Jake and Nathan stepped off the Brotherhood’s plane into the warmth of China’s midday sun. They hadn’t arrived at a large airport, but rather a smaller dirt strip surrounded by jungle.

“I guess this is our stop,” he said, shielding his eyes from the bright sun.

They threw on their backpacks, “Let’s go find this mystery man,” Jake said, walking away from the plane.

“Ok, so which way?” Nathan asked, looking around at the nothing surrounding them.

Jake stopped in his tracks, standing on the quiet runway, gazing around, unsure of where to go. He gave a shrug, “You think they would have given us more directions.”

“Well, I guess we will have to trust Hyung’s way, trusting that ‘destiny’ will guide us,” Nathan joked.

Jake narrowed his eyes at Nathan, “You laugh, but you are starting to sound like you’re starting to believe that rubbish.” He said suspiciously, “But alright then… How about we do let destiny decide…” Jake said with a smirk, retrieving a coin from his pocket.

Nathan nodded in approval, “Heads, we go bush, tails, we hit those dirt roads over there.”

Jake flicked the coin off his thumb, letting it soar through the air before catching and slamming it onto his other hand.

Lifted his hand carefully so only he could see it.

Nathan threw his hands up, “Well? What is it on?”

Jake slowly showed him the coin, “Looks like we are going bush.”

Well let’s get going then! Nathan said, heaving his backpack over his shoulders.

A few hours into the aimless trek, they sat down in a small clearing for a break. Nathan was taking a sip from his water bottle when he heard the faint click of a gun behind them.

“One more move and I pull the trigger!” a man spoke softly behind him.

They were instantly surrounded by a platoon of soldiers all with their automatic weapons drawn and pointed at Nathan and Jake. The soldiers were all concealed by camouflage, dark balaclavas covering their faces.

“So much for destiny…” Jake scowled.

One of the soldiers slammed the butt of his gun into Jake’s back, sending him sprawling across the ground, “I said no moving!”

An image of Vex appeared, leaning against a nearby tree. “Don’t worry, only you can see me,” She sneered, “Want me to kill them?”

“No! We should see what they want,” Julian appeared next to her.

“Drop your weapons!” the leader ordered.

Nathan and Jake both dropped their swords, standing up with their hands above their heads.

“Get their weapons!” he ordered.

One of the masked soldiers walked towards them.

“I wouldn't do that if I were you,” Nathan told the man.

“Shut up!” Their leader yelled, ramming the butt of his gun into Nathan’s stomach.

Nathan keeled over in pain, gasping for air.

The soldier reached down, grabbing the handle of Yami. Picking it up, he let out a scream of terror and pain. He tried to throw it on the ground, but his hand wouldn't let it go.

“Save me!” he cried, running to his leader screaming. “I can't breathe!” his voice sounded dry and distant.

Nathan saw Vex laugh with glee from where she stood.

After a few seconds the soldier fell lifelessly to the ground, the sword clattering out of his hand.

“Check him,” The leader said not taking his eyes off Nathan.

One of his squad members bent down and checked his pulse, “He is dead Lucas,” he said, looking up at the leader.

Lucas pulled off the dead man’s balaclava, revealing a terrified face, drained of any life. Eye sockets sunken into his grey skin and protruding cheekbones. He could have been dead for weeks and looked better.

It took his soul… Nathan looked on, horror plastered on his face.

“Pick up your sword,” Lucas commanded Nathan, “I have to bring you, and those weapons in. And since I can't risk anymore men, you carry it.”

Nathan walked over, picking up Yami, sheathing it next to Akarui.

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The group made their way through the bush, the soldiers not straying their guns from Nathan and Jake, not even for a second.

These are highly trained soldiers, and they sound American… What are they doing so deep in a Chinese jungle? Nathan thought.

The group arrived at a camp surrounded by high wooden walls. Towers at the entrance had large mounted machine guns that trailed them as they approached. A short, stocky man, decorated with medals walked out to greet them as they approached.

“Ahhh so you’re Nathan Cross. I have been expecting you,” he said with a smile.

“Who are you?” Nathan asked, glancing around. The camp had a helipad near the back. Thick leafy camouflage covered everything, hiding the base well from any airborne scouts. There were a couple of jeeps, and a large tank in the centre of the base.

I don’t think the Chinese government knows these guys are here… Nathan guessed.

“I am Major Evans. And you hold in your possession, my promotion,” he said with a smile.

“Where are they taking Jake?” Nathan asked, Watching Jake get taken away by some soldiers.

“He is being taken care of. He has something we want as well. We were very fortunate to have you two visit,” Major Evans mocked.

“Tell me where they are taking him!” Nathan said, his eyes narrowing.

“You don't need to know that,” Evan’s said with a grin, “Walk with me.”

Nathan obliged hesitantly and the two crossed the compound, followed by guards who kept their guns trained on his head.

