Sage paced around the bed room. His blonde locks were slicked back to his face and held there by sweat. He had awoke from another horror filled dream. He felt on some level he was seeing what Rowen was seeing and feeling what Rowen was feeling. Sage shuttered and prayed he was wrong. No one deserved to go though what he had just seen. He also gained hope from his vision, if he was seeing through Rowen's eyes it meant Rowen was alive. He didn't know if he should be happy or sad. Rowen probably felt like dying if he was living in a horrid place like that.



Ryo was sitting in silence his eyes forward. He sat on one of the higher branches of a large Oak tree that stood about 300 yards from the house. His mind was racing , is Cye all right, is Rowen alive? Will Sage be able to contain his anger much longer? Will Kento do something foolish? Will Mia be able to stay strong for us? Will I...be able to be a good leader and get back our fallen allies? Rowen lifted his head toward the heavens as if to search for some answer in the stars that doted the sky. "Rowen your the brains , how am I supposed to save you guys, I never asked to be leader" Ryo sighed.


Kento had finally fallen asleep in the living room on the couch after he had broke a majority of the things in the house. He snored softly in his sleep . Although he seemed to be sleeping soundly his hands were balled into fist and his eye brows were pushed down in anger. He whispered a single word in his sleep. "...Cye.." A crystal tear slipped down the warrior of justice face.


Talpa sat in silence a constant smile plastered on his armored face. His eyes flashed crimson as a picture appeared on the wall .


*Kento crying in his sleep*



*Ryo doubting his skill as leader*



*Sage fighting off rage and tears all at once*



*Mia standing at the sink crying as she washed the dishes*




*Yuli bouncing a ball on the wall of his bed room, worry reflecting in his eyes*




*White blaze laying at the foot of Ryo's bed. a slab of meat right in front of his nose, untouched*



"Master Talpa" A voice spoke as the picture vanished.


"WHAT DO YOU WANT? WHY DO YOU DISTURB ME!? Talpa wanted to know.


Dais was quick to bow and hang his head.

"Master, I wished only to let you know that our second guest is becoming closer to breaking." Dais relayed and was quick to add.

"He hasn't eaten in 3 weeks and has lost 24 and one half Lb. Strata is sick with fever and unable to stand for the most part, Without food or medical care his wounds will be fatal I can feel he is barely clinging to his last strand of hope, sire , he will soon bow to you like Torrent."


Talpa's laugh seemed to carry though out the dynasty’s wall.


Dais grinned perhaps with Anubis -the traitor- gone he could gain his masters favor.




_________________


Rowen lay on the cold stone floor of his cell. Rowen winced sharply as his body flung him self into another round of convulsions. Once his body had stopped shaking he seemed lost in the waves of pain that washed over him. He wore almost nothing his shorts clung to him slightly but had numbers of holes and tears. His shirt had long sense been ripped away. Numbers of gashes , deep cuts, scrapes and bruises covered him. His' normally pale face was un humanly pale like the first winter snow. His breaths came short and quick. His chest rattled with every breath. Rowen was really sick. He lay on his back and his ribs were very visible. To con a phrase His skin hung to his bones. Rowen was thinking really seriously about giving in. At least that way he wouldn't die in the Prison of the dynasty strong hold.


"Rowen, can you here me" a voice seemed to come from no where but every where at the same time.


Rowen's eyes fluttered open, as his eyes danced around the cell looking for the owner of the voice.

"Who's- " Rowen's body shook as he struggled to speak his first word send him into a round of coughing.


"Who's there" Rowen finally managed weakly.

"Rowen?! Is that you? " the voice had became excited and alert.

"Who's there" Rowen coughed again his whole body shivering and shaking.


"Rowen! It's me Sage , Sage Date, come on man if you can hear me talk back" Sage's voice on the edge of hysteria.


"Sage?" Rowen's eyes where wide with disbelief.


"Rowen? Ah man it's great to hear your voice we're coming for ya , you have to hang on" Sage pleaded desperately.


"Sage..." Rowen could feel the weakness and pain taking him once again to the darkness.


"Save me....."


Was the last word to reach Sage before a large amount of pain surrounded his mind and he was forced to brake the link. Sage fell back onto his bed, Fighting his way back to alertness. When Sage finally came to he was quick to get to his feet to flung open the door and raced down stairs.


Ryo , Kento , Mia and Yuli stood in the living room talking. Every eye looked up with Sage raced down stairs.


"He's alive"! Sage shouted right before his foot hit the bottom step.


