Ryu struggled to stand. He could still feel the effects of his fight with Nemesis. The Dragon Lord breathed a breath of healing over Ryu and Ryu's strength returned. Michael and Nadia ran towards Ryu and hugged him.
"It's good to have you back hothead. I was just about to search for Nemesis and punch his lights out!" Nadia said.
Atlanta looked at the reunion. She felt tears building in her eyes and she realized that she had just made the biggest sacrifice of her life…her true home. She lowered her head as the tears flowed down her face and turned away. She began to walk towards the exit of the Temple. Ryu noticed this and ran towards Atlanta.
"Hey Atlanta! Wait up!" he called.
She stopped and turned towards him but she could not face him after her betrayal.
"What's going on? Why are you leaving?" Ryu asked pretending not to know about her sacrifice.
"I promised that…if the Dragon Lord brought you back, I would disband myself from you guys" Atlanta said.
"I don't want you to leave" Ryu said.
"What? Why? After…I betrayed you…why?!" Atlanta asked in tears.
"Don't be ridiculous. Remember what I said? I'm never going to judge you. I'm really not angry. I know how Nemesis manipulated your lonely feelings" Ryu said.
"It's already too late Ryu, the deal has been made. It cannot be broken" Atlanta said as she turned around and walked away.
"Oh yeah?!" Ryu said as he grabbed Atlanta's ceremonial costume from behind.
He withdrew his hand immediately. Atlanta turned to face him.
"Atlanta…you're warm" Ryu muttered in surprise.
"Yeah…so?" Atlanta questioned him.
At this, sounds came from Ryu's throat as though he was trying to suppress a laugh. He couldn't hold it in and he burst into laughter.
"What's so funny?" Atlanta asked.
Ryu walked to the Dragon Lord and gave a double thumbs up. The Dragon Lord also began to laugh too, much to the surprise and shock of the other dragons.
"You…making a joke?! This is more than classic, it's insane! Should Gaiden see this, I wonder the look on his face!" Ryu laughed.
"A…joke?" Atlanta asked in surprise.
"What are you talking about?" Michael asked.
"A real breath of sealing would make Atlanta's ninja costume cold. Instead, it's warm…meaning that breath was just a breath of air!" Ryu burst into new waves of uncontrollable laughter.
"Air?" Atlanta asked. She wasn't sure she had heard right.
"I've seen your suffering Atlanta. I told you already that I'm not cold-hearted. I couldn't just take away your new home and friends" the Dragon Lord said.
Atlanta stared in surprise and turned away.
"Still…I gave my word. If I take it back, I'll lose my identity as a ninja" Atlanta said.
"That's true…but on the plus side, you get to be happy" the Dragon Lord said.
"I'd rather die than take back my promise" Atlanta said.
"You sure don't learn, do you Atlanta?" Ryu said as he removed a kunai.
Atlanta turned to look at him in shock.
"What are you going to do with that?" Atlanta asked in fright.
Ryu cut his palm.
"If you won't, then I'll break your promise for you. THE PACT OF THE SUCCEEDING DRAGON!" Ryu said as he pointed his bleeding fist at the Dragon Lord.
"What…are you doing?" Atlanta asked.
"It's an ancient, long forgotten art. When a ninja gives a word he wants to take back, another ninja can nullify the pact by making another pact that requires him to perform a grievous task or the nullified promise will stand out again" Crystal explained.
"How does he know of such ancient knowledge?" Hurricane asked.
"Some things about Ryu are best left a mystery" Molten said.
Atlanta stared in shock.
"Before the Dragon Lord and you Atlanta, I make this vow" Ryu said as his blood dripped unto the floor.
"With my own blood, I release you from your pact, on the condition that…" Ryu paused as he shut his eyes for a while.
"DON'T!" Atlanta cried out.
Atlanta's cry gave Ryu absolute certainty. He suddenly opened his eyes.
"I'll develop a technique more powerful than Gaiden's and defeat Shekan before the six moons of Tristran align completely or Atlanta's pact will be reinstated!" Ryu vowed.
"WHAT?! You can't promise that! Shekan's powers surpass the Dragon Lord's! How can you be sure you'll even defeat him?!" Atlanta yelled.
"Shekan's powers surpass the Dragon Lord's, Gaiden's surpass Shekan's. If I surpass Gaiden, I surpass Shekan!" Ryu declared.
"You can't be so sure of that!" Atlanta yelled.
"Believe in me Atlanta! If you do, I'll definitely win!" Ryu declared.
Ryu turned to face Atlanta.
"Besides, I'm the hero of this story right?" Ryu said with a laugh. "And look, my blood is in the Dragon Zone."
The Dragon Lord bowed in respect of Ryu.
"You must leave now! Time is not on your side. I must continue to weave destiny or chaos will erupt!" the Dragon Lord advised as he slowly turned into a statue.
The companions bowed and left the ryu of Destiny.
Will Nemesis ever revive Shekan? Will Ryu keep his promise and develop a jutsu more powerful than Gaiden's? Will the Sword Of Rai ever be found? Ryu must hurry for the moons of Tristran have begun the countdown to ALIGNMENT!