Erasa couldn't sleep that night. She tried a few times but failed so she sat in bed. She recalled her words to Aurora and Shin and sudden realization hit her.
"What have I done? Why did I say those things to Aurora and Shin?" she asked herself.
"Shin, if only you were alive, you'd know what to do" Erasa said as she burst into tears.
Shin too couldn't sleep. He lay tossing and turning in bed.
"Calm down Erasa, I'm sorry for making you feel so uncomfortable but you didn't have to say that" Shin recalled his words to Erasa.
"Stay away from me Shin! You lied to me, you didn't tell me that Reis had gone to pick Aurora up. And don't ever talk to me like you just did. I think it would be best if you kept your distance!" Shin recalled Erasa's words.
"I'll do just that. I'm such a fool for keeping a candle burning in my heart for Erasa for so long. Maybe I'm the only one that remembers the past. And just when I decided to tell her that I'm still alive. Perhaps things are much better this way and I can finally close that chapter of my life. I can finally move on. I hope she finds her happiness. I have something of hers that I'll always treasure. Her sapphire ring and the name she gave me. It's a treasure I'll always keep with me even when we've gone our separate paths" Shin said with a sad smile. "Farewell forever…Erasa" Shin said with a firm resolve.
Erasa was still weeping.
"Why did you have to die Shin? If only you had lived, things would have been very different" Erasa cried.
"You very stupid girl! Don't you value your life?! Does catching me mean more to you than living?!" Erasa recalled Shin's words five years ago and memories of Shin filled her mind.
"Reis wake up!" Shin called in a silent but hoarse voice.
"Huh? What?" Reis stirred and opened his eyes.
He was still a bit sleepy.
"Wake up" Shin called again.
"Is it dawn already?" Reis asked sleepily.
"No but the sooner you know the whole truth, the better. It's tearing me up inside" Shin said.
Reis sat up.
"Give me a sec okay?" he said as he walked out of the bedroom and walked to the bathroom.
Shin sat on his bed waiting for Reis. He heard water running for a while and then it stopped. A few minutes later, Reis entered the room and sat on his bed facing Shin.
"I'm ready" he said seriously.
"Okay, so here's the rest of the story. I don't want to repeat it because I've decided to seal that chapter of my life forever" Shin said. "So I've already told you how I met Erasa and got my name right. Yeah so after that I went back to the Maelstrom Zero-Nine's secret hideout…
FIVE YEARS AGO…
"Crap! I'm so late! I hope One's already asleep or I'm dead!" Shin said to himself as he hurried into the cave.
"Well too bad for you!" a stern voice suddenly said.
Shin froze in his tracks.
"Aiiee, she caught me!" he thought in dread.
"Look how late it is Zero! Where have you been the whole day and why are you now returning?!" One demanded an answer.
"I-uh-I-I…" Shin stammered searching for an excuse.
"And don't you dare lie to me! You know it's not one of your talents!" One yelled.
"Okay, here's the truth, I was with that dragon ranger girl I robbed. She caught me and well…a lot of things happened" Shin confessed.
"Like what Zero?!" One roared.
"Hey hey, One. Don't call me Zero anymore. I've got a real name now, Shin, and it means 'truth'. So I'm no longer just a dumb number like Zero okay?" Shin said with a joyful laugh.
"Don't get any ideas! You're Zero the Phantom Thief! People like us don't belong. We don't have the luxury of having names" One said angrily.
"Don't tell me you're jealous One" Shin teased.
"I'm not jealous and your name's Zero, not Shin. It's an insult for a thief to be called Shin! After all as the old saying goes, 'a liar is the beginning of a thief' or haven't you heard" One said with a cunning smile.
"Well, a wise thief once said 'a liar is the beginning of a thief so when you're already a thief you don't lie' capiche?" Shin countered One's logic.
"Who named you Shin anyway? You already told us you had no name" One asked.
"Not until today. Erasa named me Shin" Shin laughed.
"Erasa? And who may I ask is this Erasa person?" One asked.
"The girl I robbed" Shin said.
"WHAT?! Don't tell me you're now friends with a Dragon Ranger! We have a bounty on our heads or have you forgotten already?!" One yelled angrily.
"How can I forget? My head alone is worth a hundred thousand Novatian Gs" Shin laughed.
"Shin! You can't see that Erasa girl again!" One ordered.
"Why not? I'm seeing her tomorrow" Shin said.
"You are not!" One ordered.
"I am!" Shin said firmly.
