“You must leave now Ryunosuke for you have not much time,” said a great-disembodied voice.

            “I will leave at once sir. Where might I find this Akira?” Ryunosuke said in reply.

            “You will find him in New Japan, I know not the exact place.”

            “I understand, I shall find this Akira and bring him to you.”

            “Go now Ryunosuke, for there is no doubt in my mind that Shuichi has sent someone to find Akira or he might have even deemed it necessary to go himself. You must avoid Shuichi at all costs, he has grown far to powerful for you to handle.”

            “I will go now, goodbye Sakamoto.”

            “Be swift Ryunosuke, you can not afford to slip up here.”

            “I know, goodbye.”

            With that the strange robed figure vanished into the black night, no doubt in search of this Akira. Ryunosuke appeared again in the city of New Japan, slipping in and out of the shadows.

            Why is this Akira so important? Oh, it doesn’t matter if Sakamoto says it it must be so. Now where might I find a phone book?

            Ryunosuke found a phone book in, of course, a phone booth.

            What was that kid’s last name again? Oh, shit what was it? Wait its Fujimoto. I can’t believe I almost screwed up already. Oh well, Ah here it is Fujimoto. Well well he lives in a martial arts study.

            Ryunosuke left in the direction of the address unaware of the man closing in on him. Getting closer every minute, will he beat Ryunosuke and find Akira first?

            “Now I want you to go all out this time, alright?” Akira told his teacher.

            “Ok, but don’t blame me if you get hurt.”

            “Don’t worry about me just concentrate on your own technique.”

            “You shouldn’t use such a tone with your teacher.”

            “Just go.”

            With that Akira’s teacher ran at him with his Sai’s poised for attack. Akira with his Kitana ready skillfully dodged the first attack, turned, and with an amazing display of speed and power struck his teacher down with one strike to the chest. Much to Akira’s surprise his teacher was laughing as he got up.

            “Why are you laughing old man?”

            “Lucky for me these aren’t real weapons.”

            “Yeah so that’s no reason to smile you have just been brought down by an eighteen year old student.”

            “It is a great day one of your pupils surpasses your own skill,” was teacher’s only reply.

            “Yeah whatever I just wish…”

            Akira didn’t have time to finish his sentence; just then a body came crashing through the window. Ryunosuke got to his feet, dusted himself off, and smiled.

            “So you finally decided to make a move Tetsuko. What? Did you think that I didn’t see you following? I’m surprised, I thought Shuichi would place more value on this kid. Instead he sends his worst fighter,” came Ryunosuke’s taunt.

            “You shouldn’t speak so ignorantly Ryunosuke. I’m am the wielder of the Blau Kreuz, I will strike you down in a matter of seconds. Go on Ryunosuke draw Weiß Kreuz,” Tetsuko said with a smirk.

            “Let use begin then, Tetsuko.”

            Akira watched in awe as the fighters drew their swords and began to fight. Both fought with amazing skill but in the end Ryunosuke’s power was too much for Tetsuko.

            “Leave now Tetsuko or die by the blade of Weiß Kreuz,” Ryunosuke said standing over Tetsuko.

            Without a word Tetsuko sprang up and vanished into the night.

            “What is your business here great fighter?” teacher asked.

            “I am here for Akira, you are Akira are you not?” Ryunosuke asked pointing at the still very amazed Akira.

            “Y…yeah that’s me. What would a great fighter like you want with me,” Akira asked still gawking.

            “My master greatly desires to speak with you. Come with me now for you are in danger. Now doubt Tetsuko has gone to his master and asked for some assistance. I can not fend off his master, Shuichi, we must leave now.”

            “But what does he want with me?”

            “I am not sure but I have a feeling it has something to do with the new Sword of the Kreuz. Now let us go.”

            “What is a Sword of the Kreuz?”

            “There will be time for such questions later, but we MUST leave now.”

            Without waiting for Akira’s answer Ryunosuke grabbed him by the arm and led him out the door.

            “Hey buddy let me go, I never agreed to this,” Akira objected.

