Ronin Warriors - Dark War Part 13: The Hunted
Ronin Warriors - Fan Fiction It is also written in html.
The Dark War
By: Talpa
E-mail me at: valex37@ix.netcom.com
home page: http://s9000.furman.edu/~avandell/
Ronin page: http://www.pcbank.net/Dynasty/
Note: This is part 13 of my first fanfic. Constructive criticism will be accepted, flames will be deleted. Thank you. Be sure to e-mail me and tell me how much you liked this part of the story.
Now on with the story.
Ronin Warriors - The Dark War
Part 13: The Hunted
By: Talpa
Darkened skies loomed over Draka's new palace in the Mortal World. Clouds floated by darkening the area further. Overhead flew several Nether Dragons, acting as sentries. On the grounds more smaller buildings were being raised up. Soldiers marched, and trained.
Barracks were being set up and off to the southern side of Draka's massive palace stood a clearing. A massive circle, cleared out and charred black.
Inside Draka's massive palace was his throne room. Large pillars held up the great vaulted ceiling. Towards the far wall from the entrance was Draka's massive throne. There he sat in all his awesome glory. Lining the sides were his elite soldiers, his personal honor guard.
Emperor Draka leaned back in his mighty throne as he awaited his servants. To Draka's left stood Gojin and Nadago, and to his right stood Hikaro.
The great doors that stood on the opposite end of the room from the throne swung open. A figure clad in a brown hooded robe seemingly floated into the room and approached Emperor Draka.
"I have come as you requested Draka," the figure spoke.
"Excellent, I have a job for you," replied Draka.
"I trust you have the necessary payment for my services."
"Indeed I do."
"And what would you have me do in this mission?"
"Retrieval."
"Retrievals are much harder than vanquishing or destroying. It will cost extra."
"Do not play games with me little man, I have always paid you in full. Now go and acquire for me the first part of the instrument by which my goals shall be achieved."
"Your point is made. You shall have what you seek by the end of the day."
The robbed figure hovered up a few feet from the ground. A sphere of energy and light formed around him and then collapsed in upon itself teleporting him away.
As the sphere of light vanished a new figure appeared in the doorway. This one was a human female. Draka's loyal Warlord Mayu. Mayu approached the throne of her master, her long hair swaying behind her. She approached Draka's throne and kneeled down in reverence.
"I am at your service, my Lord," Mayu said.
"Excellent, are you prepared for your mission?"
"Yes my lord. I am prepared. You will have what you request."
"I will be awaiting your immanent success."
"You will not be disappointed."
Mayu rose and turned. She walked out of Draka's throne room.
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The Ronins and former Warlords were relaxing around Mia's house after a long and arduous battle. Kento was lounging back on the couch eating a bag of pork rhines, with his feet up. Sage was sitting on the floor. Rowan and Sai were playing a game of chess. Ryo was sleeping after his long battle.
Hariel was meditating, and trying to accept all that he had recently learned. Wolfe was on the phone with the United Nations trying to get some reinforcements. Saber Strike was practicing fighting techniques in the yard, for even though he had been though a long battle he knew that he must train harder if he was going to have a chance of beating his enemies.
Kale, Sekhmet, Kayura, and Dais were sitting down in the kitchen as Mia prepared some lunch. The sat around a table drinking some orange juice.
"OK so we barely escaped by out teeth, even with those gems--" Kale began to say.
"I think the gems worked fine. But our armor's power was just drained from the previous fight, so it didn't seem like our power increased."
Kayura pushed her chair out and stood up. "I'm tired of talking about the fighting. I want to get out. I'm going to go to the city and do some shopping. Maybe I can get a day of relaxation before I have to pound down some more Warlords."
Kale propped his feet up on the table. "Well do have fun, were going to stay here and do something productive."
Kayura put on some normal clothes instead of her usual battle armor and set out for the city.
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Kayura walked along the streets looking in the shops at various items of clothing. She was having a good time and even tried stuff on and bought a few items for herself.
Holding her shopping bag, Kayura walked up to a cross walk and stopped waiting for traffic to clear. Another woman, pretty and young looking, and a little taller walked up next to her. She had long black hair and was dressed nicely.
