|
|
Mia looked down the waterfall
as it splashed into the small pool below.
She sighed. The wind blew slightly and made her hair wisp around
her. She
suddenly felt really weird, like someone was watching her. She
looked over
at the bunch of trees, and thought she saw something rustle. When
nothing
else moved, she shrugged it off. ~Probably just a deer or something.~
She
thought while turning her gaze back to the waterfall.
She jumped and spun around when she heard a twig snap in half.
She saw a
Dynasty soldier. "This is not good." She mumbled. The
soldier's eyes began
to glow red and it charged. Mia didn't know what to do. The soldier
rose its
sword at her and brought it down. The soldier seemed to freeze
when a silver
light shone from the girl he was attacking.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sage, Ryo, and Rowen sat
in the living room while Cye and Kento were in
the kitchen. Mia's armor orb was still laying on the table where
she had
placed it. Ryo eyed it carefully. Suddenly, it flashed a bright
silver and
was gone. All three of the Ronins in the room jumped up.
"Did you see that?!" Sage asked. Ryo nodded.
"It just disappeared!" He shouted.
"That must mean Mia called her armor. She may be in trouble!"
Rowen
shouted in worry. Cye and Kento dashed into the room.
"We're leaving. NOW!" Ryo shouted. He and the others
ran out the door
while calling their subarmor.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Mia had no idea what had
happened. She thought the soldier would have
struck her by now, but she opened her eyes to see a silver light
coming from
her and the demon soldier paused. In a swirl of silver light and
cherry
blossoms, Mia transformed into her armor. Mia wanted to stop it,
but it just
came. She stood with her swords ready. Instinct took over and
Mia slashed
the demon in half, letting its armored shell fall lifeless to
the ground.
Mia still felt a strong, evil presence. Dark clouds began to form
in the sky
and she knew what that meant.
She gripped her swords, staying alert for any other sounds.
The ground
began to rumble and the earth shook violently. A Dynasty gate
began to rise
from the rubble. She couldn't believe it. But she had killed Talpa!
How
could the Dynasty be back? The tall red gate swung open and gold
light shone
into the mortal realm. Mia sheilded her eyes until the light dimmed
somewhat. She looked into the gate to see a strange figure.
"So this is the great armor that destroyed Talpa?"
A voice from within
the gate asked. Mia squinted to see, but the figure was cloaked
in darkness.
"What a fine specimen from the mortal realm. I do believe
I shall put you in
my vast collection." The voice chuckled. Mia tightened her
grip on her
swords once again.
"Who are you?!" She demanded. The voice stepped from
within the gate and
Mia gasped. It was a man wearing a long, midnight blue cloak that
covered
his eyes. His arms were folded in front of him.
"I am the darkness which shrouds this earth in shadow.
I am the shadow
which veils all good with blackness. I am the blackness in this
world of
light." His voice seemed to shake the earth with its intensity.
"You still haven't answered my question." Mia statted.
"And you have not answered mine. Are you the bearer of
the armor which
destroyed the demon, Talpa?" He asked, his voice commanding
an answer. Mia
stood proud and tall.
"Yes I am. And I am the light which will penetrate your
darkness if you
are going to be as foolish as Talpa and try to take over the mortal
realm."
Mia narrowed her eyes at him. The man removed the hood of his
cloak. His
hair was long, at least the length of his shoulders. It was a
red color and
it reminded Mia of the color of blood. His eyes were grey, like
the shadows
of a winter day cast in the white snow. His very appearance suggested
power
and evil.
"You wouldn't stand a chance." He grinned. "It
has been so long since I
visited this realm. Now that Talpa is out of the way, I can lay
my claim on
it." He laughed menacingly.
"I and the Ronin Warriors will stop you!" Mia declared.
The man simply
laughed. Then he bowed respectfully.
"I am Senn, the center of all things evil." His cold
eyes made Mia
shiver. "I am the power behind Talpa. I gave him a fraction
of my power in
return for his soul." He held out his hand, palm up, and
a ghostly grey orb
appeared in his hand. "It's just another to add to my collection.
And soon,
you will be added too." The orb disappeared and was replaced
with a
necklace. Mia did not like the way this was turning out.
Senn closed his eyes and began to chant softly. Mia couldn't
hear him,
but the necklace began to glow. It was gold with a strange symbol
hanging
from the gold chain. The glowing intensified and Senn began to
raise his
voice.
"Spirits of the dark beyond, lend me your powers to deliver
another soul
into the great void." He continued the chant, his voice growing
louder.
"Gather her energy and bring it to me, leave nothing behind
but a corpse.
Devour her armor and give me its strength! Spirits from the dark
beyond,
rise for your master and do as you will!" Mia's eyes widened
as several
spirits rose from the necklace. They were black as night and had
glowing
yellow eyes. They were like the nether spirits, only they were
beast-like
and showed no human characteristics at all. Mia gasped as they
shot towards
her. She thought for sure they were going to kill her.
"ARROW SHOCK WAVE!!!!!!" Mia heard Rowen's voice
shouted and a streak of
light shot at the spirits. They seemed to back away from it, then
retreated
to the source of their existence: the necklace. Senn jumped back
as the
blasted almost hit him. He scrowled. He was not fully adapted
to this world
yet, and he may be defeated in a battle against so many warriors.
Mia felt
her knees give way underneath her and she sunk to her knees onto
the ground,
staring in fear at Senn. The demon grinned.
"Looks like we've got company. Fear not, your soul and
armor will be mine
in time." He then vanished, along with the gateway. Ryo and
the others ran
towards her.
"Mia! Are you ok?" Ryo asked in concern.
"Who was that guy?" Kento shouted to her.
"What happened?!" Cye ran up behind them. Mia looked
back at them and
trembled slightly. It was only thanks to Rowen that she was still
alive.
When she spoke, her voice was full with fear and concern.
"Guys, we've got a problem."