"Are you sure this might be where Lana is?" Sage asked.

"She has to be," Ryo answered. "It's where I found you after we got separated. And her element is of the Night. If we don't find her tonight, we might be able to again. Fraezi's blizzard is getting worse."

Ryo looked to Rowen, who seemed unaffected by the icy winds or the knee deep snow. He kept his eyes straight forward on the goal, the cave enterance. They trudged along the small path the White Blaze was making in the snow. Soon enough, they reached the entrance.

The icy wind stopped as soon as they stepped inside. The cave seemed unaffected by the snow storm outside and warmth seemed to vibrate in the air.

A soft, light blue glow came from farther down in the cave. "Lana," Rowen whispered, then took off in a dead-run. Then the sound of metal against metal echoed up to the other warriors. The others quickly followed to find Rowen in a fierce battle against blue troops.

Behind him, twenty more feet into the cave, was the ice ball. Standing before it was Fraezi. "So the Ronin punks have come for their friend." He sneered. "How amusing."

"Ryo!" Rowen yelled. "Get rid of him." He knocked another troop out, then yelled, "Armor of Strata Tao Inochi!" Blue and gold energy surrounded Rowen and the was absorb as the armor was formed.

"Armor of HardRock Tao Gi!"

"Armor of Torrent Tao Shin!"

"Armor of Halo Tao Chi!"

"Armor of Wildfire Tao Jin!"

The five Ronin Warriors stood ready for battle, all in their mystical armors, when suddenly, more of the blue troops rushed in. Rowen pulled out his bow and arrow, and aimed it for the ice. "Wake up Lana!" Gold energy began to gather at the tip of the arrow. "Arrow Shock Wave!"

The arrow shot toward the ice and hit, but that was all. The energy disappeared, leaving the arrow to stick out of it. "No!" Rowen breathed. The troops suddenly seized Rowen. "Ryo, go into your Inferno!"

Ryo nodded. The air suddenly filled with red and gold energy, super heating it at the same time. The Wildfire armor came off instantly and the energy was absorbed in the sub-armor, creating the white armor of Inferno. White Blaze instantly changed, becoming Black Blaze as armor also formed around him. The Soul Sword of Fervor rested in the armor.

Ryo pulled out the Swords and he called out, "Rage of INFERNO!" The air immediately heated up and filled with orange and red fire, aimed at Fraezi. Fraezi jumped away from the ice as it sliced into it. The ice began to glow with black energy, then blue, then silver. The silver energy burst outward and filtered through the warriors, warlord, and troops.

The warriors turned away as it assulted the senses, passing through the armors. Fraezi screamed out as it touched him, burned him, and the troops disappeared as if they never existed.

A black form emerged from the ice, eyes blazing blue. She raised her right hand to Fraezi. Silver energy surrounded her hand and then shot forward, hitting Fraezi in the chest. Lana pulled the swords off of her back and sweeped the air.

"Dark Illumination Affect!" Black lightning coursed the air and hit Fraezi. Fraezi collapsed to the ground and instantly the blizzard outside stopped. Lana fell to the ground, but Rowen ran forward, catching her.

Almost immediately, the armor disappeared from her body, and then went the sub-armor. It was replaced by the blue dress, now torn and ripped. She shivered and Rowen pulled her closer. Concentrating, he willed his armor and sub-armor away, leaving him in a pair of jeans, shirt, and jacket. Carefully, he got his jacket off and wrapped it around Lana's shoulders.

Slowly, Lana opened her eyes. Her eyes were darker than usual, and she didn't seem to register Rowen's face. "I know you're there," she whispered, "but I can't see you. Give me a sign that you're there."

Before Rowen could do anything, Lana closed her eyes and a small smile fell on her lips. "Thank you. Your love is enough of a sign. . . for. . . me."

Her body went limp as she fell asleep against Rowen's chest, her breathing becoming calm and her mind relaxing. Rowen smiled and held her protectively as he walked back toward the Jeep.

Fraezi stood up weakly, determined to go after them, but a voice stopped him. "Aisu! You failed!"

"Milady! They-"

"No excuses! You were the one that awakened the child's powers! You will now pay for your mistake!" Blue and green energy filled the cave and took Fraezi.

All six of the Ronin Warriors were able to get back to the house before one in the morning. Tired, worn, beat, and just plain cranky, they all went to bed and fell quickly into a deep sleep. All except Lana.

