The Dark Sorcerer

By Rapndash.

Disclaimer: I don’t own Ronin Warriors or any of its characters. Only Sapheem, Riona, and Riona’s pets are mine. This Chapter will continue to build the tension as Sapheem grows even stronger. Riona will give a few more details about her plan to turn against Sapheem here. Hope you like it!

Chapter 5: Growing Powers

Riona finished preparing Rowen’s lunch tray in the castle kitchen. Since Sapheem was still busy planning his attack, he put Riona in charge of tending to their prisoner. It was important for Rowen to remain alive in order for Sapheem to use the Armor of Strata. Once the other Ronin Warriors were defeated, Riona was certain the Sapheem would either kill or enslave Rowen. It pained her to think of the young man’s fate. She didn’t want anyone else to suffer the way her people had. She had to work quickly and carefully if she was going to stop Sapheem.

Riona picked up the tray and made her way to the dungeon. The plate held some dry bread and a few scraps of meat, as well as a glass of water. It wasn’t much, but Riona was afraid to give him any more. Besides, it was Sapheem’s orders not to give Rowen much food. Otherwise, Rowen might regain enough strength to try and break free. Sapheem was not taking any chances. After a few moments of walking, Riona reached the dungeon. She paused, still quiet, at the door and observed the prisoner. Rowen appeared to be asleep-though he was more likely exhausted. Sapheem had already begun to practice with his new powers, leaving Rowen completely drained afterwards. He seemed to grow weaker every day, and Riona feared that Rowen would not survive should Sapheem go into battle.

Riona shook herself from her thoughts. She reminded herself to remain cold and cruel while around Rowen. If Rowen knew she planned to help him, then so would Sapheem, and everything would be ruined. As much as she hated it, she had to treat Rowen as badly as possible in order to continue to fool Sapheem.

“Wake up, Rowen! This is no time for sleep!” she yelled.

Rowen stirred and opened his eyes. He looked up and watched as Riona walked over to him carrying the tray of food. His eyes narrowed. “What do you want?” he snapped. “Has that so-called sorcerer sent you here to torment me?”

Riona humphed in false disdain. “I suggest for your sake that you treat our master with more respect. You should feel honored to be chosen as a vessel for Sapheem’s powers. Never the less, Lord Sapheem has charged me with your care while you remain his prisoner. I have brought you something to keep up your strength. Sapheem wishes for you to remain alive and in relatively good health until his plans are complete.”

Riona waved her free hand in the air and chanted a strange spell. Rowen was startled and relieved as he felt himself being lowered to the dungeon floor. The chain holding him continued to loosen until Rowen finally touched the floor. Being greatly weakened by Sapheem’s spell, Rowen’s knees buckled underneath him, and he fell in a heap on the cold stone. Rowen grunted as he struggled to sit up, pushing himself up on his elbows until he was finally upright. Riona knelt before him and placed the tray on the floor.

“Eat quickly and be grateful for this small reprieve. The Great Sapheem is anxious to continue with his plans,” Riona ordered coldly as she sat down to observe him. Outwardly, Riona was stone faced and hard, but inside her heart, guilt began to set in and grow.

Rowen said nothing and eagerly began to eat the meager meal. He studied Riona casually as he ate. Despite her outward appearance, he could sense something deeper hidden within her-something far different from her master. Sapheem’s evil heart radiated from his eyes and demeanor, but Riona showed something else. Riona’s eyes seemed softer and warmer. Rowen wondered if Sapheem was somehow controlling the young girl against her will. The thought left rather quickly, though, since his mind link with Sapheem told him that Riona was serving under her own choice. But why would such a warm and beautiful young woman choose to serve such a cruel and wicked master?

“Just what was your name again?” Rowen asked her suddenly.

“Why does it concern you?” Riona snapped back. “My name is of little importance to a future slave!”

Rowen swallowed a mouthful of food and thought a moment. The answer came to him again. “I believe Sapheem said your name was Riona…didn’t he?”

“That’s Lord Sapheem to you!” she scolded, then she sat back thoughtfully. Riona allowed her expression to relax slightly. “But, yes. Riona is my name. I have served as Sapheem’s apprentice since childhood. He has given me power and privileges that no other has ever received. If you and your friends chose to follow him…perhaps he could offer you a similar deal. It’s a shame that a man of your high intelligence can’t see the benefits of serving such a powerful and generous master.” Riona wasn’t sure why that thought popped into her head, but perhaps it would sound more convincing if Sapheem asked her about the conversation later.

