"End of an Era - Chapter 1"

Deikon
With sudden force the mannequin’s head violently left the shoulders of the wooden structure that it had previously remained. It was the first day of Jaydrick’s training. Deikon showed the young boy several techniques to do serious damage to a target. He showed the young blond haired boy a series of kicks and punches on tall wooden mannequins which took the appearance of human figures.

The sun was bright that day and it effected both Deikon and Jaydrick’s performance, although Deikon believed that the only way to become stronger was to train under serious conditions.

The two trained in a corner of Arx Draconis’ courtyard. Deikon had constructed a training ground that sported a variety of training tools from beating bags to wooden figures. The dust and sand that carpeted the floor made it an even more difficult area to train due to the troubles of keeping a firm grip on the ground.

Deikon replaced the dismantled wooden figure with a new one of the same size that had been stored in the corner with several others that varied in many sizes. Once set up, he turned to the small boy and smiled.

“You’ll be able to do that someday,” He said, “But not today. We will start with something a little more easier. I don’t want you to break any limbs on me just yet.” Deikon walked over to a large bag filled with grass and other various leaves. He patted the beating bag to make sure it was secure to the large wooden beam supported with a thick rope. It looked much like a contraption that would be used for an execution. All it needed was a noose and a break away trap door.

“This is what I will start you on. It will help build your muscles before I let you use the wooden mannequins. Now then, let us begin.” Deikon stood behind the large bag and held onto it to keep it in one place to make it easier for the little boy, “Just give it all you got. Show me what you can do. Kick it, punch it, whatever. It’s up to you.”

Jaydrick nodded then got into what he thought was a combat stance. Deikon smiled and shrugged at the boy’s pathetic stance. The small boy let out a series of punches and kicks that barely even moved the bag, some even didn’t connect. Once Jaydrick stopped to take a breath, Deikon came around to stand before the boy, “We’ve got a lot of training to do.”

Deikon gently moved the boy out of the way and took position in front of the large bag in a proper combat stance, “To do serious damage to your target, you must become one with the target. Over time I will show you how to do this. It all comes with the training of Shin Pao.” Deikon attacked the bag with a couple well placed side kicks and punches.

“Shin Pao? What is that?” Jaydrick questioned.

“That is why I have brought you here. I plan to train you in the ways of Shin Pao, an art of combat for both self defense and offense. Come, have a seat and I will explain.” Deikon motioned to a set of benches that stood up against the firm brick walls of the large fortress. He filled two cups full with water, gave one to Jaydrick, then continued.

“When I was born into this world, I was clueless what my goal was, much like you are right now. You see, we are all brought into this world with a main goal. It is our job to reach that goal at any cost.” Deikon took a small sip of water from the wooden cup he had prepared for himself.

“What is my goal?” Jaydrick asked.

“I cannot tell you. No one can. You must find out for yourself. I found out what my goal was a few years ago. It turns out that I am Shin Pao’s last hope. Shin Pao was a highly used art of combat many centuries ago. The only problem was it was wiped off the planet after an encounter with a creature known as Aggropolotis.

“This comes to my goal. My goal is to restore Shin Pao into the world. You are my first to train Shin Pao to. I expect you to carry this on to other people once you become a master of Shin Pao. You will never be as powerful as I am because I was born with the natural abilities of Shin Pao while you were not.” Deikon finished the last drop of water in his cup and refilled it.

Jaydrick, looking puzzled, turned to Deikon, “How come you were born with the natural ability of Shin Pao? Are there others like you? Others born with this natural ability?”

“Well, apparently I am one of the Children of Shin Pao. We are Shin Pao’s last hope. Over the years there have been seven Children of Shin Pao. We are born with this unique ability and are able to exceed the powers of any who just train in the ways of Shin Pao. Unfortunately, the six Children of Shin Pao before me failed to complete their goal. Their goal was the same as mine. They were to restore Shin Pao as well.

“Hopefully, I will be the one to complete this quest. But, you never know, I may fail like the ones before me. Although, I am the seventh Child of Shin Pao and seven is a lucky number, isn’t it?” Deikon joked, stifling a small laugh as he took a drink of water.

“That sounds very interesting. So, you will teach me all this neat stuff?” Jaydrick handed his empty cup to Deikon to place with the other cups on the table that sat beside them.

“Yes, that is what I am here for,” Deikon rose from his seat and stood in front of the large beating bag once more, “The trick is to feel your inner energy. Everyone has a self energy that can be used to concentrate your attacks to make them more powerful. You just have to be taught how to harness that power. This is what Shin Pao is based on. It is based on a force called Zi Jing or Self Energy if you want to be more general.”

Deikon closed his eyes and took a deep breath, “Feel it around you. Use it as your weapon. Become one with your target. See their weak spot and strike!” Deikon removed his tunic to rid himself of the excess weight. He jumped straight up in the air spinning several times. The height he gained from that single jump was not humanly possible yet it was not extremely impossible for some of the other races of the land. On his way down he slowly opened his eyes and stuck his leg out to form a spinning kick. On target, he struck the large bag dead center with so much force it broke in half, spilling leaves and grass all over the sandy floor.

Jaydrick stared in awe, “Whoa! I want to know how to do that!”

“You will, my son,” Deikon replied, “In time you will.”

* * * * * * * * * *

Darkness surrounded the fortress that lay hidden within the most dangerous peaks of a new found land. Recently discovered by elven travelers, a new continent known as Kunark had been discovered in the dense mists of the seas. With this new discovery came greater evils that the world had never seen before. One of these great evils dwelled inside a towering fortress found in the highest peaks, untouchable by the most bravest adventurers.

