"Lonely Heart," chapter 5

Title: Lonely Heart (Chapter 5)
Fandom: Ronin Warriors
Characters/Pairing: Rowen Hashiba, Powen's parents, Rowen's grandfather, Dais, Cale, the Ancient One, White Blaze
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Not mine, anything mentioned here by name isn't mine
Warnings: Canon-typical violence
Notes: More slice-of-life/remake AU!

For the first time in his life, Rowen was hoping that his parents would flake on him.

It wasn’t that he wanted to have this trip to investigate Strata all to himself. No. Never that. He was only doing this out of curiosity and a desire to figure out if he could help protect his friends from whoever had attacked him and Kento back in New York. He owed that much to Luna for saving his life as well as Kento’s. He loved his parents and was grateful that they seemed determined to be more of a part of his life now. But they thought he was just visiting his grandpa when there was a genuine urgency in his quest that they could never know about.

That armored man, Cale, had thought he and Kento of all people were worth kidnapping. Rowen had a suspicion that some of his more otherworldly friends (for lack of a better term) were also in danger. He didn’t have any objective proof of it, of course. But he also remembered that Sayoko had conveniently appeared in front of him when he had run away from home, in a city as large as Tokyo, with no prompting beyond Sage alerting her and presumably telling her where he might visit, such as an arcade.

He hadn’t given it much thought at the time. He’d been emotional and there had been too many things going on. But after everything calmed down… it didn’t add up. He visited arcades, sure. He liked video games. But the thing was, Rowen had never visited that arcade before in his life. Sage either was very lucky in his guess, or he had some ability to discern where others were.

One also had to consider that there were at least some influential people investigating the supernatural world. Meanwhile, Sage had a job he wouldn’t tell anyone about, yet paid him enough to afford a sports car and several fancy suits. He would not be surprised if Sage’s job involved something about the world Sayoko and Ophelia Watson were involved in.

And that was just Sage. Ryo had a friendly white tiger for a pet. Cye was Sayoko’s little brother. Anyone who saw Sayoko as a threat could target him to get to her. He wasn’t arrogant enough to assume that he knew everyone’s specific role. However, he was confident that several of his friends were somehow involved in a battle against creatures he would have rejected as fairy tales just a few months ago. And if he could do something to help them, he would.

“Rowen, baby!” Mom sing-songed, showing off her freshly dyed green hair. To celebrate all the natural scenery they would get to see as a family, she had explained to him last night. “Aren’t you glad we’re driving there together! You even get to miss a day of school!”

Rowen made a disapproving sound. “Mom, I like school.” If he’d stuck to his original plan, he would have gotten there over the weekend. But his parents had called his grandpa, who told them of Rowen’s plans—and thrilled at the possibility of seeing his son and former daughter-in-law as well, agreed to the change in plans, and kept it a secret as a ‘delightful surprise’ for Rowen. “You shouldn’t be encouraging my delinquency.” Although he had not told her his real reason for visiting the shrine, so perhaps he was already corrupted beyond redemption.

“Oh, shush, you’re so smart, you could probably start grad school tomorrow,” Mom said as she booped him on the nose (and Rowen made another disapproving sound). “Besides, it’s fun to change your routine! Live a little, Rowen!”

“I am in full agreement with your mother,” Dad said as he entered the parking lot, and… and he looked surprisingly pulled together. His black-grey hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and he was wearing a dark blue polo shirt with beige slacks. He’d cleaned his glasses as well. It wasn’t Sage-level fancy, but for his father? This change was frankly startling. Dad wrapped an arm around his mother’s waist, kissing her cheek. “If you get stuck in your routine, you’ll never learn anything new.”

“Sure,” Rowen said warily at the display of affection in front of him. “I know you two still get along, but you need to be careful. Everyone’s going to think that you two are married or something.”

Mom gasped in faux shock, looking up at Dad. “Me? A humble award-winning, globe-trotting reporter, married to the smartest and sexiest man in the world?” She gave him… oh good Lord, she gave him a flirty look. “Oh, could I be so lucky?”