The young woman looked over at Kayura, grinned, and spoke, "Hello Kayura, I know all about you, so how about you give up now and spare me the time and effort of kicking your sorry hide half way across this city first."
"Just who do you think you are?"
With that the young girl jumped back and was surrounded with an aura of light. When she landed she was clad in light tight fitting armor. "Mayu, Warlord of Draka, at your service."
Kayura jumped back as well and her original armor formed around her. She drew her Star Light Swords as Mayu drew her sais.
The two women faced off in the streets of the city, weapons ready, as cars screeched to a halt around them and people looked on in amazement.
Mayu twirled her sais as she began to circle around Kayura. Kayura stood ready and kept turned towards Mayu. Mayu charged forward. She slashed her sai at Kayura's stomach. Kayura jumped back avoiding the cut and stabbed forward with one of her Starlight Swords. Mayu side stepped and dropped low. She swung her foot out and spun around. Kayura jumped up avoiding the sweep.
While Kayura was still in the air Mayu swung her sais around hoping to hit Kayura. Kayura spun her Starlight sword around and blocked the attack. She used the starlight sword to push off and put some distance between herself and Mayu.
Mayu laughed, "That was pretty good, for an amateur."
"Amateur? We'll see who's the amateur here."
"Bring it on."
Kayura brought the hilts of her Starlight Swords together. She jumped back as she began spinning them around. From the swords shot waves of energy which splintered into thousands of smaller energy bolts and hurled towards Mayu.
Mayu spread her arms out forward in the shape of a "V". A shield of protective energy formed around her. All of the energy bolts Kayura shot off bounced from the shield and impacted the onlookers. The bolts of energy ripped holes though the pedestrians dropping them to the ground, dead.
Mayu laughed aloud, "Wow, Kayura you sure are good. You managed to kill off like 50 of these worthless mortals without landing a single blow on me. That's a pretty impressive feat of skill. Care to try it again? I'm game if you are."
Kayura's expression turned to one of anger and remorse. She was suppose to be a guardian of this world and now she was acting like she still worked for Talpa. She quickly realized that she had to defeat Mayu or this carnage would never end.
"Listen up, that was a pretty low thing to do."
"Ooooo. Are you going to come over hear and give me a good spanking now."
"DIE!!!" Kayura screamed as she charged forward, swords ready.
Kayura charged towards Mayu. She stabbed forwards with her swords, trying to impale Mayu with at least one of them.
Mayu parried with her sais as she stepped to the side. "To slow there Kayura, you should really try to keep up." She pulled one of her sais away and slammed it into the back of Kayura's neck. Kayura stumbled forward but quickly spun around trying to rake Mayu with her swords. May dropped down avoiding the slash.
When the swords had spun over her, Mayu quickly stood back up and upper cut Kayura in the jaw. "You should really try to actually land a blow. But who am I to tell you how to fight? Since apparently you are doing so well."
Kayura stumbled backwards. She corrected and charged forward again. She jumped up and brought both her Starlight Swords down on Mayu. Mayu quickly parried with her sais. Kayura kept the pressure on and Mayu was using all her strength to hold back the blades.
The two women stood their locked in a battle of strength.
Mayu kicked her leg out and slammed her foot into Kayura's stomach knocking her back. As Kayura flew back she fell and skidded along the ground. "SPECTRAL ENERGY BLAST!" Mayu screamed as her hand charged with energy. Suddenly she thrust her hand forward and a devastating bolt of blue energy flew towards Kayura. Kayura was hit and skidded even further back. Her body ached from the force of the blast but she made herself shake off the pain and get back up to face her opponent.
"Your getting better Kayura, you know that, but your still a sorry excuse for a fighter. Now will you just submit to me or do I have to slam your ugly little head into the wall a few more times?"
"I'd rather die then submit to you."
"Believe me I can arrange that."
Kayura struggled up and regained her stance. She readied her swords and once more faced off against Mayu.
Kayura advanced towards Mayu. Mayu gracefully twirled her sais in anticipation. Mayu started "Well? Are you just going to stand around trying to look good? Or are you actually going to fight me?"
As the two women faced off crowds of onlookers were gathering. Lunch hour approached and the streets were filling with people. Riot police were trying to keep the people away from the fighting.
