naw. I’m better off as a spy," said Sage. He felt peaceful in the trees. It seemed so much like home. The funny thing was, where he lived… had no trees…

"Not from what I’ve seen you do," Sage smiled. Sage changed the subject. He hated being the center of attention.

"Do you notice that ever since we met each other, the demons have been out more often. Usually they only attack like, what? Once or twice a month? And the banshees. They never go out on broad daylight," Sage said. Ryo considered this fact.

"Now that I think about it, yeah , that is weird," Said Ryo. Ryo looked at the trinket tied around Sage’s neck.

"What’s that anyway?" asked Ryo. Sage looked at his small chain. He took it off and gave it to Ryo. Ryo stared at it for a moment. It was a small pendant with a picture of a woman with a halo hanging around its head beside a man with a shepherd’s staff. The woman held a baby. It was a religious pendant.

"Oh…," said Ryo. He handed it back to Sage.

"Turn it around," Said Sage. Ryo flipped it around. There were several people in armor. The pendant was very battered so the faces were not distinguishable. There a were about nine people in armor and one person with a staff and a long robe. Beside them were a boy and a girl, not wearing armor. And the last was a tiger. From what it looked like, it was a white Siberian tiger.

"My family blood line is very religious and superstitious. The first side depicts an American religious tradition, while the other side represents the nine armors," Sage said.

"Nine armors?" asked Ryo. Talking about it seemed very familiar.

"There’s Halo, Wildfire, HardRock, Strata, Torrent, Illusion, Cruelty, Corruption, and I always forget the last one. I think it was Venom," said Sage. Ryo nodded. It all sounded too familiar to slip his mind.

"I can’t help feel we’ve met before," said Ryo.

"I know. You sure you haven’t known me previous to now?" asked Sage. He wanted to be positive that Ryo hadn’t met him before.

"Yup. We’ve pretty much haven’t met," Said Ryo. Sage shook off a thought that hung over his head. Sage looked up at the tree tops.

"Do you have any idea of where we’re going?" asked Ryo.

"nope. But the sooner we should find shelter, the better," said Sage.

"And if we run into any enemy armies?" asked Ryo. Sage smiled.

"Then we run like the wind," sage said. They both chuckled. Ryo didn’t really are if they were lost. He was just enjoying company. He finally found a person who didn’t care about his rank, and just got to know him. He knew Sage was different.

"Ryo?" asked Sage. Ryo turned to him.

"Hm?"

"Nevermind," said Sage. Ryo let it slide.

*******

"Hm. I do have to consider that. But I don’t want to get too much involved," Said Rowen.

"Rowen, you’re already too involved. Mia had been captured and we’re sitting here, watching you plan this uselessly out when they’re doing who know what to Mi-," said the boy. Rowen grabbed his shirt.

"Don’t you dare talk to someone like that! Especially not me!" He let go of the boy, and he scrambled off. Rowen placed his hand over his head. He really had to think it over.

Then it stuck him. What if there was a trade. One life for a life. Perhaps if he captured on of their own, they could trade for Mia. They had to do it quietly and quickly, though. Perhaps it would be wiser if he did it himself. Anyone else would probably get caught.

"General!" cried Rowen. One of the men jogged up to him.

"Rowen, Sir!" the general saluted.

"General. Are you familiar enough with Kento’s kingdom, Kashikadowa?" asked Rowen. The general shook his head.

"Or perhaps Ryo’s?" asked Rowen. The general smiled. Rowen could see the eagerness in his eyes.

"Only Ryo’s, my lord," said the general. Rowen considered it very carefully.

"You are one of the top-class soldier of my men, am I correct?" asked Rowen. "Stats, soldier."

"Cale, Age 18, Advanced Class general SIR!!!" he said, giving him his statistics. Rowen smiled.

"Are you ready for a mission?" asked Rowen. Cale nodded.

"We are going to take another hostage," Rowen stood up, leaving the throne. Then he was cut off by some far away cries. It was the outside villagers screaming about something.

"IT’S THE BANSHEES!" cried a few people. The court murmured with anxiety.

"RUN!" came more cries from the outside gates. Rowen and Cale looked at each other.

"Here’s your chance to prove your worth, Cale!" Rowen said. The both ran out, side by side. It wasn’t long before they reached the gates.

"Armor of Strata! Tao Inochi!" Rowen cried. His armor formed on his body. Then he heard a transformation yell right beside him. He turned his head to see Cale transforming as well!!!! (My, My , My… what do we have here? Another person who can transform into armor…) he thought to himself.

"Well, Cale? Get to work!" Rowen cried, almost ecstatic from the adrenaline rush. Rowen ran left while Cale to the right. Each taking on a single banshee. It was quite a challenge.

"You will be ours!" The banshee shrilled. Rowen sneered. He aimed his arrow at the unaware demon. He released his arrow, striking into the wing. Rowen let out a triumphant cry as the banshee fell into the dirt. The banshee stared at Rowen. He hesitated before launching another arrow.

Cale smiled at the other banshee. The banshee swooped down, clawing at Cale. Cale uppercut the banshee, sending it flipping back. As it straightened out, revealing the gash in its chin, it let out an ear-piercing scream. Rowen and Cale covered their ears. It was unbearable.

"AAUUUUGGGHHH!!!!!" Rowen cried in agony. Cale fell to his knees. Rowen was slammed by the second banshee, and crashed into Cale as he landed. Rowen stood up wearily. Cale wiped away the blood that dripped out of his mouth.

"It’s time we ended his!" Cale cried. Rowen and Cale looked at each other, silently telling each other the same thing.

"Have a taste of our sure kills!" Rowen said. He reached for his arrow as Cale powered up his no-dachi(sword of darkness).

Before either of them could release their attacks, The banshee with the remaining wings, swooped down and grabbed Rowen. The banshee quickly threw his bow away from him. The banshee placed her hand on Rowen’s forehead and slowly drained his soul away. Rowen felt light-headed in an instant. He struggled to get free.

"ROWEN!" cried Cale. He threw his no-dachi at the banshee missing by millimeters.

"He is mine!" the banshee cried. She began absorbing more rapidly. Rowen felt a sudden jolt of pain in his head.

"SOME HELP HERE!" Rowen cried. Just then Cale did the only thing he could do. He grabbed a stone and threw it at the banshee. Lucky for him, banshee’s aren’t very thick-headed. The banshee cried out and tore her hand away form Rowen’s head. The claws left bleeding cuts on his head. Cale saw his No-Dachi land a few yards away. He dove for it. He couldn’t use his Sure Kill. He might hit Rowen. He hesitated. The banshee took this time to get away with her victim. Just as Cale retrieved his weapon, the banshee was already flying away.

"NO!" He cried.

"CAAaaalllleee!" cried Rowen. His cry grew softer as he was carried further away. Cale looked around for something to do. He saw a merchant riding in on a horse. He ran to the horse, and threw the man off. Some of Rowen’s guards knew what Cale was doing, and followed his lead.

"KIYA!" he yelled. He kicked the horse slightly, and it went off. If he couldn’t catch up with them, he would follow them, hoping it wasn’t too late for Rowen.

********

"Sage?" asked Ryo. Sage turned to him.

"Hm?" replied Sage. The retreated from the woods where they came from.

"Where do you think we are?" asked Ryo. Sage shrugged. Another open field lay in front of them, with mountains far in the distance.

"I think we’re near another kingdom… I think.. Wait. Do you hear that?" asked Sage. Ryo shook his head, but stood quiet, wanting to hear what Sage heard. There were screams in the distance. Then he heard the wings of a large animal flapping.

"It’s a banshee!" Sage cried.

"Armor of halo! Tao Chi!" he cried. Ryo watched him transform into armor at top speed. Ryo reluctantly did the same. Sage waited for the banshee to come into view. The banshee was carrying something deep-blue. And by ground, there was another soldier in armor galloping after it. Behind the armored soldier on the horse was a small group of men that seemed to all be following the armored soldier… who was following the banshee… It was a little chain. Sage almost smiled.

