"Lonely Heart," chapter 23

Title: Lonely Heart (Chapter 23)
Fandom: Ronin Warriors
Characters/Pairing: All five Ronins, Sayoko Mouri, Mia Koji, Professor Koji, Luna, Cale, Dais, Saberstryke, White Blaze
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Not mine, anything mentioned here by name isn't mine
Warnings: Violence, canonical minor character death, familial death. There is a scene is a little more violent than usual, so if you want to skip that, stop at ‘Everything had happened just as Sage’s vision had predicted’ and skip until you get to ‘“Halo.” Cale’s voice was soft.’
Notes: More slice-of-life/remake AU!

Winter 1987

Ryo was alone in the house, but that was okay. Mama was helping Grandfather keep people safe. He was lonely, but they would be back in the morning. He would be fine.

Then he heard scratching at the door and realized he was not going to be fine at all unless he dealt with the threat.

Ryo was too young to help Mama and Grandfather, but they had taught him how to use a knife. He took the small tanto knife Grandfather had gifted him and carefully made his way to the entrance. From where he was angled, he could peek out the window. He frowned. Wouldn’t it make more sense for the bad person to break through the window than to just keep scratching at the door?

Then he saw who it was and it made sense. There was no bad person. Just a tiger at the door. He was covered in snow and even with his fur, looked miserable. It wouldn’t be right to make him stay outside when it was just going to get chillier.

Ryo put away the knife and opened the door. “You must be cold! Come inside and get warmed up.” The tiger’s purr sounded like laughter as he sauntered in, licking Ryo’s face happily. Ryo laughed breathlessly. “It’s nice to meet you, too! I’m Ryo.” He shut the door and turned on the lights. The tiger was beautiful and his gaze reminded him of his grandfather. “I think we still have some beef. I’ll get you something to eat.”

The tiger ate the beef while Ryo nibbled on an orange, talking about Mama and Grandfather and all the cool things in the forest. Eventually, the tiger’s purrs lulled him to sleep as the snow blanketed the tiny house.

“Ryo?” Mama gazed down at him in concern.

“Mama!” He stood up, thrilled that Mama was home—but then remembered what had happened last night. “Where’s the tiger?”

Mama smiled wearily. “You mean White Blaze?” So that was the tiger’s name. “I think he’s still sulking after I scolded him. I don’t mind creatures like him playing with my boy, but he really needs to let me know in advance.” She muttered something about adopting cubs, and Ryo worried that he had gotten his new friend in trouble.

“Mama, it was my fault. I let him inside because it was too cold outside.”

“I know.” She smoothed down his hair. “And I’m not mad, I promise.”

Oh. “Does that mean White Blaze can live with us?”

Mama’s gaze was thoughtful. “I’m not sure if a creature like him really lives with people the way we do. But he is more than welcome to visit anytime he wants.”

“Yay!” He hugged Mama tight. “I love you, Mama!” Then he bundled up so he could find White Blaze and tell him the good news.

Winter 1988

He had never seen Grandfather cry before. But tears were falling down his thin face when he told Ryo that Mama had died like a hero.

Aunt Akane had sounded so scared when she begged Ryo to stop running, to come back, that it was too cold for a little boy to be alone at night.

He didn’t want to be in the house. He didn’t want to hear about how brave Mama was or how they would never forget her.

He just wanted her back. He wanted her to hug him again, ask about his day, and help him feed White Blaze.

He didn’t move as the snowstorm grew worse. Maybe out here, alone, he could pretend Mama would come back and rescue him and take him home. Yes… that was a good dream…

The sound of purring woke him up.

“… White Blaze?” They were in a cave. The tiger was snuggled up against him, keeping him warm.

“Young man.” A monk knelt before them. “Are you well?”

“No,” he sobbed. “My Mama’s dead.”

“And you hate it.” There were no words about her bravery or how he’d get along without her. “You want to make sure you never feel this way again.”

“Yes,” Ryo breathed. This monk understood. “Can you help me make sure I never feel this way again?”

