Weeks turned into months. After a month of being at the temple, Desmond had advanced considerably in the self-control of his abilities. His meditations became more effective and he established an inner peace within that he'd never achieved before. Meanwhile, Desmond's bond with Olivia grew and their once-awkward relationship turned into a deepening friendship. 

     Desmond's bond with Sensei also began to enrich. Like Olivia, he would supply encouragement in a way that gave Desmond hope. For once in his life, he had people who believed in him. Desmond would train with Sensei from dawn until dusk on some occasions and he expanded from defensive techniques into something more offensive. He became faster, stronger, but, most of all, he became humble. The tranquil setting of the mountains established a deep sense of humility within Desmond that had never been present before. 

     It was on one, particular, day that it all peaked. Desmond had been training at the temple for nearly three months; a span of time so long that he had almost forgotten what civilization was like. He no longer lost control, or got into fights with Olivia. Desmond had become a changed man. 

     He and his mentor were having a mock-fight in the courtyard outside of the ancient temple. Both of them were squared-off against each other in a combative stance. Desmond held his ground, Sensei holding his; each stared into their opponent's eyes. 

     "Commence," Sensei ordered.

     Desmond lunged at Sensei, his enhanced body giving him the upper hand in speed. Sensei easily dodged and he lashed out at Desmond's chest. He blocked the swipe and grabbed his mentor's arm in a steady block. Sensei slid downward and unhinged his arm from Desmond's grasp, while he also turned with a swift kick to the leg. Desmond staggered but kept his eyes on his master.

     "Good," Sensei muttered with confidence.

     Desmond dodged another punch and slid to the side. He ducked from a kick and grabbed Sensei's arm, all the while pulling towards the ground. Desmond's strength was too much and Sensei's body flipped to the ground. He stood over his teacher; the student had finally surpassed the master.

     Sensei gasped for air, "You have learned much, Pierce."

     Pierce released his grip and held out his hand for Sensei, "Everything I know, I learned from you."

     Sensei chuckled, "Your offensive capabilities have improved, and your defensive techniques are marginally well."

     Desmond walked over to the sidelines where he had a towel, "So, you're saying that there's always room for improvement?"

     He nodded, "There always is, my apprentice. But, you have come a long way."

     Desmond wiped his head and stood for a moment, "Thank you. For...everything."

     Sensei nodded his head as he, too, wiped his brow with a towel, "You are, indeed, a warrior."

     Desmond bowed, out of respect, for his teacher. It was an act that he would never have agreed to do three months prior, but he had learned more than how to fight. He had learned humility and virtue.

     "May I ask a question?" Desmond inquired while he sat on a scrap of rubble.

     "Yes," Sensei replied.

     Desmond fiddled with the towel, "When we met, all those months ago, you said that the Black Dragon took things from you."

     Sensei nodded his head, "I do recall."

     He put the towel aside, "With all due respect, I am curious. What did they take from you?"

     Sensei sat next to Desmond, still breathing heavily from their mock-fight. However, he did not give a response.

     "I'm sorry," Desmond quickly apologized. "I understand if you don't want to answer."

     Sensei held up his hand, "It's alright. Yes, the Black Dragon has destroyed many lives...including mine."

     "And that's why you agreed to teach me?" Desmond asked. "So you could bring closure to yourself?"

     Sensei hesitated, "That was a part of it..."

     They sat in silence for a moment before Sensei began to talk.

     "They took my family for Project Bellator," he said, flatly. "He always needed more people for those experiments...even if they were his own men..."

     "Then why do people work for him?" asked Desmond. "If they're just going to be killed off?"

     "The benefits of the Black Dragon are numerous," Sensei answered. "You get protection, security, and the pay is, of course, well. But, sometimes, sacrifices were made in the name of the organization." 

     "And they died..." Desmond stated. "They died from the experiments?"

     Sensei nodded, "My whole family was destroyed, so then I left. I was angered, and I was sorrowful. For years, I plotted how I would bring justice to him...but they are too powerful. But then," he looked at Desmond, "I found you."

     "So you trained me to fight him?" asked Desmond.

     "Yes," Sensei replied, "but I also saw something more. I saw myself in you. I saw the same anger and resentment that I had all those years ago...I knew that you needed help..."

     "I will," Desmond promised. "I will bring justice to the Black Dragon."

