RYUGAEIA'S HISTORY PART V: THE KAIGNIS KING PART III: THE STRENGTH OF A DRAGONHAÄRT
In Nӱansa, the capital of Saggeese, the evil warlord, Erikkus Di Devilli had summoned the three leaders of the Maelstrom gang, the gang that had terrorized the Village Of Shades and kidnapped Team Senshiiro. It was raining heavily. Di Devilli sat upon his throne waiting impatiently for his guests to show up. He was so cruel he could not even show emotion even when he was impatient.
Soon, General Osukow entered Di Devilli's presence.
"My lord, your guests have arrived" General Osukow said with a bow.
"Very well, usher them in" Di Devilli instructed.
General Osukow departed to carry out his orders. A few minutes later, he had returned with the three leaders of the Maelstrom gang.
"Suiryu, Tsunami, Torpedo, I've heard that you have an interesting package for me" Di Devilli said flatly.
"Yes, lord Devilli. With the harnessed powers you gave us from those other rangers, we have managed to capture three more rangers for you. Unfortunately, we lost one ranger girl by the name of Erasa Senshiiro" the one called Suiryu said with a slight bow.
"Forgive us lord Devilli" they apologized.
"Bait is needed to catch a fish. The bigger the bait, the bigger the fish" Di Devilli said with an uninterested look in his eyes. "All is going according to my plans. There is a boy they might send to rescue the captured rangers. He is Silver haired, green eyed and bears the mark of a dragon on his right shoulder. He is the only obstacle in my path worth dealing with presently. When he comes, and I'm sure he will…capture him and bring him to me. But if he resists…you are permitted to use lethal force" Di Devilli ordered.
"Yes my lord" the leaders bowed.
"And what should we do with the captured rangers?" Tsunami asked.
"Once Reis Dragonhaӓrt has been captured, a public execution would be a fine demonstration to uphold order" Di Devilli said calmly.
"As it is your wish, so shall it be" the three leaders bowed and departed.
THE VILLAGE OF SHADES
Team Kira was distraught even as they tried to get some rest since Mistress Kira had reminded them that their mission did not only revolve around Reis. Erasa felt miserable because when Mistress Kira said it like that, it reminded her that she was the one who dragged Reis into the whole mess.
"Excuse me" Aurora suddenly left everyone behind.
"Aurora!" Mistress Kira called to her as she ran out of the house.
"This is going to be a difficult night for everyone" Dr Gensai sighed in sorrow.
Aurora kept running. She didn't care where she went. It didn't matter. She just had to get away from all of this. First Jared and her other mates; and now Reis too. When was all this suffering and pointless killing going to end? Why did the Dragon Rangers have to take care of everything and why were they the ones who had to fall in battle?
Aurora was forced to ask herself where all her sorrow was coming from. Then came the next question, why did she really hate Reis? She couldn't remember why. She could remember that she hated him and she could remember that her reason was justified but she could not remember her reason itself. You usually despise a person for their nature or actions but Reis hadn't done anything that deserved her hatred. She hated the Saggeesians for the pain they caused her family but Reis was just as old as she was. That meant he was as young as she was when everything was going on and he probably had no idea of it himself. Was the fact that he was simply a 'Saggeesian' enough reason to despise him, even if his countrymen were the greatest cause of her current suffering. So if;
"If Reis is really innocent…and there is such a thing as the God of The Heart…why do you cause him so much suffering?!" Aurora yelled at the sky.
She hoped to get an answer. She was finally fed up with hearing everyone speak of the God Of The Heart yet she'd never seen him directly involve himself in human affairs. She had never heard anything about how he looked like and all she'd heard people say was 'he works through people' but if no one has ever seen him and everyone carries on with their lives regardless, then where is the proof that He exists?!
"You've just answered yourself" a voice spoke within Aurora.
It spoke with her very own voice almost as though it was her own mind but for the first time, she wondered if there was a point to thoughts. How was it possible to converse with yourself? Was it really necessary if 'you are all that you are and already know everything about yourself and the world?' It made her come to the realization that dialogue is only necessary if more than one person is involved so it began to make sense that perhaps the conversations she'd always had with herself might have actually been with others other than herself who somehow composed her being.
Aurora opened her eyes in surprise.
"You asked why I don't do anything, yet humans continue to live their lives and you also know others say I work through people. Then the answer should be obvious. Reis suffers, it is true. But I did something when I created you and allowed you to reach this realization. Why then will you continue to agonize over everything without doing anything to resolve it yourself? Is there a point to complaining about anything you can't change? I created Kaisers, Dragons, Drakengaӓrds, humans, animals and Arӓlpheisl himself as pieces of the puzzle called history. The puzzle only makes sense if the pieces unite but everyone seems to believe they are the whole puzzle themselves. If Reis is cursed by the Kaignis King Aurora; then why don't you save him by blessing him instead?" the voice within her said.