"Say what"? Kento asked in confusion

Sages breathing was racing. Ryo walked over to him grabbing him firmly by both arms Ryo's voice was serious.

"Sage cool it man , What did you say? who is alive?" Ryo asked his tone deadly serious.


"Rowen is " Sage said after catching his breath.

"I just talked to him for a few seconds but it was him, and he is alive." Sage said happily


"Dude are you serious"? Kento asked.

"Yes, Kento I am but Rowen was in bad shape we HAVE to get him out of there now" Sage urged.


Ryo nodded.

"Alright, we will get him out we'll get both of them out, Sage don't worry.. but now we just need a way in." Ryo stated.


"Yeah ,but how Ryo"? Kento wanted to know.

A shadowy figure appeared in the door way of the kitchen, He wore a rope and a large hat, and in his right hand he held a staff . A golden staff with rings on the top of it . The figure spoke.

"Perhaps I can help"...........

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well there the cliff hanger you expected ..::Drum roll:: WHO CAN IT BE FIND OUT NEXT.


ja-ne

Crimson Flames

Mia stood there with her mouth hanging open at the one figure she could have sworn was dead. It had been several weeks since his death when he had sacrificed himself to save the life of Kayura who had been possessed by Badamon, Talpa's high priest of Netherspirits. "Anubis?" she whispered in a barley croaked voice.
Ryo himself was very surprised and kept rubbing his eyes to see if he was only imagining things.
Sage and Kento were staring wide-eyed at the figure in disbelief as Yulie stared in wonder.
"Yes, it is I, Anubis."
That was all it took before all of them hit the floor in a faint.
Anubis sweatdropped and waved the staff. It chimed, waking them up. After getting their bearings, Mia, Yulie, and the Ronins all sat down as Anubis explained what he had to tell them.
"I am here only spirit, Ronins. But the Ancient has allowed me to return to help you. Strata is near death as Halo saw, and Cye is being forced to go to Dynasty School."
Worry flickered through the eyes and Sage almost bolted for the door, ready to go after his friend. With great effort he forced himself to stay seated, but it took more strength then he would like to admit. But the last words of Anubis stunned them all.
"Dynasty School?" Ryo echoed.
"They actually have school there?" Yulie asked, his eyes wide.
"Yes," Anubis continued. "But it is not the same as the school you have here. The school time is longer than here, and the work is harder. And the teachers are cruel as well as the students. Anything that has to do with raping, having sex, smoking, stealing, is allowed. Including murder."
That left them gasping with shock and anger and even concern.
"Man, we have to get Cye out of that place!" Kento said with worry. He was afraid his best friend was going to get seriously hurt or even killed in that place.
"As of now Cye is being guarded by the soldiers guarding the school. They have orders not to allow the other students to kill him as Talpa wants him alive."
"Apparently he wants Rowen dead the way Rowen is suffering," Sage muttered sadly. His violet eyes narrowed with anger as a single tear ran down the side of his face.
Anubis looked at him sadly. "Talpa gave Rowen the same choice he gave Cye. It was only because he refused did Talpa do this to him."
"Just why would Talpa send them to school in the Dynasty in the first place, Anubis?" Ryo wanted to know.
"The Dynasty School teaches about the history of the Netherrealm and also teaches magic. Many people who go there are turned to the side of the Dynasty."
There were more gasping at this bit of revelation. Mia bit her nail worriedly. The thought of Cye siding with the Dynasty was unbearable.
Kento's hands balled into fists and his eyes narrowed angrily. "No way would Cye side with the Dynasty! He's not like that! He's tougher than everyone thinks!"
"We know he is, Kento," Ryo said. "And we'll get him and Rowen out of there."
"And I'll be there to help you as well," Anubis put in firmly.


