The Lord of Shadows Rises

By James Terzian

It has been 200 years since the Lord of Shadows was sealed in a horrific battle with the Order of White Rose. Now the year is 1998, a boy with murdered parent's must gather allies to stop the once powerful Lord of Shadows from regaining his full power and breaking the seal. Learning from the Order of the White Rose guardians he must fight or his parents death would be in vain.
From Norway to United States of America from China to Korea he must join with the other students and fight.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Terzian
• Release date: Nov 8, 2014
• ISBN: 9781502276452

James Terzian

My name is James and I started the Lord of Shadows Rise. As a writer I am looking to better myself so please if you buy I would like some feedback and a rating so I know what to improve on. Thank goodness for editors because my weakness in grammar is significant. This bring me to me first point of discussion. "Know your weakness and never be to proud to admit them for that is the only way to overcome them,"

Book preview

1798, Norway

It had been two hundred years since the battle of Twin Peaks was decided and the warriors of the Order of the White Rose fought a long and grueling battle, losing over half their fighters against the Army of the Lord of Shadows.

The reason for the losses of these brave heroes was due to the evil dictator known as the Lord of Shadows. With his army, he descended upon the Scandinavian countryside to destroy all who stood in his way. Pillaging and selling the vanquished into slavery, he showed no mercy to his victims. He was defeated, however, not by the army, but by one man. That man was the leader of the Order of the White Rose, Master Eirik. He was a monk who had studied the ways of the warrior and mastered Aikido and Stav fighting. He fought the Lord of Shadows near the evil one’s temple. He was able to seal the Lord of Shadows using the forbidden technique of the Soul Seal, banishing him into an object.

That was Master Eirik’s last battle because he gave his life to seal the evil one. The Lord of Shadows had been imprisoned for two centuries. This left five keys with the five Masters of the White Rose. The Lord of Shadows became imprisoned inside a statue of a Norse god. His power was dispersed among the five keys, and only if those five keys were brought together within the temple would he regain his power. The Guardians were there to make sure that did not happen. To further protect the keys, the Guardians eventually spread out among the world. For generations, the keys had been passed down from master to student.

This was where our story begins.

Chapter 1 Bloody Beginnings

It is 1998 in Oslo, Norway, and a young boy of about sixteen years with blond hair is running to the bus stop. Alexander, you forgot your lunch! said a woman with a white apron on her slender figure.

The boy turned around to her. Thanks, Mom He grabbed the bag and got on the bus for school.

In the house, the mother walked into the kitchen. Honey, you up? The woman called up the stairs, directing her voice toward the bedroom.

A man in his thirties with dark-black hair walked downstairs wearing a suit and tie. Hey, honey, did you get Alexander off to school?

The kind woman smiled. Yep. Do you want breakfast? she asks before he kisses her.

As he sat down at the table he replies, Sure. I've got an hour before heading into work.

So when will you tell him about the test? asked the mother

When he gets home, I’ll tell him about the test to be a teacher in the dojo.

Are you sure it’s not too soon? A tone of worry in her voice.

Rachael, he's almost at my level. In a few years with his own self training he does when he thinks we aren’t looking, he'll surpass me. If he hasn’t already.

I know, but I don't want the position to go to his head. He is young still. Give some more time training the other students and ease him into it.

He's got a good head on his shoulders. Plus, I made it clear he's to get an education for me to give him the rights to the dojo. After all, I had to make the same sacrifice with my training, said the father.

I guess I can’t make you change your mind? asked Rachael.

I'll think on it at work and make a decision later in the day. He then hears the door in the foyer open as Theodor jerks his head around as a loud creek echoed from the foyer.

His eyebrows furrowed. We aren’t expecting anyone, are we?

Not that I'm aware of, Rachael said with confusion.

The man sniffs and gets up immediately. I smell smoke. We have to leave the house. Now!

The two get to the door and are instantly attacked by assailants in black clothing with white masks on their faces with a red diagonal slash on the mask. The two look around and see few areas to escape with.

Run, call the police! Theodor shouted as he punches the first assassin knocking him out. They picked the wrong house to rob!

Rachael scrambled for the phone, grasping it tightly in her shaking hands. Theodor’s eyes widened as his wife suddenly tumbled forward, the phone falling from stiff fingers. The glint of throwing stars shone from Rachael’s back as blood started to stain the white apron. With a ferocious yell, he sprang towards the unknown enemy.

Avoiding the first punch, Theodor trips the attacker and kicks him as he is falling down, breaking his spine from the force of the hit. Raising his leg up and hands out, he blocks another attack and tosses the enemy. One of the assassins stands back from the fighting; analyzing the style used against him men. He's using counters against our numbers thought the assailant.