Aurora wiped her tears. Her decision had finally been made. She had resolved to stop pointlessly hating Reis.
"Thank you; God Of The Heart. You really do exist" Aurora smiled and hurried back.
She did not go far before she met Darak.
"You alright Aurora?" he asked.
He seemed really concerned.
"To think I'd stoop so low, even you would worry about me. Don't worry, I'm fine and I'm pretty sure Reis will be too. After all, he is your rival and a member of the strongest rookie team in the guild" Aurora said.
"Heh! You said it!" Darak said with a smirk.
"I'll be sure to punch a hole in his stupid looking face" Darak grinned.
"You sure have a weird way of making me feel better" Aurora said.
"Come on, let's go" Darak motioned to her.
IN DR GENSAI'S HOUSE
Mistress Kira was trying her best to comfort Erasa who was feeling guilty for dragging Reis into her problems.
"How is Reis?" Aurora asked immediately she returned.
"Dr Gensai just injected him with the anti-venom. He says Reis' life is not in as much danger from poisoning as it is from mental strain" Mistress Kira informed her.
"Is that good news or bad news?" Aurora asked.
"Depending on the situation…Reis might fall into an eternal slumber" Mistress Kira explained.
"Y-You mean…!" Aurora seemed shocked.
"Yes, he might fall into a coma from which he'll never awaken" Mistress Kira seemed depressed herself.
"This is a nightmare. But I know he'll pull through, that idiot just doesn't know how to do anything right except fight. If there's one thing he'd never lose to, it's a fight!" Aurora declared.
"Except for if it's a fight with me" Darak smirked.
"Aurora, tell me the truth. Is this…Is this…" Erasa was saying when Aurora interrupted her.
"No Erasa. I may have despised Reis. But I never wished anything like this on him" Aurora confessed.
"Why the sudden change of heart?" Erasa asked.
"When we were attacked by the Kaignis King, I really thought I was going to die. In fact when I heard Reis call to me the first time, I thought I was already dead and when I saw him, it was like looking at Sir Jinrai, the man who protected Jared and I when our family was murdered by Di Devilli. I started to realize that I never really took time to look at Reis for who he was. I always only saw him through filters based on my own emotions. When he became a Ranger, I only saw him as a Saggeesian and when he rescued me, I only saw Sir Jinrai. I couldn't thank him. That was when I realized the sort of person I was becoming" Aurora admitted.
"Wait a minute Aurora. Did you say Jinrai? Jinrai the Lightning Blade?" Dr Gensai suddenly said as he walked into the room.
"Wait a sec, you know Sir Jinrai?!" Aurora exclaimed excitedly.
"I knew him once" Dr Gensai said with a smile.
Reis grunted in pain.
"R-Reis!" Aurora exclaimed excitedly.
The others rushed to his side.
"I'm quite surprised by this young lad's striking resemblance to Jinrai" Dr Gensai said.
Aurora gasped in surprise.
"I was not the only one?! Dr Gensai noticed the resemblance too" Aurora thought.
"D-Don't worry. I'm n-not going anywhere. I j-just need some rest…is all" Reis struggled to say and lost consciousness.
Dr Gensai stared at him in shock.
"What tenacious willpower. He's managed to remain conscious but he looks like he's in a lot of pain" Dr Gensai said as he went into his room to get some pain killers.
A FEW HOURS LATER…
The rest of the rangers sat at the dining table with Justin and Dr Gensai. There was silence.
"Dr Gensai, this may be a rude question but do you live alone with Justin?" Mistress Kira asked.
"No, I've sent my family to the capital of Novatio for protection. Justin here is my apprentice and seeing as we are doctors, I couldn't leave all the casualties of this village to seek safety for myself and though he is young, Justin is quite the brave lad. He decided to stay with me. I can't say I'm not proud of him but sometimes I feel in these harsh times, I may have placed on his shoulders a heavier burden than I'd originally intended" Dr Gensai said with a smile.
Justin smiled sheepishly.
"Dr Gensai, may I ask about Sir Jinrai?" Aurora asked politely.
"Hmm, I see he was quite an influence in your life young Aurora" Dr Gensai said with a smile.
"Everything I am now is thanks to him. Without him, I'm not sure I'd be alive now" Aurora said honestly.