Her dark eyes blinked open. She still wasn't able to see yet, but she didn't need sight to make her way around what felt like home to her. She changed out of the tattered remains of her dress into her sleep-ware, which was only a dark blue sports bra and baggy blue pants.

Able to tie her hair off halfway down her back, Lana walked out of her room and toward the front door. A low, deep growl stopped her. Smiling, she kneeled down and scratched White Blaze behind the ear. "I won't go far," she whispered. "Just outside."

White Blaze nuzzled against her leg as she stood up and followed her out the door. Lana jumped when her foot hit the cold, wet snow and the icy wind tried to blow her back, but Lana went on anyway, ignoring the elements of ice.

She is the warrior of the night and the darkness. The cold shouldn't affect her body. But yet, it did. She always ran away from home during the snow, and did a while back (scaring the others to death with that stunt too). Now she can't see the snow.

Lana spun suddenly and White Blaze growled. She could tell that something, or someone, was near by. At first, she tried to go into her sub-armor, but nothing happened. Being careful, Lana began to make her way back to the house, turning every so often when a whisper of a sound brushed her back.

She could feel White Blaze beside her, a low growl rumbling from his throat every so often. Whatever was out there he couldn't detect either. There was a sudden touch on Lana's shoulder and she spun suddenly, her hands balled up into fists and swinging at the opponent she was unable to see.

They met nothing but air. "White Blaze?" she whispered, but there was no life around her. Muttering a few curses, she began to walk in one direction, then stopped immediately when she knew she could easily being going the wrong way.

Closing her eyes for a moment, Lana called upon all of her powers that she was able to use without her sub-armor. When she opened them again, she could barely see the outlines of the trees around her. But some sight was better than nothing.

"Lady Lančna."

Lana spun, but saw nothing. Closing her eyes again, she relied on her hearing to tell her any clues of who or what was coming. There wasn't a sound. Tears began to fall, tears of frustration and anger.

"What's the matter, Lady Lančna?" a voice whispered at her back. Lana spun again, then gasped when she felt a cold, armored hand grasp her arm. "Lost your way?"

"Why do you care, Traent?"

Lana felt the cold tip of an arrow press into her arm, and then into the back of her neck. Lana tried to pull away, but the arrow just pressed harder. "It's useless to struggle, Lady Lančna. If you want to test my physical power, then-" There was a sickening crack and Lana cried out in pain. But instead of letting go, Traent closed his hand around Lana's broken arm even tighter, driving the Warrior of the Night to the ground.

There was a loud roar and suddenly Lana was free. She could barely see as White Blaze jumped through the air and hit Traent. Lana ran as fast as she could through the trees, ignoring the painful slaps of the branches and held her right, broken arm close to her body with her left.

Lana suddenly tripped and fell, rocks and sticks gouging into her skin and tearing at her face. "Oh god Lana!"

Lana could feel the dirt shower her as someone slid to a stop beside her, and also felt someone running past her, their footfalls echoing through her mind. Soft hands picked her up, cradling her shoulders. She could feel the wind rush past her, and she cried out in pain as something pressed into her broken arm.

Blinking the tears of pain away from her eyes, Lana was barely able to see Rowen's bright blue hair as he leaned over and held her arm gently in his hands. Rowen looked up and Lana followed his gaze, watching the others enter the room in regular clothes. Rowen must have brought her into the house when she briefly lost consciousness.

"He got away, whoever he was," Ryo muttered. "White Blaze was able to get the helmet off and give him a few good scratches before he left. There was blood on the ground. And we didn't get to see his face."

"It was Traent," Lana said. She could feel everyone's eyes on her. "He tried to get me."

Ryo nodded. Rowen captured her attention again, talking to her. "Does your arm hurt?"

"I can't feel my fingers. It's already begun to heal." Rowen nodded and tightly wrapped some guaze around her arm so it wouldn't be jostled around so much.

"How is it that a cut in the shoulder can nearly kill you and knock you out for a few days, and now your arm can heal within a few hours?" Kento asked.

"I guess it's because of my blood. Before I met you guys and began fighting, I didn't get injured much. Broke my leg once, a bunch of small paper cuts or accidently slicing my finger with a kitchen knife, and that was about it." Lana closed her eyes. "But because of the major injures I've been getting lately, my blood has become to react faster to the injures."

"So besides building your fighting skills, you have also been building your immune system?"

"I guess you can say that," she murmured as she fell asleep.

