Chapt. 7. The Voice.

Cye ran and ran, tears blurring his vision. He pushed several branches out of his way as he continued to run. All he wanted to do was to just get away. He finally came to a steep hill and ran down it. He tripped over a tree root, and fell. He tumbled, bounced, and rolled all the way down until he came to the bottom. He sat up shakily and drew in a deep breath. He didn’t get up. He drew his knees to his chest and buried his head, and cried.

It’s not fair! he thought to himself. Why do I have to be so weak! Why am I even a Ronin?! His body shook hard as he let the tears spill. He should have been more careful! Then maybe he wouldn’t have been caught in the first place, and none of this would be happening right now!

But you’re free now, Cye.

Cye’s head snapped up in an instant. He looked around. "Who said that?!" I will always be with you, Cye Mouri.

Cye blinked and dried his eyes. Where had that voice come from? he wondered. And who did it belong to?

The other Ronins were searching for Cye. It was after 8, and pretty dark. Sage used his sword to light their way as they called for him. White Blaze sniffed along the ground, searching for the young boy. He was on his trail, and getting closer to him. But somehow White Blaze knew he was going to be there when they got there.

"CYE!!!!!" Ryo shouted. "WHERE ARE YOU?!"

"CYE! ANSWER US!!!" Rowen cried.

"OR WE’LL MAKE ROWEN COOK!!!! Sage yelled.

"CYE, COME ON MAN!!!" Kento cried. He was very worried. Cye had been gone for at least three hours. Usually he’d be back sooner than this.

"Where do you think he could have gone?" Sage asked.

"We don’t know, Sage," Ryo said as he bit his lip and looked around.

"We already tried the lake," Rowen said. "And there’s not footprints there."

Kento dropped his head, and the other three glanced at him.

"Don’t worry, Kento. We’ll find him," Ryo said. Kento just nodded, but said nothing. "Let’s move out!" Ryo ordered. And they continued their search.

Cye opened the front door and stepped in. He shut it as quietly as he could. "The others are looking for you, Cye." He turned to see Anubis on the couch, holding a magazine. He bent his head. "They are?" he asked. Anubis nodded. "Which way did they go?"

"Through the woods. They’re very worried about you." Cye nodded again, and opened the front door. He went out and shut it behind him. He took off for the woods. Mia came out of the kitchen. "Was that Cye?" she asked.

"Yes," Anubis replied. "He went after the others." Mia sat down beside him and let out a small sigh. "I just hope Ryo doesn’t chew him out." Anubis nodded and kept on reading.

Cye could hear the others calling his name as he ran through the woods. "Guys! Wait up! I’m here!"

But their voices were getting further and further away. He ran as fast as he could, hoping to catch up to them. Mist filled the woods very suddenly, surrounding him, so thick he could hardly see. He froze, wondering which way to go.

"Guys!" he cried again. "KENTO! RYO! SAGE! ROWEN!"

Silence filled his ears. He took a tiny step forward, afraid he was going to run into something. He slowly began to walk, wishing in vain that this mist would just go away. Gut instincts told him which way to go and he obeyed, hoping he would find the guys. And then suddenly, a black figure appeared right behind him, and grabbed him.

Cye tried to scream, but something cold and black pressed tightly against his mouth. He tugged on what looked to be an arm, trying to force it away. He kicked, but the figure did not seem to be affected.

And then a sharp sword appeared at his throat, pressing it against it in warning. "If you know what’s good for you stop struggling!"

Cye’s eyes widened. Talpa?! He became still, breathing hard. Now he really needed the others! His heart pounded in his chest and his breathing quickened.

"You Ronins have troubled me long enough," Talpa said into his ears. "It’s time to make you pay once and for all!"

Cye struggled to get away, but then he felt Talpa teleport them. He found himself in Talpa’s castle, in the dungeon area. Talpa unlocked a single wooden door with a small barred window that could be closed by a single wooden board. He opened the door, and Cye nearly jumped as a rat scurried out and ran off to hide somewhere. He suddenly found himself flying into the cell. He landed with a thump and groaned. The door was slammed shut and locked. Cye turned and climbed to his feet. He went to the door and suddenly attacked it.