“Unfortunately, no. But I can give you the tools to stop those that hurt your mother.” The monk pressed a red orb into Ryo’s palm. “But please understand that this is not an easy path. You could very well meet the same fate as your mother. No one will stop you if you refuse this fate.”

“But I could stop the people that killed her if I choose it.” He nodded at the monk. “I’ll do it.”

The monk smiled wearily. “You’re very brave, especially for one so young. I’ll be here to guide you when I can. And of course, my friend White Blaze will be by your side.”

“Thank you. What’s your name?”

“You may call me the Ancient One.”

August 15, 1994

“Ryo,” Grandfather managed, barely. “Run!”

“C’mon, Ryo.” Aunt Akane was trying to drag him away. “We need to go. Otherwise, the Sanada clan is done.”

“No!” Ryo struggled against her. “It’s not right to leave him there! I can’t lose him!”

“Ryo, you’re only twelve!” She barked at him. “You’re strong, but unless you can walk through the fire, you can’t save him.”

Actually, the Ancient One said in Ryo’s mind, you can.

Ryo took out the orb he’d been gifted six years ago and held it close to his heart. Living through his mother’s death had been grief almost too intense to bear. He refused to do so again. Not when he had the power to stop it. Virtue wouldn’t permit anything else.

He had lost his mother to the Dynasty. He would never lose anyone to those monsters ever again.

“Armor of Wildfire,” he whispered.

Both Grandfather and Akane were stunned into silence as he walked into the fire to rescue him. They all escaped unharmed.

The sun was beginning to rise when Rowen and White Blaze finally made it back home. After ‘dismounting,’ Rowen cast aside his Armor, leaving him in his school uniform. White Blaze paced around the front door.

“I’m worried about Ryo and the others as well,” Rowen confessed as he scritched White Blaze’s ears. “But they need to keep this mission to find Anubis as stealthy as possible. Don’t give into anxiety, however. Luna promised me she’d alert me if they needed assistance.” So far, she had not. That meant that Rowen needed to stay here to help protect the others.” He relaxed as White Blaze began purring. “C’mon, boy. Professor Koji is a vegetarian, but Mia is not. I’m willing to wager that there’s a steak in there for you somewhere.” He held the door open for the tiger as they shuffled inside.

Sayoko was sitting in the living room, nursing a mug of coffee. “You do realize you invited a tiger into Prof. Koji’s house without even asking permission, right, Rowen?”

“Oh!” He hadn’t even considered that. Rowen was so used to just having White Blaze around, that he’d forgotten that most people would find a tiger in their house unsettling. He and White Blaze glanced at each other guiltily. “Do you think he’d be mad?”

“Nah.” She downed the rest of her drink. “The old man’s been dealing with the supernatural for years. Not to mention he’s too giving for his own good.”

There were some scones on the coffee table, so Rowen helped himself. “This coming from the woman who let me spend the night at her apartment just because I was too sad to go home? Not to mention giving me a job after I snuck into her company.”

Sayoko leaned into the couch cushions; eyes closed. “Both of those situations were way more complicated than that.” Despite her terse tone, she petted White Blaze when he butted her knee.

“If you say so.” Rowen went into the kitchen and found some meat in the fridge. He supposed all he really needed to do was heat it up. “How’s Cye holding up?”

“He’s resting comfortably, which I suppose is all we can do right now until the others report back.”

Both of them were silent as Rowen cooked up the steak. He didn’t know all the details of Cye’s past. But based on what he observed after Anubis had been defeated and healed—not to mention what Sayoko had said when they’d learned Ryo and Sage were Wildfire and Halo—it was apparent that Cye was lucky to have survived.

It was strange, he thought to himself as he cut the cooked steak into strips and placed them in a metal bowl on the kitchen floor. While White Blaze dug in, Rowen went to get the tiger some water. Cye was sometimes so physically frail it was frightening. He would cry over things Rowen didn’t think were that sad at all. Yet he could endure more pain than anyone else Rowen knew. His inner strength was awe-inspiring, but Rowen hated that he had to develop such strength in the first place.