"I'm ordering you not to!" One demanded.
"Hey! You can't order me around! You're not the boss of me!" Shin yelled.
"I can and I am as the leader of the Maelstrom Zero-Nine!" One yelled.
"One, haven't you ever wondered…I mean haven't you ever thought of how much life has to offer? We're living in dangerous times and we've always worked as a team. But that doesn't mean we're bound by just rules. I want to live my life and not the other way around. I don't want to remain a thief forever. I want to live for a higher purpose" Shin said.
"Don't tell me you've finally achieved enlightenment! I'm worried about you. Haven't you sat down to think that just maybe this girl is using you to get us all?" One asked.
"She'd never do that!" Shin defended Erasa.
"How do you know that? You only met her recently" One said worriedly.
"I just know it. I can feel it in my gut, my heart and even my feet and you know my feet never lie" Shin joked.
"Fine, do what you want but I'm still against this" One said.
"I'm going to bed. Goodnight One" Shin waved.
One sighed, "And I'm not just going to sit back and do nothing about this either" she said as she sat at the entrance to the cave.
Shin woke up early the next morning. It was his turn to hunt for breakfast so he went into the forest to do so. He returned three hours later with a deer on his back.
"Whoa Zero! You really caught a big one this time!" Six cheered.
"Well, I did promise to take good care of you all" Shin laughed.
"Hey guys, don't call him Zero anymore. He's got a new name…Shin and it means Truth" One said with the intention of turning Shin into a laughing stock.
"Really?! Shin?! I really like that name!" Four cheered.
"Gotta admit it sounds fearful like 'Shin The Phantom Thief' or 'Shin the conqueror' or 'Dragon Ranger Shin!'" Two admitted.
"Ugh! You guys are so dumb! Shin's falling for a Dragon Ranger girl!" One roared.
"Yeah so?" Eight said nonchalantly.
"I don't see why you're getting so worked up. Shin's a great guy and I wouldn't want him to fall for a criminal, no offense" Three added.
"Thanks a lot guys" Shin said gratefully.
"Thanks for nothing!" One scoffed.
"Or could it be that One has secret feelings for Shin?" Five teased.
"Shut up Five!" One yelled.
"She isn't even denying it" Seven added.
"I'm so not in love with Zero!" One yelled.
"No one mentioned love…or is that what it is One? Are you in love with Shin?" Six added.
"Stop turning this on me! Shin's the one in love or didn't you hear?!" One defended herself.
"And you're acting like a jealous wife" Six joked and everyone laughed.
"Okay guys, let's eat" Shin said.
By then the meat had finished roasting. The merry thieves ate to their hearts content.
"I must admit that this is a really good catch" One confessed.
"I'm glad you like it" Shin said.
"Okay guys, I've gotta go for a while. I'm meeting Erasa and for your clarification, we're just friends" Shin said with a laugh as he walked away.
As he neared the spot where he had been named, he could see Erasa seated under a lone tree.
"Erasa!" he called.
"Shin! You came!" Erasa exclaimed happily.
"Well I did have some trouble with the gang but it's all sorted" Shin said.
"So what do we do now?" Erasa asked.
"You can tell me about the Dragon Rangers. I thought they were only a myth but if they do exist…then the stories of Armageddon are true aren't they?" Shin asked worriedly.
"Unfortunately yes. But our primary duty is to protect the dragons and that means we must ensure by all means that Armageddon is never revived" Erasa informed Shin.
"That's great! Now I wish I could be a Dragon Ranger!" Shin exclaimed.
"You can! You just have to renounce all your vices" Erasa said.
"It's just a dream for me though. See, I promised never to abandon the others and they need me. I'd never forgive myself if anything bad happened to them because I abandoned them" Shin said sadly.
"Hey Shin, would you like to ride on my Dragon partner?" Erasa asked.
"You mean…I'd like to fly but…I'm scared of dragons" Shin admitted.
Erasa laughed.
"Don't worry, most dragons are friendly. They seldom strike in anger" Erasa assured him.
"Okay, I'll give it a try" Shin said.
Erasa raised her hand…
"I SUMMON YOU TERRA!" Erasa called.
There was a sudden earthquake as Terra arose from the crevice.
"On second thought…I'd very much prefer to stay alive thank you" Shin said in a scared tone.
"Terra…this is Shin. Shin, meet Terra, the Dragon of Earth" Erasa introduced the two to each other.
Terra peered into Shin's soul and smiled.
