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Guardian Souls
By: Ghost of the Dawn

Chapter Seven: In the Valley of the Dead

Ryo opened his eyes as the morning light streamed into his room. The bed he lay in was unfamiliar. It was adorned with thick pillows and expensive silks and easily big enough for two or three people. The luxury he was surrounded with was hardly something Ryo was used to.
He yawned and scratched his head as he idly looked around the room he could easily fit his whole apartment in. Though he wasn't exactly comfortable with the size of the room, the place didn't feel entirely unsafe to him. His true unease fell inside.
It was there again. His dreams. Once more, he could not remember it, but the memory of that eerie threat hung in his heart. A dark promise that terrible things would happen if he were to get involved. But with what and whom, he still had no clue. He even wondered if he would know who was sending these dreams if he met them. They were so vague, it was hard to tell.
But now wasn't the time to dwell on them. Like the numerous times before, Ryo made himself shake off the memory for the moment and get ready to face the day. His friends, Robyn and Kento had an important day ahead of them and he wanted to be there to support them any way he could.
Light streamed in from the window and Ryo got up and walked over to it. The window was arched and taller than he was. He leaned out and looked over the ancient civilization waking up beneath him. For a moment, he awed at the fact that there were no glass panes or any such thing keeping the windows tight and locking out natures elements, yet he slept very comfortably the night before.
Within a few minutes, servants came to Ryo's chambers to help him get ready for the day. Wildfire, however, was not too pleased to see them. He quickly shooed them away, insisting he knew how to dress himself. And having done so of his own will and actions, left his room and walked down the hall to the women's quarters. Ahead of him were two familiar figures.
"Picking up Robyn?" He called.
Cye turned around. Sage was with him, but didn't seem to be owning up to the accusation as much as Cye was.
"Yeah," he replied. "I don't want her or Kento doing this all by themselves. I may not be able to help, but I'll be there for support."
"My Lords, if you're looking for the Lady of Hardrock," a servant who had overheard them called. "She has already left her room."
"She has?" Cye asked. Robyn was not known to be an early riser.
"Kento's gone, too," Sage called as he peeked in Hardrock's quarters.
"Where would they go?" Cye wondered, hands on his hips.
"Well," Sage offered. "While Robyn is a bit unpredictable, Kento is not."
Cye instantly turned to the servant and asked which way to the breakfast dining hall.

Three women sat calmly around a long, rectangular table when the three Ronins ran in, a bit out of breath. Mia, Miniko, and Myune all looked up at their entrance.

"Where are those two?" Cye panted.
"They are getting ready in the summoning room," Myune explained as she buttered her toast. "You might not want to interrupt them until--"
"Where is that?" Cye cut in.
The Guardian of Halo sighed. "Out this door, here. Down at the end of the corridor."
Cye was off as soon as the direction was pointed out. Ryo and Sage seemed to tag along just for the sake of following and curiosity.
"Are they always that way?" Myune asked after they had left.
Miniko shrugged. She didn't know.
"That's the way they are," Mia confirmed. "Those boys can't sit still for a second when something's going on. They're just a bit restless. I'm sure they'll calm down a bit more when they start getting used to all this."
Myune nodded and let the subject slide.
******

