The Lord of Shadows Rises (18 page)

Xxx

In the Russian capital, President Boris was sitting with his ministers.

A soldier ran in. “Sir, I bring urgent news! An army is approaching the capital!”

Boris snoods up. “Prepare all troops and reserves. The Lord of Shadows will not take this country.

Xxx

Outside a small town, the Shadow Army approached, but were attacked by the Russian military. “For mother Russia!” shouted the commander, and his men fired on the Shadow Army.

The Russians fought into the evening, forcing the enemy back when they were hit from behind with a surprise attack. The military started to take heavy casualties as they fight a two flank battle. “Keep fighting! Give time for our military to gather the troops!”

The brave soldiers are boxed in when the Shadow Army fire a lethal volley of artillery

The Shadow Army continues to the small town where they were ordered to burn it to the ground. Marching to Moscow, the Shadows Army was hit by the brunt of the Russian military.

The battle rages as the Shadow Army used their magic and weapons to decimate the military. From a distance, citizens in hiding saw Moscow get taken. Russia fell despite the brave soldiers defending their nation.

Xxx

“So Russia has fallen,” said Guan. “This is troubling.”

“For every victory we get we lose just as much,” replied Mason.

“Can’t we send troops to help them?” asked Yuan.

“If we do that we will spread our forces too thin,” said Guan.

“We should take the fight to the Lord of Shadows himself,” said Lenora. “Kira told us of where he is.”

“No, right now we need Alexander to learn from Grand Master Eirik. Charging in would be suicidal,” said Mason.

Lenora slammed her hands on the table. “We can at least slow them down! Hamper their war efforts!” she said angrily.

Bain walked in, his mind calm, and held up a parchment. “I found something in the archives.”

“What did you find, Bain?” asked Guan.

“The origins of the Lord of Shadows,” said Bain as he locked eyes with the master. “It took me a few hours to scour the library before I found it.”

The temporary master walked to the table and sat. “He was trained by the prior grand master before Eirik. Considered a prodigy, he was denied the rank of Grand Master and left. However, this parchment is the Lord of Shadows on recollection of the event.”

“It was the last line that caught my interest,” said Bain. “My master showed me the light within the shadows, and together with my Master, who I have come to call Lord Shadow, shall we begin the purge of the light. However, I digress; the Master will fall to the student.”

Guan closed his eyes. “I see; to be the Lord of Shadows he must kill the master. Did you find anything else, Bain?”

Bain closed his eyes. “I am afraid it is worse than we thought. The purging of the light is the extermination and genocide of all living thing on the earth. It gets worse. Let me read the next part.”

From anarchy, formed by victory. All life except those damned shall be destroyed as I rule a world with nothing but demon. I have prepared my troops, and the depths of hell lend me the forces necessary for victory. They shall be rewarded with the slaves and land of the conquered.

Bain read last line.

“Anything else?” asked Mason.

"I am afraid it gets worse because of ascension to godhood. He calls it Shaitan, which is a term for all evil including Satan, orcs and demons,” replied Bain.

The masters though for a moment. “With the orbs, and if he ascends, we will have a tough fight,” said Guan.

. “You have improved greatly but I think we should stop for today,” said Grand Master Eirik as they ended the spar.

Alexander sat, out of breath. “No wonder you were Grand Master. You are strong, Master Eirik.”

“Strength does not always win battles. Strategy is always greater. The spoken word can stop a blade by its convictions,” said the Grand Master

Alexander bowed. “I understand; violence should be the last resort.”

“Now where was I at in the story? Ah yes. Gode, after learning from another master and being corrupted, attacked our master.

In the monastery, Aldor was meditating, a tea cup beside him. “I never thought you would turn your blade on me, Gode,” said Aldor as he got up. He started to stumble as his move were sluggish. “How did you poison me?”

“Your tea. Can you fight me, Master?” asked the voice with fake concern. “I dropped poison in tea water a few hours ago.”

Aldor grabs a sword. “So it has come to this.” Aldor spun around and blocked a blade headed for his head.

