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1. Shadowland
An ordinary Tokyo day turns dark, demon clouds gather overhead, and a cackle cracks down from the sky. In a nearby university, Mia Koji is working on her grandfather's computer. The old mand is is worried, fearing the return of an ancient devil. Downtown, Yuli and his parents are out shopping when the boy has a run in with a white tiger. The beast, Whiteblaze, licks Yuli's face. With him is Ryo. When the media arrives, reports of the tiger fill the airwaves. Mia's grandfather immediately recognizes the animal's companion and sends the girl to aid him. Mia attempts to drive into the city, but soon all technology goes dead, and she's forced to steal a police bike to continue. In the panic, Yuli becomes separated from his parents. Violently, a demon soldier emerges from behind Ryo. Whiteblaze warning him, Ryo can barely dodge the swinging scythe, the blade ripping open his shirt to reveal a vibrant red sub-armor. Ryo starts to combat the demon, but Yuli wanders into the battle and -- if not for Mia's intervention -- would have been killed. Ryo's attacks are pathetic, and he can't score a single damaging hit. It's now that he's joined by Rowen of Strata, Kento of Hardrock, Cye of Torrent, and Sage of Halo. Escalating the battle, the five call their armor. The demon soldier, in turn, raises the stakes. Capturing Mia and Yuli, he traps them in a digital prison and demonstrates that any pain he feels will also be inflicted upon the hostages. Ryo sheathes his swords, allowing himself to be caught by the monster's chain and beaten against the earth. As the demon begins to turn away from the broken samurai, Ryo stands, searing with heat. Calling upon his surekill, "Flare Up Now", Ryo irradiates the dark soldier and smashes a wicked line in the street. Mia and Yuli are freed. But, the celebration cannot last long. Anubis and his fellow Dark Warlords loom on the rooftops. Demon lord Talpa's castle churns in the sky. 2. Glory for Anubis Satellite photos reveal a blank circle where Talpa's castle has appeared. Helicopters try to investigate, but they are destroyed like insects. Technology does not work in the presence of the Dynasty. In Talpa's castle, Anubis is ordered to use Yuli and Mia to destroy the Ronin Warriors. The other Warlords spit at this cowardice. Above the subway, Sage and Rowen talk about the Dynasty. As they join the others underground, Talpa uses attacking tanks and jets against each other. Mia watches the futile attacks, commenting on the waste of it all. Whiteblaze warns that a demon is approaching moments before Anubis breaks through the ground. The five heroes use their helms to form a Circle of Power to protect Mia and Yuli while they uselessly combat the fully armored Anubis. The Ancient, from atop a nearby building, throws down his staff to dissipate the Circle. He knows the Ronin Warriors will not defeat the Warlord without their armor. Once in their helms, they put up more of a fight. Anubis, smart, begins to attack Ryo alone. Taking the brunt of a "Quake With Fear", Ryo instinctually releases a "Flare Up Now", hurting Anubis and rendering himself unconscious. One of his katana falls from his limp hand. The other Ronin come together, the battle auras rising. But, before any grand attack can be launched, Talpa strikes them down with a demon storm. Sucking them into a black wind, he hurls the five boys beyond the curve of the Earth. 3. Secret of Wildfire Morning. Mia and Yuli climb out from the rubble. Before them is Ryo's dropped katana. They cross the broken street to retrieve the sword just as a facade behind them crashes to the ground. If they had not moved to pick up the sword, they would have been crushed. Whiteblaze arrives and gets the woman and boy to follow. Deep inside Mount Fuji, Ryo slowly stirs. In Talpa's castle, the Dark Warlords taunt Anubis over his lack of a complete victory. Talpa growls at his generals, stating the necessity of the deaths of the Ronin. The demon king orders Anubis to again lead. Mia, Yuli, and Whiteblaze are chased by Dynasty soldiers through the shattered city. The Ancient saves them, splitting the earth with his staff. Free, Mia and Yuli discover the girl's jeep, now working thanks to the Ancient breaking Talpa's hold. Anubis climbs out of the fissure as they speed away. He follows them. Ryo pulls himself out of the volcano, but his first sight is Anubis. Whiteblaze soon enters, returning to Wildfire his second sword. Blows are exchanged until Anubis knocks Ryo back into the volcano. Bad move. Ryo's armor is super-charged by the blast of heat. Realizing he's made a mistake, Anubis grabs nearby Mia and Yuli and throws them into the fiery pit. Ryo dives in after them, but his armor is so hot that he must remove it to prevent incinerating the two. Without his helm, Ryo catches them and leaps back up to the top. Now armor-less, Anubis ensnares Ryo in his chain, smashing the boy repeatedly against several nasty rocks. Content, the Warlord tosses the Ronin back the burning mountain, sure that without his armor Ryo will not survive. Ryo, though, pulls Anubis into the volcano with him. He calls upon Wildfire and thoroughly trashes the demon. 4. The Search Begins While the Dynasty herds souls into limbo, Anubis is heckled by the other Warlords. Talpa orders Sekhmet to stop Ryo from reviving the other samurai. Ryo, Mia, and Yuli drive toward Professor Koji's office when they pass Yuli's old neighborhood. The little boy makes them stop, runs into his empty house, and waters some dried-up plants for his mother. Ryo, then, walks in and declares, "Uh, it's kinda pointless to water plants when they're almost dead." Finally getting to Professor Koji's office, the old man angrily dismisses Mia's questions about the Ronin Warriors and tells her that humanity's already dead. Yuli, off in his own world, plays with a polaroid camera. Pointing it at some feudal armor, he notices the suit move. It's not long before the empty armor attacks. Ryo and Whiteblaze destroy the possessed shell, but as they do, the Professor's lunges at his granddaughter. Ryo deduces that the Professor is possessed and rushes to Mia's aid. He exorcises the demon via a sharp katana. Free of evil, Professor Koji tells Mia that the poem is the key. He then dies. Whiteblaze senses Sekhmet outside, and Ryo hurries to fight the Warlord, but he's no match for Sekhmet's apparent six arms. Mia cracks the poem's code just as Sekhmet slices through the office. After they escape the falling concrete, Yuli snaps a picture of the Warlord. Sekhmet doesn't have six arms; he only has two arms that are moving very quickly. Using this knowledge to dodge the Dark Warlord's "Snake Fang Strike", Wildfire grabs one of Sekhmet's swords, and defeats him with his own venom. 