It was late at night when Lana finally awoke from her sleep, just as Cye was fixing supper. Pulling one her shirts of her head, she walked into the kitchen just as Cye was coming close to throwing a knife at Kento to get him to leave.

His eyes softened when he saw Lana and his attitude changed immediately. "How are you feeling?"

"At least I can see and my arm is healed." She unwrapped her arm and threw the bandages in the trash, flexing her arm a little and winced. "But sore apparently."

Cye chuckled softly and went back to his task. Lana stood beside him and helped cut the vegetables. "You're unusual Lana." He looked Lana full in the face and for the first time she noticed his blue-green eyes. They were full of laughter. "Never lose that, even in the face of evil."

Lana smiled weakly and helped set the table. Supper wasn't very eventful. Just some talk, very little laughter. Lana didn't seem connected to the world around. She would answer a question or two, but as soon as it was answered, her eyes became distant.

She volunteered to do the dishes and the rest agreed. . . reluctantly. She seemed happy, working with her hands. But something across the lake caught her attention. Lana stopped suddenly, plate in her hand, fear crossing over her face.

Cye walked into the kitchen silently and noticed Lana standing still, her face stark white, a giant contrast to her usually tanned skin. "Lana?" He walked up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

Lana jumped, the plate falling from her hand and shattering into a million pieces on the floor. "I'm so sorry!" she whispered as she kneeled down to help Cye with the broken dish. "I didn't mean to-" She stopped suddenly as a sharp piece bit into her finger. Dark red blood trickled out for a second, then stopped as the wound immediately closed.

"You've had a long day, Lana," Cye whispered "Why don't you go and get some rest."

"But what about the...."

"I'll take care of the dishes. It's supposedly my night anyway."

"Thanks Cye." Lana walked out of the kitchen and went upstairs to change.

Cye got the rest of the dishes done within minutes and walked back to the living. "Cye? What happened to Lana?" Ryo asked.

"She looked tired and I sent her-"

Cye was interrupted as a bone-chilling scream split the air and echoed through their minds. Everyone at once looked at each other, then bolted upstairs. Rowen was the quickest to get to where the scream came from. He pushed open the bathroom door, to see a frightened Lana with her back pressed against the wall, dressed in a sports bra and night pants.

Rowen walked over and placed his hands on her shoulders. "What's wrong?!"

Cye was the first to notice. "Look! Look at the mirror!"

Rowen turned and did, startled. He saw his reflection, and only his. Lana's wasn't there!

Lana chewed on her lip, and blood came off as she bit it. Oh god no! she thought. She sank to the floor, sobbing. No, nononononono. Please don't let this be happening. What's wrong with me? Help me Anubis!

All of this echoed in their minds. Her thoughts were coming to them. Lana opened her mouth a little to get some air and her canine teeth flashed in the light, sharper than the others.

Calm down, came a soothing male voice. Your powers have awakened Lana.

Rowen looked back to the mirror and the place were Lana was supposed to be shimmered for a second and a male form appeared. "Anubis!"

"All of the Ronin Warriors were thrown apart for a while, as their powers awakened, their armors getting strong."

But the only physical change they went through was strength. Why is this happening to me? Why do I feel like this?

Slowly, Lana's image replaced Anubis, but she was in her sub-armor. Because of your armor. And because of your name. Vampirra, Vampire-

But I'm not a vampire!

Maybe not full, but how do you think you heal so fast. That's vampire blood running through you. Someone in your family was a vampire.

Lana stared at the mirror. No! I can't stand this! NO! The mirror cracked suddenly and the pieces showered into the sink. Lana ran from the bathroom and jumped over the railing separating the second floor from the first. She land with great ease and ran for the door.

As soon as the door was open, she bolted across the front lawn and into the woods, her armor making her disappear into the darkness. Rowen tried to follow her, but Ryo's hand stopped him. "We'll split up, if we find her, just bring her back quietly. If you run into trouble, send up a signal and we'll come to you."

Sage walked through the woods, his lavender eyes searching for trouble or for Lana or for both. Why is this happening, he thought. Why-

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted as a flash of movement came from his side and he turned to look. He didn't have to worry about going into his green sub-armor, he was already in it. He just needed to go into his full armor and the others should be attracted to the noise and light.

Sage stopped right before a clearing, seeing Lana collapse in front of a large tree, no longer in her sub-armor, but in a black yukata with silver around the edges. Being sure that no one was around, he walked out to Lana's form. In the pale moonlight, he could barely see her sharp canines, like a vampire's.