            “Look,” Ryunosuke said stopping, “that man back there came here to force you to work for his master and if you had refused and fought he would have killed you. I on the other hand am here to help you. So I can leave you here to die, I know you wouldn’t let them tell you what to do because you have a problem with authority. What’s you choice?”

            “So how far away is your boss’s place?”

            “Follow me I know a short cut,” Ryunosuke said with a smile.

            Ryunosuke led Akira around a corner and into and alleyway.

            “Hold onto my shoulders Akira, do it know and don’t ask questions.”

            Akira followed the directions given to him and with that he was transported by some teleporting technique right to the small dark room where our story began.

            “Welcome Akira, do not worry you are safe here,” came Sakamoto’s disembodied voice.

            Whoa that was so cool I wonder if he will teach me? Akira thought thinking of teleporting.

            “That was a very basic technique that comes with the power of a Sword of the Kreuz.”

            “Wow you can read my mind?”

            “Absolutely, now if you’ll allow me I will tell you all that you need to know and afterward if you have and questions I will answer them. Is that fine with you?”

            “Yeah sure,” came Akira’s reply.

            “My name is Sakamoto, I am a wielder of one of the Swords of the Kreuz. I also have some mind powers that were bestowed upon me at birth. The man who you came here with is Ryunosuke he is the second best Swordsman of the Kreuz. Now I’m sure you are wondering, actually I know you’re wondering what a Sword of the Kreuz is so I’ll tell you. A Sword of the Kreuz is a sword that holds phenomenal powers. Every century a new sword is created, now one is sure who, what, or where the swords are created, but we do know where they’ll appear when one is finished. When a sword is created it is created with one wielder in mind and only that person may wield the sword. If another person were to try to wield it, it would destroy them in a matter of seconds. Upon receiving a Sword of the Kreuz you are granted life everlasting, the only way you would be able to die is if the brother sword strikes you down. A brother sword is a second Sword that is created along with the other one, it is significantly different from the first sword but still holds the same amount of power. This century is different only one sword is being created, the one who wields this sword will be strangely venerable he will of course be immortal but he will be able to be killed by any of the swords. But the only sword this person would have to fear would be in fact the Bös Kreuz. The Bös Kreuz is the brother sword of the sword wielded by Ryunosuke. Something strange happened that year. Swords weren’t equal, Weiß Kreuz had the most power we have ever seen in a Sword of the Kreuz but Bös Kreuz held an evil power far greater than that of all the swords combined. The only way to unlock the evil powers of Bos Kreuz was to let the evil and darkness of the sword corrupt you and let it take hold of your soul. Shuichi is the wielder of Bös Kreuz, he has become far too strong, and I fear he may try to kill you for fear of death himself. You see you are the next wielder of a sword, Akira. That is why I had to speak with you. The sword, Schwarz Kreuz, is almost complete but we do not yet know the location of it. This sword will hold a great dark power that would corrupt even the purist of men but it can be tamed and used for the good of all living things. It will take a great amount of discipline and training to do this. I cannot force you to take up such a great responsibility but I will tell you this. There is nothing greater than the thrill of taking hold of the hilt of a Sword of the Kreuz,” Sakamoto concluded.

            “Wow, what a mind trip,” Akira exclaimed, “I guess I’ll do it. I mean how can I refuse an honor such as this? I do have some questions though. First of all, If Ryunosuke is only the second best than who is the best?”

            “A good question but I have already answered it,” was Sakamoto’s smart reply.

            “Wait so is Shuichi the best?”

            “Yes, very good, Shuichi is the best.”

            “But what does that make you?”

            “I am, sadly, no match for either of the two. My sword, Weise Kreuz, bestows me with power but it also enhances my mind powers. I am on of the two visionaries, we see many things that may or may not come to pass. That is how we know when and where the next sword will appear.”

            “Ok so who is the other visionary?”

            “His name is Takeshi, unfortunately he works with Shuichi.”

            “Why are all the Swordsmen of the Kreuz divided in two?”

            “When Shuichi unlocked the evil powers of the Bos Kreuz he decided that he was too powerful to be given orders by anybody. He offered some of us power and wealth if we would follow him. Some went some stayed.”

