Silence - broken by a child's cry, followed by a faint hum. From inside the mansion came a loud chanting for the ritual sacrifice of the innocent - a baby. A man cloaked in reddish-brown robes held the bundled infant up, as if offering it to a god, and chanted, louder and louder. A woman briskly circled both, humming. The man gently lowered the bundle down to an altar as the woman revealed a bright silver dagger at her belt. Everything fell silent as she approached the child, the gleaming dagger raised in the air . . . .

     Suddenly, a thunderous boom broke the silence. It came from behind a big wooden door leading outside. Now people could be heard yelling and shouting, demanding to be let in. It was the townspeople, who had found out what ways the two cultists practiced. The man stepped towards the woman. They both stepped back from the altar, back into the shadows. When the door finally broke, people rushed in from what seemed to be everywhere. None of them would have believed what they would find inside. They stood in awe of big statues and the altar. A man whom seemed to be the leader of the townspeople saw the two cowering in the corner. He rushed in and attacked. Many followed. These two would pay for their strange ways.

     Unseen by the townspeople, a boy was overlooking this twisted event, hidden high above everyone in a window archway. He could hardly stay quiet, as right before him his own parents were being beaten to death, and there was nothing he could he do to stop it. A tear was forming in his eye; he turned, still able to hear the pounding and the screams from his parents below. When he could bear it no longer, he jumped down into the hallway and jaunted to a nearby bookcase. He pushed the heavy bookcase aside with all his might and entered a passageway leading outside. The boy turned to look back, only able to hear the townspeople's shouting. He ran outside -- ahead of him was a path that looked like it went on forever. He swore he would be back to reclaim his mansion, and avenge the murder of his parents.

* * * * *

     After living on the outskirts of the town in total seclusion for many years, the boy had grown into a powerful man. During this time, he created many fighting styles, as well as a dangerous weapon known as the Maxre. Spending so long without any form of contact with others, the man's mental skills also developed well beyond normal comprehension. His mental power was so strong he found he could actually control the minds of animals. With this ability, he could not only reclaim his mansion, but he could take control over the entire town. The self-proclaimed Mind Master now had a mission -- one of death and destruction. He sensed only a few challenges in the town, both physically and mentally. The Mind Master knew, though, if he could take over the most powerful fighters and have them fight at his side, he could control everything. It was his time. With his powers at their peak, he was ready to exact his revenge. He returned to the dirt road that led him to his destiny so many years ago. He stared down the road and there began his journey.

     After a short time, Mind Master knew he was no longer alone in the wooded area. He noticed some bushes rustling. It could not be an animal -- it was too big. Whoever it was would be the first, the first of many whom would feel his mental powers. His eyes began to glow a bright white. He felt it and knew his power was as great as he had thought. The bushes stopped moving. Suddenly, a high pitch scream tore through the Mind Master's head. The bushes began shaking violently, and then seemed to spit out a girl. The girl tumbled and landed in front of the Mind Master. She gazed up at him in awe. She was beautiful. Why was she had been stalking the Mind Master did not matter. He had no time for her now, for his vengeance was at hand. He only stared coldly back at her. Mind Master knew he could take over her mind, but how much power did he have? He closed his eyes, and put all his energy into a single thought. Immediately her eyes turned as white as his own. He continued, thinking only of her destruction. She fell to the ground and began thrashing around. Suddenly, she stopped -- her breathing now her only movement. Mind Master felt weak, his energy was drained. He had no idea as to what had happened. With a kick, he rolled the girl over onto her back. Mind Master stumbled back, taken by surprise at what he saw. The girl was now disfigured, to the point where she didn't even look human anymore. Mind Master now had knowledge of his power. He need not go to extremes to take over someone's mind or destroy them. He left the girl in the middle of the road, and continued slowly. He would need a little time to regain his energy.

