The Lord of Shadows Rises (13 page)

Guan bows. “We can you use your skills to fight the Lord of Shadows. Join us.”

Bash shakes his head. “I cannot; but send a message when you need an army. I will prepare my tribe for battle."

“I did not see anyone around,” said Mason.

“The tribe is in hiding, at the moment. When the time comes, we shall join in the war.”

The two guardians bow to Bash

Xxx

“Did you find the Orb?” asked the Elder.

“We have it. We better take it to the White Rose Camp,” replied Mason.

“My scouts reported soldiers from Ugandan military are approaching,” said Kiwi. “I don’t know what they want, so be on guard. I have reason to believe they are in league with the Lord of Shadows. You must leave now with the Orb."

“Thank you, Elder, for your assistance.” Guan bows and they head out of the village towards the landing strip and their plane.

The soldiers enter the village an hour after the master left. “What can I do for you, Captain?” asked the Elder.

“We are looking for two foreign fugitives; have your warriors seen them?” asked a soldier.

“Yes, my warrior saw them in the southern part of the forest. They were not a threat so we did not pursue them,” said Elder Kiwi.

The soldier chuckled. “I see," he said turning around “However, I was not born yesterday.” The captain shot the elder in the chest with semi-automatic.

“I want this whole village arrested and the buildings burned,” said the captain.

The soldiers surround the warriors and restrain them. As the farmers and families are herded out of their village, the captain said, “If no one tells us where the fugitives are everyone will be executed."

One of the warrior spits in the captain’s face and says, “You will get nothing out of us.”

“Perfect; you will be an example for the rest of the rabble,” the captain said and motions a soldier forward. “Kill him.”

The soldier points his gun and fires. “You monsters,” said a woman only to be backhanded.

“Firing squad, prepare to fire,” said the captain as the ten soldiers point their guns at the villagers “Fire!”.

Guan and Mason got to the plane and saw their pilot in the cockpit. “Pilot, let’s go,” said Guan as he and Mason get on board, after a couple minutes the plane flies off.

Xxx

The captain was in front of the leader of Uganda “We did not find the fugitives,” said the captain

“Do we know who was helping them?” asked the leader.

“Yes, sir, but we executed the traitors,” said the captain.

The leader growls. “The Lord of Shadow will be very disappointed for your foolish choice,” said the leader as he pulled a pistol and shot the captain in the leg. “I now have to explain why we don’t have a prisoner with the knowledge we seek. Good bye, Captain.” He shot the captain in the chest.

***

Mason and Guan talked in the plane. “We just need to gather the water orb, ,” said Mason.

The pilot turns his head. “There is a storm up ahead. Should we go around it?”

“What do your instruments say?” Guan replies.

“It says the eye is about two miles wide. It’s a good size storm,” said the pilot.

“What about the wind speed; how fast is it?” asked Mason.

“It is seventy miles per hour. I suggest we land at the nearest airfield.”

“What is the closest country?”

“We are right over Egypt. Cairo is about fifty miles away. We can get there and land before we’re hit by the storm,” said the pilot.

“Have you contacted air control? We need permission to land,” Guan states.

“Let me get in touch with them right now,” said the pilot, then radios in. “Requesting to land.”

“This is Cairo airport, why do you request to land? What is your state of emergency?” asked the control tower.

“We need to land before the storm hit us,” said the pilot. “We would like permission to land and refuel.”

“This is Cairo air control, permission granted. We’ll send a fighter escort,” said the tower.

“We appreciate it. We will wait for further instructions,” the pilot said with gratitude.

Xxx

Musher, the President of Egypt, was looking up the reports of the international alliance. “Mr. President?” said a soldier wearing a beige suit.

“Go ahead, Colonel,” said Musher

The colonel saluted. “Sir, air control has authorized the landing of a Jet heading towards a storm in Cairo.”

“I see. I have a feeling I know who they are,” said the president. “I will meet with them.”

“I will be more than happy to escort you there,” said the colonel.

The president stood. “Have men in position just in case, I don’t think there will be a fight, but can’t be too careful.”

When the plane lands and the two masters walk out and see Musher standing by the ramp. “Mr. President, it’s an honor to meet you,” said Guan as he and Mason bowed.

Musher gives them an appraising eye. “So you are two more masters I have met previously.”

“What other masters did you meet, Mr. President?" asked Guan.

Musher explains. “Master Lenora and Master Alexander at the UN Geneva conference We can get your plane refueled and you can wait out the storm.”

"Thank you, Mr. President,” said Guan.

“I will house you in a hotel,” said Musher. “Captain, please give the two masters the tour of the city."

“As you can see we currently have a fair to remember our previous leaders,” captain tells the masters as they walk through the business district filled with stalls

Guan sees a child in rags on the street with a cup. “President Musher has been trying to make new jobs to reduce our unemployment but it is hard. This is the homeless section," the captain tells them.

The boy sees them. “Captain!” He runs up to the soldier.

“I am sorry, I did not bring anything today,” the soldier says with a sigh. The child put his head down.

Guan walks up to the boy and reaches into his pocket for some money and hands the boy a fifty. “Get something to eat.”

The boy hugged Guan’s leg and exclaimed, “Thank you, mister!”

The captain smiles at this and says, “I am glad there is still kindness in this world. I will come by tomorrow with some food for these kids. I have been visiting these slums and been helping the homeless with medical supplies and food, and even blankets when they are needed.”

The tour ended in the rich section and they got to the hotel known as the Isis. The hotel had a large wooden door, and the roof had gold edges.