            “Who is on our side, and who is on Shuichi’s side?”

            “Well for us there is Kei Ryusaki, Sion Takata, you’ve already met Ryunosuke, and then there is me Sakamoto. For Shuichi there is Komatsu, Tetsuko, Takeshi, and Koenma.”

            “All this is great, but what is our purpose? Why are we here? What is our mission?”

            “Ah, a very fine question Akira. You are finally beginning to open your mind. The Swordsmen of the Kreuz do not exist completely on their own. We have a sort of symbiotic relationship with a group of people known as The Stars of Velari. They protest the balance of good and evil. They see that is remains balanced. They fight to keep the balance. Without this balance we would not be able to survive. The Swords of the Kreuz get their power from the good and evil depending on the sword. If the balance were to shift a great deal, the sword’s power would fold in on itself destroying it and it’s wielder. We, The Swordsmen of the Kreuz, fight off all the demons and strange beasts that seek to destroy the Stars of Velari. We must not let these beasts distract the Star of Velari from their mission. Therefore our mission is to safe guard theirs.”

            “So who exactly are the Stars of Velari?”

            “There will be now more questions now. It is time for you to start your training with the Swordsmen of the Kreuz. I will tell you this one more thing, at this point in time the Stars of Velari have all died off and new ones are coming to take their place. You must not become depended on them for help for they will have as much experience as you and will not know any better. You will meet two particular Stars of Velari one will help you the other will try to lead you down the path to darkness. Let Sky be your guide.”

            “What is that supposed to mean “Let Sky be my guide” is this some kind of riddle?”

            “You will find out soon enough young sword master. Now go with Ryunosuke and will introduce you to the rest of the swordsmen and show you your housing. After this you will come to dinner with us and we shall talk of merry things that do not concern darkness and temptation. We will rejoice in life and when we are done we will retire to our rooms. The next morning you will start your training.”

            “Ok, I guess I’ll see you at dinner.”

            “That you will. Ryunosuke I want you to take Akira to get some more appropriate clothing.”

            “Yes sir,” Ryunosuke replied.

            As Sakamoto was saying this Akira noticed the vast differences in the way they were dressed. Akira had on a pair of slightly baggy jeans and a black hoody. Sakamoto, Akira realized, had not shown himself throughout their entire conversation. Akira would just have to wait until dinner to see Sakamoto face to face. At this point in time Ryunosuke was wearing a black robe that completely covered his body. He had taken his hood off when upon entering the room. Akira was just now noticing Ryunosuke’s general appearance: Ryunosuke stood about six feet tall, with shoulder length white hair that was parted in the middle and came down in almost a spiky, jagged sort of way. Akira only stood 5’11 with thin, straight, red hair, that kind of arched out and then back when it reached the end of it’s length, it wasn’t combed. Akira tended to let his hair do whatever it liked with his head. Ryunosuke’s eyes were white while Akira’s were red. Both fighters looked like characters out of an Anime. Neither person’s appearance was anything short of both breathtaking and intimidating.

            “After you take he changes take him to meet the team and then come to dinner,” Sakamoto ordered.

            “I will do that, but may we have a bit of extra time to talk on our own? I wish to have a private talk with Akira.” Ryunosuke stated.

            “So be it, but if you want that time you must go now or miss some of supper. With such fabulous food I don’t think anybody would be obliged to wait for you,” Sakamoto said with a smile.

            “Alright then we must leave now, come Akira,” Ryunosuke said while walking out a door in the side of the room.

            “Ok, I’ll see you later Sakamoto,” Akira said following Ryunosuke.

            “Most certainly, master Akira,” Sakamoto said as Ryunosuke and Akira disappeared into the hallway.

            Once out in the hallway Ryunosuke lead Akira down the hallway to a door marked with a red cross.

            “This is our wardrobe room, Akira, it is not very large and holds only a few different styles of clothing. All are tailored for battle, more specifically for hand to hand and/or sword combat,” Ryunosuke said, leading Akira into the room.