Cye already knew four things at the moment as he walked down the hall, heading for his next class. 1. He was worried sick about Rowen. 2. His hand burned like fire and was now more swollen than ever before. 3. He missed Kento terribly. And 4. He did not like this school. He had seen some obscene things going on in the classrooms as well as in the halls, that he would rather not think of at all. He tried to put it all out of his head and to think of something more pleasant as he continued down the hall. It worsened when he thought of Kento, and of Rowen lying miserably in that cell, having no idea how he was.
Cye was so absorbent into his thoughts, he hadn't noticed that he bumped into the chest of another student. Cye looked up, ready to say excuse me, and found himself looking at a huge teen. About 6' 5, with large muscles, leather clothing, chains around his waist spiked hair, and cold eyes. Cye paled slightly and took a step backward, then felt several more presences. He was completely surrounded by at least nine students, all wearing the same attire as the first boy. And Cye at the moment knew of only thing. He was in trouble.
The students surrounding him said nothing. They attacked him at once. Cye tried to defend himself, but it was difficult with a broken wrist and no subarmor. His books fell to the floor as he launched a high kick out, sending at least one of them crashing into the lockers. He elbowed another in the face, breaking his nose, and kicked him in the stomach.
A student with dark green hair tackled him from behind, knocking him down to the floor. Cye landed on his broken wrist and screamed in pain. The students suddenly took advantage of the situation and began kicking and beating him severally. Cye cried out and tried to escape but there was too many of them. He thought of calling someone for help, but realized he was in a school of Dynasty.
The leader of the group, the one Cye had bumped into, suddenly kicked Cye's head, sending Cye into unconscious. The gang left, leaving Cye bloodied, badly injured, and out cold on the floor.
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Hmmm, would Chapter 8 be considered a cliffhanger too? Yes/and no, depending how you look at. Stay tuned for the rest! Crimson Flames and I are working hard to finish this! So many projects, so little time! Once again, we don't own the RWs. Just wanted to clear that up! Firestorm

"So when do we leave?" Kento demanded
"The sooner the better," Anubis replied. "I fear if we do not hurry Rowen will die. There is not much time."
Sage heard that and grimaced. He could still hear Rowen's tormented voice in his head as he hurried to pack. He added Rowen's clothes inside his duffel bag, adding other necessary items.
Kento went to pack too, muttering promises that he would kill anyone if he saw Cye in terrible condition. He zipped the bag closed and quickly left the room. Ryo was just coming out of his, carrying his bag, determination on his face.
"We ready?" Kento demanded.
Ryo nodded, then turned when he heard Yulie whining."
"But I wanna go! It's not fair! I went the last time!"
"That's because Anubis had no choice but to take us, Yulie. We'll just be getting in their way, Mia told him firmly.
"But!"
NO!"
Yulie's lip quivered and he broke into sobs as he ran up to his room, slamming the door shut behind him.
Mia winced and lowered her gaze as she dropped into a chair, one hand on her head as if she had a headache coming on.
"Mia, do not worry about Yulie right now," Anubis told her. "He will be fine, and one day he will understand the word 'no'."
"What day will that be?" Mia asked sarcastically. She sighed and looked away. "Anubis, I'm sorry. It's just that...."
"I know," he replied. He looked up. "We must go now."
Ryo nodded and called his large tiger to him. He knelt before the beautiful creature and scratched his ears. "White Blaze, stay here and watch Mia and Yulie, ok? We'll be back soon with Rowen and Cye." He hugged the tiger and stood up as he grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder. He looked at Sage and Kento and saw they were more than ready to go. He looked at Anubis and nodded.
Anubis led them outside, and the three of them called upon their armors. Anubis raised the staff, and it clanged as the light flashed from it. Mia watched from the window as the light surrounded the four of them and then suddenly vanished altogether, Anubis and the Ronins disappearing along with it. She let out a sigh as she turned away from it and sat down, folding her hands. Good luck, guys.

Cye came to, and he wished he hadn't. Incredible pain burned through his body and his vision was causing him to see blurred doubles. He couldn't move and when he tried it hurt badly. It even hurt to breathe.
He realized he was back in his cell, and that his wounds had not been tended to. And he doubt they would be. Tears poured from his eyes as he wished that he and Rowen would have never gone through this torment, this great agony, this dying hope that seemed to fade each morning.

Rowen shivered on the floor and coughed. His fever was getting worse and his stomach no longer growled as it had gotten used to having no food. His tongue was swollen from lack of water, and he could barely even lift his head. He tried to hang onto the fact that Sage and the others were on their way, but he was losing faith they would get there in time. Every time he heard footsteps he would flinch and pretend to be unconscious, fearing it was one of the Warlords. A single tear dripped down his face, followed by many others. Never before had Rowen considered suicide. But he was seriously thinking about it. He was tired of pain. More tears trickled down his face as he suddenly saw his friends' saddened faces in his mind, their grief plaguing him as he reconsidered his thoughts. No. He had to hang on. He was a Ronin Warrior. He couldn't, wouldn't give up. He would be showing Talpa his weakness then. He shivered once more and closed his eyes, drifting off into an uneasy sleep.
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Yay! Another chapter finished! Aren't you glad? Oh and by the way don't bother asking that age old question. CF and I don't own the Ronins!