"I will tell you about the first time I met Sir Jinrai but to do so, I'll have to tell you first of a legend that has been passed down through generations of the inhabitants of this humble village. The Kaignis wolves have plagued our village for as long as it has existed. Perhaps it was because we invaded their home. However, once in our history, the Kaignis wolves and my people were at peace because of a stranger that walked through the land. My people call him 'The Wise One Of The Unison Courts.' This all happened when he was bitten by a Kaignis King. Naturally, we expected him to die but if there ever was such a thing as an incontestable miracle, I'd say that man was such for he not only died but he melded with the blood of the Kaignis King and inherited the spirit of the Kaignis King himself. He had within him the blood of both man and Kaiser and became mediator between both. I believe that is how he earned the name 'Wise One Of The Unison Courts, Arӓlpheisl" Dr Gensai narrated. "I never believed the legend until it was fulfilled in Jinrai. Back then, he was only a lad. It was twenty five years ago, on a dark stormy night. On the night Jinrai first confronted the being that became his archnemesis, the Crimson Swordsman Of Darkness, an evil man by the name of Galigaos. A frightening being I even fear to call a man. Justin, on that night, your father ran through the forest, ignoring the danger of the Kaignis Wolves to find help as Galigaos tried to wipe this village clean of any life. Just before he gave up hope, he found it in the man, Jinrai the Lightning Blade. He had been bitten by the Kaignis King and was on the verge of death. Your father, my son, snuck Jinrai into the village. We were fortunate enough to receive help from the Dragon Rangers who kept Galigaos at bay. Jinrai's impending death seemed to affect their morale adversely and they were being overwhelmed. Lord Galigaos, a single man, battled both Dragon Rangers and Dragons on equal footing. Just when things seemed like they could not become any worse, a brilliant burst of flame engulfed Jinrai and he was reborn as a fragment of Arӓlpheisl. Lord Galigaos was instantly overwhelmed by Jinrai. It was an amazing battle and I still have shivers remembering it. It was the stuff of legends. We had always underestimated the power of the Kaignis King but the power of the Kaignis King united with a human by mutual cooperation is a force to be reckoned with" Dr Gensai said as his eyes sparkled.
It almost seemed as though he'd had enough fulfilment for a lifetime.
"What happened to Sir Jinrai? Is he still alive, where is he?" Aurora asked excitedly.
"Jinrai was a good person, a great person admired even now by the villagers. The last I heard of him though was news of sorrow. I heard he'd fallen in battle while sealing Lord Galigaos away" Dr Gensai said.
"N-No way" Aurora seemed distraught.
"He died protecting the Saggeesian Princess from being slaughtered by Galigaos who seemed to be under orders from Di Devilli" Dr Gensai informed them.
"Mistress Kira. Was Sir Jinrai really killed trying to protect…" Aurora was saying when Mistress Kira interrupted her.
"It is the duty of a Dragon Ranger to die protecting the people they believe in if that becomes necessary. It was presumed that Jinrai died however his body was never found. He just disappeared" Mistress Kira informed Aurora.
"So there is a chance that he is alive then!" Aurora exclaimed excitedly.
"Don't get your hopes up Aurora. Alpha, his dragon partner returned to dragon hibernation and you know what that means don't you?" Mistress Kira said as her voice trembled.
Aurora nodded sorrowfully.
"It's late. Why don't we all get some rest" Justin suggested after a few minutes of absolute silence
"You're right Justin, we're all tired" Erasa sighed.
"Erasa, the room you stayed in is currently available. I've prepared some more mattresses for your friends as well" Justin offered.
"Heh, you ladies best knock yourselves out, I'll be watching over Reis so get enough rest for the both of us" Darak said as he stood up and helped himself to a nearby couch.
"But you didn't get any rest last night!" Erasa exclaimed worriedly.
"Heh, don't worry about me, it's embarrassing. Give or take, an extra day without rest isn't enough to slow me down. You know my history don't you Cap'n Kira" Darak said as he shut his eyes.
"Hmmph! You sure love to act tough don't you Darak?" Mistress Kira chuckled and led the girls away.
"I wonder if you'll actually gain the powers of nature after all this. If I had to choose between that and your death, make sure you become a hell of a lot stronger ya hear me Reis?!" Darak roared angrily.
"Let him get some rest for crying out loud moron!" Aurora yelled at him from the distance.
In the darkness of Reis' heart, he finally found the courage to open the eyes of his heart. Within him was a cave surrounded by flames. He looked at himself and found he wasn't hurt. He could feel no pain.
"Where am I?" he asked himself as he studied the unfamiliar setting he was in.
Though it was his own heart, he was very unfamiliar with the things around him. All he saw were flames and darkness.
"Where am I?! How did I get here?!" he exclaimed in shock.
He heard a growl and felt a sudden wind blow past him. He stared around himself but found nothing.
"You are within the darkness of your own heart!" a sinister voice answered him.
"Who is there?!" Reis called.
"What is your purpose?" the voice questioned him.
"Who are you?!" Reis called.
"What is your destiny?!" the voice questioned him again almost as though in response to his questions.
