Kagetora's Story

Within his secret place in the Guild, a lone monk sits in the full Lotus position and meditates. Upon closer inspection, you see his look is troubled, and there are papers before him on the ground. A lone tear courses down his cheek and his eyes are red from crying. He has experienced so much happiness as of late with his progress in the Guild, the reuniting of Royale and Radiance, and most of all his his upcoming wedding to his Beloved Tessae. You stop and ponder what could be troubling this young monk.

There are papers scattered around in front of him and what appears to be maps of areas that he has been to. There are other papers chronicling these events and what appears to be a diary. The young Monk gets up and leaves. You do not know where has gone, but he has a circled area on a map that may give you a clue. There is a tear stain beside it. You reach down and grab the paper and Diary and begin reading.

In the beginnning of the book you see a few quotes that are among his personal favorites:

"Though all of our knowledge begins with experience, it does not follow that it all arises out of experience." -Immanuel Kant

"There is neither good or bad, but thinking makes it so." -Shakespeare's "Hamlet"

You see that he is eccentric to some ideals but well founded. You are now curious and want to read on. And now the story begins...

Many years ago in the city of Tranos, a young couple give birth to a son of Japanese and Wood-Elf descent. The mother was a member of the Wizard's Guild and the father had an unknown profession. The couple had been travelling and were very much in love. The birth had brought them great joy and pleasure. The mother was attentive, caring, and loving. The mother had placed a gold laced necklace with a circle pendant on it around the babie's neck. On the outside of the the pendant is the name of the baby in Japanese. The father was very supportive to his wife and was very duty bound and traditional in his ways. Both parents fawned over the birth of the son. The mother and father settled in Devardec to live, both close to their respective guilds and happy.

That same year the city of Devardec was invaded by the great hordes of the Orc Clans. During the intense fighting the young Wizard was overcome by the hordes of enemy troops. Her son was ripped from her and she was left battling on in grief. The invasion and loss of her son struck her deeply to the bone, her heart being torn asunder. The father, not knowing of this, returns from defending the other side of the city to find his beloved wife laying on the floor griefstricken and sobbing uncontrollably. He moves to console her and learns that his only son was taken by the orcs. He lets out a cry of strangled anguish and he too cries with his wife.

The pain of the experience changes them both. The father, no longer happy, wanders the land and the mother travels with him. While they are travelling the lands again in search of their lost son they are over come by a small force of Drow Elves. They are separated while fighting desperately for their lives. The mother is captured and raped by one of the Drow officers and keep as a slave. Many months later she gives birth to a young Half-Drow. The child she had given birth to taken from her right away for initiation into the dark ways of the Drow. Not remembering the birth, the pain of being raped, the constant pain and abuse, the mother somehow escapes into the forest.

Her life a shambles and not knowing where she is, she begins to look for her husband. They reunite to be together long enough to decide they are no longer suited for each other. There have been to many changes and they are no longer compatiable. They divorce and go their respective ways. The father disappears into the lands. The mother makes a major life change, not remembering all that has happened or just forgetting, she becomes a Druid and finds inner peace.

The Orc hordes, after wreaking havoc upon Devardec, set out upon the forest of Nirimloth. The young son was given to an Orc mother for keeping until he was old enough to be sold to a slaver or used as a slave by the orcs. The inattentive orc mother left the young baby among some trees whilst she went and sought her pleasures amongst the warrior caste orcs. While she was away, the baby crawled off a bit on its own. The mother orc returned after being gone for several hours and she looked for the baby. After not finding the child she gives a frustrated "humph" and waddles off.

The child starts crying out of fear and hunger. He is quickly found by a group of Elves in a hunting party. One of the younger elves decided to raise him as his own along with his wife. They had not been able to have children yet so this was a blessing in disguise, and he knew the gods had smiled upon him this day.

The child grew quickly into manhood. His adopted parents had named him Dawnglade. The meaning of the name is "The morning of a new life from the glade within the forest." He grew fast, learned quickly, and adjusted well with his adopted family's people. As he grew up he began to notice several differences about himself and the other children. One day he asked his Elven father why he was different form the others. It was this day that the older elf had been dreading.

"My beloved son I love you and I am afraid that what I am going to say may be strange and painful for you to hear."

Dawnglade leaned forward and hugged his father. "What, father, could it be that is so hard for you to tell me? I am your oldest son and I love you."

The older elf said, "Dawnglade, I have raised you these past years as if you are my own son and have given you what I would give my own natural children. But today is hard for me, for I have to tell you the truth to some of your origins."

