| The 10th Warrior Chapter 6: Into the Dynasty |
| Makoto awoke stiffly and sat up, surprised to see she was still in full armor. "Good morning!" exclaimed Yuli cheerfully, jumping up at the end of her bed. "Hello, Yuli," said Makoto. "What's going on?" "Rowen and Ryo are downstairs arguing," said Yuli. "They've been talking ever since they brought you home last night." "Oh," said Makoto softly as she slowly got out of bed and stretched her stiff muscles. "I'm going to my room," said Yuli quickly, and ran out, leaving a picture on the floor. Makoto walked over saw it was a stick-figure drawing of all the Ronins, including her at the end with Yuli, Mia, and White Blaze sitting nearby. She smiled and placed it on her bedside table before leaving the room with a slightly stiff gait. She walked downstairs and followed the sounds of the heated argument. "We need to get them when they're in unfamiliar territory," said Rowen. Makoto walked into the room behind them and walked to the basket of fruit that sat by the sink. "I agree, but I don't know if we can beat them! Makoto took a bad beating last night and we're down three other warriors!" "I dished out pretty good, too," commented Makoto dryly as she grabbed an apple. Both young men in sub-armor swung around and looked at her in surprise. "Good morning," she greeted, not smiling. "So what's the plan?" "We're going to draw the Warlords out into the open," said Rowen. "Fight them in our element, not theirs." "If you're feeling well enough," put in Ryo quickly. "Takes more than the likes of Kayura to beat me up," said Makoto with a smirk. "I'm in if it means I get a crack at Kale." "Kale?" asked Ryo in surprise. "Let's just say I owe him a few," said Makoto darkly. Makoto sat silently in the back of Mia's jeep, listening to Yuli chatter to Ryo while Mia drove. Rowen merely stared out at the passing scenery, lost in his own thoughts. Makoto didn't blame him, things were happening so quickly. The Ancient had appeared to them, only it hadn't been the Ancient, but Anubis, the former Warlord of Cruelty. He's taken the Ancient's place, having left Talpa's side. They demanded that he take them to the Netherworld to help free their friends, only for him to admit that he couldn't. Makoto had wanted to cry right then, but had remained hopeful that Anubis could find a way to get them there, even as he had promised he would. Sage. Hold out, please, she sent out. She was surprised when that plea was answered. "He's a survivor. Don't worry," said Rowen softly. "What?" whispered Makoto, looking at him in surprise. He blinked towards the trees and looked back at her. "You just wished Sage well, right?" "Yeah, but not aloud," said Makoto in a low voice. "That's something the armors let us do," said Rowen quietly. "We can talk to each other like that sometimes." White Blaze let out a low growl and Mia suddenly slammed her brakes, sending the car skidding in a 360. It stopped and Ryo, Rowen, and Makoto saw Kayura standing with the Star Swords in her hands. "To Arms!" shouted Ryo, jumping out of the jeep with Makoto and Rowen close behind. "Armor of Wildfire! Dao Jin!" shotued Ryo, and transformed. "Armor of Strata! Dao Inochi!" shouted Rowen, transforming next. "Armor of Whirlwind! Dao Kibou!" shouted Makoto, following in her transformation. "It's good to see you all again," said Kayura. "Too bad it'll be short-lived," said Rowen sharply. Kayura smirked and stood her ground as Ryo raised his katanas and connected them. "Flare Up Now!" The fire was shot at Kayura, but she dodged it easily. "Arrow Shock Wave!" shouted Rowen as he aimed his arrow at Kayura and fired the high-energy attack at her. She once again avoided it and Makoto began to run forward, raising her sword. Kayura raised hers and they clashed against Makoto's. "Ready for a rematch?" asked Makoto of the older woman. "Or are you getting too old to give a good fight?" Kayura's eyes narrowed and she began to attack more fervently. Makoto went on defensive and found herself flying away from a back kick from Kayura. Ryo was up against Kayura a split moment later, dueling with his katanas against hers. Ryo backed away as Rowen shot another arrow. Kayura evaded and leaped through the air to land before Rowen. He lifted his bow and blocked her swords as she swung them down upon him and then was thrown back as she kicked him away. Makoto ran to Kayura in one swift moment and knocked her away from Rowen as she'd pursued him, pressing her sword into Kayura's. Ryo came up behind her and swiped downwards at her left arm, but she blocked with the sword in that hand, using the right to continue fighting Makoto. Ryo backed off as Kayura let out a surprising yell and Makoto was caught off-guard as Kayura smashed her fist into her open face and then kicked her away forcefully. Makoto landed on her back and Ryo and Rowen came up beside her. "Star Sword Scream!" shouted Kayura, releasing her blast at the slightly unprepared group with her swords. Suddenly, Anubis was before them with his staff raised. The staff glowed and the blast was redirected, creating a pillar of energy. "Look out!" screamed Mia as the pillar moved forward towards the Ronins. Makoto's eyes widened and she prepared to run when she was engulfed, along with the other Ronins. Makoto stood agape, looking around at the beautiful landscape around her. "This can't be the Netherworld," she murmured in surprise. "It has to be," said Rowen, looking around in surprise. Ryo couldn't speak, he was so taken by its beauty. "It's hard to believe anything so evil could live here," said Makoto softly. "I know what you mean," agreed Ryo as they began to walk towards a large gate. Ryo led them through and they paused once more, taken by the immense beauty of the land. Winds blew past and a feeling that Makoto had come to know well crept upon her. "Spirits," she murmured, looking around, while bringing her sword out from its sheath at her hip. Ryo and Rowen also tensed and they watched as winds swirled and darkened into a face. "What are you?" demanded Ryo. "We are the priests of the Netherworld," it answered. "what do you want?" Ryo demanded further. "We only ask for peace. We don't wish to see our land in war. Please, just enjoy the beauty of our lands." "Peace, nothing," said Rowen. "You've got our friends and we want them back." "We'll fight the entire Dynasty army if we have to," said Ryo fiercely. "So be it," said the face, and dispersed. "How did you know?" asked Rowen as they moved onwards again. "Sailor Mars is a Priestess. Some of her influence in supernatural had to rub off some way," joked Makoto lightly. "No, really," said Ryo, interested. "Do you have ESP, like Sage?" Makoto shook her head. "No. Just two and half years of fighting demons to other scouts." "That long?" asked Rowen in surprise. Makoto nodded and gazed at the sword in her hand. "Gee," said Ryo sympathetically. "Is there ever a break for you?" Makoto gave him a half-smile. "Not really. We just finished our largest battle a few months ago." "And they're all on vacation while you're fighting again," said Rowen. "Sounds like you got the short end." Makoto smiled. "No. I think the armor is worth it. Now I can say I'm stronger than Sailor Uranus." Rowen snickered and Ryo laughed outright. Makoto wrinkled her brow and then blushed. "Don't ever do that in her presence or she'd knock your head in," warned Makoto. ~RYO!~ Ryo's eyes widened and he looked at Rowen and Makoto, who'd also heard it. "They are alive!" exclaimed Makoto, her face breaking in a hopeful smile. Ryo grinned and raised his katanas. "Let's go get them!" "Yeah!" shouted Makoto, raising her sword. "All right!" seconded Rowen, lifting his bow...TO BE CONTINUED |