* * * * *

     After a final roundhouse, the fighter fell to the ground. Wilson had won yet another fight with little effort. He taunted his opponent, daring him to stand. He finally managed, but stated he was a lesser fighter and that he was no match. He opened the door to leave just as Trenton; Wilson's twin brother was walking in. Just as he entered, Wilson started to try to get Trenton to spar. Wilson was a phenomenal fighter who had never lost a fight - except to Trenton. Despite all his years of diligent training, he had never been able to beat Trenton. They studied together years before, but Trenton had given up training altogether long ago. That was the thing that made Wilson so upset. Why couldn't he beat him?

     Wilson told Trenton that the man leaving was fighting for a karate championship next week and that he beat him in a matter of moments. Trenton did not seem impressed; he just waved Wilson off, and turned to walk away. This lack of acknowledgment infuriated Wilson. He grabbed a sword from the wall and charged Trenton. Trenton heard the sword being pulled on him and quickly drew the sword from the sheath on his arm as he turned around. He deflected the attack gracefully, and followed with a kick that landed square on Wilson's back, sending him crashing into a wall. Wilson retaliated with a flurry. Every punch was blocked effortlessly, as if Trenton knew his every move. He begged for Wilson to stop, but Wilson had to win -- he could let this go no longer; he had to beat him. He advanced again. Trenton, getting very angry, parried the attack and threw his brother to the ground. Wilson hit the wood floor hard and his sword slid out of his hand. It was over.

     Shaking his head and breathing very hard, Wilson got into his dragon kneeling position, vowing to beat him and stating that Trenton was dishonorable. Trenton stood over Wilson in disgust. How could he have said that? With a quick movement, Trenton slashed down and then up Wilson's checks. Wilson flipped backwards. In a state of disbelief, Wilson arose, cupping his face as the blood ran through his fingers. He looked at his brother standing there with his sword. Then he quickly got up and ran out the door. Trenton stood motionless, suddenly full of remorse. Why did this happen? He put his sword away and thought about possible ways to correct what he had done to his own twin. He never wanted to hurt him, never in his life. They weren't just brothers but best friends, except when the subject of fighting came around. He had to make his peace with Wilson. Trenton sensed something wrong was happening, something bad. Was it just because of the incident with Wilson, or was there something more happening in the town? He didn't know what to expect, but knew he would have to be ready for anything.

     Meanwhile, Wilson reached his destination on the rooftops. He would go there to think things through - alone. The bleeding had stopped -- the cuts from the sword were not deep, but the cuts from Trenton's action were as deep as a canyon. Wilson wanted revenge. It was impossible for him to live with the fact that a less dedicated fighter was better than he was. Although in deep in thought, Wilson heard a faint noise. He drew his knives, and demanded to know who was there and warned them that they had better leave, now. From the darkness stepped the Mind Master.

     "You can beat him, you know. You have a level of unpredictability he can't match. And I can help you."

     Wilson was baffled by how this man knew what he did. "I don't need your help," said Wilson.

     "Yes, you do. I know exactly what you're going through. Let me help." He pulled a blade from behind his back, and threw it down at Wilson's feet. It was a gauntlet with a blade going off the back. "Try it on," said the Mind Master. Wilson picked it up. "And what do I have to do for you?"

     "Just let go," said the Mind Master, as his eyes began to glow. The Mind Master was going to take over Wilson's mind. Wilson fell to the ground, shaking. As he pulled his hands down across his face, two black marks were left on his face from a black spill of some sort. Mind Master knew there was no way Trenton could be taken over, and if he had Wilson fight him to the death, would he actually kill his own brother? Either way, at least one if not two great fighters would be out of the way, and the Mind Master’s quest for domination could proceed.

      Wilson's eyes turned white -- the Mind Master had him. Suddenly he started thrashing around. Mind Master did not know what was happening. With a scream, Wilson snapped to attention, then ran to the ledge and pounced off. He had totally lost his mind. He was consumed with rage and was uncontrollable. Wilson landed in front of two men just walking down the street below. One of the men asked what was going on. Wilson reared back and punched him in the face, sending him into a brick wall. The other man threw a low kick, which Wilson blocked with a kick of his own and followed it with a kick to the head that sent the second man flying as well. Wilson then ran off, in search of his brother, and anyone else who may confront him. While the Mind Master was somewhat concerned about the idea of a psychopath running about town, his first priority was to reclaim his mansion.

