Scar
			     Chapter: 4
				Lost
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	"So your power has increased.  You bested my student without
using the lion's share of your power.  But you won't be strong enough
untill I can push you to your limit.  To fight you now would only bring
a hollow victory.  Christian....my friend....fight and grow stronger. 
Always remember that strength feeds on strength and becomes stronger
and stronger.  When you are ready...come and stop me."

	Christian and Ryomaru sat within a small cafe lit by oil lamps.
The business reletively slim with most of Vatican citie's population
still lined up in the rain to see the new pope.  Ryomaru sipped
on a cup of hot cocoa while still dressed in the robes his 
two young friends had given him while he waited for his normal attire
to dry.  Christian had removed his overcoat but otherwise still wore
his soaked garb letting it dry on his body in the heat of a narby
fireplace.

	Christian gazed through the window looking to the impossibly long
line.  "I missed my chance.  Ryu cost me my only chance to meet with the
pope."  "I met him Christian."  Ryomaru answered.

	"That's true you did.  Can you tell me anything about him?"
Christian asked.
"Well he wasn't a very old guy."  Ryomaru replied.  "A young pope eh.
I suppose in this hard world many of the old clergy died.  A shame
there were many good men among them.  So he blessed you correct?"
"Yeah he did.  It kind of made me feel well....I dunno....happy inside."
"A genuine blessing then.  So he has heavnly favor.  But let me ask you.
Did you sense any dishonesty from him at all?  Any truth he was
keeping from you?"  "No he seemed completely honest."

	Christian scratched his chin.  "Hmmm.  Well Ryomaru I hope
you're right.  In a few years if things go as I velieve they are the 
Catholic churche is going to be a great world power and it will
be their resonisibillity to build a new prosperous world."
"and if they don't?"  Ryomaru asked.  "Then the earth
will see a much longer period of chaos and darkness."

	"So that's why you were traveling?"  Asked Ryomaru.
"Just one stop along the way.  I told you I'm going to challenge
Malus some day and I said I'm not strong enough yet.
Well you see I've been traveling the world.  I started
about a year ago trying to lay low.  I crossed the atlantic
and I've been to sacred places in ireland, england, france 
and so on.  Just before I met you I decided to show of my power.
I knew it would make Malus aware of my presence.  I didn't
know he would have any more students much less send one of them
for me."   Christian asnwered.

	Ryomaru stopped to take another
sip of his warm beverage before asking his next question.
"How long are you gonna travel?"  "I don't know.  At this
rate who knows.  I'm going slowly eastward.  I fight, I learn
and I slowly grow stronger from my experiances.  If you follow
me you'll probably grow stronger as well."

	"Will Ryu get in the way?"  "Ryu?  No Malus knows that even
six years ago I was stronger than Ryu is now.  Malus either
sent him to guage my power or possibly to help me."  "Help you?
How would Ryu help you?"  "Mabey Malus wanted me to have a higher calliber
opponent to test my skills against."  "Oh I see.  Like practice
huh.  So Ryu isn't supposed to hurt you?"  "I feel sorry for Ryu.
He wasn't holding back at all."  "Wow.  You don't look like he even hit
you."  "I've progressed far beyond normal people.  I'm much more than
even the best in the world.  But I'll give Ryu credit that his abillties
are already beyond the concivable limits of normal humans."

	"Christian...."  Ryomaru said hesitating for a moment.
"What's on your mind Ryomaru?"  Christian said wondering what
Ryomaru was still not sure if he should ask.
"Christian can I be strong like you some day?"  Ryomaru asked
finally.  "You admire me so much?"  "Yeah I wanna be like you."
"Be your own man Ryomaru.  Don't ever follow in someone else's
shadow."  "But I wanna...."  "I know what you mean.  You mean
you want to study martial arts.  You want to learn to use
superhuman abillties like those you've seen me use."
"Yeah that's it."

	Christian went silent for a moment as the waitress
walked by offering to refill the coffee mug Christian had already
emptied."  After sending his mug away to be refilled
Christian continued his conversation.
"If you study the martial arts you know that the kind of power
you can gain is also a heavy burden."  "Yeah I know.  But
you're not just strong on the outside Christian.  You're
strong inside too."  "Strength of the spirit.  You're
a wise young man Ryomaru."

