Knights!

Vol. 2

Chapter 10...

Two years later, Zane had just become a well-known Knight in the Holy Kingdom, under the surveillance and teachings of General Shock. In the marketplace...

Zane - (Looks at the fresh produce) Wonder where can I get organic produce?

Seller - Need something, kid?

Zane - (Shakes head) Oh no.. Thank you though or... perhaps you could. When has these produce arrived?

Seller - Came in yesterday. All fresh until tomorrow.

Zane - Alright! (Grabs some fresh produce) So how much would these be?

Seller - Let's see... That would be 250 gold, please.

Zane - (Checks his wallet) Let's see... (Frowns) Damn... So close.. All I got is 200 gold.

Seller - Ah, forget about it. Let me take that and take your bags.

Zane - Thanks mister.

Seller - Kid, what's your name?

Zane - The name's Zane.

Seller - The name's Carbine.

Zane - Carbine. Okay, I'll remember that name. See you later, Mr. Carbine. (Leaves)

Carbine - That kid... Why is it that his name sounds so familiar?

Somewhere in the Plaza...

Zane - Now I could finally make some chicken soup. Yum!

Shock - (Appears) Sir Zane!

Zane - (Notices) Oh, General Shock, what brings you here?

Shock - It's time for your training.

Zane - But... but I just gotten a break and bought some food for me to eat.

Shock - Really? How so?

Zane - Two years had pass since I joined and trained under you and your number two guy...

Shock - I see... Well it's not my training. I have assigned you to another training.

Zane - Another?

Shock - You wanted to become a Paladin, right?

Zane - (Nods) Of course.

Shock - Then you must learn to use nature's energy to help you increase your power and learn some fighting moves in the process.

Zane - How about tomorrow? I want to enjoy my homemade soup. Would you please postpone it? This is probably going to be my last break.

Shock - I'll see what I can do. Go enjoy your meal.

Zane - Thank you, sir. Excuse me.

Zane goes to his new home. General Shock sighs and smiles.

Shock - That boy.... Well trained Knight.....

Chapter 11...

At Master Gin's backyard...

Madison - Aarrhh!! Holy Blade X Cross - Envoy of the Beginning!! (Swings once to the ground as only five X slashes appears and a weak blast traveled on a yard away from the tip of the sword) Damn...

Gin - Struggling, right?

Madison - (Breathes heavily) How do you... even... do it...?

Gin - Take a rest, Milady.

Shock - (Walks in) Master Gin!

Gin - Ah, if it isn't General Shock.

Madison - (Notices) General... Shock... How... do you... do...?

Shock - Milady! (Bows down to Madison) How honored to meet you here.

Madison - (Takes a deep breath and sighs) Rise... It's alright.

Shock - (Rises) Thank you, your majesty.

Gin - So, what brings you here?

Shock - I would like to know if you can take on a student.

Gin - That so?

Shock - You do owe me for saving you from the last war so I'm cashing that favor in.

Gin - Alright.. You win. I'll take that favor.

Shock - Thank you.

Gin - And who is this new student I'm taking?

Shock - His name is Zane, he is a knight-in-training under my supervision.

Gin - So what shall I teach your student?

Shock - What you taught your majesty here.

Gin - Alright then... but I must separate the two. I must teach him to the fullest without distractions.

Shock - Great. I'll see you tomorrow.

Gin - Okay. Take care, General Shock.

Madison - (Sits down) Bye General!

General Shock waves goodbye. An hour later, at Zane's new home...

Zane - (Almost finishes cooking) Just a few more minutes. (Sets up the table) Can't wait to eat! (Hears a knock) Who could that be? (Opens the door) Yes? General Shock?

Shock - Hello! Sorry to drop in but may I join you?

Zane - (Smiles) Of course. I'm almost done. Please come in and help yourself.

General Shock walks in and goes straight to the dining room.

Zane - (Finishes cooking and serves a bowl to General Shock) Here. It's Vegetable Chicken Soup. There are some chicken there.

Shock - (Eats, eyes widen) Wow... Zane... This is most excellent. When did you learn how to cook this well?

Zane - My mother taught me great recipes. I cannot forget them, even if it would kill me.

Shock - I see... Your mother taught you well.

Zane - Of course... Without her, I would of been a mess... Anyways, enjoy, there are more if you like.

Shock - Thank you.

General Shock and Zane eats happily.

Chapter 12...

Somewhere in a desert...

Jake - Master Lucifer! (Bows down) Great to have back here, sire.

Lucifer - What's the status here?

Jake - Everything is fine. No invasion or ambush.

Lucifer - Good. Is everything in its place?

Jake - Of course, sire.

Lucifer - How are my new and improved men?

Jake - Excellent, your majesty. There are ready to be assigned to you.