But ruminating would serve no purpose. All he could do was keep Cye alive and help defeat Talpa. Then maybe his brother could finally catch a break. “Hey, Sayoko?” He placed down the water for White Blaze. “Do you want anything while I’m in here?” He hadn’t seen her have anything aside from the coffee and he was beginning to worry. She needed to keep her strength up.

“Thanks, but no. I need to check on Cye.”

“I’m sorry but that would be unwise.” A few months ago, Sayoko’s glare would have sent him cowering but Rowen understood her quite well now. He knew when to give in and when he needed to push back for her own good. In this moment, he needed to do the latter. “Sayoko, you’re exhausted. You’ve dealt with more in these past few hours than anyone in the world should have to.”

“But Cye—”

“Also endured more than he should have to, but he has the sense to rest.” Rowen let out a small sigh. “I understand that you’re the type of person who feels better when they’re helping others. But you’re not going to be able to help anyone if you’re exhausted, Sayoko.”

She was still glaring, but her lips curled in a small smirk. “Well, you’ve grown up, Rowen. Arguing with me, and forgetting to call me ‘Ms. Sayoko’? How bold of you.”

Rowen’s face heated up in embarrassment. “Oh my goodness, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for that to happen.”

“Don’t even worry about it! If it bothered me, I would have said something when all of you stopped being so formal with me.” She shrugged. “Besides, after all we’ve been through, I don’t think we need the formalities anymore.”

“If you say so.” He’d accidentally invited a tiger into Professor Koji’s house and also had spoken to Sayoko in informal terms. He wondered if he was becoming a delinquent. Well, if he was, it was time for him to use his newfound bad boy strength and make sure that Sayoko at least took a nap. “But seriously, you’re not going to be any help to Cye if you don’t take a nap.”

“Okay. Two hours at the most,” she conceded. “After that, promise me that you’ll wake me up and catch a nap yourself.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He was still a little high on adrenaline right now, so there was no point in even planning to rest. But he would crash soon and someone would need to stand guard. The others were gone and Kento… well, everyone knew he wasn’t going to leave Cye’s side.

When Rowen poked his head in the door, he was greeted by the sight of Kento snoring in a chair while Cye sat in bed, playing on his Game Boy. “Hi, Rowen!” Cye’s tone was similar to when he greeted his friends at school. He patted a spot on the foot of the bed. “Please, sit. Just try to keep it down, since Kento is finally getting some sleep. Do you want to play Super Mario Land after my turn?”

“Perhaps later.” Rowen sat down. “I’m glad to see that you are recovering, although I must confess, I’m a little startled by how quickly the process appears to be working.” Then again, Cye had trained to become stronger concerning his abilities.

Cye made a grouchy sound as Mario died. “I’m not strong enough to embrace my true destiny of swimming in that lake just yet, but I do feel better.” He turned off the Game Boy so he could turn his attention to Rowen. “You know how you’ll recover from the flu, but you’re still really tired even after the symptoms are gone for a day or so? That’s the only way I can describe it.”

Rowen remembered when he was nine and was almost all better from the flu, except he was too tired to leave his bed, leading to Dad calling out from work for once to keep an eye on his son. “I see.”

“Later today I’ll try cooking dinner for everyone. I figure if I can do that, I can work my way back up to helping you guys again.”

“Cye, don’t push yourself—”

“Rowen.” Cye grabbed his hand again. This wasn’t the feverish clinging back in the car. There was a conviction in both Cye’s grasp and gaze that Rowen knew he would never win against. “This is how I’m dealing with what happened. Please don’t ask me to talk about it. Even if I could contextualize what I saw, I don’t think I could without crying. And I am sick of crying.”

“… Okay.” He hated it, but he would accept it. “You really are like Sayoko, you know that?”

