Dark Warlord Chronicles

Deception of the Soul

Part 1

"Ancient Friends"

In a room, a woman focuses on her white staff and mystical smoke arises from it. Then she is engulfed by the smoke and vanishes. When she opens her eyes, the Dynasty gates stood before her. She stood and waved her hand and the gates opened into the castle. She walked into the castle as the gates closed behind her.
Meanwhile in the main room, Kayura is sitting on the throne where Talpa once sat. The former Dynasty Warlords, in their armors, are talking with her as they gaze in their view screen. Their discussion is suddenly silenced as they hear the door open. The view screen shuts off immediately and they all turn towards the door. They see a figure who's face is hidden by a hooded cape approach them.
"Who are you and how did you get here?", Kayura asked with a stern look. Then she started to remember as she looked at the visitor's garb and her staff. "Archdruid..?", her voice quivered, "..of Darkness?"
The Archdruid smiled in recognition of her own title. "Yes but not the same one who fought with the Ancient." Under the hood, her eyes went out of focus, lost for a moment in memories.
"Yes I remember the tales now. You used to wear the Armor of Darkness."
At this all of the Warlords took a step back. All except Cale who took two steps backwards. Kayura raised her hand to show them that it was all right.
"Where have you been?", Kayura's voice now was more of interest and excitement.
"Oh here and there.", the Archdruid replied as she removed her hood and smiled. Her orange-red hair temporally flies around her shoulder, then it returns to its normal place.
"Then you were not killed... but what about the armor and...", Kayura almost becomes lost in her excitement.
"If you have the time I'll explain it all."
Kayura rose and they both clasped arms. "Oh it's good to be able to see you. Er, please forgive me but I don't know your name." Kayura blushed at her embarrassment.
"That's all right. My name's Unacera, however now I am known as Unacera Archdruid."
Now both of them smiled. Then they sat down and told their stories. The Warlords sat around them and every so often added to Kayura's story. Cale, who was still a bit shaken, sat behind Unacera. He wanted to know more about this Archdruid.
After their stories were finished, they all took in a deep breath.
"That's why you didn't return. The Armor of Darkness hid your identity. When you lost it, anyone here in Japan who saw you would see you were an outsider, a barbarian. Then they would try to kill you." Kayura stated.
"Yes. After what you have told me, I wish I had taken the chance and came here."
"Things, like time, have changed. You are dedicated to the armors but duty bound to the Earth. No, it was best that you stayed in the mortal world to protect it."
Unacera smiled weakly. "Thanks."
"So then what brings you here now? As you can see we are fine."
"It's Talpa." The Archdruid stated bluntly.
Kayura and the Warlords gasp for a second.
"I feel his presence again, in the mortal world." Unacera continued.
"I thought he was destroyed." Sekhmet replied.
"As long as evil exists in the wearer of at least one of the nine armors, at even one time, he will exist. That much pure evil energy, even for a moment gives Talpa great power." Then she looked at the throne. "I have felt that one of the nine was forced into hatred and evil."
"How is that possible?" Dais asked.
"Poison is not limited to the Armor of the Cobra alone. Over time the mortal world has developed its own poisons. Even today more of them are being discovered or becoming more potent."
"So what can we do?" Dais continued.
"Help the Ronins, but be cautious for this evil will want you too. However the strength of the armors combine will help greatly."
Now as Unacera speaks, she turns to each Warlord in turn.
"Sekhmet, your armor can and will protect you from these poisons. If you think you have found your center and the center of your armor, then they cannot hurt you.
"Dais. Your power comes from dreams, so the hallucinations of these poisons cannot control you. Unfortunately the physical side effects will still plague you.
"Cale. You are not as protected as Sekhmet or Dais. However if you know your kanji and where your true obedience lies, than you will be protected.
"All this is otherwise useless if you are not true to yourself and your armors."
"How can we know when we've found it?", Sekhmet asked.
"That I cannot tell you fully, but I can help you. I knew the first wearers of the nine armors. They taught me all about them, and now I can teach you." Unacera yawns and stretches. "But not tonight, I need to rest as I assume you all need to sleep as well."
They all nod in agreement as they stand up and stretch.
"You can take the room outside the castle where I used to stay." Kayura offered.
"Thank you. I will meet you here again tomorrow. Let's say about eleven o'clock?"
Again they nod and they all go their separate ways off to bed.
The night passes quietly, especially in the Nether Realm. Unacera is up early and is exercising to warm up her muscles. She is practicing her fighting technique. Unacera is so busy that she is unaware of Cale, in his armor, watching her warm up.
She stops to catch her breath and Cale steps forward into the light. Unacera turns quickly and breathes a sigh of relief. She was not in the mood to fight someone at this particular moment.
"Can I talk with you?" Cale asks in a polite but serious voice.
"Sure Cale, but can I get a towel first?"
Cale smiles and reaches back for the towel hanging on the wall behind him. After he grabs it, he tosses it to Unacera.
"Thanks." she says as she wipes off her sweat and walks towards Cale. As she reaches him, she hangs the towel around her neck. "Both us wearers of Darkness up at such an early time huh?" Unacera smiles. "So, what's on your mind?"
"I want to know more about Torono. The person you said used to wear my armor before you." Cale takes off his helmet for the first time around the Archdruid.
Unacera turns white and stumbles backwards as she gasps for air.
"What's wrong?!" Cale asks with slight panic in his voice as he rushes towards her. "You look like you've seen a ghost!"
"I think I have." Unacera plainly replies as she stands before Cale and looks into his blue-green eyes.

To Be Continued...