Making his way to the kitchen, he grabs a knife, hurling it at the closest attacker.

Grabbing another knife from the kitchen, Theodor stabs the second assassin, killing him.

Pulling out the kitchen knife from the body causing it to fall, he turns around and round house kicks another enemy into a glass case, killing the opponent from fallen shards in his skins. The remaining four attackers surround him. The one standing back finally sees an opening rushes forward. Seeing no other way, he throws the knife at one of the other men killing him as the other three converge on him, their weapons drawn.

***

At Oslo High, Alexander Theodorson was sitting in class, listening to the teacher drone on about some famous person. A boy with red hair nudged him.

Hey, Alexander, you want to go to the arcade?

Alexander sighed. No, Samuel, I have to head home. I've got practice.

The boy shrugged his shoulders. Still practicing? Man, I know you can beat any of the students in the dojo. Only your father is stronger than you. You aren't too far off from his level.

I need to keep practicing so I can improve my skill set. I hope I can take the master’s test soon. I am ready. Besides, there's no such thing as being good enough. You can always learn more, even a master.

Samuel stared at him and rolled his eyes. You’re kidding me, right? You have been practicing martial arts since you were six years old, studying at least one style and working on a sword style. You’re more than ready.

Alexander shrugged his shoulders. I haven’t mastered real swords, only wooden ones. Father will tell me when I am ready.

This is so boring, thought Alexander as he tried to listen to the teacher.

After his second class, he saw Samuel being thrown into a locker by a jock in jeans and with brown hair. He then falls to the ground after the impact. Tom, didn't you learn your lesson last time? asked an annoyed Alexander.

You got a lucky shot, said Tom with a scowl. It won’t happen again.

Alexander smirks before replying I remember that, and I got a lucky kick and a throw last time we fought as well.

Let us settle this after school. Same place, said Tom walking away as Alexander helped his friend up.

You need to stand up for yourself, Samuel. I won’t be there to bail you out every time.

When school finished, and Alexander went to the spot behind the makeshift baseball field and saw a crowd as Tom walks up with two of his buddies

Let us see how you do this time, said Tom

This is one-on-one. This is total crush—for you, Alexander states, getting into his stance. The three boys attacked him, angry looks on their faces.

Alexander blocked the first blow, sweeping the boy’s feet from under him. He grabbed the punch heading for his head as the other jock shouted.

You're an idiot. When launching a surprise attack, keep your mouth shut! Alexander then tossed the boy away.

Tom, there's no shame in backing out, Alexander said.

Tom responded by running at Alexander trying to hit the blond haired teen, but missed every sloppy punch he sent with Alexander dodging the punches calmly.

I'm done, Alexander state with boredom before punching Tom in the stomach and knocking him down. Alexander turns away and scoffs at the one-sided match. Get better. That wasn’t even a warm-up and you made me miss the bus, said Alexander walking away from the three down bullies.

Samuel and Alexander were heading to their respective houses, chatting about the fight. I am heading to the arcade Alexander, see you later, said Samuel.

After Samuel walks away, Alexander heads in the direction of his house. 

***

As he approached his house, he saw fire trucks and about ten police cars out front and tape surrounding the house. Being rolled out was two gurneys with bodies on them. The house was half burned down.

Mom, Dad! he shouted as he ran up to the barricade. An officer stopped him.

Who are you, son? asked the officer as Alexander stopped in front of the tape.

I live here. What happened? asked the worried teen as his eyes darted to the burnt house.

The officer sighed. What’s your name?

Alexander, he said and then asked again. What happened?

What is your relation to the deceased ? asked the officer.

Deceased? asked Alexander with a stutter. Who?

The couple who lived in this house, said the cop.

I am the son of the couple, said Alexander,.

The cop sighed and pulled the young teen aside. I hate my job sometimes. I'm sorry son, but both your parents are dead. We found their bodies riddled with cuts and partially burned with most of the house. We got here a few minutes after a neighbor called about a fire in the house.

Alexander turned in shock. How could this have happened? Father should have been able to fight off any intruders, he thought as he clenched his fist, nails digging into his palm.

The boy looked back at the cop and asked, How were they killed?

The officer, who was really a police captain, noticed the tears welling up in the eyes of the teen. Seeing no harm in anyone overhearing due to keeping the populace out of the crime scene, the officer replies We think it was murder due to the damage on the bodies. Then the chief of police runs up and yells, Captain!

Yes, Chief? replied the captain.

Did you find any clues? the chief asked.

