Mystic Shadows and Ancient Echoes Chapter 1 THE STORY BEGINS Chapter 2 May thirteen, a bright and sunny autumn day. Five thousand years later. And a new story begins. A house that covered nearly five hectares of the grounds. It had eighty three bed rooms, twelve bathrooms, two living rooms, a dinning room and a huge kitchen. To the front of the house was a large drive way leading two hundred and fifty meters form the front gate to the house. Driveway circled in front of the house and in the middle of the circle was a round fishpond surrounded by all sorts of plants. To both sides of the driveway a lawn of evergreen grass spread to the end of the yard. The backyard was twenty six hectares in size also covered with evergreen grass that lead up to the horses’ stables which held thirteen horses – six mares and seven stallions. It was a quarter past eight in the morning. Blade was out in the backyard going through her daily training routine. It was peaceful and quiet except for the chirping of the birds that could be heard in the distance. Blade Beazer was a very attractive seventeen year old young lady, except she was no lady. She had long curly black hair that hung down to the middle of her back, green eyes and was about 5.6′ tall. She practiced marshal arts and was really good at it but not as good as her big brother, Kyle. He was the one who inspired her to participate in the art. He was almost six feet tall, had blue eyes and black hair and was two years older than Blade. She was also the kind of girl that did everything on the spur of the moment; never taking the time to think things through and it was that characteristic of hers that had landed her in a lot of trouble in the past. Kyle on the other hand was a very curious but also mysterious young man. No one – not even his family or closest friends- knew very much about him. He was a man of few words but a lot of action and he never let a chance to question everything someone was doing or planning go by. He was always calm and collected in everything he did and unlike his sister he always thought all of his plans through be for acting on them. Blade had the habit of always trying new stunts and while she was doing so she hated to be disturbed and today was no exception. Today, just like any other day she had already gotten up at four a.m. to start her warm ups and training. When she had finished with her warm up routine, which consisted of: a five mile jog, five hundred sit-ups; five hundred push-ups; fifty minutes jump-rope jumping; sideways and forward stretching and an hour’s meditation, she decided on the stunt of the day. She had decided to do something that no one could do without ending up in the emergency room. No one, except for its creator, that is. It was highly complicated so she had to concentrate extra hard. She was just in the middle of the most difficult part, when… “Blade,” someone said as they grabbed her by the arm. “Hah! Oh, it’s you. You scared me.” “What are you, deaf or something? I’ve called you three times already.” Kyle said a little agitated standing right behind her. “Well, can’t you see I’m busy? What do want anyway?” she said impatient and blunt. “Breakfast will be served in ten minutes and dad is not in the best mood so take my advice: don’t be late, again.” “What! Breakfast, already. Oh no. Thanks, Kyle.” “No sweat. Now hurry.” She spun around and ran into the house through the backdoor. She hurried upstairs, took a quick shower, got dressed as fast as she could and rushed back downstairs. Unfortunately Shogo Beazer (their father) and Kyle was already seated and waiting for her when she entered the dinning room. “Blade, you’re late.” Shogo said calmly, but his eyes flashed with shear malice. “I’m sorry father. I seem to have lost track of time. I forgot to set my alarm.” She tried to hide the fact that she was lying through her teeth by trying to sound genuinely sorry and like always it worked like a charm. “I don’t care about your excuses. Just don’t let it happen again, understand.” He said in superiority. “Yes, father.” She sneered. They ate in silence. As always, Blade finished first. She asked to be excused and, without waiting for an answer, left the table. She went strait back outside, slamming the door with great force, shut, behind her. She returned to what she was doing before she was so rudely interrupted… before breakfast. Kyle instinctively knew that she was way beyond angry. “Now look at what you’ve done. Again and again; every blasted day the same old story over and over again. Does it really make you happy to see her like that, hah? Well I don’t believe that for a second, what I do hope though is that you come to your senses before it’s too late. She’s very close to