Gode appeared wearing leather armor with spiked shoulder pads. He went for a strike against his former master who grabbed the blade’s handle and kneed Gode in the chest. “Arrogance does not win battles. I thought I taught you better,” said the master.

“I am no longer the student,” said Gode.

“Yet you made a foolish error by attacking me,” said Aldor as he backhands his former student.

Gode regained his balance and smiled.

The master’s vision started to become hazy.
I have to end this fight,
he thought as he blocked a blow from Gode and was forced to his knees.

The master dropped his sword and grabbed his chest, feeling the poison. Gode smirks and stabs his former master in the chest.

The door opened as Eirik walked in and saw Gode standing over their master. “Master Aldor!” he shouted. Unsheathing his blade, he charges Gode, who disarmed him immediately.

“You aren’t worth killing,” Gode said as he strooled away, leaving Aldor dead and Eirik on his knees.

Xxx

"I was too weak to fight him, at that time, and realizing my weakness, I left in shame to train,” said the spirit of Eirik.

Alexander looked on. “How did you beat him in the last battle?”

“I will tell you later,” said Eirik. “But now continue your katas and I will teach you to the next style I know.”

Xxx

The Lord of Shadows was in his temple as reports came to him of victory and defeats. “So the Order has gained a few victories, however it is the last battle that will determine the victor. I need the other orbs; prepare to storm the camp of the Order.”

Xxx

“Masters, we have an emergency. Scouts report seeing amassing of troops approaching.”

“What?” asked Lenora.

“This was not expected. We don’t have the manpower to take on this army,” said Guan.

“What shall we do then? We can’t retreat. It will show weakness,” Yuan states.

“We have to retreat. The most important thing is the survival of this order,” Mason counters.

Guan sat as the two continue their debate. “By fighting even if we retreat. It will prove that we have what it takes to make the tough call. I want five hundred men to hold the line at all cost,” Guan said, stopping the argument.

“Who will be the commander?” asked Lenora.

Bain got up. “I think I should earn my keep. I will take command of this defense unit.”

“You are a master, Bain; I should not let you be on the front lines. Do you have to be the one?”

“Yes, as a master I must be willing to walk towards death with no fear,” said the weapons smith.

“Good luck, Bain, try to survive,” said Guan.

“That is not the objective. The survival of the Order is the main goal," Bain replied as he walked out, leaving a foreboding feeling in the command tent.

Xxx

The Army of Shadows was marching on the small camp as five hundred warrior stand in the valley outside the cove to face them, armed with knives and guns. Bain was watching the two sides as he thought back to his plan.
Bottle up the valley with my force and hold them off,
he thought.

“Attack!” he shouted, and his army began shooting into the Shadow forces.

The shadows commander laughs. “They will die, all of them. Attack!” said the Shadow commander.

With the terrain in favor of the Orders forces, the order managed to kills scores of shadow soldiers, however, Bain knew it was a matter of time until they broke thru.

Back at the base camp, the master began to organize a retreat. Guan was at the head of the masses as they exited the camp site.

The battle had turned rather quickly as the five hundred soldiers holding the line began to falter from the amount of enemies coming. Bain looked on. “This is the end of the road for me.” He got out a curved sword and ran down the hill killing, Shadow soldiers on his descent.

The commander ordered a volley of bullets, felling the defenders in one swoop. The Order of White Rose had lost their base. “Search the camp for survivors and the orbs. Kill all survivors.”

Xxx

Eirik was standing on a pole in front of his student. Alexander doing the same. Around them where other poles. Eirik jumped to an adjacent pole and struck out with a kick to Alexander, forcing the young master to jump away to another pole. “Remember keep your guard up at all times.”

Alexander does a spin kick which is caught and wastossed, but lands on another pole.
He is not a Grand Master for nothing,
thought Alexander.

The two stood on their respective poles. “Come now, young Alexander, is that all?” asked Eirik.

Alexander, with all his experience, was not easily goaded. “Well, you have yet to beat me, Master.”

