• Chapter 3

    Ruku and Kayame were sitting together on Sunset Ridge, naturally watching the sunset. Kayame had leaned her head on Ruku’s shoulder. She looked up at him and asked, “So, you made the food and set up this picnic all by yourself?” Ruku had lightly laughed and said, “Despite my looks, I can cook.” Kayame merely laughed and stared at the sunset. “Why’d you do this,” Kayame asked. Ruku responded, “Stand up and I’ll explain.” Kayame complied, but Ruku sat. Then turned to her, reached into his coat pocket, got on one knee, and said-
    Ruku’s eyes shot open. Well, to be precise, Ruku’s eye shot open. He could see, if a little blurry, out of his left eye. The left eye projected a white room, while his right eye registered only darkness. There was an annoying beeping sound coming from somewhere. He tried to inspect his right eye with his left hand, but felt a great pain when he merely tried to lift his arm. He looked down and saw that it was in a sling. That beeping noise was driving him mad! Where was it, this noise that tortured him so?!? He closed his eye and relied on his ears to give him the location. There! It was on his blind side. That explains why he couldn’t see it. Now, to end its wretched existence! His right hand shot to his hip to draw his katana and end the beeping noise’s existence. However, his hand only grabbed air. Dear God! That noise was driving him insane! Ferociously, he swung his right arm, blindly, towards the noise. Then, for the first time, he noticed the cord protruding from his right index finger. His arm found its target and knocked over whatever was causing that dreadful sound. He swore, nearly screamed, from the pain. The machine fell with a loud crash and also the… the thing was ripped off his finger and followed the infernal beeping noise. Following that event, a chair crashed into the floor. “JESUS CHRIST!!! WHAT HAPPENDED!!!” Ruku was surprised, for it was not his own voice; yet he laughed, for the voice had cracked and that a suggested a teenager. He looked to his right. He saw an overturned chair and an alarmed teenager, confirming his suspicions. What surprised Ruku is the fact the youth was holding a short blade in his right hand while holding a kunai in his left hand, with the stance of a swordsman. A monotonous voice chuckled humorlessly and spoke, “Samson, for being a ninja’s apprentice, you show absolutely no restraint of emotion. However, I am pleased you were able to draw your weapons.” Ruku groaned. He’d know that voice if he heard it in Zeko Square on Founder’s Holiday during the fireworks exhibition. He strained his neck to see if it was him. Yep. It was indeed Zorion and his apprentice. “What are you doing here? What happened, “Ruku asked. Zorion responded, “Demogorgon betrayed you and tried to take your life. When you were nothing more than a bag of broken bones and meat and Demogorgon was about to kill you, Kayame and I intervened. Demogorgon escaped, leaving you helpless. Twice we’ve had to save your life.” Ruku coughed loudly and was wide-eyed as he saw blood on his hand. “Oh that’s not blood. Kayame thought it be funny if we put fruit punch in your mouth, so you would think you were dying.” Whether or not Zorion had smirked, Ruku would never know seeing how he was wearing a mask over his mouth that extended from his chin to the bottom of his nose. Zorion had spiky black hair with blue eyes. He was tall but toned and slim. He had typical ninja garments but decided to increase his flexibility by making the shirt sleeveless. Those claws of his were on either of his hips, made like a revolver on a cowboy’s belt, quick draw. His apprentice was less impressive. Average height and scrawny, Samson seemed like a starved street boy. He had short auburn hair and inquisitive green eyes. He looked like a street thief, not a hired blade. “So what are you two during here,” Ruku asked. Zorion responded, “We had to make sure Demogorgon didn’t try to kill you while you rested and before you ask, you’ve been out for five days. The only reason we bothered making sure you were alive only because you have to help us.” Ruku sat up and looked at them and asked, “With what? You and Samson are dismissed after you answer.” A voice then spoke from the door, weary yet it had a sting of anger, “Demogorgon is raising an army. He plans to conquer the country. And since you’re the moron who gave him the ability to do it, you’re obliged to help us.” Ruku turned and saw Kayame, with a streak of blood coming off the corner of her mouth. “You have a little,” Ruku had said and pointed at his mouth. Kayame rubbed off the blood. “Hunting.” Ruku nodded his head in acknowledgment. “What kind of army are we talking about here?” Zorion answered this time, “An army of national criminals, bandits, foreign support, and rumors say that he is so powerful, that he’s summoning an army from an another dimension.” Ruku’s eyes widened and he gasped, “Impossible. No way he’s that powerful.” Kayame scoffed and looked at Ruku. “Ever since some idiot gave him the ring, he may be that powerful. So you in or out?” Ruku stood up, even though it pained him to, and walked to the window. He looked down at the vitals monitoring machine he had smashed. He sighed. “In.”