The Lord of Shadows Rises (7 page)

Nicolson chuckled as a maniacal grin was formed on his face. “We'll see.” He in turn pulled out the jagged blade that he took from Master Luray’s corpse, further fueling Alexander’s rage.

Alexander was engaged in a sword duel with Nicolson, and neither was backing down. “You won’t win, boy. I've got more experience in swordsmanship than you do.” Nicolson blocked a blow with his sword and hit Alexander with the end of the handle, knocking him back. Alexander pulled out a long knife from a hidden sheath in his pants and started to fight his enemy with both weapons.

Noting the skills of his young combatant, Nicholson spoke, “You fought well, boy, but you'll die like your pathetic Master."

At this latest jibe, Alexander put his sword away and instead got into his Muay Thai stance. The general laughed. “You were foolish to put your sword away, hoping I’d do the same. I have no honor and don’t care about any of my opponent’s handicaps!” He rushed Alexander with his sword raised, ready to deliver the killing blow.

He thrust down, only for Alexander to turn his body at the last second, the attack flashing past him without contact. Alexander twisted something in his hand, and struck Nicolson’s chest. Blood poured from the wound.

“So… careless…” gasped Nicolson as he fell down, a small dagger protruding from his heart.

Nicolson was dead and Master Luray was finally avenged. Alexander exhaled. He put his back on the tree he was next to. He covered a wound he’d received in the fight with the remains of his shirt, and waited for his friends to show up.

Xxx

Mason was currently using capoeira against his opponent, who was using the same style in reponse. “You really don’t want to fight, do you?” he asked. “Your attacks they are too predictable for a trained assassin.”

“I've got to. My feelings don’t matter.” She spun on her hand and tried to kick Mason.

“Moron! Your feelings do matter, not what other people think,” Mason countered as he tripped Kira with a kick, pinning her to the ground.

Kira growled. “Do you know what suffering is? I was kidnapped by Nicolson when I was two years old,” she told him as she tried to get out of his grasp.

“So? I never knew my parents either. I was raised by monks and nuns at the monastery, but it was burned by the acolytes of the Lord of Shadows!”

He continued, “I would've died that day, if it weren’t for my master, who rescued me. For the first time, I knew what having a father was like, but I never felt complete, as I still wondered if my parents abandoned me," Mason told her as tears fell down his face. “You’re not the only one who hassuffered.”

“You might've had it rough, but at least you had people who cared about you! I was trained only to be a killer and a fighter—no childhood and no friends!” shouted Kira.

“My master discovered and found out that I was found by the monks on a street corner.” His opponent was bleeding from a knife wound in her side. “I begged my master to train me. He refused for the first month, but I was persistent, and he finally agreed. I could've gone down your path if I still wanted revenge for my first family’s death.” He got up freeing his opponent.

“I pity you,” said Mason as he got up and lowered his arms. “Now's your chance to prove that you've got no feelings. Kill me in cold blood and we'll see how you feel."

Kira drew a knife. She brought it up, but then couldn't bring it down. “Why do you care?” she cried.

“Because we're the same. We have both lost something early in our lives, but the difference is, I found something to protect." Mason looked into her eyes and only sorrow. “What’s wrong? This fight won’t end until you strike me down."

Kira growled and raised her dagger higher but threw it on the ground in frustration and stormed away from her fight.

Mason had a sad look on his face, and he shook his head. “She would make a decent ally if she conquered her superficial demons." He turned around and picked up her dagger and rushed to the other fight.

Xxx

Lenora walked away from her battle with two of the poachers dead, and a third on the ground unconscious. One dead after being mauled by the feline; the other one hit with the blow to the head.

The third poacher began to stir. Coming around he pulled out a pistol and got up suddenly and smirked. “Take this, you bitch,” he said as he pulled the trigger.

Lenora screamed as the jaguar fell to the ground in front of her with a bullet wound on her side. “No!” she yelled as she rushed up to the last poacher and killed him with a knee to the temple. She rushed up to the giant cat and checked for any sign of life. She put her head down after finding no pulse or heartbeat and started to cry.

With the adrenalin wearing off, it hit her she had killed three people. She started to shake from shock. Mason ran up from the edge of the clearing. “Lenora, you okay?” he asked.

“I killed them,” whispered the female master in shock.

Mason grabbed her shoulder. “Look at me. It was them or you,” he said. “Did you like the feeling of killing them?”

“It sickens me,” said Lenora as she stared at her hand.

“That is all that matters,” said Mason. “Let’s see if Alexander needs help.”

Alexander breathed in as Lenora and Mason walked into the clearing, carrying the dead jaguar between them. Lenora spoke first, “My opponents are dead after one of them killed our feline friend.”

“My opponent fled, so our battle was indecisive,” said Mason as Alexander breathed in.

“I killed my opponent and avenged my master’s death," Alexander responded. “We've got to give the jaguar a funeral. It fought bravely and it's the least we can do." Alexander clutched his wound and grimaced as he spoke.

