| The 10th Warrior Chapter 9: Prelude to the Final Battle |
| "You're hurt," said Ryo, looking displeased as Makoto was helped over by Sage. "I'm okay," said Makoto defensively. "Just a bit knocked around." Ryo, Kento, and Sage looked at her doubtfully and she folded her arms. But before she could say anything, Anubis stepped forward. "I suggest we return to assist Strata and Torrent against Lady Kayura." Everyone looked at him in a surprised silence and then almost as one, they started running, Ryo taking the lead. Makoto took up the rear till they came back into the room where she had fallen from earlier. She was pleased to see that although Cye and Rowen looked a bit roughed up that they were all right. However, she was displeased to see that Kayura was still looking unscathed. I guess that is going to be remedied soon enough, Makoto thought, drawing out her sword, her eyes focusing on Kayura. "Spiral Whirlwind!" Kayura turned and leaped out of the way. Makoto didn't waste words as she ran forward and instantly met Kayura as she once again landed. ~Keep her busy a moment, Mako,~ rang Sage's voice in her head. Makoto's eyes widened momentarily at the call and then lowered in a focused glare as she fought harder. Suddenly, Kayura got the upper hand as she shoved her swords against Makoto, pressing her against the wall with the swords under her neck. "Your life is mine," she hissed. Suddenly, Makoto heard Ryo once again releasing an almost primal scream and she felt her own armor tugging away. ~Hope.~ The moment her kanji appeared on her forehead, Kayura backed away in surprise and Makoto slid weakly to the ground, reverting to sub-armor. She looked confused a moment and looked back, her eyes widening as she took in Ryo in the Inferno Armor. Makoto was unable to look away as Ryo attacked Kayura furiously, barely giving her a chance to defend. The swords clashed with lightning speed, and the fighters bounced against each other with resounding clashes that echoed throughout the room. She's losing! thought Makoto, her kanji glowing brighter. She slowly lifted herself to her feet, using the wall for support as she watched Sage moving towards her. ~Are you all right?~ he pathed to her. She nodded. ~Never better...~ She cut herself off as she saw Kayura flung to the ground, her chest plates skittering with a metallic clang across the floor.Ryo raiseed the Soul Swords, his eyes blazing and Makoto's breath caught. "Where am I?" aked Kayura in confusion, her voice much softer than it had been before. Ryo didn't stop to think as he swung his swords down and Makoto felt her stomach drop. "Stop!" came a firm shout as Anubis suddenly flashed before Ryo and blocked his swords with the staff he held. Everything in the room went silent, and no one moved. Then Yuli let out a small gasp as the Jewel of Life burst into light from the rope around his neck. Immediately, Anubis turned to the stunned and slightly frightened Kayura sitting on the ground. "Kayura, do you know who you are?" he asked sincerely. The young woman looked genuinely confused. "I am Lady Kayura of the Dynasty, Priestess of Emperor Talpa." "No," said Anubis softly, but firmly. "Think harder. Talpa was controlling you. He was making you fight for him!" Kayura looked upset and she closed her eyes. Meanwhile, Ryo moved away from Anubis and Kayura in surprise. He was instantly met with Sage, Kento, Rowen, and Cye, who'd already moved forward. "What's going on?" asked Kento, looking at Anubis and Kayura. "Just whose side is he on?" Standing nearby, Makoto watched with understanding. "It's like Usagi when she sees hope in someone. She doesn't give up on them, just because tehy're evil. Anubis must know something about Kayura that has given him hope that she can change like he did," she whispered to herself. Suddenly, darkness seemed to seam out of the walls and everything went black. There was a cry and then the light returned, only to reveal that Kayura had vanished. Much later, in the abandoned part of Talpa's empire, Makoto sat up high on a wall, watching the Dynasty fields to the East. Everyone else was resting and preparing for the next battle that would be soon. Anubis, who had been saddened when Kayura had left, thanks to Talpa and Badamon, stated that the largest battle was coming and that they should prepare. When the Ronins had found this part of the castle, Anubis had told them that he wouldn't be going with them to fight when they left. He explained that he needed to learn more about the Ancient's staff if he was to use it to its full extent. A few of them had argued with him a little, but it was clear that Anubis made up his mind. "Maybe I can talk with him," she murmured thoughtfully. Makoto stood to her feet and leapt down to the ground before breaking into a swift run to the shrine that Anubis had entered. After passing a number of the others in various spots in the field resting, she dashed up teh shrine steps and entered the dim room, lit by the light of dozens of small candles. In the middle of the room sat Anubis with the staff laid over his lap. She watched him silently a moment, reminded of Rei and her fire readings. The posture and expression of concentration was the same. "Whirlwind," said Anubis suddenly, breaking the silence. "What do you need?" "Anubis, I know you said you wouldn't come with us, but we will need you. From what I've heard and felt of Talpa, we won't defeat him by ourselves. We will need as many people as possible." Anubis