And Dad gave her a flirty look back. “Only if a university professor could also be married to the most gorgeous and brilliant woman in the world.”

“Okay, everyone, that’s enough!” Rowen said loudly, opening the car doors. “Get in. We have a lot of driving to do.” Dad chuckled and Mom saluted him.

“Rowen, are you sure you don’t want the front seat?” Mom said as she eased herself into the car’s passenger seat. “You’re taller than me, and I’m worried that you’ll get cramped.”

“I’m fine,” Rowen assured her as his knees hit the driver’s seat.

“Here, let me adjust the seat so you have some more room, son. Oh, and for once, no reading. You know you get car sick.”

“Dad. I know that.” He frowned at his bookbag in the back seat. So much for getting away with reviewing the legends. Rowen settled for taking out his Gameboy, losing himself in some Kirby while his father drove.

They’d needed to get gas, so they stopped at a small station on their way to the shrine. This meant that Mom and Dad wanted to go inside the store and look. at. everything.

“Whaddya think?” Mom smirked behind violently orange-rimmed sunglasses. “Am I cool?”

“Mom, if you have to ask that, you’re not. Even I know that, and I’m officially a nerd,” he said without batting an eye. Mom yelled that he was being unfair while Dad stocked up on snacks. That Rowen could approve of… but they were still losing time. “If you want to get the glasses, you don’t need my approval. But we must hurry. Grandpa is waiting for us.”

“Okay, sheesh!” Mom pretended to huff. “I never realized I gave birth to a grouchy old man!”

“Don’t worry, Tomoko, he’s just hangry.” Dad held up a bag of cookies. “This will restore our son to his normal self.”

Rowen frowned, but they did look good. “Okay. Let’s get the snacks, the glasses, and get on our way. Oh, and don’t forget to pay for the gas!” He added as his parents rushed to the poor cashier.

He’d finished the cookies and was in the middle of a nap when Dad shook him gently, letting him know that they were at the shrine. Rowen thanked him, greeted his grandpa, and then asked if he could use his phone.

“Hello, Rowen,” Sage said crisply.

Rowen smiled at the sound of his best friend’s voice. “You knew I’d be calling you even before I said anything. Interesting.”

“I. Um. So, you’re probably wondering about those notes you asked me to take for you today,” he said much too quickly. “I did, although I don’t know why you asked me to. It’s not like you’ll need them.”

“It’s never a bad idea to have notes. And don’t worry. I will hold up my part of the bargain. I’ll tell every girl wanting to give you chocolate on Valentine’s Day that you fell ill and unfortunately cannot accept her gracious gift.”

“Thank you,” Sage breathed. “And you’re still okay with taking notes for me that day in exchange?”

“Of course. Unless you’d rather have Kento do it.”

“No, I’d like to graduate from Junior High one day. But that reminds me, I agreed to spar with Kento this evening. I should prepare.”

“Yeah, you really should. Kento’s not book smart, but he’s a genius when it comes to fighting.”

“I know,” Sage said eagerly. “I’m incredibly excited about it. Have fun with your family.”

“Everything I’ve researched suggests that Strata is connected to the shrine in some way. So, I’m here to see what else I can learn. Well, what do you think?” Rowen said as he showed Grandpa the books and notes about Strata, as well as the indigo orb that had mysteriously appeared after he had learned that Strata had some connection to his family.

Grandpa picked up the orb, gazing at it intensely before placing it in Rowen’s hand. He gave Rowen a contemplative look. And maybe also a little sad. “I think... I think you could take the test.”

Rowen’s fingers tightened about the orb. “Test?”

Grandpa nodded. “Rowen, Strata is linked to this shrine is because Strata is located at this shrine.” Rowen felt the familiar excitement when he was about to solve a difficult puzzle bubble up in him, as well as something else. Something he had never felt in his life. Almost like a purpose. “Our family has guarded that Armor for centuries. Some members of our family have even worn the Armor, although you don’t need to possess Hashiba blood to wear it. What you need is a strong will to protect all life. And you might be the one with that strong will.”

“I am,” Rowen said without a moment’s hesitation. He could protect his friends. All his research led to this result. He’d have the answers to all of his questions. “I’ll earn the Armor.”

