Dragon Flames

Chapter 8

By: Malaca

"So?" Sage yawned, "what was so important that you had to speak to us as soon as Malaca and I were well enough to move around?"

"Patience, Halo," answered Kale.

"You should be talking," muttered Sai.

Kale glared at the young warrior briefly before turning back to Sage. Sage himself bore a look of utter confusion. Kale sighed.

"Young Torrent was upset that I peeked at what he was making in the kitchen earlier today."

Sai's face lit up in anger, "Peeking, you call eating dough when it hasn't been cooked yet peeking?"

Malaca sighed, rubbing her temples counterclockwise against the migraine that threatened to take over. Ryo glanced at her in worry from his position next to her on the couch. They were all gathered to discuss something of great importance in the middle of the makeshift conference room. In actuality it was the family room with all the chairs and space taken up with warriors, Mia, Whiteblaze, Revenge, and Ulie who was in town for a short time while his parents went on a business trip. Kento was slung across the floor, sprawled out and eating chips from a month old bag. Rowen was perched at the end of the couch that Malaca and Ryo sat at. Across from them on a similar couch was Sage and a stiff Mia next to him. Sai leaned against the door frame besides an anxious Kayura. Kale was also on the floor and in the process of trying to steal some of Kento's food. Dais watched them from across the room. He sat on a window seat, while Sekhmet sat on the floor cross-legged in front of him.

Kento decided it would be interesting to pretend that he didn't notice Kale's attempt to steal some food. He left the bag hanging open in Kale's direction and waited. Sure enough a hand darted into the bag. Kento took the opportunity to sit calmly upon Kale's hand.

"What the fuck -------, do you think you are -----%#^*&. GET OFF OF MY HAND!"

Kento smirked and wagged his finger, "Shouldn't have touched the merchandise!"

"LET GO, DAMMIT!"

"You didn't say please."

"LET ME FUCKING GO!"

"Awww, and I was actually going to get up," Kento smirked again.

Malaca sighed, "Let him go Kento."

Kento turned to Malaca, "No."

Malaca's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Aww, are you mad at me now? What's the invalid goin' to do to me?" Kento laughed.

Malaca smiled back, "You're right Kento, I can't do anything to you.."

"Ha, told ya' so!"

"But.."

~Whiteblaze, Revenge do you mind doing me a favor?~

The two animals looked up~What?~

~How bad do you want to play with Hardrock?~

Both animals getting her drift smiled wolfishly.

"What are you doing, Malaca? I was in the process of insulting you. Or were you 'talking' to your animal pals?" Kento laughed again.

Malaca looked at him and drawed, "Your right Kento, what was I thinking? Revenge, Whiteblaze, sic him."

She jerked her head in his direction. The two animals pounced towards Kento. Kento was mauled by both, driving him off Kale's hand. Kale jumped up and started to wave his hand around.

"It's stinks, it stinks eew. Get it OFF!"

Malaca sighed and took a deep breath, "Shut up!"

Nobody heard her over Kale arguing with Sai and jumping around like a maniac, and with Kento being attacked by Whiteblaze and Revenge. Sekhmet and Dais had found some reason to argue with each other. In all, they were driving her crazy!

Her body quacked with anger~SHUT UP!~

The room was quiet.

"Okay, lets try this again, Kayura you had something to tell us?" Malaca asked politely.

"Ah-hum," she cleared her throat before beginning, "yes, about what we wanted to say, for you see.., um"

Dais sighed, "What Kayura is trying to tell you is that Talpa's back."

The Ronins were silent.

Kento crowed, "YOU MEAN THAT'S ALL YOU WANTED TO TELL US, THAT TALPA'S BACK? MAN WE KNEW THAT MOST OF THE SUMMER!"

Sekhmet glared at Kento, "He means that Talpa is back in the Nether Realm. He took it over, and we barely managed to get out alive."

Mia was the first to answer, "You all are welcome here if you need a place to stay."

Kayura smiled at her, "We thank you Mia."

"Ahh, no way, I have to live with him sneaking into my food?" Kento whined.

Kale sniffed indigently, "I don't sneak."

Rowen laughed, "It would seem so Kento!"

"Wait a minute, if you escaped the Nether Realm, why were you chasing Yara?"

"Her and her kind banded together against our forces. They're are aiding Talpa in his quest," answered Sekhmet.

"Her and her kind?" Ryo was puzzled by their answer.

"Demons," a quiet voice spoke up, "her kind are Demons."

All eyes turned to Malaca, who had turned a decidedly shade of pale ivory.

"Demons? Isn't Talpa a Demon?" Rowen asked in confusion.

The warlords nodded yes as Malaca shook her head no.

"Talpa is an Outworld creature, also known as a Demon. The demons that I am referring to are Earth realm demons, denizens of Hell."

"So when you called her a demon.."

"I wasn't being prophetic, she is an actually demon. More specifically she is a half breed."

"Wait, I don't understand.."

