+The Dark Dragon



“Renhiko!” RenGokou called “Renhiko! Where is that boy?” he mumbles to himself. “ I m here brother, Why are you calling?” the Young Man Ask. “Mother have been looking for you. Where have you been?” the Older one Ask. “In the wood! I m picking some dry woods to make some fire” Renhiko explain. “Oh well, goon… mother have been waiting for those woods”. Renhiko left, as he goon his brother cannot help but feel proud for this young man. Even thou he have training in local Dojo… Renhiko still make it an effort to help his mother in the households. He did not wish to be away with his Family but he cannot help it. The Lotus clan had threatened to make an attack to their province. He is aware that soon he will be called to battle those corrupted beings to save their village and to uphold the pride of the once Noble Dragon Clan.

“Ah there you are… where have you been” Shiryu ask his young son. “In the woods, just as you requested…” Renhiko explained. “But how come you took so long… you usually manage to come back after an hour… but this time it took you more than twice that time?” “Well the woods are getting scarce Mother… that’s why I need to venture further…” Renhiko explained. “Well okay… just help me on this…” Shiryu stated while she handed a bowl of hot water to Lad.

“The stars are looking brightly tonight…” Rengokou spoken to his startled brother. “Rengokou… I did not hear you approached… why are you still here… should you be at the Dojo practicing your martial arts?” Renhiko ask. “Well I was hoping to talk to you before I go… Renhiko… you are a young man now… and I know that you will not let me down if ever I don’t come back for a long time… I know you’ll take care about our mother and the land… the war with the Lotus have gone uncontrollably. We are not certain whether we can hold on much longer… I heard that Kenji… the son of the Serpent decided to make an offensive… believing… that the lotus have gone weak due to the battle of Serpenthom… but we cannot be certain. Lord Satami have called all those with training of the arts… masterful or apprentice to be ready for battle… we might go to the front soon…” for the young man, every words that Rengokou spoke of bring chill to his spine… he is not afraid of the incoming battle… nor afraid of the Dark Magic the Lotus posses. He is more afraid of thinking that he would be left alone to tend to their aging mother… more afraid of not be able to keep up to the responsibility that his brother would be giving on to him.


Chapter II: Kin Passing…


“Renhiko! Renhiko!” a voice called making Renhiko turn his head and tries to see who is calling him. “Oh Lei Hane… it is you…why are calling?” “Were are going Renhiko?” the young lay asked. “Into the woods… I need to get some firewood’s for mother… and I would also like to see if I can catch some fish in the river… why…why did you asked?” “Oh nothing… it is getting dull in the village lately… most of the girls are being trained in the bathhouse… I don’t have anyone to talk to…I was hoping I could come along…so I can help you…” “Help me…” Renhiko exclaim. He can’t help but smile. Here he is with a young woman who rather goes with him look for firewoods rather than stays home and helps in the household chores. Many have stated that if ever Lei-Hane wasn’t born a female… she could be the heir to the once title his Father hold. His Father – Lord Yokohama is one of the Greatest Generals in the Lord Oja’s rank.
Lord Yokohama was slain in one of the Battle between the Serpent and barbaric Wolf clan. Lei-hane was born two months later. “You should be returning to the village… it would be getting dark soon…and I don’t want your mother worrying about you and finding out that I have taken you with me in the woods.” The young mad said. Trying to discourage Lei-Hane in accompanying him. “Oh don’t mind mother, and besides how much wood would your mother be using that it would take us until sun down to finish.” “Aren’t you suppose to be among the other girls in the villages… you should be also joining them in the bathhouse so you can lean to become a Geisha” “A Geisha… I am the daughter of the great Yokohama… I will become a great warrior just like my father… I have already talk to uncle Satami to teach me how to use the bow… and I will be the greatest Archer in the Dragon Clan… better than Lord Arah.” Lei-Hane declared. “You know what… you should get out of the sun… I think the heat is getting into your head.” Renhiko kidded the young lady. With that, Lei-Hane strike Renhiko, it is so fast; he wasn’t able to see it. To the naked eye, it would seem to be just a single punch. But Renhiko felt otherwise, it seems like Lei-Hane was able to launch at least four strikes that fell into his chest, back and groin. “Have enough!” Lei-Hane asked while looking mischievously at Renhiko. “I guess… how in the name of the Serpent did you manage to do that…” Renhiko asked still groggy while trying to stand. “I told you… I am the daughter of the Lord Yokohama… come on… your mother would be waiting for those woods.” “Yes... we should be moving…” Renhiko agreed. As they walk, he still can’t believed that this girl, this once playmate back when he is still young. That has now transformed into a well figured woman can deliver such powerful blow that can cripple an untrained peasant. Indeed she is her Fathers daughter, but for him, it would be better for her to learn the arts of the geishas than to be one of the soldiers of the clan. In that way, she would be comparatively be away from harm. For through the years, he does not look at Lei-Hane only as a friend, but more than that. He too is also taking some lessons from the dojo, he is aware that soon. After Rengokou and the others have left, he and others like him would be the one responsible to protect the village from the Lotus and other dark forces.