5. Halo's Prison Mia interprets the ancient poem, deducing that they must look for Sage in a cave formation called the Pinnacles. Mia, Yuli, Ryo, and Whiteblaze head for the caves, only to find that Sekhmet has beaten them there. Ryo sends the woman, boy, and tiger into a cavern while he engages Sekhmet outside. During the fight, poison from Sekhmet's blades blind Ryo. Whiteblaze rushes out to Wildfire's defense, pulling him back into the relative safety of the caves. The Ronin stumbles about, unable to see, while Mia and Yuli are caught by the Warlord. Concentrating, Ryo finds Sage with the guidance of the Wildfire armor, but Halo is encased in a pillar of stone. Sekhmet arrives with Mia and Yuli and utterly defeats the blind Ryo. Ryo screams out for the sleeping Sage to wake. Sekhmet laughs. Desperate, Ryo slams his fists into the stone pillar, sending a crack of light deep within the rock. Sage wakes and vanquishes the demon with a single blow. Leaving the caves, Sage uses his knowledge of life and light to restore Ryo's vision. 6. The Counter Attack The Ronin split up to revive their comrades. Ryo and Yuli are at a bridge over a raging whirlpool as Sage and Mia drive off to find Kento. According to the poem, Cye should be near this whirlpool. Ryo dives in as Sekhmet watches from the shore. In Talpa's castle, Dais and Cale plead to Talpa to let them have their chance. To Cale's delight, the demon king sends him to stop Sage. Underwater, Ryo is attacked by demon soldiers. At the bottom, Cye lies in a blue sphere, guarded by a killer whale. Ryo calls Wildfire, but Sekhmet, using the combination of water and poison, easily breaks him. Ryo falls, and Sekhmet goes after Cye. Cye, though, is stirred by Ryo's lost swords. He uses his "Super Wave Smasher" against Sekhmet, angry over the fish killed by the demon's venom, and retrieves Ryo. The battle takes to the bridge. In the fight, a gasoline truck explodes. Whiteblaze, a smart tiger, drags the unconscious Ryo into the burning truck. The fire heals him. After Cye's hit by three consecutive "Snake Fang Strikes", Ryo stands. Sekhmet is hit simultaneously by a "Super Wave Smasher" and "Flare Up Now", sending the demon back to Talpa. 7. Splitting the Stone Mia and Sage drive to a mountain, watched by a pack of wolves. They stop the jeep when the road and weather become too much and begin to walk. Sage stops and tells the girl to turn around. He doesn't want her to get hurt. Mia won't listen and goes off in her own direction. Mia soon becomes terribly lost and is attacked by the wolves. Sage arrives just in time to save her. They escape an avalanche and retreat to the stone shrine that encases Kento. Cale arrives, Sage calls Halo, and unsuccessfully attempts to break the stone around his comrade. Cale drives his own sword into the rock, the blade inches away from drawing Kento's life blood. Sage charges Cale, but he and Mia are thrown off a cliff, crashing into a cave behind a remote waterfall. The Ancient appears and speaks to Sage as he wakes. While Sage meditates on the Ancient's words, Mia ventures out. She sees the Ancient walking away in the distance and starts to shout, successfully attracting Cale's attention. The Warlord binds the girl and hurls her into the freezing water of the waterfall. Sage becomes alert and rushes to her aid, but Cale freezes the waterfall and the Ronin inside it. Sage, tapping his spirit's power, breaks through the ice, saves Mia, frees Kento from the stone, and returns life and light to the wilderness. Cale's sent back to Talpa's castle with his tail between his legs. 8. Friend or Foe Ryo, Cye, and Yuli travel to meet Kento, Sage, and Mia near a lake to find Rowen. In Talpa's castle, Dais is given his chance to stop the Ronin Warriors from becoming a team of five again. When Ryo, Cye, and Yuli arrive, Dais appears and announces that he's captured Rowen. Ryo and Cye chase after him to find Rowen held captive by demon soldiers. Ryo and Cye begin to fight Dais, unaware that the demon's illusion is actually making the two fight each other. Wildfire and Torrent knock each other out with their surekills. Shortly after, Kento and Sage appear, and Dais uses the same illusion on them. Raising his sword to strike Kento, Sage realizes that the man he's fighting is not Dais. He stops, but it is to late. Halo lets himself be struck by Kento's raging power. Kento, then, realizes his mistake and turns his attack on the true Dais. The Warlord defeated, the Ronin Warriors rest in the cool night. Ryo watches a shooting star and realizes the reason they cannot find Rowen of Strata on Earth is because he is in space. 9. Wildfire in the Sky The four Ronin, Mia, and Yuli sleep along the shore, pondering how to reach Rowen. Talpa and the Warlords have their own scheme to get Strata. Ryo, not wanting to wait around, tries to sneak off with Whiteblaze, but Kento catches them leaving, He insists that he come along. Talpa channels the hate of his nether spirits into a massive cannon, his weapon against the space-borne samurai. Ryo and Kento quickly decimate a squad of demon soldiers and sprint on toward the nether cannon. Before they can arrive, the gun releases a giant pulsing orb into the sky; however, the Ancient does not allow it to reach space, striking it down with his staff. The cannon begins to recharge, and Anubis arrives to stop Ryo and Kento. The Warlord's strength is magnified by the building nether energy, able to quickly cut through the Ronin. A second shot is fired. Ryo throws himself at the launching shot in an attempt to stop it; however, he is only absorbed by the tainted sphere. 