“Don’t get too excited just yet. You still have to pass the test.” Grandpa grinned as he pushed the bangs out of Rowen’s face, thumb brushing against his brow. “But I have faith in you. You have your father’s curiosity and your mother’s spirit. Not to mention your grandpa’s dashing good looks.” Grandpa smirked when Rowen chuckled at that, but then his expression grew serious. “Most importantly, you’re yourself, Rowen. You have your courage and passion to see you through this. But you must understand that this is a duty you’ll have to devote your entire being to if you choose it. If you do this, you can never go back to what you were before. I… I wish you wouldn’t do this, but I know your heart. You’re the type who will do whatever it takes to protect others.”

“Rowen!” Mom breezed up to him, with Dad close behind. “We were going to get lunch and then explore the shrine. You want to come with us?”

“Thanks, Mom, but no.” Rowen didn’t like to disappoint them, but he refused to involve them. “Grandpa and I have some things to discuss.”

Mom tried to smile, pushing a lock of her green hair behind her ear. “Oh. Um, okay. Let me know if you change your mind.”

Dad frowned at Grandpa. He was spacey at times, but he could tell when his father was troubled. “Father… is there something I should know?”

Grandpa rested a hand on his son’s shoulder. “I’ll tell you about it later, son. Have fun with Tomoko.” He smiled at Mom. “And you keep Genichirou out of trouble, okay?”

Rowen paced at the top of the shrine’s steps. Grandpa had told him to wait while the test was prepared, and that was all he would tell him. That meant that Rowen had nothing to do but ruminate. But… it was a test. He passed every test he had taken in his life. Of course, whatever Strata had planned for him, he doubted that it was related to academics and he had no idea what it was about. So, success was not ensured. Then again, he did react well under pressure, no matter what. He had helped Kento when Cale had attacked them, after all. But Kento had also saved him, and Strata would be at least as powerful as Cale, and…

“White Blaze?!” There was no way this was possible. White Blaze lived with Ryo just outside of Tokyo. But no, here he was, blinking slowly at Rowen from the bottom of the steps. Rowen dashed down to greet him. “Good thing my parents went out,” he said as he hugged White Blaze, feeling calmer when he felt the tiger’s fur against his face. “I’m glad to see a friendly face. Things are getting weird, even by Hashiba standards.” He gazed into White Blaze’s wise eyes. “I don’t suppose you know anything about the Armor of Strata, do you?”

White Blaze licked his cheek.

“Thanks, kitty cat,” he said drily. “I suppose that’s what I get for even entertaining in jest that a cat could communicate verbally with me.” He stroked White Blaze’s neck. “You should probably get going, boy. I don’t want you to accidentally give my grandpa a heart attack.” White Blaze, as always, seemed to understand him as he nuzzled Rowen goodbye, then ran off into the woods.

Rowen didn’t want to ruminate again, so he turned his focus to the sky. He smiled hello at the few birds in the trees. He had always been attached to birds. He had never wanted one as a pet, but he always tried to leave bird seed out for the birds that were kind enough to visit his apartment window, whether he was in Tokyo or New York. It seemed to endear them to him, since they tended to stick to him, as long as there wasn’t a tiger nearby.

“It’s fine, everyone,” he promised the birds. “The tiger is gone. And even if he was still here, I would scold him for even considering having you for lunch.” That seemed to satisfy his new friends as they flew closer to him. One of them, a tiny bluebird, was even bold enough to land on his shoulder.

“Those creatures seem quite fond of you,” a gentleman clad in a grey suit and long white hair noted as he approached Rowen. “Perhaps there is something mystical in your being that they cannot help but love.”

Rowen shook his head. “No, I just like to give out birdseed to anyone with wings that’s hungry back home. I probably smell like it at this point.”

The man smiled slightly. “You don’t say. I visit this shrine sometimes. I’ve never seen you here before, but you bear a strong resemblance to the priest here.”

“That’s because he’s my Grandpa. I’m Rowen Hashiba. It’s nice to meet you, sir.”