Chapter III: Dark Reverie

“Do you think we would be sent to the front…just like your brother Rengokou?” Shai-Yuk asks Renhiko while cleaning their weapons that they used in their practice at the Dojo. It have been four agonizing hours of striking, running, meditation, physical balance and other training’s. Renhiko feels like his entire body is protesting, begging for rest and talking seems to be less interesting for him. But he still manages to force some words from his mouth so he would not offend his friend. “Maybe?” “I wonder how does a lotus warrior fight… have you seen any lotus warrior before Renhiko?” “No…” Renhiko answered, but he is lying. He remembers it well, two years ago out in the woods. He is looking for some firewood’s for his mother when he heard a scream and a noise of swordfight, he run to the source of the noises, and there he saw a group of lotus warriors three of them holding one strangely carved crescent sword on each hand. The other four are equipped with a long staff while the two others are holding no weapons but have a strange silvery leaf in their hands and seems to be wearing some short of a crown. Among them is a master warlock. When he arrive, he saw several bodies from at least twenty men, but he cannot be sure. He only see decapitated body parts and some burned corpses. He tries to stay out of sight in fear of being among those lifeless bodies in the ground. But it seems to be that the dark ones have sense him. He tried to run, but before he manage to get far, the three dual sword bearing warriors are in front of him and in his back are the staff holders. The leaf warriors did not try to run for they are aware that their leaf blades can catch him no matter how fast he tries to run. With that very moment he feels like being drown to the ground, as if he is in the middle of quicksand. And as the master warlock get nearer, it seems he lost every will to move. Then he heard a call; it is from another masterwarlock. He called off the warriors, and as they move away, he can still remember how those dark warriors smiled at him. No it is not a smile; it is a grin, and a very fearful grin. He dared not to venture to that part of the forest again. “Oh that’s to bad.” Shai-Yuk muttered. Renhiko was startled, he almost forgot that he is still at the Dojo. “I hear that other than those Bladed, Staff and Leaf warriors, they also have these corrupted creatures that posses a very powerful fighting abilities… I heard that the Unclean one is a disgusting creature that use his vomit to in battles, it seems that his vomit are compose of some short of acidic substance that can burn even ironed armor.” “Really? Renhiko ask while putting their gears in place and fixing himself for home. “Oh yes… and the infested are more gruesome… this creatures are said to be decaying alive and they use this flesh eating maggots at his enemies… I sure don’t want to be near to those guys… in case we are sent to battle… actually I’m shifting to the archery range… I rather take those guys from afar.” The Archery Range, he remember Lei-Hane and wondered how she is faring. He really hoped that if ever they would be sent to battle that Lei-Hane would be in a safe distance and has the option to escape. Or better yet, he wish that she would be stationed in the watchtower in defense not into the front.
“No… I would stay at the dojo and hope to be a Samurai one-day…” Renhiko explained to his friend. “Well suit your self but be sure to let those sumos handle those dark ones before getting yourself into that type of frenzy… for I would really hate seeing Lei-Hane cry knowing that you have been slain by the Lotus scum’s.” And the two bid farewell.