"Sage! It’s taking another!" Ryo said. But by then, Sage was already reacting. The banshee was flying near to the ground now, so Sage could assault it more easily than if it was in the air. Sage hid behind a tree, and when the banshee was close enough, he jumped out and aimed for the wing. Ryo watched disgusted, as Sage slice off the whole limb, sending blood spraying everywhere, including on Sage himself.

"Ryo, stay back. I’ve got it handled," Ryo felt stubborn at that moment. But he stayed back. Sage knew that he was implying that if he died, his kingdom would go astray. Ryo was very important while Sage was "dispensable." Ryo didn’t think so. Sage thought of himself as less important. Ryo had no thought in his mind that made him think that as well.

The banshee slammed into the dirt, letting go the form it carried. It was a man in armor much like Sage’s but dark-blue. Sage rushed over to the soldier in blue armor. The soldier stirred. Just then, he knew who the armored man was. It wasn’t a soldier! It was Rowen, the ruler of the rivaled kingdom, Nokegawa! He could kill Rowen right now… but…He just couldn’t.

Sage placed his hand over Rowen’s forehead. There were scratches on it. If he couldn’t save his soul from the banshee, he could at least heal all the wounds it gave him. A glow emitted from his hands, and Rowen woke up to see Sage. Sage had healed his wounds.

Rowen looked alarmed as the banshee crept up behind Sage. Sage didn’t know. Sage looked at Rowen’s shocked eyes, and the shadow that lurked over him. He realized what was happening. He turned around to see the Banshee swipe it’s dagger-like claws down on him. Sage’s body fell back beside Rowen’s. (NO! SAGE) Ryo cried in his mind as he watched. He conflicted in his mind whether to help or not. The banshee now focused on Rowen. Rowen stumbled back. Just as the Banshee was about to strike Rowen, a no-dachi flew threw the air and struck it in the heart. The banshee fell over onto Rowen, finally dead. Rowen shoved the banshee’s body off violently.

"ROWEN!" cried a voice. It was Cale riding on the horse and some of Rowen’s guards were following him.

"I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner!" he yelled. Cale had saved his life by throwing his no datchi…very good timing…

"Cale…," Rowen said. He was speechless at what happened. The guards gathered around Rowen. He heard something. He behind him to see his guards striking Sage. Sage finally lost consciousness and went limp.

"No! Don’t hurt him!" cried Rowen. (He saved my life. If he hadn’t struck the banshee’s wing…) Rowen thought. The guards kicked him a last time. Ryo wanted so bad to rush out and help Sage. But he would surely be killed with all the guards and Cale around.

"Rowen, my lord? Have you been wounded?" asked Cale. Rowen felt his head for the cuts. There was none.

"I was… but… they’re gone…," Rowen and Cale stood puzzled by this. Then they glanced at Sage.

"I think it was him. I think he can heal wounds…," Said Rowen. Cale nodded, definitely interested in Sage’s ability to heal. Ryo never knew a thing about this. Sage never bothered to tell him?

"He would be very useful as a general, sir," Said Cale. Ryo cursed. He couldn’t let them have Sage…

(They’re taking him hostage… Shit!) Ryo yelled in his head. He should’ve helped Sage when he had the chance!! He ran back, hoping it was they way back to his own army. He needed help… badly…

********

"… ow…," Sage moaned and rolled to his side. How comfortable. He nearly dozed off again. He opened his eyes and sat up suddenly. He felt the thing he was laying in.

" A bed?" asked Sage. (shouldn’t I be in a dungeon or something?) Sage thought. (then again, I shouldn’t jinx myself) He looked around him. They were treating him a royalty. Then he noticed something sitting down on a chair in the corner.

"oh…good," said the person. He looked up. His blue hair was geld up by a bandana, and seemed to be royalty. He didn’t dress like a king, that was for sure.

"You’re awake," Sage didn’t know what to say.

"…," Rowen laughed.

"I’d like to thank you for saving my life back there," Said Rowen. He stood up and walked over to Sage. He shook Sage’s hand.

"uh… you’re welcome, I guess," Sage replied. He was overwhelmed by Rowen’s act of kindness toward him. (wait, Sage , watch it. There’s a catch for all this) Sage thought to himself.

"What do you want from me?" asked Sage, pulling away from Rowen. Rowen shrugged.

"I’m saying thanks, and you’re saying ‘what do you want from me’?" he sighed. Sage felt as if he was putting on an act.

"Don’t jerk me around. I know you want something," Sage said. Rowen sighed.

"Okay fine. I’ll tell you," said Rowen. (that was easy) thought Sage.

"You can heal wounds," said Rowen.

"Yeah.. so…," Sage said. He knew the answer, he just wanted to see if he could pry anything else out of him.

"you’d be a fairly important man in my army. Not someone whom would abandon you," said Rowen. Sage felt some betrayal and grief. (Ryo left me. He abandoned me… who else do I have to go to… What are you thinking. Don’t be an idiot) thought Sage.

"No, I’m sorry. I don’t just betray my betters," Sage snapped. Rowen shook his head.

"but would they betray you?" asked Rowen. Sage paused. He felt angered.

"I know what you’re up to," Sage smiled.

"What am I up to?" asked Rowen.

"Manipulation of the mind," said Sage. Rowen was caught by surprise, but he kept it under control.

"My- My," said Rowen. "Why are we coming to conclusions?"

"Because I know when people lie," said Sage. "I have a ‘gift’." He said the word ‘gift’ with force.

"How’s this Sage? Am I lying when I say Ryo left you to be killed, captured, and as good as dead?" asked Rowen. Sage just gave him a look that said, "Back Off". Rowen ignored it.

"Or how about Ryo can afford to lose you. That one man can be killed if the Captain is spared?"

"…"

"I see," said Rowen. He hated keeping up the mutiny thing. It usually worked, but sometimes he actually made friends with one of them. He sighed.

Sage reached for his no datchi. He forgot that his armor had deactivated while he was out cold. He carefully trained his eye around the room looking for it. he found it a few feet away near the wall.

"I wouldn’t desert you," said Rowen. At least that wasn’t a lie. He personally trained his generals, and had a certain bond between each one.

(That’s not a lie.) Sage pushed the thought of getting his no datchi. He fell back on the bed and sighed.

"… what?" asked Rowen. He hadn’t been expecting Sage’s kind of behavior.

"Nothing. It’s just- I don’t know who’s side I am on anymore," said Sage. What was he doing? He didn’t even know this man and he was opening up already. It was like they were previously friends, but they had never met before in their lives.

Rowen felt the same way, but didn’t know it. He knew that this man was different from all the rest.

"Hungry?" asked Rowen. (You idiot. Why the hell did you ask that?) Rowen thought. He shrugged.

"Yeah… I guess," Rowen lead him into the dining room.

********

"You won right?" asked Mia. Kento nodded.

"Yeah, but before the battle was over, some guy from Ryo’s side managed to sneak up on us. But his horse went berzerk and messed him up pretty good," said Kento.

"How bad?" asked Yuli. Kento smiled as he answered.

" Well let me put it this way. After his horse came out into the open, Sage was rammed into a low hanging branch and was still hanging from it." Mia smiled.

"And that was pretty much my day," said Kento. Secret visits with Mia became well known, daily visits. Mia had suddenly gone and trusted him, while Yuli and Mia became good friends.

"Ya gonna let me go today?" asked Mia hopefully.

"Not today. Sorry, Mia," Said Kento. Mia pushed Kento playfully.

"bastard," Mia said. Kento smiled at her and she grinned back. Yuli just watched the display.

"SIR!" called a voice. Kento ran up to the door.

"What do you want!?" he cried.

"we’ve managed to capture another hostage. We found him somewhere in the woods," said the man. (Another one?) thought Kento. (this is a lot of luck. More so than usual) he smiled to himself.

"Let me see him," said Kento. He waved at Mia and left Yuli to keep her company for now.