“Likewise, and please, call me Kaosu,” he said with an easy grin. “So, Rowen, what brings you to this quiet place?”

“My parents and I came to visit my grandpa.” He could tell Kaosu that. “What brings you here?”

Kaosu’s smile faded as he gazed up to the sky. “I lost my family. It was a long time ago, but I still mourn them. Coming here doesn’t erase the pain, but it does ease it.”

Rowen felt guilt wash over him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”

Kaosu shook his head. “No, I like to talk about them. Besides, addressing sorrow is the only way to overcome it. And I do have one relative left. I’m… not quite sure where she is, but I won’t stop looking.” He glanced at Rowen. “But tell me about your family. How long have your parents been together?”

Rowen smiled at the bluebird on his shoulder. “They’re not. They got divorced when I was a baby. Of course, you wouldn’t know that if they didn’t tell you. They’re both still close. They were, um, even flirting a little this morning.”

“I’m relieved that they’re on such good terms,” Kaosu said. “It must still be difficult at times. Forgive me if this is a rude question, but…”

“Why did they break up if they still get along so well?” Rowen finished for him. He waved goodbye as the bluebird flew away. “I’ve never asked, but I have my suspicions. Mom was too young. Dad was too absorbed in his work. And then I was born, which probably made things worse. I don’t think they were ready to be parents.” He frowned. He… hadn’t meant to say that last part.

But Kaosu just gave him that serene smile again. “Perhaps they weren’t ready in that moment. Yet I chatted with a couple on my way here who were quite proud of their son Rowen who has top marks in school, won his kyudo competition, and loves them even if he is ‘almost fourteen going on forty.’ Those were your mother’s words, not mine. I suspect that they have grown into the role admirably.”

“Maybe.” He appreciated what Kaosu and his parents had said. But that didn’t undo the past. That said, he wasn’t going to be rude and say that. Grandpa appeared at the top of the shrine steps, waving. “I have to go. But it was wonderful talking to you, Kaosu. I hope that you find your relative soon.”

“Thank you.” Kaosu nodded his head. Then his expression grew grim. “We all have our weaknesses, Rowen. And there are always those who would manipulate those weaknesses. That’s why family is so important. They protect you when you cannot protect yourself.”

“Um, okay? But why are you…” Kaosu was gone.

“Weird, even by Hashiba standards,” he repeated as he went to join his grandpa.

“Strata is supposed to represent the heavens,” Rowen said to Grandpa as they walked in the woods, his bow and arrows in hand. “So, of course, you keep the Armor in a cave.”

“Where better else to guard it?” Grandpa motioned to the cave’s entrance. “I have to leave you at this point. Are you prepared?”

“Yes, sir. I have nothing but my bow, my arrows, the orb, and my wits.” Oddly, he wondered what advice Kaosu would offer him. “I’ll see you soon, Grandpa.” He took a deep breath and walked alone into the cave to awaken the Armor of the Strata.

The interior of the cave was not especially fascinating. It was too dark to examine his surroundings. Additionally, it was mapped more like a corridor than a cave, leading him further down into the earth. He wondered if this was part of the test. To see how far he was willing to travel to find the Armor. Well, so be it. He was more than willing to—

Rowen gasped as he saw someone out of the corner of his eye.

“Oh,” he said with relief when he realized it was just his reflection. “Just me.” Although he was curious why a mirror was there. And why he was able to see his reflection clear as day when there was no light in the cave. He supposed this could be the actual test, but what could he learn or prove about himself from his reflection?

“Name: Rowen Hashiba,” His reflection said flatly. “Age: 13. Japanese. Born in Osaka, lives in both Tokyo and New York City.”

Okay, this was definitely supernatural behavior. Perhaps that was why he could not discern the purpose behind this reflection telling him information that he was already privy to. He was more familiar with all the books and computers he’d devoted himself to, not… not whatever this was. “Who are you?”

His reflection continued. “Hair: Blue. Eyes: Blue. Date of birth: October 10. Blood type: AB. Father: Genichirou Hashiba, a university professor. Mother: Tomoko Hashiba, a reporter.” The reflection’s voice was a monotone, and his eyes were as cold as metal.

