CHAPTER ONE
A New Beginning

Six months have now passed since the defeat of the dark god Madruk and his evil forces. The forces of good and evil faced off one final time in a deadly fight to the finish, but it was the eight chosen of the Dragon Force that prevailed. Following the god's defeat, the members of the awesome Dragon Force army parted ways. Teiris and Wein formed a powerful alliance to form the new nations of Palemoon and Highland, Junon followed in her father's footsteps and continued to rule Tristan, Leon and Gongos combined their armies as well should another war erupt in Legendra. And what of Mikhal and Shione? The high lord and his top general were to be married in a few days.

"Are you having second thoughts, Mikhal?" someone asked. Mikhal jumped out quickly, as the individual's hands slid across his back as if he had been jolted by one of Reinhart's powerful Thunder Fall spells, only without as much power. Who had called him was his general, lover, and future wife, Shione.

"Why would I have second thoughts about you, Shione?" the samurai asked, smiling at his general. Shione smiled back at him and the two kissed. "Besides, there is nothing in all of Legendra that can stop us from getting married. I guarantee it." No bond was stronger than the one that developed between Mikhal and Shione. On the eve of their wedding, there was going to be nothing to stand in their way. All wars finally ended, the nation of Izumo can now prepare for the joining of Mikhal and Shione in marriage.

Near the ocean bording Izumo, the waters crashed upon the shore line, and a lone figure stood. His jet-black attire and knee-high black boots were shining in the sun. His weapon was near his side. He looked around, clearing his head, trying to figure his location. The stranger saw several castles' in the far distance. There were grey flags as well as gold. The wanderer had the attire of a warrior, that much was for certain, but he did not wear the customary armor. Instead he simply wore jet-black pants, black knee-high boots, and a black shirt. His raven hair was planted neatly in a flowing ponytail. He surveyed the area around him, and he headed toward the castle that was toward the south.

In the castle to the south of Izumo's border, Mikhal's three generals, Mistal, Zagat, and Jackal, were training their samurai troops. They've improved greatly since Madruk's defeat, Zagat said to himself. As the three generals stood watching their troops, debris from a wood-device landed near them.

"REKKUSAN!" someone called, and nothing was left of the training apparatus by the powerful attack. Black smoke filled the area as a warrior looked to the three generals of Izumo. "Oh, don't stop on my account," he replied, grinning almost evily, "please continue." The warrior crossed his arms as Mistal, Zagat, and Jackal looked at the new arrival with curiosity.

Mistal was the first who looked at the stranger. He had never seen him before. He's not from Izumo or Legendra, he thought to himself, Where is he from? And what was that technique? Mistal stared at the warrior as he stared back. Mistal was not liking this stranger all ready. He simply turned his back to him and continued training his troops. "Who are you? Where are you--"

Suddenly, the warrior disappeared. When Mistal turned around, he did not see him. Jackal and Zagat stopped training their troops as they joined their friend in confusion. "What happened to him?" Jackal asked, looking around.

"I don't know," Mistal answered, "he just.... vanished."
"A person can't vanish just like that," Zagat interjected.
"Well, he just did, and--"

Suddenly, the warrior reappeared, literally from underneath the ground. "HISHOUZAN!" he called, leaping vertically in the air, his sword slashing upward as he was now preparing to land. The "sword uppercut" connected perfectly, taking the three generals by surprise. The warrior flipped backward and landed on the opposite side of them. He placed his sword back in his scabbard and headed off in the opposite direction, leaving the generals of Izumo contemplating who their mysterious attacker was.

"Who in the name of Astea was that?!" Jackal asked angrily, wiping the blood that was trinkling down his chin. The samurai general had never seen such a move before, nor had Mistal or Jackal. Mistal shook his head, when his hair covered his face. It freely released, as Zagat now answered Jackal's question.

"I don't know," the samurai replied, rubbing his chin, "but he looks like an adapt fighter. We should approach him cautiously the next time we see him." The samurai generals quickly cleared their heads and continued training their troops. Rekkusan and Hishouzan, Zagat pondered. This could be a trained warrior.