"What is it Terra?" Erasa asked.
"Erasa. His fate is intertwined with yours and the Dragonhaӓrt's. I can see that in a time of great confusion and chaos which is soon to come…this boy will bring wisdom and understanding" Terra said.
"Me?" Shin asked.
"Yes you. You will be the closest thing to family the Dragonhaӓrt has and your faith in the Dragonhaӓrt will create such a strong light that it will be the source of the Dragonhaӓrt's power" Terra said with a smile.
"Honestly, I have no idea of what you're talking about" Shin said with a nervous laugh.
After much effort, Erasa was finally able to convince Shin to mount Terra and when he finally did, they flew off. Shin was too scared to open his eyes at first but he soon got used to it and they flew for a long time. After many hours of flight, talking and having fun, they finally decided to descend.
"Shin, let's head into the village. I want you to meet my family" Erasa suggested.
"I'm honoured but I don't think it's such a good idea" Shin disagreed.
"Why not?" Erasa asked.
"Have you forgotten that you're supposed to apprehend me? You may have changed your mind but what if your family hasn't?" Shin asked worriedly.
Erasa laughed.
"Don't worry. I have already told them about you and they also want to meet you" she said.
"Really? Shin asked.
"Yes, I did" Erasa said.
"Are you sure?" Shin seemed undecided about the whole idea.
"I said I did didn't I?! I don't like repeating myself!" Erasa growled angrily.
"I hear ya" Shin agreed and they went to an inn in the town.
Shin did not feel comfortable at all but he didn't complain. Soon they stood in one of the largest rooms in the inn.
"Mom! Ethan! Effuien! Guess who's here?" Erasa called.
Soon Shin heard footsteps and Mistress Suzuna appeared with Ethan and Effuien.
"Erasa? Who's this?" Ethan asked.
Shin smiled cunningly and raised a wanted poster.
"I'm Zero the Phantom Thief now renamed Shin!" Shin introduced himself.
"Quit joking round!" Ethan yelled.
Shin smirked and in that instant, his resemblance to the drawing on the poster became obvious.
"HE IS THE PHANTOM THIEF! GRAB HIM!" Ethan ordered and he and Effuien charged on Shin and pounced on him.
"GOT HIM!" they exclaimed but when they opened their eyes, they were holding each other.
"I'm not the Phantom Thief for nothing you know?" Shin chuckled as he walked towards Mistress Suzuna.
"My name's Shin. It's an honour to meet you ma'am" Shin said as he bowed respectfully.
"I'm honoured to meet you Shin. I heard from Erasa that you saved her life and I'm very grateful" Mistress Suzuna thanked Shin.
"It was my fault she was in danger anyway so I don't really deserve your thanks" Shin said humbly.
Ethan and Effuien were slowly creeping towards Shin from behind. When they were close enough, they pounced on Shin but he evaded them again.
"How do you do that?! We are always sure that we catch you!" Ethan sighed in exasperation.
"You can't catch something that doesn't exist so give up already!" Shin demanded.
"Oh man! We really wanted the 100,000NGs. We've planned a lot on how to spend it" Ethan said in dismay.
"Then forget it cos you're never gonna get me" Shin said with a confident smile.
"But you do realize that our mission is to catch you Shin and we can't abandon our mission" Mistress Suzuna said determinedly.
"But Mom you can't! I promised Shin that he'd be safe!" Erasa argued.
Shin sighed.
"I did tell you Erasa that this was a bad idea. Alright, I give up" Shin raised his hands and surrendered.
Mistress Suzuna tied his hands and led him out of the room.
"Shin I'm sorry. It's my fault" Erasa apologized.
"Don't blame yourself. I know the chief. He's a nice guy. The most I'll get out of this is a fine" Shin assured Erasa.
As the Dragon Rangers led Shin out of the inn, One watched them, hidden behind a wall.
"That idiot! I did warn him. How the hell could you allow yourself to be caught like that" One thought angrily.
Then she returned to the hideout. Erasa walked behind Shin.
"You probably hate Dragon Rangers now don't you Shin?" Erasa asked.
"No, I've always wanted to be a Dragon Ranger. I'm in the wrong here you know?" Shin laughed confidently.
"How can you still laugh even after you've been caught?" Effuien asked.
"Well, I feel fulfilled. My family has already been avenged. This village is peaceful and my gang is safe so I have no regrets. I even got to meet Erasa so I'd say I've lived a full life" Shin said.
Mistress Suzuna looked sad.
