The temple took longer to get to then I had first thought. Our armored-covered guide felt the strain
too. He knelt down resting Sai against his knee. I walked up to Rowen and laid a hand on his shoulder. "I
can carry Sai for a while. I've done it before." I was referring to the time I had carried him after he had
been drugged at the hospital in Toyama. Rowen considered the idea and then nodded his head. I took the
limp teen from his arms. The blanket fell back and revealed Sai's face. It was ashen and his hair was
soaked from sweat. "What's wrong with him?" I asked alarmed.
     Rowen pulled the blanket back and swore. "He's going into shock . . . we've got to get him to the
Ancient now!" He stopped and then shouted, "I know!" He let out a shrill whistle.
     "Whatcha' doing . . . calling a cab?" Sage asked.
     "In a way," Rowen said. "Come on, let's keep heading toward the temple. White Blaze will meet us
on the way."
     "Uh . . . White Blaze?" I asked following. I got my answer a few minutes later when Sage yelled out
a warning. I turned and saw a blur of white, streak out from the bushes. The force knocked Sage aside
and stopped in front of Rowen and me. I looked down into the eyes of a gigantic white tiger.
     Before I could move, Rowen bent down and petted the beast. "Good boy, thank you for coming."
Then he looked over at me and stroked the broad back of the tiger. "Come on, both of you climb on."
     "Climb on . . . like a horse?" Sage asked standing. He walked over and placed a careful hand on the
tiger. White Blaze stood still and let the teen run a hand through his fur. The tiger was as tall as his waist.
He swung a leg over White Blaze's back and the tiger stood fast. He pushed himself back and patted the
space in front of him. "Come on, Kento," he said. "I think he can handle us all."
     I climbed onto the tiger. He didn't even flinch from the additional weight. Sage placed his hands on
my sides. "Have you ever ridden before?"
     "A tiger . . . I should hope not! But no, I'm a city kid. I've never even been on a motorcycle!"
     "Okay, just tighten your knees to grip the tiger and I'll help steady you," Sage instructed. He looked
up at Rowen; "How about you . . . and exactly how fast does a tiger run?"
     "I'll run alongside, you guys just hold on. Let's go, White Blaze."
     The tiger took off. I almost lost my seat but Sage braced me. I held Sai closer as White Blaze raced
toward the temple. We were moving at a remarkable speed but Rowen kept up with ease. The temple
exploded into view in front of us as we cleared some bushes. White Blaze came to a stop in front of a
small wooden hut. Rowen took Sai from my arms and walked into the hutch.
     Sage slid off and looked around in wonderment. I took in the view myself. There was the large stone
yamadera and in front were five small huts made of wood. "What are we . . . the five little pigs? I'm going
to huff and puff and blow . . ."
     "Ah, shut up," Sage said laughing. "Hey, didn't Sai say there were five of us . . . and there are five
huts."
     "Cool, I get the one under the trees . . ."
     "Um, Kento . . . they're all under trees," Sage said with a smile.
     "Well, I want the far one there," I said pointing.
     "Sorry, that one is mine," Rowen said stepping out of the hut. "Have you guys seen the Ancient?"
     "I am here."
     I looked up startled. An old man had appeared at my side. He was dressed in a simple cloak with a
broad hat that shadowed his eyes from us. In his hand was a staff, decorated in gold.
     "Ancient, I found them right where you said they would be. But one of them is hurt pretty bad." The
Ancient followed Rowen into the hut.
     I followed on their heels and stepped into the small building. Sai was stretched out on a small cot.
The only other item in the room was a table. I watched as the Ancient bent over to place a hand on Sai's
forehead. He turned and looked at us. "Strata, take the others to the jinja. I will treat Torrent's injuries."
     Rowen nodded his head and turned toward the door. He beckoned for me to follow. "I ain't going
anywhere."
     Rowen jerked around, but it was the Ancient that answered. "You are not needed here, Hardrock."
     "Needed or not, I'm not leaving."
     "Come on, he's a monk," Rowen said taking my arm. "He'll be safe."
     I pulled my arm free. "The last person who promised me Sai would be safe was a nun and he ended
up being abducted," I said tensely. "I'm not leaving his side until he can hold his own."
     "I can force you to come," Rowen said under his breath.
