Wind blew over the plain, making leaves rustle and shaking the younger trees. It

looked like a thunderstorm was approaching; dark clouds covered the sky as

lightining arched through them, creating patterns of bizzarre beauty. Usually,

no one travelled through that plain - in fear of the frequent attacks by bandits

and renegade soldiers - however that night two people stood before each other,

like two statues left there by a distracted artist. One was a very tall man,

whose muscular build and slightly tanned skin gave him a great impression of

power. He wore simple white trousers and a couple of red shoes, and he had a red

belt around his waist, buckled by a metal plaque with the writing "FREE" on it.

His steel muscles were emphasized by a dark shirt and small red jacket. Two

black gloves covered his hands, and his dark long hair, tied in a ponytail that

reached his back, was held over his forehead by a sort of red metallic tiara

that cast a shadow over the eyes. Normally, it would have been hard to see them,

but that night they glittered like two red rubies. His lips were bent in a

permanent sardonic smile, and he wielded a rectangular-shaped sword.

The other man, although as nearly as tall, looked very different. He was

entirely clad in a white trenchcoat, a blue cloak, and a belt similar to the one

worn by the person before him was around his waist - only, the word "HOPE" was

engraved on the plate instead. He kept his blonde hair short, and his blue eyes

looked like a child's. However, there was no happiness in them. They burned with

anger, directed at the other man standing silent.

"Sol, let me tell you another time..." he said, his voice calm and collected.

"What you have done...is nearly an act against God. Repent and

perhaps you will be given another chance."

"Oh, really?" Sol replied, sounding ironic. "An act against

God? Well,you could tell him to go and get me, then, Ky?"

"I wouldn't say such words if I were you, Sol. You have been offered a

possibility to amend what you have done, and you shouldn't waste it like

that...like always."

"Are you finished lecturing me with those teachings of yours or do you want to

go on? This is getting boring..."

"Shut up!" Ky shouted, and he drew a long sword. As soon as he got on his

stance, lightining arched on its blade. "I see that I have no other choice."

"Want to fight, huh?" Sol said, raising his weapon.

For a moment that seemed to last like an eternity, the two men didn't move. Then

they ran towards each other, their blades eager to clash together.

But before they could get near enough, white lightining struck the ground

between the two, blinding them for a moment. When they could see again, another

man had appeared. He was innaturally tall, towering over the others, and his

clothing looked completely out of place: he wore a white, very elegant suit, and

a pair of white gloves. His short hair and his beard, both brown, were trimmed

perfectly. However, every feature, every movement showed the mark of evil, an

evil that trascended the one known by mankind.

"I've found you, at last." The newcomer said in a deep voice.

"Who are you?" Ky asked.

The man didn't reply, but he turned towards Ky, quick as lightining, and

stretched his arm forward. A gust of wind hit Ky with the force of a hammer,

sending him flying in the air. The knight rolled on the ground several times,

then something hit his head, and darkness closed upon him.

The newcomer turned towards Sol, who remained silent.

"It's been a while, Frederick." the mysterious man said.

"I am Sol Badguy." Sol replied unemotionally.

"Sol, Frederick, what's the difference? You changed your name, but you are still

the same!"

"...what do you want?"

"Right to the point, I see."

"So? Who are you?"

"I do not have a name...but you can call me the Shadowalker. I have been looking for you."

"You're wasting your time, jerk. Unless you want a beating!"

"Not even if I know something about you? About your past? And about ...that man?"

Sol didn't answer, but hatred flashed through his red eyes.

"I've caught your attention now, yes? Of course you will need to make me a favor... bring me the one you know."

Sol grinned, then he launched himself towards Shadowalker, Fireseal in hand. The

sword drew an arc, pointing at the man's chest, but as soon as the blade was

about to touch him, he disappeared.

"I'll take that as a no." he said, reappearing a few paces away.

"Interesting..." he continued, looking at his suit. Part of the fabric had been

cut off, showing the skin underneath.

"I didn't expect that from a mere prototype. Impressive. However, you won't be able to escape. Either you do as I want...or you'll suffer like no one else has."

"Try it, I'm waiting." Sol answered, sounding sarcastic.

"I have no time to fight you now. There's an old underground bunker, built before the Crusades, near here. I'll be waiting for you there three days from now. Bring me what I need, and you'll be spared. Otherwise..."

"You'll be dead." Sol added.

"Funny. But now, more urgent matters await me. Till that time...Frederick!"

Lightining struck Shadowalker, and the following moment, he was gone.

Sol stared for a moment at the ground where the man had stood, then he quickly

walked up to where Ky was laying, still unconscious. He bent over the knight and

slapped his face repeatedly.

"Hey, wake up!" he said.

"Uhh..." Ky groaned as his eyes opened. He shouted and tried to jump away, but

he found Fireseal pointed at his throat.

"What do you want now?" Ky said.

"Nothing bad...for now, boyscout. Remember that man?"

"Is that related to what happened just a moment before?"

"Wow, you're smart! Look, I know he's going to do all sorts of bad things, and I bet you don't want some bad person destroying your dear little order, do you?"

"Uh? What? What happened?"

"Look, I'm going to kick his butt. Want to join?"

Ky stood silent. As much as he hated working with Sol... that could have been

a chance to keep him under control, and he could always have stopped him

later in the case he had lied.

Sol was thinking about the same matter. He hated working in team...and with

him, by all means! But again, he could have finishedtheir little match after

dealing with Shadowalker.

"I have no other choice but to confirm this with my eyes." Ky said. "So I

guess...I'll call a truce for now. But if you do anything suspicious...or I

find out you're manipulating the truth...I'll deal with you,using the force if

necessary!"

"Force? You can't even lift your sword, kid. Shall we go now?" Sol stepped

back, and Ky got up and retrieved his sword, which had flown away with him.

"So, Sol, who was this person?" Ky asked.

"I'll tell you later, when I'm in the mood. Now let's get going! Don't stay

behind, or I'll just leave you alone."

Ky sighed. Understanding the mind of Sol Badguy had been proven to be an

impossible task. "Fine, fine then." he muttered in a low voice."Let's go."