Kayura brought her swords down on Mayu once more. Mayu parried both with her sai. Mayu's finger charged with power. She pointed it directly at Kayura's chest, "SPECTRAL ENERGY BLAST!" Kayura was thrown back but recovered quickly.
Kayura charged forward, bringing her knee into Mayu's stomach. Mayu cringed in pain. Kayura brought the hilts of her swords down on the lower portion of Mayu's back. Kayura slashed brought the blades of her swords down on Mayu. Mayu quickly rolled over and extended her sais to parry the blast.
Kayura looked on with glee as she pressed her swords down trying to break Mayu's resistance.
"I've got you now. Your gonna finally pay for all the suffering you caused."
"This has been a fun fight but still, I'm left wondering, don't you have anything more to offer me in the way of a challenge?"
"Your on your back and about to be impaled by my Starlight Swords and you still wise crack. Well lets just hope you keep that sense of humor in the next life."
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In the dark mists of a different realm a figure waited meditating silently. His hat and staff were those of the Ancient.
The figure stood up. "My time has come. There is no more waiting. I must fight for myself now." He readied his staff.
The air shimmered and glistened in the Spirit Realm. A ball of energy appeared and expanded then sunk back upon its self. In its wake was a robed figure.
"I see you were expecting me," the robed figure said.
"I know of your goals and that you would be coming for me. But I still do not know what it is you seek me for."
"Then you know it is useless to fight a Soul Hunter. And you will know your purpose soon. Just give in, you cannot resist me."
"You are wrong, I can resist you."
"But you shall not succeed. No one ever has. Just give in now."
The staff of the Ancient was ready.
The Soul Hunter looked at him, "That is a nice weapon there, but it pales in comparison to mine. Face it you are no match for my power."
The Soul Hunter extended his hand. A rod of energy shot out vertically from both end forming long staff of crystalline black in his hand. Extending from the top were four crystalline blades, which came out and then pointed up. Above the blades hovered a crystal skull of pure ruby. The skull was attached in no way to the staff but moved with it as if it were. The bottom of the staff was taped to a deadly point.
"Now are you ready to give up, Anubis? Since you obviously do not stand a chance against me."
Anubis stood ready. The top of the Ancient's staff began to glow, sensing that a fight was immanent. Anubis pointed his staff at the Soul Hunter. A beam of energy shot from the ball on the top. The Soul Hunter leveled off his staff and a ball of fire shot out from the top of the skull. It intercepted and nullified the beam from Anubis' staff.
The ruby skull of the Soul Hunter's staff began to glow with great intensity. The Soul Hunter one again pointed his staff at Anubis. A swarm or fire shot from the skull. Anubis kneeled down and slammed the staff of the Ancient into the ground. The sphere on top the Ancient's staff began to glow as the rings chimed faster and faster. From the sphere a protective circle of energy formed around Anubis.
The Soul Hunter kept up the blast of fire.
"You should really give in. You are only prolonging your suffering. No one has yet to beat me."
"Then I'll be the first."
"I doubt that. Give in. Succumb to me."
"Never."
"Why do you insist on being so stubborn, it gets you nowhere in the long run. You can't beat me. I'm better than you. Stronger than you. Smarter than you."
"I will not succumb to you, demon."
"Demon? Hardly."
"Then what are you."
"Simple, I am a Soul Hunter, a creature who is very familiar with the Spirit Realm and its denizens. Perhaps more familiar with their home then they are. So you see I truly have a great advantage over you. You are nothing but a fly to me. Succumb now and make it easy on yourself."
The flames were beginning to break though the shield around Anubis. Anubis summoned his strength. He raised the staff up and slammed it to the ground once more, dispelling both the energy shield and the fire.
Anubis pulled his staff back and hurled it at the Soul Hunter. The Soul Hunter began to spin his staff around in front of him. It parried the Ancient's staff, which flew back to the hand of Anubis.
"Everything you do I can block, I know all you tricks. You will soon fall to me."
"We shall see."
Anubis ran forward. He raised his staff and swung it at the Soul Hunter. The Soul Hunter parried and stepped forward into a shoulder ram. Anubis rolled with it stepped back. He withdrew his staff and brought it up again trying to hit the chin of the Soul Hunter. The Soul Hunter stepped back and avoided the staff's blow.