Chapter IV: Brother’s blood

“You should learn to breathe when ever you strike…so you wouldn’t end loosing to much air while fighting. But do it slowly… to avoid wasting too much energy just for breathing…” this are just some of the words that Renhiko is trying to remember from his sensei at the dojo. His master was able to compliment him for those strike and stance that he has been showing from the past few sessions of training. The teacher even kidded him that he might be a samurai one day just like his brother Rengokou, in which have already acquired admiration from the entire battalion and have even been notice by Lord Kenji himself. “So how’s does it feel… being complimented and congratulated by Lord Kenji after you fought those Corrupted ones in the Battle of Tarrant’s Hold?” “I felt what every warrior have felt that day…Thankful… I am thankful that we won the battle…thankful that I have serve the Dragon well and thankful that I am alive… thankful that I was able to be given a chance once more to see mother and to talk with you…” this is not the answers that Renhiko expected, but nevertheless he is happy to what he have heard. “Renhiko, I really wish that you’ll be able to still assist our mother even if your training…she is getting old… and I don’t want her to push herself too much to work.” Rengokou reminded his brother. “Don worry big brother… I will take care of her… is there anything more you want to say?” “Look Renhiko…the trees have bloomed their flowers… isn’t it a beautiful sight… we have trees since we are young…but it seems that it is the first time I was able to admire its beauty… I really wish… by the next spring… I can still have a chance to look at it…” Renhiko was stunned, he suddenly felt that his throat have gone dry. It seems that there is something his brother trying to tell him, but he can’t seem to gather himself to hear the obvious. He wanted to ask his older brother regarding on what are the plans of the Dragon but he decided to remain silent. “Horses!” the two heard a cavalry coming. “Rengokou… we must go now…” one of the Dragon Warriors has said. With that Rengokou stand up, pick up his their Father’s Samurai sword and mounted himself to one of the white stallions that the warriors brought along with them. With one look and a smile, they left the young warrior alone.

Now he is here, still trying to perfect those lessons that he previously learned at the dojo. But while trying to practice the stance and the strike he can’t help thinking on what he and his older brother have talked about, what Rengokou have said to him and what he wish he could tell him. Suddenly he heard a sound, seems to be a sound coming from when you stretch a bow. And then it came, an arrow heading towards him. He barely dodges it, when he looked where did the arrow come. There he sees his friend, Lei-hane- “What do you do that for?” Renhiko ask, “You almost killed me” “Almost! Meaning if I really want to kill you… I would have made it a hit… lighten up Renhiko… I’m just playing with you…” “Playing! You almost killed me” Renhiko protested. “Maybe because your not concentrating well to your practice… I can see that there is some thing bothering you… you seems unfocused and quite distorted in your training… is there something wrong…” Lei-Hane ask her friend “None…everything is just fine…maybe I’m just tired… see you around…” with that the young warrior walks away. But Lei-Hane is certain that there is something bothering his friend.