            Akira soon discovered that Ryunosuke wasn’t kidding. There were only three or four different styles. First there was a kimono that was styled very similarly to the one worn by the Anime character Inuyasha. These kimonos ranged vastly in color and sized and were all of them arranged on a rack. Next there were cloaks like the one Ryunosuke was wearing. All they consisted of was a robe with a hood on it. Finally there was a rack filled with a sort of trench coat. These ranged vastly in size, color, and in looseness and tightness of each particular trench coat. All trench coats were styled like the one that the video game character Dante wears in the game Devil May Cry one or two.

            “Wow, all of these look pretty cool, I’m not sure which style to choose,” Akira exclaimed.

            “You might find it interesting to check the inscriptions above each rack,” Ryunosuke said.

            “Oh ok,” Akira said walking up to the rack with the komodos on it.

            The inscription read as follows: The Kimono:  this item of clothing is worn by the flashy fighters. They have no need to worry about being seen by enemies.

            Next Akira walked up to the inscription above the rack of cloaks. The Cloak: worn by fighters who wish to utilize the element of surprise. These fighters are very quick and use their agility to smash an opponent in a matter of seconds.

            “So you can squash and opponent in a matter of seconds,” Akira said with a hint of scrutiny after reading the inscription.

            “Well if I wish too, but that is not the point off these inscriptions. They are here to make it easier for you to choose a garment. The inscriptions may or may not be true; they are here to hasten the choosing of a garment. This process is the least important that you will go through today,” Ryunosuke said impatiently.

            “Ok, chill. I think I’ll read the last inscription just for kicks,” Akira said walking up to the final inscription above the trench coats.

            The Trench Coat: the wearers of these garments are a combination of the best of both worlds. They cam be stealthy and invisible or flashy and devastating. Whichever skill they use at that particular time depends on the mood of that particular fighter.

            “Hey how come these don’t have a cross on the back of them like yours does?” Akira asked picking up a trench coat.

            “I have a cross on the back of my robe that corresponds with the name of my sword. Whatever garment you pick will eventually have your cross on it but not until you receive your sword,” Ryunosuke informed Akira.

            “Ok well in that case I’ll pick a dark red trench coat that reaches the floor, and fits snuggly at the upper body but is loose at the legs.”

            “Here you go,” Ryunosuke said handing a trench coat to Akira.

            “What am I supposed to wear under this?” Akira asked.

            “The garment comes with all the necessary items.”

            “Oh ok. May I get changed in here?”

            “Yes I will wait for you in the hallway.”

            “Ok,” Akira said watching Ryunosuke exit. It took only a minute or two for Akira to put on the under garments which consisted of a pair of pants, a shirt, and a rather extravagant pair of shoes. But the trench coat itself was a bit more complicated than the rest of the outfit. It had a ton of buckle like things that looked very heavy at first but were feather light when Akira picked them up. In the end Akira ended up deciding it might be better to leave the trench coat open. Akira walked out into the hallway to find Ryunosuke waiting for you. Much to Akira’s surprise Ryunosuke was smiling. Up till now Akira had found Ryunosuke to be a bit uptight.

            “Trench coats are harder than they look huh?” Ryunosuke said laughing.

            “Yeah, I wrestled with it a bit, but in the end his powers were to much for me,” Akira said smiling.

            “Alright before we go to meet the rest of the guys I want to talk to you alone for a bit, Ok?” Ryunosuke asked suddenly turning serious again.

            “Oh sure, where are we going to go?” Akira asked a bit surprised.

            “Follow me,” Ryunosuke said.

            With that Ryunosuke lead Akira down the hallway, out a door, and into, perhaps, the most beautiful garden Akira had ever seen. It was now around nine o’clock and all the stars were out in a brilliant display.

            “So Ryunosuke what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?” Akira asked.

            “I was wondering why you chose to stay and take up this role?”

            “Why?”

            “Well, it always takes people a while to take everything in and then it takes them some time more to decide what to do. It only took you a split second to decide.”

            “I’m not sure, it just seemed right. I’m an orphan; the teacher at the martial arts study that I was staying at raised me. I don’t really have much of a life ahead of me in the first place. I don’t go to school much, I don’t like the teachers there they give me a hard time. I have this sort of reputation that labels me as a tough guy who everybody should stay away from. So I figured this was something good I could do with my life. Besides it sounds really cool to be a Swordsman of the Kreuz.”