"My purpose, my destiny?" Reis wondered.
"For one who knows not his purpose wanders aimlessly in darkness groping for a light which is merely an illusion" the voice spoke again.
"Tell me where I am!" Reis demanded.
"Trapped is where you are. Trapped by the blood of the Kaignis King and the darkness of your own heart!" the voice said.
"There is no darkness in my heart!" Reis roared.
"Fool! So you would deny that which is painfully obvious! There is darkness in the heart of every living, breathing creature…even in a Drakengaӓrd!" the voice echoed frightfully. "Tell me Reis Dragonhaӓrt, what is the object of your darkness?" the voice questioned him.
Reis frowned.
"Erikkus Di Devilli!" Reis declared.
"You are an even bigger fool than I originally perceived. You do not even know your own darkness. You are a fool searching for an illusion you call justice when hatred will become the only justice your path will lead to!" the voice spoke angrily.
"What do you mean?" Reis asked.
"Search the deepest recesses of your own heart. The answer lies within and only you can find it" the voice encouraged him.
"I know my answer!" Reis declared.
"Then tell me what it is!" the voice demanded with a slight chuckle.
"My purpose is to defeat Erikkus Di Devilli!" Reis declared.
"Why?!" the voice demanded.
"To defend Ryugaeia!" Reis declared as a bright light shone from within him and chased the darkness away.
The flames surrounding Reis formed colossal pillars, lighting a way before him.
"You have done well human child. You are able to see beyond the path you have chosen. You have found the Light Of Your Heart but to escape this place as a reborn warrior, you must demonstrate to me…The Strength Of Your Heart or you shall perish here! YOU MUST DEFEAT ME!!!" the voice said as the flames before Reis revealed the humongous Kaignis King who had bitten Reis and now hid within his heart.
"You are…!" Reis exclaimed in horror.
"The Kaignis King! Call me Sabre-fang!" the Kaignis King declared with a frightening howl.
"Heh! I'm just going to have to beat you and survive a second time!" Reis smirked.
"LET OUR DUEL BEGIN!" the Kaignis King declared with a smirk.
THE VILLAGE OF SHADES…
In the Village Of Shades, morning had finally arrived. The bells of the village were being tolled frantically. Justin woke up and rushed to the sitting room. Darak was already awake.
"What's going on?!" Mistress Kira asked as she rushed out of the guest room.
Aurora and Erasa followed close behind. They had already donned their protective gear.
"What's going on?!" Aurora growled angrily.
At that moment, Dr Gensai came into the house.
"It's the bandits! They've returned and somehow they know you're in the village. They wish to conduct an execution! Erasa, they're going to kill your family!" Dr Gensai said worriedly.
"I've got to stop them!" Erasa exclaimed as she rushed towards the door.
"Erasa! Wait! We've got to come up with a plan first! We can't just rush into battle!" Mistress Kira warned her.
"My family hasn't got the time!" Erasa exclaimed.
Darak laughed.
"What's so funny Darak?!" Aurora yelled angrily.
Darak smiled a cunning smile.
"I've got a plan" he said smugly.
Meanwhile, the Maelstrom gang had mounted a stage in the town square. Team Senshiiro was tied to wooden posts and below the stage were piles of wood and dry grass.
Suiryu held a lighted torch.
"If you wish to save the lives of these miserable rangers, turn in the boy named Reis Dragonhaӓrt!" they ordered the townsfolk who had gathered at the square.
The townspeople were too scared to oppose them.
"SAANYIGRE! I SUMMON YOU!" Suiryu called.
"REVEAL YOURSELF SUM-KEBI!" Tsunami called.
"SUIRYUUDAN! COME OUT!" Torpedo ordered.
In an outcry of elements, Saanyigre the Lightning Dragon, Sum-Kebi the Dark Dragon and Suiryuudan the Water Dragon appeared.
"DRAGNARÖK! I SUMMON YOU!" Darak called as he charged towards the town square.
"Darak you moron! You've exposed us!" Aurora yelled angrily.
"My plan is an all-out assault!" Darak smirked.
"Aurora, don't go after him. His recklessness may become our advantage. In times like these, the wise will find a way to survive" Dr Gensai said.
"You sound like you have an actual plan" Mistress Kira said curiously.
"In the face of an overwhelming enemy…all you need to do is find an even greater enemy to oppose them, like say…the Kaignis Wolves for example?" Dr Gensai said.
"Hmmph, sounds like a plan" Aurora seemed satisfied.
At the town square, Darak finally stood before the bandits.
"You guys have made me experience the absolute worst two days of my life I never imagined I'd experience. It was such fun. The only way I can repay you for the satisfying battles I've fought till now…is to beat the crap out of you" Darak said as his eyes glowed sinisterly.