	The waitress brought a fresh mug of coffee then quickly
departed.

	In a room in the back the waitress stepped out of sight.
Passing through the darker back storage rooms her figure soon 
faded away revealing a much smaller and younger girl.

	The back door of the building opened letting wind and rain pour
in as the black clad teenager stepped through.  After shutting the door behind
himself and shaking the water off of his messy black hair he turned
to his younger sibling.  "You okay Ryu?"  Tora asked.  
"I'm taking on a charge right now.  This storm has more energy in it
than I can handle.  I'll be okay It's just making me edgy.
Anyway did they say anything important?"  Said Ryu both answering one
query and posing another.
	
	"They said everything we wanted to know.  Malus was right
about Christian.  He's circling the world trying to become more powerful.
And he said something about you too."  Tora answered.

	"He complained about how easy I was to defeat didn't he."
"No that's not it.  He said.... he said Malus knew you couldn't win.
That Malus is just using you to help Christian get stronger."
"That's a lie.  Malus wouldn't betray his star pupil."
"I don't know.  Malus isn't the type to manipulate people.
But from what I've seen Christian isn't a dishonest person
either."  "Christian is deluded by his own guilt.  He'll
rationalize anything."  "People who want to believe something
so badly will rationalize anything brother?"  "That's right.
humans are a sad bunch."

	Tora quickly turned about face noticing the sound of someone
entering the room.  "Quick outside Ryu."  Said Tora hurrying
her older sibling through the door.

	Into view walked Ryomaru.  "Oh Ryomaru good to see you again."
Said Tora breathing a sigh of relief.  "I had a feeling you were
around here somewhere."  Said Ryomaru in greeting.
 "Yeah it's nice to see you again."  "Why don't you come out and
Meet Christian.  he's a really nice person."  "C...Christian...
..I uhm..."  "What's wrong?  You act like you're afraid of him.
Do you know Christian from somewhere?"

	Tora stuttered unable to think of a way out of her
situation.  The back door opened to the storm outside
and with it came a voice.  "You aske too many questions little
dragon."  Ryomaru stumbled back as the person addressing him came into
view.

	"R...RYU!!!  What are you doing here."  Demanded Ryomaru trying
to mask his fear.  "What do you think?  I'm trying to get out of the rain
like everyone else.  Is that a crime?" Ryu answered sounding
rather annoyed by the question.  "You better not cause any trouble"
Ryomaru replied.

	"Why would I?  Look I was sent to challenge Christian
and I did.  I lost and that's that.  Untill Malus tells me to do
something I'm no different from anyone else so leave me be."
Ryu replied angrilly.

	Ryomaru stepped away slowly not turning his back
on Ryu.  He realized in the midst of his conversation he'd lost
track of Tora.  But there was little he could do as Ryu cast
his angry gaze which demanded Ryomaru remove himself from sight.

	After Ryomaru had left the room Tora returned
to sight.  "That was too close sis.  You should stay
away from that boy before he blows your cover."

	Tora looked down to her feet.  "I'm just...
..lonely that's all."  Ryu shook his head silently.

	A few days later the sun shone down on an old
sail ship passing across the mediteranian.  Standing at
the bow Ryomaru let the wind pass through his messy black
hair and breathed deep of the salty sea air.
Christian approached and looked up to the blue sky.

	"Clear skies today.  A rare site.  I see you're
enjoying it."  Said Christian with a smile that
seemed brought on by the warmth of sunlight.
"Heh Christian you're like a plant."  Said Ryomaru with a giggle.
"I can draw power from sunlight it's part of my Hikarisen."
"Oh I get it.  Everything that's light is good for you right?"
"Hmmm.  Yes you could put it that way.  Life energy in nature
powers us all and I can tap into that energy.  Malus and Ryu
can as well.  Of course I and Malus do it in much different ways.
While I'm using the power of nature in very orderly states.
Forests, seas, and more importantly the sun which you
see me gathering right now and more importantly sacred places.
I've been to a number of energy meridians where the
life force is at its strongest.  People throughout history have noticed this
and built sacred places around them.  Great monuments.  So far I've
been to many different places sacred to the native americans,
a good many cathedrals, even places where great cities stood.
Monuments to heaven and earth, the dead and the living."
"Yeah you said something about that earlier.  But what about
Malus and Ryu?"  