Cye pushed open the heavy, ornate doors that were at the end of the hall. Inside was a moderately large, but fairly empty room. Tapestries and symbols adorned the walls, but there was no furniture inside. On the floor was painted a circle with several more symbols and decorative writings within it. Kneeling on it either side of it facing each other were Kento and Robyn. Shinsetsu was standing near by.
"Hey guys," Kento greeted as they came in.
"Good morning," Robyn sang.
"What are you guys doing?" Cye demanded. "You didn't wait for any of us."
"Hey Cye, you know how the saying goes," Kento said. "Early to bed and early to rise make you ...something and something. I forget the rest."
Ryo snorted.
"Nice, Kento," Sage admonished. "Do let me know what the "something and something" is when you find it. I want to know if it's worth my time to get up for."
"Kiss my butt, Sage. We weren't all born to be literary majors."
"I'm not majoring in literature!"
"Well you talk like you are."
"What's wrong with that?"
"No one said ‘good morning' to me," Robyn pouted between the argument.
"Morning Robyn!" Ryo sang.
"Yay!" Robyn clapped.
"AHEM!" Shinsetsu spoke up. "My Lords and Lady, we do have much to do today."
"Sorry," everyone chimed in, now a bit humbled.
"Lords of Halo, Wildfire, and Torrent," Shinsetsu continued. "There is no reason for any of you to be here."
"But, I–we thought maybe we could help somehow," Cye stumbled.
"I'm sorry, Lord Torrent," the old man shook his head. "But this task is for these two alone. There is nothing you can do to help them."
"Nothing at all?" Ryo wondered.
"Can't they just stay?" Robyn then asked. "It's not necessary for them to leave the room, is it? Can't they just be here with us? I want them to." She smiled at the three of them as she said this.
"It is fine if the Lords want to be here," Shinsetsu relented. "Though I do assure you that there really isn't anything for you to do here."
"Still, we would all feel better if we stayed," Cye said as he sat down on his knees off to the side. "Thank you."
Shinsetsu nodded in their direction as Sage and Ryo joined Cye on the floor.
"Now, I've explained it to you the best I can," Shinsetsu said to Kento and Robyn. "I guess all we can do now is give it a try. Even though you're new at this, with the two of you together, it should be pretty easy to pass to the next plane even without the Sealing Ceremony."
"What's that?" Robyn asked.
"The Sealing Ceremony is what will take place when all the guardians have been gathered," the old man explained. "Each partnership will be brought before the gods on a special alter where they pledge their loyalty to each other and to the service of the people of Falnan. Though most of it is pretty much just more protocol, it is believed that the bond between the Armor and the Guardian powers becomes stronger."
"So, like, Robyn could use my armor powers?" Kento wondered.
"To an extent if needed; it is possible," Shinsetsu confirmed. "Though it is always different with every partnership. How well the bond depends on them and it has happened a few times where the bond is forged strongly even before the Sealing Ceremony. But I will tell you more about that when the time comes. Right now we must focus on the task at hand."
Robyn only heard about half of that herself. She was too stuck on Kento's question. It was possible she could use the power of Kento's armor? What would that be like? How would she use it? This was what she had been waiting for. If she had some sort of power, maybe she would finally be of use to her friends. The thought of it both excited and frightened her.
"Now," the old mage said. "I need the two of you to lay down in the circle. When your souls leave your bodies they will become lifeless and fall. No need to have you waking up later with bruises."
"Good idea," Robyn sang.
The two did as they were told and laid down side by side within the circle.
"Now remember, as I told you," Shinsetsu instructed. "As those who hold the Hardrock titles, this should be as second nature to you. Close your eyes and let your soul be free from your body. Concentrate on the other plane and your powers will lead you there to the Priestess of Torrent who is waiting."
Robyn glanced over at Kento who seemed hesitant to close his eyes.
"Scared?" she whispered.
He looked over at her and felt a bit foolish that, in truth, he was a bit.
"No," he insisted. "Well...not really."
Robyn gave him a smile that suddenly made it very hard for him to lie to her.
"A little..." he admitted. "But it's not a big deal. I can still--"
He stopped when he felt her hand over his.
"It will be okay," Robyn told him with confidence. "We can do this. I can feel it."
Kento smiled back and then closed his eyes.
‘You bet we will,' he thought to himself. "You bet we will...."
Robyn's eyes shot open. She knew Kento didn't say those words out loud, and yet she had heard them reverberating in her own mind. Even more surprised, Robyn found herself to be standing when her eyes were open and the room she was in was nowhere to be found. Instead, she was surrounded by a vast, open space. It looked almost like a desert, but it was misty and not hot at all. Nor was it cold. In fact, Robyn didn't feel much of anything in this place.
"Wow, was it really that easy?" she wondered to herself.
"I guess," came a voice from behind her. Kento put his hands on his hips as he surveyed their new surroundings. "I mean, if I can do it, anyone can, right?"
Robyn would have laughed, but the ground rumbling under their feet made her instantly forget Kento's remark. Kento, too was wondering what the heck was going on when the ground beneath him suddenly dissolved into a high cliff. He gasped as he felt himself falling backwards into the abyss.
"Gotcha!" Robyn called as she grabbed his hand.
For a moment, Kento was relieved....until he realized they were still falling backwards.
"Oh crap!" Robyn cried.
Her weight wasn't enough to keep the two of them balanced. She was now being pulled backwards with Kento's heavier frame. Seeing she was losing this morbid game of tug of war, she let her body drop to the ground in hopes of having the ground help her hold her friend.
She was now laying on her stomach, dangling Kento by the wrist over the far drop below. Both were frighteningly aware that Robyn was slowly slipping further down.
"You're too heavy," Robyn grunted as she struggled to fight her way back up. "I can't pull you up."
"Don't give up Robyn, hold on!" Kento urged, but on the inside he was thinking ‘Shit, I'm totally screwed! No way she can pull me up.'
‘There's no way I can pull him up,' Robyn thought. ‘But I can't let him go! Someone please help me!'
With that plea, a hand shout out and grabbed Kento's arm. This one was easily strong enough to pull her friend up to safety. Robyn could only gape at their rescuer.
"It's you!"
*******

The room was still for several minutes. Shinsetsu shifted from where he was standing and started walking around the circle. The three kneeling Ronins looked at each other.
"Is it...has it happened?" Ryo asked in a quite voice, almost afraid to disturb the silence.
"They have crossed over," the old man confirmed. "Nothing you do or say to them now will make any impact on them until they return to their bodies."
Ryo still looked a bit confused as Sage got to his feet and Cye followed. Ryo then stood up himself as Cye wandered into the circle and crouched down to Robyn's lifeless body. He lightly touched her cheek with the back of his hand as Sage and Ryo peered down with curiosity.
"They look....dead," Ryo complained.
"In a way, they are," Sage said. "Their bodies have no souls in them– just like a corpse. They will also become colder the longer their souls are out of their bodies. No matter how good you are at astral projecting, it's still not healthy to be out of your body for too long."
"Ah, Lord Halo," Shinsetsu smiled. "You seem well educated in this area. You are very correct in that and I do have that possible danger in mind. If Lord and Lady Hardrock are not back by this afternoon of their own will, we will perform a spell to summon their spirits back anyway and try again at another time."
Sage nodded, seeming to approve of that plan. Cye and Ryo accepted his approval. No one knew more about these things than Sage and if he was fine with it, they were fine with it. Nevertheless, Cye removed the light blue cloak he was wearing and neatly folded it. Although Shinsetsu just stated nothing they did would affect the two bodies, Cye placed it under Robyn's head anyway.
"So, what do we do now?" Torrent then asked as the old man excused himself from the room to attend other matters.
"Breakfast sounds good," Ryo offered.
"Yes," Sage agreed. "Then afterwards we should check on Rowen again. He's sure to be awake soon, if not already. We may want to make periodical checks on Kento and Robyn as well, just to be safe."
"I might sound a bit paranoid," Cye piped up. "But I don't feel right leaving them all alone for any amount of time. What if someone takes their bodies or does something to them when no one's watching."
"Woah, that's kind of creepy, Cye," Ryo said.
"But he has a good point," Sage voiced. "It may not do us good to be too comfortable here when we met only a few people who live in this place just yesterday. I would rather be overly cautious than not enough. If you two want to go eat, I'll watch over Kento and Robyn until you get back."
"Right, then we'll let you eat and send you off to see Rowen," Ryo agreed with a thumbs-up.
It would at least give them something to do while they waited.
*******