"You stupid…," Said the prisoner. Kento was surprised to see who it was.

"Ryo?" he asked, almost laughing.

"Why the long face?" asked Kento.

"Go to hell," Ryo said darkly. Kento finally did laugh.

"Where’s your body guards, your army, your protection?" asked Kento. Ryo sneered.

"And what about that partner of yours, the one with the blonde hair. Did he die yet?" asked Kento. Just then, Ryo broke free and lunged at Kento.

"FUCK YOU!" He cried, as he fiercely punched him in the gut. One of the guards tried to stab him, but Ryo ended up grabbing the sword and hitting the guard instead. He then turned to Kento who was on the ground and tried stabbing him. Kento rolled to the side just as he did.

"I’LL MAKE YOU PAY FOR THAT!" Cried Ryo. He took another swipe at Kento that missed. Ryo was blinded by his hate. This was one thing that was to Kento’s aide. Wasn’t very much use, though. Kento grabbed his staff and defended himself. Ryo left quite a dent in the staff. He almost broke it in half as he slammed down the sword. Kento’s staff was soon knocked away. He prepared the finishing move.

Ryo suddenly collapsed onto the floor.

"What the-… Did any of you strike him?" asked Kento. The soldiers around shook their heads. He just fell to the ground. It was a sudden burst of energy, and it faded in an instant. Kento felt some pity on Ryo. Maybe he shouldn’t have remarked about the dead captain… thing. Maybe his partner really did die.

A few names popped into his mind. Some of which he didn’t even know. There were a few. (Ryo-I know. Sage-I know. Cye-I don’t know. Kuyara, Cale, Dais, Anubis and Sekhmet-I don’t know. Rowen-I do know. Yuli and Mia I know… White Blaze I don’t know. Where are all these names coming from?) Kento thought. He was reviewing the names of places and people that just happened to come to mind. The names had to come from somewhere. And a touch of hate hit him when he thought of the name, Tolpa. (You gotta relax more. Being a captain is affecting you more than I thought) he told himself. He shrugged.

"Take him to the dungeon as well, but don’t put him with Mia. He may kill her," Said Kento, considering Ryo’s hostility. He felt like he knew Ryo or something. Perhaps they were friends in another life.

Perhaps…

********

"Ugh…" Ryo awoke to the sound of chattering.

"Would you shut up!" Then he recalled where he was. He stood up and rubbed his head while looking where he was. He was in a dungeon cell.

"hey… are you… Ryo?" asked a person in the cell next to him. He stared at the person.

"Yeah. Who wants to know," he rubbed his head.

"The now-captured-princess-from-Rowen’s Kingdom. I’m not exactly the princess though. It was actually an adoption. Oops I shouldn’t be telling you that. Anyway, I’m Mia," said the girl in the other cell across from his. Ryo let a small smile slip out of his lips.

"You have your own kingdom, right?" Asked Mia. Ryo nodded.

"Not any more," said Ryo. There was a boy in the cell beside Mia.

"And who are you?" asked Ryo, pointing to the boy.

"I’m Yuli, and I’m not a prisoner. Just visiting," he gave Ryo the Victory sign. Ryo sighed and leaned back against the wall. This wasn’t going well at all. He doubted his people would even try to rescue him. His kingdom was hostile. They would just choose another new leader. He would get out himself. He looked around. He had nothing to loose. He was going to get out of there.

"Armor of Wildfire! Tao Jin!" He summoned his armor. Mia watched as he transformed. She looked at him oddly. She knew he had something up his sleeves. All royalty does.

"It’s time I got out of here!" When his armor was fully formed, he took out his two twin katanas.

"FLARE UP NOW!" The force and power drove into the and smashed it to pieces. He ran out into the open. He was free. He nearly gasped at the sight.

"Oh man. It’s night already… that must mean…. Shit the demons are out!" Ryo said. Demons always were out a night, and demons proved to be greatly skilled.

Ryo ran off into the night. He heard some voices behind him, but it was the guards. They figured out that he had escaped. They weren’t chasing them. It was like they were afraid of him…. Or afraid of being attacked by…

He whipped his katana around and hit something. It was a demon. (GREAT! THIS CANNOT BE GOOD!) he thought. He tried to hit the demon again. He heard a battle cry from the skies.

(No! More banshees. I can’t take them all on. There’s only one thing to do…) Ryo took a deep breathe. It was time he did something right. (RUN LIKE HELL!!!) he cried in his head. He zoomed off into the night.

********

Sage crept out of his room. He quietly walked down the steps of the castle. He knew what was happening. He could feel everything in the detail. Ryo was in trouble. He felt the glow of his armor match the glow of his wisdom symbol. As he reached the hall, he saw two guards ahead. They were guarding the gates.

(well… do your stuff, Sage Date) thought Sage. He ran toward them, not even making any sounds with his breathing. He knocked one down with a jump kick and swiped at the other with a backhanded fist. They both went down in an instant. Sage managed to catch both of them before they hit the ground and make a loud noise. He set them on the side of the wall, making sure it was silent. Then he jumped up and above the gates. He landed.

"Ack!" he yelled on accident. He nearly twisted his ankle. (I’m fine. Just go) thought Sage to himself. He started running. He would know where to go. His symbol glowed brightly on his forehead. He looked back after hearing a twig snap behind him. This was dangerous. The demons were out at night and here he was, out looking for Ryo. He looked all around him. It was nothing. He turned back around slowly and began running again.

Several minutes passed before he heard another sound. He kept running as he looked behind him. He saw a figure in the darkness. Just then something on the figure glowed as his symbol did. It was blue. He stopped and turned around.

"Who is there," said Sage. He focused on the moving figure. It didn’t answer him back.

"I know you’re there," The figure retreated into the shadows of the trees, not knowing the "life" symbol that glowed on their forehead had given them away. He shrugged as the glowing symbol disappeared, concealing the person’s position. Sage thought he heard the figure retreat.

"Ryo… I’m gonna find you," said Sage. He stopped again. Something told him to turn left where he was. He closed his eyes and let his ingenuity guide him through the darkness. He couldn’t see anything though. He held up his no-datchi and it glowed with white light. He could see his path clearly now.

Another twig snapped.

"Hello… welcome to my domain…," said a voice.

"Demon!" Sage cried.

"I have what you’re looking for…," it said. Sage looked at it suspiciously.

"Ryo, of course. If you want him, you must give us your soul in exchange," said the demon.

"I know Ryo. He’s too skilled for you and your evil servants put together!" said Sage. The demon laughed.

"You’re not as stupid as you look!" the demon leaped at Sage. The demon took him by surprise. As he was smashed into the ground, the impact caused a severe pain to make Sage loose his sword. It flew off somewhere, now losing it’s bright light. The light from his sword slowly faded.

"Fuck…," Sage said. He was in complete darkness. Pitch black surrounded him. He felt something eerie call his name. Then he felt a major change in the temperature around him. It grew deathly cold. His breaths felt shallow. Not matter how deep he breathed, it felt as if he couldn’t get any air in his lungs.

"I… can’t …breathe…," Sage gasped for air. Just then he was hit in the stomach.

"Sage," said the demon. (Shit….) Something grabbed his forehead.

"You will satisfy my hunger…for now…," it said. Sage felt something filling him. It was evil. The demon was possessing him. His face grew pale, but it couldn’t be seen in the darkness. His lips were turning blue.

(No… hang on, Sage. Just a bit more…) Sage thought to himself. He gathered up the last of his will and he grabbed the demon’s arm and threw it away from his forehead. He got up and ran in the other direction. Silence faded. Sage began to hear echoing voices calling his name once more. A figure appeared in front of him.

(Another demon… no…) Everything began spinning. The demon swiped his claws down against Sage’s chest.

"AAUUGGHH!" Cried Sage in utter pain. He stumbled back. His wound began to burn and freeze at the same time. His forehead glowed with his wisdom symbol. He looked away from the demon and to a shining light. He went toward it. It was his sword. He grabbed it and swiped something behind him.