            “It may sound ‘cool’ but there’s a lot of responsibility that comes with the job. Look I know it may seen as though I’m a bit uptight but I think you’ll find that I’ll get like this every time a new sword is created. So do you have any questions that Sakamoto didn’t answer?”

            “Well, What does Kreuz mean?”

            “Kreuz is German for cross, all the words that are placed before kreuz are normally colors.”

            “Ok, so what is the name of my sword?”

            “Well in our language it would be the Black Cross.”

            “Nice, so what’s the deal with the Stars of Velari?”

            “Well there’s a little catch that goes along with the relation ship between the Stars of Velari and us. You see we now about the Stars of Velari but they don’t know about us. On the day when the old Stars die off the new ones are chosen, and sought out by the old ones. When they meet the old Star of Velari tells the potential Star of Velari of his or her responsibility and the history of the Stars of Velari, but do to the limited amount of time that they are given they never get a chance to tell them about us. Only a few of the Stars of Velari will actually meet one of us before they die. When one of them learns of us there is always a slight bit of hostility, but they get over it quick enough. And every once and awhile we meet a Star of Velari who actually feels thankful for our existence, but those sort are very rare. My advice is leave them to their job and they’ll inevitably leave you to yours.”

            “Ok, I think that’s all the questions I have for now,” Akira said.

            “Alright then let us go and meet the rest of the team.”

            Ryunosuke lead Akira back into the corridor and down it until they had reached a staircase. They went up the stairs and through a door at the top of the staircase to find themselves in a large training area. Scattered throughout the room were the other Swordsmen of the Kreuz. Actually to be truthful there were only two of them.

            “Hey guys come over here for a minute I got somebody you guys will want to meet,” Ryunosuke called.

            “Why would they want to meet me? Am I that important?” Akira asked amazed.

            “Yes you are,” Ryunosuke said giving Akira a sympathetic look. It amazed Ryunosuke the amount of pressure they were placing on Akira’s shoulders.

            “Hey who’s the new guy?” a tall brown haired man asked.

            “This is Akira, Akira this is Sion,” Ryunosuke said.

            “How’s it goin Akira? So you’re the man?” Sion asked in a most friendly tone.

            “Apparently,” Akira answered.

            “Hey who’s that dashing young man in the very finely tailored trench coat?” asked another tall man but this one had straight, shoulder length hair.

            “That would be Akira, Akira the comedian over there is Kei,” Ryunosuke said smiling once again.

            “What’s up? You up for a bit of a contest before dinner?” Kei challenged.

            “Hey Kei he’s just got here lets give him a chance to adjust,” Ryunosuke said trying to save Akira some trouble.

            “No, it’s okay Ryunosuke. What did you have in mind Kei?” Akira asked.

            “You know how to hold a katana?”

            “Damn straight.”

            “Well, would you like to spar a little before we go to dinner? Winner gets the first pick of the food.”

            “Hey now Kei we didn’t agree to this,” Sion and Ryunosuke said at the same time, thinking of the food that was at stake here.

            “Oh common it’s just a bit of sport,” Kei pleaded.

            “It’s not Akira we’re worried about it’s the food,” Sion said.

            “Hey, we get enough to eat,” Kei said.

            “Oh, whatever. As long as its ok with Akira,” Ryunosuke said.

            “Its fine with me, how should we play?” Akira asked.

            “We’ll play with wooden katanas, the first person to hit torso wins,” Kei said laying down the rules.

            “That’s fine with me let’s go,” Akira said confidently.

            “Whoa there turbo, you’re a bit head strong aren’t you?”

            “Just shut up and pick up your katana,” Akira challenged.

            “Fine, if it’s going to be that way,” Kei said.

            With that Kei picked up his sword and they started the match. Akira surprised Kei with his amazing skill at the start but the lack of experience on Akira’s part was starting to take its toll.

            “He fights with amazing skill for a beginner,” Ryunosuke said watching the match along side Sion.