Being careful, Sage picked her up easily. But as soon as her skin touched his sub-armor, her head was thrown to one side, her breath coming out in gasps of pain.

With his lavender eyes wide with shock, he also felt pain run through his veins. Immediately, the sub-armor faded into his regular clothes and the pain, for both of them, stopped.

Sage looked at her face closely, seeing small, minute scratches all over her face. What really caught his eyes was the silver headband that ran across her forehead, like Rowen's or Kento's.

Come. . . quick! Someone. . . please. . . help us! The faint voice rang through Sage's head. He looked back down to Lana.

Is that you, Lana? he thought.

You're. . . in danger. . . Sage! Leave. . . me! You. . . can't use your. . . armor with me. . . around. I'm too. . . sensitive! Lana's eyes suddenly opened wide and with one graceful move, she jumped out of Sage's arms, and onto the ground.

She kept her lips closed and stared right into Sage's eyes. Please Sage! We can't fight by each other right now!

"I'm not going to leave you!"

Her eyes filled with sorrow. I'm sorry. You leave me no choice. Slowly, she walked up to Sage and placed her left hand on his forehead.

Immediately, Sage fell to the ground, but Lana caught him and placed him where she was laying.

Feeling slightly weak, Lana ran through the woods again. Her body was only a shadow among the night, her mind racing ahead of her and effortlessly pushing branches out of her way.

Lana jumped to her right, just as a sword swung were her head was. In a flash of silver, her sub-armor appeared over her body. The headband extend through her hair, making it into a beautiful snowy-white color and twisting it into a braid. Her skin became pale, but luminous.

Yoroi no Naito, she yelled through her mind. Tao Mikomi! Energy surrounded Lana in blue, black, and silver light and touched the sub- armor, connecting the parts into one powerful armor.

"Lady Lančna," a voice rang out.

What do you want, Traent!? Lana spun around, her sword flash in the moonlight, and saw the warlord.

"You!" Traent pulled out his bow and an arrow. "Kuroi Kokoro Sesshou!"

Black energy filled the air. Lana pulled out both of her swords, positioned them into an X, then let go. The swords float easily in the air, and float forward so that they were between Traent and Lana.

Dark Beam Destroy! Blue and black energy rushed forward just as Traent's did, and collided.

"Sage! Wake up man!"

Sage blinked open his lavender eyes to see Rowen right above him. His eyes immediately cleared. "Lana!"

"We came because we thought you were in trouble," Ryo muttered. "Where's you're armor?"

"I, I found Lana right here, I picked her to take her back to the house, but as soon as her skin touched my sub-armor, we both were in pain. She said she was to sensitive to my armor." Sage stood up and began to pace, looked around. "She called out for you guys to come, and then she told me to leave her. She knocked me out, an-"

He was suddenly interrupted as an explosion rang through the air. "Ronin Warriors to arms! Armor of Wildfire Tao Jin!"

"Armor of Halo Tao Chi!"

"Armor of Torrent Tao Shin!"

"Armor of HardRock Tao Gi!"

"Armor of Strata Tao Inochi!"

Energy filled the air as the armors of the five warriors came to them, covering them with protection and giving them strength. The five warriors ran through the woods to the spot where the explosion came from. It was as if someone's power crashed into anothers.

Rowen looked for trouble, but nothing was left, let alone any soldiers. He looked away from the house to see a small pinpoint of light in the woods. "Lana!"

Rowen took off toward her house at full speed. As soon as he reached the driveway, he saw the front door wide open. Rowen quickly ran into the house and up the stairs, following the bloody streaks on the floor. He flung open a door and took a step back in shock.

Lana laid on a bed, blood soaking into the white sheets. She was only dressed in her night clothes and her silver headband, minute scratches covering her face and body.

"Oh no! Lana!" He ran forward and placed his armored hands on her shoulders, cradling her close to him. "Oh god! Please don't be dead."

Tears streamed down his face as he thought he was to late. But a soft, mental touch brought him back. He looked down to see Lana awake, sleepy-looking, but awake. What are you crying for?

Rowen just smiled and hugged Lana.

Owowowow! Not so hard! It still hurts a little!

"Whoa, what happened here?!"

Lana looked behind Rowen's shoulder to see the others arrive. I met up with Traent in the woods. I was able to block most of the blow, but. . . . She looked back to the blood-soaked sheets.

