Disclaimer: Shining Force and all related titles and characters etc. are copyrighted by someone who isn't me. Additionally, any character personality or plot similarities to any other story is purely coincidence.

Two Years Later - Prologue

My name is Hanzou. I am an elite ninja, trained by the greatest masters of my time, and seek only an opponent worthy of my skills. Two years ago I came across a great hero by the name of Max, and his ragtag army, called the Shining Force. I joined their ranks in the hopes of finding a worthy adversary. I found one in the form of Dark Dragon, an evil force left on this world by the gods. I aided Max and his friends in the banishment of this foul beast, although Max and another ally were lost at sea in the aftermath of the final battle. With Dark Dragon forever exiled to nothingness, I resumed my search for the perfect adversary. My new goal is to seek out the greatest warriors Rune has to offer and best them in single combat, ultimately proving myself to be the single most powerful force in all of Rune. In my exploits I am sure to battle some of my former allies, these shall be the conquests I value most, knowing their power from fighting alongside them. I also hope to challenge the great hero who slew Dark Dragon, but I fear hope may be against me on that note.

I began my journey in Guardiana, following the rumors of an awesome warrior in their ranks whose power rivaled that of Ramladu, ex-king of Runefaust. I hoped that Anri, Queen of Guardiana, could point me in the right direction.

"You seek the famed 'Knight of Guardiana,' do you not?" Anri asked me, with a sparkle in her eye. She remained seated in her throne, with Nova, an odd fish-man, on her right, and a former ally of mine, Ken, on her left.

"Yes," was my response. I bowed low. Both Nova and Ken stared at me with unfeeling eyes.

"Very well," Anri conceded after a moment. "You may fight the strongest warrior in Guardiana. But first, you must best my captain of the guard." I bowed again, eager for the challenge. I noticed Ken nod out of the corner of my eye, and leave.

"The battle will commence in two hours in front of the castle," Nova stated. Then he, too, nodded and left.

"I look forward to a good fight," I said, and bowed. I turned to leave.

"I look forward to proving Guardiana's might," Anri replied. I returned to the quarters Anri provided in anticipation of the battle.