The sequel to Cye’s Struggle.
Chapt. 22. Kania’s Decision.
Cye followed Kania as she led him through the halls. He stayed quiet, and could only hope they weren’t caught. If they were, he knew it might be the end for the both of them, or maybe just him as Talpa would most likely send Kania to the Pits to turn her again, this time making her vicious and hateful. He shuddered slightly, not liking the fact he was actually walking through Dynasty halls. But for some reason he wasn’t afraid. He could feel love coming from Kania and it surprised him to say none the least, and he could feel a strong comforting presence beside him, even though there was no one there. The feeling made him less afraid.
Kania led him to a room and opened the door. Inside the room was furnished with a bed and a dresser with a mirror. It wasn’t fancy, pretty plain actually, but it did look better than a cold dark cell.
Kania turned to look at Cye. “Rest here for now. I’ll be back later.” With that she ushered him in and closed the door, then turned and hurried the other way.
Cye yawned tiredly and trudged toward the bed. He crawled into it, and buried his head in the pillow. Before he knew it had fallen asleep.
Talpa had been steadily watching his mystic mirror with a wicked grin on his face as he watched the Ronins heading for his castle, determination on their youthful faces. He did not see Cale appeared until he heard his name.
“Master Talpa.”
Talpa caused the mirror to vanish from sight and looked down at his Warlord of Darkness. “Yes, what is it, Cale?”
Cale seemed a bit afraid and nervous which heightened Talpa’s suspicions that something had happened. Cale swallowed. “Master, Torrent has escaped.”
“WHAT?!!!!!
Cale stumbled back and fell to his knees. “I went to his cell. It was bolted lock, but when I unlocked it and appeared inside he was no longer there. The cell was completely empty.”
Talpa stood up with a roar as his eyes flashed red. Cale trembled on the floor as Talpa’s anger went out.
Finally Talpa calmed a bit. “Blast those Ronins! They are using those decoys again!” He scratched his chin. “They might have made it out of the castle yet.” He looked down at Cale. “Find them, all of them, and bring them to me in chains! I want them all to witness Torrent’s torture! Especially Hardrock!”
Cale bowed, then stood. “As you wish, master.” He vanished from the room.
Talpa sat down, scowling and muttering angrily to himself.
Cye was dreaming peacefully. Beside him unnoticed was the same man he saw in his dream, and next to him was the angel who had spoken to him. The two continued to watch him, hearing the sounds of the four Ronins battling, Talpa muttering curses, and everything else going on.
The angel looked at the man.'When will it be?' he asked.
'Soon'.
And the angel became silent, watching the young boy sleep. It felt good to see him sleeping peacefully with no nightmares to bother him. It made the angel smile.
Kania was now back in her own room, sitting at her own vanity brushing her hair. She was in her own little world thinking things through and was trying to formulate a plan to get Torrent out of the castle and back to his friends. The question was how was she going to do that without getting caught? She herself wanted to abandon Talpa and live a normal life again, but she was afraid she would be caught and tormented for doing so.
'Do not be afraid to make wises choices, Kania'.
Kania jumped, dropping her brush as it fell to the floor, landing with a soft thump sound. She glanced nervously around thinking she would see someone in the room with her. The room was empty. Her eyes narrowed. “Dais, is that you?”
'No. I am not he that you ask of. I am higher than he is. Kania, you seek for something more than you have now, and you are already at the door. All you need to do is walk through it. And fear not. I will be with you.'
Kania suddenly felt a strong energy, then she felt the most amazing thing. Love. It made her feel stronger and caused her kanji to appear on her forehead. She closed her eyes, basking in this beautiful feeling as she had never felt it before. For several minutes her eyes stayed closed. Finally she opened her eyes, narrowing them with courage. She knew what she had to do.
Cye’s Fight.
Chapt. 23. Dreams of Agony.
Cye was sleeping so peacefully for once. Outside the door, hundreds of Dynasty soldiers ran by in search of him, and his four friends. Someone barked an order, but it did not wake him up. He continued to sleep.
The angel looked at the man beside him. He was gazing at Cye’s sleeping form. Compassion, love, tenderness, forgiveness, and the eagerness to save this child’s soul from eternity in complete damnation from the fires of hell, were strong on his face. The man looked at the angel firmly. 'It’s time.'
And the angel leapt into action.