Cye shrugged. “She’s not the worst person to emulate. But if I start making puns, feel free to shoot me with so many arrows I look like a pin cushion. Oh, guess what?” Cye shifted so he could grab some thick-looking tomes from the night table. “Professor Koji stopped by earlier with breakfast. He was also kind enough to drop off some books I expressed interest in. It gave me a chance to do some more researching.” He leafed through one of the books. “See this bloke named Hariel?” There was a name, a brief description of white Armor, but nothing else. “Sayoko has some info on her records at home, but I couldn’t understand it. I’m going to ask her about it today. I’m not sure if this is a secret Ronin Warrior or just more Armor, but we need to investigate it.”

Rowen frowned at the text. “When we were researching in Osaka, occasionally I’d see this name appear, but not much else. There were a few snippets of a Warrior that brought peace to all, but they never said how or why.”

“We need to figure out how and why.” Cye took a deep breath before he spoke again. “When I healed Anubis, I saw a little of what Talpa was planning. Nothing beyond sensations and feelings, but enough to know that he’s becoming more active in this battle. Dais has disappeared. Cale has defected. I suspect Sekhmet has defected as well. And of course, we made sure that his most powerful Warlord, Anubis, will never return to the Dynasty. This means that Talpa is getting desperate.”

“Which means we need an ace up our sleeve,” Rowen finished for him.

“Maybe we should head home,” Luna said as the sun rose. “Anubis had a serious head start, after all.”

“Feel free,” Sage said, not breaking his stride. “You’re not actually a Ronin Warrior. You don’t have to be here.”

“Woah.” Ryo grabbed Sage by the shoulder. “We do not talk about our allies that way.”

Sage scoffed. “Please. You and I both know you’re only saying that because she’s your girlfriend.”

“I would say that about anyone! What is wrong with you lately, Sage?! You just—” Luna held up a hand.

“I get it,” she said to Sage. “You boys are the ones with the mystical destiny. I’m just here trying to avenge my brother and help my friends.” She removed her ninja mask, giving Sage a strained smile. “And despite you acting like a pill, you are one of my friends. So, explain to me why you’re upset so Ryo and I can help.”

“I…” Sage froze. “I don’t know what to say.” His eyes were shadowed. “I never do.”

“I felt the same way when Billy died,” she told him. “I was so angry but I had no idea how to express it. Finally, I decided to act rather than talk and stole Sayoko’s prototype armor.”

That seemed to reach Sage as he blinked in surprise. “I was unaware of that aspect concerning your origin story, Luna.”

She punched his arm lightly. “Hey, we can’t all just stumble on magic orbs.” She turned her attention to her boyfriend. “Now, Ryo, you share a time that your feelings got the better of you.”

Ryo grimaced. “Where do I even start? It seems like every day I’m struggling with my feelings.” He took a breath. “Sage, listen. You too, Luna. You know how I said that I processed my mother’s death?”

“Yes,” Sage said, expression solemn. Luna frowned in concern but was silent.

“I processed it by vowing that I would never lose anyone ever again to the Dynasty and became a Ronin Warrior. Of course, I can’t guarantee anyone’s safety while we’re fighting the Dynasty and it just—ugh!” Ryo realized he had picked too good of an example as he kicked a tree. “I don’t want to feel that alone ever again.”

“You won’t,” Sage vowed. “I’ll make sure of it.”

Ryo and Luna glanced at each other. They both knew that such a vow was impossible. However, they also knew from personal experience that sometimes someone needed to believe they could make it possible to cope. So, Ryo simply smiled. “Thanks, man.” He wanted to believe that Sage was right. Perhaps that would be enough for now.

“It seems even the Ronin Warriors argue sometimes.” Saberstryke jumped down from the treetop where he had been observing their spat. Sage took out his blade, but Ryo placed an arm on his shoulder.

“Sage, it’s Saberstryke, he’s a friend.” Ryo turned his attention to Saberstryke. “I’m guessing that if you’re here, things are not good in the Dynasty.”

“Very astute, Wildfire. Talpa is displeased that you have managed to best one of his precious Warlords. As a result, he has tasked Saranbo to hunt you down. Saranbo is a wicked wraith who wishes to become a Warlord.”

“With all that alliteration, he must be scary,” Luna mused. “We’ll help, but I’m just going to put out that I have some questions to ask you after we’re done.”