     I raised my fists. "You can try . . . but I wouldn't advise it."
     "Enough!" The Ancient commanded. I turned to the old man who was still bent over Sai. "Hardrock
can stay. Only one can enter the jinja at a time, take Halo."
     Rowen glared at me and then exited the hut. I walked over next to Sai and knelt down. "Is he going
to be alright?" I asked.
     The Ancient had removed the torn pants to reveal the ugly rope burns and cuts that had occurred
when Sai had dangled from the bridge. He handed me a bowl and said, "Torrent will endure. He is strong.
Go to the well and fill the bowl with water."
     The next few hours I spent next to Sai. I washed and helped treat his leg with the strange herbs that
the Ancient had. I was resting, leaned against the wall, when Sai's shouts awakened me. I was up and
ready for anything. Night had fallen while I'd dozed. I looked around in the darkness and in the shadows
saw a figure standing over the bed. I attacked before thinking. The blow caught the man by surprise and
threw him against the wall.
     I looked down at Sai, he was furious. The hostility I saw in his eyes stunned me. His anger was not
directed at me, but at the figure I had thrown against the wall. I followed his gaze and watched the person
stand. The moonlight from the opened door illuminated the room suddenly and I let out a groan. The man
I had attacked was the Ancient. "Oh, man," I whispered.
     "You could have saved them!" Sai's shout startled me. I turned to catch him as he struggled to stand.
"You could have . . . why didn't you?" The anguish in his voice cut into me. He braced himself, using my
shoulder.
     "Torrent, you are too weak. I will answer your questions later when you have rested," the Ancient
said.
     "I think you best answer him now." I knew Sai had a right to know the reason, no matter what it
was.
     "And if the Ancient refuses to?" Rowen asked entering the small hut.
     "Then we walk . . . and to the hell with destiny."
     "I'm afraid we won't be able to let you do that," Sage said softly as he entered the hut.
     The moonlight danced off the white and green armor he wore. I registered the protective covering
but then looked back at the Ancient. "Could you have saved his parents?"
     "No, I was attuned only to Torrent. I was able to shield him from the blast but not his parents. I am
truly sorry at your lost, Torrent." The Ancient then turned and walked out the door.
     I felt Sai's legs collapse and I caught him before he fell. We both sat down on the bed as his body
began to tremble. He was crying again. I laid him down on his bed and covered him with a blanket.
     "Go, Kento," Sai whispered. "I'll be okay . . . I know how you feel about tears."
     I placed a hand on his shoulder, then turned and left. As I passed Rowen, he shot me a look of
disbelief and then walked over to Sai. I glanced back and saw Rowen bend down to place a comforting
hand on the weeping teenager's shoulder.
     The coolness of the night air surrounded me as I walked toward the well to get a drink. "Haven't
these guys ever heard of indoor plumbing . . . I wonder where the toilet is?" I thought aloud.
     "Third tree to your left," Sage said.
     I jerked around startled. There was no hostility in the blond-haired teen's face. He raised both of his
hands up, a sign that he meant me no harm. However, I didn't let my defenses down. He had threatened
me only moments ago. "What do you want, Halo?" I growled. "I've had a bad day . . . week . . . month
and it hasn't gotten any better."
     "I can show you how to make your dreams stop." I searched his face and saw that he was telling the
truth. "And I can tell you how to get your very own Mystical Ronin Armor."
     I looked his armor over and said, "Looks nice, but what good is it?"
     "Well, it can do this!" Sage jumped and sailed high over my head. He came to a stop on top of the
temple, which stood about ten stories. Then he leapt off and plummeted back toward me. I backed away
a step positive I was about to be a witness to body parts spewed everywhere. Sage came to a rest in front
of me not even fazed by the fall.
     I held my awe in check and said nonchalantly, "And . . ."
     Sage smiled and shook his head. "And it enables the wearer to do this!" He picked up a loose brick
and crushed it in his hand.
     "Okay, you've convinced me. Where can I get me one of those chillin' armors you and blue boy
got?"
     Sage told me to follow him and he led me into the woods. The surrounding night didn't even faze
me. I felt at ease in the darkness. The thick canopy of trees blocked out all of the light from the stars and
moon. "You wouldn't have happened to bring a flashlight?" I asked for Sage's sake as he stumbled.