Xxx

The Order was in shambles as the forces they marshaled were forced to flee. Lenora looked around then asked, “Did we grab the orbs?”

“I thought you had them,” said Yuan.

“Not good. That means we left the orbs. They are now in the Lord of Shadows possession,” Guan said.

Mason looked on in silence and then said, “That might work to our advantage if we can force him to overuse them in battle.”

“But will it be worth the cost of his increased power?” asked Guan.

“It’s a slight to weaken this monster,” said Mason.

“But we might lose before he is drained,” said Guan. “We have to hit him fast and hard if we attack.”

Alexander was meditating, facing Master Eirik. “Feel the chi as it moves around you. Harness it.” Alexander was still as a light shimmered around him. “You just started your chi training and you have already called upon it. You can stop for now.”

Alexander opened his eyes. “Thank you, Master.” He noticed Eirik had a distant look on his face. “What is wrong?”

Snapping out of his daze, Eirik turned his head. “Nothing, just memories,” said the former master. “Both my failings and Gode’s failings.”

Alexander looked on. “So how did you win the last engagement with the Lord of Shadows?” asked the young master.

“I used a technique that kills the user while, at best, imprisons the target. Are you willing to make that sacrifice, knowing you will leave your loved ones behind?” asked Eirik. Alexander frowned. “When you choose that fate, I will teach you the technique.”

Xxx

The Order of White Roses had fled their camp and gathered in a clearing. “Great, we lost the orbs,” said Lenora with annoyance.

“We also lost our base. We need find another location,” Guan reminded the group.

“I disagree. We should strike the Lord of Shadows. He thinks we are no threat, and we can use that to surprise him,” Yuan said.

“But we are assuming that he is ignorant of our threat level,” Guan said being cautious.

“Let’s take a vote,” Mason suggests. “All in favor raise your hands.”

Yuan raised his hand followed by Lenora. Mason raised it next with Guan doing the same. “We’ll launch our attack after gathering our forces. Then the war will end one way or another,” Guan declares.

XX

The Lord of Shadows was on his throne, with three figures around his altar. “Open the portal.”

The figures clasped their hands together as dark chi is shot from them and a black portal opens. “At last my army,” said the Lord of Shadows. Thousands of demonic creatures began pouring out of the portal. Some wore armor while others were in leather clothing. The creatures were wielding swords and other archaic weapons. “The army of hell shall descend upon them. Armageddon shall start>

Xxx

In Germany, a small group closed in on a factory. “Attack!” Thirty men attack the outpost killing the soldiers defending it. One started to run but was impaled by a pike. As a body fell Kevin retrieved his pike. “Secure the area.”

“Yes, Commander,” said a man.

Xxx

“So we lost another factory?” He slammed his fist down on the armrest, cracking the wood in two. “This is a revolt against me and they shall be put down.”

A spy walks in. “Sir, we have reports of battles being waged against us. What shall we do about this insurgency?”

The Dark Lord chuckles. “We shall bide our time. After all, the real conflict will be against the Order of White Rose.”

“I see,” said the spy.

“Are our forces ready?” asked The Lord of Shadows.

“Yes, Master; the whole army is ready for battle,” replied the scout.

“The time has come for our enemies to launch their attack on this temple.

Xxx

Kevin sat in a makeshift tent with several appointed commanders. “We should strike here, near the temple of the Lord of Shadows.”

“Sir, all enemy troops are retreating from battlefronts around the world,” said one of the soldiers.

“Why would he call all units back? He would not do this unless he is getting ready to end this war against the order,” said Kevin. “I want all units to head out; it is time to take the fight to the Lord of Shadows.”

Alexander was in the void as Eirik looked on. “We have one thing for you to do before your final battle,” said Eirik. “You must create your own style of fighting.”

Alexander looked at his master, confused. “I am not following. How do I create a style?”

“Take your strength and use it to formulate your new style. For example, my maneuverability is my greatest strength so I use that to out maneuver or redirect a blow from an enemy, and retaliate with my own strikes,” said Eirik.

Alexander sat down. “Give me some time to figure out a way use those skills I have acquired.”