Rowen cringed at the suggestion. “Me? Serve that self-absorbed jerk? No thanks. Just because we’re connected by his magic doesn’t mean I would ever serve him willingly. My friends will find a way to stop him.”

“I seriously doubt it, Rowen,” Riona countered. “The only way your friends could possibly save you is if they could magically travel to this dimension-which I highly doubt they can. You might as well accept your fate.”

Rowen finished his meal and met her eyes. He could swear that there was a glimmer of sadness in them-some deep pain buried within her. “I still don’t understand you, Riona.”

“What do you mean?” Riona asked, puzzled.

Rowen leaned closer to her. “I can’t understand why a beautiful young woman such as yourself would want to serve such a wicked master. You don’t seem to be anything like Sapheem at all. You act cold and emotionless, but I really don’t think it’s in your nature. Just how did you end up as an apprentice to that monster?”

Riona’s eyes widened in shock. She quickly caught herself and glared at Rowen. She couldn’t appear weak in front of him. It was far too risky.

“How dare you!” she began to yell. “It is an honor to serve Lord Sapheem! He saw my potential in magic and offered to tutor me in the dark arts. I was pleased to be chosen for such a privilege You have a lot of nerve to suggest that I could have even a sliver of compassion for the likes of you!”

To add emphasis to her statement, she waved her hand and chanted another spell. Rowen grunted as he was suddenly jerked upward. Within moments he was hanging taut from the ceiling once again. Riona, who still appeared to be fuming, took the tray and began to storm out of the dungeon. She paused at the door and turned once more to Rowen.

“Perhaps you will learn to appreciate my master and his power after he has destroyed your friends! You have no hope of escaping or being rescued, so deal with it! Lord Sapheem will conquer Earth just as he conquered our world! And YOU will be nothing more than a slave! I’ll leave you to ponder your fate. If you ever mention this conversation again, your punishment will be severe!” With those words, Riona stomped out of the dungeon.

Rowen watched her leave, feeling even more miserable than before. He wished he had approached the issue more delicately. He actually expected her reaction. Despite her anger, Riona’s initial shock at his suggestion made Rowen believe that Riona really was a nice person. He could sense it in her-and he could also sense that she had a lot of tragedy in her life. What that tragedy was, he may never know. Rowen hung his head in exhaustion. He was beginning to believe Riona was right about his friends. Rowen hated for anything to happen to them, but there was nothing he could do to stop it.

“Ryo...guys...,” he whispered before passing out again.

Riona continued to fume until she had reached the kitchen again. After replacing the tray, she started to think about what Rowen had said to her. She didn’t know how, but Rowen somehow seemed to know her true nature…or at least that she wasn’t as mean as she appeared. She closed her eyes and sighed heavily. Guilt began to take its toll on her heart. It pained her to have to be so cruel to Rowen, but she had no choice. Rowen was linked to Sapheem mentally, so if she allowed herself to slip up, Sapheem would discover her plans, and then she would be finished. Riona couldn’t allow herself to grow careless.

She thought about what Rowen had said to her. Despite the fact that she was mistreating him, Rowen still seemed genuinely interested in helping her. What was it he said again? “I can’t understand why a beautiful young woman such as yourself would want to serve such a wicked master.” Beautiful…Rowen had called her beautiful…and he seemed to feel sorry for her. Riona wasn’t sure why Rowen was trying to be nice to her, but it made her feel even worse about the way she was treating him.

“Rowen seems like a great guy…and a handsome one too…I’d never forgive myself if Sapheem forced him into slavery,” Riona said to herself. Riona couldn’t understand how she could feel this way about a guy she barely knew. She wasn’t even sure about how she felt. Something about Rowen piqued Riona’s interest. She wouldn’t mind getting to know more about him and his friends when this was all over.

Riona shook her head. Whatever she was feeling had to be put aside for now. She needed to focus on her plans if she was to save Rowen and help defeat Sapheem once and for all. Riona finished cleaning the dishes and made her way back to her bedroom. She had nearly finished memorizing the counter spell that would free Rowen’s mind from Sapheem’s. She had to hurry.

Sapheem, meanwhile, was in his private chambers gloating over his new powers. He watched the other Ronin Warriors in his mirror as they trained for the big fight. He laughed.

“Go ahead and train all you like. It will do you no good once the fight begins!” he taunted the images.

Sapheem had toyed with his new powers briefly, but the time had come to test their full potential. Sapheem closed his eyes and concentrated hard. He began to chant a dark spell as his body glowed a bright blue color.