10. In the Sea of the Sky Kento, Sage, and Cye fend off a horde of demon soldiers while Anubis argues with Talpa that without a fair fight the Dynasty's victory would be meaningless. In space, Ryo shatters the nether missile with a "Flare Up Now". Rather than dying in the vacuum, Wildfire erects a shell to protect its host. Drifting helplessly, he finds Rowen, protected by his own glass sphere. Rowen wakes and brings Ryo into his shield. In his element, Rowen takes the two earthward. Anubis is hit with a wave of pain through his head as, unknown to him, his virtue -- Loyalty -- begins to burn. He can feel the five armors coming closer to becoming one. Silently, the demon armors up. Making planet fall, Ryo and Rowen are met by Anubis. Quickly, he knocks Ryo out cold, but he refuses to finish the boy off. The Warlord then freezes, pondering his hesitation, fighting with himself. Rowen takes no chances and launches an "Arrow Shock Wave" straight at the Warlord. Anubis catches the bolt in mid-flight, just as the arrowhead splits his helmet. Falling away, Anubis is revealed in his true form. The Dark Warlords are not spirits in empty armors like the nether soldiers. They're human. Talpa doesn't let the fight continue, wild lightning snapping the struck Anubis back up into the clouds just as Sage, Cye, and Kento enter the field. 11. Assault on the Dynasty The Ronin Warriors, disturbed by Anubis's humanity, return to the city, deserted and covered in fog. Facing a wall of smoke, while the others hesitate, Kento hops into a nearby van and drives in. The van stalls in the middle of the smoke, is bashed about by nether spirits, and is slammed back outside. Looking further for a way in, the samurai find a giant gate in the fog. Kento summarily opens the thing, but before continuing inside, the Ronin decide it's too dangerous for Mia and Yuli to continue on. When Yuli objects, Ryo slaps him, and the kid runs off crying. The samurai step through the gate into a world controlled by the Dynasty. Attacked by Dais, the Ronin are prevented from armored up by a flute-playing company of spirits. Dais easily captures the five in his "Web of Deception". Outside, Whiteblaze, guarding Mia and Yuli, senses that Ryo is in danger. Dais offers the bound Wildfire a place in the Dynasty, but Ryo refuses. Mia and Yuli, following the tiger, pass through the gate to help the Ronin. Attacked by spirits, the Ancient's staff appears. Mia grabs hold of the pike and stops the flutes. Now able to call his armor, Ryo defeats Dais and apologizes to Yuli. 12. Shallow Darkness Exhausted from their recent fights, the Ronin Warriors share a quite moment. Yuli notices the skateboard shop he was at the day he lost his parents. He holds back his tears and runs ahead toward the store. From nowhere, nether soldiers attack. Mia and Yuli, separated from the Ronin, flee into the subway. Only more demon soldiers, though, wait below the street. Rowen comes to their aid, fighting off the spirits. Mia and Yuli run ahead into a parking lot. The cars, though, are possessed. Kento and Cye demolish the demon cars while Ryo takes Mia and Yuli deeper underground. Ambushed again, Mia and Yuli run as Ryo takes on the soldiers. Mia and Yuli dodge a subway train, and Sage rescues them from a second. The three crawl through an air duct to try to escape, but Cale enters and challenges Sage. Cale fights with shadows, not allowing Sage to get in a single strike. Further, Halo is afraid of using his full power because he may hurt Mia or Yuli in the process. Cale finishes up with two successive "Black Lightning Slash" surekills, throwing the Ronin to the ground. Yuli grows upset and charges at the demon. Sage, rising to prevent the boy's attack, throws a blast of focused lightning into Cale, shattering the demon's darkness. 13. Fate of the Ronin Armor Kento and Rowen jump over rampaging subway trains. While Rowen grabs onto a ceiling pipe to avoid a train, Kento, instead, rides it away. Hardrock finds the train filled with demon soldiers and fights until thrown from the tracks, hurling Kento into a rift. Kento wakes in a parched land, two ancient armies doing battle. The armors of the Dark Warlords rise from the ground as Talpa's voice echoes. The demon tells Kento that all nine armors belong to him; the Ancient stole the five armors that are now worn by the Ronin Warriors. The Ronin armors come from the ground, and Talpa invites Kento to join the Dynasty. Kento refuses and is attacked by the armors. He defeats them to Talpa's delight. The devil whispers to Kento that is was so easy for him to turn to violence and hate. He informs the boy that Hardrock is a bloodthirsty armor. Kento collapses, clutching the broken Wildfire. Ryo, though, turns into Dais. It's all an illusion. Still, the damage has been done. Kento is confused and full of self-doubt. Deep within the castle, Anubis, burning within a lava pit, screams in pain as demon priests shower him with hate. 14. Armor of Life Anubis is tortured by the nether spirits. The priests pour down fire. Absorbing the rage, Anubis boils and churns. In a deserted amusement park, Sage, Mia, Yuli, and Whiteblaze are attacked by demon soldiers. Ryo and Cye back them up, but they are all forced to retreat into the subway again where they meet up with Rowen and Kento. Anubis, spilling over with pure hatred, emerges from the darkness. Without his helmet, his human face sneers at the Ronin. The samurai armor up, but Kento is unable to call upon Hardrock. Deeply disturbed and depressed, he cannot summon his helm. Anubis thrashes the four armored soldiers, ignoring Kento. About to finish Ryo, he hesitates once more. Yuli and Whiteblaze attack, only to be backhanded away by the demon. As Yuli collapses, Kento realizes that he can't let this happen. He throws