Alexander’s wound was cleaned by Lenora, before Lenora and Mason dug a grave, laid the dead jaguar in and prayed for its soul.

Following the funeral, Alexander was helped back to the cottage where Lenora was able to better clean his wound. As night fell, the three slept, their opponents reduced to ashes in a bonfire.

***

In the temple, the Lord of Shadows was furious after getting a report back on the fight. “Nicolson is dead, and Kira left her fight unfinished!”

Kyral smirked. “I knew we should have killed her.”

“This is not a laughing matter, Kyral. You need to know when it’s appropriate to crack jokes,” said Kevin. “We lost a great asset, and another might've betrayed us.”

Enough!” shouted the Lord of Shadows. “Shun Xian, I want you to exterminate the final master in Korea.”

The only blond-haired, female general, with a slim body made for speed, giggled. “Yeah, it's my turn." She got excited as she vanished in a black portal.

Chapter 8: The Fall of the Last Master

In a temple on the outskirts of Seoul, South Korea, a black-haired woman of roughly forty years, walked down a stone walkway to a farm that she owned, in a long, red dress with a sword at her side.

“Where is that lazy student of mine?” she wondered as she looked around. She rounded the corner to see an older teenager laying on a pile of hay, sleeping peacefully, his green vest exposing his chest. The woman sighed and kicked the hay. The boy tumbled to the ground, hay falling on top of him.

“Mistress Wu, I was sleeping,” he complained as he got up.

The female sighed. “Yuan Sang, have you finished your chores?”

The teen groaned. “Most of them, Mistress," he yawned.

The woman glared at him hands on her hips. “You’re a genius in fighting, but in your work ethic, you’re lazy,” she said with exasperation.

“Not my fault that the hay looked comfortable,” he said shrugging his shoulders to get the cramps out.

“The point of chores is to finish them, not to make a lounging area,” said Mistress Wu with her hand on her head. “You cause a lot of headaches for me. Lunch is ready. Come inside. When you’re finished, you can stack the hay and feed the chickens.”

The boy finally jumped up. “Yes, Mistress, let’s eat!”

Xxx

A portal opened in southern Kumi, South Korea, and the blond-haired female general walked out. On her hands eight inches claws that were curved down at the end. She headed north on foot talking to herself as she went, “The joys of the kill, the flesh being cut by the blade - I am so excited!" She licked a claw of her blade and smiled.

She had only been traveling a short while when she came across a crossroad. Five armed men appeared from behind a building.

“Look at what we have here, gentlemen. What about it, sweetie? Give us what you own, and nothing will happen to you,” said one of the group. By the way he spoke first, she assumed him to be the leader.

The general shook slightly. “I am scared. How am I going to fight five big, strong men?” she said, faking a frightened voice.

The men leered at her, and the leader spoke again, “Just the way I like my victims, scared of the situation.” The five advanced on the solitary female, determined to have some fun..

A few short minutes later, the female general skipped away from a scene of utter carnage, her claws red with blood.
Fools
, she thought as she started to giggle, “Now, that was fun."

Xxx

Mistress Wu was sipping her tea when the cup cracked.
Could it be?
She thought. Placing the damaged cup down on the table before her, she stood and walked out of her small house.

Across the yard she saw her student working on his chores. “Yuan Sang, I need to talk to you,” she said. Her student looked at his teacher and saw concern on her face.

“What is it?” asked Yuan.

“I need you to take this and flee,” she said as she handed him a medallion.

“Why? What is going on?” he asked.

“Assassin of the shadows,” said Wu.

“But according to your stories, they were defeated,” Yuan replied, the worry evident on his face.

The woman sighed. “They could always return, and I am the last of the older masters. I want you to find the other pupils, who have now been elevated to masters, and help them any way you can,” she said.

“I will, mistress,” he replied as he left the grounds and fled into the forest.

The master sat in a lotus position with her sword sitting on her lap. “This will be my last fight," she said.

Shun Xian approached the temple with a carefree expression on her face. Seeing the female master sitting, she smiled.
So, she has been waiting for her death,
she thought as she walked up to the master.

“I have been waiting for you, assassin.” Mistress Wu got up, her right hand holding the, a sword with a curved blade.

“Today you will die, dear,” the general mocked Wu. “Just like the other masters before you.”

Wu got set into her stance, ready for the battle. “Your master will not take from me what he seeks!” she declared charging against the female assassin.

Shun ran at the master, claws raised, only to be blocked and kicked back.

Shun spun in the air and landed on her feet. “I guess it won’t be easy,” said the crazy female as she held her arms apart, claws extended. “That’s good. I need some extended fun!”

Wu held her sword to her side, pointing the blade down. The Shadow assassin ran forward, scraping the dirt with her claws as she approached. She brought them up as she reached Wu, and flicked dirt into the master’s eyes, temporarily blinding her. She thrust forward to take advantage, but missed the master and was kicked in return to the right side as Wu held her position.
So, she can fight blind
, thought Shun as she smirked.
Finally, a challenge
.

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 Lenora,” 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.”