He stumbled and fell to the ground. He scrambled to stand up. Everything was still spinning. He felt dizzy and light-headed again. He saw more shadows. He held his sword in front of him, using it as his savior. The shadow dashed for him. Sage swung at it hard. His sword impacted with something. No doubt it was the demon. The fatigue shown on his face as he hit another demon. An elbow collided with his back and he was hit forward. He was losing his balance.

He ran where he thought was toward Ryo. A cold feeling overcame him and he realized what was happening to his body as he ran. (I’m going to die… of hypothermia?) he thought. (don’t think about that Sage. Just look at your sword’s light. Just focus on that… forget all else… just survive!) he said to himself.

(YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DIE, SAGE DATE! YOU WILL SURVIVE!!) he thought. He kept running, despite the cold and lack of breath. He had to find Ryo.

It was almost a few hours after he left Rowen’s domain. He looked behind him to see several forms following him. He almost fell forward as he heard a clanging sound.

"FEEL THE SCREAM OF MY STARLIGHT SWORDs!" cried a voice.

"STAR SWORD SCREAM!!!!" Sage tripped and fell. A bright light flashed behind him and the demons assimilated. He kept looking forward. (Am I dying?) Sage asked himself. He saw two feet walking in front of him.

"…are you… here to… ," Sage tried talking.

"SSSssshhhhh!" said a female voice. "It’ll be okay…" Sage smiled. Did he know her from somewhere?

"you’re safe now. You’re safe," said the girl. He felt himself be picked up. He didn’t know how much time had passed before something covered him. He was set down somewhere and he felt a warmth cover him. He saw a fire ignite before him. And he closed his eyes. He had a dream. One that would haunt him forever. Yet he didn’t dare tell anyone what it was about.

He was shivering violently. He looked up to see a woman smiling at him. She flipped her ponytail. She was beautiful, but Sage wasn’t in the mood for flirting. The encounter with the demon was too real.

Behind the woman, a man smiled.

"r…..r-r-…. Ryo?" asked Sage, his shivering breaking up his voice. Ryo smiled and nodded.

"I don’t believe it. I thought you were gone already," said Ryo. The lady just hugged him and smiled. He appreciated the warmth her body gave him. He almost fell asleep in her arms.

"You’re so pale. And your lips are turning blue. What exactly did they do to you?" asked the woman.

"t-they t-tried to p-posses me," Sage said. He pulled the blankets around him tighter. He looked to his left and saw a small fire. He was in a cabin. It wasn’t much, but it was shelter enough. Sage pulled the woman close and hugged her again. The woman didn’t resist.

"Thank you," he said.

"Oh yeah. Sage, this is Kuyara," said Ryo. Sage mouthed the words ‘she’s beautiful’ to Ryo. Ryo nodded.

"I …," Sage couldn’t finish the sentence. He jus closed his eyes. He didn’t let go for a while. Kuyara didn’t push him away. They just embraced the touch.

"Hey, buddy. You actually turned a color," said Ryo. Sage paused. Kuyara pushed him back gently and saw that he had color in his cheeks again. He wasn’t pale anymore. In fact… he was turning red. Kuyara blushed as well.

"We have to wait until morning to travel back to your own land," Kuyara smiled.

"I don’t mind the wait," he said. Sage let the blankets drop to the floor, no longer cold. He grasped her hand and laid a small kiss on her hand. Kuyara blushed even more.

"Sage… thank you," Said Kuyara.

"I’d go outside to leave you two alone, but I’d probably get killed out there," said Ryo. Sage smirked. Just then Sage looked away from Kuyara.

"what?" asked Kuyara and Ryo. Sage shushed them. They heard the wind rustling.

Ryo paused. (the wind… this can’t be right… it’s the inside of the cabin. There aren’t any windows here either. So how can there be wind blowing here-) Ryo’s thoughts were interrupted by Sage.

"Ryo… Kuyara… I think you can get what’s going on…," he said. Ryo and Kuyara nodded.

"Spirits…," said Kuyara. Ryo and Sage looked at each other. Sage couldn’t help feel that the demons and spirits wanted them for a reason… maybe they were significant some way to them. Sage’s kanji was wisdom. He thought this because it was what his kanji told him. He shook it off and focused. What Sage didn’t know was that Kuyara and Ryo were thinking the exact same thing.

"You’ve crossed into my domain, mortals," said a voice. Sage felt weak in the knees. His superior had once confronted a spirit such as this one. He came back… in fourteen pieces…

********

Rowen cried out in frustration.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN SAGE IS GONE!?" he yelled at the soldiers. The soldiers were literally shaking in their boots. Rowen could kill them with the snap of his fingers. Rowen was just pulling them on. He had followed Sage, but his kanji symbol had glowed, giving him away. He hated it when that happened. He just wanted to see HOW Sage had gotten away. He was in his room, overlooking the kingdom when her heard a soft commotion near the gates. He knew it was Sage from the moment he saw him. That was how he knew Sage had gotten out. So he followed Sage.

"We- we were just guarding and I looked across to see him unconscious. Then Sage knocked me out-,"

"YOU ARE WORTHLESS!" Rowen turned around and started pacing back and forth. Sage had been part of his main plan. If he had gone into war with Sage as his medic, then he would have twice the army had had now. But Sage was gone. Escaped. All because of the guards. Sage had been better than Rowen thought.

"Where’s Cale?" asked Rowen. The guards nodded and ran off to find him. Minutes later, Cale knelt down before him.

"yes, Rowen?" asked Cale.

"I need you to find Sage. He’s escaped. He’s better than he looks, so be careful!" said Rowen. Cale heeded his warning. He knew that there weren’t that many skilled warriors who could take him, but he wasn’t going to let his pride take over.

"yes, Rowen. When did he escape from the castle, my lord?" asked Cale.

"Earlier tonight. He couldn’t have gone very far," said Rowen. Cale knew that Sage was probably dead unless his friend Kuyara. The demons and spirits were practically neighbors to the kingdom. But the demons never dared to go inside the castle walls. The Spirits on the other hand…

Kuyara and Cale were close friends. They had served Rowen in battle, and had both saved his life. At first they were rivals, but they grew to be friends. Kuyara was tired of the kingdom and decided to live out in the wilderness to improve her skills. When she asked permission, Rowen declined her request. Cale, though loyal to Rowen, had helped Kuyara escape. They were still friends, and occasionally met in the forest. So Cale was a soldier, and Kuyara was now a renegade.

If he knew Kuyara well enough, she would have saved Sage from death itself. Cale smiled. If he really knew Kuyara well enough, she’d probably be flirting with Sage right now.

"I will find him my lord," Cale answered.

"You have never failed a mission," said Rowen. Cale nodded. Cale was given a horse, and a few bags of supplies. It was still dark, and Rowen was worrying about Cale’s welfare.

"Are you sure you can handle the demons alone?" Cale considered this.

"I’d better have a few men go with me. I’ll need the very best," And with that, Rowen summoned his best warriors, yet none as good as Cale. Yet there was this one soldier, whom Cale didn’t know what to think.

He looked harmless, yet the sickle weapon in his hand gave him other ideas. Nobody knew the soldier’s name. The unknown soldier smiled at Cale. Cale ignored him.

"Now listen. Men, the demons are even more skilled than myself. But if we can work together and keep it like that, then well survive, got it?" All the men yelled "sir!" in reply. Cale shook his head. The other soldier Cale was wondering about just widened his grin.

"Anubis…," said Rowen, looking at the soldier. (Anubis, eh? Catchy name) thought Cale. He smirked. He heard some villagers who watched them depart whisper some things about Anubis. According to them, Anubis had come out of the woods, and defeated a whole army. From then on, he was a hero and Rowen just happened to stumble upon him and befriend him. How could Rowen befriend someone like that. Cale shrugged at his thoughts.

