Chapter 1

A New Beginning

"So, you wish to find a way to re-forge your sword?" Arthur asked, taking a sip of his tea.

"Yeah. Someone decided it would be a good idea to break it." Corey said grimly, jabbing his thumb over in Derek's direction.

"Shut up." Derek grumbled, taking a sip of his coffee.

It had only been two weeks since the devastating attack on the Rebel Base, leaving much in ruin. Corey Kartana, the head general of the Rebel Army, and his best friend Derek Maison, the former leader, had left for the small colony outside of the area that would have been the Human World one week ago, having arrived to meet with Arthur, the colonies leader, to discuss their next move.

Corey was twenty years old now, with short, dark brown hair that was spike up and hazel eyes. He sported a goatee, the same color as his hair but with a hint of Irish red on the sides. He was wearing a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt with a simple black jacket over it, since his leather jacket had been torn to shreds two weeks earlier and was still being tailored back to its original state. A pair of black fingerless leather gloves was on each of his hands, and a pair of black army boots on his feet. His silver oval necklace dangled from his neck.

Derek was a little over thirty-six, with long black hair that he had braided down to his upper back and a scruffy black beard on his face. He was wearing a black shirt with the sleeves ripped off, and a pair of black karate pants with a pair of boots on underneath. White bandages were wrapped around each of his arms, starting from his fingertips to his elbows. His left green eye and blue right eye were looking away from Arthur and Corey, still ashamed over what he had done two weeks ago.

It had been Derek who attacked the Rebel Army two weeks ago and broke Corey's legendary sword, the Tetsaru, but to both he and Corey it seemed like just yesterday. Derek had been overtaken by a darker side of his soul after the loss of his wife, Jade, and went berserk after making everyone think he was dead. Corey had forgiven his friend, of course, but most of the Rebel Army had not. Derek had killed John Wolfe, a long time comrade of the army and Derek. Most, such as Corey's childhood friend Liz, had not forgiven him as easily as the young leader. Derek, at the moment, had been camping out in the forest nearby the Rebel Base. After the repairs had got started, Corey met him there and the two took of to see Arthur, the one man who might be able to help Corey get his sword back.

"Is there anyway to fix the Tetsaru, Arthur? You have to know something!" Corey stated, setting down his empty cup of coffee, and folding his arms across his chest.

The three were sitting down at the table in Arthur's home, enjoying tea and coffee. Arthur had been quite relieved to hear that Derek was alive and well, knowing well that it was both he and Corey who would complete the fabled prophecy, the one that Darkine, the three worlds so-called ruler, had prophesized.

"There may be…but I don't know if the Tetsaru can handle it." Arthur said, taking another drink of his tea.

"What the hell does that mean, Arthur? Of course the Tetsaru can handle it! What do we have to do?" Corey asked, shaking in anticipation. Ever since Derek had destroyed the blade, Corey had felt even weaker then he did before. The Tetsaru was a gift from his former mentor, Geru, and gave him a boost of spiritual energy, and also gave him the ability to channel his energy into the blade, making it stronger.

"I mean, the material which I speak of may be to potent and to powerful for the blade." The elderly man informed him.

"Hold on…you mean this thing could make the Tetsaru even more powerful then it was before?" Corey asked, blinking.

"Yes. It is said that this particular ore was used to create the mythical blade Excalibur. There is only enough left to create one more sword, but like I said it might—" Arthur was cut off at Corey's widening eyes and talk.

"Wow! An even stronger blade then the Tetsaru! Aw, man, now I have to get it!" Corey said with child-like glee.

"Corey, pay attention." Derek finally said, having been silent for most of the conversation. The two friends looked at one another, and Corey nodded,

"Alright."

Even though Corey had forgiven Derek for the battle at the Rebel Base, Derek had not begun to forgive himself. He had killed John and many other rebel fighters, and wasn't soon going to forget that.

"Anyway," Arthur continued, setting aside his tea, "I myself tried to use the ore fifteen years ago, but could find no sword that would be able to control its power. I believe that your Tetsaru is the only sword that could have a chance to handle it."

"But Tetsaru was shattered. All that I have left is the hilt and bits and pieces of the blade," Corey explained, looking over at his broken sword, which lay on a blanket in the corner of the hut.

"Re-forging the blade wouldn't be a problem, but without the ore it would be just a regular sword." Arthur explained, "But if you two can get the ore, I can make it into a powerful weapon once again."

"Great. So where is the ore?" Corey asked.

"That would be the problem. When I found that no normal sword could withstand the power of the ore, I hid it away so that Darkine could not get his hands on it. It'll be a long journey, and once you get there…the challenge that I have set up may be to strong for even you."

There was a long silence between the three men. Arthur picked up his teacup once again and slowly drank, while Corey and Derek pondered on what there plan would be. Finally, Corey spoke up with a smile on his lips.

"We'll do it, Arthur. With the aid of that ore and my new sword, we just might have what it takes to take Darkine down for good." Corey looked over at Derek, who nodded.

"Yes. I agree with Corey. This war has lasted long enough."

Arthur gave the two men a smile. "I'm very glad to hear that. I'm not trying to jump the gun here, but what will you do once you return?"

Derek was the first to answer this time. "We talked about that on the way here. We decided that once Corey's sword is remade, we are going to attack Darkine's forces in Spirit World. We'll need their help for the final assault, and they might just be able to tell us where Darkine's base actually is."

"Good. I'm glad to hear that. I will prepare a map for you, and then I expect you'll be leaving right away?" Arthur asked.

Corey grinned and stood up. "Of course. There's no time like the present!"