“I know this. I know myself,” he insisted as he readied his bow, just in case. There was a twinge of pain in his head. Rowen did his best to ignore it. “What does any of this have to do with Strata?”

“His parents divorced right after he was born. The only logical conclusion was that neither one of them wanted to raise the child.”

He was so startled; he almost dropped his bow. “That’s not true. My parents aren’t that cruel.”

“It is not cruel. It is merely a fact,” his reflection promised him. “He is aware of his father’s workaholism and his mother’s selfishness. These are difficult traits to love on their own. But when Rowen Hashiba inherited them both? He was born an unlovable person. Thus, his parents wanted nothing to do with him. Merely facts.”

“Rowen, where the heck are you?!” Tomoko screamed to the heavens.

Genichirou shrugged, linking his arm with hers. “Based on my admittedly scant knowledge of the family lore and your clandestine research after speaking with Kento, probably awakening the Armor of Strata in secret so we won’t worry about him.”

“We’re his parents!” Tomoko pulled away, making her hands into fists. “We’re gonna worry, no matter what!”

“I’m worried as well,” Genichirou confessed. “But this is Rowen we’re talking about. He shows his love by trying to make sure everyone is safe, fed, and that no one is worried about him.”

Tomoko wasn’t happy with his words, but she relaxed slightly. “He always was too selfless for his own good.” She smirked at him. “I know he didn’t get that from me.”

Genichirou felt himself smile. “And he didn’t get it from me. Perhaps it skipped a generation…” All the color drained from his face. “Tomoko, I don’t mean to alarm you, but there’s a white tiger behind you.”

“Ha ha, very funny,” Tomoko said as she turned around… oh. There was a white tiger behind her.

“S-Stay calm, Tomoko,” Genichirou managed. “I’ll think of something.”

Tomoko was probably too calm for her own good, sizing up the situation. If this tiger was hungry, then they would have been eaten by now. Not to mention that the tiger was gazing at them so peacefully, so intelligently, she was sure that the tiger was trying to tell her something…

The tiger ran off into the woods. Tomoko took off after the wild animal.

Genichirou yelled at her to stop. When it was clear that Tomoko would not stop, he chased after her.

Rowen wanted to attack this mockery of himself. He’d tried to, at least twice. But every time his hand moved for an arrow… his head hurt. It was hard to think. And his reflection kept talking, voice steady and strong, like his truth was the only truth in the world. He was trying to fight it, but… but he couldn’t deny that his parents had divorced in the first year of his life. There was some truth to his words. He made a pained sound as the reality of that seeped into his soul, fingers gripping around his bow uselessly.

Still, he couldn’t just give up. “My parents did not reject me,” Rowen gasped weakly. It was getting hard to talk as well. It was hard to do anything but listen now. “If they had, they would have given me to a relative or have someone adopt me—”

“Or bounce him around families because they had no desire to raise a baby,” his reflection countered. “He remembers how much of his youth was spent at this shrine or in New York with his grandparents. His first memories aren’t of his parents, but playing with the birds that lived near this shrine.” The reflection smiled ever so slightly. “But he understood why. He was young. He was strange, preferring books and birds over people. No wonder his parents rejected him for inconveniencing their lives.”

“Shut up,” he spat out. They were just words. Just words. He’d heard far worse in his life. He just—he just needed to get his head together, he told himself. Yet as the reflection kept taking, the pain in his head grew worse and the tightness in his chest made him feel sick and light-headed. Before he knew it, his legs gave out from under him, and he collapsed. The bow fell from his grasp, forgotten. “Please… please just shut up.”

His reflection sat next to him. “One cannot impede the truth. Rowen Hashiba realized that he would need to become useful to his parents if he ever wanted a family closer to what normal children had. He learned to cook. He learned to clean. He learned everything he could in school. He learned to never complain as he was dragged across two continents on a routine basis. He succeeded, and he was permitted to live with his father. It appeared that he would finally gain the love he always wanted.