on his armor and attacks. Anubis stumbles, forces inside him battling. Talpa reaches down to pluck up the Warlord, but he Ancient intercedes, bringing the unconscious Anubis into his arms. 15. The Ancient's Battle Anubis lies on the ground, the Ancient watching over him. The monk tells the Ronin Warriors that they wear the same armor as the Warlords, all nine supposed to be one. Anubis wakes, and the Ronin stand ready for battle. The Ancient stops them and takes Anubis aside. The Ancient reveals to Anubis that his armor is a Ronin armor, not intended for hate. The monk lifts his staff, pulling the demon's virtue forward. The Ancient tells Anubis he has a choice to make. Talpa snarls over the situation. First striking the remaining Dark Warlords, he then sends them down to return Anubis. Before given a chance to decide his fate, Anubis is taken prisoner by the Warlords. The demons assume his hesitation is a sign of defection and lunge at their comrade. Anubis weakly defends himself, but he's fighting a losing battle. The Ronin, however, enter to aid Anubis. The Ancient makes sure the unsure soldier knows that the Ronin Warriors are fighting for his sake. Talpa doesn't let this continue, ripping Anubis, Sekhmet, Dais, and Cale back to the Nether Realm. Anubis confronts his fellow Warlords, telling them what he's learned from the Ancient. They beat Anubis for his treason. The Ronin Warriors decide that this battle must end; they need to enter Talpa's castle. Talpa, too, decides it's time for the fight to be over; it's time to dispose of the Ancient. The Ancient, alone, is struck down by the demon king's savage hate. He blocks with his magic, but he knows he cannot maintain a defense. Making his footing sure and steeling his form, the Ancient gives up his soul in one last move. Killing himself, he breaks a hole through the clouds. A shaft of white burns up into Talpa's domain. The monk gives up his life to make a bridge into the demon world. 16. Raid on Talpa's Castle The Ronin enter into the white bridge, carried up by the Ancient's will into Nether Realm. Entering the castle, the samurai immediately realize that demon soldiers are far more powerful in their native domain. Cale, Sekhmet, and Dais burn in a flaming pit, Talpa forcing a hateful evolution upon them in preparation for their battle with the Ronin Warriors. The Ronin armor up to devastate the demon soldiers around them, but they advance only to face the three Dark Warlords, churning with pure rage. They lure the samurai beyond the gate, quickly separating them. Sage finds himself in the company of Cale. The demon toys with Halo, shadows and masks used to confuse him. Sage, however, identifies the Warlord, and the two lock swords. Ryo and Cye find themselves with Sekhmet. Cye engages the monster and sends Ryo off to find Talpa. Kento and Rowen battle Dais, hiding in his illusions. A barrage from Rowen's bow shows the Warlord's true location. Kento lunges forward and cries to Rowen to leave. Ryo and Rowen enter the castle's deepest sanctum. Talpa laughs, revealing the souls of all those he's trapped in limbo. If the Ronin don't give up, the spirits will be snuffed out. Rowen spits that the people, and many more, will die if they do give up. Kento, Cye, and Sage shatter through the castle's walls, taking their fights to the courtyard. Anubis, locked deep away, can feel the war being raged above. 17. The Legend of the Armor Ryo twice charges Talpa, and twice he is knocked down. Whiteblaze senses Ryo's peril. With Mia and Yuli, the tiger sprints into the Nether Realm. Talpa watches the battle between the Ronin and Warlords. Feeling the Ronin are too strong, the demon king acts personally. Reaching out, he calls the Warlords back, devouring their armors and souls. With the power of the three armors, Talpa's gains a physical form. Ryo, Sage, Cye, Rowen, Kento, Mia, Yuli, and Whiteblaze all stand together surrounded by demon soldiers. The five Ronin burn, their auras blending together. Anubis can feel the fight, and he summons the strength to escape his prison. Talpa, though, attacks first. Ryo is beaten unconscious, Wildfire thrown from him. Sage rescues the sleeping boy while the other three Ronin try to hold back Talpa. Talpa effortlessly defeats Strata and Torrent and absorbs them. Hardrock is taken next. Mia and Yuli, surrounded by nether soldiers, haven't a prayer until Anubis strikes them down in a frenzy of just rage. The Warlord turns the nether army to ash. Sage fights off Talpa alone. He does his best to protect the broken Ryo, but Talpa is too much. Halo's sword shatters, and he is thrown into the sky. Sage shuts his eyes. He is eaten by the demon king. Ryo, consumed by grief, suits up. Side-by-side with Anubis, the two fight an impossible fight. Talpa smites the Warlord. 18. Talpa's Triumph Alone, Ryo faces Talpa. His strongest attacks merely scorch the ground under the demon's foot. Momentarily, the spirits of the captured Ronin paralyze Talpa, allowing Ryo to create more distance between himself and demon. In response, Talpa summons the surekills of Strata, Halo, Torrent, and Hardrock, all but destroying Ryo. Again, the captured Ronin take control of Talpa's armor, giving Ryo a chance to destroy him. But Ryo, unable to strike against his friends, refuses. Talpa reaches out and swallows Wildfire. 