Dawnglade sat forward and trembled. He looked frightened and anxious all at once.

The older elf said, "I think it's best if I start at the beginning. I found you in the year of 125, what day I do not know. You were crying out and our hunting party had heard your wails. We quickly found you in fear of your cries notifying predatory animals nearby. I saw you and gathered you into my arms and held you. You immediately quieted down and

I knew then that gods had blessed me with you. So I raised you as if you were my own. I would have had it no other way. That strange necklace you wear was upon you when we found you. It does not appear to come off without aide. There is also a strange inscription on it that no one here can read or make out. That might be a clue to who you are and to your past and future. Just know that I love you and I will be here for you if ever you need me."

Dawnglade sat there in silence letting this all sink in. Questions stirred in his mind. "Who am I really? Who are my real parents. Where am I from? What?"

A dozen different emotions swept over him. So many that he could not react. From anger to sadness to bewilderment. He felt as if part of his life was a lie. He had to make a decision. Did he want to know about his real parents, or should he just stay here and live out the life that he knew? The decision was staggering. What to do?

The older elf seeing the conflict on his adopted sons face said, "Dawnglade I see that you are troubled. I know that you are going through a great conflict within yourself. Maybe you are meant for greater things, who knows but the gods. I am just deeply pained to see you this way. Though as much as I do not wish this to happen, I think maybe you should seek out your previous life. Though you were only a babe there is much left not disturbed. Perhaps you should seek the Oracle here in Woodtop. She could give you insight into past."

"Father, I love you and you are the only father I have ever known, but you are right. I need to seek out my past, otherwise I will not know what my real future is." And with that began a journey deep into the past.

The story will continue...

You look up realizing that you have been unaware on whether the young monk has returned. You see that he has not and quickly begin to read again, hoping you will find out what and who his parents are...

I woke up just a little before dawn. I thought that maybe all the things from the few previous days were all part of a bad dream that had just continued to play on. I decided to go and wash up and eat breakfast. I picked my way around the room carefully. I had all kinds of incense burners lying about and many candles on the floor. I was a devoted student of the ways to becoming one. I used to sit in silence and meditate for hours. My friends thought I was weird. I did not have many friends after that. I did not mind though, I knew that I was different and one day I would have friends that I would trust. I guess it is called faith. I call it determination.

I made my way through my room and commenced to walk down the hall past the day room. I stopped briefly to adjust a sandal and heard a noise coming from inside the room. I crept as quietly as I could and peeked my head around the corner of the door. My father was standing there with his back to me. He was holding a small ornate pouch in his hand and he was going through his travelling gear. His backpack was open and he was wearing his travelling pouch. It looked as though he were going to leave. I crept in and was trying to steal up behind him quietly when he turned around, "Ah you thought that I did not notice you were awake? Dawnglade, have I not taught you that you are to be aware at all times? Ah, boy, you have much to learn. I am packing a pack so that we may travel to The Oracle today to find out about your past. It has become a thing of dread in you and we must overcome that fear. Now go wash up and I will fix us a good breakfast."

I went and washed up. I was a little apprehensive about the trip though. I did not know how to present myself and was not sure what to wear. I choose something comfortable and humble. Simplicity is the best way.

I went to the kitchen to eat and father had laid out a splendid meal of wild berries, freshly baked bread, and cheese. He made Ambrosia for us to drink. The meal was excellent and we made casual conversation. I was nervous and he knew it. I grabbed some of the sweet bread and northern cheese and packed it into my herb pouch for a snack while on the road.

We left a little a short while after the cock's crow. We made sure the house was secured and father placed an enchantment against trespass on it. Father was amazing sometimes, I never knew what he knew. He was not secretive but he always found a way to surprise me.

We started down the road heading east along a path in the trees. Woodtop was not far, just a couple of miles. I saw many new and strange sites on our way to see the Oracle. There were humans, Elves, Half-elves, Dwarves, and other creatures I had never dreamt lived. It was wonderful and my father saw the look in my eyes. He knew that I was awed by such things and drew up close to me so I would not stray in the wrong direction. We arrived at the door of the Oracle shortly before the mid-mark of the day. We traveled little and slowly, for my father was not as young as he used to be. He was a lot spryer today though. We stopped a half-mile from the Oracle's residence.

"In this pouch is an offering to the Oracle. You must give this to her in order to have your vision. It is priceless and I hold it as one of my most prized possessions. I give it to you to use to find your past and to find your destiny." He reached in his travel pouch and retrieved a small ornate pouch and handed it to me.