Kento dusted himself off, not looking too happy as he tried to recover what little dignity he had left. He couldn't believe Robyn was the one who caught HIM and he had been the one in trouble. And then, of course, THIS guy had to show up and save his sorry butt as well.
"It's you again," Robyn repeated. "I saw you in the hotel room."
"Indeed," the new person nodded.
"And then you just ditched us," Kento accused. "What have you been doing? Just waiting around in here for us to come, Anubis?"
"Actually, I have," the former Warlord of Cruelty replied. He was still wearing the same blue and white robes of the Ancient Kento had seen him in the last time he saw him alive.
"Why have you been waiting?" Robyn wanted to know.
"Because," Anubis replied. "I am going to lead you to the Guardian of Torrent."
"What?" Kento exclaimed. "How did you know about it?"
"I learned a lot of the ancient history of the armors after I died," Anubis explained calmly. "Apparently, my connection with the armors is not over even though my physical body is. What you two see around you is a place of spiritual limbo. I have been stuck here ever since my death. There is still more for me to do before I am able to pass onto the next world and finally let my spirit find peace."
"Oh yeah?" Kento asked like it was an everyday conversation. He put his fists on his hips as he looked the vast space over.
"If this is a spiritual plane," Robyn wondered. "Then what was with the earthquake?"
"That is because of you two."
"Us?" Kento demanded.
Anubis nodded. "This world was meant for the souls of those who can no longer exist in the world of the living. Both of you still have your bodies, making your spirits strong. That, added with the combined power of Hardrock you both possess, the essence of your souls in this place will eventually rip it apart. You cannot stay here long."
"That's fine with me," Kento agreed. "The sooner we can leave, the happier I'll be."
Robyn suddenly glanced behind her, gathering Kento's attention.
"What's up, Robyn?" he wondered.
"I just thought there was someone standing out there," Robyn replied. "Out of the corner of my eye."
"That's impossible," Anubis insisted. "No one else is here. We are on the borders of limbo. Only I with the power of the Ancient is able come out this far."
"Huh," Robyn relented. "I guess my eyes were just playing tricks on me, then."
Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that she not only saw someone, but had felt the presence of another spirit as well. But what did she know? Anubis clearly knew more about this place than she did. So she decided to trust in what he said.
"You must make your journey that way," Anubis then said, pointing his stick towards a vague horizon. "I cannot come with you. Because your spirits, with their ties to your physical bodies, are different than mine, we cannot travel the same way. You have to find your own path there. All I can do is point you in the right direction."
"What?" Robyn demanded, making it sound more like a protest of disbelief than an actual question. "Why do we have to do all this and you're not even going to be with us? Why can't you just get that Torrent girl and bring her here with your POWERS you keep talking about. Or at least have her meet us half way."
"Or," Anubis jumped right in, not looking to happy. "Why don't I just play the Guardian of Torrent myself? Hell, why don't all of you take a vacation? I'll give myself a body and just fight all your battles for you. The lot of you can just go home."
Robyn glared, knowing she had just been beaten by that argument.
"Give her a break, Anubis," Kento cut in. "She's still getting used to it."
"My point," Anubis explained. "Was merely to illustrate that there is nothing in this world or any other that can be gained without effort. If you want something, you must do something for it. That is the way things are."
"He's right," Robyn agreed, head bowed a bit in humility. "I'm sorry I said that. Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it."
Anubis smiled kindly down at her. "Do not worry, young one. You may feel like you're alone, but you aren't. I will guide you the best I can and in the end, you will see it will be worth it."
Robyn breathed out and then looked forward, taking the first steps of her new journey.
******

"Lord Halo."
Sage turned around. He was not used to being addressed by that name yet; but he still knew it was he that was being called. Behind him a few paces was Myune, the woman who called herself the Priestess of Halo. Sage didn't know much about her besides that she was born in the same world as he and that she was supposed to be a partner of his in some sort or another. This made Sage none too fond of her at the present moment for he did not like what he did not know.
It must have showed in his face, for the older woman actually took a step back when he looked at her. Sage quickly pacified his expression. His mother had always warned him about how intense his gaze could get and how easily he could intimidate others–even without thinking about it. To this day, Sage still couldn't control that piercing gaze of his completely. It always came out when he was in deep thought. And now, going down to see how Rowen was doing, he had been.
"What?" Sage asked, trying to get her to speak. He then mentally berated himself. That sounded a bit angry and intimidating as well.
Myune took a moment to gather herself again and bowed. "Lord Halo, I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time."
"Can it wait? I'm heading off to see Ro–Lord Strata." Man, it still felt weird to talk like that.
Myune then looked a bit disappointed. "I was hoping the two of us could talk for a bit. We've kind of been thrown together and I was thinking we should probably get to know each other sometime so we can better work together."
Sage turned from her, keeping his thoughts to himself. Myune was about to turn around and ask him to do it another time.
"You can come with me," Sage then said, his speech growing a bit looser. "If Strata is still sleeping, we can talk there."
Myune smiled a bit as she began to follow him down the hall. Sage noticed she always stayed a few paces behind him, like a servant would. He supposed this was how it was supposed to be since protocol in this world stated those who had the armors were one step above the Priestesses.
"Of course," Sage found himself adding despite himself. "If Lord Strata is awake, there will be no shutting him up."
He was rewarded with a soft chuckle behind him.