19. Wild Fire's Fight Against Fate Ryo wakes beside the Ancient. The monk tells the boy of his first battle with Talpa and how he split up demon's body into nine armors. He apologizes for getting Ryo involved in his fight. Ryo doesn't want to listen. Finding his sleeping friends, he falls beside them, wanting only to rest. The Ancient tells Ryo that Talpa underestimates the power of humanity. The Ancient's voice, though, is fading, replaced by the growl of Talpa, telling Ryo to give up and join his friends. Further, Ryo can hear his friends calling for him to fight back. Ryo, in pain, rejects sleep. The warrior rises, exploding from Talpa's body in a white armor... Inferno. Ryo conquers the demon lord and destroys his castle. Passing out from the power, Ryo is joined by Sage, Cye, Rowen, and Kento. They float down as the castle crumbles away. From a rooftop, the Ronin Warriors watch as the dark clouds of the Dynasty disappear from the sky. 20. Ronin vs. Saranbo Wildfire battles against a horde of demon warriors. Talpa appears and begins to beat the Ronin. Ryo's pinned to a boulder as Talpa's sword races for his head. Ryo wakes in a cold sweat. It was a nightmare. He's been asleep for over a week since he destroyed Talpa. Ryo dresses and wanders around, realizing he's in Mia's house. High above, a demon gates forms in the sky, and Saranbo emerges. Sage and Rowen, driving home, are attacked by the monster. They return to Mia's home, beaten, and recruit Kento and Cye to battle the new foe. The four Ronin Warriors are defeated, and Saranbo sends a challenge to Ryo, saying his comrades will die if he does not accept. The four Ronin try unsuccessfully to warn Ryo to stay away. Ryo doesn't listen. He fights, weak. Halo, Torrent, Strata, and Hardrock painfully and involuntarily give their energy to Wildfire, creating Inferno. Ryo seemingly defeats Saranbo, but as Inferno's energy burns into the sky, Saranbo watches from above. 21. Ryo's Mega Armor Underwater, Saranbo gives a small army of demon soldiers their orders. In Mia's home, Sage, Cye, Rowen, and Kento discuss the Nether Realm and their concern for Ryo. Ryo, outside, is challenged by Saranbo. With Whiteblaze, he takes off to fight the demon. Yuli sees Ryo running off and asks the other Ronin where he was heading. Fearing for Wildfire's life, the four rush out to follow their leader. Saranbo's already defeated Ryo and started to claim Inferno for himself. When the others arrive, Saranbo begins to syphon their spirits; however, their will is too much and Inferno is born once more. Ryo destroys Saranbo and passes out. Further, the Wildfire swords have been cracked by the heat of the ultimate armor. 22. Saber Stryke's Deadly Challenge Mia tries to figure out how to repair the cracked Wildfire katana. As Ryo throws a fit about the situation, Yuli comments about getting Ryo new swords, and Mia realizes that the kid's got some intelligence. Whiteblaze feels something... Blackblaze. After a fight, the black tiger disappears. The following day, the Ronin Warriors find a fissure in the forest containing the Soul Swords of Fervor. According to Mia, these are Inferno's true swords.The Ronin use the Circle of Power to dissipate the shield surrounding the swords, and Ryo pulls them from their sheaths. However, he throws them down, breaking them. They're fakes. Saber Stryke appears holding the real Soul Swords and challenges Ryo. Ryo and Saber Stryke clash, as do Whiteblaze and Blackblaze. Ryo summons the Inferno armor, but his Wildfire swords shatter under the extreme. Whiteblaze throws himself in front of Ryo to save him from Saber Stryke's attack. Saber Stryke puts the Soul Swords away and declares that he will postpone the battle in Whiteblaze's honor. As he and his black tiger leave, Whiteblaze collapses, leaving Ryo standing. 23. White Blaze's Sacrifice Saber Stryke recalls a battle with Talpa where the two demons fought over conflicting vision and principles. Talpa won only because of underhanded tactics. A scar remains on Saber Stryke's chest as a reminder of the loss. He needs the power of the white armor to defeat the devil king. In a cabin, Ryo, Mia, and Yuli care for the injured Whiteblaze. Ryo blames himself for the tiger getting hurt. Outside, the four other Ronin Warriors decide to defeat Saber Stryke themselves. Rowen tells Ryo of their decision, and Ryo runs off, feeling worthless. In the night, Ryo wakes to find Whiteblaze missing. Whiteblaze and Blackblaze are locked in another vicious catfight. The white tiger's steals one of the Soul Swords, but is slashed in the neck by the black tiger's claws in the process. Ryo arrives to find the mortally wounded Whiteblaze. The tigers gives Ryo his Soul Sword before dropping. Saber Stryke appears, telling the boy that they now both have one sword of Fervor, and they will be evenly matched. If Ryo wins, Saber Stryke will give him the second sword. If Saber Stryke wins, the swords and white armor are his. The four other Ronin arrive, but Ryo tells them to stay out of this fight. Wildfire begins to lose, and the Ronin Warriors voluntarily throw their powers to Ryo, creating Inferno. Ryo conquers Saber Stryke and obtains the second Soul Swords. Ryo runs to the dying Whiteblaze as Blackblaze nuzzles the dying Saber Stryke. Saber Stryke tells his tiger that the Ronin Warriors need him. Saber Stryke dies, and Blackblaze disappears with a roar. Whiteblaze returns to life, revived by the black tiger. 24. Sun Devil: Ambassador of Evil Ryo stands in Mt. Fuji and throws his broken Wildfire swords into the volcano's lava. A wave of lava shoots up over the samurai, and when it clears, the Wildfire katana are whole. Mia and Yuli watch with delight. As the three drive home, they encounter Sun Devil. Ryo battles the demon until the four other Ronin arrive to. Sun Devil traps the soldiers in his whips, but they are set free through a swift action by Whiteblaze. Sun Devil multiplies, furthering the fight. The Ronin tell Ryo to transform into the Inferno. Ryo doesn't want to leave his comrades helpless, but he reluctantly suits up in the white armor. Sun Devil unites into one form again, but Ryo defeats him. With Ryo's finishing blast, a nether gate forms in the sky. From inside, Talpa's voice crackles. 25. Torrent's Evil Twin Talpa plots to have the Dark Warlords fight the Ronin Warriors one-on-one. Sekhmet is ordered to collect Cye. The aid a demon, copy of Torrent is forged from venom. The Ronin Warrior each have a dream of the Ancient, telling them at the need to center themselves and their armors. Interpreting this, they each go their separate ways, returning to where their armors first hid when Talpa scattered them. Cye goes to the whirlpool where he was found. There, he faces his clone. Realizing his fake Torrent is poisoning the water, Cye takes the battle onto land. He decides that rather than fighting the current, he should accept its path. Cye lets the tainted soldier's blast hit him. The venom passes straight through his body, and Cye defeats his copy. The poison, though, is too much. He collapses. Cye is captured by Sekhmet and taken into the Nether Realm. 