     When he arrived at the mansion, it was still as he remembered it. There were lights on, inside. Who dared to move into the Mind Master's mansion? This would have to be corrected immediately. He entered the mansion. The inside had new furnishings and was quite different. Pictures now lined the mantle that used to hold incense burners. One of the pictures looked very old and faded. It was of a man and a little girl. The man looked familiar to the Mind Master, but he couldn't place him. Most of the other pictures were of a man and a beautiful woman. If these were the new occupants, the man would have to leave -- but the woman could stay, stay and help him rule the town. He looked more closely at the picture. There was an inscription that read " To Ravona -- Love, V." Then a voice interrupted his gazing. It was the man from the picture, demanding to know what he was doing in his mansion. As the man approached, the Mind Master's eyes began to glow again. In almost an instant, the man' s eyes went white. Mind Master had him drop to his knees. He was going to force him to kill himself. He handed him a dagger.

     Just then, a familiar woman walked out to the banister above. It was Ravona. She had heard the commotion. She saw then, her friend knelt down, drawing back the knife. "Vamphyrial -- NO!" she cried out. Both Vamphyrial and the Mind Master looked up. Ravona started down the stairs. Mind Master turned back and kicked Vamphyrial in the face.

     "No need for you to see this, Ravona" said the Mind Master as his eyes began to glow. Ravona's mind was no longer her own. Mind Master filled her with hate for Vamphyrial, and commanded her to destroy anything that reminded her of him. Vamphyrial, still lying on the floor, heard what was being said and struggled under the weight of Mind Master's power. Ravona, no longer in control of her actions, grabbed a nearby pole. She swung it at the mantle, breaking all the pictures, and then started going around the room smashing everything that brought a memory of Vamphyrial. She approached Vamphyrial himself, and took the dagger from his hand. She raised it up. The Mind Master grabbed her arm. "He is to kill himself! We have more important things to do in town," he growled. She dropped the blade. Vamphyrial picked it up and got into a kneeling position. "As I said before Ravona, you don't need to see this, you have me now. Let’s go to town," said the Mind Master. The door slammed, and Vamphyrial drew the blade back, his hands shaking. He couldn't let his true love go -- he had to save her. His hands were shaking violently, but slowly, his eyes began to fade in. Vamphyrial seemed to be fighting off the Mind Master’s spell. He saw the smashed pictures and all the memories of them together, ruined. It was too much - he dropped the knife and fell to the floor, gasping for air. It had taken his all to be victorious, but he quickly realized this was just the beginning of the battle. He had to save Ravona, but how? He knew she would try to kill him on sight. Vamphyrial's thoughts were running rampant. What was he going to do? He returned to a kneeling position, still breathing hard. He looked around the mansion for a weapon, something to aid him. He gazed up the long staircase. Right in the center was an old suit of light armor with a scythe. It was perfect -- it would conceal his identity from Ravona until he killed the Mind Master. Then she would be free. He stumbled up the stairs and put the armor on. He was still very weak from fighting the Mind Master's immense power. He would need a brief time to recover and acquaint himself with the weapon. Then he would set out to end the Mind Master's life for hurting the one he loves the most in life.

