Shallow Darkness
While recovering from their latest battle, the Ronin crew enjoys a quiet moment together as they continue toward Talpa's castle. Yulie spots the skateboard shop where he last saw his parents and, after a brief moment of reflection, skates off into the fog. Mia and White Blaze run after him, and they suddenly find themselves surrounded by Dynasty Soldiers. Momentarily separated from the group, Mia, Yulie, and White Blaze run into the subway to escape. More soldiers appear and temporarily injure White Blaze as the tiger tries to protect his friends. Luckily Rowen shows up and gives the two a chance to escape while he and the tiger stay to fight.
Mia and Yulie run into a parking garage only to discover that the cars are possessed. Ryo saves them from being run over as Kento and Cye also arrive to help. The two warriors deal with the cars while Ryo takes Yulie and Mia to safety. As they run through a department store, however, still more soldiers attack and Ryo is forced into battle so the others can run. The woman and boy find themselves on the subway tracks. They barely dodge one train only to nearly get run over by a second. Sage saves them just in time by grabbing them up to hang from a pipe in the ceiling. He mentions that Talpa used the two of them to separate the Ronin Warriors so they cannot launch an attack on his castle.
Sensing more soldiers approaching, the three climb up through an air shaft to the surface. When they emerge, they find themselves surrounded by more Dynasty Soldiers. Sage armors up and takes them down. They have no time to rest, however, as lightning strikes a nearby building and causes it to collapse. Sage manages to get Yulie and Mia safely away, but the rubble traps them beneath an underpass. At that moment, Cale's laughter is heard, and the Warrior of Light readies himself for battle while Mia and Yulie hide. Cale appears and challenges Sage to a battle, saying that he never truly lost the battle in the mountains. “You really think you can shut me down with this shallow darkness?” Sage taunts. “The Sword of Halo will destroy this gloom and doom you've created!” Cale is unfazed. “Besides being the Warlord of Corruption and Decay...I am aptly known as the Demon of Darkness as well.”
Cale holds out his sword which begins to pulse with a dark energy. The atmosphere begins to change as the sword absorbs the light around it, plunging the area into utter darkness. Sage charges, sword glowing, and the two clash blades. After a few moments, Sage begins to feel weaker as the glow around his sword dims. Cale taunts him saying that his sword is also absorbing Sage's power. The Warlord deals a heavy blow that sends the Ronin flying backwards through a concrete pillar. Cale then disappears within the darkness. Sage recovers from the blow and looks around for his opponent. He barely dodges one attack only to be struck down by a second. The frustrated warrior attempts to get his bearings. He knows that his power could defeat Cale, but he's afraid to use it in the dark because he could hit Yulie and Mia by mistake.
Cale announces his intention of finishing off the warrior and unleashes his ultimate attack: Black Lightning Strike. Sage tries to fend off the bolts of black energy but is immobilized and in pain as some bolts finally make contact. Cale fires another blast at the now helpless warrior as Sage cries out in agony. The attack surrounds the Ronin, slowly zapping away his strength. Seeing his friend in trouble, Yulie is determined to help. Despite Mia's protests, the boy grabs the Magic Staff that was still in her possession and throws it at the Warlord. When Cale fires a bolt of energy at Yulie, Sage, in an effort to protect the boy, breaks free and attacks. The Magic Staff glows brightly and reveals Cale's true location. Sage unleashes his Thunderbolt Cut and finally defeats the evil Warlord of Corruption, the energy blasting a hole through the roof. While Yulie is uninjured, he notices that after the battle, the staff disappeared. Just where did it come from? And where were the other warriors?