26. The Armor Must Be Destroyed Sage rests by a spring when he discovers a deer being attacked by a pack of wolves. When Sage drives away the wolves, the deer runs away from him, terrified. Cale has been sent to capture Halo. Sage becomes frightened and furious that Talpa's previous ownership could have tainted his armor. Cale attacks, and Sage calls Halo, but he holds back his attacks, afraid of his helm's darker nature. Cale taunts Halo, heckling his flawed ethics and unsure morals. Confused, Sage discards his armor and runs off. While Sage meditates under a waterfall, Cale freezes the area, solidifying the waterfall and putting the animals nearby in a state of suspended animation. Cale laughs at Sage, unable to break free because of his unclear soul. Sage finally makes a decision and calls upon Halo. Lightning and life orbiting the samurai, the boy defeats Cale. Sage realizes that he must destroy his armor. Coming from Talpa, its very essense is dark. He removes his helm and slices straight through the plate. But, Halo does not break. His blade and armor -- instead -- glow, and Halo heals itself. Sage realizes the act he's witnessing can't be evil, but it is too late. Talpa takes him into the Nether Realm. 27. Sand Blasted Dais is given the mission of capturing Kento and granted his request of the assistance of the twin Sand Strikers. As Kento enters a construction site, Dais and the Sand Strikers attack. Kento is victorious, and heads out to the mountains, where the fight continues. Tapping into the source of his power, Kento is able to focus in on the Sand Strikers and destroy them. But, when Dais tells Kento that Sage and Cye have been captured, Kento willingly accompanies the Warlord into the Nether Realm. 28. Lady Kayura and the Dark Realm Rowen stands in the ocean, meditating. He fires an "Arrow Shock Wave" into the clouds. Shortly after, a girl's laughter comes from the sky. Flower petals float around Strata, and he is struck by a bolt of light. He wakes in the clouds in the presence of Lady Kayura. She tells the boy that Hardrock, Halo, and Torrent have been captured by the Dynasty. Angry, Rowen shoots an arrow at her, and she lets him plummet. At the last second, Strata creates a shell which carries him safely to the ground. Nearby, a man with long red hair dressed in the Ancient's clothes watches. In Mt. Fuji, Ryo stands in the lava, Kayura watching him from above. She taunts Ryo, and he jumps up to confront her. Rowen arrives, telling Ryo that Kento, Sage, and Cye have been captured. When Ryo asks Kayura about this, Kayura produces Halo's no-dachi and Torrent's yari. Home, Ryo and Rowen argue with each other, yet both seem to be arguing on the same side. Kayura appears with images of the captured Ronin in distress. She tells the Wildfire and Strata to give up, but they refuse. Kayura battles Ryo and Rowen and eventually bests them. She opens a doorway, preparing to take the two into the Nether Realm, but the red-haired Ancient enters and throws his staff before Wildfire and Strata. The energy from the staff races into Ryo, and Inferno rages over him. Ryo destroys the gate, and Kayura escapes. 29. Anubis is Reborn Near a shrine, the red-haired Ancient mediates. Kayura appears, calling the monk to battle. Kayura summons a "Star Sword Scream", but the Ancient is more powerful than she imagined. He blocks her attack and vanishes. In Mia's home, Ryo and Rowen again argue, ultimately deciding to lure Talpa's forces out of their element. In the Nether Realm, Kayura informs Talpa of the Ancient's return. Kayura is again sent after Ryo and Rowen. In our world, Ryo and Rowen catch sight of the red-haired monk. The ascetic removes his wide hat to reveal his face. The Ancient is Anubis. The chosen successor of the former monk, Anubis has taken up his fight. He tells the Ronin that he does not yet have the power to send them into the Nether Realm, and that they will have to wait for Talpa's move. Ryo and Rowen tepidly accept his friendship. Kayura attacks Wildfire and Strata in the city. Whiteblaze transforms into Blackblaze, and a battle begins. As Kayura powers up her "Star Sword Scream", Anubis uses his staff to redirect her force. The blast is directed skyward, breaking a hole into Talpa's dimension. Quickly, Ryo and Rowen enter the dark world. 30. Talpa Turns the Tide Mia and Yuli jump on Anubis for sending Ryo and Rowen to the Nether Realm, but the monk explains himself. He then senses danger, and Dais's presence is revealed. Anubis effortlessly knocks the Warlord out and tries to convince him that Talpa is merely using him for his armor. In the Nether Realm, Ryo, Rowen, and Whiteblaze find themselves in a stunningly beautiful landscape, complete with flowers and sparkling streams. Meanwhile, Talpa taunts the three captured Ronin. After telling them that resisting only creates more energy for him to drain, he siphons their spirits to form a burning sword. Before passing out, Sage calls out to Ryo. Hearing Sage's distant call, Ryo realizes his comrades are alive, and he and Rowen steel themselves for a fight. Outside, Dala and a large army of demon soldiers surround Ryo, Rowen, and Blackblaze. As the three attempt to fight the swarm of opponents, Kayura's breastplate begins to glow. Ryo, Rowen, and Blackblaze fight back against the army in vain. Talpa calls upon his sorcerer, Badamon, who speaks to him on the nature of Inferno. It is raw power, and has the ability to both create and destroy worlds. If Talpa were to command it... Dala uses the power of his burning sword against Wildfire and Strata, causing pain to Halo, Torrent, and Hardrock with each swing. Knowing they need the power of Inferno, Rowen rides away on a horse, leaving Ryo clueless. Ryo continues the battle with Dala as Rowen launches an arrow toward Talpa's castle. Seeing the bolt, the three captive soldiers release their spirits to Ryo. Inferno is born, and Dala is defeated. 