	Christian looked over the rail to the sea below.
"Their Kagesen can potentially become much stronger
but also more dangerous.  You noticed that there are always storms
around.  Not only does Malus often cause these storms with his energy
he also feeds on them.  Chaotic energy like storms, volcanos and the
strongest forces in nature empowere a user of Kagesen."
"So Malus makes the same storms that make him stronger?"
asked Ryomaru.  "his idom...strength feeds on strength and
grows stronger and stronger."

	Ryomaru looked up to the blue sky.  "Malus sounds like a
really scary person."  he said as the sun wamred his face.
"He was my friend back then.  I hope there is still some kindness
in his heart.  Then mabey there could be some outcome other than one
of us dying."  Christian replied.

	"Christian you said you'd teach me to use powers like yours.
When can we start?"  Ryomaru asked changing the subject.  "You
admire me that much do you?"  Christian replied answering
one question with another.  "Yeah I wanna fight just like you."
Ryomaru answered.

	"Now is as good of a time as any."  Said Christian
answering Ryomaru's original question.  "Wow right now!  So 
do we start with a punch or a kick or something like that?"
"No, it's pointless to throw a punch untill you're in full controll
of the energy in your body.  The energy that powers everything
you do.  Most people don't understand it and that's why most people
won't be able to do the things I do."

	"So I can throw energy balls like you?"  Asked Ryomaru.
"When you're skilled enough you'll realize that balls, beams,
punches, kicks...are all the same thing." Answered Christian.

	Christian held his hand over the siderail and concentrated 
for a moment.  As he did the water beneath sprayed up and gathered in
mid air under the palm of his hand.  Turning his palm upward
Christian held the now orb shaped gathering of water toward Ryomaru.
"My energy pulled this water up with its motion and now it's being held
by the same force.  Energy is present in all things and you can
draw from it.  When you do you'll notice that sometimes dust, water
and wind will drag with it.  You don't see the energy its self
you see what it disturbs with its motion.  My own energy tends
to move latent particles of light.  So don't focus on trying to see
energy.  Instead you should be able to feel it.  And with the same sense
you feel it you can turn to manipulate it as well."

	Ryomaru held his hands out and concentrated.  He, in his 
inner self, could sense the energy coming from Christian and forced
himself with all his will to pull the same energy up from himself.

	Christian put the sphere of water toward ryomaru and placed it 
between his little hands.  When Christian released Ryomaru pushed
his concentration to its fullest but to no avail as the water lost its
cohesion and the sphere fell apart.

	"Awe I couldn't do it."  Said Ryomaru dissapointed.  
Christian smiled and pointed between Ryomaru's hands.  "No look."
Ryomaru looked to see one tiny droplet still suspended between his 
palms.  "Now Ryomaru push it forward.  Throw it out."  Ryomaru
Closed his eyes and pushed his hands forward.  His invisible energy
moved forward and with it the tiny water droplet.  After
traveling a few inches though it broke apart and dispersed into the air.

	Once again Ryomaru looked down with dissapointment.
"Once it gets away from your body energy begins to dissipait.
More concentrated energy will travel greater distances.  Of course
if you maintian your concentration you can controll your attacks even
at long range.  There are advantages to both techniques.  
My Hikariha is a simple fire and forget attack, while my Hikarisenpo
requires my full concentration."  Christian instructed.
"I'll work harder at it.  I'll be strong like you."  Ryomaru
siad with a renewed confidence.

	Christian nodded.  "Just remember that this is also your
life energy.  You should learn to draw it up from the earth and down
from the sky.  That way you can minize the life force you use up."
"So I can run out of energy?"  Ryomaru asked.  "You can for a moment.
Remember you replinish energy every time you eat or even breath.
But it is true that you can empty your reserves if you waste too
much energy in battle.  This is why you should fight with no inhibitions.
Never hold back and finnish the fight as quickly as possible."