This new evil was to plague the lands which had been cleansed only a few years back. The fortress that housed this terror was dark and fear flooded from it constantly. In the throne room, a tall creature of large build sat with power and strength. He was not a creature that had been seen before. His scaly skin would remind one of a lizard, his build was of a large barbarian, and his heart as dark as a dark elf’s. He was of a new race known as the Iksar. However, he was more evil and dark than any other Iksar would ever be.

The large beast stood up, towering over all who stood before him. He was the leader of a new army of warriors that would bring terror to the lands of Norrath. Straightening his cape and adjusting his large bracers, he looked upon the army that lined up on each side of a long dark blue carpet that led to the main halls.

“Attention!” The large beast roared. The men lined up along the long carpet instantly turned towards the towering man in unison, “As you may all know, we are the new guys in town. Your job is to bring terror into the eyes of these people who roam these lands thinking that the evil ended years ago. We are here for two main reasons and we will achieve these goals.”

The creature began to descend the stairway that led from the dark blue carpet to his throne, “The first of these goals is to bring terror to the people of Norrath! Make it uncomfortable for them while gaining many treasures during your journeys. The second, and our ultimate goal that we MUST achieve--” The large beast eyed his troops slyly, “To eliminate the one who calls himself the one. The one that will bring Shin Pao back to the world. The peacebringer must die! With the death of this Child of Shin Pao we will create our own form of Shin Pao! We will change how Shin Pao is looked at!

“Centuries ago before Shin Pao was eliminated, it was split into two group. Those who believed that Shin Pao was to be used for bringing peace, and those who believed it was to be used for chaos, torture, and terrorizing!

“We will achieve our goal! We will destroy any and all that get in our way! We will change the face of Shin Pao forever! We will revive the evil side of Shin Pao and keep the side of peace eliminated for eternity! This will be our Chaotic Revolution!” The colossal Iksar grinned evilly, revealing his sharp intimidating teeth. His piercing red eyes glowed as he looked over his army of warriors who had been trained in the basics of Shin Pao for the past few years. They would never be as strong as the Iksar in the ways of Shin Pao, but they were skilled enough to do serious damage to those who opposed them.

The beast continued his speech after he adjusted his steel tunic, “You are the Shou Xing Dai Clan! You are the future of Shin Pao! However, you will not succeed without leaders to lead you into battle. Let me introduce you to the Shou Xing Dai Elite! These men have been trained the same length of time as you, but they have gone through more difficult training and punishment than any of you will ever go through in your entire life!” Just as he finished, ten men dressed in dark blue bearing the symbols of the Shou Xing Dai Elite, which looked like random strokes, lined up beside the throne. The first to enter had more symbols on his uniform and beared golden pauldrons which made him look more elite and of higher rank.

The man approached the enormous leader with honor and pride, “Lord Sephrin, we have gone through much training and thank you for the past few years. You have opened the eyes of us, sir.” The man kneeled before Sephrin then returned in line with the other nine elite fighters.

“You are welcome, Xun, but don’t let that go to your head. This is a serious matter and we must ready ourselves for battle. The one that calls himself a Child of Shin Pao is near and must be eliminated. Separate yourselves and get your squadrons set up. Each of you elite members will lead a small army of troops and will set up an outpost somewhere in the lands. Keep a close eye on every single being and make sure no one gets by you without you noticing them.” Sephrin returned to his throne and took a deep breath, “Maybe even raid a few outposts owned by some of those goodie goodies. I hear they have some nice things.” He laughed evilly as he began to write things in a large book he kept at the side of his throne.

“Yes sir! We won’t fail you!” Xun replied, “Alright everyone! Let’s move out!”

* * * * * * * * * *

Deikon sat atop a simple contraption that he constructed for meditation purposes. It consisted of a 10-foot high squared piece of wood with a piece of padding on one end that was loosely attached. The purpose of this piece of equipment was to keep perfect balance while meditating to increase perfect balance between one’s body and mind.

Just below him, Jaydrick continued to practice on a new beating bag that Deikon had set up for him. As Deikon meditated, he concentrated on Jaydrick’s energy. He could sense what the small boy was doing in the ways of his fighting technique. From time to time he would give suggestions and pointers on how to attack the target with more accuracy.

“No no, don’t go so fast. You aren’t skilled enough to go at a speedy pace right now. Take it slow and concentrate. Worry about hitting the target, not how hard you hit it.” Deikon said, keeping perfect balance on the thin piece of wood that barely supported him.

“Yes! Ok! I got it!” Jaydrick replied, becoming quite frustrated at the way Deikon was instructing him. The small boy loosened himself up and got back into combat stance, this time being proper now that Deikon taught him the correct way.

Jaydrick concentrated deeply on a single spot on the brown bag that swayed in front of him. For several seconds he stared at that exact spot.

“I don’t hear you training!” Deikon said.

“Just give me a bit...” Jaydrick said under his breath. The boy closed his eyes, still concentrating on the same spot on the beating bag. All of a sudden, in a barrage of fury the boy attacked the bag. Each and every blow hit in the exact same spot on the bag. The attacks became more stronger and more faster as the boy continued to strike, not opening his eyes once. By the time he had finished, the bag had been split wide open with leaves and grass flooding the ground.

Deikon’s eyes quickly jerked open forcing him to lose concentration and balance making him crash to the ground with a painful crunch, “Ouch! What did you do?!”

“Looks like we’re gonna have to clean up again, huh?” The boy replied.