Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction ❯ Insanity's Requiem ❯ Ritual Before the Action ( Chapter 13 )

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

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from Ronin Warriors/Samurai Troopers. I just merely borrow them for the purposes of this fic, and thank the creators of them very much for giving us such an awesome anime! Lol

Ok, here comes the next chapter of my story, chapter 13. It wasn't easy, because I had to think about what it was I was going to write, but here goes nothing.

Insanity's Requiem:

Chapter 13: Ritual Before The Action

The guys sat back, hidden from view momentarily as they tried to defeat the exhaustion in their bones. These demons were ferocious, and left no one untouched. Even Mia had stepped up to the plate, trying to beat some back as Lena had before her capture, and in doing so, sported a few bandages on her arms. Dais and Sehkmet stood on watch, ever alert as Kayura meditated.

Sage found that confusion riddled his mind, he couldn't figure out what it was that had him so confused. He felt terrible about Minako; her dying shrieks would fill his dreams for years to come. It haunted him, that her death was at his hands…yet he felt like it wasn't bad that he had done it. No, it was necessary that he had. He knew that it wasn't done because he had wanted it to be. So, he sat there, thoughtful as the others began their plans of attack on the castle, which could be seen off in the distance.

“I'm tired of sitting around! Let's just go storm the place! I mean, come on! We can take `em,” Kento cried, nodding vigorously at the thought of it.

“Yea, and wasn't that what we just tried? Come on, Kento. If it wasn't for Sage's and Kayura's quick healings, you'd be hospital checking in material,” Rowen said, looking over his shoulder at Kento from where he sat beside Cye.

“No kidding, buddy. Take it easy. This fight is going to be a tough one, no matter what we do. Can't you feel it in the air?” Cye asked, looking slightly nervous. He had been picking the feelings up for some time now, like a gathering of energy, and he didn't like it.

“What we need is a plan, and I don't mean just jumping in,” Sage said, stirring from his silence to respond. Ryo nodded at that, “Yea, but what is it that we are supposed to do? Come on!”

“Stop bickering, it gets us no where,” Mia immediately stepped in, acting as the unofficial mediator once again. Cale blinked in respect as he watched the Ronins calm down at her orders, `She may not have armor, but she could very well be lethal to the rest of us'

“We just have to hurry. His castle is similar to ours, so if we are quiet, I'm sure we can make it through undetected,” Dais spoke, coming in from his watch shift. The others nodded at him as Kayura looked up, “We should get moving, if everyone is ready. We have to make it to the castle, and as fast as we can.”

The others nodded, silent for once as they stood; ready to act as they needed to. Adjusting their armors, they stretched, glancing at each other as they walked forward, beginning the run towards the castle once again.

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Lethias cried out in frustration, slamming his hand into the wall. He was so sure that Minako would have made it; she almost had all of them. Why did she have to play around? Now she was dead, and she had died a fool. Shaking his head, he stormed over to where the object of his conquest lay. Glancing down, he forced himself to calm down, taking in the girl's life force.

“The Ronins referred to her as Lena…hmm, interesting name. Light…oh well. The little bird of light shall soon become a harbinger of darkness” He blinked a bit at that, shrugging as he thought about it. A slight grin crossed his face as he thought of the irony. The girl's name meant light or gay happiness, but yet, she hid in her soul, fighting as hard as she could against the beings that were so close to consuming her soul.

Her life force had already weakened, and he could sense it on the tip of his mind. It was as if death had come to pay a visit, and Lethias was ready to reap the rewards. The familiar malicious grin crossed his face as he summoned a few demons by his side, “Do not distract the Ronin rats. I want them to see the ceremony they fought so hard to prevent. They will see the rebirth of the Nether Spirits, and with them, the increase of out power.”

The demon bowed to him, almost human in form himself, as he shifted to that of a bird, flying to inform the guards to let the Ronins pass unharmed. Lethias turned to look at the girl once more, noting the faint glow of the jewel as it grew fainter; a sign that the girl still refused the power of the spirits. No matter. He only needed her power, not her acceptance. Once he had gotten the preparations ready, nothing would stop it. She was merely the go-between for it all, “The ceremony is about to begin!”

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The guys ran on, surprised to say the least that save a few, no one blocked their path. Already at the castle, their feet padded away at the floor, their undergear on without their armors in an attempt to be quiet. Mia still rode atop White Blaze, who voiced an ongoing low growl, showing his displeasure with the area.