"So there really are Dragon Rangers in this village. Lord Di Devilli, you really are worthy of praise" Suiryu said.
"You shouldn't be praising him just yet. When I showed up, your plan was doomed to fail. Dragnarök, break down the stage and carry Team Senshiiro to safety" Darak ordered.
"Don't think we'd just let you do whatever you want!" Torpedo growled angrily.
"That's my line!" Darak roared as he charged to attack them.
Dragnarök followed close behind and scattered the other Dragons. He grabbed Sum-Kebi and Saanyigre by their throats and carried them into the sky.
Suiryuudan pursued him shooting balls of water to knock him down. When they were a safe distance from the village, Dragnarӧk hurled the two dragons into the forest below.
"Leaving Terra aside, I'm the Dragon with the greatest offensive abilities in the whole guild. Perhaps you'd like me to remind you why I was once called The Lord Of Flame!" Dragnarӧk roared.
The other dragons roared in return and the three dragons began a three way battle in the skies.
Darak also charged to attack the Maelstrom gang. With his flame swordsmanship skills, he managed to take down quite a lot of them but the numbers were not in his favour.
Meanwhile, Reis also had his own battle to fight. Sabre-fang's powers were beyond anything he'd ever imagined. Even though Reis wasn't holding back and was going all out by combining his swordsmanship skill with his elements, Sabre-fang overwhelmed him with sheer agility and flame.
"Is this really the limit to The Strength Of Your Heart? Pity, I'd hoped you were really the one. I guess it was my mistake to see any worth in you" Sabre-fang muttered in disappointment.
Reis stood up and wiped his bleeding lip.
"I'm not done yet!" he said as he pointed his blade at Sabre-fang.
"Are you that determined to die, whelp?! At your current level of strength, you're still a thousand years too early to challenge me!" Sabre-fang declared.
"I'm well aware of my limits but somehow I don't think I'll be losing today" Reis chuckled.
"You presume to be able to find a weakness within me but unfortunately, you will find none! Just give up now while you still have the chance!" Sabre fang glared at Reis from the corner of his eyes.
"Fool! Every living creature has a weakness, even a Drakengaӓrd! Yours is conceitedness!" Reis declared.
"Oh? You've sure grown a clever mouth in this short amount of time. Don't mistake mercy for weakness boy or you'll give me no choice but to end you here" Sabre-fang said.
"Then I'll tell you your weakness Sabre-fang. Yet with the way you are now, I doubt the knowledge of it will change anything. You are so confident your attacks are getting wider. With your speed, your momentum coupled with the force of centrifuge acting on you when you try to recover from a pounce or turn slow you down. It's difficult to manoeuvre in the air you know? Especially if you don't have wings" Reis jeered.
"Oh I see, you think you have me all figured out don't you? Perhaps you need to ask yourself why the Kagua-Serpentia can't speak and why amongst the Kaisers, I alone appear to be a myth. You're way too early to assume…that I can't fly!" Sabre fang declared as wings manifested at his side.
"Now I should just keep my big mouth shut" Reis scolded himself. "But even so, I will not lose to you in spirit Sabre-fang" Reis declared as he charged to attack Sabre-fang. "I will find a chance to strike you down, Sabre-fang!" Reis declared.
The bright light from within Reis shone again and Sabre-fang was forced to peer into his soul. He found within Reis, a legion of dragons and a golden figure with six wings he could not recognize.
"What is this boy?! Who really are you?!" Sabre-fang roared as he charged to attack Reis.
"If you really want to beat me Sabre fang, you're going to have to draw closer at some point in time, even if you can fly…and when you do, it will be the end of you!" Reis roared.
"I demand to know who you are!" Sabre-fang roared.
"Keep this in your mind forever because I'm not going to repeat myself. I am Reis Dragonhaӓrt, the one who will defeat you!" Reis declared as he boosted himself towards Sabre-fang by using flame and wind for propulsion.
"LET'S SETTLE THIS!!!" both fighters roared.
THE VILLAGE OF SHADES…
Meanwhile, Darak was still battling the bandits. The townspeople in a fury rose up against the bandits now that they didn't have the dragons close enough to interfere. In the chaos that ensued, Mistress Kira, Aurora and Erasa found a way to release Team Senshiiro.
"Give up boy! You're outnumbered!" the Maelstrom bandit leaders ordered Darak.
"Heh! If that's the case why don't you just try and take me down then!" Darak challenged them.
"Besides, I wouldn't exactly say, I'm outnumbered" Darak said as Marina, Inferno and Terra revealed themselves.
"It's obvious you've done something to our comrades. Speak now and confess your evil before I'm forced to feed on you!" Inferno roared angrily.