     "Nope, won't need it . . . we're here."
     I looked up at the small stone shrine, or jinja, that stood in front of us. I could sense the pull I had
felt for the last month coming to a head. This was it, what had been calling me. It hadn't been the Ancient,
but whatever laid behind those closed doors. Sage was forgotten as I walked toward the entrance. I rested
a hand against the stone and the doors slid open. I stepped into the darkness and barely registered the fact
that the doors had closed behind me. The quiet was unnerving; all I could hear was the sound of my
breathing. Then the ground beneath me began to quake and a large crack formed in the center of the
room.
    "I'm here!" I shouted. "What do you want?"
    "Ronin Warrior, you have come." The voice came from all directions or maybe from inside my
head.
     "I've come, but why have you been calling me?"
     "I am the one chosen a hundred lifetimes ago to protect this armor until it was needed. The time is
here. Come Ronin Warrior, claim your armor!" The crack in the ground exploded outwards and out of
the darkness arose the Armor of Hardrock. It was the same brilliant orange that Sai had colored. The
helmet had two ivory horns sticking out; one horn was bigger than the other and curved over the top. In
the hand of the armor was a halberd with a blade on either end.
     "Awesome," I whispered as the ground stopped shaking. I walked over to the armor; it was just an
image hovering in the air. I stepped inside the reflection and crossed my arms at my chest. I somehow
knew what to say. "Armor of Hardrock . . . DAICHI!" I let out a scream as the ancient armor and I
became one. There was a brilliant flash and then the room was empty. It looked the same as it had when I
had come in. The door opened and I stumbled out into the blinding sunlight.
     I looked around confused, since it had been dark when I had entered the chamber. Hours had
passed. I looked down at the small crystal in my hand the symbol of 'Gi' was inside the ball. "Justice," I
said aloud.
     I looked around and saw Sage asleep under a nearby tree. "Hey," I called out walking toward him.
The sleeping teen didn't move. I bent down and shook his shoulder. "Come on and wake up, blondie. I
have some questions . . . Sage?" The dozing teen wouldn't wake up. I fought down the feeling of dread. I
tried to pick the unconscious Ronin up, but with his armor on he weighed a ton.
     Then I remembered the demonstration that Sage had given me about his armor. If he had been
strong enough to crush a brick, my armor should make me powerful enough to carry him back to the
temple. I looked down at the crystal. This was the key, I was sure of it. I gripped the crystal but nothing
happened. "So what do I have to say?" I mumbled, "hocus-pocus, pretty please, . . ."
     "Mm, those are good ideas, but I would try daichi."
     I turned to face Rowen, who stepped into the clearing. He bent down next to Sage and pushed the
long untamed bangs from his eyes. "What's wrong with him?" I asked.
     "Nothing, it takes a lot of energy to adjust to the armor." He looked up at me and asked, "What
about it . . . ready to join the ranks of a Ronin Warrior?"
     I grasped the small crystal and cried, "Armor of Hardrock . . . DAICHI!" There was a flash of light
and when it faded I was dressed in the bright white and orange body armor of Hardrock. Inside the armor,
my skin brushed against the coolness of the metal but it didn't chill me. In fact, it felt good . . . not too
cool and not too warm. I flexed my arms and the armor moved with me. I, also, could feel a strange force
start to flow through my veins. I looked over at Rowen and asked, "Am I naked under this suit or what?"
     "Well, I know when you take it off you're dressed once again in the clothes you had on before you
transformed."
     "And how do I take it off?" I bent down and picked Sage up. I had been right. He weighed no more
than what a small child would have.
     Rowen answered me as we headed back to the temple. "You cross your arms in front of you and
will the armor away."
     "Will?" I asked.
     "You wish it away and it goes."
     We cleared the woods and walked into the courtyard. Rowen pointed to a hut. "Put him in there and
then choose one of the remaining huts for yourself."
     I laid Sage down on the bed in the hut and asked if we should remove the armor. Rowen looked at
me like I was an idiot and said, "How do you expect him to adapt to the armor if we remove it?"
     "Okay," I said walking out, "it was just a question . . . don't lose your breastplate."
     I was heading toward Sai's hut, when a hand grabbed my shoulder. "He's resting peacefully, which it
what you should be doing."