“I'm with you, old friend,” Ryo said, his hand going to the tiger's head as Rowen sneaked up to glance around the corner. Passing the signal down the line, everyone made their way yet again, when Cye felt another surge a few seconds after Sage. Both had widened eyes as they glanced at each other.

“What was that?!” Cye whispered, shocked. Sage merely shook his head, feeling the pulsing energy as the Ancient's Staff began to react again. Kayura's head shot up, a grim look lining her face as she looked over her shoulder.

“Someone is trying to open a dark gate! We have to hurry!” Kayura cried to her wide-eyed allies.

“Ronins! To Arms!” Ryo yelled. This time, he was sure they would be ready. They had to be, if they wanted to save everyone. Throwing discretion to the wind, they suited up, darting forth to where the energy was seeping from.

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The guys burst into the room where they were being called, to be met with a sadistic laughter and the surprise of their life. Lethias stood before them, a billowing robe shrouding his form as he grinned at each of them. It was obvious to them; he had known they were coming. No plan could have saved them from that, and now they knew they had to be ready to fight.

White Blaze pulled Mia out of the way as the first words were exchanged, “So, rats, you found your way in here? I guess I didn't cover all the mouse holes right.”

“Shut the hell up! You know why we are here, return Lena!” Kento yelled out, his voice reflecting what the others felt. They wanted the return of the girl who was so much like a sister to each of them. Kayura and the warlords stood to the side, nodding in agreement.

“Now why would I do that?” Lethias asked coolly, his smirk in place.

“Because she isn't a thing for you to keep!” Ryo yelled out. Nothing peeved him more then a threat to his friends or family, and this really pushed his limit. The others backed to the side, as thy felt the intense heat from his armor beginning to be sent out in waves.

Sage's eyes glinted cruelly as he shoved thoughts of death from his mind, using all the training he possessed to stay in control as he looked up at Lethias, “Where is she?!”

Lethias merely laughed, shaking his head with a shrug, “Now, why didn't you ask that before hand? I can easily show you that!”

Lethias's smirk widened if at all possible as the guy's faces changed from anger to that of shock in three seconds flat. Glancing to the side, they all spotted what Lethias had sought to hide. Lena, unconscious to the world, and had likely been for the past three days they had spent searching, was tied to a cross like structure. Runes lined its base as they traveled to where the poles met. Ropes securely held her in place, and her skin gave the impression of death warmed over.

“Oh god, her life force…” Kayura stated, softly. Her eyes glimpsed at the jewel around the girl's neck, showing that while she was weakened, she was definitely still alive, and would remain so.

“Lena! Wake up!” Mia called out, her voice sounding almost desperate as she spotted her friend up where no one should be.

The other guys felt adrenaline rush into their systems as they turned their attentions back to Lethias/. Ryo almost seemed to snarl as he spoke out, “How could you be such a monster?”

“Monster? How can you call me that? After all, you did slay a young girl in battle not that long ago, if I recall,” Lethias knew the game was a battle of minds, and he had played the trump card that would unsettle anyone, “Right Halo?”

Sage's eyes narrowed as the sound of Minako's scream tore through his mind once more, causing him to feel almost like a monster himself. How was it that he still felt remorse for those actions? “Shut up!”

“Oh, now why should I do that? It's merely the truth, you should feel honored. Most demons are pathological liars,” Lethias grinned as he saw his words ripple through the warriors like a wildfire spreads. He may actually win the battle without raising a fist…now what would be something, “How could Talpa loose to you? You all are so weak. Emotions, sentiments…nothing seems to really empower you.”

Clenching his eyes, Ryo gritted his teeth. They had to free their friend before Lethias did whatever it was he planned on doing, and they had to do it fast. Without a second thought, he began to tense, ready to rush forward and sacrifice himself to save his friends.

`Ryo!'

`Don't you dare do it, buddy! I'll beat you over the head myself!' Kento's angry comment followed the one called out by Cye. The words served their purposes. Ryo stopped his mad dash, but from the looks of it, he was ready to call a full on assault.

`What do we do?' Kayura asked, her voice calm as she thought it over her in her head,

`Good question. While you are at it, mind telling us how to get her down? Come on, might as well have a bit more useless info,” Rowen's voice was sarcasm itself as the conversation went on.