"Calm down Inferno. It is quite obvious that the dragons that showed themselves before are not the real Saanyigre, Sum-Kebi and Suiryuudan. They are merely products of a copycat technique of sorts. You did not sense any souls within them did you?" Terra said.
"But if someone is attempting to artificially engineer dragons, then it's a really foul plot that must be stopped at all costs or we will have another Tragic Legend on our hands! Damn that Armageddon! Just how far did he plan ahead?!" Inferno growled angrily.
"You appear to think you've already won but you should wonder how it is we were able to capture three Dragon Rangers" Torpedo said.
Tsunami nodded.
"We'll show you!" the three leaders of the Maelstrom gang declared and gathered at one place.
"Erasa, take your family to safety!" Mistress Kira ordered.
Erasa nodded and left with Terra to take Team Senshiiro to safety.
Reis and Sabre-fang finally clashed. Each had gone all out, risking a full thrust attack. It was now a question of which would strike first, fang or blade? Reis fell to the ground and rolled a distance. Sabre-fang landed safely and was carried by his momentum a distance away.
Reis groaned in pain and struggled to stand. He was bleeding from his shoulder.
"You are quite tenacious kid. I aimed for your jugular. Both then and now but you've escaped death twice now. You have triumphed Reis Dragonhaӓrt. The Strength Of Your Heart does not come from a base desire to defeat your foes…but to protect the people and the things you love. I look forward to seeing you become the Wise One Of The Unison Courts. No…if you will, I choose to walk that path with you" Sabre-fang said.
"Well, that is up to you. I can't stop you. You are a free beast after all and a king on top of that" Reis chuckled as he panted hoarsely.
"If you still have a bit of energy within you, reach out for my horn and I will impart my power unto you. But mind you, from the moment we bond, you will no longer be just Reis Dragonhaӓrt, the one who bears the name 'King', 'Dragon' and 'Life' and neither will I be simply a wolf that bears the name of a Kaiser, Fire and Wolf. The moment we merge, we shall become a true king…the first of Arӓlpheisl's fragments, the Kaignis Reis!" Sabre fang cautioned Reis.
"I understand" Reis sighed as he reached for Sabre-fang's horn.
"Just as my father shared his power with yours, I too will now share mine with you. Now together with nature, let us live fully, in honour of The God Of The Spirit! The Kaignis King, now lives in you!" Sabre-fang declared.
"Amazing, my power is growing tremendously!" Reis declared with a smile.
"FORBIDDEN ART! MAELSTROM PRISON TECHNIQUE!" the three leaders of the Maelstrom gang called in unison as a prism of crystals surrounded the three rangers.
Dragnarӧk managed to trick the false Saanyigre into incapacitating Suiryuudan. With the greatest threat, the Water Dragon out of his way, Dragnarӧk subdued Saanyigre with brute strength. With Saanyigre's abilities, a single lightning strike would be enough to immobilize Dragnarӧk for a few minutes.
Once Saanyigre fell to the forest in defeat, Dragnarӧk turned his sights to Sum-Kebi. Dark Dragons weren't particularly strong when it came to their physical abilities but with their psychic abilities, they could cast illusions, absorb elemental attacks and play all sorts of tricks with the minds of their opponents. Unfortunately for Sum-Kebi though, he was not a real Dragon and Dragnarӧk was not going to be patient enough to hold back. When the flames began to materialize around Dragnarӧk's limbs, the fake Sum-Kebi could already see it was no match and hurriedly attempted to retreat but a single blow to its spine was enough to send it spiralling to the ground.
Dragnarӧk folded his arms in satisfaction and smirked.
"Looking like a dragon and fighting like a dragon are entirely different things. I hope you've learned your lesson!" Dragnarök roared in victory.
"What is this?!" Mistress Kira exclaimed worriedly.
Darak tried desperately to break free but his techniques were not strong enough and his exhaustion was finally starting to weigh him down.
"It's useless. Now we shall teach you the meaning of suffering by utilizing the technique that uses Saanyigre's name. The Saanyigre Bombada Technique!" the three bandits called as the prism grew larger and continued to expand.
"What are you doing?!" Mistress Kira roared angrily.
Dragnarӧk was returning to the town when he noticed that Darak's mental stamina had started to fade.
"At this rate, Inferno and Marina will disappear too" Dragnarӧk said just before he faded away.
"The Senshiiros are safe, our mission is almost over, now Reis, all that remains is the bandits. It's time for you to awaken!" Dragnarӧk's voice could be heard over the wind.
"REIS! WHAT ARE YOU DOING SLEEPING AT A TIME LIKE THIS MORON?! HOW COULD YOU LET YOURSELF BE DEFEATED BY A KAIGNIS WOLF LIKE THIS?! AREN'T YOU A DRAGON RANGER?! AREN'T YOU MY RIVAL?! AREN'T YOU…A DRAGONHAӒRT?!" Darak yelled angrily.
