"Battle of the Elements"

By Lady Eclipse

Chapter One

The sun dipped low on the horizon giving off the last rays of the day lengthening shadows and setting fire to the sky. The trees stood as black sentinels against the bright colors, not even the light breeze could move them. Sage watched the sight in silent appreciation as he stood at the edge of the forest. After the great battle with Talpa, the small things in life started to mean so much more. The light began to fade to be replaced by the stars shyly peeking out one by one. Somewhere in the distance an owl hooted signaling the beginning of the nocturnal animal's reign. Sage checked his watch briefly and sighed with resignation. He would be missed if he loitered any longer. Even though it had been almost a year since that great battle, the guys were still living with Mia. No one was quite ready to go their separate ways yet; especially after all they had endured together.

As Sage began to walk to his car, a moving shadow caught the corner of his eye. He spun around and scanned the dark trees but could detect nothing. He smiled to himself, he was getting so jumpy these days. Then he noticed a shape in the fading light. It stood just in front of the last rays of the fleeing sun so that it was nothing but a black image. Sage squinted trying to make out what it was. It looked like a horse or some kind of deer, but it ran back into the forest before he could get a good look at it. The forest was ominously quiet, not even an insect offered comment to the event. After a final glance at the spot, he shrugged and got into his car.

"I'm starving! When are we going to eat?!" Kento wailed. The rest of the guys groaned, but Mia smiled patiently.

"It's almost ready, we're just waiting for Sage."

"Can't we start without him, I'm about to waste away here!"

"I don't think that's possible." Rowen grinned as he jabbed at Kento's stomach.

"Knock it off," Kento complained, pouting as he rubbed his stomach. Just then they heard the front door open and close. A few minutes later Sage appeared in the dining room. "Hey guys, sorry I'm late." Kento opened his mouth to say something, but the dirty looks he received from everyone else kept him quiet.

"That's no problem, have a seat and I'll bring the food out." Mia said with a smile.

"I'll help," Cye and Ryo chimed in unison and rushed off to the kitchen.

Mia frowned. "That just made me very suspicious." She shook her head and followed them into the kitchen.

"Finally, time to eat!" Kento said enthusiastically as he sat down. A strange look came over his face and he shifted in his seat. His eyes narrowed as they moved to the kitchen door. With a mutter he stood up. Unfortunately, he took the chair with him. "Oh no," he mumbled noticing the superglue tube lying on the table. A series of snorts and chuckles erupted from Rowen and Sage as they sat down as well. Even Whiteblaze seemed to be laughing as he lay under the table. Kento sent a nasty glare at the door of the kitchen and mumbled something about getting Ryo and Cye back.

The door opened and Mia emerged carrying two cooked chickens on a platter. She was followed by Cye and Ryo who were carrying bowls of side dishes. They were barely concealing their hysterical laughter. Kento scowled again. "Why does everyone have to pick on me?!"

"Because we like you!" Cye beamed, causing another snort from Rowen. Even Mia began to laugh making Kento sigh emphatically and roll his eyes.

"Always the butt of some joke," he mumbled to himself.

Ryo smiled to himself, evenings like this made fighting the Dynasty worth it. Sadly, his moment of happy contemplation was cut short by a loud crash from outside. Everyone jumped from their seats and rushed for the door.

Kento ripped his pants in the commotion to free himself of Ryo and Cye's little prank. When he finally joined the others outside, Kento's eyes were greeting by a large figure emerging from the trees of the surrounding forest. In the faint light provided by the moon the Ronins were able to barely see the details. They instantly regretted what they could see.

The creature had a man-like shape, but its body was much larger than humans and it was very muscled. The head was that of a cheetah; its hands were thin and claw-like and each finger ended in lethal looking talons. It had massive wings extending from its back were covered in a tough leathery membrane that was reminiscent of a dragon. The creature grinned revealing inch long fangs when it saw the gaping Ronins. It's cold chuckle freed them of their shock enough to reflexively call their sub-armor.

"Is this all that the humans have sent in their defense?" he said in a mocking tone that sounding like dry leaves scraping against stone.

"Don't be too quick to judge us," Rowen said in the calmest voice he could muster and changed into his armor. The rest of the Ronins followed suit and unsheathed their weapons. Whiteblaze growled threateningly and took a few steps closer to the horrible beast. Before any of them could react, the beast lurched into the air with dizzying speed then dove at Cye with talons poised. Cye raised his trident and braced himself, determination set firmly in his features. Inches before collision, the creature backwinged sending a fierce blast of air and making a terrible cracking sound. "Lightning!" He said pointing casually at him. In answer, a bolt shot from the sky and struck Cye full force sending him flying back a few feet.

"Cye!" Ryo called and ran towards him.

"Earthquake!" the beast called and the ground shook so hard that none of them could move. Trees tumbled and all cries of surprise were drowned out of the harsh groaning of the stone beneath them. Then, with the slowness of a triumphant predator, the beast approached the stunned Cye, fighting to try to get to his feet, and poised his deadly talons for a final strike. His hand flew forward toward Cye's vulnerable throat with the speed of his pumping wings.

"Stop this now." The command was said in a calm lilting voice that could easily be heard even above the din of battle. The earth instantly stopped buckling and an uneasy calm settled around the area. Upon hearing the voice the creature stopped its deadly blow mid-way and turned. Standing by the lake was a tall, slender woman wearing a black cloak. It completely covered her and the hood was drawn to cover her eyes. "Return from whence you came, Crynis. Or death is your only reward." Crynis sneered, "And who are you to be commanding me, woman?" The woman raised her head slightly. "I am of the guardians of the earth and you are not welcome here."

Crynis raised a taloned hand and turned his flight to the mysterious woman. The distraction was all Ryo needed. "Flare Up Now!" He cried and sent a bolt of flame at the hideous beast. The creature grunted as he took the hit full force on his back. He dropped to the ground for a few minutes, his sides heaving but was soon back in the air with an effortless thrust of his legs and wings. Once he had gained some altitude, he glanced down at Ryo with a faint smirk. Despite the fact that he had taken the brunt of Ryo's attack, Crynis seemed little more affected then being slightly charred. He sent one last scalding glare at the Ronins, then flew away in the general direction of the city.

"Come on!" Ryo broke out into a full run after it.

"No," the woman said. "Do not worry for your city, he will not attack again on this night. He will be too exhausted." All of the Ronins faced the woman, "Who are you?" Sage asked. The woman smiled softly and pulled back the hood to her cloak. She looked young, but her face had a certain agelessness about it that the Ronins had known from the Ancient One. Her eyes were of the richest brown and held and the brilliance cool distance of the stars. Her hair was a light silver color that sparkled in the moonlight. The middle of her forehead boasted a silver-green mark in the shape of a star and it glowed faintly in the dim light. Or was it the moonlight deceiving them?

"My name is Anglarana. I was sent here to help you." She said softly into the silence, not even the smallest of animal dared to speak. She unfastened the clasp and removed her cloak. Her silver hair nearly went to her ankles and was tied mid-way by a midnight blue ribbon. She was wearing a dark green dress that had slits on both sides that went to the upper thigh. The top of the dress started at a collar around her throat and opened up to cover her torso. Her bare arms were adorned with circles of silver set with emeralds and her wrists were covered with brown bands that extended to the top part of the hand. She wore white boots that ended halfway on the upper leg in a point. A white strip of cloth was wound around her waist and was tied at her left hip; the lengthy ends fluttering it the wind.

The effect left the other Ronins quite speechless.