the end of her rope and when she gets to the end nothing is going to be able to keep her from pulling a mom on you; running away and never coming back, and you know I’m right.” Kyle addressed his father harshly slamming his fists into the table as he got up and left before Shogo had time to respond. Kyle waited five more minutes in order to give Blade a chance to cool down a bit, then went outside to join her. He came outside only to find that she was once again busy practicing the same stunt as earlier that morning. He knew that this time he was going to have to wait for her to finish or risk being sent to the emergency room. When she had finished, he said in the calmest possible voice that he could: “Blade…?” She spun round and in anger, not realizing it was him, launched a flying back kick strait at him. He knew that he had about three seconds to either move out of the way or to block it but by the time he made up his mind it was too late to move so he tried to block it. He staggered backwards as her foot collided with his cross-armed block over his chest, but it was perfect none the less. She was suddenly feeling a whole lot better and she looked at him with clear satisfaction. “Yes.” She answered as if she didn’t just try to kill him. “Look, I know he went too far but…” “No, you look. We both know I was not late this time. He only does that blasted you’re-late thing to piss me of and you know it.” “But why…?” Kyle asked but before he could finish the question she interrupted. “He hates me plain and simple. That’s all there is to it.” She said sounding calm but her raging fury was showing very clearly in her eyes and which was worse; the look in her eyes reflected the pure image of evil and for the first time in his life Kyle was afraid of his sister. Not once in the seventeen years that he had known her, had he ever seen her this livid. “But don’t you think you’re exaggerating, or at least over reacting. I mean maybe it only seems as if he hates you because you hate him so much.” Kyle said sounding compassionate trying to comfort her. “Oh, no my dear brother, he hates me there for, I hate him. You know he blames me for mom leaving, considering when and why she left and all.” The anger in Blade’s eyes had disappeared, but only to be replaced by the worst kind of emotional pain in existence. In her eyes, Kyle could see that she was extremely close to tears but since she had never cried before in her entire life Kyle was sure that it wasn’t going to happen now either but he couldn’t be more wrong. Before he knew what was happening, she burst out in tears. Kyle went strait into a flat spin; he didn’t have a clue as to what to do. His baby sister was crying for the first time in her life. While searching for something comforting to say, he decided to give her a hug. It was at that moment that he remembered the poem she had once wrote for him… “Of all the power I possessed I never had the power to understand you After all the things I’ve said and done To make you see the world and how things go Through blue eyes soft and tears of gold…” He was in the middle of it when she interrupted him to say the second verse herself… “A kinder heart than yours I’ve not yet met And bluer eyes you just don’t get. And through it all I realize this:” They recited the last verse of the poem together, as one… “If all my worlds should fall apart I’ll face all dangers Even with strangers As long as I have, you, in my heart.” “I love you, sis.” Kyle said in a final attempt to make her feel better and to get her to stop crying completely. “I know big brother, I know. I love you too.” They spent the rest of the morning training together. It was twelve thirty when she showed up and they were interrupted again. “Hi, you two, nice moves.” Someone said behind them and took them by surprise. “You little witch. You scared the crap out of me.” Blade said hissing through her teeth, when she saw to her relieve that it was only Angel, her best friend. Kyle could only smile of pure delight to see her. Blade and Angel (short for Angelica Johnson) had been friends since they were seven. They had met in the woods one day while Blade was out exploring. Angel was an orphan. When she was three she was found by a very nice family who lived in a small cottage in the woods. She too was seventeen but was a few months younger than Blade. She was 5.4ft tall and had black hair and blue eyes and ever since their first meeting, Kyle has had a crush on her. Angel was a lot more mysterious than Kyle but unlike Kyle she was also very dangerous, for although she also always thought her plans through, they were always of the dangerous sort, no matter how you’d look at them. “You’re late.” Kyle teased. “Yeah, I know. So, Blade