"It's hopeless!" Suiryu mocked as the clouds in the sky began to gather.
The Maelstrom gang leaders were attempting to call forth a great lightning strike that would instantly kill the rangers and anyone close enough to the prism.
"ARRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH!!!" fearful howls filled the village.
There was a loud explosion in the direction of Dr Gensai's house as loud screams filled the air. The Maelstrom leaders had their focus broken and their technique began to dissipate.
Packs of Kaignis Wolves flooded the Village Of Shades causing enough commotion to allow the villagers to escape. Bandits were flying in all directions.
"What's happening?!" Suiryu exclaimed fearfully.
"RAIZINN STRIKE!!!" the rangers heard a familiar voice and looked around to see who it was that was trying to save them.
The Maelstrom Prism fell to the ground, shattered.
The commotion the Kaignis Wolves were causing enveloped the village in smoke and dust.
"Raizinn Strike? Then that must be…" Aurora recalled Reis' battle with the Kagua Serpentia.
"It's Reis!" Darak exclaimed in satisfaction. "Sure took ya long enough".
"You're so damn loud. Can't a man get some decent sleep?" Reis teased him.
"It's exactly as I expected. No one is allowed to beat the crap out of you except for me. I hope you remember that" Darak smirked as he unsheathed his blade.
"Now it's time for these bandits to feel my flame!" he said as his eyes glowed sinisterly. "The first time, I was simply caught off guard. A mistake I'm going to make you guys pay for with your lives!" Darak roared as he charged into battle.
"So these are the guys that kidnapped Team Senshiiro, hurt the villagers and nearly killed Erasa. Even I can tell…that the Kaignis King isn't happy with all the pain you've caused. Unfortunately for you, I will give you the pleasure of regretting the day you ever met me" Reis declared as he pointed his sword at the Maelstrom gang leaders.
"SAY THAT FROM YOUR GRAVE! SAANYIGRE BOMBADA TECHNIQUE!!!" the three leaders of the Maelstrom gang called out as a fearful bolt of lightning fell from the heavens.
Reis evaded it much to their surprise and somehow managed to encase the surrounding areas in stone to minimize the damage.
"Your techniques won't work against me!" Reis called as he dashed towards them.
"H-He's quicker than before!" Darak exclaimed in surprise as Reis leapt into the air.
There was a full moon in the sky. A silver moon but suddenly, more than half of it became dark leaving only a crescent. The image of the Kaignis King appeared menacingly over Reis as the moon turned Crimson and reflected from his sword.
"TAKE THIS! CRIMSON MOON KAIGNIS SLASH!" Reis declared as his technique rained retribution on the bandits.
Moments earlier, he had defeated the Kaignis King in battle and recovered from the poisoning of his blood by the blood of the Kaignis King. Now he wielded the powers of the Kaignis King who embodied nature itself for Ryugaeia. Packs of Kaiser and Kaignis Wolves chased the rest of the bandits out of the village and pursued most of them till they were out of sight.
Reis' attack created a powerful force of flame and wind, strong enough to send the three leaders of the Maelstrom gang spiralling into the air. They screamed in pain and fell to the ground severely weakened and slightly scarred with burns.
Reis landed smoothly and sheathed his sword. The false dragons disappeared, the Maelstrom Prison technique was shattered and day returned to the Village Of Shades. Reis approached the leaders of the Maelstrom gang carefully.
"Im-Impressive Reis Dragonhäart. Surely, we underestimated you. But Erikkus Di Devilli doesn't. We've been cursed to die if we ever lose to you. I suppose our time has come but before we die, I want you to listen..." the one called Suiryu motioned to Reis to draw closer to him.
Without dropping his guard, Reis approached him carefully. As he did, he began to notice that the pain of the Maelstrom gang leaders was growing immensely.
"R-Reis D-Dragonhäart; beware...the Wyverns; captured rangers still alive...dragon rangers...destruction...soon. Beware most of all...the generals of the spirit fusion!" Suiryu said and then he became still and silent.
"Hey! What do you mean?!" Reis asked worriedly.
"Don't bother, they're already dead" one of the remaining bandits said.
Some of the other bandits were still brave enough to hold their ground against the wolves till Reis ordered the wolves to retreat.
"Wh-What did he mean? Wh-What are Wyverns? What did he mean by captured rangers?!" Reis demanded an answer.
"Heh! Like underdogs like us would know anything about that! If you're going to kill us all then just get on with it" she scoffed disapprovingly at Reis.
"And what would I gain from doing that?! I just wanted some info. If you don't have it then get lost already!" Reis yelled at her.
