Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction ❯ Insanity's Requiem ❯ Acceptance and Denial ( Chapter 8 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Disclaimer: As always, I don't own them. Just my own characters, i.e. Lena, Akiko and so on…and this story line of course. : P

Well, after a hard days' work I finally managed to get to the computer to type up the next bits and pieces. So, here it is the awaited chapter 8!

Insanity's Requiem

Chapter 8: Acceptance and Denial

The attack now past, everyone was at the manor, looking a little worse for the wear. Talk was strained and it showed in everyone's faces. No one wanted to begin to talk about what was going on, even as Mia and Lena worked to patch up the wounds on each of the warriors.

A small smile breeched Ryo's lips as Mia worked on his wounds, nodding his thanks to her as she smiled back at him in reply. To her, this was nothing out of the usual. Lena, however, was clearly shaken. Her lips pursed, she wrapped a bandage around Cye's arm with efficiency as she then turned to help Sage out with his. She trembled slightly, the replay of what had transpired replaying over and over in her head, leaving her no doubt that this was definitely something to be chalked up to a sci-fi show.

Sage had taken notice, as had the other Ronins, if not the Warlords. Her usual chatter wasn't present, her smile all but gone. Something akin to a deeper emotion was flickering in her eyes instead of the usual bright humor. The emotion was hard to place, and while her hands were firm as she finished the final bandage, it was obvious that she hadn't a single idea of what had just happened.

Kayura looked up from her position on the couch, looking at each of the battle worn warriors. The battle had taken most of them unaware, and the sheer power that Lethias had displayed rivaled that of Talpa at his greatest. Lethias was powerful, lusting after the one thing that kept him from a full on assault. It was obvious, moral was low right now, and she didn't blame them.

“Alright, look…I know there is some explaining to do. But I'd like it done tomorrow, after everyone has had some rest and time to relax momentarily after this battle. Nothing is going to come of us exhausting ourselves like this,” Mia said, adjusting her now dirty and rumpled dress. The night had been so lovely too, the dress perfect.

The guys nodded that they agreed, trudging up the stairs, removing dress coats and things like that. The battle could wait, Mia was right. Sleep was the best for all of them. Mia turned to the four from the netherworld, “I can put you guys up for the night as well, if you like. I have spare rooms upstairs.”

“That would be appreciated,” Kayura nodded as she beckoned to the other three warriors, leading them up the stairs after Mia.

Lena just watched on, sitting on the couch. She had no doubt in her mind that sleep was as far away from her as it got. Standing up, she headed into her room to change her clothing, switching it to a more comfortable pair of jeans and a black t-shirt. Slipping on tennis shoes, Lena slipped onto the roof, leaving Mia to settle the others down. A small pang of guilt at not helping hit her, but she shook it off, staring at the stars in an effort to calm her nerves. So many questions to be answered and none of them were going to come that night.

“What the hell is going on?!”

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“Damn it!” Lethias yelled, punching the wall nearest him with a spurt of anger. The harbinger of the spirits had slipped from his grasp, and it was his fault as well. He couldn't blame it on the underlings…that much he was certain of. After all, they had been fighting as he ordered, and the wolves were too stupid to really do anything but what he asked. No, it was his own surprise of the holy light that had forced him back, and he knew Kayura knew it as well.

“Damn that witch…damn her to hell. It just seems like I can't find anything the right way anymore,” Lethias grimaced, sitting down in the middle of his tirade, “But what if I changed tactics? Maybe…just maybe if I got closer to the action…”

Lethias grinned, his mind beginning to work wonders as he thought about what he was going to do. He needed someone…someone filled with malice, jealousy and hatred. The person would fall easily to him, if he played it right; someone who would be able to distract his enemies and possibly bring the prize to him themselves all without drawing suspicions to their actions.

Standing up, he glanced into a mirror across from him, and grinned as an eerie music began to play from an unknown source. A figure formed, small, delicate…filled with wicked emotion. Oh yes…she would do. She would do perfectly. It was time to bring forth a negative spirit…

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Morning was oddly silent as the various occupants of the Koji manor moved about with their usual tasks. No one was going to school that day, school having been canceled for a while due to the investigation of a possible bomb explosion upon the school. Or at least, that was what was being used to explain why the gym had exploded.

“I suppose it's a blessing in disguise, that they blame it on that,” Sage said, motioning silently to the news program before them.

“Maybe, but it still makes me uneasy. I mean, how in the world are we supposed to fight back if he destroys things like that,” Cye asked.

“Well, we just have to keep a sharp eye. There isn't anything else we can do,” Rowen said, up unusually early, even for him.

Ryo just shook his head, sitting next to a tired looking Mia, with White Blaze draped at their feet. Across from them was Kento, who was silent, most likely steaming about how they had gotten wailed on.

