dire51

Without going into a lot of probably useless backstory, this is the latest version of a series I've been working on ever since 2000. My friend Sam and I have tried to blend our own original characters with an existing universe (as such, it has an element of fanfiction to it), and for the most part, I think we've pulled it off quite well.

This bit here is from the first arc of the series relaunch, Year One: Trial By Fire. We're currently two arcs in, and are working on arc three at the moment. We've also written several short stories to complement the main arcs, and so have a few other people.

Also: this has no relation to the novels of the same name by James Barclay, or the movie of the same name. Total coincidence in both cases.

Hope you enjoy it!

***

"The dream that haunted my childhood has returned. I haven't had this dream for years, but it returns now? Why? I don't know. At best, its return is due to nervousness; at worst, it's a premonition.

"Either way, it doesn't bode well."

--Kazekage's Journals, Entry 2050.7.12

PROLOGUE: Dream

Darkness.

Then slowly, light appeared.

A hand closed around the light, smothering it. But slowly the being that had cut off the light became visible.

A pitch-hued robe trimmed in brightest yellow billowed out and away from the hand in a sudden gust of wind. The figure shrouded in the robe defied logic by floating in midair, its face obscured by the robe. Slowly, deliberately, it opened its hand and the light flared to life again.

In front of this wraith stood a man clad in the simple black gi of a master ninja, brandishing a sword resembling a katana. The ornate scriptwork that covered the blade caught the sudden flare and reflected it.

The ninja faced the spectre and raised his sword. He stood tall, his eyes narrowed in defiance.

He was not afraid to die.

"This world belongs to us, insect," the being rumbled. "None of your fellows could accept that."

The ninja said nothing.

"They're all dead now," the figure chuckled. "You will join them."

The ninja smiled behind his mask. "Perhaps," he said. "But I promise you, I will not embrace the darkness alone."

The figure laughed, slowly, ominously, hurling a flaming projectile at the ninja as he did so.

At the last second before impact, the ninja's form blurred. He reappeared to the right of the projectile and swept his sword lengthwise through the blast.

The projectile dissipated. The shrouded figure inhaled sharply. It had not expected this development.

The ninja heard it. He grinned again.

"Furan'Ch", he said mockingly as he raised his sword. "This ends. Now."

And with that, even as the wraith raised his hands toward the heavens, the ninja attacked.

A nimbus of radiant white energy surrounded the two figures as they clashed in midair. Lightning cascaded from the center of the battle, striking trees and thatched huts, setting them ablaze.

The few witnesses standing nearby could barely distinguish the shadowy form of the ninja and the blur of his sword as he relentlessly, savagely attacked the robed figure.

Abruptly the light increased in intensity. Then, with an explosion more felt than seen or heard, the two figures hurtled backwards, away from each other.

The light dimmed, slowly fading away as a woman's voice echoed through the night air.

"KUROKAZE!"

The ninja slowly pulled himself up as a woman emerged from behind a hut and ran towards him, accompanied by a small boy of about ten. With a wave of his hand, the ninja stopped them in their tracks.

Smoke drifted in wisps off of the ninja's gi. He moved slowly, stiffly, agonizingly limping his way towards the wraith. The way he favored one leg spoke of a sprained ankle, or worse. His left arm hung lifelessly from the shoulder.

But even with these injuries, he continued to move, using his sword to maintain his balance as he moved toward the dark figure lying motionless in the dirt.

As the ninja approached, the figure's eyes opened, its face that of a wizened old man. It grimaced as it saw the ninja was still alive.

"You cannot kill me," it rasped. "The Grandmasters cannot die."

"Maybe," the ninja rasped back. "Maybe not."

The figure chuckled weakly, then coughed. "I will return, insect. And when that happens, your world will fall before me."

The ninja said no more. Instead, he summoned his strength and plunged his sword into the Grandmaster's heart.

A column of energy streamed out of the wound, flowing up into the sky and Furan'Ch ceased to move. Slowly, the column decreased in size, gradually flickering and fading away.

With the last of his strength the ninja wrenched his sword free of the corpse. And toppled backwards, losing his grip on the sword, which clattered to the ground beside him.

"Kurokaze!" the woman shrieked again as she ran to the ninja's side, the boy following right behind. The ninja's eyes rolled up in his head for a moment, then came to rest on the two people kneeling beside him.

"Ayame," he said weakly. "Hiroshi."

The woman, Ayame, pulled Kurokaze's nearly still form to her. He was still breathing, but just barely. She sobbed as she got her first good look at the extent of the damage the figure had inflicted upon him. Blood oozed beneath charred, scorched flesh in a thousand places on his body.

He was going to die, and she had no way to prevent it.

"Bury it," he continued, motioning listlessly toward the lifeless being. "Below. In the caves." Weakly, he reached out and grasped the boy's hand.

"Guard it," he rasped, his voice growing weaker by the second. "Forever."

"Father," Hiroshi whispered.

"Listen..." Kurokaze whispered. "Now, and forever... buried it shall always be." He coughed, and blood flew from his mouth. "Take the... sword, Hiroshi."

