AN: Alright... This chapter is in the past. Just to make sure no one gets confuzzled, I'll say it again. This chapter is in the past! Okay. There's a Warrior vs. Warrior fight here, which is alot easier to pull off than a Bowman vs. Bowman. Okay, on to the story!

Cooki Tamodachi: Hmm... Bowen is still Akuji's brother and stuff, I just enhanced him, changed him to a warrior, and gave him a new name (Alexei). Then I took the name 'Bowen' and gave it to the leader of Henesys at the time when Alexei and Akuji were born.


A copy of Dances with Balrog stood before Alex, a Devil's Sunrise hanging loosely from his hand. Alex tightened his grip on his Shining Axe. "So, you have come to test yourself?" The copy asked.

Alex steeled himself and nodded.

"Very well. Let us begin!" He sprinted towards Alex with amazing speed, with the tip of his sword touching the ground, generating sparks as he went. Alex brought up his sword just in time. The copy had swung in a wide arc, bringing it the swing to an end just above Alex's head, where he attempted to plung the sword. Alex ducked as the copy did more and more complicated manuevers.

"Dammit!" He grunted as he was pushed backwards by the strength of the most recent attack.

"I see you can defend well enough. But defence only goes so far. Show me your strength!" The copy bellowed. Alex gritted his teeth and charged. The copy smiled and readied his sword.

Alex leaped into the air, the Shining Axe raised high above his head. The copy countered the blow, slipping into an unprotected side. Alex smirked. Just before the copy's attack hit, he shouted: "Power Guard!"

The copy's eyes widened. "No...!" He cried, fruitlessly trying to stop his attack. As the sword touched Alex, it was ripped from the copy's hand, where it clattered uselessly against the wall. The copy was blown away and landed next to it. "Damn... I didn't expect that. Very clever..." Suddenly the shadow copy had the Devil's Sunrise in his hand and was charging at Alex. "Panic!" He shouted. Dark energy flowed from his body into his sword. Alex moved out of the way just as the sword passed. He was slammed into the far wall by the shockwaves. A crater formed where the sword hit the ground, huge chunks of rock flying in every direction.

Alex stood feebly, his legs shaking. The copy emerged from the dust, grasping only the hilt of his sword. The blade was broken, buried in the center of the crater. "Ha! You don't have a weapon!" Alex taunted.

The copy threw the broken sword away. "Oh, really?" He extended his arm and a Leomite appeared in his grasp.

Alex bit his lip. Dammit... How am I supposed to beat an enemy who can create any weapon he wants at any time? He raised his axe again. "It doesn't matter! I'll just break that one too!" He charged, axe blade thrusted before him.

The copy smiled. He parried the attack then raised his weapon. "Lightning Charge!" Electricity sparked through the Leomite. He swung it at Alex, who tried to block. The mace struck his axe, cracking it. Alex frowned. "Blizzard Charge!" The copy called again. An icy weapon struck Alex's, this time meriting another crack. "Flame Charge!" Burning metal collided with Alex's weapon, almost melting it.

"Dammit!" Alex shouted as his opponent raised his weapon for another attack.

"Charge Blow!" The Leomite hit Alexei's Shining Axe. Cracks appeared everywhere on it as it tried to withstand the attack. Suddenly, the axe burst into thousands of shards.

Alex leaped back. "No!"

"Ah, poor Alexei. He's lost his weapon!" The Leomite disappeared. This time, a Hellslayer appeared in his hand. "I'll finish this quickly so you don't feel so much pain. Buster!" The polearm cut the air as it relentlessly attacked Alex. "Dragon Fury!" The attacks began again, injuring Alex in countless places. "Did that hurt? I'm so sorry... Just one more attack and it'll all be over. Dragon Roar!" A piercing bellow tore through Alex's ears, destroying his eardrums. Blood ran freely from his ears as he tried to block the sound with his hands. Alex blacked out, the last thing he saw was his mentor destroying the copy and his father's disappointed face.

XxX

Akuji was lifted over the crowd's heads at the celebration party. His father laughed louder than any other, a cup of ale in his hand while he recounted tales of Akuji's youth to Bowen, who smiled broadly (though simply from good-spirits or an after-effect of the ale, no one knew) as he listened to stories of early heroics. Alex watched from a corner his bandaged face twisted in fury. He turned away from the party and walked down a long corridor, devoid of any others. The path was dimly lit, though Alexei paid no attention to the lighting. His mind was set on its goal, and nothing could stop it now. The armory loomed ahead, and with a single jarring punch, the door was knocked free of its hinges. The noise should have alerted someone, and it was only a matter of time before they came to investigate. A simple podium loomed ahead of him. On it was an axe, the Chrono, and a set of armor. An Orihalcon Platine and Orihalcon Platine Pants were folded carefully beneath the weapon, ready to give to the next Crusader. Alex gripped the axe tightly. He didn't need the permission of that fool of a mentor he had to tell him that he was ready to be a Crusader! "Alexei. What do you think you're doing?" Alex turned and faced Dances with Balrog.

"I'm taking what is rightfully mine!" He snarled.

His mentor sighed. "You aren't ready Alexei. Train more and you could--"

"No! I'm ready now! And I'm taking it! I'm a Crusader whether you say so or not!" With that he raised the axe, turning to face the wall behind him. "Panic!" He shouted. Dark enrgy coursed through the axe. "Good-bye, master!" Alexei called as he attacked the wall, blowing a hole in it. Alex disappeared through it, running through the darkening night.

Arash appeared behind the seasoned warrior. "He's gone, hasn't he?"

The warrior elder nodded. "Yes. I am afraid he has taken a path I cannot follow. We will send a party out to bring him back in the morning. Tell no one of this... Alexei was a promising hero. It will tear apart the people of Perion if they find out..." Arash nodded and walked away. Hidden in the shadows, Akuji tightened his grip on the Golden Hinkel he had recieved.

He would personally bring Alex back, dead or alive.


AN: Alright. I didn't know how far I was gonna get into this, so I think next chapter will be in the past too. Then, after that, I'll go back to the present and stay there. Unless I do more flashbacks... Anyway, please review!