Cye began to dream, but it wasn’t his usual dreams. He was in a different place, a different time, and a different feel of things. He saw only one man mostly, the man from his second dream, the one who looked at him and his friends sadly. Cye was surprised as he heard the man speaking to a large crowd, there must have been about 5000 people, all wearing robes and tunics and sandals. All of them were sitting there quietly, just listening to him speak. Cye walked a little further, catching a glimpse of the people. He could see it on their faces: misery, pain, hope, sorrow, greediness, hatred. It was all there, and it frightened him
The scene suddenly changed. He saw the man healing people, of every disease, ailment, and misery known to man. He saw evil spirits cast out, he saw food multiplied from the tiniest amount to feed crowds of more than 5000 to 7000 people, with scraps left over. He saw the man raise the dead, walk on water, tell a fig tree to wither away which obeyed him.
He saw the man teach of love, forgiveness, labor, faith, God, and Heaven, and even an evil being known as Satan who was once called Lucifer. He listened to the stories the man spoke of, not fully understanding them, but knowing somehow that he would sooner or later.
The scene changed again, and this time Cye saw the same man being arrested by priests and several guards. He watched as the man’s closest followers all ran off, betraying him as only one followed him. The man was questioned again and again, but he stayed silent. False accusers testified against him. He was beaten and mocked. Cye was in tears, and he wanted to scream out right there, demanding that they stop the torment.
The scene changed again. The man was carrying a large heavy cross over his back as he stumbled through a crowd of oppressors and saddened loved ones. He was weak and exhausted. Twice he had stumbled, which caused a guard walking alongside him to strike him with a horse’s whip. Cye was tempted to call his armor and blast all these terrible people away.
The scene changed again. Cye’s eyes widened with disbelief, misery, pain, and horror. The man was being nailed to the cross, his tortured screams were the worst imaginable. Not even Talpa’s torture could compare to this. The man was hung up for all to see, his hands and feet nailed to the cross. He was exposed, and forced to let the people see him as that as they mocked him, telling him to come down, to do a miracle. The whole time the sky seemed to flash and crackle with thunder and lightning but no rain had come.
Cye continued to watch the scene with horror as the man slowly died. He tried to get away, tried to think of something else, but he was forced to stay there and watch this terrifying scene. And then he heard the man whisper quietly, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” And the man’s head dropped to his chest as his entire body relaxed.
Cye’s eyes widened, and then suddenly the whole place began to shake as if in an earthquake. Lightning struck various places, the curtain in the temple ripped in half. The people scream and ran for cover, but they found none. And then Cye heard a voice, the angel, the one who appeared in his very first dream.
“The Christ was born into this world for one purpose and one purpose only. To reconcile man with God, to set the oppressor and the oppressed free, to become man’s mediator to God, to bear the sins of the world upon his shoulders. He came not to condemn the world, but to save it. Those who believe he is the son of the man which died for their sins will never die, but will enjoy eternity with him as the children of God.”
Cye suddenly awoke, blinking around the empty room. He sat up, the dream still fresh in his mind. He pondered over it as footsteps marched past the door. Cye wanted to learn more of the man he had dreamt about, the one who had died on the cross. But how was that possible?
Kania suddenly appeared, startling him. “Cye, get up now. I’m getting you out of here.”
Cye stood up, ready to go with her, just the door opened, and Delia stood there with her eyes narrowed at them.
“Torrent isn’t going anywhere but to Master Talpa, and you Kania will be dealt with for treachery.”
Cye’s eyes widened with fear as Delia signaled several guards and the Warlords. He felt Kania grab his arm, but before she could teleport them both, they were both seized roughly, their arms clamped down at their sides by the Warlords.
“Take them to Master Talpa!” Delia ordered, glaring at Cye hatefully. She did not look at Kania.
The Warlords pushed the two out of the room, and forced them to walk down the hall as they headed for the throne room. Kania looked fearful, and Cye’s heart was pounding with fear that he would be severally beaten again. And what of Kania? What would happen to her? Would someone save them in time?
A silent intense cry for help echoed through his mind. Please someone save us!
Cye’s Fight.
The Sequel to Cye’s Struggle.
Chapt. 24. Unseen Forces at Work
Ryo dodged a soldier, then punched it right in the face as he dropped to the ground and swiped one foot under the soldier’s feet, causing it to fall right onto its back with a loud crash. Its head was off in an instant when Ryo swung his blade down on it.
Kento flipped through the air and kicked a soldier with both feet, sending the soldier several feet backward. He spun his staff through the air and took the soldier out once and for all. “Man, we need to hurry up like now! I know Cye is in trouble!” he cried as he took out another soldier.