     I turned around slowly and glared at the teen behind me. "Strata, you are really starting to annoy me
with all your orders."
     Rowen dropped his hand and raised an eyebrow. "What's your problem . . . Hardrock?"
     "Well, I guess that would be you!" I attacked. One of the things Yoshi had drilled into to me was
that you never let your opponent throw the first punch. My kick knocked Rowen across the small
courtyard. I watched him stand and shake his head to clear it. A flash of anger flared in his eyes. "I guess
I'm not the only one with a temper," I thought. Rowen launched himself at me. I braced myself but the
blow still knocked me back into the wall behind me. Rocks exploded everywhere. I stood up. The impact
had barely fazed me, but it had triggered the fury inside.
     "Come on, Hardrock. Is that the best you have? If it is, the world is in trouble," Rowen said with a
laugh.
     He never saw the next attack. One minute he stood over the next and me gloating he was pinned on
his back with my fists in his face. I got a few good hits in and had the satisfaction of seeing blood before I
was hit from behind. The blow was not a physical attack but some kind of electrical shock. It diffused the
rage in seconds and confused my thoughts. I pulled back and looked down at Rowen, his nose was broken
along with his upper lip. I backed away startled. I had never intended to hurt him, just show him a lesson
in humility. "Jeez, I'm . . . I never meant to . . ." I mumbled standing up.
     Rowen pulled himself up into a sitting position. He rubbed a hand across his face and looked down
at the blood with a look of surprise. "Damn, you are good." Then he smiled and offered me his hand to be
pulled up. I took it and pulled him to his feet. The next moment I found myself airborne as he threw me
over his back. As I crashed into the ground, I heard, "But I'm better."
     The blockhead didn't know when to quit. I rebounded and let the fury engulf me. The next thing I
remember is Sai's voice pleading, "Kento, you're going to kill him . . . stop!"
     The red curtain of fury lifted and I stopped my hand before it found the bloodied face of the
unconscious Ronin beneath me. I looked down at my fist; the gauntlet was splashed with blood. I sat back
stunned and looked over at Sai. His face was pale and he stood shivering in the cool morning air. "I . . ."
my voice failed me.
     "Hardrock," the Ancient spoke at my side.
     I looked over at the old man and pleaded, "Please . . . help him . . . I didn't mean to . . . why did he
keep pushing me?"
     The Ancient bent down and picked the Ronin up effortlessly. He carried him toward the hut Rowen
had claimed. "This was Strata's fault as much as it was yours," the Ancient said. "Torrent, return to your
hut and rest. You are not yet strong enough to claim your armor. Hardrock, I will teach you how to
control the beast inside of you but for now you too must rest to let your body and the armor you possess
become one."
     The Ancient disappeared into the hut and I turned to look at Sai. "You need help getting back?"
     Sai shook his head and started toward his hut. He stopped at the door and turned to face me. "You
wouldn't have really killed him . . . would you have?"
     "If you hadn't hollered out and lifted the veil, I don't know if I could have stopped." I turned my
back on him and walked over to the well to wash the blood from my armor.
     "Veil . . . what veil?" Sai demanded following me. I brushed passed him and headed to one of the
empty shacks. "Dang it! Don't you dare ignore me, Kento. Tell me what goes on in that thick head of
yours!" He ran around to stand between me and the door.
     I glared at him but his eyes never even flickered. "Sai, you don't know what you're asking," I said.
Then I lashed out and grabbed him. I held him in one arm above my head. "Don't you realize what I'm
capable of? Don't you understand the strength I had before this armor is now fifty times more powerful? I
could kill you . . . now, if I wanted to!"
     "No, you won't . . . you can't."
     "You willing to bet your life on that?"
     "I already do and will continue to," Sai said softly.
     "You're crazy," I said and tossed the smaller teen over my shoulder in a fireman hold. I carried him
back to his bed and flopped him down. He laid where he had fallen and smiled up at me. "Go to sleep,
Torrent," I said with a grin. "I'll see you in a few hours after I catch some Z's."
     I walked back to my hut but stopped at Rowen's and looked in. His face was turned away from me
but he seemed to be resting. Then I checked on Sage, who had slept through the whole exchange. He too
was sleeping soundly. I stretched out on my bunk and could feel the weariness of the day's events soaking
in. Sleep came quickly and lasted for a long time.