"Thank you father." I opened the pouch expecting to find a treasure but instead found a stone. The look on my face was of horror. How could such a man prize a stone? As if reading my mind and by the look on my face he knew what I had thought.

"Boy, do you not know what you hold? Have you forgotten your lessons already? That is the thought stone. It holds a magic that helps the Oracle see the past, present, and future. Offer it and she will aid you."

"Father I am sorry. I did not mean to think that you are a fool. If you give me something like this it must have a purpose. Thank you for the gift."

We walked towards the door and it opened as if by magic. I could not see what was inside but a strange glow shined out towards us. We entered with much reverence and stopped just past the door. As we stopped the door closed by itself with the aid of no one. The room was not what I expected. I was thinking that the room would be shrouded in darkness with candles lining the walls. It would have an eerie dark way about it. It was just the opposite. The room was softly lit with sconces on the walls and emitting an aura of peace. The colors swirled around the room in a collage of radiating hues of light blue, red, violet, and greens. It was hypnotic and mesmerizing. I could barely hear a low hum and it felt as if the whole place vibrated with power.

The Oracle looked down from the loft above and gestured for us to come forward. She glided down the stairwell that led to the loft. There was no other way to describe her movement. It was more graceful than the sprites and faeries flying and playing in the forest. She was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. She was supple in form. Elegant, graceful, and wholly unlike any creature in the world. Her gown was gossamer of silks in different hues contrasting making it look like it flowed like a stream. I was in awe. I found peace and serenity in her eyes.

"You have come to seek information young one." She made a statement not a question. I was floored.

"Yes, how could you know that? I did not know you could read minds and stuff."

"Young boy, I see the future as plain as day and the past through others eyes. I knew who you were before you walked in. I am the Oracle after all. Come sit and speak with me so that I will know what it is exactly you are looking for. You have brought the offering, correct?"

"Yes Oracle, we have. We seek information on Dawnglade's past. We want to find out who his real parents are. All he has is this necklace that he wears. Could this be enough?" My father asked.

"If he was with them long enough to see them that would be enough. The necklace does help though. In fact it is a good help. So let us begin. The offering and necklace please."

I handed her the stone and removed my necklace and handed it to her also. She placed each in a different hand and held the sides of my face. Her touch was cool and gentle and powerful. The chain of the necklace slapped lazily against my face and the stone held to my cheekbone. "I am going to go into your mind's eye and to your past memories to draw an image of your mother and father. When I have established a link to your past I will break the link between us. I can not protect you enough to keep you form going insane."

The world fell out from under me. I floated away from my body. The entire world a kaleidoscope of colors, memories, and things yet to be. I was fascinated. "We are almost there now and this is where I break the connection between us. Be patient, I will have the information you seek very soon. In the mean time rest."

I awoke with my father looking over me with a worried expression on his face. The side of my face was burned a little where the necklace had touched. "Are you alright my son? You screamed out as though you had been struck from an arrow."

"I feel all right but my face is sore and my arm tingles." I looked down upon my arm and the same marks that had been on the pendant were now upon my arm in the color of gold and black. I tried to remove it but it stayed there. I was convinced now that this was a bewitchment placed upon me. I stood up and walked a bit. It felt good.

"Kagetora, You can rest easy now." The Oracle said. "Your parents are alive but I can only draw pictures of them from before and not the present. Here, see who they are. That is what you were called by your parents. It is an ancient and powerful name of an ancestor of yours."

With that she touched my forehead and a picture of a man entered my head. It was blurry and faded into a woman. The next Image was a woman who was Asian looking. She is wearing a pink kimono and stands gracefully. "She is the most powerful of the two images I had. The necklace aided in this. I did get more information on her though than I did expect. She was once a member of the Wizard's guild but she changed due to some great disturbance in her life, a terrible sorrow. She has found peace in the ways of the Druid. She is known as Mariko. She is your mother."

Tears filled my eyes and I was moved. My mother lived and did not know I was alive. The questions flooded my mind. Did she leave me or was I taken? I wanted to meet her, to get to know her, to tell her I was not angry and that even though I had not known her that I still loved her.

And so the search begins…

The story continues....

The young Monk comes back into the Meditation Garden. He looks around and sighs gently, wiping tears from his eyes. He has the look as if determination has seeped through into his innermost being. And he nods towards you and knows that you have read his notes and part of his Diary. He looks at you feeling with a look of relief that a weight has been lifted off his shoulders.