"Let me out of here!" he cried. ZAP! He was thrown back by what felt like an electrical current. Pain raged through his body, and his ears rang. "RESISTANCE AGAINST ME IS FUTLE, TORRENT!" Talpa’s voice echoed. "YOU WILL NEVER SEE YOUR FRIENDS AGAIN!!!"

And Cye passed out from the pain.

Chapt. 8. Comforted In A Cold Cell.

The Ronins had searched all over for Cye. White Blaze had tracked him all the way through the woods and down the steep hill. They had discovered that he had fallen, and had perhaps sat there on the ground for quite awhile, but where was he now?

"You guys, we can’t just stand here!" Kento bellowed impatiently. "What if he’s hurt? I mean he did fall, and that hill is steep."

"If he’s hurt, I hope it’s not serious. We have no idea where he is," Ryo said.

"Did any of you guys stop to think he might have gone back to the house?" Rowen suggested.

They all looked at each other. The possibility seemed very likely. "Let’s go back," Ryo said. They headed back, still calling out Cye’s name occasionally. Silence greeted them, and it was almost eerie.

They made it to the mansion and walked inside. Anubis and Mia were sitting on the couch; both looked up when the boys and the tiger came in. "You didn’t find Cye?" Mia asked bewildered.

Ryo stopped, and all hopes faded away. "We thought he’d be here," he said quietly.

Anubis sighed in concern. "He did come back about an hour ago, but then he turned and left to find you guys."

"He should have stayed here," Ryo said.

"Ryo, don’t," Rowen warned. "Cye’s been through a lot already, and I’m sure he’s scared right now. He doesn’t need you yelling at him."

"I’m not going to yell at him, Rowen," Ryo said as calmly as he could. "I’m just concerned."

"All of us are concerned, Ryo," Sage said. "But I think Kento’s more concerned than the rest of us."

All of them looked toward the bearer of Hardrock. He was standing by the front window, staring out, watching for any signs of Cye. Cye, please come home.

Cye’s eyes began to flutter and his fingers slowly moved. His eyes opened, and he became fully awake. He groaned in pain. His entire body felt as if it had been set on fire. Once he gathered the strength, he struggled to his feet, and nearly fell. He grabbed onto the wall for support and looked around at his surroundings.

"Am I really that weak, that I cannot protect and defend myself?" he wondered in despair. "I can defend the world, but I can’t even save myself. And Talpa’s probably going to use me as bait for my friends."

Cye let out a miserable sigh and slid down the wall to sit. He felt very alone. I should have stayed at home, instead of just running off like that. If only they would understand!

They are just concerned about you, Cye. Friends often do that. You need to show them that you are stronger than they think. And you need to show yourself as well. If you think yourself weak you will be weak. But you are stronger than you believe. It is not about having physical or mental strength or even speed. It is what is inside of your heart that makes you strong. And because of your love and concern for the others you may just be the strongest one of all.

Cye blinked in the surprise. The voice had spoken again. Somehow it comforted him. He recognized the voice as male, but it was not the Ancient, nor anyone else he knew. So then who was it? And why couldn’t he see who it belonged to? The voice spoke aloud, just as if another person was in there talking to him face to face.

A loud noise sounded outside his door and he jerked his head toward it. There was some clicking noises, and the heavy door creaked open. A large guard walked in, followed by two others carrying heavy weighted chains and spears. Cye stayed where he was.

The first guard set down a wooden bowl filled with some kind of gray mush and a cup of water as the other two kept a close eye on him. "Eat," the first soldier commanded, and then walked out with the other two.

Cye watched as the door was closed and heavily bolted again. Heavy footsteps echoed through the hall until they diminished altogether.

He looked toward the bowl and water. He was not touching it. He inched away from the (food and water) and lied down in a corner in a fetal like position. Please guys, get me out of here!

They will come, young one. Have faith and wait.

Cye, comforted by those words, did just that. He yawned and closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep just as a beautiful silver and white mist floated over him.

Chapt. 9. The Search Continues.

