Here we go....

[lazenca]

In the mid-to-late 12 century, a man named Riley Catherwood was born in a small city in western Ireland. He was not born for greatness; he was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Riley was born into a family of struggling farmers. His parents had tried many times to have children, but have all failed. Whether it was by infertility or miscarriage, Riley turned out to be his parents’ only child. The area in which he was born was too poor to afford a school, and so Riley was never formally educated. However, Riley got along with all the other children and led a normal childhood. Riley was always on the border of being a troublemaker, but that was due to his curiosity more so than a desire to cause trouble. Beyond the occasional drought or small plague, Riley’s childhood was just like everyone else’s.
When the time came, Riley began helping his father with the everyday chores that all farms produce. However, Riley had to begin helping a little earlier than all of his friends because his mother came down with a crippling disease. Even at that early of an age, Riley understood the severity of his mother’s illness and did not complain that much about all the work that fell on his shoulders so suddenly.
A landmark event happened to Riley after his 16th birthday. His father asked him to make a trip to France because of rumors of a miracle cure that might help his mother’s worsening condition. Riley’s father knew there was no cure, but he knew Riley was quietly taking a major toll from seeing his mother’s condition. Also, due to recent prosperity, and recently opened trade routes, they could afford to send him to France for a week or two.
When Riley arrived at one of the ports in France, he was amazed at how different things were. He had never seen such a grand scale of commerce or even such a large scale of people in one place. However, he quickly remembered his task at hand and started asking around. For a couple days he had heard nothing of any cures, except the occasional cure-alls on low scale keys; such as cure allergies, sneezes, stuffy noses, and minor colds. His search looked bleak. At the end of the first week, he realized that he would not find any cure, and he would have to return empty handed. On the last day, he decided to search all day and night, and take a ship back the next morning. When night fell, he continued to ask around about a cure. He stopped one man that stood out to him. It was a tall man with a very pale complexion. Riley stopped to ask him if he knew of anything. The man was very callous, but Riley was persistent. Eventually, the man turned and yelled at Riley to leave and get out of town before the night was out. Riley pleaded that he needed a cure to save his mother and he couldn’t leave until he found it. The man sighed and went into deep thought for a minute. He slowly reached into his cloak and pulled out a small vial. He told Riley that this would cure his mother regardless of how devastating the disease was. However, he would only give it to Riley if he swore to leave the port before morning. He also told Riley not to show anyone else the vial and not to tell anyone where he got it, or it would endanger the man. Riley didn’t really understand why this vial could get this man in trouble, but he knew he needed it, so he agreed. Riley quickly got back on another boat back to Ireland. Just as the boat left port, the city was under siege. Riley ran to the back of the boat to see what was going on. He saw these strange warriors that leapt from the shadows with extreme amount of dexterity and grace. He could not see them very clearly, but he was amazed from what he could see. He had never seen such amazing abilities and skills; it was almost if they were inhuman.
Riley returned home as fast as he could. His father thought that Riley had been conned when he found out that Riley got a cure, and he became even more suspicious when he found out Riley got it for free. Regardless, his father determined his wife was going to die even if they didn’t try the medicine. They gave Riley’s mother the vial and with ungodly speed, she became healthy again. Not only had years of suffering been stopped, she also became healthier than she was before the disease. She was stronger then Riley’s father and could outwork the both of them combined. They all thought this was a miracle of God himself.
As life returned to normal, Riley continued to think about those shadow warriors he saw. His father and mother had never heard of fighters like that from any region. The same was for all of his friends and neighbors. No one knew anything about the mysterious shadow warriors. Two years had past and he was still obsessed. He drew pictures, wrote stories, poems and even a song or two, all dedicated to these shadow warriors. His father had decided to try and end this. He saved up some more money and told Riley to go back to the same port he had gone to two years ago and try to get this obsession out of his head. Riley gladly accepted this mission from his father.
On his second trip to the port, it looked almost exactly the same as the last time. Riley immediately started asking around about the shadow warriors and the attack two years ago. He quickly learned that this was a sore subject. Riley decided to be a little more discrete with his questions. He started talking to foreigners and older people. He eventually talked to a traveler from Krakow, a major city in the Polish Principalities. The traveler said that he had an idea of what the boy was talking about. He told Riley a story of warriors that embrace the shadows. Warriors that hail from the Far East called ninja. The traveler did not know much, but Riley was fascinated by story, and continued to ask around. When he started asking around about ninja, the response was at least less hostile, however still not very fruitful. Riley spent the next few days gathering some stories. He was simply awe-struck. Riley had realized that he had spent far too long here and should return home quickly.
When Riley returned home, he told his parents all about these “ninja” and all the special powers they possess. They thought he was crazy to believe such fairy tales, but they figured they would not ruin his dreams.