The Soul Hunter swung his staff hit Anubis under the arm with it. He stepped back and charged forward hooking his staff between Anubis' legs, tripping him. Anubis fell to the ground. The Soul Hunter raised his staff and slammed it down on Anubis, who cringed in pain from the blow. The Soul Hunter beat down Anubis again and again. Anubis balled himself up into a fetal position from the pain he was feeling.
As the Soul Hunter continued pounding away Anubis fealty his strength waning.
"You see you are nothing compared to me. Nothing at all. Give in now, while you still have a choice. It will all be easier on you if you just surrender."
"No. I won't give in. Not now not ever."
"But your nothing. I am everything. You are weak. I am strong. You cannot beat me, you cannot hurt me, you cannot stop me. I am better than you, stronger than you, faster than you, smarter than you. I control you. I command you. You will obey me. You will surrender and come with me. Give in now. Its not worth fighting me. You'll only lose. Give in. Surrender. Stop fighting. You can not win. Give up. Give in. Surrender now."
Anubis looked up at his attacker, and grabbed his staff.
"Don't..."
"you..."
"ever..."
"SHUT... UP!"
With that Anubis jumped up and slammed the head of the staff into the Soul Hunter's stomach. He then swung around for maximum force and slammed the staff into the Soul Hunter's side. The Soul Hunter felt the pain and did not like it.
The Soul Hunter glided back from Anubis. He cupped his hand and raised it to shoulder height. In his hand an orb of energy formed in his hand then solidified.
"Time to end this," the Soul Hunter said.
The Soul Hunter threw the orb at Anubis. It shattered in mid air and the pieces swarmed around him. The pieces shot out beams of energy at Anubis. He screamed in pain and dropped his staff to the ground. The beams increased in intensity and Anubis could not take the pain any longer. Anubis fell into unconsciousness. He was quickly dissolved by the energy and the pieces of the orb reformed around him. The orb glided back to the hand of the Soul Hunter.
The Soul Hunter hovered a few feat up and was engulfed by a sphere of energy. As the energy collapsed back upon itself he vanished.
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Kayura kept the pressure on as Mayu lay there trying to block her swords.
"Your really starting to annoy me Kayura," Mayu said.
"Tough."
Mayu's look turned to one of fearsome determination. "SPECTRAL ENERGY DRAIN!" Mayu's hands began to glow and an aura of light blue energy formed around her. Bolts of energy shot from her and rippled off the ground. Kayura felt her grip weakening. Mayu was now up on her knees. Kayura jumped back out of the area of the energy drain. Mayu jumped up and spun her sais around triumphantly.
"Now Kayura I'm gonna rip you into little bite size bits."
"Come over here and try I dare you."
"With pleasure."
"SPECTRAL ENERGY DRAIN!"
Once again the aura of blue energy surrounded Mayu, bolts of it flew from her in ever increasing circles. Onlookers were hit by the energy and fell to the ground, their bodies turning to ash as their very life forces were drained away. Kayura was hit and weakened once again.
As Kayura was being drained, Mayu held up her right hand. It surged with power as a sphere of energy formed around it. "SPECTRAL ENERGY BLAST!" She thrust her hand forward and Kayura was impacted and thrown back by a fearsome bolt of energy.
Kayura fell back on the ground and skidded into a parked car.
"SPECTRAL ENERGY BLAST!" Mayu screamed. Kayura jumped up as the bolt of energy hit the car and detonated it. Kayura was strafed by some shrapnel from the exploding car. She fell to the ground and gripped her bleeding thigh.
Kayura steadied herself. "STAR SWORD SCREAM!" Five points of light lit up with a fiery blaze in the sky. From them shot five beams of purple lightning. The lightning raked the ground destroying everything in its path. Mayu extended her arms out sideways. A sphere of energy formed around her. Kayura's attack did nothing to her. Mayu grinned. Kayura could see the expression of power cross Mayu's face.
"Those Starlight Swords are impressive Kayura, its such a pity that I do not have them."
"You will not have them while I am alive."
"I see no problems there."
