Xxx
Yuan ran through the forest, trying to get as far away from danger as he could. A sudden feeling made him stop and look at his medallion. It went dark, and then cracked a few minutes later. Knowing what this meant, tears fell down his face as he silently wept for his mistress’s death.
Xxx
Back at the Wu’s temple, the blond-haired assassin strolled off the grounds, holding in her hands the cube. Noticing the blood on her claws, she stopped and licked the blood from the blades. “The stronger opponent always has the better blood,” she said out loud. A bloodlust look in her eyes as she opened a black portal and walked through it, leaving the body of Mistress Wu on the ground, several deep holes covered her chest.
***
At the edge of the Amazon, the three fighters looked down at their medallions and saw them all crack simultaneously. “Things are happening too fast,” said Alexander, voicing what they were all thinking.
Heading back to the rental car they drove to the airport.
***
In the temple in northern Norway, a black portal opened and Shun stepped through. “I got the key, Master,” she said, placing the fourth key on the pedestal.
“Well done,” said the voice. “Soon I shall be free.”
The remaining four generals each dropped to one knee as the Lord of Shadows laughed darkly.
Chapter 9: The Gang and the shopkeeper
On the west coast of South America the three young masters were looking out at the Pacific Ocean. Alexander had his medallion out as it glowed brightly, indicating the location of the latest successor. “The last master has fallen.” Alexander looked at the ocean. He turned and faced his comrades. “We have to head to Asia and locate that master’s pupil before the assassins do.”
***
In the temple, the four generals stood in a circle around the statue. “We need the last key, but for now, lay low,” said the disembodied voice.
Kyral was snickering. “Why? We could take the last key right now, my Lord.”
Kevin growled in annoyance. “Watch your tongue, Kyral. The Lord of Shadows’ word is law.”
“Enough, fools! The reason we don’t want to move against him is because we can’t have the governments of the world alerted to our presence. We already caused a stir with our attack on Thompson, so, for now, we lay low, said the Lord of Shadows.
“Understood,” said Kyral as the rest of the generals bowed in agreeance.
***
On industrial size ship used for fishing, the three young masters headed across the Pacific Ocean towards China. When they landed on the docks and paid the captain for the ferry, they headed into the city and looked around the town. “So where is this guy?” asked Lenora.
Alexander looked at his medallion as it glowed. “It looks like it is heading out of the city to the south.” The three duly headed south, trekking for a few miles before they reached the edge of a forest.
Entering it they saw the serene and peaceful beauty of Sakura trees. Lenora looked around. “This seems so different to the Amazon, it’s nice here – somehow calming,” she said.
As they continued to explore, they failed to see a figure studying them in a nearby. Before they noticed him, he moved from tree to tree away from the group and deeper into the forest.
“This forest is bigger than it looks,” noted Alexander as they continued in.
Mason looked down at the crumpled map he held in his hands. “There should be a small village on the other side of the forest. We should be able to get supplies there, and maybe some answers?"
The other two nodded as Alexander spoke up. “What is the name of the town?”
“He Fei,” replied Mason. “It was a fort during the Three Kingdoms era, following this it was converted to a town. The walls are still there now,” Mason explained.
“How do you know so much about this country?” inquired Lenora.
Mason smiled. “Master Estefan had me study the history of different countries and their fighting styles. I have always found Asian history fascinating."
A couple of hours of walking later, the three came out of the forest and saw the walled-off city of He Fei. The gate to the town was wide open and they entered without questions. Heading into the town, they concealed their weapons. “I will go and find a grocery store, while you two try to find a place to sleep,” Alexander said.
His two comrades nodded in agreement and walked away.
As Alexander looked around, he saw a stall that may just have some things they could use. Walking in he came across three men with automatic rifles, talking to a clerk with a balding head and a gray shirt and jeans. “We own this town, so give us your payment, and you can stay in business,” said one of the thugs.
The clerk backed up. “I gave you the fee for this month already. Why do you keep harassing me?” he asked.
The leader snapped his fingers, and one of his thugs threw down a shelf. “You know the deal: no money, no business.”
Alexander walked up to the counter. “I need these items,” Alexander said as he placed some provisions on the counter.
The leader growled. “Leave now. You cannot buy anything from this store!”
Alexander’s eyes narrowed and he spoke Chinese in a growl that his master had taught him. “You might think you’re strong with your friends behind you, picking on a defenseless clerk. However, we both know you’re weak against a real fighter.”
The leader chuckled and walked up with the other two, cracking his knuckles as he approached. “Let’s teach this stupid boy a lesson.”
The door opened behind Alexander, and Lenora and Mason walked in. “Need help?” Lenora asked, smiling.
Alexander grinned in return. “I got this.”
Mason smiled. “Don’t do too much damage,” he said as he and Lenora left the store.
Outside, the two masters waited until the three thugs were kicked out of the stall, one after another, sporting bruises and broken bones. In the doorway, they could see Alexander brushing his hands.
“There goes the trash.” Alexander turned back toward the clerk and walked up. “So as I was saying, I would like to purchase these items, please.”