Shortly after his return, Riley decided that he would become a ninja. He had no clue on how to find a ninja master to train him, so he figured that he would just have to train himself and work hard at it. Riley knew people would tease him if they found out about his training, so he figured that it would be easier to train at night. He also figured that when a ninja flourished the most anyways, so he did not mind. A couple months into his training his father found out. His father was not shocked to find out about, nor was he upset. He figured this would happen, and he knew there was no way to break this obsession. He asked Riley if he wanted to find true “ninjas” and Riley agreed before his father could finish his sentence. Riley’s father laughed and shook his head. He then told Riley that if he worked on his farm till his 20th birthday, his father would not stop him from leaving on his journey. His father also said that he would start paying him what he could to try and help him fund his up coming travels.
The next year and a half flew by and it was Riley’s 20th birthday before he knew it. His father lived up to his word and allowed Riley to leave. He even bought what traveling equipment he could afford for Riley before he left. The next day, Riley set off to the east.
Riley figured the fastest way to the east would be through England and then through the Roman Empire. He knew that the English did not care for the Irish, so he figured he would keep to himself and talk only when he needed to. The initial trip was long, but he made it through England mainly on foot, catching carriage rides whenever opportunity presented itself. He did manage to attract some minor trouble with the locals, but nothing too violent, just some yelling and racism.
When he made it to the Roman Empire, it was like he was in a different world. The area was so rich and the architecture was so different to anything he’s ever seen before. A problem that he had predicted had occurred while he was in the Roman Empire; lack of funds. He decided to go to local taverns and inns and offer work and help for a place to sleep and food. He found several places and even figured out way to make tip from patrons. After a few more months he managed to leave and continue his journey.
As he made his way through the Polish Principality, Prussia, Polotsk, Smolensk, and Vladimir, and into Volga Bulgars years had passed. Riley had actually lost track of the years, but he was pretty sure he was around 22. He had become accustomed to his routine of traveling and stopping to replenish his strength and funds. Even though he enjoyed his travels he never lost focus of his true goal.
After moving on from the Volga Bulgars area, he realized it was getting drastically colder. He figured that his Irish heritage help him through the cold with memories of horribly bitter winters of the past. Eventually it became too cold for him, and he was unprepared. At this point, however, he was in a barren wasteland of snow and ice. Riley knew his only chance was to make it through this tundra before he froze to death. However, his willpower could only get him so far. Eventually the cold over took him and he collapsed in the snow. Death was ready for him, regardless of how ready he was.
Riley then work up in a small bed in a small log cabin. A beautiful woman came over to his bedside and asked how he was feeling. Riley, still confused, said that he felt a little weak, but fine nonetheless. She told him that her name was Rose and she saved him from the cold. He had been sleeping for a week. Rose asked her what he was doing out there, and he did not give her a straight answer. He was very attracted to her and he did not want her to think he was just an idiot for wandering into a lethally cold area because of some childhood fantasy. However, she stayed persistent and kept asking. Eventually, he broke down and told her. Rose said that she knew all about ninja and where they are located. Riley initially thought she was making fun of him, but realized that she was telling him the truth when she offered to guide him.
Riley helped Rose lock up the cabin for the long journey ahead of them. They journeyed together for quite awhile and during that time, Riley’s infatuation built into love for Rose. He thought she was so different from everyone he’s ever met and, from what he can tell; she seems to care about his well-being. However, he never felt comfortable telling he how he felt. He was pretty sure she felt the same way, but something told him not to talk about it and just enjoy her company.
Another year had passed until they made it to the ocean. Riley became very hesitant when they reached the ocean and thought that was the end of their journey, but Rose told him that they needed to cross the ocean to a large island called Japan.
They found a boat going to Japan, and they managed to barter pass. The trip to Japan seemed to take longer than it should have, but Riley did not care since he was with Rose. Eventually they landed in Japan. Riley could feel his journey coming to a close, but Rose assured him that it was nowhere near. They still had to make their way south, and then try to get him into the secret society. After all of that, the real journey would begin.
The rest of the distance they had to cross, passed very quickly due to the nice weather and brand new scenery. Even though Riley had crossed Europe, he had never seen a land such as this. Finally, they had entered the city Rose said they needed to reach. Riley had mixed feelings about this. He had spent all of this time traveling, and now its over, just like that. On top of all of that, what was going to happen about him and Rose? He decided to break down and talk to Rose about everything. Just as he turned to talk to her, she put her finger over his lips and said that she won’t leave him, and he should have never worried about that. Her smooth words and cold finger sent a chill down Riley’s spine. He was comforted in a way he did not know was possible. Riley knew that everything would work out. With a renewed sense of determination, he asked Rose to take him to their next objective.
Rose walked, seemingly aimlessly, down the city roads to the outskirt on the other side of the city. She stopped in front of a small house and told Riley that there’s no turning back from here. Riley did not know what this hut would have to do with ninja, but he trusted her and nodded. Rose went inside the small house and it was just beaten and worn down. Riley felt very disappointed. Then Rose moved the bed and lifted a handle to a secret room under the house. Down a small ladder to the landing below led them to a corridor. Rose started to walk down the corridor and Riley hesitantly followed. At the other end was a matching ladder up to a matching secret door.
Outside of the secret passageway, they arose to see a huge training facility. Rose turned to Riley and told him that they were in the Kazekage (ka zay ka gay) dojo. Riley started to wonder whom Rose was and where she had been. No one would have known this much from rumors alone. Rose turned to him and told him that there would be time for thoughts like that later, and suddenly Riley’s face turned red. He thought, if she could read his mind, what else did she know? But he quickly shook those thoughts out of his head.
