Life and Soul Reunited

By CypherCA

Yet another chapter!! Yay!

Everyone else:: About time!! *put away pitch forks and torches*

Um..okay, well, this focus’ mainly on Rowen. Also, the last chapter is the only chapter that had that type of stuff in it....enjoy!

Chapter 17: Sufferings of a Brother

“What’s taking Rowe-”

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Mia stopped her complaining and ran to the hall. She saw the others already there, kneeling over a body with blue hair.

“What happened?”

“We don’t know.” Cale informed her. She turned back to Rowen, who was sitting up, panic in his eyes.

“Ro, what happened?” Sage asked. Rowen looked at Sage, then started talking incoherently and far to fast to understand.

“Slow down Ro.” Cye said, but it was futile. Rowen kept talking at the same speed.

“I’m the psychologist,” Dais told the others, “let me try something.” He walked up to Rowen, looked him in the eye, then hit him on the back of the head. Rowen promptly stopped, but the look of panic was still there.

“Rowen, what happened?” Kayura asked.

“I’m...I’m not quite sure. But it feels as if....a part of me is.....missing.”

“Which part?”

“Richard. Where Rich and I were connected...it’s gone!” The incoherent babbling returned. They brought him to the couch and tried to calm him down.

“Kayura, what could this mean? Polestar is dead?” Sekhmet asked.

“That, or he’s been turned. If that’s the case, we’re all in trouble.”

“Why?” Ryo asked.

“You remember how powerful Starlight was?” Ryo nodded. “Multiply that by ten. The fact that he’s the original bearer, and the fact that Talpa will most likely increase his power using the dark energies, that’s how bad it could be.” Those that were listening paled visibly.

<Huh? Where am I? Last thing I remember is that wench.....> Rich halted his train of thought and looked around. <Wait, this isn’t the dungeon. Where am I?> He turned at the sound of the door opening.

“Do you think you’re ready?” A boy not much older than Ryo asked.

“Yes Master Talpa.” A strangely familiar voice replied.

<Talpa?! Oh dear lord! But why did that voice sound familiar? It wasn’t one of my friends.....>

“Very well. Begin training with the Warlords. Soon you will attack the Ronin.” The figure came into the dim light and Rich’s spirit gasped.

<It-it’s me!> The figure he was looking at was indeed himself. It was wearing his sub-armor, and looked perfectly healthy. <The eyes. They’re red. Now I remember. I’m possessed! But, my spirit is still free. Hmmm.....>

“Yes Master.” Rich’s body left the room, dragging Rich’s spirit with it through the wall.

<If I’m free, I can do something. Maybe if I gather enough energy, I can take back my body.>

“Mia,” Kayura said, “that book contained part of a prophesy, right?”

“I think we got part of it translated.”

“Maybe Rowen knows some of the language.” Both girls looked at Cale, who shrugged. “Just a thought.”

“A good one. Go see if Sage can calm Rowen down enough to help us.” Mia responded. Cale blinked and went to search for the blond warrior. He didn’t have to search far. He found Sage sitting outside Rowen’s door and sat down next to him.

“How’s he doing?”

“He’s stopped throwing things.” Sage responded. He and Cale had grown to be good friends since Cale and the others had moved in. “But all I’ve heard is crying since.”

“Think you can calm him down enough to help Mia and Kayura?”

“I’ll try, but no promises.” Cale nodded and left. Sage stood up and knocked on the door. “Ro?”

“Go away.” Came the muffled reply. Sage ignored it and silently entered the room. It took him a moment to find Rowen on the bed, crying over a picture. “I said go away.”

“Sorry, but I can’t.” Sage said, closing the door, and sitting next to Rowen on the bed. Sage looked over and saw the picture. It was of him and Richard in a photo booth. “When’d you get that?”

“A week ago.” Rowen answered before blowing his nose. “Rich thought we should get a professional one, *sniff* but I wanted one that weekend, so, *sniff* we did this. Oh gods Sage! What if he’s dead? All because I couldn’t protect him!” Sage hugged Rowen and let him cry into his shirt.

“Look, Rich is smart. He’ll find some way to survive.”

“But what if he doesn’t?! I’ll be alone again!” Sage hid his hurt and rubbed Rowen’s back. Eventually, Rowen’s sobs calmed down.

“Rowen, Mia and Kayura are using that prophesy book to try and save Rich, but they need your help.” Rowen dried his eyes and sniffed a few times.

“Tell them I’m coming.” Sage stood up and left. Rowen looked at the picture one more time, at his brother’s smiling face. “Anything to get you back.” He be down the picture and exited the room.

Elsewhere, in a place where time and space was non-existent, three figures watched Strata.

“His love is strong.” One uttered.

“It will help guide him to us.” The second one said.

“I hope you three know what you’re doing,” Polaris said as she appeared, “and you’re not just toying with them.”

“Child, you know as much as we that this is as important to us as it is to you.” The third one said.

“Very well. I wish you luck then.” Polaris faded from view.

“I don’t trust luck. She always cheats.” The second one muttered. All three of them awaited Strata’s arrival.