The sequel to "The Power Within" is finally here! I've actually put it once but decided it was best if I'd finished my first story. Now, the second part will include one of my OC so please be kind with me.

This is the prologue, so have fun minna!

Re-edited! :)

Lost in Memories

I was running, continuously running. From what, I had no idea, however, it was essential not to stop. I couldn't understand but I couldn't bring myself to think too much of it either. I felt like a cold hand gripped my heart, squeezing it slowly, twisting it without any mercy…it scared me to no ends. The darkness ruled in my sight and only my heavy breathing told me how much time passed, agonizingly fast in my opinion. Warm trickles ran down my face. I licked the salty substance from the corner of my mouth. The tears made the claw in my chest tighten its grip.

I desperately wanted to get rid of that painful sensation. I would have done anything to make it stop but running proved to be a futile attempt. They would always chase me, haunt every corner of my existence no matter how much I strived to tuned them out. So pathetic, I mused sardonically.

I light glimmered somewhere in front of me. Its warmth prickled my skin and joy bubbled in my chest releasing my heart from that icy grasp. I stretched out my arm and ever so slowly, it approached until I could almost clasp my hand around it. But a blink was enough for the moment to vanish, as if it had never happened. Whatever was keeping me in the blackness gave away and my body did the same. I plunged in the mute abyss with nothing to hold on to, no one to reach out for me.

My eyes flickered open. Gradually pulling myself up, I glanced around my surroundings. The walls were painted in a warm orange, the floor was made of marble and a red carpet rested in its middle. A low wooden table was set on the carpet with a teapot and two cups. There was a window on the right side of the room letting in an odor from the lake. I could see a red sky and strange birds flying. In front of me there stood a marble arcade. Two pink satin curtains covered the arcade letting the room to be lighten by some gleams in the corners.

An eerily familiar voice floated in the air and I froze in shock.

'Honey, I told you. You're not going to participate. It's a very brutal game for a young lady like you.'

A beautiful woman stepped in the room. She had long red hair, amethyst eyes, a black dress with a pink sash and white ears and tail. A pissed off expression decorated her young features and I could metaphorically sense my stomach drop when another figure entered after her. The little girl had long pink hair and big cherry eyes making her pale complexion stand out along with the fluffy white ears atop her head. The white silky dress trailed after her, the black sash loosely holding it from falling off her slim body.

'But mom, Raya is gonna be there. And she will never let me forget this if I won't come. She is always like 'oh I'm a lot more beautiful than you will ever be' or 'I'm a lot more good at flirting than you, did you even know Karun is going out with me' or ' hey Karyne bet I could beat the crap out of ya'. Please, I must go. I can't simply stand and hear her comments again. Come on mom, I have to go, please.'

The woman sat down pouring herself a cup of tea, the frown still present on her face. 'Karyne this is not for you. I just don't want you to have such a future.'

'But I won't do anything. I will just watch, in the name of Hades.' The girl pleaded exasperated.

'Karyne, please go in your room and stay there till I tell you that you are allowed to get out.' She said with finality.

The girl growled and stormed out, the curtains falling on the floor after she pulled at them angrily. My eyes blurred as the scenes played faster and faster. Me, in my bed cursing mother, me, crying over my Grandfather's picture, the great Dragon Slayer, me, sneaking out of the house, me, sealing my own fate.

Cheers and yells, suddenly bombarded my ears and I blinked confused. The large arena was spilling out with spectators. I shook my head trying to block the sounds along with the memory that wanted to unfold. From a distance I could hear the arrogant voice of that man, but my mind struggled to ignore it.

'Welcome…Welcome…You…for your life…my lover…one rule. Fight until…one…the best…warriors…Fight! '

I panted wishing for everything to stop. The agonizing yells, flesh being torn apart, the crimson life liquid slipping on the ground, it was all too much to live again.

'Hey, let's have some fun guys.'

'Raya, what do you mean?

'Karun, baby. Let's go down there and fight. I want to feel the blood on my hands. Karyne, you can stay here and take care of our things.'

'Like what? You're brain?'

The echoic voices muffled in my ears. I scrunched my eyes shut as more screams ripped through the air. The tears returned, streaming down my face like waterfalls. My shaking knees couldn't keep me upright anymore and I dropped like a rock, slowly swaying back and forth as sob after sob racked my body.

"Stop! Please!"

The darkness enclosed around me once again and I welcomed it gladly. I only wanted to forget, be ignorant. I left that life behind so many years ago, I believed everything was over. I screamed again in frustration. Everything should be in the past…

And the past should be buried…Forever.

-(-)-

I woke up with a start. Hot tears were rolling down my cheeks. I took a few breaths as the idea of all being just a dream sunk in my mind. A nightmare, I silently corrected myself. I went outside on the balcony and took some fresh air to calm down my speeding heart. The cold wind was gently blowing on my face drying the tears. The full moon was hanging on the sky giving the forest a magic light. I wiped off the sweat and looked at the sky. 'Just a dream…just a stupid bad dream.'