"I want you to be careful. Cale and you are my strongest warriors. I don’t want you dying,"

Rowen said. Anubis nodded. He threw his weapon into the air and caught it with ease.

"I will, Rowen," Anubis’s voice was deep, but rough textured. Cale was beginning to get suspicious of Anubis, even though he had only known Anubis for a few minutes. He still had a feeling about Anubis. He felt a kinship to Anubis as well. Cale’s feelings and instincts were beginning to confuse Cale, so he simply put them aside.

"Are you ready?" asked Cale. Every one of them nodded *and Anubis nodded as well, to Cale’s relief*.

Cale snapped at the reigns and they were off.

********

"What do you want!?" yelled Sage. The ghost laughed and caused another gust of wind to chill his bones.

"You have trespassed onto my own domain. I thought you humans knew better than that. Now you’ll have to pay the price…," said the spirit. Ryo thought about summoning his armor. (would it work against him? And why do I keep thinking I know him? I’ve never met any spirits…) Ryo thought. A wind began to blow.

The demon appeared before them. The spirit looked lot like Ryo, but with auburn colored hair. He wore a light-blue pre-armor. His voice had an accent… if ghosts could have them…

"okaaaaaay…" Sage muttered. "That leaves us much choice." The spirit laughed. Something struck Ryo’s mind. He did know him somehow… But where?

"I don’t know about you, but I have to be going…," Sage stepped back, opened the door and zoomed outside.

"SAGE YOU BASTARD, WAIT FOR ME!" Ryo cried and ran out as well. Kuyara followed soon after. The spirit shook his head…

"humans… always have the potentiality to be a shit," he disappeared with a puff of smoke.

"I hate my life!" called Sage. Ryo nodded and shouted back.

"no kidding! Where the hell did that spirit-being-thing… go?" asked Sage between his breaths. Ryo suddenly stopped in his tracks.

"What?" asked Sage. Ryo pointed ahead. When Sage turned back around, he saw the spirit, right along their path.

"Oh maaaan! I forget! Spirits can teleport! DAMMIT!" cried Sage. Ryo was speechless.

"You HAD to forget NOW, didn’t you?"

"Shut up…"

"You foolish mortals. You know you will never escape a spirit as quick at hand as myself," said the spirit.

"Yeah, we know that…. we just don’t give in!" cried Kuyara. She whipped out her scythe blades as Sage and Ryo transform into their armor. All the while the shadow that lays ahead of them is laughing.

"StarSword Scream!" Cried Kuyara. The attack was weak against the spirit. Not even their combined powers could overcome spirit-world dwellers. Yet, they refused to go down without a fight.

Her attack was followed by Sage’s.

"Thunder-bolt cut!" He created a thunder shock and hurled it toward Kuyara’s attack combining the two. Ryo hesitated and he waited to see if the attack would pass through its defense. As the blast struck the target, there was another flash of light. All three covered their eyes from the glare. Just then, a shock-wave of invisible power erupted sending the three flying back. Sage sat up and saw the spirit standing, still intact. As a matter of fact, it began smiling.

"Futile hopes are always unwanted," he remarked. He thrust his hand forward and grasped Kuyara’s forehead. All demons in order to take a soul must first conquer the mind. Kuyara screamed. Sage and Ryo scrambled to their feet and rushed toward them. Kuyara’s midnight-blue aura ignited around her. It was a last resort to fend it away.

Ryo noticed Sage calculating the situation. Sage dropped his no-datchi. He moved his arms as if in a ritual, then suddenly cried,

"WISDOM!!!" He strained every muscle to assist in his attack. He thrust his right arm up to the sky, and his no-datchi rose from the ground and hovered in front of him. It seemed to be held up by some unknown force. Then, a beam of greenish light shot down from the sky and struck the two, including Kuyara. Kuyara seemed unaffected, while the spirit was feeling more than pain. Kuyara was dropped and she stumbled away from the spirit. The being turned and looked at Sage, shocked. It spoke three unmistakable words…

"A Ronin Warrior," It then disappeared a final time, never to reappear that night. Ryo and Kuyara stared at Sage who was still in his form. Suddenly, he suddenly fell to the ground.

Kuyara shouted,

"SAGE!" and ran toward him. She dropped to her knees beside him and felt his chest for a heartbeat. She smiled, nearly crying. Sage slowly opened his eyes. He was fine.

"Where’d you learn to do that?" asked Ryo. Sage tried shrugging, but it didn’t exactly work. Sage answered instead, but even talking hurt.

"I don’t… know. I just… felt I knew how to do it…. and I did it…," Sage looked up at Kuyara. She was beautiful with the light hitting her face just right. . Was she about to cry? Naw. She’s not the kind of girl to cry over a guy like him. At least that’s what he thought.

"Man… we’ve got to find someplace that’s better than this at least… any place is better than out here. Right now I’m actually starting to look forward to asking Rowen for shelter," Ryo added. Sage laughed.

"What I wouldn’t do for some roast right now…" said Kuyara. Sage and Ryo silently agreed. They hadn’t had anything to eat ever since the day before. But even that seemed like it was a week ago.

Sage managed to muster up enough strength to stand up and walk. Kuyara and Ryo stood beside him, helping him on every once and a while. He didn’t know why the attack didn’t kill the spirit. It had so far, killed every being like that every time. Why he hadn’t used it with his first demon encounter puzzled him. A lot of questions were running through his mind, and Sage was too sleepy to understand them all.

Ryo had his mind on other things as well. Like the time he had first been chosen to be captain. He had been proud that day, but had not been able to see the difficult future ahead. But now he was older, and no longer foolish. He had learned from his mistaken hope that sometimes rising in the hierarchy is not as advantageous as one would think.

And most of the time he would think back to his childhood and wish it back. He knew it wouldn’t ever happen, but a wish was a wish.

Something shone on Kuyara’s face that made her smiled. The sun was just rising over the hills, signaling another day. The warmth brought the color back to her cheeks, and her body was no longer cold. Ryo yawned and Kuyara laughed again.

"You know what?"

"Hm?" asked Kuyara.

"I’m dying for a bed… haven’t slept on anything comfortable for weeks…," said Ryo. The three stopped as Sage suddenly disappeared.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" his voice faded. Kuyara knelt down by the ground and saw the hole Sage fell through. It was a vertical tunnel… It was only wide enough for one person to fit, but it seemed to go on forever. It must’ve been covered by the nearby foliage, because Kuyara never saw it coming.

"Don’t worry! I’m coming, Sage!" Kuyara cried. She jumped inside, and let herself slide into the darkness. Ryo hesitated a moment. The ground started to crumble, and he fell in anyway.

"DAMMIT!" he shouted.

********

The horses were just pacing now, no longer in their usual gallop. It was almost three days since he left Rowen’s castle and was sent off to find Sage with the man named Anubis. He still had doubts about Anubis, but he proved to be the obedient one.

There hadn’t been anything exciting happening lately, and his personality craved it. this made him a bit grumpy. He wasn’t exactly a patient man.

The wind played with his hair, and Cale looked up to the sky. The sun was just rising, and it sent a wave of sunlight over the treetops, and the blades of grass on the meadow beside them. They were walking on the line between the meadow and the forest. Cale who was obviously day-dreaming instead of watching out for Sage, wasn’t aware of Anubis who had stopped his horse behind him.

"Cale!" Anubis called. Cale snapped out of it, and he turned around.

"Anubis?" he asked. Anubis pointed to the trees where there was a bright flash. Then moments later, a greenish beam of power shot don from the early morning sky and a voice that whispered three words echoed throughout the land.

"…A Ronin Warrior…" Cale and the others shot their attention the spot where the activity was occurring. Cale snapped the reigns and he galloped off into the trees. Anubis was not far behind him. In fact, he was beside Cale.

Cale was smiling, but didn’t know that Anubis was doing the same until he looked over to his side. Anubis turned to him and they exchanged mischievous glances. It was a battle and they could feel it in their blood. Cale’s horse jumped over a rotting log that was wedged in between a ditch. Cale’s horse leaped over it while Anubis’s dodged under it.

