The Lord of Shadows Rises Read Free Page A

his blunt weapon, ready to deliver the killing blow, when he was sent back by a strong kick from an unseen assailant. The woman’s attention was caught as she glanced up and saw an elderly man of Asian descent. Wearing a blue robe with the symbol of a white rose on his back, he had his long white hair pulled back in a ponytail.
    “…Who the hell are you?” she demanded, somewhat weakly. The sheer power radiating from this man had made her hesitate slightly. Foreboding and dread shaking her to her core.
    “My name is not important to the dishonorable. You strike a downed warrior. This I cannot allow. You are a disgrace to warriors everywhere.” He pulled out a dagger and beckoned the attackers forward. “Come.”
    The large man sprang to his feet and snarled at the newcomer, he then charged forward bringing his weapon down towards the old man. Quicker than anyone present thought possible, the large man was spewing blood from his jugular vein as the old man slashed across his neck with the dagger.
    Kira wasn’t used to feeling immense fear. Her body could not stop shaking in this newcomer’s presence. He was dangerous. That much was certain.
    The old man glanced at the large man’s body. Seeing their comrade fall caused the other assailants to pause in shock. However, only for a moment, before they gathered up their courage and charged. With little movement both thugs were mortally wounded: one was stabbed quickly in the chest, the other cut across his throat, a wound matching the warrior’s former comrade.
    Turning around, the elderly fighter spoke to Kira, “How about you, young lady?”
    Kira backed away with fear in her eyes. She looked at Alexander and said, “You got lucky, boy, but I’ll be back.” Turning on her heels she fled to safety, abandoning her fallen companions as they lay lifeless on the ground.
    The old man looked at the teen, who was breathing hard and frowned. He has already seen death, and yet he's so young. What brought him to this? Turning the old man shuffled slowly away, the speed and agility he had shown a moment ago no longer present.
     
    Alexander looked after him as he moved further and further away before he decided to follow him.

Chapter 2: The Master
    Alexander continued to follow the man until he reached a medium-sized cottage. He had believed he had remained unseen to the elderly man, but a voice soon proved him wrong.
    “I know you’re there, young man. Why not come out?”
    Alexander walked out of his hiding place and approached the man, readying to defend himself even though he knew he had no hope of winning in his current state.
    “Would you like some tea or maybe a soda?” asked the man, walking into the cottage and motioning Alexander to follow.
    The cottage was sparsely furnished. Through the gloom Alexander could make out the back wall and a wooden shelf holding various trophies and medals. On that same shelf were two pictures. One was of a young boy with an older looking man both wearing purple GI’s.
    The second picture was the same adult again, though this time he was joined by a blond woman in a wedding dress. The woman was being carried bridle-style in front of the camera. The picture was black and white, showing its obvious age.
    Alexander sat down, “Soda’s fine. I want to thank you for saving my life,” said the teen.
    Taking a soda from the aging, faded-white refrigerator in the corner, the man passed it to Alexander before pouring some tea for himself. “You’re lucky I came by when I did,” said the old man taking a sip.
    Alexander bowed and said “Thank you. Um, I don’t know your name.”
    The old man chuckled. “Yes, that would be a good thing, introductions. You can call me Master Luray, and you're Alexander, according to the identification in your wallet,” Luray said.
    “Your name sounds familiar. I know that name,” said Alexander, struggling to recall just where he had heard the Master’s name previously. “I know now, you trained