I went to the kitchen and poured myself some water. I stood there several minutes digesting what has happened in my unconscious state. A strand of hair fell on my face and as fast as a bullet I tilted my head right in time for an arrow to pass an inch away of my face. Earlier thoughts casted aside, I glared outside the window.

I heard someone running through the bushes, and I jumped through the open window. I followed the guy in the forest leaping on the tree branches. The wind was stronger than I thought but it didn't bother me. When I got in a clearing the guy stopped and turned to me. He was small, had a rock mask, a bow and arrows. My mind drifted to the maya warriors.

Right away some friends of him came in too. They were five. I could handle them, I thought confidently. On the left side behind me was a maya woman with a spear, on the left side in front of me there was a cave man with a giant bat, on the right was a knight with one of those medieval spears and another one behind me was a Chinese warrior; he was wearing a black and red armor with a mask and a katana.

The small one started shooting arrow after arrow. I jumped in the air, regained my balance then attacked the maya woman with a jump spin hook kick. Then the knight came running to me with his spear. I just bounced on the spear in the air, wheeled my body and delivered a kick in his head.

'Darn it. That armor is hard.' I flipped on my hands and back on my feet putting some distance between me and the attackers.

The cave man pitched into the fight shaking his bat with the Chinese warrior behind him. I did a butterfly kick on him then I dodged the swings of the katana. I jumped on the ancient warrior's chest and punched him in the face, broking his mask. I flipped on my back and hit his jaw with my legs. I turned to the cave man and did an axe kick on his head. When he was about to fall I put my leg on his shoulder and hopped to face the other three.

There was silence for a few moments then all of them started to run and attack me. I rolled on my left to avoid the arrows. I did a sweep kick on the woman's legs, and then I clutched her throat with my hand and kick her in the stomach. I jumped in the air and did a flying kick on the knight. He extended his arm and caught my leg then he cracked me on the ground. He was about to jab the spear in me but I rolled on my right and gave him a kick in the ribs making the knight fell to the ground.

From the corner of my eye I saw the little guy coming with a flying kick. I stood up and run through the forest. Only me and him were left. I kept avoiding his hits until I really got annoyed. I turned to the archer and put my hands in front of me. I centered my chi in my hands and it formed a black sphere of energy. The guy shoot some arrows at me at the same time I released my attack.

"Energy Wave!" The beam of energy flew to him, destroying the arrows and hitting him in the chest.

When I saw he wasn't moving anymore I finally took a long breath. I should have thanks them. This really helped me vent my frustration. Suddenly I heard someone clapping. I looked around the glade and saw a figure smiling in the shadows. I didn't know why but that smile and those yellow eyes sent chills down my back. I couldn't help it and shivered. I wasn't afraid, heck no, I just never met such a cold guy.

"Who are you?"

"Someone you impressed. You are as talented as I've heard." He replied in a casual voice.

"You send those guys after me? Are you looking for a fight or what?"

"It was only a merely warm up. The fight starts now."

In a second he disappeared and I felt a sharp pain in my stomach. A hand grabbed my throat and threw me in a tree. He jumped in the air and aimed his fist at my face. I didn't have time to dodged, he was so fast, so I did a roundhouse kick and his punch clashed with my foot.

He jumped back and I took this opportunity and ran at him doing a flying back kick. He caught my leg and threw his fist at me. I caught his fist with my hand and then we both flipped on the back, leaving a distance of several meters between us.

I bent my knees and prepared for the next attack. He just stood there. 'So, he wants me to attack, eh? Well, I shouldn't make him wait.'

I ran to him and threw my claws at his face. He bent to the ground and hit me in my ribs.

"Repulse the Monkey." I was taken aback by this. 'Darn it. I can believe I fell for it. What technique is this?'

I went flying backwards and when I hit the ground I heard a few cracks. I hardly stood up, but he didn't stop here. He came to me with a storm of punches. I was able to block most of them, but I was still hit. He finished with a knee in my stomach and a punch in my jaw.

'No, no…I will not be defeated.'

My pupils shrank and I hit him with a roundhouse kick. He was surprised by my come back. I continued to throw punches and kicks at him but he was blocking all of them. I was really pissed off, and nobody messed with me when I was like this. I used my signature attack, the Cat Claws Slash, and I buried my claws through his armor and in his chest. He backed away smiling, blood still pouring from his chest.

He raised his hand as a sign of peace and told me. "You won."

Barely breathing, I took my stance again, not believing him. He then continued. "I just want to talk to you, and if you are asking I challenge you to see if you are powerful enough for the mission I want to give you."

I straightened myself and asked him. "What do I get?" Hee grinned mischievously and answered me.

"Everything you want. My name is Chase Young." He came closer to me and extended his arm so I can shake it.

"Karyne." I said not taking my eyes from him.

'Chase Young…I heard that name before. Ha…the xiaolin dragon that became immortal, yeah that's it…just because I heard that he keeps his word doesn't mean I will trust him. Never let your guard down. This is an eternal rule when in alliances.'