I see you haven’t mastered my move yet.” Angel noticed. “Yeah, well, it’s not as easy as it looks you know.” Blade snapped at her. “Of course I know. After all, I did design it.” Angel said confused. In all the time that they have known each other Blade has never spoken to her like that. “Blade, what’s wrong?” Angel asked though she already knew what answer was going to be. “It’s nothing.” Blade answer in a tone of voice that immediately gave her away and with it confirmed Angel’s suspicions… Shogo Beazer had gone too far. No one knew why she even bothered, but Blade always tried to hide these things from Angel and it never worked. Angel always knew everything but pretended she didn’t. “Let me guess, it’s Shogo, isn’t it?” “He’s gone too far this time, Angel. He really has.” Blade said on the brink of crying again, but this time Angel stepped in. “Swallow them, Blade…” there was a strange air in her voice, one of superiority and leadership, but in a good way. “He’ll see them and will know that he’s won. Just leave it to me. I’ll handle him.” Angel was right, if Shogo saw that she had been crying, she would never hear the end of it. Angel gave her a few seconds… “Well then, if it’s cheering up you need, then that’s what I’m here for.” Angel said and Blade and Kyle quietly sniggered under their breath. Not because of what she said but more because of the concept of her statement. “You mean to tell me that you’re actually here for something other than lunch for a change.” Kyle teased. “Yeah, yeah, of course I’m here for lunch, I just meant that I might have a way to lift your spirits a bid.” “That’s very unlikely, but you can try.” Blade said trying to sound extremely bored but she fail for the curious tone in her voice almost immediately gave hr away. “Well as you know I’ve been working on a very important project and I’ve decided to let you in on it.” “Is that so?” Blade sounded suspicious in her curiosity. “Well then, what’s the name of this venture you’re on?” “That my dear friend, I shall tell you after lunch, but before I can, you must tell me… Are you in or out?” Angel loved playing mind games with them. “I suppose it’s going to depend on what and how big it is, but you know me. I never back out of a challenge especially not if you have anything to do with it.” Blade said without even thinking. She knew that when ever Angel was up to something it was usually either illegal or dangerous, but that’s what she loved about it: the rush of adrenaline and the fear of getting caught at any moment. “Oh, goody, I knew you’d say that.” Angel said and turned to Kyle “How about it, Kyle, up for a bit o’ fun.” She said challenging. “I don’t know… is it dangerous?” he asked suddenly wondering why he even bothered. The answer was obvious. “Maybe…” Angel was playing a little mind game with him that triggered his curiosity even more. “Is it legal?” “Kyle, in all the time that we’ve known each other, can you ever recall me doing anything that was in any way even remotely close to legal?” “Now, that I think about it, no.” “Well then, there’s your answer. So what do you say: are you in or out?” “Do I really have much of choice?” Kyle asked rhetorically. Angel shook her head as a negative gesture: “Nope, not really.” “Well then, I guess I’m in.” Kyle sighed. “Perfect.” Angel said and as she turned towards the house she whipped her hair so that it shun brilliantly bright in the sun light. Ever since they met, Shogo instated a tradition that Angel was to have lunch with them everyday, but no one could ever figure out why though, except for Angel that is. She knew only to well that it was because Kyle had a crush on her. She knew only too well that Shogo was hoping that she and Kyle would become an item; so far she has been the only girl that he saw as good enough for his son but unfortunately (she would never say it aloud) she wasn’t interested. Kyle was like a brother to her and she had no intention of ever dating him; he wasn’t exactly her tipe. She went it the house, obviously through the back door, and headed strait for the living room where Shogo was already waiting for her. “Hallo Shogo.” She said smoothly. “Angelica, it’s always a pleasure to see you.” He replied equally smooth but in a superior and more sophisticated tone. “Would you like something to drink before dinner?” “Na, I’m cool. But thanks anyway.” She said and walked over to a long leather sofa that stood opposite Shogo’s armchair, sat down and stretched out – feet on the sofa and laying down with her head on the armrest. “You seem a little stressed. Has Blade been giving you a hard time again?” Angel always took his side on everything, or so he believed. She controlled him like a puppy on a leash. “Now, Angel, we both