CHAPTER 1 - SIX DEADLY WARRIORS

Death surrounds me; two dozen horrific mutated creatures, dead.

My armour weighs a ton, heavier than usual.

My hands are shaking, uncontrollably, everything hurts.

Screeching echoes, coming nearer. "My eyes, difficult to focus, the light, bright. "Two demonic men charge towards me."

Muscle memory, perhaps, my hand grasps my bastard sword. My pain temporarily dulled.

Swoosh, an arrow flies. Splat, through one's head. Then into the other, launching them to a tree, pinned.

A shadow moves, dressed head to toe in black, holding a one-handed crossbow.

He puts his hand out, though I didn't feel threatened.

I take it, getting to my feet. Who is he?

More thuds and grunts behind the trees.

Seconds later, quietness, then a ferocious bearded half-naked man marches out. An axe in each hand, wearing a wolf's head and skin.

He roars, lifting his axes' as three more men appear from various sides.

Each warrior different looking; "what was going on here? My head is throbbing."

The slim black-clothed figure places both palms out in a calming motioning. Each character looks cautiously at one-another, then slowly, they lower their weaponry.

My memory; must have been struck on the head.

The warriors remain vigilant. Their heads on a swivel.

The black figure begins removing his mask. Unexpectedly, revealing a beautiful female, much different from my race. "Chinese, I think," struggling to process.

One man wears a kilt, his hair long, and face painted. His two-handed sword is longer than himself.

Another has steel plating, covered by a cape, and his helmet is bushy. He carries a massive rectangular shield and short sword.

The sixth figure wields two narrow, razor-sharp looking swords. His mask is fearsome with horns connected.

More than two-dozen demonic creatures lay dead. Sharp blades sawed into their arms.

The snow now dark red, with trees surrounding us.

She looks at me, "Benaiah," she says. "Was this me?

I will speak your tongue, we should all understand, yes?" The others give a slight nod.

I have asked each of you here today because you hold a standing with your forces."

She looks at me, "such as; the Templars."

Templars? Yes, was it coming back to me? I think; fragments.

She continues. "For years our nations have been at war, with no end in sight...I believe we have been misled, I feel each of you have also acknowledged this."

An awkward silence falls, each warrior looks at each other. "Go on, says the bearded man.

We, the Celestial Dragons of the Jin Dynasty, were told that each of you is the reason behind these things, these Ravengers.

Deceit, blurts the Roman.

My people are led to believe we are doing the work of the Sanguinary Dragons.

Chief Argyle McLeod, Champion of the Clan McLeod, sent by the Holy Mother?

Ragnar the Beast, High Berserker of the River Wolves, tasked by Thor?

Grand Master Miyamoto, Kensai of the Black Orchid Clan, whisper's from Thirteenth Heaven?

Legati Invictus Winning of House Julius, First Legion, Mars giving orders?

And you, Sir Sergeant Major Benaiah, Lord Knight of Deus Knights Templar, think you are doing God's work?

I believe the overseers, these Dark Lyguyison, (revealing a futuristic helmet from her backpack), are the same beings that spoke to each of us.

Well, I, Princess Fei, Shadow of the Celestial Dragons, say no more lies. Benaiah, will we stand together? Shall we unite?