His greatness, Lord Strata, was still asleep when Sage found him. The blonde young man, however, was relieved to see that he looked more like he was just sleeping instead of looking too sick to be conscious like he was the previous day. In fact, Sage wouldn't have been surprised if Rowen was now just being too lazy to wake up. It was no secret that Rowen loved his sleep more than any man rightfully should. And at that thought, Sage had half a mind to try and wake him up in the manners he used in high school when trying to get his friend to school on time. But since Myune was there, Sage decided against it in case she got the wrong idea.
So then the two of them sat at Strata's bedside, wondering who should start talking about what.
"So...how long have you lived in Falnan," Sage was the first to ask.
"Since I was about nine," Myune replied.
Upon hearing that, Sage's first mental question was why was only her and none of the other girls brought to this place earlier.
"Is that normal to come here that young for a priestess?"
"No," Myune hung her head and Sage immediately got the feeling he had brought up a sensitive topic. "Not that anything that's happening right now is normal for this world's history, but none of the priestesses or armor bearers needed to gather here until now. Unfortunately for me, I discovered my powers at a very young age–too young. I couldn't control them so Shinsetsu found me and brought me here where I could learn how to harness them and not hurt anyone."
"What powers are those?" Sage wondered.
Myune smiled at him. "The powers of Halo, of course."
Sage must have looked a bit stunned, so Myune went on to explain. "I can't use the powers of Halo like you can, but it is not uncommon for the priestesses of the armors to be able to channel their energies in one way or another when it is needed."
Sage furrowed his brow at her. While she was answering his questions, she was being vague about the specifics of those answers at the same time. He was sure she was doing it on purpose. He supposed there were personal reasons as to why she was doing this and he was debating as to whether or not he should press for answers at the present moment.
"So, are you close friends with Lord Strata?" Myune asked before he could. "You've seemed so worried about him since we brought him here."
Sage decided he would gracefully let the subject change for now and smiled a bit at the mention of Rowen and their relationship.
"Yeah, we've been friends for quite a while. Even before we met the others we were already close. I don't even know how it happened. The two of us are like night and day. We just clicked somehow. And from almost the first day we met, I was always taking care of him. His parents were never around and he doesn't have any siblings or even a pet. So I guess I just took it upon myself to be his family in a way."
"And now that your boy is all grown up, you still can't let him go."
Sage looked at Myune when she commented. He was a bit confused at that sentence, but relaxed when she saw the humor in her face.
"Yeah, I guess," he agreed. "He is the youngest of us. I guess I'll never really stop looking after him."
"There's nothing wrong with that," Myune agreed. "In fact, I guess I'm a bit jealous now to hear Lord Strata has such a good friend."
Sage's mouth quirked up a bit at her. Maybe his instincts had been wrong about this woman. Maybe his high school days had made him too paranoid about new females around. She seemed okay and he was almost sorry he had been scrutinizing her so badly since the beginning.
"Myune," Sage said as a very important question came to mind. "As Priestess and Armor Bearer of the same title, what is expected of us? What is the relationship between you and I supposed to be?"
Myune looked surprised for a moment, but then her expression seemed to state that she had been expecting that question sooner or later.
"No one expects the two of us to get married or anything, if that's what you're wondering," she replied. "In fact, you might say that any kind of romantic or physical relationship between us is forbidden."
"Is that so," Sage wondered, not expecting that kind of reply.
"It is," Myune confirmed. "Though, this rule doesn't really affect you at all. It was not uncommon for previous Armor Bearers to get married and have families after they had fulfilled their duties. For the Priestesses, however, it is something different."
Sage looked over at her, raising an eyebrow. Somehow he felt he wasn't going to agree with what she had to say next.
"The Priestesses are not like anyone else," Myune continued, not looking at him. "We're not even like the Armor Bearers. We are those who speak to the gods and are the only ones allowed in their temple. Our sprits and our bodies belong to them and we must remain pure and chaste our entire lives."
Sage stopped staring at her and looked away. He wasn't sure how he felt about that and he wasn't sure why. There were many religions in his world that required chastity of higher officials. Myune had said this rule didn't affect him at all. Somehow, Sage wasn't so sure of that.
"What happens if a Priestess breaks this rule?" he asked.
Before Myune even looked away from him, Sage could tell she did not want to answer that. He also didn't get a chance to press her for the answer as the body in the bed before them suddenly came to life.
********