“Unfortunately, none of this usefulness could hide the truth why his parents had initially rejected him. Rowen Hashiba is a strange and selfish person. He wants to be loved, more than anything. But he also wants to be left alone. He cooks and cleans only so that his parents will notice. He throws tantrums if they dare to forget promises or have other obligations. Yet he never took the time to talk to his parents or anyone else in the world. He wants love, but he refuses to love others.”

“No,” he sobbed. What he was saying about his parents… that was true. It made him weep, but it was true. But there were other people he cared for. He could learn to do better from them. He could be lovable one day. “Sage—Sage is my friend. Luna and Ryo—Sayoko, Cye—Kento—”

“All people who would have been terrified at what Rowen is doing, but he didn’t tell them. Because he wanted all of this mystery and power for himself. Even when his parents wanted to be with him today, he chose to find pleasure in rejecting them, choosing magic Armor over the two people he claims to love more than anyone.”

… God. It was all true. He—he had finally gotten everything he wanted. He had friends. He had Mom and Dad, interested in his life and wanting to be with him. And he’d… he had selfishly wanted this for himself.

He didn’t want to be Strata. Not if it meant losing them.

“Please, tell me what to do,” he whispered, too exhausted to wipe the tears from his eyes. “I—I just want my parents back. I’ll do anything.”

His reflection eyed him coolly. “Give up these selfish dreams of yours. Birds and books? That precious computer of yours? Your video games, mystery novels, and kyudo? All of that is selfish. You don’t even care about any of that; you just want to be home and to be loved.” Rowen nodded numbly. It made so much sense. Why had he resisted before? “Give me the orb. Give up on this dream. It’s not even your dream. All you ever wanted was to be loved. This orb marks you as too different to be loved. Once you give it up, you truly will be your parent’s child.”

He just wanted to be loved by his family and friends. That was all. He never wanted to go back to the loneliness he’d felt before ever again.

Hand trembling, he took the orb out of his pocket, ready to give it to his reflection. He would do anything to be truly loved.

“Excuse me?” Genichirou Hashiba said coolly. “Rowen has always truly been my child, thank you very much. I love him more than life itself.” He frowned at the reflection. “Honestly, how can someone who looks so much like my Rowen be so obtuse?”

Rowen’s fingers wrapped around the orb so tight his knuckles went white, clutching it to his heart. “… Papa?”

Dad helped him up. “Son, I could never reject you. I know things were weird when you were little. But that’s because I was trying to find a job where I could spend time with you. The lab I used to work at wouldn’t allow that. With all the traveling I had to do, it just made sense to keep you with your grandparents so you could have some stability.” He sighed heavily. “I should have told you that, but you seemed so happy with spending time with your grandparents and the visits with your mother, I guess it just slipped my mind. I’m sorry. You were always wanted.”

“Then why did you divorce Mom right after I was born?” It was a question he’d been desperate to know ever since Dad had explained why Mom wasn’t going to live in the cool new apartment in Tokyo with them, but had never been brave enough to ask. But now he had no choice but to find the answer.

“Oh, Rowen, my poor baby.” Tomoko Hashiba hugged him tightly. “It wasn’t because of you. Or us.” She wiped at her eyes. “I loved your dad. I still do. But being the wife of a famous scientist… almost everyone expected me to give up my job so I could host dinners and entertain donors and that just wasn’t me. So Genichirou said…”

“I said,” Dad finished for her, “that we didn’t need to be married to love each other. And that I would rather have her love me as my ex rather than grow to hate me as my wife.”

“So, it was never because of me,” Rowen whispered to himself.

“Rowen, listen to me,” his mother said fiercely, taking his face into her hands. “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me or your father. And you’re gonna be the best Ronin Warrior in the world. And as for you,” she snarled as she pulled away to give her full attention to the reflection who had been watching them coldly this entire time. “Stop wearing my baby’s face, so I can kick your butt and not feel bad about it.”

“Hm. I suppose this is what I get for not dealing with the locals before I attacked Strata,” the reflection said as he morphed into a man with dark pink armor and long white hair. “Well, there’s nothing wrong with doing things brutally. Strata. You may call me Dais,” he informed Rowen. “I will now kill your parents if you don’t give me your orb.”