The clerk nodded his head. “Sure thing, sir. Anything else?” he asked.
“Is there a place in town that sells exotic weapons?”
Alexander’s question caused the old man’s eyes to narrow and he asked, “May I ask why?” At that moment Alexander’s medallion glowed in his pocket. Noting this the old man added, “You have a White Rose Medallion I see.” He went to the front door and put the ‘Closed’ sign on it. “Follow me.” He indicated and the trio followed the old man towards the back of the stall.
The shopkeeper led the masters through the back and down to the basement, where they saw a forging shop complete with pit and steel-making equipment. “Tell me the real reason you want a weapon!” asked old man as he pulled out a smaller version of the medallion. “Each member of the White Rose, regardless of rank, gets a medallion. However, they get smaller with each lower rank.
“There are four levels: One is the lowest and four is the highest, save the fifth level, who is the grand master.”
“Wait, why didn’t you fight those thugs?” asked Mason.
“They would have taken it out on the town, so I couldn’t,” the man explained.
Alexander sighed. “I see. We are looking for allies to fight the Lord of Shadows, and I need a weapon made for Lenora."
The clerk sighed. “Do you have an idea of the kind of weapon you need?” he asked.
Lenora took some notes out of her bag and handed them to the shopkeeper, who said, “I can make it, but it will take me a week to forge it.
Lenora got up. “Thank you. By the way, we have never been introduced.”
“You are correct. My name is Bain Yu, and I am the weapons maker of the Order of the White Rose.”
“Mason,” said the jujitsu master, extending his hand.
“I am L
enora,” said the female master of Muay Thai.
“I am Alexander.”
Bain nodded his head. “Very well, I will have your weapon ready in a week.”
The three warriors bowed and left, leaving the man to his work. From the stall Lenora and Mason led Alexander to a hotel they had found.
Once in the hotel, the three sat in a room in a circle to discuss the situation with the local enforcement gang. “We have got to do something,” said Mason.
Alexander thought for a bit. “If we can capture a member, maybe we can interrogate him?”
The three set to work on a plan to capture a member of the gang. Several hours, and many efforts, later the trio retired to bed, the formation of a plan complete.
The next morning, the three returned to the stall. Bain Yu turned around as they entered. “Good morning, Masters. Is there something you need?”
“We need your help, Bain Yu” said Alexander.
“Let’s hear it,” said Bain.
Alexander told him the plan, and Bain agreed, though some doubt remained. “This had better work.”
Later that same afternoon, three thugs came into the shop. Approaching the desk, the larger of the men demanded, “Give us the tax for the week!”
Bain handed the thug some money and they left, not noticing the three figures following them.
After leading the Masters across town, the three thugs entered what appeared to be a Buddhist temple. Walking in, the thugs were greeted by a man, dressed in orange monk robes, and sat behind a desk. “You got the fee?” asked the apparent monk.
One of the men stepped forward. “Yes, sir, we have the whole amount.”
The monk’s eyes flicked to the corner of the entrance behind the men. “You have been followed,” he said to the thugs, “Leave. I will deal with this.” The three bowed and walked away.
Once the thugs had departed, the monk spoke again, “You three can come out. I know you are there, Order of the White Rose.” He threw a medallion on the table.
The three revealed themselves as the figure dressed in the monks’ robes dropped his hood, revealing a young male of teenage years with six dots across his bald head. “Welcome, Masters. My name is Guan Jiao, and I am the student of former Guardian Master Shin.”
Chapter 10: The Final pupil
“Why are you in charge of a gang, and why are you forcing the townsfolk to give you money?” Alexander demanded.
The teen bowed his head. “It’s just a farce to keep the suspicion off us. We have been hunted by the Lord of Shadows’ minions, and from the two hundred students that were at the temple, only seventy are still with me now, and the number is getting smaller.”
“I see. By acting like a bandit, you are basically trying to fool the Lord of Shadows into thinking you were all wiped out, because monks are usually peaceful and try to avoid conflict,” surmised Mason.
The monk nodded his head. “That is the gist of it,” he confirmed.
“So what now?” asked Alexander.
“Simple. I must join you and leave someone else in charge of this group,” Guan said.
“Jun!” he shouted, and a young woman of Asian descent with black hair walked out and knelt before him.
“What is it, Sifu?” asked the young woman.
“I have to leave now to help the order. You are in charge of this group. Try to lay low, and hopefully remain safe.”
The young woman continued to kneel. “Yes, Sifu.”
“When the time comes, I might call on you and the others to fight. For now, try to gather more soldiers, as discreetly as possible,” said Guan.
The young woman bowed her head. “Of course.”
***
In the temple in Norway, the four generals were decked out in full armor. Kevin’s armor was green with spikes on his wrist, symbolizing the wind’s sharpness.
Kyral had black armor that blended into the shadows. The armor, symbolizing the cunning of a ninja, had holsters for his kunai and shuriken. On his back he carried a short blade.