Kento looked sick. "Is that all you?"

Lana nodded. Mostly. Like I said, most of the blow. My whole body is still healing, and I have more broken bones than I can count. Most of my body is numb.

Rowen stood up, and all Lana was able to do was lay like a limp doll in his arms.

Sage walked over to Lana. "Maybe I can help you heal faster."

He placed his armored hands on Lana's legs. Her head was suddenly thrown back and her mouth was open in silent gasps of pain. Burning! Hot! No!

Immediately, Sage backed away. "I'm sorry Lana."

It's not your fault, Sage. It's my powers and your armor.

"It might be best for you to go into your sub-armor. At least then it will act as a cast."

Lana barely nodded her head and closed her eyes in concentration. A slight silver glow framed her face, then in a line of light, the glow went through her hair and down her body. Everyone gasped when her hair turned white and twisted into a braid and her skin become pale.

Lana didn't open her eyes again and her head fully rested on Rowen's armored chest. "Lana," Rowen whispered. "You went through more changes than we did. You deserve this rest."

Carefully, Rowen walked out of the room and out of the house, Lana still in his arms. He kept looking down ever few minutes to be sure she was still there. Her body weighed a lot less than before, and was a lot more frailer too. And until they hit a patch of moonlight, Lana's features were clouded over, as if they were hiding.

Within minutes, they made it back to the house safely and unharmed. Rowen quietly took Lana to her room and laid her down. His armor faded away as he pulled the sheets around her body and made sure that she was comfortable.

Rowen was about to leave when her mental voice touched his mind. Please don't leave Rowen.

Smiling softly, he walked back over and sat on the edge of the bed. What's wrong?

A tear rolled down her cheek. I. . . I'm scared.

Rowen's finger traced Lana's face. There's nothing to be afraid of.

It's the changes I'm going through. My whole body is stronger, but I feel dead. I can barely tell that you're touching me, let alone in the same room. Lana's head shifted a little. I can't feel the world around me.

Rowen's fingers stopped for a second, but continued their gentle caresses. Rest, Lana. You will be able to feel the world around you once your body heals.

Her thoughts came to him again, weak. Please don't leave me. Lana's eyes flickered underneath her eyelids. When I was trapped in that ice, in the darkness of the cave, I thought that I was going to be all alone. I felt the darkness and the cold around me, trying to strengthen me, trying to awaken my powers.

You'll never be alone.

Even as I was thrown through the air and slammed through the earth into the darkness, surrounded with Fraezi's ice, I could hear you scream. I could hear all of you guys cry out. I. . . could. . . hear. . . you. . . cry. . .

At last Lana was asleep. Rowen could feel her mind rest and her body even more. At last maybe her body can start fully healing without her mind protesting.

Rowen settled down beside Lana on the bed. He promised that he would stay with her, and he was planning on keeping that promise.

"I'm sorry Rowen. I never wanted to hurt you."

"You have more powers than the others, and can easily turn against them if you turn to evil."

"I will never turn against them."

"It is time, my child."

"Your eyes are like my father's, sad and thoughful."

"Open your eyes! Please wake up! Please, love, wake up!"

Lana jerked her head back suddenly, pain running through her shoulders and neck. She was so sure that Rowen said the last line. . . A few strands of white hair floated in front of her eyes and she blew at them angrily.

Then she tried to brush them away with her hand. It didn't even twitch. Then she saw a hand pass infront of her eyes, moving the strands away.

Lana smiled weakly. Thanks Rowen.

"How do you feel?" he asked.

Lana tried her hand again. Nothing happened. When she tried her shoulders, they shifted, but pain shot through them, more intense than anything else she's felt before.

Lana was surprised when she heard Rowen gasp in pain. "Your shoulders. You can move them, but it hurts."

How-

"I don't know how, but I can feel and hear all your thoughts."

You two are now connected to each other.

"What the-"

Anubis.

The next week will be the hardest of all she has to go through, Strata. Be sure to never lose your focus or goal.

Rowen looked to Lana, her eyes closed. She had fallen into another deep sleep, her body worn out from constantly healing and mending her broken bones and torn muscles. With her skin still almost white and her hair pure white, she almost didn't seem real.

But with the black armor still on her arms and legs, she still is a fighter for the Earth.

You think to much.

Rowen laughed. Just rest and heal, Lana. You'll need it for the upcoming battles.