Chapter V : BackStab

“What was that…” A spearman gets wary to the sounds coming from the forest. “Take it easy boy, the sound of the monkeys in the forest would not kill you… this is your first patrol isn’t it… well things are not that excited here. We are very far from Serpentholm… and if ever the Lotus would attack… they would not consider this Village. So don’t worry your self too much. “ A Veteran Dragon Warrior informed the young Spearman. Easing up the young warrior. “Have you ever fought with the Lotus… “ The Spearman asked “No… not really… but I have fought with the wolf warriors and some bandits… but I do wish that before I retire I can have that opportunity. “Well make your wish come true old man” A voice from nowhere and with that a buzzing noise began to be heard. From the woods a purple light emerge and from the light came out a leaf disciple. Throwing several blades to the unsuspecting guards killing two instantly. “We are under attacked.” The warrior shouted. The guards try to fight-off the lotus warriors that began to emerge from the purple doorway from the woods but they are coming in fast and within seconds, the guards are outnumbered. “Go boy… run to the base and warn them that the dark ones have decided to attack the village” with that. The spearman makes a run for it. Hoping to get enough re-enforcement to save those comrades of his that are left behind. “Renhiko! Renhiko! Were are the others… the Lotus have attacked the eastern gates… and they are coming in fast.” Renhiko cannot believe this. They were assured by Kenji himself that the lotus has lost its footing to the southern province and they have retreated to their stronghold to the north. Why are they here? Why have they attacked the most remote village, a diversion or something else? “Move men!” their commandeered ordered. Renhiko immediately fetch his Spear and dagger and ready himself o battle. When they arrive at the scene, only six of the eight dragon warriors that are among the guards are still able to put up a fight but the spearmen are all-dead. He really admired those Dragon warriors, their training’s have enable them to summon chi force that helps them in their fighting. Renhiko saw one blade acolyte was thrown to the air by the Dragon warrior technique. They charge to help their comrades, but before they manage to drew their swords and ready their spears; a lightning blast came from nowhere. Two warlocks coming from the portal have arrived and among them are sets of corrupted creatures. Renhiko cannot believe his eyes, one of the creatures seems to look like a rotting corpse, infested with maggots. The Infested one take a handful of flesh eating maggots and thrown it to the Renhiko’s platoon. The moment the maggots’ land at the warriors bodies, it immediately penetrated their skins. The result, Renhiko imagined would definitely be painful. And hell it is. The victims instantly fell to their knees and scream for help. Renhiko wishes he could help his fallen comrades, but even Renhiko himself knew he was in danger of being killed by the corrupted ones. Renhiko tried to fight back, everytime the lotus warriors tries to make an attack Renhiko uses his spear to stab if not to block the enemies. “You will die young one!” “Renhiko! Get down.” Someone shouted, even before the lotus leaf disciple manages to strike; an incoming arrow hit it. When Renhiko turns his head, he saw his brother Rengokou with Lei-Hane’s platoon going for their rescue. But rather than feeling relief, he felt a cold shiver in his skin. Something is going to happen, something wrong. The archers hold their ground and launch several arrows to attacking Lotus. The moment the land to the targets, several Lotus warriors feel to the ground, while others manage to fight on. Even with arrival of Rengokou’s cavalry, it seems that they are still at the loosing end. The lotus seems to have plans to back down, more warriors emerge from the portal, and more and more of the Dragon warriors are being slain. Then Renhiko notice one staff holding warriors standing in the middle of the battlefield. It raise it staff and seems to be mumbling some words, with that a magical blanket emerge. Renhiko was uncertain what sorcery is this. Then he notice, arrows coming from Lei-hane’s platoon are not penetrating the lotus cover, and the lotus are further laying waste to his fighting comrades. “Kill the staff adept, kill it!” Renhiko shouted to his comrades, but two infested creatures protect the staff-one, and spearmen are reluctant to approach them. The samurai’s are being held to their ground by those diseased ones and warlocks that have arrived through the portal. Their only hope of winning this battle is maximizing the help coming from their ranged allies. “Lei-Hane! Kill the staff one, the one that’s raising his staff” Renhiko shouted. Lei-hane looks at it and takes an aim, but her arrows did not go through. “Linear strike, attack it from the front, not overhead!” Renhiko instructed. Lei-Hane understood, the magical blanket only effectively protects the lotus from projectile coming overhead. Lei-hone focuses herself and releases the arrow, hitting the staff-adept at the neck, instantly killing it. With it the magical protection were disabled, and archers continued they’re firing. The ranged units became more powerful with arrival of several sums and chemist to the scene. Renhiko is still fighting several leaf disciples along with his brother, who is; engage with infested and diseased creatures. But when a warlock approach Renhiko, Rengokou immediately left his corrupted opponent to help his brother, drawing his sword, Rengokou has separated the warlock’s head from its body. Renhiko was about to thank his brother when it was hit by something. Six master warlocks emerge from the portal, a cast several lightning bolts to the fighting dragon warriors, Rengokou still stand even thou critically wounded in an effort to give his brother a chance to escape. But a blade manages to get near and severely wounded Renhiko’s brother. Before finally falling Rengokou trust his sword to this chest and magical explosion consumed the bladed one along with the other lotus warriors that are approaching Renhiko. With the sight of his now dead brother, Renhiko felt mixed feelings, anger, disbelief, and fear, all in his mind. Rage come to his shaking body, quickly Renhiko picked up his brother’s sword and attacked the enemy. Lei-hane saw everything, no matter how it hurts her seeing the death of Rengokou, she focus herself to insure that Rengokou's sacrifice will not be put in vain, Renhiko will survive this battle. She releases several arrows to kill those dark ones that are staging to strike Renhiko while on his back. She is aware that Renhiko is fully enraged with his brother’s death that concentration is minimal to him. As they continue to fight, a ranking warlock also arrives from the portal and ordered the master warlocks some instruction. And with it, the warlocks cast a spell that summons a blinding light. When Lie-hane regain her sight, she noticed that some of their still living warriors are no longer there along with the master warlocks and lotus warriors. Where they have taken them, why have they taken them? What had happened to Renhiko?


