AN-please take note that this is mostly just useful information for the chapters that are soon to follow. And, more importantly, this event takes place 400 years before chapter 1.

Prologue

It was morning, streaks of gold tainting the sky with its brilliance. The bright edge of the sun could be seen peeking its face over the mountains. Dew rested in the grassy plains as fog covered the area, making safe passage impossible.

For Andrei, it was just another morning on the job. Suited in his battle armor, Andrei was ready for any skirmish that would eventually come between his men and the rebels. Although they fought hard for years, the rebels had accomplished nothing. They fought for freedom, justice, fair laws, but none had ever been suggested to the high court for official ruling.

Andrei had had plenty of dealings with the rebels before. To him, this was just another fight before he got home to his family.

"Sir, we've spotted some movement."

A slight pause, "And? You expect me to respond to 'spotted movement'? This is as good as sand in a dessert." Andrei was not one to be short with.

"Well, in the fog, sir. But they seem to have disappeared."

"What do you mean, 'disappeared'?" This was unusual, thought Andrei. Most enemies, no matter how skilled, would have trouble disappearing into this light of fog.

Suddenly, a shrill war-cry filled the air.

"Rebels!" shouted Andrei. They were being ambushed and he knew it. Grabbing his battle sword, he ran outside of his tent, scanning the fog in search of his enemies. Yet all around him was the clinking of armor and voices.

The he saw someone. The person was old, or so he looked, with sparkling white hair and crimson red eyes. The noise ceased.

"Surrender and I might just spare your life," the warrior called,"but otherwise, you will suffer far beyond your imagination." His voice was a hollow rasp, a whisper almost, yet heard aloud. He started to remind Andrei of ghosts.

"Then you do not know me," Andrei shouted back. "No man has ever won a battle against me. Not even my own king will challenge me."

"Then you are a fool, old man. I have already killed your men."

Clenching his fists, he responded, "Now, no one calls me a fool and kills my men." With battle sword in hand, Andrei raised his right hand toward the sky, palm up. Soon, an aura of red ki energy formed, creating a low, audible hum. The energy quickly became stronger and larger, until finally reaching the size of a ningen head.

"How about you try and swallow this?!" Fully charged, the blast of ki made its way towards his enemy, until finally colliding and causing a tremendous explosion. Andrei grinned, as no one had ever survived that attack before.

"Shows who's the fool," muttered Andrei. As soon as he said this, he heard from behind him, "yes, that would be you, my good friend."

Spinning around to find his enemy not two feet away from him, Andrei threw a quick head rendering punch. To his utter surprise, the blow went directly through his nemesis' cranium, as though it were not made of solid material.

Stunned, Andrei whispered, "What are you?"

"Obviously not human." A malicious grin appeared across the warrior's face, as he plunged his fist through the chest of Andrei.

A piercing scream filled the morning air, followed by an eerie, hollow silence.