Saberstryke nodded. “I suspected you might.”

Sage drew his sword. “Saranbo is here.”

“Saberstryke,” Saranbo intoned as he approached them. “My quarrel is not with you. If you leave, I will spare your life.”

“Fool.” Saberstryke took out his own blade. Ryo and Luna mirrored his action with their respective weapons. “I know what lurks in that mockery of a heart of yours. Even if I was selfish enough to let these children die while I live, you would simply strike me down once you were finished. Thus, I propose a new plan. You perish by my blade since anyone who willingly serves Talpa is my enemy.”

“An enemy that you have yet to vanquish. Tell me, has that scar on your chest finally stopped aching?”

Saberstryke attacked him, with Sage joining a moment later. Together, they managed to keep Saranbo on the defensive—until he hit Sage with pure negative energy, capturing him in a very small dark dome.

“I believe you said something about not wanting these children to die?” Saranbo waved a hand. The dome was charged with bolts of negative energy and Sage couldn’t stop himself from screaming in pain. “I suspect that watching even one of these brats slowly die will cause you to surrender.”

“Saranbo, you monster—”

Sage gasped as the negative energy seeped into his Armor and spirit.

Ryo was about to attack Saranbo but was stopped by Luna. “What are you…”

She held a knife in her hand. “Trust me.”

Ryo did, which was why he managed to calm himself even as Sage went limp in the dome as Luna readied her dagger. He knew that the weapon could at least make a hole in the dome. Then Ryo could free his friend. Hold on, Sage, he thought as hard as he could, hoping that his psychic teammate could sense him, if only barely.

“Child, did you really think I was not aware of you and Wildfire?” Suddenly, Saranbo was channeling his energy to strike Luna. If he could subdue a Ronin Warrior, then he could easily kill a human.

“Ms. Watson, look out!” Saberstryke grabbed her, but there was no way they could dodge the energy in time. Saberstryke created a portal that they both vanished into.

Ryo might have screamed for Luna. He wasn’t sure. He was trying to reach her, save Sage, and stop Saranbo, and it was too much. He—he didn’t know what to do first, who to help, and the portal was closing.

“Wildfire.” Cale, the Warlord of Corruption, proved to be an equal match for Saranbo. “Rescue your friends. I’ll save Halo.”

Ryo wanted to lash out at Cale, tell him that he would never trust a wicked Warlord… but the portal was closing. And it was an established fact that Cale was opposed to Talpa. Not to mention that if he was attacking Saranbo, then he was essentially declaring war on the Dynasty. It would make no sense to kill or kidnap Sage at this point.

He hated it, he hated it more than anything… “Cale, if you even look at Sage funny, I’ll kill you,” Ryo snarled before he dove into the portal.

“Duly noted,” Cale replied. Even as Saranbo’s attacks threatened to overwhelm him, he had to appreciate Wildfire’s virtuous nature. But he was appreciating a lot of things that he would have scoffed at before he started taking off his Armor unless he needed it. Right now, however, he was thankful that its dark nature negated Saranbo’s unique (and cowardly) attack. “Give it up, you would-be Warlord. Release Halo and go home to Talpa.”

“Or perhaps I’ll take care of the children recovering at home,” Saranbo said as he vanished.

Cale cursed softly under his breath. Unfortunately, he had no time to indulge in anger. He closed his eyes in concentration. This wouldn’t be easy, but he had resonated with dark energy and magic since he was a baby. A few moments later, the energy that encapsulated Halo vanished, leaving Halo to fall gracelessly to the ground.

Cale stood over him. “Halo. Your friends will die if you do not save them.”

Halo’s eyes snapped open and he struggled to stand. “I—I won’t let anyone hurt them—”

“A noble sentiment,” Cale acknowledged as he held out a hand. “But you’ll need help if you truly want to protect others.”

Sage’s gaze was colder than winter as he found the strength to stand. He swatted away Cale’s hand. “I do not require your assistance. I never will—” He froze, eyes glowing.