32. Strategies of the Nether World Badamon, using the energy of the nether spirits, probes into the secrets of Inferno. Ryo and Rowen, meanwhile, are lost in a maze of castle walls. Badamon informs Talpa and Lady Kayura that the armors of the Warlords can be combined with the Wildfire and Strata helms to form Inferno, and they plan to contaminate the white armor using the energies of the nether spirits during the transformation. The Dark Warlords, though, discuss how they have been used by Talpa. Ryo and Rowen are confronted by Kayura and the Warlords. Inferno is forced upon Ryo by the Warlords, nether spirits possessing him in hopes of tainting the white armor. Things go differently than planned, and Inferno infects the Warlords. Ryo exorcises the nether spirits and launches a "Rage of Inferno" at Kayura. The attack penetrates the wall between the Nether Realm and Earth. The sky burns. Talpa's pleased. The barrier is breaking. 33. In Search of Secret Treasures On Earth, Mia, Yuli, and Anubis watch the blast and its effects on the firmament between worlds. In the Nether Realm, Ryo, Rowen, and Whiteblaze rest in a cave. Rowen tells Ryo that the Dark Warlords are potential allies. Meanwhile, Badamon has the three Warlords taken to be reeducated. Anubis waits impatiently as Mia tries to solve the puzzles left by the Ancient. Demon soldiers attempt to stop her research, but Anubis makes short work of them. Mia quickly finishes her study and tells Anubis that she has discovered the third element necessary to defeat Talpa, the Jewel of Life, located, coincidentally, in Jewel Lake. Badamon dispatches the stealthy Gash and a small team of demon soldiers to stop them from retrieving the artifact. When he arrives at Jewel Lake, Anubis parts the waters, allowing Mia, Yuli, and himself access to the lake bottom. There, a temple is located. After Desending into the shrine, they pass through a corridor lined with ancient armor. In the center of the temple, Mia, Yuli, and Anubis discover the Jewel of Life, but they are quickly attacked by Gash and his contingent of demon soldiers. Gash takes Mia and Yuli hostage, preventing Anubis from launching an attack. They're rescued as the ancient armors come to life and dispose of the demons. Anubis impales Gash with the end of his staff and frees the monk spirits protecting the shrine. 34. Strata's Defiant Stand Home, Mia inspects the jewel and hangs it from Yuli's neck. Anubis watches at the sky and the dissolving barrier between worlds. Rowen, Ryo, and Whiteblaze run through a twisting corridor. Cornered, they attempt to jump the walls, but landing, they only sink into a pit. Anubis, frustrated, and asks the Ancient for help. The staff and jewel glow, and the new monk realizes what he must do. Ryo, Rowen, and Whiteblaze try to find their way out of the dungeon only to come across Kayura. After a short battle, Ryo's tricked into releasing a "Flare Up Now". Kayura jumps aside, allowing the fire to strike a nearby shrine. It soon becomes clear that Wildfire can't stop his surekill, the shrine sucking it up. Rowen intervenes and challenges the dark lady. Whiteblaze takes the weak Ryo away, and the battle between Rowen and Kayura takes to the sky. Anubis uses the staff and the jewel to transport Mia, Yuli, and himself to the Nether Realm. They arrive before Whiteblaze and Ryo, stolen away on a boat. Rowen floats down to join in the escape. Kayura, though, descends. Racing at the band, she is beaten back by Anubis's will. 35. The Warriors Return Ryo and Rowen are understandably upset that Mia and Yuli are now in the Nether Realm, but Anubis tells them they are vital in the battle against Talpa, and that they wouldn't have been much safer on Earth. Wildfire and Strata leave to confront Kayura, while demon soldiers attack the monk. Badamon whispers to Talpa that the Dark Warlords are nearly prepared. Whiteblaze, armed with the blade of a scythe, and Anubis defeat the demon soldiers, while Rowen is snatched by the monsters. Underground, Halo, Torrent, and Hardrock sleep in a cistern. Above ground, Anubis sends Ryo after Rowen. Mia, Yuli, and Whiteblaze, going after Ryo, discover that the Jewel of Life can destroy demons. In the castle, Badamon warns that once the Dark Warlords' virtues manifest, they will not be able to be relied upon. Talpa does not appear concerned. In the battle between Anubis and Kayura, the monk bests the wicked lady, but as he attempts to deliver the finishing blow, his staff prevents it. Elsewhere, Rowen is dropped into a cavern. There, he finds his frozen comrades. Strata pulls three arrows from his back, prays, and hurls them at Halo, Torrent, and Hardrock. Ryo, alone, finds himself confronted by the three Dark Warlords, burning with pure hate. Ryo takes three strong hits as Yuli runs to him, the Jewel of Life glowing. The Dark Warlords pull back in agony as the jewel activates. Kayura arrives, spiriting away the Warlords. She, then, attacks Wildfire, but it is destined not to succeed. Exploding around Ryo come Sage, Cye, Kento, and Rowen. 