Chapter 10.
Supporters Await, my Friend

Indeed this was a frustrated and unhappy time for the three friends. Kento had no faith in Sai of returning and gave prayers to him, also saying, "Now… we never can be together known as the Ronins. Sai, hope you hear me. Do you Sai? Please…"

Sage and Ryo knew and hoped hard that they were right that Sai was alive somewhere there in that mystic sea. Sage kept repeating himself; "He'll appear. It's only a part of him."
Now, as we go down the ocean to where a slope curve arose, where is almost an infinite meters deep, Sai laid on a water plain, in the bear sunlight that tries to lighten. Yes, right by him… or under him, were those geysers. Those geysers that were so powerful that they could lift a human to midair. Or it was said long ago. Today, the geysers will be first awakened within the ten to many thirty years ago. It's just that… someone had woken it. A dolphin nearby was circling around the soundless boy as the creature that Sai saved earlier, a squid, exposed electric surroundings to protect Sai for he protected it.
But still, he had NO clue whatsoever about this whole event… but it didn't last long at all. The cackles of the enemy and worried emptiness within his very friends were so strong, it strode him up, all bewildered. He felt the coldness of the water and pleasure by the abundance.

Unfortunately, he couldn't move for one thing, he had no idea how on earth he actually 'lived' by the challenges of the currents. This doubled on him even more… will he make it up there? Somehow, he wasn't worried about air anymore… he was worried about TIME. Time had to set at the right spot, if he were late… he would fail this task.
Now… if he were early… he'll turn to British Toast… meaning French Toast Crunch or bacon (You'll see why afterwards). The timing had to be just right and precise. And if he dared to try to swim up, he would be facing the current in many ways. He would've no choice but to swim WITH it, which will make him move even more away to the location than he was!

Suddenly, an idea kicked him at the head, making him nearly blank out.
Perfect… he was sitting under a steaming, underwater geyser. Now isn't that something. His idea was very simple. He would wake this geyser with his concentration on his ki (element… etc) and it'll be enough to pull him all the way up. After all, this geyser WAS strong. Communicating with the sea itself, he, as if, ordered the sea creatures to be alert and aware. Also, it was one of his special deals with him and the underwater… all the creatures were like siblings to him. But to those animals, he was their Sea guard! So whatever he did, they would respect it.
Sai felt the geyser awaking by the summon, somehow, he had doubts with his idea and was a little afraid if he did manage to find a too powerful one, he would be suffocated and squished by the currents, or he would be torn by the force of it. But he knew this his first risk he had to take. Naturally, he kind of had an idea in his mind that it was. Continuing, the geyser strengthened and finally… it erupted. It exploded at command.
Ryo, solemnly, shook his head sadly "He's not coming back. THEY took him now."

The reporters squirmed to get what he said, saying, "How come you say that?"

Sage backed up, "Well, we're upset that he didn't show up… and knowing Sai, he would if he were to be expected. Something or someone could have done something to him to make him…"

Newspaper writers suddenly boomed at the same time, "What is the something, sir Halo?" Kento rolled his eyes and exploded, "You KNOW. He could have later went off to help a sea creature and… and… he got…"
"Dead?" came the word, silently. It scared everyone, especially to Ryo. It hurt him the most. He hated that word so much. But it had to be said. It had to. However you say that word, it has to be mention somehow.

But Sage came to another conclusion, "He must be gonna face that… thing. Sai wanted to say… but no word of it could be spoken out. We should've listened to him as much as we could then… now we don't know if he's alive or dead. If he's alive, he's probably… come out like…"
*Blam* went all the water, and a big, huge tidal wave swarm over them about waist deep. All of them, including the reporters and especially the video cameramen were watching this contently and were shocked by the appearance of him… Sai of the Torrent. Only that, he was there… but not there. He disappeared immediately after the appearance. Sai was gone by the speck. Kento sighed, "We should've known… he never will die like that." Ryo informed, "And now, he has only one left to find." Everyone looked at him with astonishment. What did he mean?
Sai, imaginably, heard Ryo… almost telepathically what he said. He quietly in his mind thanked Ryo for it and set off to the midair, having to beat against those thundering currents that nearly tore his shirt from doing so. He continued as if nothing could stop him. And yes… he would continue even against the fire… even against the most impossible. That was what his personality was like.
Suddenly, big booms of electric circled on top, almost at reach of Sai. He became ready, aware and absolutely tense from the tips. There was now no turning back. This was what he had to do. Landing onto a rather stiff platform, he suddenly noticed the electricity was burning and trying to destroy him when he saw the tears of his clothes. He had a small cut on his right arm, which was stinging like crazy. But that stinging… also effected Sage…
"AWW…" Sage suddenly burst, and fell onto his knees, grasping his right arm. It was piercing and tightening so fiercely out of midair!

