Chasing Nightmare

(A/N: OK, I do play the game, but I've only unlocked Xianghua's profile, so don't yell at me if I say something wrong. But anyway, here's the first chapter:)

Chapter 1: In which Xianghua falls and meets an old friend.

"Watch the feet!" Talim jumped quickly over Xianghua's blade and came down hard on her friend's shoulders. Xianghua fells and lost her hold on her sword. It sprung from her hand and landed at Talim's feet.

"I won again!" Talim said as she helped her friend off the ground. "What happened? You used to always beat me."

"You got better," Xianghua said. "We haven't practiced together like this in a while, Talim."

Talim laughed and handed her her sword. "I think you're just losing your touch," she said.

"You wish!" Xianghua attacked and the two continued their sparring tournament. They were so engulfed in their training that they failed to notice the three men who walked onto the dock on which they were practicing.

"Xianghua, Talim," one on the men said. They froze for a moment, then stood at attention.

"You are hereby being called to service for our lord, Emperor Yao. Come with us to receive your assignment."

Xianghua sighed. "What is it this time, Bo?"

"Can't say," he replied. "I was just sent to bring you two back. With or without force," he added, motioning to the two men behind him, both of whom were rather bulky.

"There's no need for that," Talim said uneasily. "We'll come."

"Excellent." Bo smiled rather maliciously. "Let's go." He led them off the dock and through the town. Civilians stared as they walked past. They heard murmurs ripple through the crowd. No one dared approach them.

It didn't take long for them to reach the Imperial Palace. Bo left the two women in a waiting room. Thankfully, the guards left with him.

"So…" Talim began, "how do you know Bo?"

"We used to work together," Xianghua replied. "Before I broke away from the Emperor."

"Oh." They sat in silence for a long time before the door finally opened. Bo walked in.

"He's ready for you," he said. They walked through the door and into the throne room. Kilik and Maxi turned as they entered. The door slammed shut behind them, and the four looked up at the emperor, seated at the top of a very large staircase.

"Well," the old ruler said. "It's back."