36. Cheap Tricks All five Ronin Warriors face Kayura in the lake-filled cavern. Kayura laughs, and Kento delivers an easily-blocked attack. The Dark Warlords, having recovered, arrive. The Ronin and Warlords pair off... Cye versus Cale, Ryo versus Sekhmet, and Kento versus Dais. Trap doors open, and the three fall, leaving Sage and Rowen to defend Mia and Yuli from Kayura. Sage attacks the demon woman, striking her breastplate. Mia and Yuli soon become surrounded by demon soldiers, and Yuli, acting cocky, lifts the Jewel of Life, but it fails to activate. Anubis races to help the Ronin, still confused over not being able to finish Kayura. He realizes that she may have a link to the staff, and that she may not serve Talpa willingly. Anubis figures her breastplate is the key to keeping her under the demon king's spell. As his staff begins to glow, Anubis senses the Ronin are nearby, and he rescues Ryo from a chamber of Sekhmet's venom. Next, Ryo and Anubis save Kento from Dais. At first, Kento is hostile toward the monk, but Ryo assures him he is on their side. The three go on to save Cye, who is not particularly shocked that Anubis has turned good. All four arrive in the cavern, where Sage and Rowen are still fighting Kayura. Inferno is called, and Ryo's pure heat cracks the girl's breastplate. Kayura collapses. In a frail, innocent voice, she asks where she is and who she is. Anubis stops Ryo from killing the girl, but before he can do anything more, Talpa and Badamon claw Kayura away. 37. Anubis' Armor Revived In the deserted outskirts of Talpa's castle, the Ronin Warriors are training, preparing for the battle ahead. Anubis meditates in a shrine, refusing to go with the Ronin, as there is still much he must learn of Kayura and the staff. Ryo leaves Mia and Yuli under Anubis's supervision as the Ronin head off for battle. They have no reservations about striking down Kayura. In the castle, Kayura is still in a daze, slowly remembering her childhood. She grew up in a clan led by the Ancient. Talpa grows furious over his weakening control; however, Badamon has a plan. The Ronin Warriors battle demon soldiers, complaining that they shouldn't be wasting their energy on this cannon fodder. In the castle, Kayura remembers her parents being killed by Talpa and how his army destroyed their clan. She, as a small girl, was kidnapped by the devil king and turned into his demon priestess. At this time, Badamon possesses Kayura's body. Anubis's staff reacts, and the monk realizes that she's is in trouble. Suddenly, though, the three Dark Warlords attack, forcing Anubis, Mia, and Yuli to flee the temple. Anubis faces his former comrades. The possessed Kayura rides a orb of agony and hate toward the Ronin. Anubis sees the sphere and creates a rift in the ground between himself and the Warlords. Anubis rushes to the aid of the Ronin Warriors, but he's too late to help. Inferno's power destroys the churning ball, but it also breaks the Ronin against the ground. Anubis confronts Kayura, and he realizes that she's under the control of Badamon. At that moment, the Dark Warlords catch up with Anubis. Surrounded, the Ancient's staff ignites and floats from the acolyte monk's hands. In the sky, it transforms into Anubis's Ogre helmet. Anubis, no choice, revives his armor. A soldier once again, he launches a "Quake With Fear". 38. Lady Evil Sees the Light The Ronin Warriors, trapped in nether fields, watch helplessly as Anubis battles Kayura and the Warlords. They are pulled up into waiting funeral barges and taken to the castle. Anubis tries to explain to the Dark Warlords that Talpa only needs them to inhabit the armors. The Warlords are shaken by Anubis's words, but Kayura strikes them down with nether fields, and they, too, are drawn into the flying boats. Anubis tries unsuccessfully to free the Warlords, and Dais admits that Anubis was right all along. Kayura attacks Anubis, and she ultimately overcomes him. Anubis is drawn into a boat and taken into a tower in the castle. Each Ronin and each Warlord sit frozen in a spire. As the nether spirits draw the souls from the armors, the barrier between the worlds rapidly dissolves. Kayura goes after Yuli's Jewel of Life. In his chamber, Anubis fights. He painfully lifts his hand and releases his armor, reverting the power back into a staff. The nether spirits are dissolved, and Anubis breaks out to face Kayura. Free, he again calls upon the Ogre. Kayura launches a full-intensity "Star Sword Scream" at Anubis, but instead of blocking the attack, Anubis leaps into the blast, releasing his own surekill, "Quake With Fear". Kayura and Badamon are paralyzed. Anubis takes his one and only chance and passes the Ogre to Kayura. An armor over her soul, Badamon is burned from her breast. Anubis collapses into the water below, dead. Kayura, now armed with both the Ogre armor and the Ancient's staff, tells Mia and Yuli to free the Ronin Warriors while she faces Talpa. Yuli finds Ryo, but he and Mia are unable to release him. While Talpa prepares to face Kayura, demon soldiers arrive in Ryo's chamber, ready to kill the woman and boy. The Jewel of Life burns, freeing the Ronin from their cells. However, the two worlds continue to merge, and Talpa must be destroyed in order to stop the collision. 39. Triumphant Warriors Ryo is informed of Anubis's death and Kayura's transformation by Mia and Yuli, and he rushes off to Talpa's castle. Kayura battles the demon king and is joined by the three Warlords. The Ronin make their way toward the castle, seeing reflections of Earth in the breaking gossamer barrier. Talpa, confronted by the nine Ronin armors, summons human spirits to create a bridge between the two worlds. He breathes fire at Kento, who dodges, allowing Ryo to absorb the heat. Ryo, now stronger, drives the monster from the castle roof and into the moat below. Kayura tells the Ronin that Talpa must be completely destroyed for the barrier to be restored. Talpa ventures into our world, followed by the Ronin Warriors. In the ensuing battle, Badamon is destroyed. Ryo calls upon Inferno but is seemingly defeated by Talpa. When Talpa attempts to absorb the white armor, Ryo allows him to take it. Rather than bending to the devil's hate, the virtue purifies Talpa and paralyzes him. Ryo, inside Talpa, screams to his comrades to hurry and attack while he still holds the demon back. The four Ronin Warriors tearfully charge at Talpa, their armors turning to raw light to fuel the attacks. Talpa cracks, beginning to die. Yuli holds up the Jewel of Life, its power pulling Ryo from the demon's heart. Talpa crumbles and dissolves into smoke. His castle vanishes from the sky. Kayura, in her kimono and carrying the Ancient's staff, appears with the three Warlords. She tells the Ronin that they will remain in the Nether Realm to undo the damage that has been done. The Ronin Warriors celebrate and play baseball with the Jewel of Life. |