Kento went to Sage, shaking him, "What's going on with you? Did something hit you? What's happening to your arm?"

Ryo rolled up Sage's sleeve, seeing cuts on him that he never noticed before. Sage turned to them, finally out of the pain state, looking directly at his injury. Somehow, he knew that it had someone to do with Sai. Something that he, himself, didn't know.
Sai stood still, walking into mid clearness where the air was thin… but crisp. His hair had been swept into a tangled mess and his orb was dangling on his chest. Flustered of not knowing what to do, he crept closer to the columns of the building, cautious of guards marching.

----------------- Mutant's Place-----------

"The warrior Sai has reached the columns, Sir, " the Lt. Mars announced. "He has none of the other Ronins with him too."

The Mutant cackled, "He's too dumb to know that he'll be dead much faster when he's by himself. Ha! Taking that orb of his will be a cinch! And without his last Ronin friend, he cannot finish his last task before he faces us!"
Captain Leigh turned around and confirmed, "But his determination is very reliable. We must be alert."

The Mutant snorted, "Ha. We no need to be alert against a piece of garbage. He cannot reach the atrium without being WRUNG!"

The Captain added, "… and rung…"
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"What kind of place is this? A circle that never stops? Everything looks so unusual…" Sai commented, as he passed through a door, leading toward the atrium… which he didn't know. He followed the strange figures, making special care to be well hidden at this process. But his mind also wondered about Rowen… the person who was his friend at a time… who was a pal a hero. Maybe now he had to be Rowen's hero.
Then, before his eyes, he spotted someone who was captured… in a ball-like energy, trying to desperately get out. His attempts were turned to penalties and more of his energy was absorbed into the ball. Taking a closer glimpse he saw who this person was. It was Rowen.

All that time… a fake Rowen was duplicated to kill him and take his power. But how he was going to get Rowen out of that kind of situation? There was no need to panic but there was need time for thought.
Though unaware, he was entering into a dark room. Light suddenly flashed and a stream of power seized him and attacked. It was trying to grab hold of his! Making agonized sounds and physical movements, he tried to break free.

A figure appeared, "Well, well… Torrent. You fell into my most lovely trap. It seems that we've no fight after all."

Sai squinted and his teeth chattered as he faced the ugliest person/thing that he could imagine. The thing started to cruelly tell about his plans and naturally was ready to demise him quite shortly.
Soon enough, a chain reaction effected instantly. All the Ronins… somehow… could feel Sai's danger and in a flash, they were sending him thoughts and energy against this thing. Ryo gave him his Inferno power… though Sai deliberately tried to stop him and they all send him the thought of not to get up. Though then, when the figure mentioned his father… he became furious. His heat and anger rose so unexpectedly from him… this kind of feeling Sai always hated to show but he couldn't bear it longer. He, almost like a snap, broke the energy shield and trance.
Even through all that, he never pulled out his orb. Something told him to not do so yet. Going to an attack stance, he grasped the pole that was hooked onto the clip. The pole was stout and very unworthy looking thing, but Sai didn't care that time. His concentration was on the real opponent… whoever it happened to be. For certain, it couldn't be that creature… boy he was disgusted.
Kento, curiously, could feel that Sai was holding a pole of the sort… but not using his element. He wondered naughtily what he could do since he felt in such a way. Taking his chi into Sai, he blazed that far ugly thing at the chest and killed it from head to toe. It was as if he could command Sai to do what he wanted!
Sai was now using his own conscious to rescue Rowen. Knowing time was shortening, he hurried to the other end on barefoot. Crossing a bridge, he thought, "Don't worry. I'll be there."