Xxx

The two masters were in the hotel. “We need to report back to the others; I’m sure they want to know that we have the orb,” Guan begins.

“When the storm passes we will head out,” said Mason.

Guan hears a knock on the door. He opened it he saw the boy from earlier. “Can I help you, my young friend?”

“I would like to thank you for the money,” said the boy.

“What is your name?” asked Guan getting on one knee.

“My name is Mohad, sir,” said the boy shyly.

“Mohad, there will always be kindness to those who need it.” Guan pats the boy on the head and ruffled his hair. “I recommend you help others the way I helped you.”

“Thank you, sir,” said the boy. He then bowed and walked away.

Guan and Mason were in front of the jet with President of Egypt. “Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. President,” said Guan as he and Mason bow their heads“I was more than happy, too. Until we meet on the battlefield next to each other as allies.”

The two masters boarded and fly off.

The Jet landed in a secret hanger at White Rose base. Mason and Guan walked out, orb in hand.

Alexander nodded. “The temple will be visible in one month. We will take our trials then.”

“Have we located the last Orb?” asked Guan.

Alexander sighs. “No, we have not.”

“We landed in Egypt and the leader said something about a coalition?” asked Guan.

“The United Nations has agreed to a unified front against the Lord of Shadows. They are sending their troops to be trained by the order,” said Alexander.

“Good; the governments from around the world are joining forces for the first time,” said Mason.

***

In the camp of the Sharp Thorn, Kin was getting her robes on. “Kira and Rashid will accompany me to the meeting with the masters.”

“Is that wise?" Kira questioned her sister. "I have some history with several masters and I don’t think they would be thrilled to see me.”

“I think I know what I am doing. Just do what I say when we get there,” said Kin.

Kira nods her head in resignation.

Kin walks into base and enters the meeting room. Kira sees Alexander and lowers her head down in shame. Kin nudges her sister. “You know what you must do.”

Kira walked up to Alexander and knelt before him. “Master Theodorson of the Order of White Rose. I, Kira, have done you a great injustice that I cannot hope to atone.” Alexander eyes the woman as she continues. “I have come before you for either forgiveness or death,” she said placing her head down as if she were waiting for the blade.

Alexander unsheathes his blade and walks up to Kira. “I, Alexander, Master of the Order have made my decision. I forgive you for your transgressions,” he said as he touched Kira’s shoulder with his blade. “Rise; you are one of us.”

Kira stood and, with a smile, says, “Thank you, Master.”

***

In the temple in Norway, the Lord of Shadows was being fitted with new armor, midnight black with silver shin guards. A soldier entered. “My Lord, I found the location of the Orb.” the soldier said.

“Do tell,” said the evil Lord, pleased.

“We don’t know if it is guarded but it is in Australia,” said the soldier,.

“I will go and retrieve it.” The Lord of Shadows after getting his armor on, went through a portal with three shadows following him in.

***

The meeting was in full swing at the Order of White Rose Base when a soldier walks in. “Forgive me for the interruption, Masters,” he said.

“Report,” Alexander said as he eyes the soldier.

“We have found the location of the water Orb, it is in Australia in a temple of the Aborigines,” said the soldier.

“Yuan and Lenora shall retrieve the Orb,” said Alexander.

The two master s stood. “We will head out immediately,” said Yuan.

Alexander gives them one warning. “If you two encounter the Lord of Shadows, do not engage; I would rather lose an orb, then a life.”

The two walk out and head to Australia.

***

The Lord of Shadows struck another native down as he marched to the location of the Orb. Slaughtering his way to the temple, he showed no mercy. “The orb is near.” He grabs an Aborigine by the throat. “Tell where the water orb is.”

The man coughs blood in the Lord of Shadows’ face. “You’ll get nothing out of me.”

The Lord of Shadows brought the man closer. “Too bad,” he said, tossing the man away.

He sees a stone building and finds the Orb on a pedestal. “There it is. Not even hidden,” the Lord of Shadows said. He reaches for it and it disappeared in his hand. His eyes glowed blue.

When two masters get to the village and were horrified at the death and destruction “We are too late,” said Yuan. They see a warrior on the ground groaning slightly.

Lenora rushed over. “Who did this?” She turned him over.

“It was a monster in black armor with a demonic helmet,” said the warrior as he coughed some blood. “You must stop him.” He closed his eyes and went limp.

Yuan glanced around in sorrow. “Looks like the Lord of Shadows managed to grab the Orb before we could secure it. The amount of life lost is tragic.”

The two give the bodies the proper burial and leave the village. “I can’t believe he would even kill the woman and children,” said Lenora.

“He is a heartless monster,” said Yuan clenching his fist. The two get back on the plane and leave.

***

In the temple, the Lord of Shadows was sitting on his throne with his four generals kneeling in front of him. In their hands was a pendant of a pyramid. “You have your orders. These pendants should get you in the temple without going through the trials. Go.” The four generals disappear.

“Your move, guardians,” he chuckled darkly. “Soon all shall belong to me.”

Xxx

The five guardians landed in Berlin Airport and drove to the Quedlineburg temple. It had a stone entry with five towers on the corners of the main building. They noticed the door was open. “Looks like someone is here already. Be ready for an ambush,” said Alexander.

At the door they saw five different passages. “Which one?” asked Yuan.

Alexander turns to the one on the far right. “This path is calling to me,” he said, walking toward the path.

The other guardians close their eyes and each walk to a different passage.