With tears in his eyes, Hiroshi did as his father told him. The sword felt cold in his hands.

And Kurokaze said no more.

***

Kazekage sat up, suddenly wakened from the dream. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest.

The darkness of his room surrounded him, and the coolness of the night air washed over him. He moved to the edge of the bed and bent over slightly, holding his head in his hands, willing his body to calm itself.

The dream again. Damn it.

This was the second night in a row he'd had this same dream. Could it have something to do with the discovery he'd made?

He dismissed the notion. It couldn't be any more than a coincidence. But why would he dream about the Grandmaster? Something told him that they were inexplicably connected. Somehow.

Blue predawn light streamed through his bedroom window. He got out of bed and began to dress.

DragonTheif

Nice start, i like the way you make him have a dream at the start cuz it got me thinking about what's coming

dire51

Thanks! The dream actually ties into something that happens much, much later in Book I. It's something so far down the road that it hasn't been written yet.

Anyway, here's Chapter 1. Be warned, there's a little bit of profanity within:

***

"Some people say I was naive in thinking the Jonin Council would take me at my word. I say it's never naive to expect people to act the way they're supposed to.

"Being genuinely surprised when they don't, however, is definitely naive. And I was genuinely surprised. I thought they would see it my way and understand the threat before them. I never thought I would end up leaving the Striders over this.

"Maybe it's fate. Maybe I have a different purpose. Maybe I'll be the one to pull everything back on track.

"Maybe I just fucked up."

--Kazekage's Journals, Entry 2050.7.12

CHAPTER 1: Exile

Kazekage sat on the beach, watching the tide come in. The sun was just starting to peer over the horizon, casting a reddish-golden glow over the ocean and surrounding land. His sword rested on the sand next to him, the sunlight glinting off of the ornate scriptwork that covered the blade. As he sat there, many thoughts went through his head. He reflected on his life in general, but his career as a Strider in particular.

Today he was to appear before the Jonin Council. He knew that what he was about to reveal to them would probably get him expelled from the order permanently, but it had to be said. He doubted they would force him to leave the island, due to the secret that his family had always guarded, but he knew that his days as a Strider were coming to a close.

That was fine with him, though. If Hiryu had remained on Moralos after his last mission had ended, he, Kazekage, probably wouldn't be in this position. But Hiryu had left to seek solitude, and Kazekage understood perfectly how he felt. If only he had stayed and discovered what Kazekage had...

No matter. He had a plan.

Besides taking care of his sacred duty, he would still be needed here, that was certain. The Striders' attention was always focused on space, for the day the Grandmasters would return. Kaze knew that Meio had only been the first to come, and undoubtedly more would follow. When that would happen, nobody knew. And so few Striders were ever present on Moralos at once because of their need to be ready to repel an interstellar invasion, unless there was a dire emergency or the Jonin Council had to be convened, like today.

Someone was needed here to protect the island. Someone who would defeat any that dared try to establish a foothold here for their own purposes... or worse, any that tried to uncover the secret he had to protect with his life. He would gladly lay down his life to protect Moralos, but he would not do it alone.

Kaze smiled behind his mask.

He knew just where to begin.

***

Twenty minutes later, Kazekage stood alone before a private session of the Jonin Council. Twelve of the eldest and highest-ranking Striders were seated in front of him, led by Director Kuramoto, who had founded the order some thirty years ago. He was the most distinguished of them all, having taught the first of them and mentored all the rest in some way, besides being able to trace his lineage all the way back to the Iga.

"Tell us," he said, addressing Kazekage in a low voice. "Why have you asked for this private hearing?"

"Kuramoto-sama," Kazekage began, "I am honored that the Council would hear me today. I would not lightly ask for such a thing. I know that such a request is rarely honored, and knowing that, I will not waste your time. I have called for this private hearing because I uncovered evidence of corruption within our ranks. Within the Strider organization. Possibly even within the Jonin Council itself."

A rippling murmur spread throughout the Council Chamber. Kazekage paused, looking each member of the Jonin Council in the eye, in turn. "Two evenings ago while I was on patrol on the southernmost tip of the island, I saw a low-hanging star twinkling off in the distance. It drew my attention because its light seemed to go completely out as it twinkled, more akin to flashing than twinkling."

"It took me a moment before I realized that the star was flashing off and on," Kaze continued, locking eyes with Council Member Hachiro. "It was a signaling device. Most likely a white laser, relaying a message from someone on another island nearby."

Kazekage turned away from Hachiro and paced across the room. "I watched it for a few more moments and figured out the signaling code being used. It was a standard Strider signaling code, instructing someone on Moralos about the location of a 'drop' that had just been made."

At this, the Chamber began to buzz with excitement and Kaze stopped talking.

"Order," Director Kuramoto instructed. "Kazekage, please continue."

"Gomen nasai, Director," Kaze said. "Naturally, I was as disturbed as the rest of you when I learned of this. Someone has been setting foot on our island without our being aware of it. But that is not all. The problem goes much deeper than that."

"You see," Kazekage explained, "I went to the location specified in the signal, and I found the drop. It was a small box containing a slip of paper and a flash drive."