Anubis and Cale were far ahead, and the soldiers following them were dropping behind. Cale’s heart stopped as they passed a familiar cabin. He looked behind him at the cabin once more. It was Kuyara’s …

"Kuyara must be in trouble!" Cale kicked his horse, sending it zooming past Anubis’s. His mind suddenly was filled with thoughts of Kuyara dying. (She can’t die. I’ve known her too long. She could survive anything!) he thought. He repeated this in his head to calm himself. Kuyara was a survivor. (besides, if she dies, I’m going to kill her) he smiled as he contradicted himself.

As he reached another clearing, he saw three figures walking. Two males and on female. (The girl must be Kuyara!) said Cale. He galloped toward the three. Just then, the third one fell through what seemed like a hole. The girl jumped in after him and the first boy went after her. Cale recognized the first boy as the captain rival of his kingdom, Ryo. The second boy he didn’t know. But one thing he couldn’t mistake was the girl. It was definitely Kuyara.

They all rushed to the middle of the clearing. Cale jumped off his horse and stood overseeing the tunnel in the meadow floor. He could hear several voices screaming as they fell. Cale dived in, and Anubis soon came to a stop on his horse at the hole. He turned back to the men who were still caught in the forest. No doubt they would probably get lost.

"Cale… sometimes I wonder why Rowen put YOU in charge. He jumped into the black hole, and fell through.

********

"OOOOOHHHH MAAAAAANNN!!!!!!!!" cried Sage. He was still falling. If he didn’t know better, he’d think it was a bottomless pit. He would’ve thought that… if it wasn’t for him hitting the bottom. As he slammed into the floor of the tunnel, he let out a "OOPH!" he stood up, rubbing his head. It was all dark around, and the tunnel ended in a large room. He couldn’t see anything, so he pulled out his no datchi and illuminated it, using it as an artificial torch. He looked up in the roof where the vertical tunnel was. He heard a voice yelling as it came closer. Sage’s eyes widened, and he tried stumbling away. But it was too late. Kuyara fell out of the tunnel and landed on Sage.

The impact caused Sage to throw his no-datchi by accident into the wall. As the no-datchi latched onto the wall, it must’ve pressed a switch, because part of the wall moved away, revealing a door.

"Sage?" asked Kuyara. She looked around her. "Where are you Sage!?"

"under …you…,"Kuyara stood up immediately. She helped Sage stand up.

"I’m so sorry!" Said Kuyara, and Sage stretched, and a cracking sound came from his back.

"OUCCH!" said Sage. He rubbed the back of his neck.

"WATTCHH OUT BELOWWWW!’ cried a voice in the tunnel. It was Ryo. Ryo landed on both Kuyara and Sage. This sent dust flying up everywhere.

"I told you to watch out…"

"Shut up."

"Damn it… this is the thanks I get for saving both of you from those demons. Where are we anyway?" asked Kuyara. Luckily, Sage’s no-datchi was lighting the inside of the room. It looked like an Egyptian temple, but with Japanese writing. There were pictures on the walls, and symbols that none of them could understand. They could only make out the few Japanese phrases. Most of them were warnings.

Sage walked up to one of the adobe brick walls. He read one phrase before gasping. Kuyara and Ryo walked up behind him.

"What?" asked Ryo.

"This is written in blood…," he said. "Human blood…" Suddenly, two people tumbled out of the tunnel. Both of them moaned. It was a long drop and it hurt. Especially since they landed on top of each other.

"CALE!" Kuyara cried. Her eyes lit up as she ran toward him. She picked him up from the floor and hugged him. Cale smiled at her and hugged her back. Sage looked on and sneered. It was Cale. He didn’t know Anubis, but Cale had a reputation. And Ryo knew him as well. He was one of the lead generals at Rowen’s kingdom.

"YOU!" Ryo shouted. Cale and Anubis turned around to Sage and Ryo. Sage gripped his no-datchi and help it in front of them, the sword’s glow, their only light. Ryo took out his twin katanas. Kuyara looked on, still confused, with no idea of the rivalry that she had just sparked.

"Sage… it’s time to go…," Cale muttered. Sage laughed.

"I’m not going without a fight…" said Sage. Cale smirked.

"As you wish," Cale swiped at Sage with his own no-datchi. Sage dove under the attack, and tripped Cale.

Ryo and Anubis circled around the room, watching each other intently. Each one of them waiting for the other to make the first move. Ryo finally did, and Anubis wrapped his chain sickle around the katana and pulled it form his hands. Anubis brought the katana up to his hands.

"You won’t be needing this, will you?" he said to Ryo.

"OH-," screeched Kuyara. The four stopped trying to kill each other enough to see Kuyara screaming.

"Kuyara!" Cale and Sage called at the same instant. They looked at each other not in anger, but in worry. They ran toward her.

"What’s wrong!?" asked Sage. Kuyara got herself together and pointed to something in the corner. Sage slowly, and steadily brought his sword close to the corner and shed some light on it.

"oh my god…" he whispered. It was a body, mutilated to the point of barely distinguishable. The face could barely be made out, the limbs were torn apart, and blood was all over it. Several of the parts were clinging to the wall… the most noticeable was the severed hand still handing on to a thin crack in the wall…

"Whatever the hell did this-," Sage stopped himself. He was shocked. It was unspeakable, the form that the body was in. None of them were in the mood to finish their fight anymore.
Sage looked away from the body, and looked at the door that was revealed before Cale and Anubis came through the tunnel.

Sage pulled it open just enough for him to fit through. He slipped past the door and went inside the room. It was a labyrinth! The others came through the door and gaped at the sight of more tunnels. The passageways were all going in different directions. There were about eight separate ways branching off from this section or room. Kuyara stepped forward.

"Why don’t I go in one… I’ll be back," she hoped. The others were too busy thinking to protest at what she was saying. There was no way out except to explore. Sage stopped her and handed his sword.

"just in case." Kuyara smiled. Kuyara grasped it, taking a last long look at Sage. She knew that anything could be lurking inside the long hallways. Kuyara took a deep breathe before picking the tunnel farthest to the left. Sage whispered,

"Take care…"

********

"They should’ve been back by now! ERGH!" Rowen shouted. He paced back and forth between the two pillars that was beside the throne.

"Rowen… they must be fine. Stop overreacting. They are the top-class soldiers, sir. They are trained to handle situations that surpass their skills. They are trained, sir, trained" said one of his advisors. Rowen stopped pacing and thought.

"yes, you are right. But I don’t know why, but I’ve just a got a feeling they might need me. What if they’re dying, being tortured by demons, what if they’re being eaten by banshees, what if spirits are possessing them, what if -," he babbled. His advisors gave him a look.

"Sorry. It’s just that I’ve got this nagging feeling in the back of my head…" said Rowen. He fell back on his chair and took some deep breaths. (All this thinking’s giving me a migraine)

"What I wouldn’t do for something sweet right now…" he said under his breath.

"Sir… They are absolutely intact. I can assure you that those two are the best," said his other advisor. Rowen stared at them blankly and stormed into his bed-room.

"He’s awful angry. If anybody asks, it’s your fault," said one to another.

"WHAT!?!" the second advisor cried.

Rowen walked past his bed and walked over to the balcony. A gentle breeze was blowing outside, and the morning was spreading rays of sunlight He put his hands on the railing and leaned on it. He closed his eyes and let his head hang. He ran his hand through the strands of his hair. And looked up to the sky. A gust of wind blew. If he wasn’t so caught up in all the fuss, he would’ve enjoyed the dawning of a new day. He cast his eyes to the far away hills. The landscape was fit for a king, and was good to the eye.

He had all he wanted, he had all he needed, and he was worrying about two men. Two regular, disposable men. He didn’t need them. He had whole groups of armies just at his base, awaiting his command.