Yes, sir. We found a used match by the gas line. We have also found some of the weapons on the body, replied the captain.

Who is this? asked the Chief.

I am the son the deceased, said Alexander.

No harm in telling what we found so far, said the chief, turning his attention to the officer.

What did you discover? asked the Chief.

The lady was hit with what appears to be throwing stars from the initial investigation. The man was cut by a sharp object, some kind of blade. We don’t know what type, said the captain. Your parents put up quite a fight, five dead assailants littered the floor, one in the foyer and four in the kitchen.

Alexander’s eyes narrowed as he listened to the two men. His sadness began turning to rage and anger. Did you recover anything? he asked through his tear-stained face.

The two looked at each other. No, said the captain. After we complete the investigation you can enter your house and salvage anything you can find.

Alexander nodded his head. I’ll be by.

You are a minor so you need to stay with a family, said the officer.

My friend’s family will be fine, said the teen.

We will wait for you to call your friend and have them pick you up.

Thirty minutes later, a blond haired woman in a black dress used for office work drives up with Samuel. Rushing to Alexander, she hugs him. I am sorry for your loss. When I heard what happened, I rushed over, she said with sorrow.

Are you a friend? asked the officer.

Yes. She showed the officer her identification.

Very well, the officer replied before turning to Alexander and putting his hand on his shoulder. We will find out who did this and you will get justice.

Alexander nods his head and is led away by Samuel’s mother.

Alexander was later called down to the station so the officer can escort him to the remains of his house. I am sorry about your loss but we will find the ones responsible. You have my promise, said the officer at the station.

Getting to the house, the officer told Alexander he will be outside.

Walking in, Alexander looks around and sees a glimmering object in the floorboard that was cracked. Pulling up the board, Alexander sees a box underneath. He quickly puts it in his backpack and looks for more stuff to grab that might be intact. After an hour, Alexander finds nothing salvageable.

Getting outside, he is taken to his friend’s house by a squad car. After getting to his room, he opens the box and inside was a cubical item with the carving of a rose and a note.

He took out the note to read it.

If you're reading this, then you must be a descendent of Master Eirik or one of his Guardians. Inside this box is a part of the key that will release the evil one known as the Lord of Shadows.

Alexander folded the note and took a look at the key inside the box that appeared have some kind of writing on it. Is this why my parents were killed? he asked himself as tears fell down his face. He balled up his fist, crumpling the paper in a rage. His parents were gone.

A few days later, a small funeral was held for the couple. The students of the dojo paid their respects as Alexander gave his speech and he fought to hold back his tears. He then laid a flower on the coffin and walked away.

At school a day after the funeral people gave their condolences to Alexander. The school counselor told Alexander to come to her if he wanted to talk.

***

At the lawyer’s office four days later, the man in charge of the will sighed sadly. I was a friend of your father’s from the law firm and I am sorry for your loss Alexander. Then getting down to business he says. Alexander, your father left you over two hundred thousand dollars. Your mother left you another two hundred thousand dollars from her will also, and the deed to the dojo is yours as well.

The distraught teen then shouted, I don’t care about the damn money. It can’t buy my parents’ lives back!

The lawyer then got up and put a hand on the boy’s shoulder. I know, Alexander. You’re strong, but even the strong have limits. My advice is to get some counseling to heal from this tragedy. It’s how you move on from here that determines your state of mind, he tells Alexander with sincerity and seriousness.

In a temple made of stone on the top of a mountain in northern Norway, three men walked up to a statue. In the middle around the statue were pillars with indents of a shape. They kneel is reverence.

Did you find one of the keys? asked a presence with a deep voice.

One of the men bowed. No, my lord. It was well hidden, but I did find the sword of the one who banished you. He held out a jeweled sword to the statue.

The voice inside laughed. Yes, a good gift, but I don’t tolerate failure! You didn't look hard enough!

Just then, lightning shot down from out of the sky, hitting one of the men. He screamed as his body was wracked with spasms. His cries drifted away into silence as he faded into ash.

The jeweled sword the man had been holding clanked to the ground. One of the other men grabbed the sword and put it on a pedestal in front of the statue where the voice was coming from. He then went back to kneeling position.

I might be only at one-fifth of my strength due to the seal, but I can still deal with failures. Kira, you’re in charge of these fools, said the deep voice. A young woman sauntered out of the shadows, her flaming hair accenting the forest green of her eyes. The sword strapped to her back sat perfectly over her short, striped coat. Her low sitting pants hugged her muscled legs, making them seem like they went on for miles.

The voice was cautious of Kira because he knew she served out of fear, not loyalty.