Path of Shadow

Prologue

I stand on the soft grass, barefoot, and stare at the fuzzy moon, covered by clouds. I hold my katana in my left hand. I grasp it with both hands and raise it, the thin blade positioned right between my eyes. I visualize a gang of enemies in front of me, and I put my right hand down. I run at them, decapitating the first one, and hear his non-existent head hit the ground. I go into a complex series of moves, fighting the imaginary foes. I rush at the next one, slitting his throat as well. I slice the third man from left shoulder to right hip, and watch the pieces fall opposite each other. The next one runs into my stab. The last one is sliced right through the center of his body, from crotch to the top of his head.

          I smile.

          "Heh. I'm still as good as before. I wonder if I will ever get better?" I say. I look at Uranium, my sword, seeing my reflection in the blade. I see my jet-black hair, my grey eyes. I smile again.

          I slide Uranium into its sheath, and put the sword up. I grab two short duel swords, and practice fighting with them. Duel swords are to be used in unison, and apparently I'm not very good at that. I give up and toss the swords to the side. I look down at the grass, turned silver with moonlight, and look up at the moon, which is now free of clouds. In fact, the clouds have mysteriously disappeared. I look at my hand, also turned silver. I think about my existence, my power and strength, my immortality.

          I am shadow.

          I am the wolf.

          I am Tankra.

          I am the spirit of darkness, of gloom. I am the evil inside every human. I can overcome the light, but it takes me all my power to do so, and then it comes and fights me off.

          Heh heh.

          Light.

          What a silly thing.