Lucifer - Good... The last thing I need is a bunch of idiots getting killed for being idiots.

Jake - My Lord, where shall we go now?

Lucifer - In a year we shall get to the Fire kingdom.

Jake - Why in a year, sir?

Lucifer - (Exposes the Shadow Orb) That's the amount of time needed to possess this power. Of course I could in one swing but I like to take things slow and absorb it's full power.

Jake - But master! Wouldn't we need the Orb's power to bring back--

Lucifer - (Takes out his sword and points at his neck) Silence!!! I don't want to readers to know about our plan. (Looks at you) Yeah... I'm talking about you.

Jake - (Scared) O... oh alright, sire.

Lucifer - In one year... this power shall be mine...

Chapter 13...

The next day...

Shock - Ready for your new training?

Zane - Alright. Go ahead.

Shock - Follow me.

Two hours later...

Zane - Longest walk I ever gone to...

Shock - Here we are.

Zane - Is this some kind of joke?

Shock - Inside this house, there is a well respected man. His name Master Gin.

Zane - Gin as in the drink?

Shock - (Annoyed) You could say that...

Zane - (Sighs) Alright.

Shock - (Knocks on the door) Master Gin?

Gin - (Opens the door) Ah, General Shock. Welcome.

Shock - I bring you your new apprentice.

Gin - (Looks at Zane) What's your name, boy?

Zane - I'm Zane, a Knight-in-Training.

Gin - Ah, so you want me to make this kid a Paladin. Alright, but it will take time.

Shock - Alright, he's in your hands.

Zane - Where you going, General Shock?

Shock - I have some paperwork to do. This is your new training and new Sensei. I'll see you in a year. (Leaves)

Zane - (Nervous) General Shock! Wa.. Wait!

Gin - Shall we train?

Chapter 14...

At the Holy Kingdom's Palace...

Knight - (Kneels down) My Lord.

King - Rise and speak, noble one.

Knight - We have gotten word from the Shadow Kingdom.

King - That so?

Knight - Yes. They said to be on watch. Someone has already broken in to their palace chambers, deep within where they kept their Shadow Orb.

King - I'm guessing they have stolen it.

Knight - Yes, My Lord. No prints or evidence has been found... yet.

King - Alright. I want you to bring me General Shock right now.

Knight - Yes, My Lord. (Leaves)

King - Hope he could conjure up a strategy.

Knight - Here you are, sire.

King - That quickly?

Shock - (Kneels down) Your majesty.

King - General Shock, please rise.

Shock - (Rises) So what is do you wish to speak of, sir?

King - We need a plan or a strategy to defend our Holy Orb from the outside. Somehow some thieves had broken into the Shadow Kingdom's Palace and into the Hall of Shadows, where they kept their Shadow Orb, their power source, safe.

Shock - So a plan is needed to have the Holy Sanctuary safe and secure from these thieves.

King - Correct.

Shock - I should put some of my finest, gifted and talented men on the job.

King - Careful though, General. We need some trustworthy people who can be trusted with our lives.

Shock - I have one but he's just a mere child.

King - Who?

Shock - His name is Zane

King - Sure he could be trusted?

Shock - He trusted me to keep his mother's house intact.

King - How so?

Shock - His mother died, your majesty.

King - A thousand pardons for that kid.

Shock - My Lord, if you would accept, I shall be the one to guard the Holy Sanctuary.

King - You sure?

Shock - There isn't anyone we can trust, right?

King - Except for Master Gin...

Shock - But Master Gin is busy for the whole year.

King - Why?

Shock - He is training Zane.

King - (Sighs) Guess we have no choice. General Shock, get to your post.

Shock - As you wish, My Lord.

General Shock leaves, heading to the Holy Sanctuary.

King - I trust you in great hands, General.

Chapter 15...

Six months later...

Gin - (Surprised, to himself)) Who knew this boy can learn so many things all in half a year's work... Who is this child?

Zane - Sensei!

Gin - Yes, Zane?

Zane - I still have a lot to go, right?

Gin - No, Zane... You are done... You never needed a year of training. You have learned everything that I have learned in years, in a short amount of time possible.

Zane - (Looks down) So that means....

Gin - Yeah... There is nothing more I could teach you.

Zane - Master... (Thinks) Wait! What about your ultimate techniques?

Gin - Hmm? You really want to?

Zane - Yes, Sensei! Please teach me.

Gin - Are you sure?

Zane - Yes.

Gin - It will be difficult... Are you sure?

Zane - Sensei, I want to be the strongest so I can protect the people I care about.

Gin - Alright.... Your spirit are burning with power and hope...

Zane - So... you'll teach me?

Gin - Yes.

Zane - (Jumps) Alright!!

And so they began training. Three months later...

Gin - Intense, isn't it?