Robyn trudged silently after Kento's lead. Anubis had left them alone right at the beginning of their journey. It felt like they had been walking for hours, but Robyn could hardly tell if that were true. Time passed strangely in this place. There was no sun, nor day or night. Just an endless, foggy wasteland of browns and greys. In the distance, there was the sound of crumbling behind them. Nothing to put them in immediate danger, but it still shook Robyn up a bit. Especially since she couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching them.
"What do you think we'll have to do when we find that Torrent girl?" Robyn asked. She was desperate for anything to get her mind somewhere else.
"I dunno," Kento replied.
"If we have to take her back through this, I'll.....I'll.....well, I dunno what I will do, but I swear there will be some kind of hell to pay. Especially for that Anubis guy. Sure, he can't do everything for us, but as of thus far, I haven't seen him do much at all."
Kento chuckled. "I'll help. This walkabout shit is totally bogus."
Robyn took her turn to laugh. "I don't care what Sage says. You do have quite a way with words."
"Thanks," Kento grinned. "I try."
"Kento?" Robyn then asked, her mood suddenly turning completely around. "Do...you think after we find her, we'll be able to find out what happened to Nat?"
Kento stopped and looked back at her, his expression instantly falling as well. He knew this was eating Robyn up inside though she tried hard not to let it show. Walking back to her, he placed a hand on her shoulder and gave it a little squeeze.
"Robyn, I could just tell you that everything will be alright, but that would be a lie and I couldn't do that to you. I really don't know what's going to happen so I can't promise you anything. But one thing I have learned is that there is a greater power working out there. Something stronger than any of us or the armors or anyone. And somehow, even though we don't always understand why things happen, in the end, it all comes together and things work out. Even if it's not the way we wanted it to."
Robyn looked up into his face. She had never heard anything like that come from her friend before. There was power and hope to those words and she had to smile even though her heart still felt heavy. She touched the hand that was resting on her shoulder. His touch suddenly felt so warm.
"Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you for being honest with me."
"No sweat," Kento replied.
Robyn blinked. His smile seemed a bit more charming for some reason and she felt her cheeks flush in spite of herself. She was so caught up in the sudden feeling, she didn't even notice Kento had started off again until he called her to catch up. But even though Robyn managed to shake herself, she could not meet up with him. The ground beneath her feet was gone. There was nothing beneath her but blackness and she screamed.
********

Sage was shocked when Rowen awoke. For his eyes hadn't just fluttered open, the wounded young man had sat bolt upright in bed with no warning. Sage was alarmed to see the frantic look on Rowen's face and he was perspiring slightly.
"Rowen!" he exclaimed as he ran to his friend's side.
Rowen gasped as he sat up and then flinched at the still healing wound on his shoulder.
"What is it?" Sage demanded.
"Robyn! I heard her scream!" Rowen panted. "Where is she?"
Sage wasn't sure how to answer that.
"The girl Robyn is fine," Myune spoke for him. "I assure you that."
Rowen seemed to forget everything else when he saw the gorgeous woman standing before him. "Well, hello. And you are?"
Sage made a noise of disapproval. Leave it to Rowen to forget all his intelligence at the sight of a pretty girl.
"This is Myune," Sage introduced. "She's the Guardian of Halo."
"She is," Rowen said, raising a brow. He then grinned at his best friend and elbowed him in the side. "You dog!"
He was rewarded with a thump on the head from Sage's fist.
"Moron," he replied back. "We were all worried about you and you're just sleeping the day away. It's so like you."
Myune smiled to herself. Those two did seem close.
"SAGE!" Ryo cried as he ran in.
Sage was instantly alarmed at how frantic and out of breath Ryo looked. He had obviously ran as fast as he could all the way down there.
"Sage, something's wrong!" he panted.
"With what?" Rowen wondered. Then he remembered his previous fear. "Is it with Robyn?"
"Come quickly!" was all Ryo said as he ran back out.
Sage was instantly after him without further explanation.
"Hey, what about me!" Rowen called after him. He got no reply. The wounded young man "humphed" to himself at the thought of being left behind by his friends with no concern at all. His second thought was that he was going to follow anyway.
"Lord Strata, you shouldn't get up yet," Myune said as Rowen tried to climb out of bed.
"What did you call me?" Rowen retorted. "Look, never mind. Can you just help me get down to where the others went?"
Myune looked very concerned and seemed unwilling to comply with that request.
"Come on," Rowen argued. "Don't make me crawl all the way down there."
The Priestess of Halo furrowed her brows. The Armor Bearers were almost sacred and to be respected. How would it look to the people in the castle to see one of them crawling down the hall in just a bed robe?
"Fine," she relented as she looped his arm over her shoulder. "Let's go, Lord Strata."
Though he was pleased with getting his way, Rowen still swung his head over at the title.
"I have a name, you know. It's Rowen."
Myune sighed. She had a feeling this one just might need as much babysitting as the Bearer of Halo suggested.
********

Sage ran into the room where Kento and Robyn's bodies lay. Cye was kneeling over them looking very concerned.
"What happened?" Sage asked as he came in after Ryo.
"They were just sitting there," Ryo was the first to reply. "They didn't move or anything, then they started getting marks on them."
"Sores," Cye clarified. "Cuts and bruises. They came very quick and then there haven't been any new ones since that I can tell." He was currently wiping blood from Robyn's forehead. Her face and Kento's were still serene and expressionless despite their injuries, but Robyn's head definitely had a deep cut on it.
"What happened, do you think?" Ryo wondered, pacing around in agitation. He hated not knowing what was happening. "Is this the result of their spirits being gone for too long?"
"No," Sage said as he knelt down. "The spirit leaving causes no physical damage to the body whatsoever. If the spirit were to somehow come to harm, however, it would reflect on the body if they were still connected like these two are." He gingerly lifted up Robyn's sleeve to find a large bruise forming on her arm. Kento's cheek was leaking a drop or two of blood himself.
"But what could hurt a spirit?" Cye questioned.
"It's hard to say," Sage replied. "I've never had an experience with this. Perhaps another spirit that they've met?"
"So they're fighting someone in there?" Ryo asked.
"That's absurd," Cye argued. "Who on Earth would they have need to fight? Surely not the Priestess of Torrent. There's no reason for her to attack them."
"I'm going to get Shinsetsu," Ryo announced. "Whatever they're doing, we should probably get them out of there if they're getting hurt."
"That's probably the best plan of action," Sage replied. "We need to know what's going on in there."
Ryo nodded and ran back out. He almost collided with two more bodies suddenly appearing in the doorway.
"Rowen!" Ryo exclaimed at the young man hanging from Myune's shoulders.
"Hey, good to see you," Rowen smiled weakly back. "I got sick of being left out."
"Rowen, you're awake," Cye called from inside. Even he looked relieved to see Strata up and about.
"Yeah, but why are Robyn and Kento taking a nap?" Rowen replied.
"You guys explain, I gotta go," Ryo called as he ran out.
"They're on a mission," Cye began to explain as the two slowly made their way inside. "They had to send their spirits out to limbo."
"Whatever for?" Rowen demanded. "Hey, and if those two are together, does that mean...?"
"You got it," Sage then spoke. "Robyn shares Kento's title of Hardrock."
"Huh," was Rowen's reply. He sounded as surprised as everyone was earlier to find that out. "You can just set me right here, Myune."
The Priestess of Halo helped Rowen sit on the ground while Cye scrutinized him.
"Rowen, are you sure you should be up and about? You can't even walk on your own yet. You should get some rest."
"I'm fine, Cye," Rowen said, though he was rubbing his still sore shoulder. "Sitting here isn't too hard, even for me. Besides, you guys seem to have learned quite a bit while I was out. Heck, I don't even know where this is. You guys need to explain so I can catch up."
On that request, Rowen swore he could almost hear everyone in the room sigh. Apparently, explaining it all was going to be quite a task. Rowen settled himself in for a long story.
********

