by salemboy » Sunday 6 September 2009 3:29:07pm
Ryu apparated with Tomo in a crowded room, with hundreds of witches and wizards, who were quietly whispering amongst themselves. They paid no notice to Ryu, nor to Tomo, as the two made their way through the crowd.
The room they were in was an old theater, which had been decomissioned many years earlier. The old artwork on the walls and ceiling was chipped and faded, revealing a lack of care for many years.
Ryu guided Tomo to a small door next to the stage, and entered through it, leading Tomo down a wooden hallway. It was generally deserted except for one or two wizards standing at doors along the hall. "Ryu," Tomo whispered. "Who're all these wizards?"
Ryu didn't slow down as they took a turn to go up a flight a stairs. "They're members of my order, The White Dragon." Walking from the flight of stairs, they entered another door to a small room. There were no windows in it, and was lit by a small candle at the desk of the man inside.
Bowing deeply, Ryu told the man, "Master Yakyu, I have brought him." The man at the desk looked up, revealing his aged face. His white hair fell down past his shoulders, his eyes had the look of one who had not slept in ages, and his lips were chapped and worn.
"Thank you, Ryu. Please, close the door behind you." As Ryu complied, Yakyu motioned for Tomo to take a seat. Ryu then stood next to his friend as Yakyu began to speak. "Tomo, do you know what I am?"
"A wizard," Tomo answered without thinking.
Yakyu smiled. "Yes, I am a wizard. But, first and foremost, I am a man, much like you. Yes, I am capable of fantastic feats, but I am still but a man. Just like how Damien is a man, and how Ryu is one as well. Do you not agree?"
Tomo knew not how to answer. Yakyu saw his uncertainty. "You have a hard time believing me. You are angry, because we have deceived you. You are scared, because you don't know what we are capable of. And, lastly, you are confused, because you are torn between believing what the news is saying about us, and what you know from having met us. Is this not true?"
Tomo sighed. "It is, sir."
Yakyu leaned forward. "Then let me calm your anger, as if we had let you know, it would have resulted in your anger that we never help you with our amazing abilities. Let me quiet your fears, for we can assure you that while our abilities can be used for evil, it can also be used for great good. And let me clear your confusion. We have been set up and wrongly shown as blood-thirsty animals by the media. But the muggles are not to blame, as the real culprits are Dumbledore's Army. We must stop them at all costs."
"But, how?"
Yakyu's face turned serious, his voice grew hard. "The D.A. and muggles have taken Diagon Alley, a key strategic area. It is necessary that we retake it at all costs, as it contains not only most of the supplies for British Wizards, but also contains thousands of untold secrets within Gringotts."
"But-"
"Yes, Muggles will die if they fight. But this is something we must do. If muggles breach some of the vaults within Gringotts, they will be worse off than they have ever been before. I wish that this could be avoided, but, as you already know, we are at war."
Tomo hung his head, resignedly. Ryu was saddened. The man had to see his own people killed, and he didn't know it, yet. But he would help. Not with this battle, but with battles to come.
"Come, Tomo," Ryu told him. "You must rest. And I must prepare." Then he two left the room
"Ryu?" Tomo asked him.
"Yes?" Ryu replied.
"How long do you think this war will last." The two walked down another hall and into a room.
"I don't know, Tomo. I don't know."