Zane - (Breathes heavily) Yeah.... (Blue Aura surrounds his body) Maybe... I can get... a... second.... wind?

Gin - Really? (Observes Zane) Blue Aura... Where have I seen it?

Zane - Mother....

Zane's mind is clouded with the memory of his mother as the Blue Aura blazes.

Gin - No way.... He can't be... from the Sky Kingdom!

Zane dashes and attacks Master Gin as Master Gin blocks and struggles to counterattack. After a few minutes, Zane punches Master Gin brutally in the stomach as he coughs up blood. Zane reverts back to normal as he collapses. Master Gin, trying to take a breather, analyzes Zane.

Gin - No.... doubt... about it.... Shock... Who knew... you recruited... such a talented... Sky Kingdom... boy... such as... this...? (Grunts) What power... (Coughs, clears his throat and sighs) What triggers his true power?

Master Gin struggles but successfully picks up Zane as they head inside a nearby cabin.

Chapter 16...

Three months later, somewhere in a desert...

Jake - My Lord... (Kneels down)

Lucifer - What is it, Jake?

Jake - My Lord, I have acquired intel from six of our spies. It appears that all the Kingdom had prepared for us in case we went in and steal their precious orb.

Lucifer - That so?

Jake - Yes, sire. The King of each Kingdom has assigned their best General to protect the orb.

Lucifer - It's alright...

Jake - Have you conjured up a plan, your majesty?

Lucifer - You can say that. Right now, I'm almost done absorbing all of the Shadow Orb's power.

Jake - Is that true, My Lord?

Lucifer - Yes... Three more months and we head to the Fire Kingdom, but we need a distraction... (Thinks, then smiles) Jake, I want you to write a note to the Wind Kingdom, saying we shall take their orb in two months from now. That way, in one month, all the Kingdoms shall unite in one location so we can take all their orbs if we all split into four groups. One for the Fire, other for Water, Earth and Holy.

Jake - Most excellent plan, sire!

Lucifer - You're dismissed now.

Jake - Thank you, My Lord. (Gets up and leaves)

Lucifer - (Sighs) If only I had my true power... That wretched King of the Sky Kingdom.... banished me and completely strip my powers... Once I obtain all six Elemental Orbs.... (Laughs)

Chapter 17...

A month later, at the Wind Kingdom...

Knight - My King!

Wind King - What is it?!

Knight - A letter from the thieves that stole the Shadow Kingdom's Orb! They plan to attack us and take our Orb in a month from now!

Wind King - We must prepare and ready our men! How much do we have?

Knight - 125,000 Knights ready in the reserves, 500 Knight patrolling in the Kingdom, 200 outside of the Kingdom keeping look out and 300 out to help the Shadow Kingdom.

Wind King - Alright... I want half of the reserves outside the Wind Tunnel and the other half inside the Wind Tunnel, protecting the Wind Orb. Tell them to get ready and prepare for a battle they ever faced.

Knight - Yes, sire! (Leaves)

Wind King - Do we need some reinforcements...?

Chapter 18...

At the training ground...

Gin - Zane... you are done. You have perfected all of my ultimate moves in the less time possible.

Zane - (Breathes heavily) Yeah.... took... a lot... from me...

Gin - I want you to have this... (Leaves)

Zane - (Shocked, eyes widen) A goodbye?!

Gin - (Walks in carrying a sword) Here, I made this sword just for you. I call it The Defender.

Zane - Defender... (Takes the sword) Woah... Feels so light...

Gin - It is light on you and tremendously heavy for others. Use it with honor, Paladin.

Zane - Sensei... I... I don't know what to say...

Gin - Just thank me.

Zane - (Chuckles softly and smiles) Thank you, Sensei.

Gin - You earned it, Sir Zane.

Zane - Sensei... There is one question.

Gin - What's that?

Zane - Throughout these eleven to twelve months, have you seen or witnessed anything unusual about me.

Gin - (Sighs) To be honest, I have. Blue Aura had surrounded your body and you had inflicted damage on me.

Zane - (Eyes widen) Really? (Looks down) I'm sorry.

Gin - Zane... It's already a proven fact that you are one of the Sky Kingdom people, but somehow gifted with such great powers and intelligence. It's a shame that you cannot use it in free will. Something must trigger it, give it a small push so you can use it.

Zane - How can I use my powers then?

Gin - Only you can do it, not it, but in time you will. Right now, General Shock is waiting for you.

Zane - Alright...

Gin - Oh and Zane?

Zane - Yes, Sensei?

Gin - Never take off your weight clothing, unless it is an emergency.

Zane - You mean this 1000 pounds?

Gin - Yes.

Zane - Still not used to it but... I can manage.

Gin - Good. Let's get you ready.

Master Gin and Zane leaves the training ground.