THE MISSING EMPEROR ~ The Elemental Seven Book I

CHAPTER XIII: PROTECTING THEIR COMRADES

"Where are they? Time's running out." River said impatiently while waiting for his friends' arrival in LaMahaya. "Don't worry, River. I'm sure they will be here soon. Just remember, LeGrande and I will be here to help you no matter what." Emerald assured him. "Thank you. I just hope everything will turn out well. I mean..."

"Relax, River. Life itself is complicated. Don't make it worse by overthinking." Emerald said. River sighed. "Yeah, I guess you're right. No. I know you're right." Everything that has happened gotten him all worked up. "Come now. We have to speak to the other leaders. I can try to get them to believe me and perhaps it won't come to war." he said.

Myoku had slept like a baby on a king size prestige bed with one thousand thread count linens and woke up in a nice, cozy room. Too cozy she doesn't want to leave it and just doze off again. Her room was designed with wooden wall carvings of ocean waves and sea creatures. It has a teak-walled veranda with a jacuzzi and resort style lounge furniture. The room was large enough to even have a living area with spacious plush seats and a separate dining area. A little left of the dining area was a mini bar with a lot of canned soda, bottled water and alcoholic drinks which she doesn't drink. She checked the bathroom and saw an over-sized marble and granite bath with a jacuzzi tub and a separate shower with handheld shower head. She whistled at the sight. "Neat!" She looked for her bag and found it inside a full-sized walk-in closet beside a lighted vanity desk. She took a black fitted shirt, tattered jeans, a white jersey and undies, and took a hot bath.

After changing, she left her room and walked along the hallway of the ship, looking around in awe when she heard a scream, "Myoku!"  She reflexively readied her spear pointed it where the voice came from. Cray shrieked and jumped behind LeGrande. When Myoku saw Cray, she lowered her spear. "Oh. You look kinda familiar." Myoku laughed. "My apologies for startling you Miss Myoku," LeGrande said. Myoku scratched her head and said, "Er, sorry 'bout that. Woke up on the wrong side of the bed, I guess." Cray gave Myoku a sweet hug then asked, "Are you feeling better?" Myoku smiled. "I'm feeling a lot better now, thanks to all of you guys." "Did you sleep well?" LeGrande asked. "I did," Myoku answered. "That's good to know. Would you like to join us?" he asked. Cray smiled sweetly. "We're gonna go talk to River!" Cray said excitedly. "That'll be great." Myoku said. "I am River's friend, Lord LeGrande Ainsworth. However, you may call me LeGrande until we arrive in LaMahaya." he said with a smile. Myoku offered a handshake. "And you can call me Myoku. We met at the beach, right?" she said. "Yes, we did." LeGrande answered. "So shall we get going?" "Yeah, let's." Myoku replied. "Right this way, then, beautiful ladies." LeGrande said as he leads them to the Conference Room.

The one they call "Conference Room" is a chamber with seats surrounding a pool of water with a small place to set a hand and a pedestal on each corner. Myoku touched the water and asked, "Where is River?" LeGrande didn't answer her question. Instead, he placed his hand on a pedestal. "Watch." he said. It glowed blue. "It uses water energy to amplify my powers. That way, it won't drain me like what happened the last time River contacted you." he explained. "I see." Myoku said. "Grimsley will be here any minute now. Probably he's still establishing a communication." LeGrande said. 

Myoku leaned closer to Cray. "Cray, what have you done with me? I cannot use my powers," she whispered very softly to her. Cray scratched her head and whispered back. "I just sealed the dragon." "Sealed the dragon, eh? I see. That makes you my new master, then." she said. "What did you say?!" Cray asked. "Hm... Moving forward the only thing that I can use for a battle is my Tenken skills. Which are basically hand-to-hand combat techniques matched with speed." Myoku replied. "Oh, I'm sorry!" Cray said a little sad. "Sealing the dragon only means that you can control it. Thus, controlling me as I use my powers as well. But I guess I can still use a little of my Ryuugan. Though not the full extent of it." Myoku said. She sensed that Cray was feeling guilty about it. "But there's nothing to worry about it. No need to apologize You totally saved my life because of what you did. I am grateful!" Myoku said. She then turned to LeGrande. "Can I have a word with you, LeGrande?" she asked him. 