“I know we can take him!” Kento cried, pounding a fist into his other, confirming the thoughts of what the others guessed about him.

“You all can, but we need a plan,” Kayura said from the bottom of the stairs, looking at them morosely as the other warlords gathered behind her, as they felt their duty required in this case. She turned to them and nodded, “You guys better get going on patrol. I'll give explanations.”

They nodded, disappearing in separate directions to complete their allotted tasks, leaving Kayura in the position to explain all that she saw fit. Either way, she glanced about at the expectant faces of the Ronins, and sighed as she headed to a seat.

Mia looked up at her, then shook her head as she then glanced about amongst their number, “Hey guys? Where's Lena?”

The guys looked up, suddenly realizing that she wasn't there. Ryo looked to Mia and then around the room, mimicked in behavior by Cye and Kento. Sighing, Sage and Rowen pulled themselves up, “We had better find her guys, we have a lot to explain to her and I think that we really should start. Come on Sage.”

“Right,” Sage nodded at the blue haired man, adjusting the green jacket he wore. Today just seemed like a day where appearances just didn't matter, meaning that everyone ended up in jeans and some sort of t-shirt. They began searching the house, starting with her room and then beyond in an attempt to find their friend.

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Kento wandered out onto the back porch, their search not having turned up any results. Looking over the expanse, he began to feel worried as he wondered about the young girl who had wound her way into their hearts as a little sister. Especially him. It was why he had started the self-defense teachings, that way she would know how to handle things for herself. Maybe he would have to pick up the pace on that training, and teach her some real combat stuff.

Sighing, he readied himself to run into the forest when he turned his head to the side, looking at the swinging chair that he and the guys installed for Mia a few months back. A grin spread on his face as he knelt beside it and called along the mental link to his companions.

Found her guys!

Where? Sage's immediately reply came.

She was on the swinging chair thingy we installed for Mia…Let Mia know, I'll wake Lena up.

Alright, meet us back inside. Ryo commanded.

Kay...Just relax! I got it all under control!

Kento grinned, laying his hand on the girl's shoulder and lightly shaking her awake. Jumping awake, her eyes snapped open, as she sat up immediately, body taut and ready to snap. Kento jumped back with slightly widened eyes as he tried to speak soothingly. It wasn't his department, but hey, he could give it a shot, “Hey! Calm down, girly. It's me, hardhead.”

Lena looked at him in relief, giving him a small smile as she calmed down. It wasn't like he could blame her. This was how he felt after his first battle in his armor, jumpy and shaken, “Hey hardhead…”

“Hey yourself. Come on, let's get inside. We got stuff to talk about now, right?” Kento consoled, patting her shoulder in a brotherly fashion. Her eyes widened slightly as she nodded, “Yea, I suppose we do.”

She pulled herself up and began to walk into the house with Kento, yawning slightly, but teaming with a bit of stress that left her with as tight a wire that anyone could have.

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Lena blinked incredulously, looking at each of them in turn. Shaking her head, “You mean to tell me that you all bear mystical armor which you have used on numerous occasions so that you can defeat an evil that no one remembers?”

The guys nodded seriously, knowing that it sounded crazy. Mia looked up with a wry smile of sympathy as she gazed at the younger girl, “That's the entire story from how we met to the defeats of Talpa and his reigns. I know it sounds crazy, but you know, it is entirely true.”

“I figured that…after what I saw last night, how could it not be true?” Lena asked, looking up from her almost huddled up position, “But what were those things last night? I mean, how does it apply to us?”

Kayura stepped forward and began the explanation of Lethias and what it was he wanted, “Lethias is a demonic lord, bent on gaining what others have. He's determined to find the harbinger of spirits, to revive the nether spirits of which you were told about. Only with their help can he bring forth the rest of the demons in the numbers that he desires, or so Cale informs me.”

“Harbinger of Spirits? What's that?” Lena asked; a light showing in her eyes like before. They were back…in her head.

It's you…we chose you…

Kayura looked at her in the eyes, realizing what the deeper emotion was that had shone in her eyes like a star since the appearance of Lethias. It was fear, and from the looks of it, not an emotion that she was used to. Sage sat next to her, placing a hand on her arm in a mode of assurance to the distraught girl as they all paid attention. No one knew exactly what the person who communicated with the spirits was for, and now the answers were going to come.

“When the immortal fire grows dim

And the dark begins to overcome the light

The churning of the sea becomes a violent storm

And the throne of rock becomes a seat of doubt

When the stream of stars begins to fade

The eye of ages will open once more.

Thus evil will be diminished

As the spirits will begin their wake

In the temple of their ancient rest

This was the poem given to me by the spirits. It was there way of informing me that the time had come. However, I must ask you this. Are you familiar with the belief that spirits reside in things?” Kayura asked, looking to Lena with shining eyes.