Back in the dungeon, Rowen was jerked from sleep as a surge of power coursed through his body. He knew that Sapheem was using his powers to tap into his armor's strength. Rowen fought against the spell the best he could, but he was already too weak to stop it. His body also began to glow as Rowen felt Sapheem's magic take over his body. He grunted as the spell finally took effect, draining his own powers and giving them to Sapheem. Rowen continued to feel surges as Sapheem's spell consumed him, giving him no chance to rest.

"No...can't...let...Sapheem...win," Rowen mumbled, but he knew there was nothing he could do to stop it.

Sapheem finished his spell and grinned wickedly as he felt himself growing stronger than ever before. The blue aura surrounding him grew and twisted in a bizarre fashion, molding itself into a solid form. Finally, the glow faded and Sapheem opened his eyes. He turned to his magic mirror, and laughed in delight as he saw his reflection in its surface. Though it seemed like an impossible feat, Sapheem now stood clothed in the Armor of Strata and in complete control of its powers.

"Now to see the full extent of the armor's strength," Sapheem muttered to himself.

Sapheem had gathered more than enough information about the armor from his mind link to Rowen--as well as information about the other Ronin Warriors. Though few knew it, Sapheem was skilled with an assortment of weapons as well as magic. Sapheem took the golden bow into his left hand and an arrow in the other. He magically summoned a target on the far side of the room. He readied the arrow and focused the armor's powers. Within moments, the arrow glowed with energy, ready for an attack.

"Arrow Shock Wave!"

Sapheem released the arrow, sending a blast of energy straight into the target. The target disintegrated into oblivion the instant the arrow hit. Sapheem's grin broadened. Now that he was in complete control of Rowen's Armor of Strata, he could defeat the remaining warriors with ease and secure his rightful place as ruler of Earth. Sapheem dismissed the armor and soon stood clothed once more in his robes.

"Now my preparations are complete," Sapheem gloated. "I will return to Earth tomorrow and challenge the Ronin Warriors to a battle. Once I call upon the Armor of Strata, there will be nothing those fools can do to stop me! Earth shall be mine...and those boys shall become my slaves! With the power of all five Ronin Warriors added to my own, NO ONE will dare to challenge me!"

He laughed wickedly for the victory he felt was so near. In that instant, a sudden stray thought passed through his mind. He stopped laughing immediately as thoughts from Rowen's mind became known to him. Sapheem relived the conversation between Rowen and Riona when she had brought him his meal—and something disturbed him. Rowen somehow seemed to believe that Riona was a kind and compassionate woman...far unlike himself. He was pleased to learn of Riona's harsh reaction to Rowen's suggestion, but the thought still lingered.

Ever since he had taken her in as an apprentice, Riona had proven herself to be skilled in the ways of magic--almost as skilled as Sapheem. She had always served him faithfully, but Sapheem still found her too soft. He had lectured her sternly, warning her to be ruthless and cruel. Compassion was for the weak, and emotions were of little use to a powerful mage. She took the lectures silently, and she followed his orders without question. Still, Rowen had suggested that Riona was acting out of her nature, and that she was wrong to follow such a wicked master. Sapheem was not pleased by this. If this continued, Riona might actually be swayed by their prisoner’s kindness. Sapheem was confident that Riona wasn't powerful enough to defeat him, but the mage was never one to take chances. A betrayal could complicate and delay his plans, and Sapheem could possibly lose the opportunity to strike.

Sapheem paced his chambers. He needed to address this problem right away. Despite Riona's apparent loyalty, he could not risk her views being swayed by Rowen's insistence. He would summon her to his chambers for a private meeting. Sapheem had to be certain that the young woman was firm in her loyalties to him. He would confront her about the conversation, and warn against future talks. Above all, Sapheem would order her to avoid all unnecessary contact with the prisoner--with the only exception being for meals. The less time Riona spent with Rowen, the less likely of a betrayal.

Sapheem ceased his pacing and walked over to his viewing bowl. He focused his powers on the liquid, and his call was promptly answered.

"Yes, Lord Sapheem. What is it you wish of me?" Riona asked with a respectful bow.

"Riona, I need you to report to my chambers at once. There is something very important that must be discussed at once," he ordered.

"Of course, master. I shall be there promptly as you order."

The image faded and Sapheem walked away, still pondering the current situation. "We shall see," he muttered under his breath. "We shall see where your true loyalties lie."

Anyone still reading this? Hope I didn't lose anyone from the lack of action. There will be one more chapter before the first battle between Sapheem and the Ronin Warriors. I'll try not to kill you with the suspense, but I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and I like the way it is going. Please read and review. I have promised to never leave a story unfinished, but your comments help determine how soon I update.

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