Rowen’s arrows shot through the sky, twenty at a time. Several soldiers went down, eliminated once and for all. He was concerned however because more soldiers seem to appear from nowhere, charging them like an unconquerable enemy. Was there any end to this?
Sage punched and kicked at a soldier until the soldier was destroyed and flipped another soldier over his shoulder by using his nodatchi. The soldier was vanquished on impact. “Kento’s right. I feel that Cye is in danger.”
“There’s too many soldiers!” Ryo cried with fear evident in his voice. His eyes saw the unending horde of Dynasty Soldiers charging at them. Some were on foot, others were on horseback. Would this ever end?
Rowen cocked an arrow, his eyes narrowed with concentration. “Then we do what we do best! “Arrow Shock Wave!!”
The power went out of his attack and traveled forward, going out a mile wide. There was a loud of explosion of energy and light. Several soldiers were destroyed, but still more charged.
Kento called out his attack next. “Iron Rock Crusher!” More soldiers were destroyed and mostly buried underneath the ground. He didn’t care how long it took, he was going to save his best friend. His heart was heavy with concern and fear for the young Ronin. He was so concerned and so scared for Cye he almost started crying as he fought. Would he ever see the young Ronin again?
Ryo leapt high into the air, bringing his weapons together and spinning them around as he drew power from them. “Flare Up Now!!” The blast went out, striking the outer ends of the charging soldiers, causing them to fly apart from each other as they were completely eliminated once and for all. Just hang on Cye, he thought desperately. We’re coming for you.
Sage held his blade high above his head as the sword sparkled with power and light. He could see the soldiers coming from him, and his eyes flashed. “Thunder Bolt Cut!” He leapt into the air as his attack went out, and sent the attack against the soldiers, blasting them away as their bodies came apart and they were gone once and for all. He landed on the ground, his eyes full of worry as he looked toward the sky. If anyone is listening, please help Cye! he prayed desperately before charging again into battle.
The battle continued and there still seemed to be no end to it. Surekill after sure kill was called and more soldiers were destroyed. The four Ronins were beginning to get more concerned, but without Cye they could not bring forth the Armor of Inferno. What were they going to do?
White Blaze roared as he attacked soldier after soldier, eventually stealing a weapon from one soldier and running through them, shredding the soldiers apart with the stolen scythe. The soldiers were slowly coming to an end, but it didn’t seem fast enough. This had to end soon otherwise they would never get to Cye, and they would probably give out soon from being too exhausted from the battle they were facing now.
“Ryo!” Sage called to him as he took out another soldier. “Let’s put our attacks together and strike at the same time instead of individually!”
Ryo nodded as he swung his sword across the shoulder and chest plate of another soldier, watching it fall to the ground, lifeless. He raised his swords high above his head. Sage held his sword high. Rowen held an arrow ready, drawing energy, and Kento began to swing his staff around his head. At the same time, they each called their surekills, their voices filled with power.
“FLARE UP NOW!!” “IRON ROCK CRUSHER!” “ARROW SHOCK WAVE” “THUNDER BOLT CUT!”
The attacks went out, combining together to create one gigantic force of power. The four Ronins had to look away themselves because the power of their attack was far too bright for their eyes to handle. There was a loud sound of detonation, and the screams of the soldiers were barely heard as they were destroyed once and for all. The Ronins hit the ground, never expecting their sure kills to be that strong. The ground shook violently for several long moments as the light and power of their attacks went out.
And then finally, after holding their breaths for what seemed like an eternity, it suddenly became quiet and still. Rowen cracked an eye open as he raised his head to look around. His eyes widen with surprise as he saw the damage that was done.
Ryo stood up, his jaw hanging open as he surveyed the land around them. It was as if several forces of nature’s wrath had joined together. Most of the land was gone, leaving several large craters and deep ditches in the ground.
Kento stared at it all, completely shocked. The soldiers were gone once and for all and it was quiet now, except for White Blaze rumbling softly beside him. “Did… did we do all of this?” he wondered out loud, whispering softly.
“I… I think so,” Ryo said, his eyes full of shock and amazement.
“It seems almost impossible though,” Rowen said softly as he gazed around, studying the destruction around them.
Sage shook his head as he rested his nodatchi tip down on the ground. “We’ve put our surekills together before, but nothing like this has ever happened before,” he said softly.