It was later now, and a steady rain had began to fall outside. Kento was still at the window, waiting for Cye if he came back. Sage was upstairs meditating, trying to see if he could contact the young Ronin that way. Ryo, Anubis, and White Blaze were out searching for him again, while Mia and Rowen went to the Police. Kento did not understand why they were doing that for. No way would his best buddy just run away like that! He did not see why they just didn’t blast through the Dynasty gates and look for Cye there. He was sure Talpa had him again. Shame too. He was only free for what two days at the most? Life could be so cruel at times.

And then another horrifying thought went through Kento’s head. What if Cye had commit suicide? He shook his head. Don’t be crazy! He scolded himself. Cye is way stronger than that. He let out a sigh. Cye, where are you?

They trudged through the woods, pushing tree branches out of their way, the rain coming down on them. Ryo’s hair was matted to his forehead, and he kept brushing it away. "CYE!" he called out, hoping to hear an answer from the water warrior.

CYE!" Anubis called out as he ducked under a low hanging branch. Some thorns tore at his clothing, but he paid them no mind. White Blaze roared, calling out Cye’s name in his own language. The tiger was worried though. They should have found Cye by now.

The search continued as the rain continued to fall. Lightning flashed across the sky, and Anubis looked up. They would be no good to Cye if they were killed by lightning or made ill from being out in the rain too long.

"Ryo!" he called. Ryo stopped and looked back at him and waited as the older warrior came up to him. "We should get back now. We won’t be any good to Cye if we’re ill or even killed from this storm."

Ryo was about to argue, until thunder cracked loudly followed by lightning. The rain was pouring now. He and Anubis hopped onto White Blaze’s back, and they took off out of the woods, heading back for the mansion.

The officer stared at the photo of Cye with a frown. "What was his name again, ma’am?"

"Cye Mouri," Mia replied. She and Rowen had been at the station for nearly fifteen minutes to report Cye missing. Both were worried and agitated, and this cop here seemed to be taking his good old time. Rowen was ready to shake him.

"How do you spell that name?" the officer asked.

"C.Y.E. M.O.U.R.I," Mia answered.

The officer wrote that down, then asked several questions, which Mia answered. "He’s fifteen, he stands about 5’5, his weight is 122. He has light brown hair and seablue eyes. And he’s been missing since early this afternoon."

The officer frowned. "Did he run away or do you think he was abducted?"

"We’re not sure," Rowen said. "He was upset for awhile, and he ran off, but then he came back, according to a friend of ours, only to leave again and search for us. That was the last time anyone saw him."

"I see," the officer nodded as he looked at the report he was writing. He looked up with a frown. "As of now there is really nothing we can do. He must be missing for at least twenty four hours."

They were both about to protest, but stopped when he continued. "However, give us a picture of him, and we’ll keep our eye out for him."

The two of them nodded, knowing that was all they could do for now. Rowen gave the officer a photo of Cye, and the two of them left the Police Station in defeat.

The armored boot kicked him in the stomach, sending pain through him. "Get up!" a gruff voice called down to him. He was yanked to his feet by his hair, and a cold swiss army knife appeared at his neck. He froze, looking up at Dais.

"You’re going to see Master Talpa, Torrent," the Warlord growled as someone else,probably Cale, tied his hands behind his back. "And you’re aren’t going to give us any trouble, are you?" Cye made no movement, fear causing him to believe if he moved that blade would cut him.

Dais just grinned and forced him to turn, then he and Cale forced Cye out of the cramped cell and down the hall, taking him to the throne room. They pushed open the two large and forced him inside, keeping a good grip on him. Cye began dragging his feet, not wanting to go any closer to the Dynasty master. But Cale and Dais just forced him along.

"Here he is, master," Cale said as they stood before the throne, with Torrent between them.

"Very good, Warlords," Talpa said with a nod as he looked down at the small helpless Ronin with cold, cruel eyes. Cye flinched nervously. Talpa laughed. "Are you scared, boy? This only the beginning of your stay here! Hahahahahaha! And there is more torture to come for you."

Cye gulped. Somehow he knew he was in immense trouble.