CHAPTER 43; THE LIGHT RYU

Ryu and Molten entered Hurricane's cavern. It was exactly as Ryu remembered. Ryu searched around for dragon statues since they usually ended up being keys to sacred passages. But he found none. He became depressed and was about to quit when he noticed a stone altar he hadn't seen before. He walked towards it and noticed ancient inscriptions written on it.

"Molten, I can't read the first part of the inscriptions though they all resemble those on the Nova medallion" Ryu said.

"It says;

When two heroes sharing a common destiny unite,

Revealed will be the way to the Light"

Molten said.

"Oh, does that mean only two heroes can enter the Light ryu?" Ryu asked.

"Not just any two, two heroes with destinies intertwined" Molten said.

"Maybe it's referring to Rokkan and I. We're both on the same mission and we each have spirits of past people living in us" Ryu said.

"I believe so too" Molten said.

"The second part reads…" Ryu said as he squinted to examine the inscription.

"A Sword must be wielded,

A Sword must be made.

For Light to triumph,

And the evil to fade.

When the fateful day comes and all seems late

A hero will appear as the final Saint"

Ryu read.

"I don't quite understand" Ryu said.

"A sword must be wielded, a sword must be made" Molten muttered over and over again as if searching for the meaning of the words. "You must discover the meaning on your own. It's actually quite simple but I'm not allowed to tell you since that truth might alter your destiny. Ryuujinn's laws must be observed" Molten said.

"Why can't the Dragon Saints ever help in anything other than combat and transport" Ryu sighed in dismay.

"Ryu, there is one thing I will tell you though I may have mentioned it before. The Rainbow jutsu is not a ninja technique. It is actually a technique of ancient art. It is a magical technique!" Molten said.

"WHAT?! Magical as in…magic?" Ryu exclaimed in shock.

"Yes, and one more thing, you can't learn it here and I can't teach you. You can only learn it in the Light ryu" Molten said.

"Fine then, let's go tell the others" Ryu said as he mounted Molten.

Molten ran out of Hurricane's cavern and took to the skies. By the time they reached the Fire Kingdom, it was morning. Ryu dismounted from Molten's back when they arrived at the Fire Temple.

"You must go with Rokkan. Both of you must be prepared. The doors to your destiny will be unlocked soon" Molten said with a smile as he disappeared in a flash of lightning.

Ryu walked into the Fire Temple. He found the others seated on the ground, waiting patiently for him.

"Ryu, you're back" Atlanta said with a sigh of relief.

"Don't feel so discouraged. We will definitely defeat Shekan if he is unsealed, before the last moon of Tristran completely aligns" Michael said confidently.

"I hope so, but right now I think I've found a way to get to the Light ryu. Gaiden said it must be the last ryu we must visit and from everything we've learnt so far from the Sound ryu and Anna, it is our next destination" Ryu said.

"REALLY?! HOW?!" the others exclaimed in unison.

"I mean if we can get there, we can find the Sword of Rai and defeat Shekan" Rokkan said.

"Yeah, but there is a downside though" Ryu said.

"What is it?" Ken asked.

"I think it's better I show you" Ryu said.

"If we're leaving the Fire Kingdom, let's at least say goodbye to my father" Atlanta said.

So after saying goodbye to Atlanta's father who wished them well on their journey, Ryu and the others journeyed to Hurricane's domain on the back of their faithful Dragon partners. When they arrived, Hurricane had a slight frown on his face.

"Ryu, have you by any chance entered my cavern without my permission and is that what you plan to do now?" Hurricane asked.

"Y-Yeah, sorry about that though. I didn't mean to but there was no other…" Ryu was saying when Hurricane stopped him.

"I know you have to. There is no need to apologize" Hurricane said.

"Well then, follow me guys" Ryu said as he led them into Hurricane's cavern.

Once inside, he showed them the stone altar with the inscriptions. They read the inscriptions aloud.

"Common destiny? I guess that would be you and Rokkan" Michael said thoughtfully.

"I guess so but you and Rokkan are both here so why isn't a path being revealed?" Tanya asked.

Ryu examined the altar closely and discovered a small slot on its side, shaped like the sun.

"It looks like something can fit in there" Nadia said.

"I think I know what" Ryu said as he removed the Nova medallion from around his neck.

"Remember this? The Queen of the Sound ryu gave it to me saying that it would help me find the Light ryu" Ryu said.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Michael asked.

Ryu slowly fitted the Nova medallion into the space. It fitted perfectly. Nothing seemed to happen for a few minutes. Ryu and Rokkan placed their hands on the altar. At that moment, there was a brilliant flash of light and a golden portal appeared.

"I guess this is it" Ryu said.

"Ryu" Atlanta called.

Ryu turned to face her.

"Please take care of yourself" she said.

"Wait for me. I'll come back to you, I promise" Ryu swore.

"You too Rokkan" Tanya said.

Ryu hugged Atlanta and Rokkan hugged Tanya.