Robyn groaned as she moved her bruised body. Everything hurt.
‘What the hell?' she thought to herself. ‘I'm not even IN my body right now. How can this hurt?'
Kento was most likely wondering the same thing. Robyn heard his similar groan in her ear and that was when she realized he was laying on top of her; arms folded tightly around her and pressing her back against him.
It was then, Robyn recalled what happened. The ground below her had opened up and crumbled without any warning. She remembered that horrible feeling of suddenly losing anything solid beneath her. She vaguely recalled Kento falling after her. No doubt he had jumped in to save her. But as it turned out, all the Ronin could really do was grab her and let his more durable body take part of the abuse from the tumble.
Robyn attempted to gather her hurting limbs and get on her hands and knees even though Kento's weight was still on top of her. As she shifted, Kento grunted and rolled off of her and onto his back, rubbing his head.
"Ugh, I don't want to do that again," he groaned.
"Who would?" Robyn shot back. She looked above her, but everything around her was black and grey, even the sky. "How far do you think we fell?"
"Who knows," Kento said as he sat up, rubbing his shoulder.
"I feel like I should be bruised all over," Robyn then said, inspecting herself. "My forehead, here, even feels like it should be bleeding or something. It hurts like it's been cut."
"You can't bleed here," Kento grinned. "You're not in your body. You don't have any blood."
"I guess so," Robyn sighed. "But it still hurts."
She got to her feet and then swore again when she had to suddenly jump onto her left foot. Her right foot felt in severe pain even though to the eye it looked just fine.
"Sprain your ankle?" Kento asked as he, too got up.
Robyn shook her head. "I think it's worse. I probably landed on it funny. I'm pretty sure it's broken."
"Great," Kento sighed. "So what do you want to do then? Should we just wait here until they bring us back and we can try again?"
Robyn frowned at that thought. She was not too keen on the idea of starting all over after they had walked this far. Despite the pain, she started off, limping away much to Kento's surprise.
"I'm not stopping," she announced as she went. She leaned on the side of the canyon to help hold her weight. "I'm going to find that girl if I have to hop the rest of the way. I'm going to test your ‘Everything-Happens-For-A-Reason' theory."
Kento smiled at her, impressed. "Well, I can't have you going like that. Here," he crouched in front of her. "Get on."
Robyn sighed inwardly. She really didn't want to. It was just one more thing that had to be done for her. Now, she was even too useless to walk. It was kind of embarrassing. Just how useful could she possibly be if she hurt herself this badly even out of her body?
There. Robyn spun around. There it was again. She had a definite feeling that someone else was there. She felt a presence behind her, she was sure of it. She could almost hear it smiling at her. But when she looked around, there was nothing. It was empty both behind and in front of her.
"What?" Kento demanded at her strange behavior.
Robyn had no clue. Was she going mad in this strange, timeless place?
Can you hear me? Kento? Robyn?
"Now I'm hearing things," Robyn announced, exasperated.
"That sounds like Sage," Kento responded. Then he called out. "Saaaage! Is that you?"
I can hear you just fine. You don't have to yell.
"It's like I can hear him in my head," Robyn marveled. "How is he doing that?"
I'm projecting a small amount of my consciousness to you. I don't know if I should be doing this, but marks started showing up on your bodies. We needed to make sure you guys were okay.
"You mean everything we felt is going to be a permanent injury on our REAL bodies??" Robyn shrieked. "Sonofabitch!"
"College has made your language horrible, Robyn," Kento stated.
"Like you're one to talk," Robyn shot back. "I've heard some things from you."
"Yeah, but girls just shouldn't be saying such things."
Hey you two, I can't stay like this too long. I need to know what's going on. Do you guys need to be pulled out?
Kento and Robyn stopped and looked at each other. There was no question that they were in a bit of a bind. But were they willing to give up all the traveling they had done to start over another day?
"Hey Sage," Robyn called. "Can you look at my foot? The right one. How bad is it?"
There was a pause.
I think something's broken near the ankle.
Robyn bit at her thumbnail. "Can you....heal it?"
Yeah, but something like this will take some time. Maybe an hour and then you would still have to be careful for a few days.
Another pause.
Are you two planning to keep going?
Kento blinked and looked over at Robyn.
"I want to," Robyn announced. "I don't ever want to come back to this place. I want to finish it now." Okay. I'll let you stay longer if Kento agrees.
"WHAT?!" Robyn exclaimed, shouting above her as if now arguing with some deity from the heavens. "Why is it Kento's decision?"
Sage gave no response, but Kento already knew the answer. Robyn was injured, which meant it was his soul responsibility to keep her safe. Before, she just lacked the power to protect herself from any attack they might encounter. Now, she also lacked the ability to flee from danger. It was, indeed, his call. Did he feel he could still protect her–his partner–down there?
One look at Robyn's face told him that it didn't matter what he could or could not to for her. Something in her eyes said that she needed to go on; no matter what. Robyn knew what she was supposed to do and Kento was the only one who could stop her from doing it. And if he truly believed what he told her earlier, than this also happened for a reason and they were meant to go on.
"We'll stay," Kento said. "I think we'll be fine." We certainly can't fall any further than this.
I heard that. But if you think you're okay, I'll leave you.
"Thanks Sage," Robyn replied. "Just focus on my foot. I promise I'll do my best!"
The two Hardrocks could almost sense a bit of amusement from Sage as he agreed and his presence withdrew. Now, once again alone in limbo, Kento squatted down a second time. Robyn had no choice but to accept and the two started off on their journey once more.
Though Robyn still wasn't thrilled about being carried, she couldn't help but feel a bit of gratitude. Kento, more often than not, was always the one who could pick up on how she was feeling. For as long as she had known him, it felt like he had always been behind her, backing her up when she felt she had gone as far as she could go. His strength had constantly been there for her; to pick her up, just like now, when she no longer had the means to continue. At this thought, Robyn couldn't help but hold his neck tighter as a warm feeling grew within. Yes, perhaps all things did happen for a reason.
"Kento," she said softly in his ear. "I'm glad you were my partner."
He turned his head as best he could and smiled at her. A smile that made her heart flutter a bit despite herself.
"Me, too."
**********