Cale had been around psychics long enough to know that was never a good thing. “Halo, what do you see?”

“Mia,” he breathed. “Professor. No, he can’t take you from me—”

Cale had heard enough. Wildfire could kill him later. For now, he gathered Halo in his arms and created a void that would take them to the Koji mansion.

Everything had happened just as Sage’s vision had predicted.

The living room was destroyed. Rowen and Kento, clad in their sub-armor, were crumpled against what was left of the front wall.

Mia was shaking her grandfather’s corpse, begging him to come back to her.

Sayoko cradled Cye’s unmoving form protectively. He had given every last bit of his spirit to try to save the Professor and it still wasn’t enough. He reached out psychically for Cye. There was no response. Not even Sage could call his soul back at this point.

White Blaze stood between them and Saranbo, snarling. But what could a magic tiger do against a monster that laughed after killing an old man who had just wanted to save his granddaughter? Who was giddy with delight as Cye lost his soul in a failed attempt to save Professor Koji? What could humans do, aside from dying and mourning? What could even the Ronin Warriors do? Even with their Armor and powers, they were too soft-hearted to stop this type of evil.

The world didn’t need the Ronin Warriors. They needed someone who would do whatever it took to stop the Dynasty.

Sage swore he would do that as he beheaded Saranbo.

“Sage,” Mia breathed as Saranbo evaporated into mist. “You’re all right.”

“Halo.” Cale’s voice was soft. “You’ve made your decision. Let’s go.”

“… What?” Mia hadn’t left her grandfather’s corpse, but her brow furrowed. “Sage, what does he mean?”

“You wouldn’t understand. Farewell, Mia.”

Sage’s eyes were bright with unshed tears, but he strode over to Cale without a moment’s hesitation. If he heard Mia and Sayoko shout (and White Blaze roar), he didn’t show it.

And thus, the Warrior of Light was consumed by the Warlord of Corruption’s darkness, vanishing into nothing.

“Honestly,” a man with wavy white hair and clad in a dark green kimono said after the two men disappeared. “Cale is not making it easy for me to rescue him at all.”

“Dais,” Sayoko held her brother’s knife in her free hand. White Blaze bared his teeth. “Tell me why you’re here, and now.”

He shrugged. “The same as you. Trying to save those I love, but doing a poor job at it.” He frowned at Cye. “Your brother is dying.” Torrent had given everything he had to heal so many others and then he had felt someone he thought of as family perish. Even Torrent’s spirit could only take so much.

“… I know.”

“I’m not doing too well with rescuing Cale.” Dais’s tone was almost vulnerable as he knelt next to them. “But I could save your brother if you let me.”

Sayoko gave him a hard look but sighed. “What choice do I have at this point? But if you try anything—”

“You’ll kill me slowly, I know,” he assured her. He took Cye’s hand, absently noting that he was finally taking the blasted runt’s hand like Cye had asked Dais to so long ago. Except now Dais was the one doing the healing. Hmm.

He closed his eyes, wondering if anyone was startled that he was glowing pink. Considering how the Koji girl had just lost her grandfather and the Mouri woman was this close to losing her brother, he doubted that anything could rattle them further at this point. He closed his eyes in concentration as the kanji for ‘serenity’ flashed upon his brow.

Slowly, the kanji for ‘trust’ shone on Cye’s forehead as his body was bathed in pale blue energy. A moment later, Cye bolted upright, gasping for air. Dais stepped aside so his sister and the girl could hug him as tightly as they dared. The tiger gazed at Cye intensely.

“I was dreaming that I was drowning,” he said more to himself than them. “Even with my Armor on. Then this thin, silvery thread appeared. I grabbed it, and it pulled me out of the depths. He glanced at Dais at that point. Dais found himself having to avert his gaze. Even after (sort of) processing his issues, Torrent was far too innocent and trusting for Dais’s comfort. “Thank you for saving my life, Dais.”

“… You’re welcome. I guess.”