“He ain’t doing that!” Tomoko shouted. “Get lost, loser!”

Dais summoned a burst of white-hot energy, firing it at Mom. Dad shielded Mom, but all that meant was that he’d die with her.

Rowen wasn’t going to let them die.

Life.

Mom and Dad were yelling as he leaped in front of them to guard them both with his own body, but he couldn’t hear them over the rush of adrenaline mixed with divine purpose.

“Armor of Strata,” he whispered without realizing it.

The next thing he knew, his body was encased in armor that should have been too heavy to move in, but he felt lighter than a feather. There was a bow in his hands, more elaborate than anything he’d ever held in his life. It should have been startling. Or at least surprising. But it felt like the most natural thing in the world to aim an arrow at Dais.

Rowen shouted something about an arrow’s shock wave before passing out.

“Hey, little bird,” Dad whispered gently. “It’s time to get up.”

“Little bird?” Rowen managed as he struggled to reach full consciousness. “You haven’t called me that in ages.”

“You haven’t called me Papa in ages. It seemed only fair.” Dad gazed down at him anxiously. “How do you feel? Are you up to moving?”

“Yeah. I think so.” He was tired, but not nearly as tired as he should have been if even half of what he remembered had happened. He sat up, checking his limbs for any injuries, and blinked. His clothes had been replaced with indigo and white sub-armor. “That’s new. Not to mention brilliant.” The orb had been the Armor all the time. The test hadn’t been about finding a physical object. It was about finding the desire to protect all life that he needed to don the Armor.

“I checked the entrance. Do you two remember how it was such a long walk before? Now it’s only a meter away from where we are. I can even see the sunlight from the entrance. I don’t know why this cave seemed larger before,” Mom said as she approached them. “Oh, and Rowen? We both know that you’re a Ronin Warrior. We’re not happy about it, but we accept it. So please, no superhero angst or attempts at a secret identity or anything like that.”

“Oh.” Rowen ran a hand through his hair, relieved/guilty at the same time. “Then you two rescuing me wasn’t a dream. I’m sorry for putting you two in danger.”

“Rowen, don’t.” Mom sat next to him. “It’s our job to save you when you’re in trouble.”

“I know. And I’m thankful. But… this is going to sound silly, but I kind of saw this as my thing. My pet project, if you will. And you two tagging along ruined that fantasy for me.”

“I can respect that,” Dad said thoughtfully. “Although you seemed fine sharing it with us when you saved our lives. But next time, please, just let us know if you want to keep something private. That’s part of being in a family.”

“Of course. But I’m really glad that you two were here today.” He held out his arms. Mom and Dad got the hint and hugged him. “Thank you for being my parents.”

When Rowen asked how they found him, Mom chirped something about a tiger. Obviously, Rowen couldn’t tell her everything, but he explained that White Blaze was his friend, could be trusted, and that if he said anything more, he would betray a friend’s trust. Thankfully, his parents left it at that.

White Blaze really was a wonderful tiger.

In one of her uncharacteristic practical moments, Mom left to find Grandpa and explain what happened. Rowen told Grandpa what he remembered about his trials, and was confused by how Grandpa grew paler as he kept talking. Surely this had been all part of the test? To push him to his very limits until he had no choice but to summon Strata?

“Rowen, as soon as you’re up to the task, I want you to help me make sure there are no ne’er-do-wells nearby this cave. What you went through was not part of the test. Strata was supposed to come forth from the orb and challenge you to a kyudo contest, not try to murder you and your family.” He frowned heavily. “I’ve heard of people who sold their souls to the demons that threaten our world for power. Even immortality. It seems like you may have met one of those people.”

“Well, isn’t it opportune that I’ve donned the Armor of the Strata, then,” Rowen said as a joke. However, there was no humor in his tone.

“It is,” Grandpa agreed. “You weren’t exactly on your own, but you’re wearing the Armor, so I’d say that you passed Strata’s test. Still, what you have told me is quite disturbing.”