"Take your time,” said Eirik. “The time goes slower in the void.”

A few hours later, Alexander was testing with his attack; jumping and flipping around the test dummy, he lands a blow on the dummy, shattering it.
My speed and attacks are strong, but my defense is non-existent,
thought the young grand master.
I have to put in defense moves or switch my style.

Alexander walks out of his room. “I have completed my own style,” he said.

“I see; please explain the basis of your form,” the former grand master said.

“My usual style is all out assault, keeping my opponent guessing. It has some weakness,” admitted Alexander before continuing. “It is primarily an attacking style and very exhausting for a long battle. It has no blocking or defense capabilities other than jumping around.”

“How are you going to fix this flaw?”

“I have a lot of styles to choose from, so I will change it to a more balanced, more defensive style,” said Alexander.

Grand Master Eirik smiles at his student. “Your training is complete, young Grand Master. I could not be any prouder.”

“Thank you, Master. I have a feeling the war is reaching its climax and I need to help my friends.”

“Remember, young Alexander, use that technique as a last resort. Head to the Scandinavian Mountains and you will find the temple. But first you pass my test before going,” said Eirik.

“What test?” asked Alexander.

“You must beat me in a final battle or impress me,” Eirik stated, moving into a stance.

Alexander did the same. Alexander struck with a kick which is caught and he is tossed.

Eirik went for a quick finger strike forcing Alexander on the defense. “Is that all, Alexander?” asked Eirik as he continues his assault. Alexander jumps over Eirik, sending a kick to his master, forcing him back. “Not bad.”

Alexander puts his guard up and waited for Eirik to attack. The former grand master did not disappoint as he rushed the young man in an amazing show of speed, going for a kick that would end normally the match.

Alexander caught the kick and winced at the strength of it, and threw Eirik across to the other side of the room. Eirik flipped and landed on his feet. Taking a moment, the elder grand master watches Alexander’s form.

Alexander started jumping around the master with his invented style. Eirik switched to Aikido to use Alexander’s own motion against him.

Alexander went for a quick kick, but was grabbed by the collar and tossed away. Flipping in the air he lands and goes into the dragon style to overpower the defensive Aikido.

Eirik rushed at Alexander in an attempt to overpower him. Master Eirik got within striking distance; the initial punch was dodged as Alexander flipped on his hand, summersault kicked Eirik in the chin making him fly back. Alexander took the advantage and punches his teacher in the chest, sending him flying back into the other side of the wall.

Eirik chuckled as he gets up slowly. “I haven’t had to fight this hard in a hundred years.” Alexander rushes his master. “A frontal assault; are you that confident?”

Eirik grabbed Alexander by the collar and tossed the young master behind him into a wall. Alexander rose from his position on the floor and smiles. “We are both wearing ankle weights. How about we let loose completely?” said Alexander.

Eirik sat cross-legged and pulled up the pant legs, showing metal weights on his ankles with the number one hundred carved in both of them. Alexander did the same, but his was only fifty on the ankle weights.

Eirik got into a stance as Alexander gots into a boxing stance. As if a bell rang, they launched themselves in full on flurry of punches and kicks. The battle was so fast-paced that they would change position every second, leaving after-images in their last place.

Alexander hits Eirik’s arm with a devastating hammer fist when he went to block. The crack from the impact was heard. The master flinched from the pain and retaliated with a roundhouse kick, which is dodged, and instead hits a column, breaking it in half.

Spinning quickly, Eirik slammed his fist to Alexander’s left side, sending him to the ground.“To actually keep up with me is impressive. For that reason, you pass my test.”

Alexander gets up slowly. “Thank you, Master,” He bowed

“Now you must head to the Lord of Shadows temple to assist you comrades. Your body feels like it’s been damaged, but in reality you have been resting outside the void so you should be fine for battle.”

The space glows around the young teen as he blacks out.

At last my mistake will be ratified,
thought Eirik.
I couldn’t bring myself to finish my friend. Be careful, Grand Master Alexander.