            “Yeah, I’ve never seen Kei on his toes right from the start like that before, this kid is really something,” Sion said wide eyed.

            “That he is,” Ryunosuke said with his eyes focused on Akira.

            The fight raged on for another five minutes until the stale mate was broken. While fending off one of Kei’s attacks Akira’s sword was knocked from his hand. Thinking that the match was over Kei strode up to Akira and was about to strike him in the torso when, in one fluid motion, Akira tripped Kei, flipped back, grabbed his sword, and made a brilliant swipe across Kei’s chest. Going from his right shoulder down across to the very bottom left of Kei’s torso. Kei fell back in utter disbelief.

            “What? How in the world? Where did you learn that?” Kei fumbled for words.

            “I dunno it just seemed like it would be a good thing to do at that moment in time,” Akira said being modest in all respects.

            “Wow Kei he took you,” Sion said walking with Ryunosuke to where the two fighters stood.

            “Very fine work Akira, but you have to remember Kei was not using his sword, Smaragd Kreuz.”

            “Thanks, Ryunosuke. Can we go eat now?” Akira asked.

            “What do think guys, is it about time for dinner?” Ryunosuke asked.

            “Yeah, we’d better go before Kei goes and gets his ass kicked again,” Sion said laughing.

            “Why don’t you go and fight? Or how ‘bout I fight you, you big asshole,” Kei said smiling.

            The group of fighters joked and laughed their way down the steps, through the hallway, and into the dinning room.

            “So Akira when did you learn to fight like that?” Kei asked as they walked into the dinning room.

            “Oh well I grew up in a martial arts study. I’ve been doing this thing my entire life,” Akira answered.

            “Did you see how serious he got in the mist of battle? His ability to concentrate like that is amazing,” Sion was whispering to Ryunosuke.

            “Yes he is quite something, I think I’ll train this kid myself,” Ryunosuke said.

            “Wow, really I would have never thought that you would take him under your wing,” Sion said in awe.

            “Hey that’s enough talk of fighting, battle and what not. It is time to eat,” Sakamoto said stepping into the room from some other area of the building.

            “Hey Sakamoto, did you hear? Kei went and got his but kicked,” Sion blurted out.

            “That I did, and what a pleasing thing it is to hear of our new friends fighting abilities. But enough of all that let us eat,” Sakamoto said taking a seat at the head of the table.

            “Where should I sit?” Akira asked Ryunosuke.

            “Come and sit next to me if you would like,” Ryunosuke said.

            “That would be cool, let us go and sit,” Akira said with a big smile.

            Akira and Ryunosuke walked over to the table and took seats to the right of Sakamoto, while Sion and Kei took seats on Sakamoto’s left. Once everyone was seated Kei had an announcement to make.

            “Guys I made a little wager with Akira, hey has won and he gets first pick of the food,” Kei said living up to his bet.

            “It’s okay Kei, I think it would only be right if we all picked at the same time. This being our first meal together and all,” Akira said.

            “You are a true gentle man Akira,” Sakamoto said smiling.

            “Well then lets dig in,” Sion said grabbing for the brisket.

            They spent the next two hours eating and laughing. Akira found himself surrounded by people that much resembled himself and for once he felt like he had found his place in the world. When they had finished their meal they said their goodnights and strode away to their respective rooms. Ryunosuke showed Akira to his room.

            “Hey Ryunosuke, thanks,” Akira said.  

            “For what?”

            “For saving me back there earlier this night, and showing me a great time afterwards.”

            “Hey it was my pleasure, but now you need to get some sleep because starting tomorrow its intense training one on one with me.”

            “Really?”

            “Yes, really.”

            “Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

            “I would be very surprised if you didn’t,” Ryunosuke said as he walked out into the hallway and at strode away to his own room.

            Akira had fallen asleep very quickly that night, but he was awakened by nightmares several times in the night. Each time it was the same thing, he would meet this tall hooded figure in some ancient temple. They would fight and the outcome would be the some every time. The tall figure would win by jabbing his glowing sword through Akira’s heart. The next morning Akira sought out Sakamoto to speak with him about his dreams.