"Is this really the right thing to do? This boy is only a victim of circumstances and this'll hurt Erasa so much" she wondered.
When they reached the chief's house, the guards led them inside to meet the chief.
"We've apprehended the Phantom Thief. He's in your hands now. All we demand is our pay and we'll be on our way" Mistress Suzuna said.
"Take the prisoner away" the chief ordered and Shin was taken to the cells.
"Speaking of your pay, you will receive it soon enough!" a sinister voice said and in the next instant they found themselves surrounded by soldiers.
"Wh-what is this?!" Mistress Suzuna exclaimed in shock.
"You Dragon Rangers think you're so smart. You've been performing secret missions in Saggeese with the thought that you'd never be caught but you're not the only ones capable of doing that. This village as of today is under the control of Lord Erikkus Di Devilli!" the leader of the soldiers declared.
"Who are you?! And how did you make it into Novatian territory undetected?!" Mistress Suzuna demanded an answer.
"If you want my name, that I will tell you. I am Captain Rex, the leader of Lord Devilli's Black Squad but as to how we made it into Novatian territory undetected, that is a secret for you to find out on your own. You are now under arrest and before you decide to summon your dragons, I must inform you that my archers are outside with arrows tipped in Armageddon's blood and you know just how poisonous that is to the dragons, don't you?" Captain Rex said with a malicious grin.
"Armageddon's blood?! How could you get your hands on such a thing?!" Mistress Suzuna asked in even more shock.
"That doesn't matter. What matters is that you've now fallen into our trap" Captain Rex said seriously. "Bind them! We will carry out their execution at the crevice that runs across the outskirts of this town" Captain Rex ordered and the Dragon Rangers were bound with strong ropes and led away.
One watched the soldiers lead the Dragon Rangers away. She felt satisfied with the events that had taken place and managed to sneak into the chief's palace disguised as a maid.
Shin sat in the cell with his head on his knee.
"Sheesh, this is really going to put a dent in my reputation as the Phantom Thief" he thought aloud.
"You've got a lot more to worry about than just your reputation!" an angry familiar voice said.
"One?" Shin said as he looked up.
One stood outside the bars.
"This is exactly why I warned you! How could you be so stupid?!" One said as she unlocked the gate.
Shin opened it and came out.
"Boy am I glad to see…" Shin was saying when he received a terrible slap from One.
"You're such an idiot! You could have easily escaped but I find you here instead moping around!" One yelled angrily.
"I seem to be attracting a lot of slaps lately" Shin joked.
"This village has been taken over by enemy soldiers. We are getting out of here now!" One ordered.
"Enemy soldiers?" Shin asked in confusion.
One explained the situation to him.
"Don't worry, the others are waiting outside. They're well hidden" One said as she led Shin through the corridors.
They managed to escape unseen through a window.
Truly indeed, the rest of the Maelstrom Zero-Nine were waiting outside for them.
"Shin, how're you doing?" Two asked.
"Fine, thanks for asking" Shin said.
"We're escaping. Suiryu is waiting at the outskirts with a carriage" Six informed them.
"Thanks Six" One said gratefully.
"So what of Erasa and her family? Were they able to escape unharmed?" Shin asked.
"Are you still going on about that?! Haven't you learnt your lesson?!" One yelled.
"I need to know!" Shin demanded.
"Well, they have dragons don't they? They could just fly away if they wanted to" One said as she tried to avoid Shin's eyes.
"One, you can't look me in the eye and any time that happens it means one thing…YOU'RE LYING!" Shin said seriously.
"So what if I am? It's for your own good! Just let the soldiers execute them and we'll deal with our own problems!" One yelled and then she realized her mistake.
"Execute?! One, where are the soldiers taking them?!" Shin demanded.
"To the crevice that runs at the outskirts of the village. They plan to execute the Dragon Rangers there but you can't go Zero! If you do you'll die!" One exclaimed worriedly.
"I can't abandon them. I've got to try and save them. Erasa's my friend and so are the Dragon Rangers" Shin said.
One frowned.
"Shin, I didn't really want to do this but…YOU MUST CHOOSE NOW WHERE YOUR LOYALTIES LIE!!!" One demanded.
"WHAAAT?!" Shin exclaimed in surprise.
"One, what are you doing?!" Six asked.
"Shin must choose. It's us or the Dragon Rangers. He can't have it both ways!" One said seriously.
"You aren't joking" Shin sighed.
"I'm dead serious" One said very seriously.