     "But, remember," Sensei mentored. "Out of everything you've learned, know that fear can be forgotten, but it can never be destroyed."

     "I'm not afraid of the Black Dragon," Desmond stated. "Or its leader."

     "You will be," Sensei whispered, caressing his hands nervously. "You will be."

     Desmond stared off into the distance, unnerved by what Sensei said.

     "Come with me," Sensei said, abruptly, pulling himself up. "I have something for you: a reward for your hard work."

**

     They went into the temple and into a section that Desmond seldom went by himself. There was a storage compartment, situated way in the back, that Sensei took his apprentice. He opened up the ancient, wooden, door and entered the room. It was littered with all sorts of odd trinkets, but Sensei's destination was farther back. 

     "Wait here," Sensei ordered before he entered the room.

     He was gone for a few minutes, but he eventually returned with a long wooden box. Sensei placed the box on the ground and slowly opened the lid. Inside, two metal weapons glistened in the afternoon light.  

     Desmond looked down, "Are those swords?"

     Sensei carefully held the box as if he were meeting an old friend, "Ah, yes."

     Sensei reached and grabbed the hilt of a sleek, black, samurai sword. He unsheathed the weapon, and Desmond whistled when he saw his own reflection in the black metal.

     "Did you make these?" he asked while Sensei carefully handed him the sword.

     "Yes," Sensei responded. "I crafted them from the metal of a rock that fell from the stars. It was very difficult, as the metal was...unique. I searched through the catalogs of books here at the temple on the identification of the metal. Alas, I found nothing."

     Desmond grasped the sword in both hands; the sword felt heavy, but strong.

     "Why don't you use it?" Desmond asked.

     Sensei shook his head in astonishment as Desmond gripped the sword with ease, "They were simply too heavy. That, of course, is not a factor that applies to you."

     Desmond looked at the metal and blinked at his reflection, "They're...beautiful."

     Sensei nodded, "There was enough metal to craft two swords. I did so," he said, picking up another sheathed sword out of the box. "I call the metal Muteki."

     "Muteki,"Desmond repeated. 

     "It's Japanese for 'invincible'," Sensei explained. "Now, as I could barely lift one sword you can imagine how hard it was to lift two."

     Desmond smiled, "You crafted them well."

     "As a warrior," Sensei mentored, while Desmond held both the swords, "you have a choice of weapon. The sword is an ancient, honorable, and humble weapon that has been used for generations. It was used by the knights of chivalry and even the noble samurai."

     Desmond held both at either side.

     "Should you face my old master," Sensei explained, "you will need a tool of not just for offense, but defense. The sword is usable in both those combat styles."

     The swords hummed through the air as Desmond waved them. Their balance was excellent and they seemed to almost serve as an extension of himself then a weapon. He sheathed the swords and bowed to his master.

     "I am most grateful for your gift," Desmond thanked. 

     Sensei pulled Desmond up, "You have one, final challenge to go through. I will proceed with it tomorrow, but I order you to meditate tonight. Prepare yourself, my apprentice." 

**

     Desmond reflected on his weeks of training with Sensei. Not only had he met someone who had taught him how to use his abilities, but also someone who believed in him. Desmond had, for most of his life, been a fallen warrior. However, Sensei had picked him up again and, with his help, he had become a new man.

     He had changed.

     Before going to the temple Desmond had been a lost cause. He flaunted his money, took advantage of people, and locked himself away on Platinum Tower. But after all those were gone he had to start from the ground up again. While the old Desmond would always linger like a ghost, he was confident that he had taken the necessary steps to becoming the man his father had always wanted him to be.

     Desmond remembered the countless hours of training and honing of his abilities. He remembered every triumph, every failure, and the quickly-approaching end to it all. Since the beginning, he had trained to face off against the leader of the Black Dragon. Sensei had called him his former master, but Olivia had referred to him as the "Shadow". Desmond could feel that, soon, he would have to face not just his mortal enemy, but also his past. 

     There was a knock at his door and Olivia stepped in. Desmond opened his eyes from his meditation and looked at her. 

     "Sensei told me that your training is nearing completion," said Olivia. "I came here to see how you were doing."

     Desmond grimly nodded, "Yeah, but he said that there was one more step. He was vague on what, exactly, the step was."

     "That's Sensei," Olivia responded. "But, I have faith in you."