"I hope you have enjoyed what you have read. I will tell you the rest now." And with that he sits down and begins...

We had left the next morning after meeting with The Oracle in Woodtop. She was very kind and insisted on us staying the night for a good rest. She had simply said that we had a long journey ahead of us and we had better relax while we were able to, because little did I know, there was no rest coming to us in the near future.

We woke at the sound of the cock's crow. The Oracle had servants attend us to wash up, and she met us for breakfast. "You both eat up for today is long journey to the past and you both need your strength for this next journey." So we ate in relative silence and we made small talk. The meal was fine and our spirits sailed highly. We finished breakfast, bid the Oracle Farewell, and journeyed on.

We left to find this strange and wonderous woman. My mother, Mariko of the Druids. I did not realize that finding her would be so hard. My adopted father had started me early on the Path to Enlightenment and the ways of being a Monk. It is the only life I have ever really known. So my patience was sturdy and my faith in finding her was unshakeable. I held her image close to my heart for fear I would lose it. We travelled through many cities and small towns asking of her. It was a constant dead end. No one knew her and no one who did thought she was still alive. I felt heart stricken. Alas my own personal quest was drawning to a close. It was upon a day in Hallow's month that we were walking down a path in the Southern Dirimloth Forest. That time never leaves my memory.

We where looking about at the various plant life and conversing about their potencies from medicines and other uses. We were smiling and then in an instant my adopted father was struck by an Arrow. It had a long Black Shaft and was made out of a mithril silver. Then the sky turned black with the flight of arrows devouring what little light there was. My father struggled to find shelter and I hide behind a tree. Two more arrows found purchase in my father's leg and side. I was terrified. I ran to him and tried to pull him under cover. His only words to me were, "Go find your mother, Kagetora, my life grows shorter by the second and I will not make it away from this position. Remember I love you and am proud to have had you as my son. Now run while you still can get away," and with that he died in my arms. I laid him down gently, retrieved his travel pouch and backpack, and ran for my life, tears filling my eyes as I ran. So many tears filled my eyes I did not see where I was running to. I ran until I collapsed in a heap of exhaustion.

When I awoke I looked around to see where I was, and to see if I was truly lost. Unfortunately, I was. Everything was green and brown as far as the eye could see. I wandered around the forest for what seemed like hours. With every turn becoming more lost, with every tree becoming more frightened, with every shadow prepared to run, to flee, to die. I was not very confident in my younger days. I was fresh to the world outside and the world outside was a dangerous place to be alone. Still I survived it. I remembered the things that kindly old elf taught me and I managed to live a little longer. I miss him often and he is forever in my heart.

I was walking down a path when I happened upon a Ranger. He was staring intently upon some tracks upon the ground so when I approached him he was startled. I giggled at his slight awkwardness for the moment, and he began to laugh himself. He looked at me with strange and fate seeking eyes that seemed to say he was troubled. He exteneded his hand and introduced himself. "I am Cyrell of the Rangers Guild and who might you be young one?"

I responded in kind, "I am Kagetora and I belong to no guild, but I am training to be a Monk."

He stared at me again with questioning eyes that seemed to say, "You are in the wrong place to be a Monk."

"I think maybe you do not know where you are. You would not be lost Kagetora? I see that you look thin and maybe you have encountered trouble." He stopped as if reading my mind. He reached in to his bag and with drew some sort of dried meat and bread and offered it to me. I accepted it tentatively and began to feast as though I was starved, which I was. It was the most wonderful thing I had ever eaten... or so I thought considering what I had been eatting as of late. I was famished and did not care if I was eatting shoe leather, it was good. Cyrell looked on and began to ask me a few questions to how I had ended up in this predicament.

"How did you end up like this? You look as though the world has collapsed in upon you." I recited to him what had happened and he nodded slowly as he took it all in. "Well youngster you have been a most unfortunate soul then, haven't you? Your adopted father was killed by these arrows, eh?" He withdrew one from his pack and I my eyes went wide with fear. "No, relax, it was not me. These arrows are used by Dark Elves. They are notorious for setting up ambushes of innocents travellers and merchants. It seems they are quite perverse in their form of pleasure. They thrive on the pain and suffering of others. I find that a bit disturbing though that they are this far down in the woods. It would seem like they are expanding their territory. Hmm... I have heard tale of an enagimic new young leader they have. They say he is as young as you appear to be but he is half insane and half genius. What is his name... ahh, I know- it is Yamato Baenre. He is the only male in his house to have almost as much power as the house Matriarch. They say he is only a half-breed though. Part Human and part Dark Elf. He has all their abilities and none of their weaknesses. He is supposed to look half Asian. Possibly of Japanese descent. But that is all hearsay from tavern talk. Still there might be some truth to it... So what draws you in to the woods like this other than fleeing from those nasty elves?"