******

Corey and Derek left Arthur's colony about an hour later, and arrived back at the Rebel Base six days later. Construction was still going smoothly, they noticed, and the two stopped about a quarter of a mile outside of the base.

"Hey, Derek, why don't you come back in and see Cory?" Corey asked. Derek and Jade had named their son after the young man when they had thought him to be dead, but he arrived a week before the child was born. Still, they decided to keep the name.

"I don't think so," Derek said in a sad tone, "I…don't want to upset anyone."

"Come on, Derek. You know he misses you." Corey said, putting his hands behind his head, "Just come in and check on him. He's starting to talk, ya know."

Derek was quiet for a moment, considering actually coming inside, but then a voice was heard from a few yards away.

"Corey! Welcome back!"

Elizabeth Rain, or Liz to most, came walking up to the two warriors, hands behind her back. She was wearing a camo jacket and pants, with a white shirt underneath. A pair of black gloves was on each of her hands, as well as a pair of black military boots. Her dark brown hair was tied in a ponytail and down to her lower back. She was smiling, but then spotted Derek on the other side of Corey, and her lips changed into a frown.

"Hello, Derek…" Liz said, not making eye contact with her former friend.

"Liz." Derek said simply, giving her a slight nod. Corey sighed quietly. The two of them had barely said two words to one another since Derek's return. He understood why, of course, but it was still rather annoying being in the middle of both of them.

"Liz…Derek wants to go see his son." Corey said finally, letting his hands drop to his sides.

"What?" Derek asked harshly, "I never said I did. I have to go. We'll leave in three days, Corey. Meet me back at my camp. See ya later." He started to walk off, but then raised his hand in a small wave to Liz. "Bye, Liz." And he took off.

"Damn it, all…" Corey said, grumbling and rubbing the back of his neck.

"Corey, I don't like you bringing him around here." Liz said in a stern voice.

Corey looked over at her. "Why? He's still my best friend, Liz! Look…I completely understand why you don't trust him, but at least trust me! I guarantee you he wont attack anyone again!"

"How can you promise me that? He's done it before! He killed John!!" She yelled the last part, but quickly hid her face. Corey knew she had begun to cry again.

Liz and John had become very close the months that Corey had gone to train and during Derek's disappearance. Corey knew that the death of their friend was devastating to her. It was to him as well, but Liz had known John for many years before Corey came to the future.

So much has changed… Corey thought to himself as he watched Liz go back towards the base, We all used to be so close. Damn you, Darkine. I sweat to God I'll kick your ass for everyone you've killed.

******

After Corey had taken a quick shower and had a shave and a change of clothes, he headed towards Liz's room where Derek's son waited. The young child perked it's head up as Corey entered the room and gave him a wide smile and held up his arms.

"Hey, big guy. What's up?" Corey asked, picking up the child in his gloved hands and lifting him up and down. The child giggled as he did this. Liz walked in from the kitchen and gave Corey a sad look.

"I'm sorry…about earlier." Liz said quietly, "It's just--"

Corey cut her off. "I know. Don't worry about it, but he does have the right to see his son, Liz. How would you feel if you were in his situation?"

Liz sighed. "Probably the same, but he killed so many…"

"I know. Listen…in three days, Derek and I are leaving for awhile."

"What? Why?" Liz asked, confused.

"We need to find an ore that Arthur told us about. With it, we can remake the Tetsaru, and it will possibly make it even more powerful, and then…" He paused for a moment, "We're going to attack Darkine's troops in Spirit World."

"What?!" She exclaimed, "But…but that means…"

"Yea. If we can win back Spirit World, we can find Darkine's hide out. Then, we can attack him, and finish this war." Corey said the last part with a reassuring smile.

"It'll finally be over?" Liz asked, sounding under certain.

"Yup. I think I'm strong enough now, and with Derek and you and the rest of the army backing us up, I know we can beat him." Corey looked down at the child he was still holding, who had fallen asleep in his arms. Carefully, he placed the boy down in his crib and covered him with a blanket.

"Peace…" Liz said quietly, a smile forming on her lips.

"Yea. Peace."

******

During the next three days, Corey rested up and made arrangements for Liz to be the temporary leader of the Rebel Army. News of the soon-to-come attack had spread quickly, and the troops were anxious. Everyone who came up to Corey and asked of the plan were told that they would formulate it as soon as he returned.

Finally, the day came for Corey to leave the base behind. He had told Liz that he wanted the army moved to a new location, and she said she would send word to Arthur about where so that they could find it afterwards.

Corey was in his room gathering the few items that he would need for the trip, when Liz entered the room, little Cory in her arms.

"Corey? Please be careful out there." She told her friend. "And please come back unharmed.

Corey looked at her and smiled. "Of course. It is me we're talking about. Hell, I always come back!" He gave his usual grin to her, and she smiled.

"I know. Good luck, and…" She paused, looking unsure of her words, "…tell Derek to come visit Cory when you get back."

This news put Corey's mind at ease and gave her a thumbs up. "Count on it. See ya later, Liz."

"Bye, Corey. Good luck!"

******

Corey found Derek where he was usually camped out at; a small remote area in the middle of the woods nearby. The small shelter he had made was in pieces now, and Derek stood near a small stream, waiting for Corey.

"Ready to go?" He asked once Corey arrived.

"Of course. Let's finish this, once and for all." Corey said with a grin.

"Yea…we can finally end this damned war."

"You and me, bro." Corey raised up his right hand towards Derek, "For love."

Derek looked at the hand for a long time, then smiled and took it in his own. "And for war."