     Desmond stood up and faced Olivia, "You know, I can't believe I ever got this far. If it weren't for Sensei, or you, I would've died a long time ago."

     Olivia smiled.

     "Thank you, Olivia," Desmond said, embracing her in a hug. "Thank you for believing in me..."

     Olivia, shocked by his sudden embrace, hesitated before she hugged him back. She seemed to press her body up against his as they stood in the embrace and Desmond could feel her breathing quicken. They stood in silence for a moment before she pulled back.

     "I'd..better go," she said. "I don't want to interrupt your meditation..."

     "Wait, Olivia," Desmond called as she walked out the door. He stood for a moment, a little confused at what had happened. 

     Olivia had blushed.  

**

     The next day, Desmond met Sensei in the courtyard. Desmond had been a little restless the night before thinking about Olivia. As he came upon the courtyard Desmond had to push all unnecessary thoughts about her out of his head. Sensei was gazing at the mountains upon Desmond's arrival. 

     "Are you ready?" Sensei asked. "For your final step?"

     Desmond nodded, "I'm ready." 

     "It is important to realize that your training will not last forever," Sensei explained. "This temple is but a sanctuary and soon it will be time for you to face your adversaries."

     "Facing my problems?" Desmond asked, looking away. "Facing my parents' deaths..."

     "You have trained yourself to move forward and I trust in that," Sensei consoled. "But remember once more that, always, that fear can be forgotten and pushed deep into the darkness...but it will never fully relinquish its hold on you."

     Desmond confidently responded, "I understand..."

     "Now there is the one, final task," Sensei said, beckoning for Desmond to follow him. "Come with me."

     Desmond followed his teacher into the ancient temple and up to one of its highest floors. He was astounded when he realized where he was going: Sensei's room. It had always been a forbidden place of the highest degree, never to be trespassed or entered because it was a sacred place. Sensei unhinged the door and Desmond followed him inside.

     The room was surprisingly simple, with a bed in one corner and a table in the other. On the table there were several crushed herbs in a small container. Next to the container was a pitcher of hot water, of which Sensei poured into the container containing the crushed herbs.

     "What is that?" Desmond asked.

     "It is an ancient herb-mixture whose original name has been lost to history," Sensei explained, cupping the steaming container. "Ancients would often give this remedy to their warriors in order to...increase their strength."

     Desmond received the container and sniffed it: it smelled bitter.

     "You have trained hard Pierce," Sensei said. "However, you must be tested in order to see how far you have traveled. We must test you on your worst fears."

     "My worst fears?" Desmond asked. "Sensei..."

     "It is the only way for you to become the man you strive to be," said Sensei. "It is only when you conquer fear in your mind that you will be able to truly  overcome it."

     Desmond stared at the brown, steaming mixture and hesitantly raised it to his lips. He drank the bitter herbs and forced himself to swallow it before he handed the container back to Sensei. Moments later, the room began to sway and distort itself.

     "I will leave you," Sensei said, vanishing from sight. "You must face yourself on your own."

     Then Sensei left, and hallucinations began to dance before Desmond's eyes.

**

     Screams, explosions, cries for help, and dust curling in the air.

     Desmond crumpled to his knees, the world beginning to distort and change. Voices boomed from the walls and people laughed at his insecurity. He looked up and saw that he was no longer in Sensei's room anymore. Instead, he was back in the wretched building where it had all began.

     "Dad!" a voice behind him screamed. "Dad!"

     Desmond tried to tell himself that it was all just a hallucination, but deep inside he felt an uncontrollable fear that had been suppressed for so long. He remembered the boy: it was him. The scene changed and he saw his dad lying under a heap of rubble, blood pouring from his wounds.

     "Desmond!" he cried. "Help me!"

     "Dad!" Desmond yelled as he threw himself onto his dying father, trying to lift the rubble off of the man. "Stay with me!"

     "My son..." his father croaked, his voice changing, "...is a FAILURE!"

     "What?!" Desmond cried, throwing himself back from his father. His form flickered and he emerged from the rubble.

     "My son..." his father whispered, "...is a COWARD. My son is a SCREWUP. My son LET ME DIE!"

     "Dad?" Desmond whispered, tears filling his eyes. "Please..."