"Guys, is this what you really want?" Shin asked the others.
They remained silent yet uneasy.
"Guys, you know that my loyalties lie with you. I'd never choose or place anyone or anything in this world above you…" Shin said seriously.
"Why do I sense a 'but'?" One asked.
"But…I don't want to be like the people that abandoned us. You've got to remember how life was before we found each other. We were all lonely and each of us wished to be saved by someone but we were abandoned. If I abandon the Dragon Rangers, then I'll be no better than the people that abandoned me and left me to die" Shin said.
The others felt the truth in his words but One remained adamant.
"Is that your final say?" One asked.
"Yes, it is" Shin said with determination.
One sighed.
"Then I guess we're back to being the Maelstrom Nine. Guys let's go. Zero doesn't need us anymore. We're obviously not as important to him as we thought" One said.
"One, do you really want to do this?" Six asked.
"Zero has decided. Don't question me! We are leaving without Zero, come on!" she ordered and the others reluctantly followed her.
Shin watched them painfully. Hoping that they would turn back but they didn't. When they disappeared from his sight, he assumed a determined look and in a flash, he had disappeared from the chief's compound.
Meanwhile, the soldiers had led Team Senshiiro to the outskirts of the village.
"Mom, how are we going to get out of this situation?" Erasa asked worriedly.
"Don't be scared Erasa. This is one of the tests we have to endure as Dragon Rangers" Mistress Suzuna said with a reassuring smile.
Soon, the crevice came into view.
"It seems the end has come for you Dragon Rangers. Any last words?" Captain Rex said as he lined the Rangers at the edge of the crevice.
"YEAH! I'VE GOT A FEW!" a sudden voice said.
Erasa looked around.
"I know that voice, it's Shin!" Erasa exclaimed happily.
Captain Rex looked around and soon all eyes turned to face Shin.
"I've got a few things to say to you; first is, you are the most despicable idiots in the world! Second is, you serve the absolute, most absolute lowlife! And the last thing I've got to say is…I could smell your odious stench from my cell!" Shin insulted the soldiers.
"You must have a deathwish to insult the most feared army in the world!" Captain Rex roared.
"Most feared the beard I haven't grown yet! More like most hated cretins!" Shin added more fuel to the flames.
"ARCHERS! READY YOUR BOWS!" Captain Rex ordered.
"No No No No, that isn't how the game is to be played. Here are the rules, I'll stand at the edge of the crevice and if your archers hit me with a single arrow, I'll just drop like a leaf into the crevice and you'll never see my handsome face ever again" Shin said with a cunning smile.
Captain Rex considered the idea for a while.
"That sounds interesting, I…" Captain Rex was saying when Shin cut him off.
"Whoa whoa, I've given a scenario that's to my utter disadvantage and most likely not to happen but what's in it for me?" Shin asked.
Captain Rex smiled.
"I like your guts kid. I tell you what, for every fleet of arrows you manage to evade, I'll free a single prisoner" Captain Rex said with a smile.
"Sounds fair enough to me, I agree to your terms" Shin said with a smile.
"Erasa! Is he crazy?! He's going to die!" Effuien yelled.
"Shin! You idiot! Their arrows are tipped with Armageddon's blood! It's enough poison to kill a dragon!" Erasa yelled in worry.
Shin just smiled.
"I'll be okay Erasa" Shin said as he walked to the edge of the crevice and smiled, then he turned to face Captain Rex.
"I'm ready!" he declared.
"ARCHERS! READY YOUR BOWS…TAKE AIM…FIRE!" Captain Rex ordered and a fleet of arrows flew towards Shin.
He didn't move.
"SHIN!" Erasa screamed and shut her eyes.
"GOT HIM!" Captain Rex exclaimed in glee.
Shin sighed and smiled, "Tsk, Tsk, Tsk…you missed me" he said.
All the arrows fell into the crevice.
"What?! Captain Rex exclaimed in shock.
"Well Captain, you've got to keep your end of the bargain" Shin said.
Captain Rex scowled.
"Free the girl!" he ordered and Erasa was freed.
"Shin!" she exclaimed in joy.
"Erasa! Stay back! I still have to face three more shots!" Shin ordered.
Erasa looked at him worriedly and smiled.
"I believe in you Shin!" Erasa declared.
"ARCHERS! READY YOUR BOWS! TAKE AIM! FIRE!" Captain Rex ordered and more arrows charged towards Shin but once again all the arrows missed Shin and fell into the crevasse.