I related the tale to him about my mother, the journey, and the awkwardness of my youth. He seemed very attentive and yet distant. He listened carefully and nodded through several points. He even had me repeat a section or two once or twice. He nodded a few times in my direction and then asked me the strangest question, "Can you fight? Are you willing to learn to be aggressive? Are you willing to learn to defend yourself? I will teach you if you like but I am not going to be there all the time to baby sit you while you are searching for your mother. But I will help you."

From that day forth we have been best of friends. We travelled together out of companionship and for the adventure of it. We hunted and quested the small quests, we even fell in battle a few times together. But all in all we had fun. We split ways when I found the guild though neither one of us able to get together for any length of time and we both have our own paths. Sometimes though I can hear him in my head saying "Remember when you attack, hit hard, hit fast, and retreat, never stand there and slug it out or you will die." Cyrell is out there and we will find my mother I know it. He is looking for her just as I am. One day I will find her but it is not today, but I know it in my heart.

"Maybe sometime later when I have it all figured out I will tell you the rest. But for right now I must be going. My quest will never end, my quest will never stop."

With that the young Monk Called Kagetora gets up and collects his papers and books in to a neat little stack and walks away. His head held high always looking towards his future...

Just when You think the story ends, there is only more to come... Same Monk Channel, Same Monk Station... Be ready for installment four of Kagetora's Story, Kagetora's Quest.

There is an Old Monk sitting in the Meditation Garden in the Guild. He looks weary and aged beyond his years. His skin is weathered from the elements and his eyes carry the sorrows of a lifetime. He is staring at documents laid at his knees. He is wearing black armour that has been badly scarred from many battles and his Helm sits beside scratched and tarnished with little of the original paint left from its intial purchase. He looks as if he has walked out of ages past.

He looks up at you and his eyes seem to recognize your face. "Ah it is you. Has it been so long ago, young monk, since I have seen you and you have heard my tale?"

You sit down and wonder how long it has been. It has been a very long time indeed. For many of the Monks have ascended or simply passed into the next life. And yet you can not remember who this monk is.

"I see that you do not recognize me young one. It is I, Kagetora, and yes it has been a very long time since we have spoken. Would you like to hear the rest of my tale now?"

You nod your head and begin to listen.

"It was long ago that I told you of my quest to find my mother. I think perhaps many passings of the moon, possibly several hundred passings at that, hehehe. I am an old man now and not the same as before. Many hardships have happened. But I ramble and must keep my mind focused to tell this tale.

"I was out hunting with a good friend, who since has passed on to the greater glory of Elaina, the Goddess of Light. We were wandering around a lake, and through a clearing I saw her... She was beautiful, strikingly beautiful. She wore a pink kimono and had long black hair done up in a traditional Japanese hair style. She was moving away from us and I all of a sudden realized that this woman was the same one I had had in my vision given to me by the Oracle in Woodtop. She was my Mother, Mariko. I had travelled for years searching everywhere for her, and all this time she was here in the same part of the world as myself. I wept with joy and sorrow. I began chase to catch her, she was unaware that I was trying to find her. She was unaware that her first son had lived and that he wanted to meet her very much. Maelius, whom I was hunting with, caught up to me and asked what I was doing. I told him simply that I had found her, I had found my mother. He stared at me for a moment as it sank in that I was trying to catch up with Mariko. He joined in the pursuit and soon we had caught up with her.

"The next moment was very tense. I approached her very carefully and asked her name. She said she was Mariko of the Druid's Guild and asked why I wanted to know. I then was stunned and could not answer her right away. I was terrified and scared that this woman would think I was insane or would just simply turn away from me. She saw this and comforted me. She asked again, quietly and softly, 'Why do you wish to know this young monk?'