“So what do you think happened then?” Ryo asked as he turned to face the Warrior of Wisdom.
“I think,” Sage began quietly, but firmly, “that someone else is on our side here.”
Those very words seemed to make sense to them, but they each wondered just who was on their side. And why hadn’t they shown themselves?
White Blaze suddenly turned his head and roared loudly, and the four Ronins turned, prepared to defend themselves again. Their eyes narrowed as they beheld their enemies.
“Sekhmet, Warlord of Venom,” Ryo said softly.
“Dais, Warlord of Illusion,” Kento said with a growl.
“Cale of Corruption and Darkness,” Sage said, eyes narrowed.
“Delia, Warlady of Weakness,” Rowen said as he brought his bow and arrow out again.
“Guys, get ready,” Ryo said bringing his swords together.
Without warning, the three Warlords and the Warlady suddenly charged at them with strength and ferocity, and the four Ronins were once again, battling to save their very lives. One thought ran through their minds. Would they be able to survive to save Cye?
Talpa glared down at Cye hatefully, and the young Ronin stared back just as coldly. Although there was fear, he could not let Talpa know this. He clung desperately to the believe that his friends would find him soon. He just hoped it was in time.
Talpa’s glare went from Cye to Kania. He stared at her helpless form held tightly by his Warlords. “I trusted you services to me, Kania. And you disappointed me!”
Kania lifted her head and her eyes blazed with anger and hatred at the Dynasty Master. “It’s over, Talpa!” she spat. “The Ronins are on their way to save Torrent, and they’re going to destroy you!”
His eyes flash red, and the tension in the air was tight, as his anger rose like a rushing wave of lava getting ready to erupt at any moment. It came before anyone realized it. All they heard was a stunning blow, and a painful cry from Kania.
“KANIA!!” Cye cried out as he strained against those who held him. He was going nowhere, and one of them jerked his arm, twisting it, causing him to scream out in pain. He gasped, trying to block the pain, but only when he stopped struggling to get free, did the torment stop. He glanced toward Kania.
Her head was down and she was gasping as if struggling to catch her breath during a hundred mile marathon. There was blood dripping from her face, and it was hard to tell where exactly it was coming from.
Cye bit his lip and turned his head away. He was angry, extremely angry. His body trembled with rage, and he was certain he would blow up at anytime.
Talpa stared coldly at Kania, having no remorse for her at all. “Perhaps now you will think twice before betraying me, Kania. I hold all power here. I am your master! Never forget that!” His eyes flashed as if to emphasize his point.
Kania weakly lifted her head as the blood dripped from a broken nose, split lip, wounded eye, and two cracked teeth. Her eyes narrowed with hatred at him. “I am no longer yours, Talpa! And you not control my life! Not anymore!”
Talpa stared at her, with almost shock. Who was this puny female to talk to him this way? He was Talpa, the great Dynasty Master! Expected to be feared by all!
He stood slowly, glaring at her. “It seems that your punishment wasn’t enough, Kania,” he said coldly. “Perhaps if someone you loved was hurt before you, you will return to me.”
Kania gasped as he disappeared then reappeared right in front of Cye. Cye stared up at him, sensing the antagonism and abhorrence coming from Talpa. He closed his eyes as Talpa raised an arm high into the air. A silent whispered plea echoed through his mind again. 'Please someone!! Help me!!'
Talpa let out a scream of rage and brought his arm down, but then suddenly he found himself striking against some kind of wall, and no matter how hard he tried he could not penetrate through to strike Torrent.
“WHAT IS THIS?! he screamed with rage as he kept trying to get through to grapple the young Ronin.
Cye opened his eyes and stared in confusion at the scene before him. Talpa was trying his best to strike him, but he couldn’t. What was going on here?
And then he heard that same familiar voice that had comforted him so many times. 'You have asked for help, and have trusted it to come, Cye Mouri, Ronin Warrior of Trust. So shall it be that you have what you have asked for.'
Cye heard Kania softly gasp, and one look toward her, told him that she could also hear the same voice.
“AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!” Talpa shouted with rage as he threw his power at Cye, hoping to break through whatever was protecting him.
But nothing happened.
“WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!” Talpa raged. “WHY CAN’T I STRIKE TORRENT?!!
Dais, Cale, Sekhmet, and Delia had no answer as they could not understand what was happening here.
It’s like he’s being protected, Delia mused to herself. But what?
And then the entire room was suddenly swallowed by an extremely powerful light.