"NOT AGAIN!" Captain Rex exclaimed in dismay.
"Hey don't take this personally, I am the Phantom Thief after all. You've got to free another prisoner Cap'n" Shin teased.
"Free the woman!" Captain Rex said worriedly.
Shin looked confident on the outside but on the inside he was worried.
"If the Captain discovers my secret…I'm dead" he thought but he was smiling on the outside.
"Two more shots to go Captain!" Shin declared.
"I must find the trick to the technique this boy is using or else I'll lose my own head" Captain Rex sighed, then he calmed down.
"I will learn his secret in the next shot…ARCHERS! READY YOUR BOWS!" he ordered.
"I don't like the look in his eyes. If this goes on, he'll learn my secret with the next shot" Shin said seriously.
He began to sweat.
Captain Rex noticed this and smiled.
"TAKE AIM…" he ordered.
Shin opened his eyes in fear for a moment and then he frowned.
"I don't have a choice. I have to rescue all four of them. He'll miss the next shot for sure but the last shot…will be the problem! But no matter what…I must hold out until the very end!" Shin declared.
"FIRE!" Captain Rex ordered and the arrows were released.
"Now I must observe the moment when the arrows make contact. THERE!" Captain Rex exclaimed as he watched closely.
He could see Shin's body become lighter and lighter till it was as thin as air and the arrows passed right through him.
Captain Rex counted the time it took for all the arrows to completely pass through Shin.
"Eight seconds" he said with a smile.
Shin frowned.
"Damn! It looks like he has discovered my secret!" Shin thought in frustration.
"Release one of the boys" Captain Rex said excitedly and Ethan was released.
"You've played a rather nice trick on me and I must admit you're very smart. No one has ever entertained me as long as you have and honestly I'm impressed so tell you what…even after you die, I'll let these Rangers go. I'll face Lord Devilli confidently and what will happen will happen however boy…your life ends here. I can't possibly believe that someone like you could possess mystical abilities even without sharing the power of a dragon" Captain Rex said with satisfaction.
"He what?!" Erasa exclaimed in shock.
"I can think of one of two possibilities. It could be that a dragon has already chosen him. I suppose the Dragon is psychic in nature for that technique can only be psychic. I've heard of such a technique. The user forces his mind to make his body as light as air. It can only be performed briefly but in that time, the user is impervious to all forms of attack, both physical and magical. Your maximum time interval appears to be eight seconds. Now how are you going to evade my next attack?" Captain Rex said with a sly grin.
"Well I don't know. I think you're bluffing because you don't seem to know the name of my technique" Shin tried to bluff.
"Oh I do. Your technique is none other than the INVERSE SOLIDIFICATION TECHNIQUE! The perfect technique for a thief but now, your end has come…ARCHERS! READY YOUR BOWS…!" Captain Rex ordered.
"This might be it for me. I must not fall till the very end…Erasa's life depends on it!" Shin declared.
"TAKE AIM! FIRE IN TURNS!!!" Captain Rex ordered.
"Crap! He really figured it out!" Shin exclaimed in horror as the first arrow headed towards him.
Shin activated the inverse solidification technique and his mass slowly decreased and suddenly, all his mass disappeared leaving his form. The first arrow passed through him and the next nine did as well.
"Eight seconds are up!" Captain Rex exclaimed.
"Shoot!" Shin exclaimed as the tenth arrow headed his way.
He sidestepped to evade the tenth arrow and unsheathed his twin daggers to parry the eleventh arrow but the twelfth arrow struck him in the shoulder.
"SHIN!" Erasa screamed in concern.
"Thirty more arrows to go!" Shin called as he reactivated the inverse solidification technique.
The arrow stuck to his shoulder dropped to the ground and the next eight arrows passed through him. Then Captain Rex smiled and in the next instant, two arrows struck Shin in the chest.
"UGH!" Shin gasped in pain as blood began to flow from his mouth.
"SHIN! STOP THIS PLEASE!" Erasa screamed.
"DON'T STOP! FIRE!" Captain Rex ordered and more arrows flew towards Shin.
"NO!" Erasa screamed as she ran to shield Shin.
"ERASA STAY BACK!" Shin roared but she ignored him and the arrows were heading for her.
Shin charged towards her and leapt in the way, four arrows struck him in the chest and he fell to the ground. Erasa stared in horror.
"Erasa…move out of the way…I still have to face…twenty arrows" Shin said as he coughed out some blood.