"I began to relate my tale to her slowly. At first I saw a look of panic, then confusion, and then it was a look of complete sorrow and horror. I tried to tell her that I was her son, but at first she would not believe me. I began with the tale of the Battle of Devardec, then on to the necklace that she had given me at birth, then I showed her the burn mark that it had left on me after the visit with the oracle. Her eyes went wide and she sobbed. She realized before her was her son. Maelius went on to hunt alone that day and Mariko and I went to my house to talk. We wanted to learn all about each other and I wanted her to be part of my life now, to give her a chance to know me. At this time I was married to Tessae, who was expecting with our son Kamui. We sat and talked and Tessae came home and I quickly introduced them. It was certainly the last place that I would expect to find my mother in my own backyard of sorts. We talked and talked and we still visit often when we are both in the same part of the world.

"Since that chance encounter though my life went through some very drastic changes. My wife Tessae and I divorced. My son Kamui grew for many years not knowing his father. The divorce from Tessae took a very hard toll on my heart and my sanity did not hold. I wandered around giving things away to people, raving like some sort of lunatic, and in general I was not very pleasant company. Many of my friends had heard of this and came to me offering their help. There was not much they could do. I had to do things on my own for a while. It even came down to denouncing my titles, duties, and responsiblities. I was not capable of such things at that time. Many years had passed and I slowly came to my senses but it was not what people expected to see when I returned. I came back dark, empty, full of hate and rage, contempt, and utterly I wanted power. I became the Lore's Dark Master in the Monk's Guild and began to climb the way to the top. I had started the idea of change, new leadership through force or political unrest, speaking of harder rules, drastic and sometimes different notions of what should be happening and arranging to start things off. Many people would be hurt by this. At that time I did not care, many of those people were my friends."

The old monk sits down on his haunches and weeps for a few seconds and tears run down his cheek as he remembers this time as though it were yesterday.

"I am sorry, memories are sometimes more bitter than the present. I seemed to have forgotten how bad some of them are. I lead uprising after uprising, the Darkness always flowing within me to cause unrest. I could not stop. My Triumver of the Silver Circle, Soudis and Weiyoon, started to worry. I had become the Dark Master by choice and my entire essence was devoted to that cause, I had still good intentions at first but somewhere along the line I just simply went over completely to the Dark Side. Soudis had become the Light Master, as Weiyoon became the Faceless Master. We three ran the Circle and eventually with the aid of Radiance, who would become at one point a center of my affections, set the standard in the Guild and moved to set it upon the world of Terris. No Outlaw was safe, no criminal could hide. We brought the Monk's Guild to the forefront of of all Guilds. Many people aided in this but our leadership oversaw its happening. My Dark influence moved me to start this. The wars would begin again."

The old monk then seemed to go into a trance, remembering things that had happened, in his past, perhaps, but had not happened in the present...

"The Wars would last tens of years. Many Monks would die in the name of the Guild and its glory, fighting off the hordes of unhonorable classes. We fought almost everyone. The Rangers, Knights, and Druids Guild all pronounced Neutrality. The rest soon would embattle with us. We fought hard and won and desimated many Guilds out of existence. The Knights no longer able to stay Neutral came over to our side and the fight began again in earnest.

"We had the might of righteousness with us and I would later betray the Knights to our enemy. I was seeking power for myself and they were an obstacle in my path. The Rangers would be beaten into submission by the guilds who fought us and we also fought them. Many Friends I had there in the Rangers Guild, some of them I slayed myself. I remember taking the lives of two of my closest friends, Elkhorn and Rivergal. The came to me in Treaaty and trust and I struck with fury and contempt. The Druids, ever enigmatic, disappearred with out a trace into the Dirimloth forest never to be seen again. We had won the Wars. But at what cost I ask you?"

His look has become distant and his eyes burn red. He looks into the past and the future now.

"I fear my time is at hand and there are many things I have confessed. But the one thing I never confessed was this..."

With that the old Monk stands up and disrobes. He looks as if he is going to strike at you but all of a suddenly he starts to glow and he screams out in pain. In his chest is a hole the size of hand. Somewhere in the distance echoes laughter, laughter that sends chills down your spine. The old Monk rises in the air but not under his own power, glows brightly in an intense light that causes you to close your eyes under immense strain. When you next open your eyes the old Monk is lying there on the floor staring up at you dead. Above him stands a young man. The young man looks down at you and you instantly recognize him. He is glowing with a godlike aura and he says "I was foolish long ago to relate this tale to my Brother. And I have been away to long from this mortal world. Yes I have caused many actions but now I am here to put them right and say goodbye to my friends. I am Kagetora, The Dark Master, I have come for the reckoning and it is done." With that Kagetora lifts his dead brother in his arms and walks off fading into the Sun.

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