`Shut up, blue boy. Just ready those arrows. We've all been in battle before!' Dais's stern voice came across the line as Cale spoke up as well, `Don't let him get to you, Halo. You did what you had to. You want to save the spirit chick, right?'

Sage blinked at that, nodding. All of this was rapidly communicated as he nodded, taking in the info. He was ready, and Cale was right, the moron. He wanted to save Lena.

Everyone readied their weapons to begin their attacks as the ground began to shake.

“What the?!” Kento cried.

Light began to seep from the pole Lena was tied to, as Lethias turned, words flowing from his mouth. His hands raised before him as his eyes half-lidded. The runes began to glow furiously as everything began, and the dark aura surged about them.

“This isn't good…”Rowen said, stating the obvious as they felt part of the floor drop to give way.

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Lena cried out as she felt the surge of energy shock through her. She could barely hear the flute's music as she convulsed with pain. It wasn't so much anything as the fact that she knew something was happening, and it was something she didn't like. She hated this, hated hearing the spirits, and hated the darkness.

Her resolve weakened, “I'm sorry guys…I can't fight anymore…'

She panted, her eyes closed tightly as she felt the waves come through again. She was lonely, cold, scared…she didn't know what to do or where to turn. Nothing she tried released her, and no one had rescued her. She felt like she had been there for years now, and no light could be found. No bonny laughter filled her, only the misery was her company.

Silent tears filled her eyes as she felt a strange stirring forcing its way through her soul as she weakly fought it. It wasn't easy to do, and it caused her to be more tired then ever. She clutched at barren ground as her mind began to escape the small confines that she had left on it, and in her desperation, she felt another small light draw her attention. Something was there…if only she could reach it. Crawling her way forward, she grunted, panting out her exhaustion. No sleep had come to her, no rest at all during the time in this awful place. Grunting to herself, she reached into the light that was just beyond the reach of her fingers, her hand clenching around something thin, slim and hard.

Pulling her hands back to herself, she felt something run through her, something like a power. Glancing in her hands, she saw a flute. Somewhere in her mind, she registered the fact that the music had stopped…everything had stopped, because she heard a voice, a spirit unlike any she had ever believed she heard before.

Accept your destiny…it's the only way to save you and all others. Fight, young one! Fight!

The voice was so commanding, so authoritative as she nodded, accepting what he said. She felt warmth at the base of her neck as she glanced to the side, seeing a window like apparition. In it, she saw the faces of her friends, those who had risked everything to come to her rescue. The fighting was ferocious, terrible as she watched them yell soundlessly at Lethias, then beat back demon wave after demon wave. The demons diminished, but the Ronins were unable to get to Lethias…at least yet.

Fight till they can get to you!

She nodded, her resolve strengthening under the commands of this being, the thing that chased away the darkness. Standing, she glanced at the flute, and then back at him, “Who are you?”

I am the Great Spirit, child. The one who chose you…

“Great spirit?”

Yes…Now take that flute! Take it, and play!

Lena jumped, never questioning the orders as she brought the flute to her lips, her eyes fluttering closed as she felt the first sounds weave forth. She didn't know why, but something about them was going to help her through, she just knew it. She was being watched, she wasn't alone. The Great Spirit made sure of it.

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Author's Note: Man, hitting…wave…of writer's block…must…fight through. Lol Anyways, here is chapter 13. I expect probably only about 2-3 more chapters to this story, then it will be done. I already have plans for a sequel, but I think I'm going to write a series of one-shots for this story. You know, what happened on the side lines of all the battles and actions? What I couldn't cover? Yea, and if anyone wants to add a story of their own using my characters, that's fine. I'll come up with more about it soon. Anyways, my Beta is still on vacation, so my writing is a little drawn out. But where she comes back, I'll have it all edited! Thanks so much, and please! Feel free to let me know what you think!

Hikaru

Reviews: Thank you all so much!

Inda: Yea, Minako did meet a terrible end. I wasn't sure what to do with her, really. I just had to have someone who would succumb to the darker side. :P To use a star wars reference. Lol Thanks for the continued support!

Meira Evanstar: Hmm, where to go from here. : P Well, it's all good. I wanted to say thank you so much for your continued support as well! It's absolutely amazing, and I really appreciate it from both of ya.

Previews:

“IS that a flute?”

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“Face me, Lethias!”

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“It's time to call on Inferno!”