The Will of Fire

43...Working Together Is Better Than Being Alone

*Tsuchi Overpass*
Koshinmaru, Iwabe and Sarai all followed behind the great grizzly known as Kuma. They had finally made it to the Tsuchi Overpass after a eight mile walk.
"Here we are. Tsuchi Overpass. Just on the other side is Hyō Village. From there we can get to the outskirts. There has to be a base stationed there with someone we can speak with." Kuma said.
"All I can think about is killing Landi Kang. And his son...Landi Ryo." Koshinmaru said, clenching his fists together.
Kuma stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Koshinmaru.
"What's your issue?" Koshinmaru asked, a bit irritated.
"You wish to kill the Emperor of China along with his son, who happens to be the Prince of China." Said Kuma.
"Yeah, so? What's your point?" Koshinmaru asked.
"Koshinmaru, relax." Sarai said, grabbing him by the arm.
Koshinmaru snatched away from Sarai and stared up at Kuma with frustration set in his eyes.
"You're saying that as if I can't take them out" Koshinmaru said. "He escaped last time we ran into him, but not this time!"
"You three honestly think you have what it takes to kill Landi Kang and Landi Ryo?" Kuma asked with serious intent.
"Of course we do!" Koshinmaru said.
Kuma looked at Iwabe and Sarai.
"And you two feel the same?" he asked.
"I have no doubt in my mind." Responded Iwabe.
"Neither do I." Sarai followed.
Kuma began rubbing his chin.
"Since you three really feel that way. Its only right that you three take me down." Kuma ordered.
"What?! Fight you?! No way!" Sarai shouted.
"You're not the enemy! Why would we fight you?!" Iwabe added on.
"You three really think you can all take Landi Kang and his son. They're stronger than I am. If you three can't defeat me, you're definitely not ready to face them." Kuma snarled.
Koshinmaru clenched his fists even tighter and gritted his teeth.
"This wasn't part of the deal! You said you'd take us to Hyō Village Outskirts! Now we have to defeat you to get there?!" Said Iwabe.
"I believe I've cracked the code on you three" said Kuma. "I believe you two follow behind Koshinmaru. Doing things you know will please him, even if you didn't want to. That's fine, it seems you three are best of friends. However, don't boast false bravado. If Koshinmaru is the only one one-hundred percent confident, the team will fail on account of you two if you are not as confident as he."
"Shut your mouth!" Koshinmaru shouted. "Whether these guys take you on with me or not, I gladly accept your challenge!"
Iwabe and Sarai both tensed up.
"You'd never stand a chance against me alone. You sure you want to do this?" Kuma asked.
"Koshinmaru."
Sarai walked up next to Koshinmaru with Iwabe walking next to him on the opposite side.
"We'll stand by your side just as we've done from the very start." Iwabe said.
"Whether we want to or not, you never leave a friend behind." Said Sarai.
Kuma smirked and nodded his head.
"Now. Shall we engage?" He asked the the three young warriors.
"Of course!" Koshinmaru, Iwabe and Sarai all responded at once.

*Hakuchō Palace, Courtyard*
The moon was full. The night air carried a swift breeze. In the courtyard of Hakuchō Palace, stood two experienced warriors. Both feeling the threat of a presence that just made itself known.
"Kaeneki...are you seeing what I am seeing?" Rosa asked her husband. "Six arms...when on earth did he grow six arms?"
Kaeneki stared at the the being in front of him and his wife.
"My, its been a long time. Kaeneki and Rosana Dorahatō." The being said in a deep voice.
"A long time indeed. King of the Sphinx, Makaio." Rosa responded.
Dan and Kevin watched from one of the windows inside of the palace.
"What the hell" Dan said in shock. "Do you think that's...could it be..."
"Its gotta be. The beast known as Makaio. The killer Sphinx we've heard about." Said Kevin.
Dan swallowed hard as his palms became sweaty.
"You think he'll smell us in here? He's practically a lion after all." Dan asked.
Kevin didn't answer Dan. He just stared out of the window as a sweat bead rolled down his temple.
"I can't tell you how exciting this is for me. We have unfinished business, Kaeneki." Makaio said, licking his teeth.
"How did you find us here, Makaio?" Kaeneki asked.
"I smelled two new scents in the air. But then I also picked up on two familiar scents as well. You and Rosa" Makaio snarled, sniffing the air.
"Mmm. Those new scents. They smell weak. But will make a pleasant meal indeed after I am done with the both of you."
Makaio's eyes quickly moved towards the window of the palace, where he spotted Dan and Kevin. Dan and Kevin became worried indeed.
"He...sees us. As I suspected, he also smelled us. This is bad, Kev." Said Dan.
"Mr and Mrs Dorahatō are really strong warriors. I know this because my father told me so. We're about to see this first hand. They'll never let Makaio walk away from this!" Kevin said.
Makaio licked his teeth once more and smiled menacingly at Dan and Kevin.
Suddenly, Kaeneki and Rosa moved closer towards Makaio, standing tall side by side.
"Don't you dare harm those kids!" Kaeneki demanded.
"You will have to get past the both of us. Which will not be an easy task, Makaio." Rosa followed.
Makaio began to laugh evilly.
"Those are your kids you're protecting?" He asked.
"Don't flatter yourself" said Kaeneki. "If it were our children they'd be out here with us, bringing you down. Besides, our daughter already gave you a dose of what her power was like. Imagine what our two sons can do."
"Ahh, so the pretty girl who will become my future bride is a Dorahatō. How ironic" Makaio said with a grim smile. "Your sons will soon meet me as well. Once they meet me, they meet death. As you will here this evening."
"Enough prattle. Let's do this." Said Rosa.
Without hesitation, Rosa and Kaeneki charged at the six armed Sphinx beast.

*Senzu Forest, North*
Squad One and Squad Three stood ready for their incoming rivals. Jared looked at Luisa who had her katana sword readied.
This is it. We're finally about to get some action.
A single figure appeared in the distance. Everyone glared and tried to make who or what it was. But Rashaad knew immediately who it was.
"It's her." He said, eyes wide.
"Wait, Rashaad." Hanzo said cautiously.
The figure appeared to be a woman. She walked a bit closer then stopped in her tracks.
"Naija?" Rashaad called from the distance.
The woman stood there, not uttering one single word.
"Something isn't right here. Where is the others that were supposed to ne with her?" Hanzo asked.
"Yeah...I thought Hana, Maxi, Mi-Na, and Mayonaka all picked up on them?" Darui asked.
"They did. Their senses never lie." Mai said.
Hana and Maxi began to growl, as Mi-Na and Mayonaka snarled.
"What?!" Mai, Luisa, Hwan and Kizumi all said in unison.
"Naija, its me! Your husband!" Rashaad yelled, running directly towards the woman he believed is his wife.
"Huh? What's the matter?" Hanzo asked.
"Its not right! This is an-"
"Rashaad, don't!" Luisa shouted, cutting off Mai's response to Hanzo.
Suddenly a figure appeared directly in front of Rashaad, stopping him. Rashaad's guard was completely let down.
"Oh no! Its started!" Kizumi shouted frantically.
This person that appeared before Rashaad had a spear in their hand, and with no hesitation, they thrusted it forward at Rashaad.
"Rashaad, look out!" Jared shouted.
The piercing of flesh filled the air and everything went silent...