Rose led him to a small tent, inside there was an old man wearing all black. Riley noticed a mirror behind the old man and realized that he didn’t cast a shadow. At first ha was taken off guard, but then thought it was just an ability of the ninja. He must truly be a master. Rose spoke to the old man and told him to accept Riley for training. The old man got very upset and refused. Rose then asked Riley to leave the tent for a moment. Riley stepped outside and looked around. It appeared that this place was underground, perhaps in a hollowed out mountain. He was amazed. He saw ninja sparing, training and practicing. A sense of pride suddenly washed over him. He realized that his willpower had gotten him who knows how many miles from home and he even found what everyone told him did not exist.
A few minutes later, Rose stepped out. She told him that he had been accepted as a student, but must never complain of falter in his training; shortly after the old man came out as well. He said that his name Saizo, but he must refer to him as master. Saizo said that he could not turn away someone that had given everything just for his training. His training started immediately.
Riley’s training was harder than he ever imagined, but he was learning and improving. Unfortunately, everyone else that he was training with was much younger than he was and much more talented. Riley was the worst student Saizo was training. Although Riley was slightly discouraged, he never complained or gave up. He practiced harder than anyone, and Saizo noticed. Saizo would have killed anyone else with his ability level by now, but Riley’s heart was more into the training than anyone else’s’.
Years had past and Riley had grown into a man. However, he was still a terrible ninja. Regardless of skill, it was time for his final test, the Shinan Achi-bu. It is the final test for all students before they can be considered ninja. The test had a simple means of results; if you lived, you became a ninja.
Rose knew that Riley would not survive the test. She felt that she had no options left, and it was time to tell him more about herself. She sat Riley down and told him that she was a cainite, a vampire. Riley laughed and did not believe her. She quickly proved her origins to him. Rose told him that he would not pass the test if he did not become a vampire himself. Riley thought about it for a long time. He decided that the only way for him to become a ninja with any worth, he would have to take this step. He agreed and she Embraced him into the dark world of the Kindred.
The next day was the final test. He passed with flying colors. When Saizo rewarded him with his ninja garb and gear, he told him that he wondered how long Rose was going to Embrace him. At that moment it became so clear that Saizo was a kindred as well, just as he was.
Riley ran back to their home and saw a stake driven in Rose’s chest. Riley froze, at first he thought it was out of fear, but it was actually due to a matching stake. They both had a hood placed over their heads so they couldn’t see anything. They were taken somewhere and it took quite awhile.
When they’re hoods where removed, they were kneeling before a regal looking man and they were in front of a large audience. The man was talking about the Masquerade, and Riley had no idea what he was talking about. When he looked over at Rose she was looking down and crying. Riley had never seen her so emotional. Then the man’s speech came back into Riley’s hearing, he was talking about how kindred need his permission before they sire cainites into this world. He said that Rose had not even asked his permission and must be punished for this. He continued on and stated that the only punishment suitable for such a serious offense was Final Death. Riley tried to scream out, but the stake was still in his chest. Suddenly, he saw a sword drop down, decapitating Rose as she turned to ash.
The man, then turned to Riley, and began speaking again. He said that it would be unfair to not give this poor sireless kindred a chance. He declared that he would drop him off where his mortal life would have ended if it were not for Rose. And the hood went back over Riley’s face.
The hood came off and all he could see was white, horrible snow. They pulled the stake out of his chest and he could move again. The vampires vanished with an evil laugh and false wishes of good luck. He had realized that Riley had died and he would have to be much stronger if he were to survive this. He dawned the new name Ezekiel and rose to his feet. Ezekiel was feeling weak and he imagined that he needed to feed. He thought in silence for a minute and realized that if Rose survived out in this tundra, she must’ve had a supply of blood around the cabin somewhere.
He could sense the cabin to the west and he quickly made his way there. When he made it in the cabin, he could smell blood somewhere. He found blood packs in the first place he looked. They did not look fresh, but his options where very limited right now. He drank until he did not feel weak anymore and packed up the remaining packs. He looked around at the room, remembering his first memories of Rose. He felt like crying and he tried to allow himself the mourning, but nothing came from his eyes. Ezekiel looked over at a dresser and saw a leather choker Rose wore on occasion. He reached out and picked it up, but suddenly, the cabin burst into flames. Ezekiel dove out the door and saw the vampires had lit the cabin on fire and were now laughing at him. Ezekiel’s rage surfaced and he fell into a frenzy. He instinctually fell into the shadows. He kept emerging from the vampires’ shadows and slashed at them viciously and mercilessly. When he came back to his senses, he saw three piles of ash as his feet. He has realized that the Beast Rose told him about had arisen. Ezekiel felt sick and refused to allow that to happen again. However, he was feeling weaker than before, so he had no choice but to finish the blood packs.
Ezekiel figured that he was being chased and hunted. He decided the best tactic he could do would be to head west and try to gather knowledge; knowledge about his abilities, the Masquerade and most importantly, the bastard that stole Rose’s life.