      Mind Master and Ravona made their way to the business district of the town. A commotion could be heard. Mind Master prepared himself. Out of a dark alleyway jumped a man in a leather jacket that read "CYCLONES" on the back. He was a small man with blond hair, and did not appear to be particularly strong. He charged the Mind Master, who simply kicked him to the ground with no effort. Mind Master looked down at the fallen Cyclone, thinking about killing him for his actions, when two more "Cyclones" sprang out of the shadows. They each pulled out chains. Mind Master looked at the two. They looked the same, as well as the one on the ground before him. Four more landed before him, having jumped down from the roof. They all looked identical. Groups of "Cyclones" started pouring out from all over. There must have been over fifty altogether. The Mind Master drew the Maxre, as Ravona readied her staff. "What are ya doin' on Cyclone turf?" boomed a strange voice. Mind Master did not answer. A group of the leather-clad Cyclones started stepping aside, parting way for a Cyclone that did not look like the others. He was bigger, mean looking, and had a giant axe with a skull in the center. "I'm Titan, leader of the Cyclones, what's your business here?" The Mind Master remained silent. Titan looked at the skull on his axe, and turned it to the Mind Master. He began moving the mouth, saying, "Fine, die see if we care", in a shrill voice, as if the skull was talking. Titan lowered his arm and the first barrage of Cyclones charged in. With a single swipe of the Maxre, three Cyclones fell dead to the ground. Titan's mouth dropped. One of the Cyclones approached Titan. "Why don't you fight this guy, he seems out of our league," he said. Titan lifted his axe and brutally lowered it down on one of his own, killing him. "Why don't you let us decide what to do?" said Titan. Mind Master nodded to Ravona to stay ready for another attack. He then approached Titan. As he pulled back his Maxre, Titan began talking, telling how much help he could give the Mind Master if he spared his life. It was a big town, he could find out all the goings on for him, and he was already feared in town -- he could be an asset! Mind Master didn't agree to that, but there was something about Titan that appealed to him. "I will let you live until I see fit to change things," stated the Mind Master. Titan disbanded the Cyclones. "I am at your every command," said Titan. "You still must prove yourself to me, Titan. Go impress me -- take over that convenient store." Titan scurried away, and crashed through the closed glass door. There was a woman standing in line right where Titan stopped. She had a chain with a jewel in the center of it. It immediately caught Titan's eye, he swung the skull of the axe at her. The woman tried to defend herself but the axe had so much force behind it she went crashing down to the floor, unconscious. "What are you doing?" the clerk shouted out. Titan glared at him. "Oh, my word," said the clerk as he went behind the counter. Titan reached down and tore the jewel from around the woman's neck. Titan raised his axe above his head and yelled "I claim this area for the Mind Master!" ". . . And myself," he said quietly.

     Titan then stepped back and launched himself through a window, just as a big man wrapped in chains came through the door. It was Kin Kade, a bounty hunter for Distant Empire. He rushed over to the woman.

      "Kyla! Kyla, are you all right?" he asked, embracing her. Kyla came to and pushed Kin Kade away. "What are you doing here?" she demanded. “Kin Kade, I told you to stay the hell away from me. You can't right the past with me." Once Kin Kade's partner, Kyla retired after a misjudgment by him almost cost her her life. She now wanted no part of Kin Kade or Distant Empire. "They said there was trouble in town," said Kin Kade. "And you were they only one they could send? I doubt it, why don't you just..." just then, Kyla realized that her jewel was gone. "My jewel!" Kyla looked out the shattered window to see the trio fleeing the scene. "I must get it back!" The jewel was from Kyla's first bounty. It had a lot of meaning to her. It was the only thing she had from when she was with Distant Empire and times were good. She tried to push Kin Kade out of her way but because of his size he barely moved. She walked out the door with out saying another word.

      Kyla returned to her residence to get her gear. She had not fought in a serious fight for almost a year, but that didn't matter now. She pulled a chest off a top shelf, covered in thick dust. She opened it, revealing her weaponry from when she was with Distant Empire. This was it - she was going to get her jewel back and than leave the town forever. She pulled out a pair of boots, each with a long blade attached to the knee. As she slipped her right boot on she felt something in it. She pulled out a picture of her and Kin Kade, taken shortly before the incident. "I don't care, everyone had better stay out of my way until I get my jewel back, even you Kin Kade," she said as she crumpled up the picture and threw it in the corner.