“Yes. It's an ancient belief that my mother has kept with our family for a while now. It states that everything of natural origin and make has a spirit of its own. Rocks, trees, animals and even the air itself. Everything bears a soul, even if we can't see it right off,” Lena said, glancing up at the older woman as she leaned back against the couch.

“Correct. This is the exact principal that the harbinger must act under. This person acts as the link between the spirits and us. They help bring forth a peace that the spirits decree and do so with a strange power. The ancient we told you about was the last one. He heard the spirits quite clearly until the day of his death, though he could only use the power until he created the mystical armor.” Kayura explained, pausing a moment to gratefully accept a cup of tea that Mia had offered her before Mia sat back down herself.

“Heard them? What do you mean?” Sage asked curiously. Random things popped into his head, memories that had just finally began to connect themselves. The book that was marked on schizophrenia, Lena's off handedness and occasional distance, even the way she seemed to react at the same time he had when the evil had struck. It was starting to make sense…

“Well, hear and see them. The person can see them once in the possession of the Jewel, and has accepted their role in being the link. They even enable the use of a mystical barrier. The spirits themselves talk to the person in question. Anyways, there is a reason I'm telling this to you, young lady,” Kayura directed the last comment at Lena, who lifted her head, confused.

“Why is that?” She blinked, trying to keep the thudding in her heart to a minimum.

“Because you are that person we are talking about. Can't you hear them? The spirits?” Kayura asked as she looked about to each of them, then back to her, “I mean, they are usually pretty active when they want to say something.”

Lena's eyes widened as she thought to all the times that she had heard a voice. Talking with Mia, Akiko, even at the dance. Neither time had she thought of other possibilities, and even now, it seemed like hers was more probable then what was being suggested. Bristling, she felt Sage's arm tighten as she tried to soak in all the details of what had been told to her. Nothing was making sense, and it caused her to lash out, “What has this to do with my mental illness?! I mean, I've been trying to figure it out…but I don't think that this is what it is! It seems…impossible!”

Kayura laughed, suddenly finding this thing rather hilarious as she listened to the girl's words, “Child, you don't have to worry. You aren't going crazy!”

Sage jumped, listening to the words that she had spoken, confirming the things that he had suspected all along. The others began to smile slightly, realizing what was happening as Lena spoke the last words, “Then…I'm not schizophrenic?”

Rowen gave out a bark of a laugh, suddenly using his mind as rapidly as he could, putting pieces together, “You mean that's why you asked to borrow my book?”

Lena nodded sheepishly, feeling a bit of a weight pulled from her shoulders. She wasn't sure if she could believe all this on the last part, with her hearing spirits and all, but at least the others didn't think she was crazy. It was a start. Sage grinned, shaking his head as he shook her gently to offer encouragement.

“Here. I want you to take this,” Kayura said, handing Lena the purple gem she had carried about with her for so long, “It's the Jewel of the Soul. It's a counterpart to your hearing the spirits. When you finally accept all this, that thing will react. You'll be able to use your power better…I think.”

Lena accepted the jewel in her hands with a nod, not trusting herself to speak. Placing it on a chain, she put it around her neck, to wear as jewelry. For some reason, she didn't want to lose it.

No…you don't. To loose that is to loose your chance to be able to help us. We can't have that. You finally can accept your destiny! Accept it! We want you to help us!

Lena jumped, hearing the voice just pop in her head as the guys looked at her rather concerned. Kayura watched on, seeing the way that her eyes went from a far off look and back. Sage leaned in, tapping her on the cheek, “Hey Lena? What's wrong?”

“The spirits…if that's who or what it is…” Lena looked over at him, still shaken up by this, but willing to give it a try; if only for sanity's sake…if only because it gave her a reason to hold onto a grip of what was left of her mind.

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Author's note: Well, here is the next chapter. I figured that it was time to being Lena up to date with all the guys and such. Cause of that, I couldn't make it as exciting as I wanted to, but hey…at least I could try! Anyways, let me know what you think! Thanks!

Hikaru

Comment from: The Sacred Bovine ((My beta reader)): a horse who's name i have no idea is missing, please return to the sacred bovine as she will surely appreciate it

Reviews: Thank you all so much for your continuous reviews!

Inda: Always the first to go! : P Anyways, here is your chapter as requested! Don't worry; I hate cliff hangers, so I try my best to update as fast as I can!

Meira Evanstar: Wow, I didn't know that the story could do that. I wasn't even going for the chills effect! Lol But thanks all the same! Glad to hear from ya!

Lyo: I just wanted to say thank you for reading and keeping up with the story! I'm glad that I have your good opinion so far on it and I will try my best to keep it!

Preview:

None this time, since I'm reaching a stump on the brain. I can't figure out how I want the next chapter to go…@_@