Malaca stood up slowly clenching her fists in anger, "Understand this, don't get in their way, they'll destroy you easily!"

Kento insulted, "But we defeated Talpa!"

Malaca turned to him her eyes ablaze, "Talpa is nothing compared to these Demons, he was easy as pie. He is an Outworlder with little power in this realm. You had trouble with Yara, a half breed, imagine a full breed with 10 times that power! We aren't talking about your run of the mill Demons, we are talking about the rulers and commanders of Hell! Don't you get it?"

"You sound as if you know quite a lot about this," Kale said slowly.

Malaca turned to him, "Because I do!"

"How?"

Malaca sighed turning to each of the Ronins glancing at their hearts. Did she really want to involve them in this endless cycle of death and despair? The same cycle she was so firmly melded into.

"I was once one of the hunters that seeked to destroy their kind. That is all that you need to know for now," she answered mournfully walking away from the group.

"So, Sai, what's for dinner?" asked Kento slyly breaking the silence..

Sai fought to control himself from running away, "I don't know Kento, It's Rowen's night to cook."

Sage and Kento looked at each other in unison, then glanced over at Rowen who was innocently looking up.

"Pizza or Chinese takeout?" asked Sage.

"Pizza, what is this pizza?" asked Sekhmet curious.

"Hey, I'm not that bad of a cook!" yelled Rowen undignified.

"Sorry, buddy, but you are!" exclaimed Sage.

"No, I'm not!" he yelled back.

"Hey, listen to the warrior of wisdom, Rowen," Kento told him.

"Chinese takeout?" asked Kale slowly, "Is that some kind of weapon?"

"I think Chinese would be a change," Sai exclaimed.

"Yeah, my parents would let us have a discount at their restaurant," Kento told him.

"Besides," laughed Sai, "I don't think the warlords are ready for modern food yet!"

Ryo rolled his eyes, "I think Chinese is good."

Mia added her vote, "I agree with Ryo."

"All for Chinese say aye!" yelled out Ryo.

"AYE!" called out all of the Ronins.

"WHAT IS THIS PIZZA?" demanded Sekhmet.

"WHAT KIND OF WEAPON IS CHINESE FOOD?"

This caused everyone to laugh, lightening the mood. Malaca watched from the shadows~They have no idea what is in store for them. I can't tell them the truth.~

"Hey, Ulie, why don't you and White Blaze go play outside?" suggested Mia.

"Yeah, come on White Blaze!" the young boy yelled out.

Revenged howled.

"You too Revenge!" Ulie laughed in merriment.

Ryo laughed, but then walked off to find Malaca. He left the room quietly to not attract any attention. He found her in her room looking out at the forest beyond. Ryo moved silently up to her and held her shoulders reassuredly. Malaca remained still to his touch. He frowned concerned.

"Malaca?"

A slight movement caught his eye. Malaca was fingering a small medallion that he had never seen before. The medallion was as wide as three fingers placed side by side, and was only as long as her pointer. The golden surface gleamed mysteriously. Ryo leaned forward to get a better glimpse at it. The border was several small gems uniting in a circle. He detected tigers eye, sapphire, emerald, blue topaz, ruby, and rose quartz. Intertwined between each gem was a long Chinese dragon in some sort of white material. At the top of the medallion was where the dragon's head was, spurting ruby fire through his mouth. Inside the border on a golden background was two broadswords crossed at the center. One was black and one was white. As soon as Ryo saw the whole medallion, he felt a wave of power wash over him. His vision blurred green.

Malaca turned towards him and frowned.

"It's not time. You shouldn't have been brought in to this. I disagree with the Dragon on this matter; there is no need to bring more death into this never ending cycle."

Ryo stuttered, "What do you mean?"

Malaca sighed, "I can't tell you, because I don't want you or the other Ronins involved. I will tell you this, an evil is coming. Something as bad as Talpa, and yet much worse, for he originates here on Earth giving him greater power. If your friends speak the truth, then Talpa has joined forces with this evil. They can't win this battle, Ryo, for all of humanity rests it's hope upon it."

Ryo was silent, "What does this have to do with you?"

Malaca turned away and sighed tiredly, "It has everything to do with me."

Malaca fought tears back. Her face hardened swiftly, no time to think of herself when humanity is at stake. Malaca sighed.

'Isn't always that way? We fight for the higher good, regardless of what we want. I never believed in destiny, and yet I'm beginning to wonder if there is such thing. I've already been trapped in it even though I believe that there is no such thing. I have to admit it, life SUCKS! But at least I have friends now. The Ronins are my friends, and yet I don't want them to get involved in this battle. The Dragon said I had to kill the Demon Lord, he never said that I needed help from them. I can't let them die for a cause they know nothing about. I've chosen to fight because I have a responsibility to the people. I was the only one to be able to get rid of Tauros, and I was only 11 at the time. I knew nothing of the Slayers, or the Ronins. I was a naive little child in thinking there was no evil greater than my father. Damn it, why does this always happen to me?'