"If anyone gives you hell, be sure to…" Nadia was saying. "…PUNCH THEIR LIGHTS OUT!" everyone chorused as Ryu and Rokkan stepped into the light.

There was a bright flash of light and Ryu and Rokkan disappeared.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Ryu and Rokkan felt themselves flying through time and space till they were suddenly thrown out of empty space unto the ground. When they opened their eyes, they found themselves in a village made from precious crystals and gems. Every single house was made of crystals, gems or glass. The sun reflected off the surfaces of these ornaments to give the village a dazzling appearance. To add to the beauty of the Light ryu, it was around sunset. It seemed as though the Light ryu was in a time zone, different from that of the ordinary world.

"Finally we're here, in the Light ryu" Rokkan said.

"It bears a fitting name" Ryu said.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than they found themselves surrounded by an army of ninja clothed in golden and white ceremonial garments.

"Intruders, state your purpose!" the masked leader of the ninja ordered.

"We-uh-um-we…" Ryu stammered nervously.

He was still startled by how they had been quickly surrounded by the Light ninja.

"We seek the Sword Of Rai once wielded by the legendary ninja, Gaiden" Rokkan said plainly.

"Only fools seek that which is beyond them" the leader of the ninja said.

"I guess that makes us the greatest fools to have ever existed" Ryu said with a nervous laugh as he rubbed the back of his head nervously.

"We will take you to the monks of light. If the Eternal Brothers find you worthy, you will be trained, if not…you will die!" the leader of the ninja said.

"Die?" Ryu gulped.

Rokkan didn't seem so worried.

"Rokkan, did he just say die?" Ryu asked.

"Let's go Ryu" Rokkan said.

Ryu and Rokkan were taken to the Temple Of Light, where the monks dwelt, the training grounds of the Light ninja. Inside, they found the monks meditating.

"I need to speak with the Eternal Brothers" the leader of the ninja asked the monk in charge of keeping the Temple in order.

They were ushered into a courtyard at the heart of the Temple. There, they saw two statues that resembled each other. The statues were of two men. They seemed to be of ancient masters. All the ninja bowed. Ryu and Rokkan did same though they didn't understand who or what the Light ninja were bowing to.

"Master Hiruko, Master Hiroshi, once again, we need your guidance. Look into the souls of these strangers and tell us if they are worthy of the legendary blade, Rai" the leader of the ninja beseeched.

There was a flash of light and the two statues became human. Their hairs were as white as wool and their beards reached their chests. The eyes of one, glowed gold, the other glowed with a brilliant white. After a while, their eyes stopped glowing and became more human in nature.

"We have looked into the souls of these men and have made our judgement. Tomorrow at dawn, they will be cast into the Labyrinth of Reflection…to die" the Eternal Brothers said in unison.

"What?!" Rokkan and Ryu exclaimed together.

"Chain them and have them thrown into the dungeons for the night!" the leader of the ninja ordered.

So Ryu and Rokkan were thrown into the deep dungeons within the Temple.

"What a great reception we get!" Ryu sighed in exasperation.

"So close to the Sword Of Rai and this had to happen!" Rokkan said, a little angry himself.

"I can't stand these insufferable chains! I'm getting rid of mine!" Ryu said as he struggled to form a seal.

"Just a little more…GOT IT!" he exclaimed as he formed the seal of the tiger.

The chains melted away as Ryu's hands and feet released a concentrated amount of fire.

"Get me out of my chains too Ryu. I don't want to make noise with my earth abilities" Rokkan pleaded.

Ryu made the seal again and touched Rokkan's chains. They melted away.

"Thanks Ryu" Rokkan said gratefully.

"Fire is really convenient, isn't it? You're quite lucky you protected your hands and feet with your earth abilities or you'd have been seriously hurt" Ryu said.

"Actually, I protected my limbs using only chakra. Earth has nothing to do with it" Rokkan boasted.

"So what now Rokkan?" Ryu asked.

"We don't know how to get out of this ryu and there's no point in leaving without the Sword Of Rai" Rokkan said seriously.

"Something tells me I'm not going to like what you're about to say" Ryu said.

"Ryu, we've got no choice but to survive whatever challenges the Labyrinth Of Reflection holds for us" Rokkan said.

"Then what?! We've already been sentenced to death" Ryu complained.

"Whoa Ryu, it's not like you to give up…besides, I can't afford to die. I promised Tanya I'd live through everything" Rokkan said.

"Yeah…I also promised Atlanta in the presence of the Dragon Lord that I'd free her from her promise. I can't die now. Let's take this challenge head on!" Ryu said.

Rokkan remained silent.

"Hey Rokkan! I'm talking to you!" Ryu yelled angrily.

Then, he heard snoring sounds coming from Rokkan.

"He's already asleep. I guess I'll rest too" Ryu yawned.

His eyelids began to feel heavy and soon, he was lost in deep slumber.