	Ryomaru took Christian's lesson to heart.  

	The voyage continued and in a place to the south once called egypt
they arrived.  A stark contrast was evidint in this place.  The harsh
desert against the fertile banks of the Nile river.

	The desert half was where Christian and Ryomaru
were now traveling.  Both figures covered in long white cloaks
to protect from the burning sun.

	On the horizon their goal was clear.  The massive figure
of a mythological beast with the head of a human.  

	"So are you going to the pyramids?"  Ryomaru asked.
"No, they hold no real interest for me.  There's some power
to be gained there but I'd be wasting my time on it.  I'm after
something much bigger."  Christian answered.
h
	Ryomaru looked ahead to the countainance of the sphynx.
"So is that the sacred place you're looking for?"  

	Christian didn't answer as he approached.  He walked around 
the Sphynx evaluating it.  "You see the erosion on it Ryomaru?
The lines are vertical not horizontal."  Christian said.
"Yeah what's that mean?"  "Horizontal erosion is created by wind which is
what you'd expect in a desert.  But vertical erosion is caused by
constant rainfall."  Christian answered.

	Ryomaru looked around admiring the massive statue 
before replying.  "But this is a desert.  How could it rain that much here?"
"Some scientists believed that long ago Egypt was not a desert
land.  And in this time before the egyptians there was another far
greater civilization.  After a great dissaster the face of the
world changed.  The great civilization was lost beneth the sea.
And its survivors came to a southern province of the great civilization.
Where the sphynx had been built and little else."
lectured Christian.

	"You mean Atlantis?"  Asked Ryomaru.  "Yes as it is
called in legend.  Atlantis." Ryomaru walked around the paw of
the sphynx.  "But I thought atlantis was just a legend."
he said.

	Christian stepped around between the paws and thrust his
hand into the ground.  "For every legend there is first a fact."
He said just before shouting and letting loose a thrust of energy.

	Around Christian the sand rock and soil shot into the air 
and away from him.  Ryomaru sheilded hsi face against the oncoming spray.

	When all was clear Christian stood at the bottom of a pit
in the center of the Sphynx's mighty claws.  In his hands he held
an engraved in marble tablet.

	"Another old legend.  Dig between the paws of the sphynx
for a great treasure.  Attempts at at echo location found nothing.
However what I was looking for wasn't gold or jewels.  I'm looking
for information.  And I think I've found it."  Said Christian before
beginnign to read.

	"Yes this is it.  Unfortunately we'll have to look for someone
who can read this.  It's probably simillar to ancient egyptian but it doesn't
look to be identical.  It's pointless either way as I can't read hyroglyphs.
Let's go."

	Christian lept upward and landed back on level ground.
"Where are we going to find someone who can read it?"
Ryomaru asked.  "Lets find some habitation.  There were plenty
of egyptologists studying the area before the end of the world.
It's safe to assume some of them have been stranded here."

	Christian and Ryomaru left the area.  From behind the spynx
stepped Tora, Ryu, and Shiro.  "It's very hard to disguise three people
you know.  Especially when you're putting off all that power brother."
Said Tora.  Ryu shook his head.  "Sorry but it's hard to keep myself from
lashing out when I see Christian.  I still owe him."

	"So what do we do now?"  Tora asked.  "You follow
them.  Find out about Atlantis.  Meanwhile I've found a way to boost
my power.  Shiro will be coming with me."  

	"But I want to go with Tora."  Shiro complained.
Tora turned to Shiro.  "It's okay.  You'll be okay; Ryu is
very strong."  "But I was hoping I could see Ryomaru again."
Shiro replied.  "Ryu?"  Tora asked.  "I need his help.
It won't take very long.  I'll meet back with you soon."
Ryu answered.

	"Well just be careful with Shiro okay.  He's
too young to take this desert heat very long."  Said
Tora with concearn.  "And sis...take care yourself.
You may be older than Shiro but this desert isn't easy on anyone."
Replied Ryu.