"You wanted a word with me, Miss Myoku?" LeGrande asked. 

"Yes, LeGrande. A word... with you... outside, if I may?" Myoku said.

Cray just looks at the two a little concerned. Somehow Cray can tell that its not just some small talk that Myoku wanted from LeGrande. LeGrande, on the other hand, felt the firmness on Myoku's voice and said, "I understand." Just then, Grimsley entered the chamber with something that looks like a laptop. "Aah... Grimsley, you're here now. Good! Good!" LeGrande said. Grimsley bowed politely. "Grimsley, please call Lord River for them." LeGrande ordered. "As you wish, Master LeGrande." Grimsley replied. "Cray, we'll be back in no time, alright?" Myoku said kissing Cray's head. "Alright." Cray said with a faint smile. "Lead on Miss Myoku." LeGrande said. "Very well then." They both left the room.

Myoku led him to the cruise ship's outdoor pool side. The pool was decorated with four ice wolf statues, each representing a cardinal direction. Myoku stopped beside the statue representing the East. "I believe you know that I don't trust you, Master LeGrande." she said. LeGrande standing behind her, narrowed his eyes and gripped his sword, Aquarius. It is a long broadsword with the symbol of the water bearer, on its hilt. "I also do believe that you understand..." she continued and gripped her spear tightly "...that I only ANSWER TO MASTER RIVER WOLFERT!" She took a quick turn, pivoting on her right foot, forced her spear to a stab toward LeGrande. LeGrande, who is unexpectedly quick, blocked Myoku's spear.

It took two days of train travel to reach Cambria Woods. From there, Soujiro took another train ride to reach the Huangchai Iyo prefecture in LaMahaya where the Dragon Temple is. Nikolai Clemor, the current Dragon Temple master, third master of the Tenken Class, stood by the entrance waiting for him. "Master Clemor. Sorry I'm late." Soujiro said. "What matters is that you came, Soujiro. Our client is waiting. You have to meet him right away." Nikolai said with a stern face. "I understand, Master." Soujiro said. Nikolai ushered him to the temple.

The Dragon Temple, which is located about seven miles away from the main city of LaMahaya, is a huge compound covered with beautiful trees and plants that made it appear solemn and tranquil. The compound housed three halls and a pagoda at the back of the main hall which is in the front. They entered the brick arc entrance between two Cherry Blossom trees. The front of the temple compound was a wide courtyard where practice duels and their Tenken skills training were usually conducted. The courtyard was built so it can be suitable for the Shukuchi method training. Just before entering the main hall was a large veranda supported by tall pillars. It offered a good view of the duels and training conducted in the courtyard. Inside the main hall was a large singe space with an altar built entirely of wood. Post and lintel support a large roof, constituting half the size of the whole edifice, and the hall's walls were paper-thin. Standing in the midst of the main hall are Yohanne Raja, the 4th master of the Tenken Class and Myoku's master after her grandfather Koyumo Reiko, Yvonne Clemor, Nikolai's wife, one of the temple guards named Karl and a man wearing an elegant light blue robe with a red dragon embroidered on the back.

"Good day, Soujiro! How have you been? Well, I suppose?" Yvonne greeted. "I've been well indeed, Lady Yvonne, thank you. And yourself?" Soujiro politely answered. "I've been perfectly fine, thank you for asking." Yvonne replied. "It's good to see you today, Master Yohanne, Karl." Soujiro greeted the others as he bow. "It is good to see you as well, Soujiro." Yohanne said. "May I introduce you our client~" 

"So you are Soujiro, the seventh master of the Tenken Class." the man, who happened to be the reason for the mission, interrupted Yohanne's introduction. "Indeed, sir." Soujiro said, offering him a handshake. "I've heard a lot about you and your great skills from the masters. I expect much about you in this mission." the man said who shaking Soujiro's hand. "I'll do the best that I can to meet your expectations, sir." Soujiro said. "Very well. I'm looking forward to working with you." the man said with a faint smile. Soujiro suddenly felt the pressure of this mission. Seemed to him that this man is someone who wanted absolute obedience that must not be taken lightly, and failure will not be an option. "Shall I then discuss the details of this mission, Sir Soujiro Akari?" the man asked. "Please." Soujiro answered.