looked up at Makoto and studied her before a slight clinking emanated from the staff in his lap. "Your spirit is old, Whirlwind," said Anubis at last. "Older than my own. You understand the need for teamwork, but now you must understand what I am doing." Makoto blinked in surprise at his words and she realized he referred to the life she lived when she wa a Princess of Jupiter many centuries ago in a different time. "There is something importan about the Lady Kayura. She is not naturally of the Dynasty, like many of Talpa's demon priests and priestesses. I do not know what it is of her I sensed when Ryo weakened her, but it was something I've felt only from the Ancient." Makoto was stunned. "But you told us that the Ancient was the last of his clan." "I thought so, but Talpa has warred against them before, and attacked their homes. He could have easily carried away a small child." "So, if she is who you think she might be, you want to try to figure out a way to bring her to our side." "Yes, I do. Do you understand my reasons now?" "I understand them, Anubis," affirmed Makoto. Anubis nodded, a faint look of approval on his face. "I assumed you would. The staff tells me you are also of a different brand of warrior." "I was a Sailor Scout. Unfortunately, Kale destroyed my henshin wand and I am unable to call upon those powers anymore." Once again, the staff clinked and Anubis nodded in understanding. "Indeed, your spirit is old. May I see the wand?" Makoto nodded and the two parts of the wand materialized in her hand. She held them out to him and he took them carefully, closing his eyes. Makoto watched as the henshin glowed a light green aura a moment and tehn faded as Anubis opened his eyes. "It is only broken for a time. It still holds power and can be mended." Makoto's eyes lit up and as she was about to ask how, Sage entered the shrine. "Makoto, we need to leave now," he said solemnly. "Anubis, are you coming?" "He has things he must do here," said Makoto, walking over to the young man. "I wish you good luck, Anubis." Anubis nodded, a faint smile on his face. "You also, Whirlwind. I hope to join you all soon." Makoto smiled. "You'd better, or I'll come looking for you." Anubis smirked a moment and then closed his eyes, once again going into meditation and Sage and Makoto left the building. Anubis's eyes snapped open and he jumped to his feet, his robes billowing out around him. Quickly, he ran out of the shrine, holding the staff in his hands as Mia looked up from where she sat with Yuli and White Blaze. "Stay here. Something has happened," commanded Anubis before vanishing. Mia paled and looked down at the sleeping Yuli. White Blaze let out a comforting growl, and nudged her. She smiled gratefully and gave the large white tiger a light hug around the muzzle. "Thanks, Blaze." White Blaze made a small purring sound and Mia almost swore she saw a smile. Meanwhile, Anubis rematerialized a few miles away and found Makoto standing with her sword drawn, facing the three Warlords and Kayura. Behind her were the other Ronins entrapped in static fields of some sort. "Whirlwind, what has happened?" asked Anubis, surprising the female warrior as he came up beside her. "Kayura appeared with this giant sphere of energy. She was going to mow us down with it, but Ryo called on the Armor of Inferno and destroyed the field. When it exploded, it knocked the other Ronins unconscious. Then they got caught in those energy fields when the Warlords arrived. I just finished fighting the soldiers that tried to carry them off. Now the Warlords are here. I was about to attack when you showed up." "You wouldn't last on your own," said Anubis. "You'll need my help." Makoto beamed at him. "Sounds like fun. Two against four is fun odds...LOOK OUT!" Makoto leaped out of the way of Kale's blast as it flew at them and Anubis leaped the opposite way. "Spiral Whirlwind!" shouted Makoto, placing a large amount of energy into the attack. It was aimed at Kale, but when he jumped out of the way, it smashed into Sekhmet, sending him plowing a number of yards back. Anubis meanwhile met Dais's scythe with the staff, and used an invisible wave of power to blokc him back easily. Kayura's attack flew towards him and he lifted his hand. It sailed straight to his hand, and before it could touch him, it rebounded, forcing Kayura to retreat. "Anubis, the others!" shouted Makoto from her place of battle. Anubis looked back to see five floating Dynasty ships lifting the Ronins in their static fields up into them. Anubis started to run toward the ships when Ryo's alarmed look and an urgent wave caused him to turn and barely avoid Dais's webbing from his attack. "Dais, stop fighting me. I am not your enemy!" shouted Anubis as he once again avoided a blast from Kayura. "Talpa is who you should be fighting. He is only using you so he can attain the armors. Once he has the Ronins, he will no longer need you and destroy you!" Makoto watched as Anubis began to speak to the three former colleagues and noticed that Kayura was preparing to attack him. "Oh no, you don't" she hissed and ran forward. Kayura's attention was drawn away from Anubis as Makoto charged forward and they clashed swords. "Let's see if we can actually finish a fight this time, shall we?" asked Makoto in a sarcastically sweet voice. Kayura's smile was pure evil as she shoved Makoto away with new, stronger power, and Makoto silently hoped Anubis knew what he was doing...TO BE CONTINUED |