Kayura leapt forward. She slashed diagonally downward with her swords. Mayu stepped back avoiding the slash. Kayura used the momentum to swing around with a round house kick to Mayu's head. Mayu threw her arm up and blocked the kick. She spun the sai around in her hand and slashed down Kayura's lower leg as she blocked. Kayura quickly withdrew the kick.
Mayu dropped down and tried to sweep Kayura. Kayura jumped over her sweep and slammed the hilt of her sword into Mayu's neck as she arose. Mayu cringed slightly, but was able to stab her sai into Kayura's side. Kayura fell over.
"How does it feel to be beaten down, Kayura?"
"I will not let you win."
"You don't really have a choice. Your hurting. Your bleeding. And soon I'm gonna finish what I came here for."
"Never."
"As much fun as it was kicking your sorry butt half way across this city, I must complete my mission now."
Mayu jumped back as a sphere of energy formed in her hand. The energy then solidified. She threw the sphere at Kayura. The sphere shattered in mid air and the pieces surrounded Kayura. The pieces of the sphere began to glow and beams of energy erupted from them and impacted Kayura. Kayura screamed in pain.
"Ahhhhhh, NO, Ahhhhhhhhh, make it stop."
"If only I could have that sound to lull me to sleep every night."
"Ahhhhh, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
"Kayura screamed in pain as the fragments of the sphere worked their dark magic. Kayura fell silent and hit the ground as the pieces continued to impact her with bolts of energy.
"loyalty................."
The pieces of the crystal suddenly stopped working their powers on Kayura. They flew back to Mayu and reformed the sphere in her hand.
Mayu walked over to Kayura.
"Now Mayu, I'm going to take the gloves off."
"ARMOR OF CRUELTY! DOW CHI!"
Kayura tried to summon the Armor of Cruelty but nothing happened. She stood with her hand clasped on her wrist hoping the armor would form up.
Kayura felt a sharp pain as Mayu's foot connected with her chin. Kayura flew back and hit the ground.
"Sorry, but that option is no longer available."
Mayu jumped up and hovered in mid air. "I have to go now, but mark my words, one day I'm coming for you. And then I'm going to kill you, slowly, painfully, and brutally."
Mayu quickly teleported away from the battle site. Kayura struggled up and began to walk back to Mia's house.
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Draka sat back in his awe inspiring throne room awaiting the arrival of his servants. Hikaro stood to Draka's right, and Gojin and Nadago stood to his left. His honor guard lined the walls of the room.
Mayu walked gracefully into the throne room. She kneeled before Draka.
"The fight went will my Lord. I defeated Kayura and acquired that which you instructed me to get."
"Excellent."
Mayu extended her hand showing the orb to Draka. Draka took the orb and held it up.
"One of Talpa's enchantments resides here. Clever of him. But I could always see through his plans."
Draka held the orb in his right hand. He moved his left hand over the orb. It began to glow and soon he had dispelled Talpa's enchantment.
"It has been purified, now I can make full use of its power."
"Mayu, you have done well. I am very pleased."
"Thank you Lord."
Mayu rose and took her place next to Draka, on his right.
Energy formed and shimmered as the Soul Hunter appeared in the throne room.
"I have what you seek."
"Good."
The Soul Hunter extended his hand and held up the orb. Draka, pleased with his success, took the orb.
Draka rose from his throne and walked towards the center of the throne room. Six long black crystals formed in a circular formation in mid air in the center of the throne room. Draka tossed the two orbs into the center of the circle formed by crystals.
"Now witness my ultimate triumph. Not only will I prevent the Ronins from making full use of their Armor's capabilities but I will recruit a new powerful Warlord. One totally loyal to me. Look and behold Warlords."
The crystals began to glow. The orbs shattered and energy rippled and ebbed from them. The crystals now shined much brighter. The energy was increasing and formed a cylindrical shape. A figure began to form in the energy column. First he appeared as a man, then the Armor began to form around him. Almost growing off him. He was being imbued with all of Draka's dark power.
The black crystals dissolved completely as they surged evil into Draka's new Warlord. The energy was finally absorbed completely by him and only smoke remained.
The smoke cleared and Draka looked on.
"Arise Anubis......"
To be continued.....