AN: Hey everyone, Nobel Six here. Well, due to events that where certainly unforeseen, I'm now ale to release this story much sooner than expected. Although the plot has gone through several redesigns and changes, I hope it please you all as "Journey Of The Vixen" did. Please let me know what you think. Special thanks goes to Story's Shadow for revising and writing the second half of this chapter. Late note, there is a cover being drawn for this story, but it won't be ready till later, soon hopefully. Unto the show.
-Unknown location, 15 years ago-
Ash and smoke filled the sky as the city below burned. There were no screams or pleads for mercy. Only silence. What had transpired took the natives by surprise and brutal fashion. Blood and carnage filled the streets as the slaughter began. Many fought back with cunning and courage, but the end came from a tragic and terrible source.
"I promised your emperor this world and now it's his," someone said.
Atop a hill two figures stood looking down at the destruction below. One was an all too familiar ghastly skeletal butcher. The other was unknown, but his orange-yellow eyes shined with satisfaction.
"Indeed you did. Part of me is surprised you would do this, I won't lie. The other is impressed," the other said.
"Well, what can I say: your master's offer was too good to pass up," the first chuckled.
"My soldiers did take some losses, your people are more formidable than I thought," the second said.
"We've been underestimated before, we're much more than many have thought. And now, I'm the last," the first said.
"I see and my master would agree," the second said.
The first grinned at this, his eyes flickered with delight. The second turned his back to him.
"You would be welcomed into my master's legions, be given a high rank with soldiers to command and gifts of power that you were promised," the first sighed.
The first smiled at this.
"But you made one terrible mistake," the second said.
The first frowned at this.
"And what was that?" He asked.
"In giving what you promised to my master...you would be likely given a role perhaps my equal or near it. You would work your way up, achieving victory after victory for my master and he would grant you more and more. Perhaps even putting my role as his faithful servant at risk and discarded...and I cannot have that happen," the second said then turned to face him when he said the last few words with a sword drawn.
The first's eyes widened and started to reach for his sword, but the second had already lunged forward. He stabs his blade clean through the first. The first cries out in horror and surprised as he suddenly vanishes. The first looks at his blade as he sees the same orange-yellow eyes briefly appear from the ghastly form of the sword then vanish.
"I will not be denied my rightful place as my master's right hand and for that threat, your essence will never escape," the second said.
He sheathed his blade then looked down at the destruction and laughed.
-Present Day-
Imperious could be found sitting on his throne, deep in meditation when the large double doors to his throne room opened, and in walked a figure wearing purple and black samurai armor.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you, master," the samurai apologized as he dropped to one knee out of respect.
"I always have time for my apprentice, Stalker." Imperious said calmly.
He didn't open his eyes.
"Have you acquired the pieces we require?" Imperious asked his apprentice.
In response, Stalker reached into his armor and pulled out pieces of black, glassy looking metal, and placed them on the floor before Imperious.
"While Vixen and the Secret Warriors where preoccupied with their victory celebration, the pieces of Wraith's sword where easily removed from S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters." Stalker informed his emperor.
This made Imperious smile.
"By the time they realize their error, their ruin will be upon them." Imperious proclaimed.
Stalker bowed lower for his master.
Imperious opens his eyes for a moment, fixing on the blade as he mused over his last servant.
'Wraith was a capable servant...strong, cunning, and ruthless...he did all I asked without question or hesitation...but...his cruelty was something I could no longer afford...but still...he accomplished what I set out for him to do...if he hadn't enjoyed the violence he caused so much...but I cannot linger on that now...there is work to be done,' he went over in his mind.
Imperious closed his eyes once more. He slowly motioned his hands in the direction of the blade. When they were level with the broken pieces of the blade, he began chanting. Stalker didn't understand the words his master was chanting. But he knew why. This language and chant was known only to Imperious's people. An ancient and yet familiar to the languages of the far east of Earth. But, the language was awe-inspiring and spine chilling to hear.
As Imperious chanted, the blade's pieces began to glow a fiery orange and red. Stalker watched as the pieces slowly lift off the floor and aligned with each other in the air. He watched as his master's hands motioned in different directions and his hands shifted its fingers in various ways. They reminded him of how a martial artist would use different ways to attack or defend with their hands. But soon there was a strange humming coming from the pieces in the air. They shook slightly as they began to move closer to each other.
Soon the sounds of the screeching metal hissed out as the pieces merged back together slowly. It sounded as if the blade was being remade again. The hissing of the fie and the clanking of metal rang out. But soon enough the blade was whole again before it slowly lowered to the ground. Before Stalker could say anything, Imperious began to chant louder. But he noticed this was different in some way, he just wasn't sure other than how Imperious chanted louder and his hands slowly rose towards the ceiling. The blade suddenly glowed red and yellow as it shook. Then the room was filled with light, Stalker closed his eyes to keep from being blinded. But as soon at the light's intensity was gone, he opened his eyes.
Standing above the blade was an unfamiliar figure. He had a lithe build to him, his hair is jet black. The man practically collapses on the floor. He gasps and pants repeatedly. His moves his head around, mumbling incoherently. But soon his gaze shifts to Imperious, who stares back at the man. The man gasps and quickly bows to Imperious.
"M-My lord!" He manages to say.
"It has been some time since I last saw you," Imperious replied.
The man didn't reply at first. He still continued to gasp, his voice labored, and his body shook like a leaf.
"W-Where a-am I?" The man stammered.
"My home, you have not been here for many years," Imperious explained.
The man didn't respond.
"Rise," Imperious said.
The man barely managed to stand up, but Stalker remained in his bowing position.
"I-I don't...I-I mean..h-how?...no...no!" He gasped, his gaze falling on the sword below him.
His orange-yellow eyes burned as he screamed in fury.
"WRRRAAAIITTHHHH!" He screamed.
Imperious didn't say a word.
"WHERE ARE YOU BACKSTABBER?!" The man continued to yell.
"Gone," Imperious revealed.
"W-What?" The man gasped.
"Wraith is gone," Imperious said.
Imperious motioned for Stalker to stand, which he did. The man turned to face the samurai.
"Who are you?! What's happened?!" The man demanded.
"We have much to discuss," Imperious said.
Imperious and Stalker filled in the man on everything that happened from the point he was imprisoned in the blade till now. The man smiled widely when he heard the exact details of Wraith's death. But he listened intently about the plan that had been formed and about a certain girl.
"I-It can't be...they're all dead," he gasped.
"It seems they found her in time," Imperious replied.
"Yes...hmm...then perhaps this can be used to your advantage, my lord," the man said.
"I don't understand," Stalker said, confused.
The man sported a confident grin.
"You will," he replied.
To Be Continued...
AN: Please let me know what you think about the first chapter of Foxes Of War.