S.A.S. - Book one: Secrets (Rewriting)

Prologue

A harsh wind blew through the small iron gate, and the high stone walls gave no protection from the rest of the chilling wind. A lone figure stood near one of the many headstones in the grey cemetery, a torn cloak flapping in the wind. Bandages wrapped every single part of its body. The figure stood completely still, head bowed, black ears poking through it's torn cloak, and a black tail trailing on the ground. This figure was a FoxCraft, a human-fox mix.

The gate to the cemetery burst open. The figure's head snapped upwards, turning slightly. Another FoxCraft ran to where the first stood.

"What do you want, Kareem..." the first said, it's cloak swishing angrily, even though the figure had not moved. The voice was rasping, clawing.

Kareem stopped where he was. "Master, I'm sorry for this intrusion, but the two FoxCraft you warned me about? They broke into the flame's chambers!" the figure didn't turn around, but anger seemed to surround the graveyard. "I'm sorry..."

In one sudden movement, the hooded figure turned and kicked Kareem hard in the chest, the hood on its cloak waving slightly. Kareem fell to the ground, crying out in pain. A black scythe, as long as the cloaked figure was tall appeared, and started towards Kareem.

"Wa- wait, Shadow, I think I've taken ca- care of it already!" Kareem cried desperately.

The figure - Shadow - stopped hesitantly, It's cloak swishing slightly and its tail twitching impatiently.

"And...?" it asked.

"I- I banished them to a planet with very limited technologies, possibly even uninhabited. I sent them to Earth" Kareem answered more calmly, getting off the ground and catching his breath. "They shouldn't be able to get back, at least not until we destroy the Dragon Flame."

Shadow regarded him with angry mistrust. "This had better work," he told Kareem. He nodded, but uncertainty shone in his eyes. He ran from the Graveyard quickly, which for a FoxCraft is about 30km per hour. Shadow turned back to the grave he was standing over. His hand clenched into a fist, and he punched the headstone hard.

The top crumbled into dust, the rest breaking into pieces. Then time seemed to slow on the broken headstone, and then reverse. It put itself back together piece by piece until it was whole again. Shadow yelled, punching it again, then went on to punching the headstone next to it, and then the next one and the next one, until all that remained was the once-again reformed original headstone.

The engraving read "Danny: loving brother and son." Sighing angrily, Shadow took out his scythe, and cut his arm open, but no blood ran out. Instead, a single drop of smoldering liquid fell out and landed on the grave. It sizzled, then was absorbed into the stone.

Shadow looked up from the grave to the surrounding forest. Time for my great act. Sprinting faster than any normal FoxCraft, he followed the stone-brick path that led to the village. Soon, houses appeared over the top of the hill ahead of him, and Shadow quickened his pace. Within seconds, he reached the high walls surrounding the buildings. Leaping, he surprised a guard near the top, but his surprise was short-lived as Shadow kneed him hard in the head.

Going through the familiar streets, he zig-zagged and sped to the large stone castle at the center of the village. He easily reached the front gates, where he leaped up and - this time - avoided the attention of the guards below. Bursting through the wooden doors, he went through a maze of hallways.

Traveling through them, he cursed Kareem for making it so confusing and long. Finally, he sped into a room full of light and FoxCraft. This was the Council: the head group of Dragoria. None of the members seemed remotely surprised to see Shadow standing there. Kareem was standing at the head of the table that ran through the room.