“Mia, please forgive me.” He was crying yet again as he hugged the girl (Mia) back. In the past, Dais would have mocked him for it. Now… he could feel his remaining eye sting as well. The ‘joy’ of being an empath, he supposed. “I tried everything I could.”

“I know,” she said, voice unsteady. “He knew, too.”

“Talpa probably gave Saranbo a weapon crafted to specifically counteract healing abilities,” Dais offered, for what it was worth. “We’re sneaky like that in the Dynasty.”

“Dais is right,” Sayoko placed a hand on her brother’s shoulder. “I know this isn’t easy to hear right now, but we need to keep going.”

“Right.” Mia wiped away her tears. “We have to find Sage and the others.”

“Okay.” Cye managed to stand, staggering over to where the Professor’s body was resting. He stood still, tears falling silently for several moments.

Then he wiped them away. “I need to heal the guys first.”

“Don’t,” Dais warned. “You came this close to dying from psychic exhaustion.”

Cye gave him a hard look as he began healing Strata. “I do whatever I want.”

“Has he always been like this?” Dais asked Sayoko.

Sayoko shrugged as Cye turned his attention to Hardrock. “Ever since he was a baby.”

After one last glance at her grandfather, Mia moved to help the now conscious Strata back up. Cye and Sayoko assisted Hardrock. Speaking of Hardrock, he was now glaring at Dais blearily. “You better not be here to put Cye in your thrall again.”

Dais chuckled. “Little man, never change.” He chuckled again as Hardrock (Kento) yelled at him. “I assure you my motives are different this time. As your friends are aware, Halo defected to assist Cale in his plans to kill Talpa.”

“Wait?!” Strata’s eyes were huge. “Sage would never do that, I know him, I know how he thinks—”

“Rowen,” Mia said sadly. “I saw him leave with Cale.”

Without warning, Strata (Rowen) broke away from Mia, grabbing Dais by his kimono. “You. You and Cale did something to him. Tell me what it is, and how to stop it.”

“This was a choice Halo made of his own volition.” For once, it brought Dias no joy to see a Ronin Warrior’s expression crumble into despair. “And perhaps you don’t know him as well as you thought. Hell, you barely knew your own desires until recently. Why do you think it was so easy for me to manipulate you?”

Rowen kept his grip on Dias. “Fine. Maybe I don’t know him as well as I thought, but he’s still my best friend, and I’m going to save him. If you’re so perceptive, tell me what to do.”

Gently, Dais removed Rowen’s hand from his kimono. “You’ll have to wait for Halo to be willing to talk. That runt is stubborn. Not to mention he’s planning to betray Cale.”

Rowen went pale. “Excuse me?”

“Of course. It’s not like he magically became evil, Strata… Rowen. He honestly thinks what he’s doing will save all of you.”

“But what about Sage?” Mia’s hands were clasped tight. “How is he going to keep himself safe, especially if he’s going to betray Cale?”

“I’m not sure. All I know is that I need to hurry if I wish to save Cale.” He wanted to make a strong exit, but he could feel all of them staring at him. “And fine, I’ll try not to hurt Halo in the process. No promises if he attacks me, though. As for Wildfire and his girlfriend, they’re lost, but safe. They’re with Lord Saberstryke.” Dais waved a hand as he began to disappear. “So long, Ronin Warriors and friends. Whether we like it or not, we will meet again.”

Sayoko took a breath. “Okay. Rowen, you boot up my laptop. Mia was kind enough to download that program for tracking Armor onto it. I’m not sure if we’ll be able to find Halo with Cale’s darkness obscuring him, but I bloody well know we can get a good idea where Wildfire is. Kento, you and I need to contact the authorities and Sage’s family.”

“Sage mentioned that his grandfather helped him once when he was feeling desperate,” Kento offered. “Maybe he can help again.”

Sayoko nodded. “If needed, I’ll arrange for his transportation to Tokyo. I’m also going to call Ophelia. Mia and Cye? Both of you get whatever rest you can. You’re going to need it.”

“Thanks, Sayoko,” Mia said gratefully. “But right now, I need to feel useful.”

“And you know me,” Cye added. “I’m going to help, no matter what.”