"You can't take much more. Stop this Shin. Please…no more" Erasa said as tears flowed down her face.
"Erasa! Listen to me…" Shin said as he whispered to Erasa.
"You idiot! Just for that?! You even knew the arrows were going to hit you?!" Erasa yelled in anger.
"Erasa! Remember your duty! You were supposed to apprehend me. Please think about Terra" Shin said.
Erasa wiped her tears.
"I understand" she said as she walked away.
Shin stood up and walked to the edge of the crevice then he kicked the arrow that had fallen from his shoulder into the crevice.
"I'm ready!" he declared.
Captain Rex smiled.
"You've got guts but before I resume…I actually hope you live kid 'cos I'd like a rematch" Captain Rex said.
"Sure thing 'cos you're definitely going to lose this round" Shin said with a confident smile.
Captain Rex smiled.
"Resume!" he ordered and arrows flew towards Shin.
Shin reactivated the inverse solidification technique with all his willpower and in the next instant he totally disappeared. Ten arrows missed him.
"Eight seconds are over! FIRE AT WILL!" Captain Rex ordered and arrows simultaneously headed towards the spot Shin was standing at a moment ago but nine arrows missed.
"WHAT?!" Captain Rex exclaimed in shock.
At that moment, Shin appeared and the last arrow struck him in the other shoulder.
Shin knelt on the ground and began to pick the remaining arrows.
"What is he doing?" Captain Rex wondered.
"ARCHERS! SHOOT HIM DOWN!" Captain Rex ordered.
"Sir, we're all out of arrows!" the archers confessed.
Shin stretched his hand over the crevice and dropped the remaining arrows into the crevice.
"Don't tell me…?! You…!" Captain Rex exclaimed in horror.
"I told you…you'd lose this round. ERASA! I'VE GOTTEN RID OF ALL THE ARMAGEDDON BLOOD-POISONED ARROWS! NOW YOU CAN ESCAPE!!!" Shin exclaimed.
"THAT WAS YOUR TRUE INTENTION FROM THE START?!" Captain Rex exclaimed in shock as realization hit him.
"IT'S TOO LATE EVEN IF YOU REALIZE IT NOW! I SUMMON YOU TERRA!" Erasa roared as the Earth Dragon Terra, appeared majestically.
Mistress Suzuna was shocked by what Shin had done but she quickly cut the ropes binding Effuien.
"CHARGON! I SUMMON YOU!" Ethan called and the Fire Dragon Chargon appeared.
"I SUMMON YOU PSYCHEDELIA!" Effuien called and the Psychic Dragon Psychedelia appeared.
"APPEAR HABAN!" Mistress Suzuna called and the Forest Dragon Haban appeared.
Shin smiled.
"BLACK SQUAD! RETREAT!" Captain Rex ordered and his soldiers fled into the forest.
"My mission here has been completed…" Shin thought as he slowly fell into the crevice.
"SHIN!" Erasa called as she dived with Terra into the crevice.
She managed to catch Shin before he hit the ground. She flew up to where the others were and dismounted Terra with Shin in her arms.
"Shin, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault" she wept.
Ethan and Effuien shut their eyes and tried not to show their grief but tears were streaming down their eyes. It began to rain. Shin struggled to open his eyes.
"Erasa, I've got one last favour to ask" Shin struggled to say.
"What is it?" Erasa asked.
"Please take me back to my cave, it's where all my joyful childhood memories are. I want to die recalling all the fun times…I shared with the Maelstrom Nine" Shin struggled to say.
He was bleeding profusely.
"Don't talk like that! You'll live!" Erasa cried in anguish.
Shin shook his head.
"I can feel Armageddon's blood coursing through my veins. I don't have much time…please" Shin pleaded.
Erasa nodded and carried Shin in her arms and mounted Terra. Then they flew through the skies searching for Shin's home.
"It's close now…I can feel it" Shin said.
Erasa saw the opening of the cave.
"I can see it. Terra, descend" Erasa said sorrowfully and Terra silently obeyed.
When Terra finally touched the ground, Mistress Suzuna and the others arrived. Erasa carried Shin into the cave with the others following close behind. Shin was breathing hoarsely and painfully and his blood was leaving a trail.
"This is far enough. Place me here and leave" Shin said,
"Why? Let me stay with you till this is all over" Erasa pleaded.
Shin shook his head.
"I've already engraved a horrible memory on your mind. I don't want you to see me die" Shin said painfully.
Erasa removed her Sapphire ring from her finger.
