the rise of shadows

There was an untold time of history, the darkest period of the Wandering Samurai's life, that historians have recently discovered. The one time where the Wandering Samurai had failed his people, and had fallen at the hands of a turned and twisted Samurai of the land. Though the respect of their old battle had remained throughout, it seemed as though all honor had left this once honorable samurai... and in turn, brought him to a point where the defeat of the Wandering Samurai was attainable.

The people of the land had came to watch the samurai train in the sunlight, something which hadn't happened in many ages. Ever since the fall of the Shadow Age, samurai were more willing to follow the standards and traditions of the Wandering Samurai, as the age of wanderers began to blossom all throughout. Bonsai trees provided shade for awed onlookers, and atop the hill stood one lone figure, the sword of the earth gripped tight in his hand. Though he still searched for the sword of the heavens, still was attempting to fulfill a prophecy that had been made ages prior... he held his oath to the land as the Emperor's Samurai.

Eyes closed softly as he lowered his head, lifting his right leg up and allowing the sword to be his balance, it's powers running through his fingertips and intermingling with those powers blessed upon him from the heavens. He whispered prayers as he trained, his concentration unparalled.

Yet just as the Wandering Samurai had become the Rising Star of the Continent... so had another samurai become the Black Cloud of the Heavens, and the sounds of rolling thundercracks quickly caught the Wandering Samurai's attention. Through half-opened eyes, the Wandering Samurai looked out across the vast land which lay before him atop the hill, and he saw in the distance the dark clouds rolling in.

When the black rain began to fall, many onlookers and samurai would flee to take shelter from it, the bitter cold touch of the rain enough to chill a man to his bones. Yet there were two samurais, two lone souls who seemed to handle this rain just as well as a child might handle a springtime shower.

Tan Ang liang, the samurai of the shadowed rain, stood alone in the center of the field, sword drawn by his side.

"Tan..." came the strong voice of the Wandering Samurai, who lowered down to stand in a proper stance before his challenger, his calm exterior never fading as the black droplets rolled down his paled skin, his eyes showing all the determination and fire of the heavens themselves, "You dare return to the lands after your dishonor to the throne? What is it that you wish from us, what more damage do you wish to deal?"

Just weeks prior to this meeting of the two mighty samurai, it is said that Tan Ang liang betrayed the Wandering Samurai and the emperor, and attempted to steal away the sword of the earth. Prophecy states that those who try to steal the sword of Gaea while it's holder still lives would be stricken by nature herself, yet with the sword Tan was able to fend off all which came his way. Then knowing the power which was wielded with the sword, Tan returned it to the throne and left the lands to train and surpass it, all while his own samurai allies took up in his footsteps and began to assault the Wandering Samurai.

When Tan returned... he faced the Wandering Samurai, put a stop to the allied attacks, and then challenged him to one last, honorable battle. They were to meet in the fields outside the land, where all was barren and no breeze dared to pass.

Yet it seemed plans had changed... and Tan came upon the Wandering Samurai face to face, his eyes darkened by the mask he wore.

"I wish not to deal damage... but to take your sword. I may not be able to kill you, oh Wandering Samurai... but I know I may wield that weapon against the very earth which created it. By doing so... I shall surpass even he who fulfills the prophecies of old."

The Wandering Samurai could see it in Tan's eyes... he had gone mad for that power. He knew it in the depths of his soul, Tan wished not to hold the sword og Gaea because of what he could do with it, but for the feeling it gave him. To stand atop the world once again... to wield the very power of the earth itself... Tan thrived on that power, and he wanted more.

He came not for an honorable battle... but for the blade in his hands.

It is written, as we now know, that the battle lasted for days without rest. Incredibly, neither samurai tired the entire time, so fierce the battle was between them... yet in the end, the Wandering Samurai would fall to the might of Tan Ang liang.

And so for a brief period of time... the age of the Shadows had returned, as the black clouds hovered above the land and endlessly poured down upon them the shadowed rain of a darkened heaven. For the longest period of time, the Wandering Samurai traveled to seek out refuge from the rain, to find the man who'd taken his sword... yet we do not know if he ever found Tan again. The tales of that day have yet to be discovered, leaving all the more mystery to the life of the Wandering Samurai.

One thing, however, historians do know for certain... for the first time in his incredible life, the Wandering Samurai had succumbed to what was then seemingly impossible odds for him to overcome.