know it’s the other way around.” “That is true, but don’t you think it’s about time you cut her some slack? This behavior of yours is only driving her further and further away.” “I know but I’m only trying to help her get stronger. She needs to be tough if she is ever going to survive out there on the big bad world.” “You underestimate her, Shogo, and you really shouldn’t. Just give her a chance for once, she might just surprise you.” “What if you’re wrong?” “Just trust me on this one. I know what I’m talking about.” “Very well then, if you say so, I shall give her a chance but only one, and if she disappoints it will you who pay for it, deal.” “Sounds good to me, so long as you give her a chance to show you her true colors, I’m happy.” At that very moment Blade entered the room with Kyle following right behind her. “They’re ready for us.” Blade said with her eyes asking Angel if she had ‘handled’ the situation with Shogo yet and she made a hardly even noticeable nod but Blade was able to see it none the less. They left the living room and went through to the dinning room. The food was already served and it looked great. There was enough food to feed an army with something of everything. There was oven baked potatoes; four different salads; baked veggies with cheese souse; a sheep drumstick also oven baked and a cooked chicken. In any other house this might have been too much but not I this one it might not be enough, depending on Angel’s daily appetite. It was very peculiar but Angel had the appetite of a lion. All though everyone wondered, no one could ever figure out how she could so easily go through a meal of this magnitude and still have space for desert without gaining a single ounce. Of coarse people had their theories but none came even remotely close to being right. They ate the delicious food in almost complete silence (it was only the sound of metal touching plate that could be heard). It was as just as Angel reached for a second helping of the delicious upside down chocolate pudding that the silence was broken. “Angelica…?” Shogo was the only one to ever call her that. “I was just wondering, how is it that you have no idea of who you are or of your true origin? “ “Honestly sir, I don’t mean to be blunt but, I don’t see how it is any of anyone’s business especially yours. You may be my best friend’s father but you still have no right to ask me question about my life that doesn’t concern you. I would appreciate it if this never happens again.” To Angel the topic of her life was a very sensitive one so she never wanted to take about it. “Sorry, I had no idea you felt that way” Shogo apologized. “Well now you do” Angel said and helped herself to more pudding. She havened even had to put her spoon down before she found herself being dragged out of the house, Blade and Kyle both holding onto her arms so that she couldn’t escape. “So was this plan you’ve been working on.” They asked as one. “What plan?” Angel toyed with them. “You know, the plan you told us about before dinner.” Kyle said almost too excited for his own good. “Oh, that plan; maybe later.” “No! Now! ” Kyle exclaimed agitated, he had been waiting a whole hour for this and he didn’t want to wait a second longer to hear what Angel was up to this time. “Okay, okay; if it will make you happy.” Angel said satisfied with the greedy look on their faces. “Eight o’clock… The caves… Nine… Dunstin Street… Five pirates… Winchester mansion… Now you put it together.” Both Kyle and Blade look at her in disbelieve. She had said the forbidden name – Winchester mansion. “What exactly are you planning?” Blade asked terrified of what the answer might be. “I plan to break into the most feared place in history.” “But why..?” Blade shook her head in confusion and disbelieve; now more than ever. Her best friend was going to do the most dangerous thing there is to do. Winchester mansion was not only feared in Celosia but in the entire galaxy, in fact it was feared throughout the whole entire universe. It is said that nothing but pure evil resided there and the guardian of an ancient power source. Anyone who had ever dared to go near there was never seen or heard from again. “We’ve all heard the stories.” “Have you gone completely insane? That place is evil. Why would you even consider doing this?” Kyle chipped in. “Don’t worry your pretty little head about it, hon. just be at the caves at eight o’clock sharp, tonight. You got that.” Angel said with a fierce look in her eyes. There was something in this look that made everyone fear her that no one could explain. And with that she was gone. She vanished into thin air right before their very eyes, another thing about her that was completely unexplainable and extremely annoying.