"That Di-Devilli. I'll never forgive him. This is the second time now that he's toyed with our lives. Of course our leaders were dumbasses for attempting to play with a snake once bitten but they still deserve a decent burial" the girl bandit said as she motioned to some others to carry the body of their leaders.
"She's one heartless lady" Reis thought with a scared expression on her face. "She sure reminds me of someone else" he said without realizing he was thinking aloud.
"Oh? I'd be interested to know who that other person is" he heard a familiar voice behind him he definitely didn't want to hear at that moment.
"Uh-oh" he muttered in fear and turned around slowly.
"I must say though, considering how strong you are, if you ever need help against Di Devilli, don't hesitate to look us up. We're usually around Novatio but wherever money is, there you'll find us lingering and if you can't find us, just wave some money around" the lady said.
"What are you, money hounds? Whatever the case you're definitely no role models. I guess some info would be nice so could you please look into this whole Wyvern business?" Reis asked.
"Pay up" the girl bandit said.
"You sure are one nasty girl" Reis said as he reached into his pockets. When he felt the cloth of his pockets, he pulled out his hands and sighed. "I'm sorry to say this but I'm broke so I guess I'll just have to investigate this entire thing on my own" he said.
"I'm not so unreasonable we can't negotiate. Usually I'd charge fifty Novatian gold coins for this kind of service but I'll offer you a freebie for now. Consider it community service. But when we meet up, I'll disclose my findings for a hundred Novatian gold coins so make sure you're not broke next time" the girl laughed.
"Damn you, that's not a freebie at all. It's just me paying twice the original price. Well, we'll weigh that against the value of your info" Reis said.
"I like how your mind works" the girl smirked and walked away.
"Tell me you were not just flirting with a bandit" Aurora glared at Reis.
"I'm scared to even wonder where these wild assumptions of yours surface from" Reis muttered.
"Hey Reis! Reis! Over here!" Erasa called as she ran towards Reis.
"Hey Erasa! How are you doing?" Reis asked.
"I always knew you could do it. I knew you could save my family. You truly are a Guardian Angel" Erasa said as she tried to suppress tears of joy.
"Don't call me that. It's kinda embarrassing" Reis said shyly.
The others walked towards him.
"Hey Darak. It appears you're already losing to me, heh heh!" Reis teased with wicked pleasure.
"You idiot! Who was it that killed the Kaignis Wolf that bit you! I gained thirty eight kills and you were stuck at thirty six so think before you open yer trap you blabbermouth!" Darak yelled angrily.
"Sheesh, you get so irritated easily" Reis said as he rubbed his ears nervously.
"Reis Dragonhaärt" Mistress Kira called with a serious look on her face.
"H-Have I done something wrong?" Reis asked with a scared look on his face.
"Well done" Mistress Kira said with a satisfied smile.
"Th-Thanks" Reis said unsure of himself.
He looked at Aurora. She looked angry.
"Um…Aurora, are you okay?" Reis asked nervously.
Aurora walked closer till she was right in front of him.
"Uh…Aurora, I don't like the look on your face. It's worse than Kyla's evil stare" Reis said nervously.
Aurora raised her hand.
"Aurora, what are you doing?" Reis stared with a scared expression on his face.
Aurora's hand was trembling violently and she was getting angrier by the minute.
"N-no, no, no Aurora don't…" Reis was saying as he guessed what Aurora's next move was going to be,
"REIS YOU JERK!" Aurora screamed and slapped Reis with everything she had.
"Why on earth!" Reis screamed in shock.
Then Aurora hugged him.
"Reis, please do not put us through such an ordeal again" Aurora said as she burst into tears of joy.
Reis stood there in even more shock, not knowing whether to wrap his arms around her or stand still.
"Aurora, why are you acting like this?" Reis asked still standing still as a statue.
"Tell me how I should act after watching you nearly die because of me" Aurora said.
Reis finally found the courage to embrace Aurora in return.
"It's alright. You don't need to feel depressed. I am alive after all" Reis said with a nervous laugh.
Aurora left Reis and stepped back.
"Thank you Reis for saving me!" she said with a respectful bow.
"You don't really need to thank me. I moved on impulse" Reis said seriously.
Everyone seemed surprised to hear that.
"Let's get back to Dr Gensai's house to see how Team Senshiiro is doing" Mistress Kira said.
As they walked along the road leading to Dr Gensai's house, the villagers cheered them on, and bowed respectfully to them. Soon, they were in Dr Gensai's house. Erasa's mother, Ethan and Effuien were resting. Erasa went to the room they were resting in to be with them.
When noon arrived, Team Senshiiro was awake. They had fully recovered thanks to Dr Gensai's medicine. Reis was still sleeping.
"I think we should return to the Ranger's Guild now and report the success of our mission" Mistress Kira suggested.