Kazekage fished around in his gi for a moment. "I have them both here with me." He handed the slip of paper to another Council member. "Here. You read it."

The Council Member, the lady Kotone, took the paper and read.

"Place the remaining instructions on the flash drive with the others and leave at drop 2. Half of your payment is in a numbered Swiss account. The account number is on the flash drive as well. You will receive the other half of the agreed sum upon our receipt of the rest."

Kazekage pointed at the note. "I plugged the flash drive into my own computer. It wasn't even encrypted. The account number was there as specified, but more importantly, so was the first half of the 'instructions' they wanted."

"And what 'instructions' were they?" asked Council Member Takashi.
Kaze's eyes narrowed to slits. "They were the training methods we use here on Moralos."

Again, the Chamber buzzed with excitement. Director Kuramoto thumped his cane on the floor.

"How do we know you're telling the truth?" Council Member Shin wondered aloud.

"Look on the flash drive," Kazekage replied, "and see for yourself."

"Ah," Shin said, "Then, if I may ask this without sounding callous, what did you do with the UBS account number?"

"What any loyal Strider would do in my situation," Kazekage said evenly. "I contacted them and told them to close out the account, but only after donating all funds in the account to Greenpeace."

Takashi grunted. Kuramoto chuckled slightly.

"This is very serious business," the Director said.

"Indeed," Takashi agreed. "And how do we know Kazekage wasn't the one who intended to receive the drop in the first place?"

"Why would Kazekage do that?" asked the lady Kotone.

"Maybe he wanted to double-cross whoever dropped off this box," Takashi explained. "Maybe they didn't pay him enough."

Kazekage whirled around to face Shin. "I hope you're not implying what I think you are. No one is more loyal to the Striders than I am, save perhaps Hiryu. My record speaks for itself. I..."

"Enough," Kuramoto interrupted. "No one questions your loyalty, Kazekage. No one."

Takashi took the hint. "Very well."

"However," the Director continued, "since we cannot be certain who has leaked our methods to the outside world, it may be best if you take a leave of absence from the Striders. For your own safety."

"What?" Kazekage said, in disbelief. "I don't think that's necessary. My place is here, on Moralos."

"True," Kuramoto said, "but in your own words, this corruption could extend all the way up to the Council itself. It would not do for you to stay and place yourself in danger."

"Fear is the mind-killer," Kaze said. "I will not run. I will stay and face whatever comes and I will help uproot the source of this."

"No," the Director said. "Your bravery is admirable, but..."

A long moment of tense silence passed.

"If this truly is the will of the Council..."

"It is," Kuramoto nodded.

I knew it, Kaze thought. I knew it would come to this. "...then I resign."

It was the Director's turn to be shocked. "Nani?" he said, slipping into his native Japanese for a moment. "You wish to leave the order?"

"Hai," Kaze confirmed. "I'll not be made a pawn."

Kuramoto locked eyes with Kazekage. "So be it. You know the law. You have twelve hours. Then you must be off the island. Session adjourned."

Kazekage nodded, then turned and exited the Chamber, marking the glint of satisfaction in Takashi's eyes as he left.

***

Kaze left the Council building no happier than he'd entered. He wasn't sure what he'd hoped to accomplish by calling that meeting.

I thought they'd at least launch an investigation into it, he mused.

He was so focused on his own thoughts he didn't even see a Strider in a familiar blue-and-red uniform approach behind him.

"Did you have to quit?" the Strider asked.

Kaze looked over his shoulder. He knew that voice.

"Hiryu?"

"I mean, I know they had no right to ask you to take a leave of absence," Hiryu said, "but quitting?"

"They didn't want my help," Kaze said. "I uncovered something very dangerous to all of us, and they didn't want me to help figure out who's involved."

Hiryu clapped him on the shoulder. "Kaze, we fight. We are warriors. Assassins. Not detectives."

Kaze shrugged him off. "I thought you would understand."

"Oh, I do," Hiryu said. "It's why I came here today."

Kazekage cocked his head. "Yeah. Why did you come back?"

"Two reasons," Hiryu said, holding up as many fingers. "One, to let you know I heard about this while off doing one of my own assignments. This corruption runs deeper than you suspect."

"Hm," Kaze grunted. "I'm not surprised. What's the second reason?"

Hiryu grinned. "To offer you a place to stay tonight."

***

Three hours later found Kazekage lying awake on the couch in Hiryu and Sheena's living room. Kaze didn't exactly know what he was going to do next. The life of a Strider was all he knew, and he hadn't planned on ever leaving them, until today. All his life, he'd trained to be a Strider, an assassin. A warrior.

He thought back to his early training. He'd come up as part of the same class as Hiryu. Even as a child, Hiryu was far beyond everyone else in terms of ability. Kaze's mind flashed forward a few years to one of his early assignments, and he remembered his friend Illiel.

He'd always intended to pay her a visit, but his duty to the Striders and his legacy had always interfered. With that no longer a problem, Kazekage saw no reason not to go see her.

Maybe she would be able to help him decide what to do next.