	Tora departed on foot behind Christian while Ryu and Shiro
took to a nearby jeep.

	Soon after Ryu arrived in an expanse of desert where a number of
Pyramids were visible all around.  "Perfect.  one Pyramid
is useless but Christian didn't think of their combined power.
Shiro start it off."

	Shiro nodded and pput his hands to the sand.  
"Come out spirits.  Release your ancient secrets"  The young
boy chanted.  

	Standing in the center Ryu extended his hands.
From the point of each pyramid a stream of light shot skyward
meeting above Ryu the light then shot downward engulfing Ryu.

	As the energy was released the blue desert sky was
replaced by black.  The light around Ryu grew larger and larger as
he yelled out not with pain but exhilleration.

	Now filling the space between the pyramids the
column of energy shot skyward lifting Ryu off the ground.

	All around a sandstorm gathered obscuring the event
from any would be onlooker.  "Power...So much power.
Incredible."  Said Ryu with amazement.

	Finally in one massive push the column of energy shot 
into the sky and with it the sandstorm burst away and dissipated.

	In the center sand had been blown away to reveal bare bedrock.
Ryu, knelt down, looked to his hands which still glowed with might.
"Now I have the power to defeat Christian."
Shiro approached Ryu and stated very matter of fact.
"Won't it just run out?"  

	"Shiro you're a blessed child but you know little
of the ways of combat.  Once a man's spirit has seen a new 
maximum of power his strength will increase permanantly to
meet that level again and again and eventually surpass even that."
Ryu answered as he rose to his feet.  Looking to Ryu's eyes
Shiro could see no pupil but rather a glow of purple light.

	Elsewhere Christian entered a library that seemed to still
host some human habbitation.  Stepping through its passageways
he and Ryomaru searched for what they hoped would be the
librarian.  "It seems well kept.  Like much of this country
it's been nearly untouched by the appocolypse."  Christian
remarked.
	
	"I wonder why"  Ryomaru replied.  "Egypt has existed for
a long time.  An ancient place that stands against the flow of
time.  But more likely Malus simply has no interest in this area.
His Kagesen has little influence here.  Little natural
rainfall and too much sun for his liking.  Not even he can
overcome ellements so extream."  Answered Christian.

	Shiro was distracted from Christians reply however by an
almost ghostly figure he saw moving oposite a book case.
Christian continued searching for a librarian while
Ryomaru wandered off on his own to investigate.

	Walking to the other side he found no one but heard
a childish laugh.  Again he saw movement this time from the side he'd
just come from but again ran there to find no one and was greeted
by childish laughter.  A tap on Ryomaru's shoulder startled him.
Turning around Ryomaru found himself face to face with
Shiro.

	"Shiro!"  Ryomaru exclaimed happy to see his friend but
also confused as to how he had arrived in the same local.
"How did you get here Shiro?"  Ryomaru enquired.  "Teacher
sent Tora's brother here.  So we all followed."  answered Shiro.
"Does that mean Tora's here too?"  Ryomaru asked.
"Yeah I'm supposed to wait for her here."  Shiro answered.

	Meanwhile Christian walked around the upper floor of the library
hoping.  He laid the tablet he'd found earlier down on a desk and
asked the librarian sitting there.  "Excuse me but are there
any egyptologists here?"  

	The middle aged librarian with silvering hair adjusted
his spectacles before examining the tablet.  "Unfortunately 
there's no one here whom would be able to read this."
he answered.

	Christian shook his head with dissapointment.
However as he took up the tablet Christian was confronted
by a young woman dressed in khakis typical of those whom
worked in the ruins of ancient egypt.  "Excuse 
me for interupting but I think I could read that."  
she said.  

	Christian presented the tablet to her
with hopes that she could translate its contents.

	As she dawned a pair of reading glasses and
began to read Christian couldn't help but find her
somehow familliar.  Long raven hair fell over her
shoulders as she read.  "Miss could I ask your name?"
asked Christians.