But he felt that they all meant something. That they were all connected somehow. Even his enemies. Before, he had never had a second thought about killing his rivals. Now he seemed to hesitate. And this worried his people. He feared a mutiny would break out against him. The door creaked behind him. He whipped around.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT!?" he yelled. It was a soldier at the door. He had apparently run past the advisors and guards. It must have been important news. The soldier held on to the door for support as he bent over and caught his breathe.

"It’s your men sir. We fell behind and they were out of sight. When we caught up, all we found were their horses. Beside them we found a large hole of some sort. We couldn’t see the bottom and the others didn’t want to see how deep it was." Rowen snapped to attention.

"What was in it?" he asked. The soldier didn’t answer until after a few moments of thought.

"We don’t know, but we think we heard some clanging noises below. Like some fight was going on. Then there was a scream. We ran right after that…" Rowen walked swiftly past the armored man and headed for the weapon room. The soldier ran after him.

"Where are you going sir?" he asked, trailing after Rowen. Rowen stopped in his tracks. Others around them stopped to stare. Rowen’s distress caught the attention of everyone in the large hallway. A sweat droplet ran down the soldier’s face. He was arguing with the king in front of so many eyes.

"I trained the two of them myself, and my students will not die because they had been deserted-"

"Sir that is foolish, you will die!" Everyone intensified their gaze at his comment. The soldier then realized what he said.

"Uh-….. um…. I mean you might not survive. It might be wise too bring other along with you," he recovered. He let out a sigh of relief.

"All right, then. You. You come with me," Rowen replied. The soldier opened his mouth to reply, but he had nothing to say.

"I…uh… but…. What if-," he said. Rowen leaned closer so that they were looking at each other eye-to eye.

"Are you going to defy my judgment?" The soldier shook his head furiously. Rowen smiled. The soldier mumbled something to himself. Rowen swiftly turned his head to the soldier.

"Excuse me?" asked Rowen.

"NOTHING! I uh mean… nothing…" said the soldier. He swore in his thoughts and hoped Rowen couldn’t read minds.

********

"She’s been gone too long…" said Ryo. The others nodded. They didn’t know how much time had passed, but to them it seemed like forever.

Sage stared into the dark tunnel. He could barely see the outlines of it in the dark. But a glow emanated from the tunnel above, telling him it was still daylight outside.

"Who goes, who stays?" asked Cale. The others didn’t answer, but Sage was quick to speak.

"We all go. If Kuyara really is in trouble, that means that one of us isn’t enough to help her," Anubis nodded. He marveled at this one’s knowledge. No wonder they were enemies. They were two of a kind, him and Anubis. They both were calculators and planners. But Sage seemed more to rely on his mind rather than skills. Oh well. He probably didn’t need to use his skills anyway.

"Right," Ryo said. Ryo began walking toward the tunnel. Sage grabbed his shoulder so he wouldn’t lose which direction he went. There might be more tunnels and they didn’t want to separate. Anubis and Cale gave each other looks, but they couldn’t be seen in the dim light.

The sound of their footsteps echoes in the halls, making the trip even more eerie.

"I wish I had my sword right now," said Sage as he looked back. Now it was pitch black. They could see nothing.

Anubis’s mind seemed to wonder elsewhere. He somehow seemed more at home in the dark. It was the kind of surroundings that he was normally in. It was his nature. Cale didn’t know this, because they had only met a few hours before.

Anubis had no ideas of what Cale was like and vise versa. The two didn’t seem to want to get to know each other at all-

"AAHHHHH!!!!" cried a voice from behind them. It was very faint, but only Cale seemed to hear it. He decided not to tell the others about what he heard. Then he heard another sound before the silence resumed. He heard some sounds ahead of him, but they were just the sounds of the others turning their heads.

"If you don’t mind Ryo, I suggest you speed your ass up," said Sage.

"I agree… I really really don’t like the sound of that," said Anubis.

"Hai…," answered Ryo. He began running, and the others followed behind him. Anubis recalled the situation moments before. Where did the scream come from? And why did it sound so familiar. Just then he crashed into something in the dark.

"ACK!" he cried. Shortly after, he heard crashing noises. This time it was the sounds of all of them tripping over objects.

*Crash!*

*Pow!*

*BAM*

And the sounds of their reactions…

"OOPH!"

"FUCK!"

"OW…" Just then a light shone brightly in the middle of the vast room they entered. It was another place, but much larger than the first room. The light came from the no datchi Sage had given to Kuyara.

The room had rubble and some pillars holding up the room. Some potholes and ditches littered the whole Chamber.

With the light from the sword, came a realization that Kuyara was gone. Where was Kuyara. Sage had given his no datchi to light her way, but where was Kuyara if the no datchi was there? Sage began to sweat. Could something have happened to her? What if she ended up like the body at the entrance to the labyrinth? What if they were to befall the same fortune.

Statues were all over the walls, some carved from the walls, and some independent. And each and every one of them seemed to have eyes that stared at them- as if they were prey. They took the forms of several beings. Some demons and griffins. Some were humans with pity engraved in their eyes. Some were unknown creatures that Sage just had to marvel at.

Sage helped himself up and went toward his no datchi. Part of it was hidden beneath some of the ruins. He pulled at it. Something was holing it. he put his foot on the brick, and he pulled at it. Finally, the debris gave in and it let loose the no datchi.. and one other thing. A human hand. One thing that caught Sage’s eye was that it belonged to a female.

"NO!" he yelled. "Kuyara!" He got down on his hands and knees and began digging the body out. Dust went flying up into the air, making it even harder to breathe. He pulled Kuyara out and hugged her. He felt her chest. There was a heartbeat at least. And she was breathing. It was a good sign.

"What happened asked Ryo," stepping over him.

" I don’t know, but by the looks of it, I think there was a cave in," said Sage. Cale knelt down beside him.

"I doubt that. Kuyara usually is too careful to let things like that happen. Something else might have caused it," said Cale. Anubis nodded and answered.

"There’s something else in here. I can feel it," said Anubis. Then all of them turned around as part of the wall collapsed. Two red eyes shone through the dark passageway, and heavy- inhuman breathing reached their ears.

"…," Sage couldn’t say anything.

"This is not what we need…," remarked Anubis.

********

Rowen rubbed his head.

"Damn … of all the luck, I had to fall down this freaking hole," he said. But at least this could be the place where the others were.

He had just ridden on the horse to where the men had seen Anubis and Cale fall in . And Rowen just so happened to be day-dreaming… and tripped… and fell in.

"AAHHHH!!!" he let out a cry as he crashed into the ground below, his left shoulder hitting the floor first. He didn’t get up for a few minutes. He laid there, shocked at the pain. Then suddenly, it was lifted away as if by magic. He shoved the phenomenon of his pain aside and went further. He heard some footsteps and some shuffling far ahead inside the tunnel.

There was something in there with him. It sounded like it had millions of feet, and Rowen imagined it to be a griffin. He shook his head.

He couldn’t do anything else. He stood up and felt his way further into the tunnel. He couldn’t see a thing, but the thing seemed to be moving away from his position- at a rapid speed. It was running. Rowen began jogging in the direction of all the noise.

"Oh man- that has to be them," said Rowen. (If not, then I’ll die… don’t jynx yourself. You just might) he thought, He shivered. The temperature dropped again. It was probably just the atmosphere. He felt along the wall. He stopped for a moment. He felt a bump in the wall. He ignored it and went on. Soon he tripped on something and he threw his hands wildly about. He hit his palm on something. He didn’t know, however, that he had hit a switch. And he didn’t know that it triggered the floor to give away in a few seconds…

"Damn it, Why is it that every time I go anywhere, I fall?" he asked himself. Just then, the floor beneath him gave away.

(Me and my big mouth) he thought as he fell further into the darkness.

********

Its roar echoed in the hall, and it charged forward. It’s image finally clear… a 9 foot serpent with three horns. It’s mouth was filled with saliva that dripped down its nine-inch teeth. The eyes glowed red with a green pupil. The end of the talons was covered in blood. It left a trail of blood as it stepped closer to them. Six legs were attached to the abdomen and leathery wings were on the shoulders.