Xxx

In the hut, Alexander awoke. Looking around, he began to wonder if that was a dream. “I should go to the temple immediately,” he said and rushed out of the hut to begin his trek south for the final battle.

Xxx

The Order of White Rose was getting ready for their decisive battle. The four Masters stood at the front of the army that numbered close to over fifty thousand troops. The plan was fairly simple: have the main army attack as the masters snuck in to defeat the Lord of Shadows.

Guan, who was given temporary command, finalized the plans.

“This battle has a lot riding on it. Are the Thorns ready for their deployment?” Guan inquires.

Kira and Kin were in the command tent as was Rashid. “Yes, the Sharp Thorns are ready,” Kin confirmed.

“Rashid, I want you to take command of the left wing. Kira will take command of the right wing, and Kin will be in the center. Jun, the leader of the Shaolin, will take command of the reserves,” said Guan.

“We will have to sneak into the main temple and defeat the Lord of Shadows. We must win this battle,” Mason says with conviction.

“Supplies are ready. Despite the preparation, casualties will be high due us being outnumber three to one,” Yuan tells them.

“We have no other hope than wait for the calls we have made for reinforcement to be answered. Mobilize all troops,” Guan commanded.

The Army of the White Rose was marching to their final battle. The sea of white and blue robes headed to the temple. The army stopped at the mountain range and was shocked to see the army of darkness amassed in front of them. “Hold position! Take as many of them as possible!” Rashid shouts.

The Army of Darkness fire their artillery as the Army of the White Rose charged the army. The cry of battle can be heard for miles.

In the temple, the four masters snuck in and headed to the throne room. They got to a door and it opened. “He must be excepting us. Stay on guard,” Guan whispers.

Sitting on the throne, the Lord of Shadows smiled darkly. “Welcome, masters, to your death,” said he said

“Your reign ends now!” Guan declares as he brought his staff up.

Lenora got in her stance. Yuan got out his curved sword and Mason put on his spike gloves. The Lord of Shadows looks at the four and chuckles. “You’re missing one. The Grand Master is not here.”

“Enough talk!” said Yuan as he rushed forward, bringing his blade down, but the Lord of Shadows caught it between his fingers.

“Weak.” The Lord of Shadows threw Yuan back with the flick of his wrist.

The other masters surround the Lord of Shadows and prepare to fight. “I guess I will have to actually try,” the Lord of Shadows said while rising from his throne.

Xxx

The Order of White Rose Army inched forward but was then pushed back. “Keep fighting!” called out Kira as she slammed her elbow into another enemy.

“Rashid, we have got to take that artillery!” shouted Kin, seeing the damage from an artillery encampment on the hill.

“Yes, Commander! Onward!” Rashid shouts. His forces attack the hill, taking heavy casualties. Taking cover in the rocky outcrops. Rashid slowly inches forward. After fierce fighting, they take the hill and the artillery that was giving them grief. Turning the artillery on the Army of Darkness, they start their bombardment with the guns.

Sending Guan back with a powerful punch, he then grabs Lenora by her leg and throws her to the other side. “I am disappointed. I was expecting a little challenge,” taunts the Lord of Shadows. “Your army shall be destroyed.”

Yuan went for a swing with one of his swords, but it was blocked by the Lord of Shadow’s sword. Yuan was sent back by blast of dark magic as the Lord of Shadows gazed at the four in front of him.

Mason tried to punch the Lord of Shadows but every punch was blocked with little effort and he was tossed aside like a rag doll.

Yuan got back up and slammed his sword on the ground in frustration on the ground. “Damn, he’s making us look like amateurs,” said the master.

Guan got up. “Stay calm Yuan. A chance of victory will show itself eventually.”

The battle had gotten out of control as a water Golem appeared and started to cause mass havoc among the ranks. Rashid, grabbing his hammer, rushed at the monstrosity. Swinging his hammer to the side of the golem, the body splatters with water. “Did I get him?” asked Rashid. He is horrified as the golem reforms. Swinging again, Rashid’s hammer was caught by the creatures hand and he is sent back by a torrent of water.