Malaca closed her eyes and grabbed the blanket beneath her in a closed fist. She jumped as she felt warm hands hold onto her tightly. Malaca shivered not realizing how cold she had been.

"Sshh, it'll be all right Malaca," Ryo said rocking her back and forth, "everything will be all right."

'I will let nothing happen to you. I swear it. I don't know what is going on, or what has hurt you, but I swear it now, I will let no harm come to you.'

'I wish everything will be all right, I truly wish. God Ryo, what is wrong with me? What is this that I am feeling? It can't be love, can it? No, it can't, he told me that when he stole it away from me. He told me that. I swear it Ryo, I won't let anything happen to you. The Demon Lord will be sent back to where he belongs. I swear it upon the Dragon!'

Talpa chuckled as he watched humans scurry around like pesky insects, 'Soon I Talpa will own them, and their emotions. My armies will be unbeatable!'

The doors to his chamber opened slowly, "Lord you called us?"

"Yes, I did, enter!"

Talpa's finest warlords, sorcerers, and soldiers entered and stood waiting. Talpa looked around and for once noticed his faithful servants. The warlords stood proudest of all, due to their mystical yori he had given them. Even in only their sub armor they stood straight and eager to serve. Lalpin, his general stood the proudest. His armor was a sickly mix of green and yellow. Armor of the Destruction is what he had called it, for what reasons Talpa could only guess. His second in command, Xarus was quieter than Talpa would have liked, but at least he never questioned his commands. He controlled the armor of the Incest. His colors were black and gold. The Armor of the Shadows belonged to Scarythes. It never looked the same or was the same in colors. Scarythes was bolder than he needed to be. Artus, his only female warlord, bore the armor of Distrust. Her armor colors were brown and blue. That was all that remained of his proud warlords. The others had been killed by a human child. Talpa's eyes glowed in anger, but he quickly smiled maliciously. He would just have to get his sorcerers to reincarnate them, wouldn't he?

"Master Talpa, what is the reason that you have called us here?" Scarythes asked impatiently.

"When it is your place to ask, then you will know, Scarythes. We are meeting our guests."

With that the doors banged open. A cold and powerful wind entered the room sweeping dust and debris around the shadowed room. Red eyes gleamed viscously from the shadowed figure that stood alone in the doorway.

"This my servants, is the Demon Lord, our new ally against the Ronins and their precious Dragon!"

"Guardian, are you sure?" a figure asked in the distance.

"Yes, Akira I am sure. The Demon Lord moves to attack Eclipse."

"Then we must go to her and help. She is without her clan; she will need our help!"

"Careful Akira, she is safe for now. Her new companions are powerful, and as is she. She has at least doubled her power strength, if not more. Also a strange force helps her, an old force has chosen her."

"I don't understand.."

"Of course not, Akira take with you the most loyalist to the Slayers of this clan. Go to Japan, Toyama to be precise. Many of the other clans also go to this site, for they too know about the evil."

"Japan? Why Japan?" Akira asked confused.

"Because this is where the evil is centered. It is also the place Eclipse now calls home."

"Japan? How did she get over there?"

"The Dragon brought her there to fight alongside others with unique gifts like her own."

"The Dragon?" Akira whispered figuring a small silver medallion.

The medallion of the Slayers hung loose on his neck. The two swords of both light and dark crossed at their centers.

"Yes, the Dragon. Now, go. Time is short."

"Yes, Guardian I will go," Akira bowed low to the cloaked figure.

Akira ran off to find Diagon. The halls were dark, but Akira made no motion to light them with his power. He wanted no one to know about his mission except for the chosen to go with him. Akira dashed into Diagon's room that they shared. He found Diagon shivering underneath a blanket.

"Diagon?"

Diagon turned and looked at him. His face was pale even for a demon. Akira found himself shocked by his friends appearance.

"Yeah?"

"We are going to Eclipse. The Guardian of Ice wants us to help her destroy the Demon Lord. Are you coming?"

Diagon jumped up, his body filled with a new purpose besides the cleansing, "You bet!"

Akira smiled at his friends enthusiasm, "Good, lets find Kyna and the others. We are only taking the loyalist with us."

"That means no Daemon," he quietly.

Akira nodded swiftly.

Diagon smiled, "Then we have to hurry. Warloc has to go too. He can teleport and maybe even give us a glimpse of the future in battle."

"That's why I wanted you to come. You always have a plan!" exclaimed Akira.

"Just call me the energizer bunny!"

"You've been watching too much TV."

Hey all Malaca here-

Yep I'm officially HYPER! Great isn't it? My friends lately have been worried about me. You know with all the burning kitties and all. I send them one story line about it and they recommend me to a psycho ward! WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE WORLD TODAY? I can't even eat sugar and act crazy without someone jumping on me about it! GEEZ!

Malaca

P.S. This story was not tested on animals.