“Agreed. But here’s what I don’t get,” Dad said sharply to Grandpa. “Why didn’t you tell me about any of this when I was Rowen’s age? I’m not what you’d call a martial person, but I would have at least liked to know that our family is tangled in a struggle with the supernatural.”

“I tried, but you never listened!” Grandpa scolded Dad sternly. “Always going on about your computers and experiments. There was no way someone like you could have awakened Strata, much less help stop demons!” Dad grimaced but nodded in agreement. “Between that and things being peaceful for so long, I didn’t give it much mind. Thank goodness your son is made of sturdier stuff.”

“Sturdier, maybe, but he’s still flesh and blood,” Mom reminded them. Her tone softened as she turned to Rowen, however. “Baby, I know you’re going to do whatever you can to protect your friends. And we’ll help as much as we can. But it might be a good idea to find some allies as well.”

“I will,” Rowen promised. He began making a mental list of who he could talk to. Sayoko, Luna, Kento… and that was about it. Luna and Sayoko were active participants in this fight. Kento had no mystical or technological abilities, but he knew more about fighting than Rowen. There was also the real possibility Cale or Dais would attack Kento, so he needed to know. He resolved to speak with all three of them as soon as he was back in Tokyo. He wished he could tell the others, especially Cye, but that was impossible. He’d fought with Cale and this Dais and barely survived either battle.

At least he could count on his family.

“Well,” Cale said as a battle-weary Dais entered his quarters, “do you believe me now when I say that Strata should not be underestimated? You used to be a strategist yourself. You of all people should know that strategists and scholars may have their heads buried in books, but bite just as hard as we can when needed.”

Dais frowned. “There were variables I didn’t expect.”

Cale grinned wolfishly. “Dais? Caught by surprise? Do tell.”

“His mommy and daddy saved him.” Dais shifted to his sub-armor. His wounds ached, but he wasn’t going to show weakness by collapsing. “Can you believe that?”

“Which gave him the strength to resist you and awaken his Armor,” Cale reminded him cruelly. “They say that familial love can be a powerful thing. Of course, I killed my parents, so I wouldn’t know.”

“You are indeed a monster,” Dais said evenly, stroking his chin. “I failed this time, but I know that my strategy can work. All I have to do is convince the awakening Hardrock and Torrent that they don’t want to be Ronin Warriors, and I’ll have two Armors for Master Talpa.”

“I’ve witnessed Hardrock in combat. He’s the real monster here. He’d kill you before you could say one word to him. As for Torrent, I wouldn’t be surprised if that Mouri woman, Sayoko, has already awakened her Armor and is just trying to surprise us. She’s built herself quite the castle filled with loyal soldiers since Anubis killed her father. I don’t think that you’d ever be able to approach her, much less manipulate her. Admit it, Dais. Your strategy is flawed. We need to meet the Ronin Warriors in honest combat, then kill them. It worked for Anubis, after all.”

“But the Torrent Armor is about healing, not fighting,” Dais reminded Cale. “I’ve been observing the Mouri family ever since the previous Torrent’s death, waiting to see if one of his children would awaken the Armor again. The daughter, Sayoko, is strong-willed and shrewd. But her spirit is every bit as violent as we are. Someone like her could never be Torrent. The son inherited his father’s healing abilities, yet is weak in body and mind.”

“All right, even you could brainwash someone that pathetic to do your bidding,” Cale admitted angrily. “If he really is awakening Torrent, that is. My money is still on his sister who’s been trying to kill us since she was a teenager. But what about Hardrock?”

Dais had lost Strata and would have to answer to Master Talpa. Yet it was always darkest before the dawn, and Dais could see the brilliant future waiting for him. All he had to do was act. “Hardrock is every bit as savage as you claim. However, his spirit is even more fragile than Torrent’s. All I have to do is press the right buttons with him, and he’ll come to me willingly. In fact, I predict that he’ll join us soon.”

Final Notes: Uh-oh, I wonder if there's anyone in particular Dais is going to target next. ;P

In an earlier draft, Rowen was going to be able to talk to birds, including having a bird BFF named Graham. But that started to feel a little too similar to Rei and her crows in Sailor Moon, so it got struck out.