It roared again. The five of them covered their ears to shield it from the deafening noise of the cry. It was hungry.

"I bet we look like chicken to that thing!"

"I am not going to be a drumstick…."

"Are we gonna actually fight this thing?"

"Yeah…. We are…"

"You gotta be kidding…"

"Got a better idea?"

"How about we just die?"

Anubis could’ve done without the sarcasm. He was screaming in terror within, but wore a grin on the outside. He took out his chain sickle and started to swing it around as if about to lasso.

"Darn it. Why is it that every moment of my life, I’m about to be massacred?" asked Sage as he armed his no datchi.

"Hey- you’re the one who joined my army," said Ryo. His two katanas were the only things he had against it. he hadn’t used his sure kill since he had tried to save Sage from Kento.

"You think the sure-kills will work on this … dragon… thingy…," said Kuyara. She wasn’t even sure that her Starlight swords would work.

"It has to," Cale said. Anubis was the first to attack. He threw the sickle, but the creature flapped its wings and the wind current threw the sickle off target. The sickle flew toward Ryo. Ryo ducked just as the sickle crashed into the wall behind him.

"Hit HIM not me!" cried Ryo. He swung his arms in the air as the serpent tried swinging its claws at him. He was nearly cut in half.

He landed on the ground with a thud.

"Thunderbolt CUT!" Sage threw the attack. Sidestepped, letting the power crash into the wall behind it. Sage knew that he was now a target. The beast turned his gaze from Ryo… to Sage. Sage stepped back, preparing to do another sure-kill.

"Starsword Scream!" A blast of energy came blasting toward the serpent. It saw the blast ahead of time and jumped out of the way. (Stay still you disgusting thing!) thought Kuyara. She held her weapons in front of her, ready to defend herself from one of its attacks.

It seemed that this was the queue for Anubis to send his attack.

"Quake with Fear!" he cried. His sickle tore into the floor of the room and then reappeared around it. Ryo called out a battle cry and sent his attack.

"Flare up now!" The wave was coming toward it, and hit its target. Then there was silence.

Cale knew it wasn’t finished. He readied his attack.

Suddenly, it ripped the chain to shreds as it jerked up to its feet. The burn marks on its skin slowly began to disappear before their very eyes. The blood stopped flowing, and the cuts mended together.

"This thing is invincible!" cried Ryo.

"What the hell do we do now!" Cale knew it would be futile, but he did his attack anyway. It hit the creature, but it ended in vain, as the creature merely knocked it away. Cale looked on with worried eyes.

Something hit the creature on the head and it looked up. A small spot on the ceiling was crumbling. Small pieces of the roof’s material was falling down. Something could be heard yelling from within the wall. It became louder and they recognized it as a human voice. Just then, a body came crashing through the roof and landed on the mosnster’s head. They both fell to the floor, causing them all to jump.

********

Rowen was falling through the darkness, and could see a light below him. He was falling face-first, and he wasn’t too excited about it. The light could be seen through cracks. Then, as he hit the bottom, it broke again and he fell into an even larger room. As he fell, he noticed the room was lit, so he could see what was below him. He wished he couldn’t.

There were several people in the room, along with a creature that he didn’t know was. He cried out as he crashed into its snout and they both fell to the floor.

Rowen moaned as he lay there, a bit glad that he was on firm ground- and a bit not. When he opened his eyes, some people were standing over him.

"we try all those stupid attempts to kill that thin… and a falling captain kills it by landing on its head… I know I lost my self esteem," Said a feminine voice. As his vision cleared, the blurry figures became familiar colleagues and enemies.

"Great…more people who want to kill me," Ryo muttered.

"Or take you back to their kingdom and covert you to their forces and use your power to heal and win wars against the enemy with little forces-," Sage mumbled on and on. It was a good thing no one understood what he was saying, because if they did, they would be at each others throats again.

Rowen rubbed the back of his head. He took off his bandanna. Part of it was stained with blood. It was from the impact of falling through so many floors. (Ouch…) he thought as he wiped off some of the blood off his forehead. He gave up and put his bandanna back on.

"Damn that hurt… a lot," said Rowen.

"How did you get here anyway?" asked Cale. Rowen shook his head.

"You don’t wanna know. But just consider this…it had a lot to do with falling," Rowen said. Cale looked at him puzzled, but he knew not to ask.

Rowen, with the help of others, managed to stand up.

"How do we get out of here?" asked Sage. He ignored the urge to start fighting Cale again. He felt a sort of rivalry, different from his distaste towards Anubis. He never knew why though. He figured that their personalities didn’t mix well. He shook the thought off and focused.

"I dunno…," Ryo said. He looked around.

"Maybe there’s another switch or something…," said Ryo. Wind currents blew in from the tunnel, and the temperature dropped drastically.

"Oh my-," mumbled Kuyara. She rubbed her arms to warm from the cold. Something was about to happen.

Whispers bounced off the temple walls, coming from nowhere at all. Something fell from the roof above them and landed in front of Kuyara. It scared her, but she recovered and inspected it. It was some sort of weapon. It looked like a pitchfork…or a mechanical trident. She ignored the strong currents. And the voice speaking- until it became louder, that is.

"It is true," said a voice. A white, misty figure came down and landed beside the trident that fell beforehand. The mist around it lifted and revealed a samurai.

"I have been watching you…," it said. It lifted its head and the others saw its face.

"It’s the… the…," Ryo said. He was searching for the word.

"he’s the ghost we saw in my cabin!" Kuyara said. Cale and Anubis looked at each other. They had no clue of what the others were talking about.

"That is correct," it said. It took off the helmet. The same auburn hair, and the same mischievous eyes.

"I have been searching for you all- Sage, Ryo, Kuyara, Anubis, Cale, Rowen…," said the spirit.

"The others will come. Destiny will bring us together. I am a messenger from the ancients. I am also owner of the Torrent armor. My kanji is trust, and my element is water. My earth name is Cye," said the spirit. Sage was looking at Cye’s hands. Whenever he moved them, they left a trail of white behind them. It was very distracting.

"What do you mean?" asked Sage.

"You will know later. It is not time yet. All I am permitted to tell you, is that the life you know now… is not real," said Cye. "It is but something to keep your mind alive… to keep you from knowing."

"Knowing what?" asked Ryo. He was just about fed up with him and wanted straight answers. Not the mumbo jumbo he was blurting out.

"…you will see," Said Cye. Ryo stopped. (What did he mean by that?)

"Why are you here anyway? Weren’t you out to kill us back there?" asked Kuyara. Cye laughed.

"It was a test," he said.

"RIGHT…," said Kuyara, sarcasm written all over her face. "And what was the test about anyway?"

"To see if you were the true warriors," said Cye.

"I don’t believe this," said Rowen.

"Hey- when you were young, you didn’t believe in monsters like these, am I right?" asked Cye, pointing to the dead serpent beside them.

"Let me get this straight… This life is not real?" asked Sage. He punched Cale. Cale fell backwards.

"OW! DAT URT, U ‘TUPID PEESH OB CHIET!" He cried, holding his bleeding nose.

"Okay- it’s not a dream…" HE whispered to himself. Rowen laughed, but stifled his laughter after getting elbowed in the chest by Cale.

"Enough of your feuds. Have you or have you not felt connected in some way?" Asked Cye. Every one of them nodded.

"you are each woven into this reality so well, that none of you have suspected what has been committed behind you. This place is not real. Neither are the thoughts you seem to be thinking, and neither is this body which lays beside you now," he said. They were silent. None dared to speak a word.

"I am the only reality your minds will see until you awaken. You have seen nothing," he whispered. Cye picked up his trident, and disappeared, leaving them all in fear.

"This is not real?"

"Then what is…?" The darkness enclosed them, and somwhere outside... an owl shrieked...

To be continued…………