	Looking up from the tablet her glasses slid down
on her nose as she stared up with aisan eyes.
"My name is Aiko."

	Christian turned pale and staggered back almost as if
hit by a punch.  "Aiko..."  He stuttered.

	"Is there something wrong with my name?"
Aiko asked.  Christian cought his breath and stood up straight.
"You look so much like someone I once knew.  I suppose
it's mere chance but it hit me like a ton of bricks
when you gave me the same name."

	"How strange.  Do I know you?"  Aiko asked.
Christian shook his head.  "No the Aiko I knew...she died
a long time ago."

	"I'm sorry."  Aiko said.  "No don't be.  The past
is burried."  Christian replied.  "Speaking of which
should I continue uncovering the secrets written here"
Aiko said pointing to the tablet.

	Christian nodded.  "Yes do continue." 

	Aiko stepped over to a desk and began to transcribe the
contents of the tablet.  Time passed as she slowly translated
its contents to the best of her abillities.

	In the meantime below Ryomaru and Shiro enjoyed their time
together little knowing that Ryu was lurking nearby.

	Later on the upper floor Aiko had finnished transcribing
the text.  Christian stepped down to the lower floor to find
Ryomaru and called out to him.

	"Oh Christian's calling me."  Said Ryomaru looking away.
"why don't you come meet hi..."  Ryomaru stopped in mid sentance
as he turned back to find Shiro was gone.  "How does he do that?"
Ryomaru wondered.

	A second call from Christian and Ryomaru ran off the join him.

	A moment later Ryomaru joined Christian on the upper floor.
Once they returned however Aiko had also made her exit.
"hmmm.  I guess she had somewhere else to be."  Christian said
scratching his head.  "so strange...like a ghost"  he continued
mumbling.

	Christian took the sheet of paper on which Aiko had
written the translation and began to read.  

		"We the people of the nation of Atlantis leave this message
	not as a record but as a warning.  We once were
	a great people.  We gathered together from the plains and the forrests.
	We rose from the primative tribes to form civilization.
	We had harnessed the power of the elements, the power of machines,
	and in our final days, the dread power of the atom.

		Although we were a great people we could not throw off the
	ancient insticts of our ancestors.  We had the willingnes to make
	war on one another.  For two thousand years we existed but when we
	harnessed the power of nuclear energy we misused it.  Though it
	was a great power source we instead thought to use it as a weapon.
	
		Our wrath towards our fellow man brought on harsh punnishment.
	Though our scientists told us long ago that Gaia did not exist she
	proved us wrong.  Gaia sank our nation beneth the sea.  She
	destroyed everything.  Our science and our people.  Those of us
	whom survived came to the southern land where we had built the
	great monument of the lion man.  We will build a new nation
	not of steel but of stone.  We will forget all we have done.
	
		We however know that humans are a striving breed and it
	is likely that our technology will be rebuilt.  So we leave this warning.
	If you have found the technology to travel beneth the sea go to our
	former home and look upon the devestation that we have made.
	And turn back before you dare harness the power of the atom."

	Christian stopped reading.
"We were too late."  Said Ryomaru.  "We're left to crawl out of the
ashes of war just the same."  Christian replied.

	"We've wasted our time here Ryomaru."  Christian said with his head
held down.  "What do you mean?  Can't you still go there and draw some
power?"  "It's meaningless.  They weren't the great civilization of legend.
just fools like the ones whom destroyed the world five years ago.
I thought this would be the place to give me the edge to defeat Malus.
I've just been chasing the horizon."  Christian answered as he slumped down
in a nearby chair.

	"No Christian don't give up.  We can go on.  We can find the
next point."  Ryomaru said trying to cheer Christian up.

	"Ryomaru...You're so full of hope.  I wish I could have that
innocent enthusiasm you have."  said Christian.

	Christian stood up trying to bring back his confidence
and stood to a window gazing upon the eastern horizon. 
"It's pointless to mope.  Our cause has taken a serious blow but
I'll keep trying.  I still have other places to go.  Although
the plan has been changed I can still face Malus with the best of 
my abillities.  Live or die I must settle the score."

