A/N: Hey guys! Not dead! School kinda got in the way, so yeah, sorry. Anyway, more stuff at the end, will explain later. I got bored, so I made this, and remembered I'm still a writer… I think. Anyway, basically, Cardin but he's from the Shadow Fight universe. Enjoy.
Chapter 1: A New Beginning
Legion.
Dynasty.
Herald.
Three ancient factions. One ultimate goal. Complete and utter control of Shadow Energy, and in turn, the world. Well, if you count out Legion's goal to destroy it, but that's beside the point.
However, none of these factions lived to see their dreams come true. I mean, how could they, what, with Moira forcibly shoving and trapping Shadow Mind in the Accelerator Core, sending out a gigantic wave of Shadow Energy screaming across the heavens, washing the known world in so much of the stuff, everyone freaking died. Well, not everyone.
Turns out the Shadow Mind managed to break out of the Core, and began plucking unlucky survivors out of their hidey holes and even managed to travel to the past to snatch fighters from before to participate in something he calls the "Shadow Tournament." Not a lot of people liked the idea of fighting for the amusement of someone else, but like It or not, they were in for the ride. It's gonna be a cold day in hell if even one of them would successfully escape the Shadow Mind's machinations. So if anyone was lucky, that'd be whoever died in the shadow wave and were nothing but a speck of dust in a beach in the Shadow Mind's eyes.
However, one soul in particular, kinda pushed his luck too far.
In short, he's waking up once more.
The catch?
He isn't waking up in his body.
P.O.V: Cardin… or is it?
He woke up with a choked gasp, and in a cold sweat.
He fought to contain his hacking breath. He struggled to calm his raging heart. He rushed to still his storming mind.
He took deep breaths, trying his best to calm himself down.
"What the actual…" He tried to breath out, but stops.
Wait.
That's not his voice.
He shot straight to his feet, and his eyes finally adjusted to the dark within the room he had woken up in.
He was inside some sort of dormitory. The room itself was for the most part bare. However, he did take note of the four beds at the end of each room, every single one parallel to the next, with his bed being on the further right corner away from the exit door. All the other beds are occupied, three sleeping figures in each one, all out cold. Judging from the dark, it was nighttime, apparently.
Where on earth is he? Who are these people? And why is he with them?
Then it finally hit him.
The shadow wave.
He had died. No doubt about it. He had died when a wave of pure Shadow Energy swept across his village, killing everyone who tried to run. No one was safe. No one survived. At least, that's what he thought.
But there was not a shadow (he chuckled at the thought) of a doubt that he had died that day. He saw himself leave his body.
(Although he could vaguely recall a bright, white light filling his vision as he left…)
So why is he here? Why is he alive?
Or is he?
Alexander (his real name, sorta) sat down on his bed, taking close care to make sure he doesn't wake up his… roommates, then he began thinking. He thought of a multitude of possibilities as to why he was here. He thought on…
And on…
And on…
Then it hit him.
The concept was… a peculiar one. Alex was never a religious or philosophical type of guy (fighting was where it's at, that's for sure), thinking on it now, it was plausible.
Reincarnation
Ridiculous, outlandish, and completely unlikely. But, given the circumstances, possible. Besides, was his old world any less weirder?
Anyway, now that he's came to that conclusion…
He got up from his bed and began to inspect the room, looking for a bathroom… if they had those here. Whenever there's a bathroom, there's a mirror. And that's just what he needs.
He finally finds a bathroom near the westernmost area of the room. The doorknob was of a strange design. It wasn't one he was familiar with. Not Legionary, Herald, or Dynastian by any way. No matter, Alex's a fast learner.
He was now inside the bathroom. Light switch on and, yep! Lo and behold, a mirror! Alex finally takes a moment to take in his new form.
His body is of a broad, muscular build, kinda like Legion soldiers. It ain't bad, really, but it will make performing agility attacks a bit of an annoyance. Eh, no matter. His face was different as well. Fits his new body as well, and that brown hair is kinda cool too. He likes brown. Well, not as much as black, but whatever. And lastly, his size. Not as tall as he was back home. His new body was probably around 17-18 years of age. Alex back home was 23. Welp, no use in complaining.
His nighties were oddly reminiscent of Herald robes too. Black, sleek. And right there, emblazoned in the middle of his shirt, was an odd symbol: a bird, its wings outstretched, as if taking flight, or in flight. Huh. Wonder what that means.
The bathroom was spacious, so that's quite nice. So for a while, he begins to familiarize his new body by performing some simple moves.
Alex is a triple style fighter. They aren't very common, too. People who want to be triples have to undergo a large and strenuous amount of training. Luckily, Alex had the time and the willpower to complete it. Helps that his mentor was Xiang Tzu himself, the man that started the triple style trend...
Given his build, he tries some Legion attacks. He swung as hard and as strong as he could, becoming pleased with himself as he emits a faint white glow. Great! He can still use the Unbreakable Interval! He tries for a flying punch, and he soars across the room, the move coming to him like second nature, and once more, the Unbreakable Interval activates. Good.
Time for some native attacks. Alex's real name is Xhan, but Alexander was the nickname given to him by his Legionary opponents. The Dynasty moves were, despite his initial thoughts on his body, surprisingly easy to perform, as each move flowed into the next without pause. He then tried Torque, a simple Dynastian advanced kick, and yep, he can still do it. As for Locust Raid and Floor Work, well, the room's too small. Another time.
Onto his Herald attacks. Just like the last two, he managed to perform the attacks without a hitch. Thank goodness for that. Personally, the Herald attacks are awe inspiring, percision and speed blended into a dangerous compound (no beating the Dynasty moves though. Born a Dynasty…).. Perfect for interrupting attacks. He tries Mule Kick. Still got it.
Pleased that he could still fight like he used to, he finally decides to call it a night. He'll get some rest, wake up in the morning, and hopefully, find some answers pertaining to the unfamiliar world around him. Perhaps he should start questioning his roommates?
He had just left the bathroom, shut off the light, and made no more than 3 feet towards his bed, when a voice issues from the forward right bed.
"Cardin?"
He froze. Was one of them awake? He made sure not to make too much noise when he was practicing his attacks. Scrap, the bathroom probably wasn't soundproof enough!
His eyes traveled to the bed parallel to his. A guy probably about around 17 was sitting on it, staring at him with a confused look. "Cardin, that you? Why are you up so early? And why are you sweating?" the guy asked, his green mowhawk flopping around in a messy heap.
Cardin, huh? Must be my new name, Alex thought. This is a problem though. He had just woken up in this new body, with absolutely zero knowledge of the world around him. The green haired guy must be Cardin's friend, but he could be wrong. He tried to think…
Bingo! He managed to pinpoint Cardin's memory. The exact one that he needs.
"Oh, uh, hey Russel," he spoke out, using the located memory to his advantage. "Uh… I had a nightmare. Sorry to bother you."
He ain't wrong though. His death felt so surreal…
"It's like, what, 4 in the morning?" Russel asked, rubbing his eyes. "You know what, forget it, man, just go back to sleep, or whatever, let's just try not to be late for class tomorrow." After this, he plopped back on his bed, throwing his blanket over his head.
After changing out of his sweaty shirt, he laid back down on his bed, his eyes sliding shut.
Class, huh?
That'd be interesting.
WHOOOOO BABY, YEAH! Finally, I did something. For once. As fir Goose 7, worry not. I haven't abandoned it. I just don't know what to do next. As usual, advice is appreciated, comment if you want to, and I'll see you on the flip side!
Laugh, signing off!