Dark Ronin - The Woman with No Master

Chapter 17

10... 9...

        "You really think your mother's dead?"

        "What?"

        "You think what everyone tells you is the truth?"

        "What do you mean?"

        "Master Hiyoshi. You think he would ever lie to you?"

Who is that? Why can't I see anything?

        "I can feel it; you're starting to feel afraid."

I opened my mouth to move but a mumble barely escaped. I could feel myself struggling to breathe as the darkness wrapped around me. What's wrong with my voice? Why can't I breathe?

"You know what I'm saying is true. Deep down, you can tell. You're special; why do you think your father spends so much time on finding you? Only your mother couldn't understand the power we was giving you. But I will finish what I started," The voice sneered as I continued to choke.

8... 7... 6

        "You're not normal."

        "We started a process years ago."

        "Master Hiyoshi is a liar."

        "He lied to you."

        "You can remember."

        "The dragon is real."

        "You are the dragon's keeper."

        "Your brother died for nothing."

        "He was on the wrong side."

        "And we killed him for his mistake."

        "No one can stop us."

        "You are the reason your mother died."

        "We WILL finish what we started!"

5... 4...

"GAAAAAAAAH," I screamed gulping for air, tears flooded my face.

"It's okay, honey; I'm right here," a soft voice swarmed over me. It somehow calmed me. Who is she? Wait... Is that...

"Yes, I'm your mother," the woman spoke.

"I thought you were.... Am I," I stuttered.

"No," the lady laughed, interrupting my questions, "You're not dead."

"Then how are..."

"Stop with the questions, baby. You'll get your answers in due time. You're going to go after Yang Su?" she asked and her face started to become clearer.

"Yes," I said.

"Don't!" she nearly screamed at me, concern dripping from her voice.

"Why should I?" I straightened up, daring her. Her features softened and a smile spread on her face.

"You remind me so much of your brother when he was younger," she spoke lightly, " you know he never wanted to hurt you. It was your father's doing that made him end up where he was."

"What do you mean?"

"If it wasn't for your father, we would've still been a family. But after Yang Su, he changed. Changed for the worst. Your brother saw it as his only option of freedom. He knew that wouldn't be the last time your father would force him to go after you. So, he made it to where Ryuu would have no choice but to kill him. That poor little boy, those two were good friends once. Deep down, I think you always knew that he would never hurt you," my mother spoke in a soothing tone with tears falling down her face.

"Was it because of him that you died? Was it my-"

"No! Don't you ever think that. I died because of your father and Yang Su," she said. My eyes began to well with tears as she cupped my face.

"Babygirl, I don't have much time with you but please do not go after Yang Su. That is a very dangerous man and he is more than likely still working with your father. Yoshi and Yooki helped me once to stop those two, but they suffered as a result. You, however, do not know the suffering you will incur," her eyes grew dark.

"What do you mean?" I asked as her figure suddenly became lighter for some reason, "Mom!"

"Baby, please don't go after him. You have the stubbornness of your father but I want the best for you," she became fainter as if she was fading away.

"Mom... Mom!" I screamed as I pulled at her arms. My hands went straight through her.

"I love you and I always will. Yoshi did his best with you. I will see you once again," she said as her voice came lighter than a whisper.

"Mooooooom!" I screamed as she disappeared and my tears came back with full force.

3... 2... 1