	Ryoamaru looked up to Christian "Don't say Die Christian.
You'll beat him.  You're the good guy remember.  Justice always 
prevails." 

	Christian smiled.  "as I said.  I wish I had your
innocent enthusiasm."  he said as he led Ryomaru away
leaving the old tablet discarded and useless.

	"What do you mean by that?"  Ryomaru asked.
Christian didn't offer an answer but couldn't help ponder
in his mind.  "I'm not questioning the eventual victory
of good over evil...But am I really any better than Malus?"
He though.

	Christian shook it off and looked to Ryomaru.  
The boy's smile and wide eyed hope for the future was all
the reminder he needed.  What more rightous and just cause
could there be.

	Back in the library Tora and Ryu skulked up from the
shadows.  "I didn't like doing that Ryu.  I don't like
hurting people that badly.  Whoever that Aiko lady was
it really hit Christian hard.  I can't believe
Malus would make me do that to his old friend."
Said Tora.

	"Sis you hurt him in a way I never could with my  
fists.  You've got a serious weapon now."  Ryu replied.
"No I don't like it."  Tora said sounding rather upset.

	Ryu knelt down beside his sister and wiped a tear
from her eye.  "Sis...You act so grown up.  I sometimes
forget that you're still only a child.  I push you
into my own fights without even thinking about how you feel."

	Ryu stood up and smiled down at Tora.  "Dry your eyes
and find Shiro.  We're going for ice cream."

	Tora tilted her head to one side confused.
"Shouldn't we be following Christian?" 
	
	"I just got through making one mistake. 
You wanted to see the little dragon again and
instead I forced you to use your abillities against
Christian.  Right now we're taking some time off
to be some semblance of a familly.  We know where 
Christian is going and we move much faster than him.
Let Malus wait."  Ryu Replied with a smile.

	Tora smiled back at Ryu.
"Big brother...thanks for caring."

	Elsewhere, some place on the north american continent.
Raim poured down and beat down on a lone black clad figure.

	His dark brown hair was soaked and matted down.  
His clothes dripped with the rain water.  A chill wind blew
but he did not shiver nor show any indication of feeling
the cold.

	His eyes were closed in a deep meditation.  
Around his body was a purple glow.  The raindrops
spun around him as they fell responding to his energy.

	His energy intensified and the fall of raindrops around
him reversed for a moment before they returned to their normal 
fall.  

	When his meditative trance ended the black clad
man opened his deep blue eyes.  The face belonged to the same
man Christian had faced six years in the past.  The same man
whom had brought the world to its knees.  Chaos bringer,  
Kagesenin, Malus.

	Nearby stood an aged mansion in the middle of the muddy field.
Through the doorway emerged a second man wearing a grey trench coat.
His hair stood streight up as if it deffied gravity.  His eyes
showed no sign of iris or pupil but burned a hellish red.

	As he stepped forward the mud dried and cracked
beneth his feet sending up clouds of steam.  The rain falling on his
shoulders evaporated on contact.  He surely burned with some
unholy dark energy.

	As he began to speak he let off a puff of smoke like one
would expect a man whom was smoking except this man had no
tobacco related impliment visible.

	"Malus, you already know that Ryu has deffied you."
He said.

	Malus looked to the sky as he gave his response.
"Debiru you pathetic worm you taint the truth with your own
ambitions.  I've seen your visions and I don't trust your
spin on things."  

	"I'm only showing you reality as it happened."  Debiru 
replied.  

	"He didn't follow Christian but he didn't defy me
either.  Ryu was quite right.  I took those three in and
raised them as my own but I tend to forget that they are
in fact still children.  Though I have not smiled in six
long years why should I force the same fate on them."
Malus answered.

	Debiru spat and his expactoration sizzled on the ground.
"You've been acting too weak since Christian re emerged.  
Where is the Chaos bringer now?"

	Malus didn't change his gaze on the clouds.
"Don't dare speak to me as if you were my equal Debiru.
Only one man may make that claim."

	Debiru turned away to return indoors and spoke one last
reply.  "Yes...as you say."

The two dark super beings left the air tense with their presence.
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