Sayoko frowned. “I guess with my past, I can’t tell either of you no without looking like a huge hypocrite. Just don’t push yourselves too hard, okay? We’re all going to need to be at top strength if we’re going to save the others.”

Wherever they were, there was no light. No life.

“This is what things will be like if Talpa gets his way,” Cale said as he led Halo to their destination. “Thank you for joining me to stop him.”

“I should have done this long ago.”

“I see.” Cale kept walking. “What stopped you before?”

“Baking club,” Halo whispered bitterly. “Cars and motorcycles. Wooden swords. Fancy clothes. School. My friends. My father. Mia. … Professor Koji.”

“It is regrettable what happened to the Professor. He was a worthy foe and I’m sure he would have made a strong ally if he’d survived.”

Halo made a thoughtful sound. “He doesn’t… I mean, he didn’t have the stomach for what I shall do.”

“Perhaps you are right. But for now, let us focus on the task at hand.” Cale extended a finger to where a jewel sat simply, guarded by cherry trees in bloom, regardless of the fact that it was almost May now. “Only someone with a pure heart can attain the Jewel of Life.”

“I supposed that explains why you could never attain it.” Halo stepped into the cherry tree grove and picked up the jewel. He smiled slightly. “It’s warm.” His smile grew wider. “I can feel its spirit. I… understand it.”

Cale was no psychic, but even he could sense something was off. “Halo. Put down the jewel. We need to find another way to stop Talpa.”

Halo’s expression was radiant as his body was encased in a brilliant silvery-white aura. “Who said anything about us stopping Talpa together, Warlord of Corruption?”

Cale’s blood ran cold as he realized he had miscalculated.

“My plans are far grander than merely stopping Talpa.” There was a flurry of cherry blossoms, and suddenly Halo was clad in a pristine white kimono. “I will not only end Talpa, but I will burn these realms to the ground to create a better one.” Cherry blossoms appeared again and Halo was clad in his Armor once more, except the green hue was so pale now, it was almost white. His sword looked like a cherry blossom branch merged with metal now.

Cale cried out as brilliant light blinded him. A warm spring breeze blew through the grove, pushing Halo’s hair out of his eyes. They were now violet instead of pale blue. “A world where old men are not murdered while protecting their granddaughters. A world where my friends don’t have to lose their souls in battle. Everyone will be at peace… except of course those who deserve to die for their sins. Speaking of…”

Cale tried to attack, he tried to flee, but his body refused to respond. Halo had done something to his brain. “Halo,” he managed. “This isn’t you.”

Halo smiled serenely as he lifted up his sword to strike. “Sage of the Halo is no longer here. Only Hariel of the Inferno remains.”

Web of Serenity.

Cale was plucked away from Hariel’s grasp.

“Interesting.” Hariel closed his eyes in thought as his prey escaped. “But no matter. The wicked shall all perish once my work is done.”

“Dais!” Cale gasped as his friend, clad once more in the Armor of the Spider (but sans helmet), led them out of the forest. “How did you…”

“I always know,” Dais said with a smirk. “And by the way, don’t hate yourself for not realizing Halo was going to betray you. You wanted to help out someone who reminded you of yourself when you were young. We all let our feelings get the better of us sometimes.”

“Perhaps,” Cale admitted sorrowfully. “Except my mistake has doomed both realms.”

“Not if we try my strategy.”

“What’s your strategy?”

“You’re not going to like it,” Dais warned him.

“Dais,” Cale informed him tersely. “I let Halo gather what he needed to summon the Inferno Armor. Armor that can reshape reality. I’ll do anything if it means we can stop him.”

Dais glanced at him. “We’re going to have to team up with the Ronin Warriors.”

Final Notes:

Dais: *Season 2 Baron Draxum-ing intensifies*

A lot of Sage’s new design (for lack of a better term) is based off of the latest YST MV where he’s got purple eyes instead of blue. There’s no real thematic importance in the change. I just wanted to stress that we’re dealing with a VERY different Sage for this arc, whether we want to or not.