     Kin Kade returned to the Distant Empire building. Everyone in town thought that the Distant Empire building was just an old, run down factory. What they didn't know was that inside was hidden an elite congregation of bounty hunters. Kin Kade had quickly made a name for himself since his enrollment at the Empire. He had only the one blemish on his record, the one involving Kyla, and he desperately wished he could correct it. Suddenly over the intercom a voice squawked out "Kin Kade - report to the Leader - immediately." He walked up a long corridor to a big closed door. As he approached, it automatically swung open. "Welcome, Kin Kade. Have I got a bounty for you", said a voice from behind a chair. It was Leader. "It appears there is a menace in town, and I sense him to be a big problem. He is slowly assembling a band of fighters. He must be stopped for the good of the town."

     "Why don't you send your #1 in if it's so major?” asked Kin Kade. "I could," said Leader as the door closed behind Kin Kade, "but I figured you may want the chance, since Kyla is going to be involved."

     "I have no reason to care if Kyla is involved or not," growled Kin Kade. Leader could tell he was lying. With a press of a button, the door opened again. "Go, think it over."

      Kin Kade turned and left. He went to his locker area and opened the door. Inside was the bounty information on Titan and the Mind Master. "If I can stop these two," Kin Kade thought to himself, "I could get Kyla back her jewel, haul in the biggest bounty ever and possibly move up in Distant Empire. Maybe it would even prove to Kyla that I can be counted on . . . and maybe she would forgive me. Yes, I can do it, I will prove myself to Kyla."

     The Mind Master was en route to return to his mansion when he felt the presence of another challenge. The trio set a new course and ended up at a dojo, on the outskirts of town. Titan knew that the dojo belonged to Vincent Cron, a world-renowned martial artist. If Mind Master could control him, he would not even have to worry about Trenton or anyone again. Mind Master sensed a very strong mental level with Cron, whom he could now see training, through a side window. He would have to distract him if he was going to get control.

     He sent in Ravona to seduce him. She entered quietly. Sensing her presence, Vincent stopped training and turned around. He approached and asked her to leave. He escorted her back to the door, and turned to go train more. Ravona pulled a knife and advanced towards Vincent. He saw her with his peripheral vision, and with a spin kick managed to knock the knife out of her hand. A fight was imminent, right there in his dojo. Then Mind Master stepped into the doorway, and his eyes started to glow. Vincent turned towards the Mind Master, knowing he was a much bigger threat than Ravona. It was now or never. Cron dashed towards him, but was suddenly halted by the Mind Master's power. He struggled to fight him. Mind Master could not keep it at this level very much longer -- he would have to try to finish the job in one last ditch effort and put all his power in one thought. Cron's knee buckled in, but he didn't touch the floor - his power was incredible. Suddenly, Vincent clutched his face, his eyes rolled back in his head, and a tear of blood rolled out of each eye. Then another tear, and another, until his eyes were bleeding badly. Finally Cron collapsed to the floor, as Mind Master took a step back himself. Neither could continue to fight. "I can't see!" cried the fallen warrior, flailing about blindly. Mind Master shook his head in disgust as he fixed his garment. He had ruined this near perfect fighter, a pity. He was no longer a threat to anyone. They would leave him, out of respect for his efforts. Cron tried wiping the blood off his face. He wanted to yell for help but there was no one around. He had abandoned all his friends long ago to make himself a perfect fighter. Vincent then stood, and out of habit began practicing. He still had all his skills. Though Vincent Cron the fighter was dead, he would now go buy the name Veil. He walked over to a wall that held many belts, awards, medals, and weapons. He had spent so many hours in his dojo, he knew it like the back of his hand. He pulled a Wu-shu Blade off the wall. An outline of dust remained in its place. He took down belts and ceremonial scarves to make a mask, so no one would know this was the once perfect Vincent Cron. He knew this was going to be his biggest fight, and one he had to win to avenge himself -- it had to be.

      Mind Master had had contact with most of the concerns in town, it was only a matter of time before they started weeding out the weak, themselves. All was going according to plan. He would have one fight and then the townspeople would be shown no mercy for what had been done to him and his family so long ago.