Ryo hurried up and down the halls of the spacious castle. His frustration was growing. No one he had run into had seen Shinsetsu or knew of his whereabouts. How far could a blind, old man get anyway? The nagging feeling that he was lost within the many corridors did nothing to sooth Ryo's anxiety either.
Ryo paused down a large, empty hallway and sighed. He didn't feel like he was doing anything to help at all right now. In fact, he felt quite useless. When his friends seemed to be in trouble, he just panicked and ran out of the room. Not the coolest thing to do.
"What a great leader I am," Ryo said to himself. "I bet the old man's already there while I'm running around like an idiot. Man, I'm such a dork sometimes."
"Are you?"
Ryo turned, wide eyed to the taller man suddenly standing next to him. He was wearing an assortment of bright robes and armor in the middle of the giant, empty hall. Ryo hadn't the slightest idea how one such as this man could have snuck up on him without him noticing.
"So, you're the current Bearer of Wildfire, am I right?" the man spoke again, taking advantage of Ryo's confusion.
"Uh, yeah," Ryo said hesitantly. "Are you.....do you work here at the castle?"
"No," the man responded with an odd smile on his lips. "I'm afraid I do nothing of the sort."
Ryo was even more confused now. Who was this guy? If this stranger didn't know the castle any better than he did, then there wouldn't be any point to ask him for directions. But then again, if he wasn't part of the castle household, then what was he doing here?
Ryo certainly had never seen anyone like him. His hair was white as snow even though he didn't look any older than his mid twenties. He had a very intelligent look about him–especially his eyes. They were a clear, icy blue that seemed to burn with a cold fire of eyes have seen millenniums far past his age. The robes he wore were very fine and expensive. Colorful and most likely that of a noble or even a member of the royal family.
"May I ask who you are?" Ryo then said to the man.
The stranger chuckled as if amused at an accidental joke.
"My Lord Wildfire," he said. "You obviously do not know whom you are addressing. You may be causing this entire fragile kingdom to fall into nonexistence by asking who I am."
Ryo swallowed. Something suddenly didn't feel right.
"Why is that?" he asked in a dryer voice. Why did the hall have to be so empty?
"Because I am the reason you came here," the man replied. "Falnan has pulled you and your fellow warriors here to make an enemy of me."
Ryo narrowed his eyes. What his senses were telling him made sense now.
"So, you're the bad guy, huh?"
The stranger's eyebrow twitched. He seemed annoyed at being given such a title. He took a few steps forward and Ryo was suddenly aware of how much taller and larger the man was over him.
"Is that how it is? You're very quick to label, Lord Wildfire. Do you even know why the people here want you to fight against me?"
"It doesn't matter," Ryo insisted. "The other Ronins and I have promised to fight against all evils in any form. If that's what you are up to, then we will be there to oppose you."
"Evil?" the man replied with an amused smile. "And tell me, young warrior, what exactly do you define evil as?"
Ryo blinked. He wasn't ready for this question. He was pretty sure by now that he knew evil when he saw it; but having no idea what this man was up to, he was hardy at an advantage to argue his motives.
"What do you plan to do here?" Ryo then countered with a question of his own.
"Why do you need to know?" the taller man continued the question game. "I'm sure you are the kind who wishes to stop bad things when you see them happen, but what have you seen me do? Am I doing anything wrong right now? What proof do you have that I am, in fact, who you should be trying to stop?"
Ryo just glared. This man was trying to play head games with him. What was he supposed to do about it? This stranger didn't seem to want to attack him at all as of yet. Also, Ryo had to admit that the man was right. He did not have any reason to fight this man. He really had no idea of this person was supposed to be his enemy or not.
The stranger seemed to sense Ryo's confusion and chuckled a bit.
"You are a very interesting young man, Lord Wildfire. I think it will be entertaining to see how this all pans out. It has been a long time since those here have witnessed the armors. I am curious to see how they are wielded from those not of this world. Don't be surprised if I send you and your comrades a few "tests" in the future."
Ryo eyed him warily.
"You mean to attack us to see what the armors can do."
"Perhaps." The man kept smiling that annoying, superior smile of his. "Though I might not be the greatest of your troubles. I would keep an eye on those priestesses if I were you."
"What do you mean?" Ryo challenged.
"All I am saying is in the way you doubt me as your enemy, doubt them as your allies. We will meet again, Lord Wildfire."
Ryo blinked and the man was gone. Not just slowly vanishing away like in the movies. He was just suddenly not in the hall any more. Needless to say, Ryo was unnerved greatly by this and quickly made his own disappearance from that place. He ran off through other corridors, deeply confused and a little bothered. His instinct told him he should go back to where the others were by now, but he wasn't sure if he should tell them of anything that happened.
***********

