The legend of Lu Chao

By C. AE Jones

Prologue:

Ti Koten stood at the entrance. He raised his hand and the lock came open. He rushed in. It seemed quiet, but there were guards all around. What was going on? Then a man walked in the room from a corridor.

"Congratulations," he said in a cold icy voice, "You have made it passed my outer defenses. But you cannot make it past me." He reached into his robes and pulled out a large, almost round stone. It was purple and glimmering. It had a diameter of approximately nine inches. The man laughed and the stone glowed. Its purple light filled the room, and then absorbed into a spot in front of it. A huge ball of light came rushing toward Ti Koten. He ducked to avoid it. Unfortunately, he ducked right onto the blade of a guard's sword ...

Chapter  1

The sun was high, the sky was clear and the birds sang. But in the distance was a cloud of smoke. It had become a common sight. For the past three months it was that way. But, it hadn't meant much to Lu Chao. At least, until now.

"Are you sure?" he asked urgently, "Are you sure he's not just hiding from them, or he's good enough without it?" Master Ti answered: "I am sure, there is always a chee whether or not the ging is strong. I am afraid Ti Koten is no more."

"There's just no way!" Lu Chao protested, "He was the best of us all, in one thousand years we have had no one more powerful." Master Ti turned to the door.

"Let me tell you a story Lu," he said, "The story of Shio Ken." Lu Chao looked puzzled.

"Master," he said, "Everyone has heard of the Shio Ken, so what is there to tell?" Master Ti continued.

"One thousand years ago, a youth, named Shio Ken, and some of his allies sought after the ultimate power. Excelling in both martial arts and magic, Shio Ken created the Shio Ken stones." Lu Chao was still impatient. "Everyone knows that," he repeated, "What is your point?"

"The Shio Kens energy destroyed those who tried to destroy them, so they were indestructible. Since their power was too much for even Shio Ken himself to handle, they were all returned to their birthplace, their main source of life.

However, it is possible, that if Ti Koten was beaten, and so much destruction has gone on unchallenged, that the Shio Kens have been mastered. But I can sense they are not, together. We may be doomed now to suffer the fate of Shio Ken." Lu Chao stiffened.

            "We aren't doomed!" he shouted, "They are! I will go! I will stop these monsters! I will not lose, I will stop them!"

"Let us hope so," Master Ti said, "For you are our last hope."

Chapter 2

Lu Chao walked through the nearly abandoned city. He came to Heshi Osin's shop. When he walked in Heshi Osin greeted him.

"Greetings," he said, "Can I help you?"

 "I need your help," Lu answered, "You have magic weapons here don't you?"

"Yes," Heshi answered, "Indeed I do. What are you looking for?"

"I have one thousand soki," Lu answered, "What do you have that is worth that price?" "Ah," Heshi answered, "You are in great need if coming with such a fortune. Yes, I have

plenty in that range." He pointed to a case in the back. "The most expensive things are back there.

" Lu Chao walked closer. He looked over the case. Amulets of all kinds, orbs with

elemental symbols on them, two spears joined at the center, but what really caught his eye was the sword. "What kind of sword is that'?" he asked.

"Oh," Heshi answered, "That's just an old relic that some how got into my family.

Probably won't be worth the price I got on it. " Lu Chao edged closer.

"Let me see that inscription, please," He said. Heshi opened the case and handed the sword to Lu. It was straight, with the thick back where the blade peaked. It was maybe three and a half  feet long. At the brink of the handle and blade was an  inscription. It was in some ancient language or something.

"Can I take this to Master Ti?" Lu Chao asked, "He may be able to tell what it means." "Sure," Heshi answered, "But you'll have to pay for it."

 "How much'?" Lu asked.

"Six hundred soki," Heshi answered. Lu paid and returned to Master Ti.

Master Ti was waiting for him. But he wasn't waiting for the surprise. "What is this?" he

asked, "You had one thousand soki and only bought and old sword?"

"There is a strange feeling within it master," Lu answered, "And some writing on it." Master Ti took the sword and examined it. After a minute he gasped and dropped the

sword to the ground. "Lu!" He gasped, "Do you have any idea what this is;"

"No," Lu answered

"This is the sword of Shio Ken," Master Ti answered, "A weapon never defeated in combat. It possesses some of Shio Ken's own chee. You have made a wise choice."

"So, I guess I am leaving now?" Lu said.

"Yes," Master Ti said urgently, "You must go. The fate of the world depends on you." Lu Chao left the city and walked through the forest of Dedo Ki.

"Yes," He said, "I will beat them. You will not go unavenged

Ti Koten, I swear it:"