(Two weeks later)

Part VI: Rise of the Black Dragon

“Run! Run for your life!” a Dragon peasant, shouted, the lotuses have been harassing the southern province for the pass twelve days. After the battle at the eastern gates, the numbers of Dragon warriors have since then dwindled. Most of the new warriors are immediately shifted to the northern province to help in the final offensive to the lotus stronghold. Lord Kenji believes that after killing Zymeth, the threat of the Lotus would be neutralize. But this strategy has left other province thinly capable on defending their villages. Pocket groups of the lotus clan have been raiding several villages to capture some villagers, especially young men. It has been heard that the prelate warlock Enimaeth who is dealing with soul possession or mind control has studied a new type of corruption. Enimaeth wanted to utilize the skills of those warriors coming from the other clans for physical corruption has its drawbacks. This type of warriors doesn’t last long. They are indeed powerful but don’t have the will to fight off being totally consumed by their dark powers. “Move! AaaHHH! Nooooo!!!” screamed the villagers. Of all those dark warriors, there is one that they truly dreaded. A warrior that have been given the name "the Dark blade. "The dark blade weald the same crescent blades as a typical blade acolyte but he seems to move a lot faster and can also throw those crescent blade like a boomerang. Once in the air, that blade can be a flying messenger of death. With razor sharpness and durability like no other alloy, it can slice through a huge boulder. And the Dark Blade’s speed is incomparable to the other blade acolyte. It has been believed that the blades used by the Dark blade are identical to the blade once used by the Lotus bladed brother.

“Ah you are back… good … do you have fresh guinea pigs for me” Enimaeth ask the Dark Blade’s group. “Yes my master… but these are untrained peasants… they don’t know how to fight… they don’t even pose a threat even if I don’t yield our blades…” The Dark Blade explained. “ It doesn’t matter… I need to once more unlocked the mystery behind your creation… stupid Serpent Clan! Their raiders were able to destroy all my work…” Enimeath narrated “But I was able to create you…and you my Zharule… you would be the one to help defeat those pathetic clans and help me grab the leadership from Zymeth… he have been our leader for so long but yet we still bow before the Serpents… I would not take it anymore… and even if he possess the Serpent orb…I doubt that it would help him defeat the Dragon clan…” The prelate stated while Zharule the Dark Blade watches and listen. “I would like you train yourself and be the best among my creations… hybrids from the other clans…possessing the fighting skills from your origin and power of the new lotus field of study… Mind and Body corruption… possessing not only the body but also the will of the person corrupted…” basically none of this makes sense to Zharule, he does not care whether he really exist and what will be come of him. For him, his main purpose was to do battle. There is something in his mind that always compelling him to fight, but still there is something also at back of his consciousness a doubting feeling. It seems that he needs to find out some things but still unsure what will be it. “ Zharule!” Xaraz called “Lord Enimeath have sent for you… I think you’ll be once again be sent to the Dragon Village… you seems to be becoming the Lord’s favorite…” Zharule doesn’t want to listen to Xaraz ranting, he does not care what does his comrades think. For him he is only a tool, a living means of killing the pathetic dragon clan and the rivaling Serpent. But there is one thing that he hasn’t mentioned to anyone, even to his master Enimeath. Whenever he ventures to the Dragon’s village, it seems that the voice from his head became stronger. He even sees images that are unknown to him but seems to be too familiar. This vision seems to be following him every time he engages a dragon warrior. He is so affected that he decided he would capture one alive. “Hey I’m talking to you! Are listening?” Xaraz shouted as Zharule walks away. “You summoned me my master?” Zharule greeted his master, “Ah good… you have come… there is something that I need you do for me my bladed warrior


------------
The Black Dragon is a epic story about a Dragon Clan member that was abducted by the Lotus clan and transformed into a mind controlled fighting machine. I created this story deriving from my views to the upcoming (back then) expansion of Battle Realms - (winter of the Wolf) It was 1st publish in the Battle Realms fan-fic Forum. I never finished it because i became too busy those times and i don't have my own PC back then. I am really hoping to finish this, but i guess before i manage to do that, It will be too old that noone will ever care about the story or even be that familiar with it...:)