Robyn sighed inwardly. Hours had passed and their surroundings hadn't changed. They were still on a set course at the bottom of a deep ravine with no exit in sight. It was very frustrating. Even more so was the suspicious feeling Robyn had that no matter how long and far they walked, they weren't getting anywhere. She adjusted the hold she had around Kento's neck. Secretly, she was kind of glad they were only there in spirit. She was sure if it were their real bodies, they would both be hot and sweaty by now.
"Kento, do you want to take a break? You sound tired."
Indeed he did. Robyn couldn't ignore the growing panting and strangled breaths any more. They had been walking for a long time. Longer than she would thought he could have gone while carrying her.
"Just a little bit more," Kento insisted. "I can keep going."
At that statement, Robyn took a moment to marvel at his strength and endurance. She could feel the muscles in his back and the width of his shoulders. He was so much larger, so must stronger than she was. It made her feel tiny and fragile. Everything about Kento breathed masculinity. Being this close to him for so long made Robyn realize how different their bodies were built. It even made her feel a bit more feminine and that made her face get warm.
"Um...this is good. Let's stop here for a bit," Robyn insisted. She was starting to feel a bit flustered, though she didn't know why. All she knew was that she had to get away for a while. To get some personal space back so she wouldn't feel so....weird any more.
"Okay then," Kento agreed. He crouched down to let Robyn off as gently as he could.
She hopped off and limped over to the rock wall, sitting down and leaning against it. Kento moved to join her.
"How does you foot feel?" he asked, still sounding a bit out of breath.
"About the same," Robyn sighed, fingering her ankle.
Kento didn't reply. All he did was lean his head back and let himself rest. Robyn took one of her large sleeves and started flapping it in his face to help fan him off.
"Thanks," Kento panted with a weak grin.
"It's the least I can do since you've been carrying me. I'm sorry I've been such a burden to you. I just end up slowing everyone down."
Kento surprised her by catching her waving hand in the air.
"Don't worry about it. I'll carry you as far as I have to. I would rather do that than be here trying to do this all by myself."
Robyn didn't know what to say. All she was aware of was Kento holding her hand. Why did he have to do that? Why did he have to say such things to her? It made her heart jump in a way she wasn't used to. In a way she couldn't control.
"Robyn, are you okay?" Kento then asked. "You're face looks kinda flushed."
Crap! I'm blushing and he saw! How embarrassing! I'm such a moron!
Robyn quickly turned her face away, feeling quite stupid. Why were her emotions doing flip flops now at a time like this? Why was it with him?
Her eyes grew wide as a thought struck her brain. Was there a reason for this, too? Did all this happen because it was meant to be? Was she having these feelings because they were partnered up? And, if they were meant to be partners in this way, was this partnership meant to be in other ways; deeper ways, as well?
The thought of being more than just partners in title made Robyn's heart race even more. Was this what she was feeling? Was she starting to....get a crush? She looked over at Kento to get his response to her actions, but he wasn't even looking in her direction. He was staring hard down the path ahead of them. It was dark down there, Robyn didn't have a clue what he was looking at.
"What is it?" she asked quietly.
"I don't know," Kento replied in a hushed voice. He didn't move his gaze from that spot. "It just felt like something over there...changed."
Robyn scrunched her eyes at the darkness. What did he mean by ‘changed'?
"Maybe it's a way out!" Kento declared with excitement. He jumped to his feet and held out his hand to her. "Come on!"
Robyn didn't share his enthusiasm. She took his hand with hesitance.
"But....what if–"
She was cut off has Kento easily pulled her to her feet and swept her up in his arms. He started running down the ravine bed, leaving Robyn quite speechless. This was worse than riding on his back. As she clung to his neck, she closed her eyes. She could feel his strong arms, his chest, his heartbeat. The close contact was almost dizzying despite the jarring and bouncing she got as Kento ran. How frustrating! Didn't he realize what he was doing to her? All the other times he knew what she was feeling; could he really not notice this feeling she had at all?
Robyn blinked when Kento suddenly stopped and she felt his body to ridged. She loosened her hold and looked ahead. What she saw made her stiffen in bafflement as well. Before them was nothing. Not a rock wall, not a barren field like before, there was just nothing at all. Everything stopped suddenly and past it was a spacious, endless abyss. The two of them could travel no further.
Robyn stared at it, feeling all her body's energy leave. They had come so far. How could it end like this? What was left for them to do now?
"No way!" she yelled into the blank space, unable to believe what she was looking at. "No freaking way!"