"Shin, I want you to have this" Erasa said.
"I can't accept this Erasa. It's precious to you" Shin said.
"No! I want you to keep it. Never forget me" Erasa said as she placed the ring in Shin's hand.
"Erasa, please accept my twin daggers. Whenever you look at them, I want you to remember the few happy times we shared together…and the funny times…and most of all I want you to remember that you made me really happy when you gave me a name" Shin said as he gave his twin daggers to Erasa. "Please leave now" Shin pleaded.
Erasa was still reluctant but she stood up.
"I'll always remember you Shin" Erasa said as she turned and walked away.
"Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, One. I wish I could spend more time with you. I'll wait at the Gates Of Heaven…and look forward to the time we will play together again" Shin said as he shut his eyes.
He lost consciousness with a smile on his face.
PRESENTLY…
"Wow, that's an amazing story but are you sure you're not making up the arrows part?" Reis asked suspiciously.
"It's all true. You might not believe that I could perform the inverse solidification technique now that I have Draco's power but it's all true" Shin said with a cunning smile.
"But the look on your face says otherwise" Reis teased.
"We both know this is my natural look!" Shin roared.
"Does Kyla know about this?" Reis asked.
"I never told her" Shin said.
"And how come Erasa ignores you now?" Reis asked.
"When I opened my eyes, I was in the Rangers' guild. I asked of Erasa but it seemed that the Dragonlord gave them some time to regain their senses. They left the guild for two years and when they finally returned, Erasa looked so happy that I did not want to remind her of painful memories so I hid myself. School's a really formidable hiding place when you decide to relegate yourself to the background" Shin said with a laugh.
At that moment Kyla stormed into the room.
"You guys are disturbing my sleep! It's midnight for crying out loud she yelled angrily.
"We're sorry Kyla, we'll sleep now, goodnight" Shin said with a gentle smile.
"Huh? Shin are you sick? You're acting strange" Kyla said with a puzzled look.
"WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!" Shin yelled angrily.
"Oh, I must have imagined it. It seems you're alright. Goodnight" Kyla said as she shut the door.
Reis laughed.
"Kyla's a great sis. We argue a lot and she reminds me a lot about One but any time I think about the Maelstrom Nine…I just feel I can't forgive them for abandoning me" Shin said.
"So when are you going to tell Erasa?" Reis asked.
"Never, I'll leave things as they are. Erasa loves you now and I won't stand in the way of her happiness. I'll do what she wants and avoid her. Goodnight Reis" Shin said suddenly and dropped back on his bed.
"Goodnight Shin" Reis said as he shut his eyes.
IN NIYANSA…
Meanwhile, in the Saggeesian Castle, Lord Devilli sat on his throne. General Osukow walked into his presence.
"Lord Devilli, the stranger has arrived" he said.
"Let him in. Without him, my plans would never have proceeded so smoothly" Lord Devilli said.
General Osukow bowed and left Lord Devilli's presence. He returned seconds later with a man clothed in a crimson cloak and a crimson hood.
"Your majesty. I have perfected the art of duplicating dragons without souls with the powers that are constantly being drained from the captured rangers. I call them Wyverns" the stranger said.
"Can we trust this stranger Lord Devilli? We don't know who he is!" General Osukow said as he unsheathed his sword and pointed it towards the stranger.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. You are strong Osukow but his power is second only to mine" Lord Devilli said with a cunning smile.
"Do you know who he is?" General Osukow asked.
"Yes, he is none other than…" Lord Devilli said as the stranger grabbed his cloak at the shoulder and threw it off.
He wore completely crimson armour. He had blonde hair and crimson eyes.
"LORD GALIGAOS! THE CRIMSON SWORDSMAN OF DARKNESS!" Lord Devilli declared.
"My plans are ready, we can crush the rangers right at the source! Give your order and I will attack the Rangers' Guild with my infernal army of Wyverns!" Lord Galigaos declared.
General Osukow could not help but shiver.
"How can this be?! I thought Lord Galigaos was dead and I expected him to look older but he doesn't look older than thirty!" General Osukow wondered in shock.
"You have my permission…PROCEED!" Lord Devilli ordered.
Lord Galigaos turned around with his mantle flowing majestically behind him and marched out of Lord Devilli's presence.
"I'LL DESTROY EVERY LAST RANGER! ESPECIALLY THE SON OF JINRAI THE LIGHTNING BLADE!" he swore as his eyes gave an eerie crimson glow.