     Everything exploded and Desmond was thrown backward. He staggered and saw the man in the coat that had killed his father. Desmond saw the Black Dragon tattoo that snaked around his forearm. However, when he looked at it the tattoo began to shake and come alive, hissing and snorting like the real thing. Desmond tried to run but the dragon flew off of the killer's arm and grew in size. He looked up in horror, the dragon towering over him, flames hissing from its large, black nostrils. Olivia's voice echoed from the dragon's mouth:

     "You're the reason why he hates America," the dragon breathed before issuing a mighty roar and exploding in flames.

     "Shadow..." someone whispered.

     "SHADOW!" another yelled.

     Images flashed before Desmond's eyes and he tried to control his fear, but found that he could not. He saw himself standing in Platinum Tower, greedily gazing away at the city below as hatred tore at his heart. Desmond saw himself shift and transform, rippling into the form of a killer Black Dragon.

     "Help me!" an elderly voice cried.

     Desmond turned and he saw a void of darkness; there was absolutely nothing. Then, the darkness shifted and he saw the elderly man who had begged him for help outside of Platinum Tower.

     "HELP ME!" he screamed, his body shriveling and becoming distorted.

     "My son..." his father said.

     "Pierce..." Sensei whispered.

     "Desmond..." Olivia said.

     Desmond turned and saw a woman clad in white with flowing brown hair: his mother.

     "Mom?" Desmond asked.

     His mother raised her hand for Desmond to reach it and he grasped it. However, instead of feeling a warm touch he felt utter cold. Desmond's body was getting pulled forward in a direction he did not want to go. Noises and images erupted all around him.

     Gunfire blazed and he heard people screaming.

     Lights exploded in the air like bombs, sending buildings swaying. 

     Blades slashed through the air, whistling as they killed.

     Desmond looked up and saw the stars strewn across a perfectly-black sky. However a form began to take shape and it blocked out the stars. He turned his gaze from the sky to the world in front of him and screamed, seeing a battle-stricken field of corpses. Desmond transferred his gaze upward and saw a giant, black mass with outstretched arms spreading throughout the sky. He looked into the heart of the dark mass and saw two, gleaming red eyes staring back at him.

     "NOOO!" Desmond screamed, the void enveloping everything.

**

     "Pierce!" Sensei cried.

     Desmond was shaking on the floor, tears gushing down his face.

     "My pupil..." Sensei said sadly. "You have failed."

**

     Night fell, and Desmond could not fall asleep after the traumatic events that had happened that day. He dressed and decided to wander the temple by moonlight, which was both a scary and peaceful exercise. Desmond would often feel like a ghost wandering the halls of a cavernous church. It relaxed him and he felt like he needed a little extra relaxation at the time. However, on that specific night, he was feeling more restless than usual and decided to go walk outside of the temple. He was well aware of the fact that the Black Dragon sent out surveillance helicopters at night, but he had already seen the helicopters pass earlier in the evening and thought it would be safe to go out.

     Desmond went to his favorite meditation spot and sat down, absorbing the peaceful silence of the mountains. His mind drifted to the frightful images of what he had seen during his vision. It had been an attempt to fully conquer the fear within him, and he had failed. Desmond placed his head in his hands and sighed: nothing had ever made so little sense to him. Things used to be so simple.

     He ignored a thumping noise off in the distance.

     There were some things he saw that did and did not make sense. He remembered the old man from Platinum Tower and his father accusing him of being a failure, which were both relatively understandable. However, the dark, ominous void and the other visions simply didn't make any sense to him. He questioned on if they were fears or not; they seemed more like premonitions then his nightmares. Desmond cringed, remembering the two red eyes gleaming at him from, what looked like, a realm of darkness.

     The thumping noise grew louder.

     Desmond shut his eyes tighter. He remembered the void and something about it made him very fearful. It must have just been a dream or his wild imagination turning on him in the middle of the sequence. There was no way it could have meant anything at all to him.

     The thumping noise grew steadily louder.

     Desmond looked up and gasped as a beam of white light ignited his entire field of vision. Three helicopters hovered in the distance, growing closer by the second, and they had Desmond pinned on the footsteps of the temple with a searchlight. They must have gone through a secondary sweep and on their way back Desmond had been sitting on the temple steps ignoring them. For months they had hidden in the abandoned temple and made the building appear uninhabited. However, all that time had been futile.

     Desmond, through a simple human error, had just gotten them caught.