Vladimir wore a dark brown armor with many layers to symbolize the strength and the protection of the hard earth.
Finally, Shun Xian wore a dark-blue leather armor to symbolize water. Highlighting the way she moved fluidly like a stream or river.
Behind the generals stood two thousand soldiers, equipped with old, yet functional, weapons: staffs, swords, pikes, arrows, and daggers.
The Lord of Shadows spoke, “It is time to begin. I have contacted my proxies in several countries and have told them to begin their mobilization. Kevin, you are going to take five hundred soldiers and head to Laos and attack Vietnam and Indochina.”
“Shun Xian, you will take another five hundred and head to Uzbekistan to help with the mobilization. Take out the weak countries that broke away from Russia.”
“Vladimir, I want you to head to Zambia and conquer the smaller countries in Africa. And finally, Kyral, you must go to the Congo. Take control of your surrounding areas. Dismissed!” the Voice commanded.
***
The rest of the week went by without incident, and Lenora returned to the stall and collected the weapon from Bain Yu. It was a bo staff constructed of lightweight but hard metal. In the middle of the shaft was a small button, used to extend a sharp blade from one end of the staff.
Fully-armed, the four headed south in search of the final pupil. Resting at a small inn, they planned how to stop the Lord of Shadows.
“So, you have the last key in your possession, but the evil one has the rest,” Guan said grimly, getting clarification.
Alexander nodded his head. “I have kept it on me all this time.”
“It’s strange that the Lord of Shadows only attempted to have it retrieved once,” Lenora said.
“I can only think of two reasons why this would be so,” said Mason, as he leant back against the wall.
Guan, who was sitting in a lotus position, nodded. “I have a theory as well, but first let us hear yours. Mason.”
Mason cleared his throat. “I think that they want us all together in one place so they can get rid of us in one movement, or The Lord of Shadows is laying low so he doesn’t alert the world’s powers to their plans.”
Guan closed his eyes. “Those were my theories as well, but they could also be biding their time because they don’t have the manpower for a world search or conquest yet,” he said, adding to the list of possible reasons.
“Now, what should we do?” asked Alexander.
“We need to continue to gather allies for this battle,” Guan said. “The Lord’s army will not be small.”
Consulting his medallion, Alexander confirmed that the journey ahead was to the south, and the four headed out. They took the train to South Korea, and after a few days on the train they disembarked in Seoul and headed to a nearby hotel.
The next morning, Alexander’s medallion led the group to a forest, and in turn to the site of a temple. Approaching the entrance the group discovered a mound of dirt with what appeared to be a tombstone on it. “This must be it,” stated Mason, seeing his own medallion glow brighter.
Guan looked at the makeshift tombstone. “It is unmarked.”
The four entered the temple and looked around. “Who are you?” questioned a voice.
The group all looked around, trying to find where the voice was projecting from. “I will ask again: who are you?”
The medallions, in unison, glowed behind them. “Are you a disciple of a Guardian?” asked Alexander.
“How do you know about that?” replied the voice.
“We are disciples of the Guardians as well,” said Guan as the four took out their medallions to prove their claim.
A red-haired teen, with hardened eyes walked out. “What are you doing here?” he scowled.
Alexander stepped forward to speak for the group. “We need your help to fight the Lord of Shadows.”
“You wasted your time. Leave,” he said, before turning his back on the four masters.
>
Lenora stepped forward. “At least hear us out,” she pleaded.
“I have no interest in this war. Let me be at peace,” he said.
“If you don’t help, there won’t be peace only darkness,” Mason responded.
“Leave. I will not ask again,” said the teen as he drew his sword and pointed it at the four warriors.
Guan walked toward the teen. “Tell me, did your master die also?”
“Yes. Now leave,” growled the teen.
“We have all lost someone precious. It is how we cope with this loss that determines our path,” the monk sympathized.
“If you don’t leave, I will force you out,” the teen repeated as he got in a guard position with his curved sword held out before him.
The four turned and left the grieving boy alone in the temple. After they had exited the boy dropped to his knees and tears started to flow down his cheeks. I am a coward and I can’t help them, thought Yuan.
“So what now?” asked Alexander, as they came back out into the sunlight.
“Let’s head to the next town and think of a plan,” said Mason. “Whoever he is, we need him.”
The masters headed to a small town nearby and found a couple of rooms at an inn where they could clean up and work on how they were going to persuade this strong-willed teen to join them.
Back at the temple, the teen still sat on the ground. I can’t involve myself in this battle, he thought.
“Why not?” replied a familiar female voice.
“Mistress Wu?” he asked, getting up and looking around. Unable to believe what he had heard.
“You need to help them, and you need to stop blaming yourself for my death. Yuan, it is not your fault.”
“I should not have left you!” he shouted out, trying to convince himself.
“Foolish student; it was my choice to fight and to make sure you lived.”
He looked down at his medallion. “What magic is this?” Yuan asked, angry at this perceived trickery.
“This is no trick, my student.”
“What do you mean?” asked Yuan.
The Lord of Shadows Rises Page 8