“Step into my office,” he held a door open, revealing a small wooden room, with his free hand he motioned for Nathan to enter.

“I heard about the man that died from picking up your sword. Tell me, how do your weapons work? And who made them? A country with this kind of technology could be bad for the future of the U.S.A,” Evans poured himself a drink.

“Why would I tell you any of that?” Nathan replied simply.

Major Evan’s smile told Nathan that he knew it wouldn’t be that easy. “I want to know why a group of people that won’t even tell me their names, would pay me so much money for my mercenaries to capture you. One of my men died, and you didn’t even have to raise a finger. So tell me how,” his voice became slightly irritated.

“No,” Nathan responded.

The back of Major Evan’s hand slammed across Nathan’s face.

Nathan wiped a drop of blood from his lips, Yami beginning to steam a black fog at his side. He narrowed his eyes at Major Evans briefly before the whole base became shrouded in a deep black darkness. Major Evans couldn't see a thing, but heard the door smash apart, gun fire and panic rippling across the base outside. Evans felt his way through the darkness, over to the building next door where he found Jake tied to a chair. He held Jake in front of him, a pistol pressed hard against head, pushing the Keeper outside, using him as a human shield.

“Mr Cross!” he yelled out, “You have three seconds to get rid of this dark fog or I shoot your friend in the head.”

The darkness quickly cleared. Evans could see a large winged creature standing on top of one of the towers. The creature turned to face him. Nathan had changed shape, black armour covered what seemed to be a tall female silhouette. His dark limbs barely discernible in the low jungle light.

“A Demon?” Major Evans thought out loud, “That’s impossible... Open fire!” he ordered.

The large tank roared to life, opening fire on the tower, blowing it into a shower of splinters. Nathan moved with unnatural speed, easily ripping the tank in half, like it was nothing more than a piece of paper. Turning to face Evans, he pointed a long black finger at him.

Major Evans fired a shot from his pistol into the air before quickly placing the barrel back against Jake’s head, his voice stern with a hint of fear, “I...If you leave now, I will not kill your friend.”

Jake yelled out, “Finish the mission. I will be ok.”

Nathan let out an ear piercing roar before taking off into the bush.

Evans looked around at the base, it was in ruins. Dead soldiers lay everywhere.

“What have we gotten involved with?” he thought out loud.

“You will see,” Jake replied confidently with a smirk.

Major Evans let out a growl, hitting Jake over the head with the butt of his gun, knocking him unconscious.

After five minutes of running, Nathan’s demon form collapsed to the ground, breathing hard. His shape shifting back to normal before passing out on the grassy jungle floor.

As Nathan came too, his eyes were blurry and his head spun. The hard bed was not comfortable, causing him to squirm. He was inside a small room, lit only by candles. The one small window only showed darkness, so he guessed it was night. Where am I? How did I get here? He thought, confused by the new environment.

“Ahh so you are awake now?” a frail female voice sounded, but Nathan’s eyes could not focus on anything.

“Where am I?” he mumbled, clutching his aching head.

“I found you out in the woods, so I brought you back to my house,” her voice sounded kind.

Trying to sit up, his body disagreed, collapsing back onto the small bed, “How long have I been unconscious?”

“About 2 days. I had to operate as well,” a short old woman with wiry silver hair and a frail frame came into view. She held a walking stick in one hand, and a vile with a green liquid in the other.

Nathan looked confused, “Operate? On what?”

His eyes became clearer and she sat next to him on the bed. “When I found you I noticed something strange. You had bullet wounds, but they had hardly broken the surface. I know my weapons, and these bullets are fifty calibre. These would usually blow off a limb upon contact. These swords were next to you.” She motioned to Akarui and Yami on a small table, “Mind telling me what is going on here?”

“Jake!” Nathan suddenly replied, sitting up quickly.

The old lady looked confused, “Who?”

“There was another guy I was with… He was captured by some troops. He was taken hostage. I... I couldn't save him,” he put his head into his hands, “I let him down...”

“He didn't say anything about another...” she said with a concerned expression. “Only you. Your friend will be safe… They must have planned for this...”

“Who are you talking about?” Nathan asked with a confused expression.

“You don’t need to worry about that,” She said smiling, “I am Poi; Cho Hyung’s younger sister.”

Nathan spent the next few hours explaining what had happened, from when they first met Hyung, till landing in China.

“Hmmm, interesting,” Poi finally said, listening intently to the very end of Nathan’s story, “We are going to get you into shape. It’s time you got used to the Angel and the Demon.”

“I don't mean any disrespect,” Nathan said, “but there are people out there looking for these two swords.” He had the feeling she wasn't grasping the situation.

“The first to rush, are the first to die. You must become patient young one. I will teach you how to harness their powers. But this won’t be an easy task. You will need to be able to use their powers in the coming days. Once your leg is better, we will start,” Poi said, watching for any reaction.

“Ok,” Nathan replied, accepting what she said, “But what about Jake and the others?”

“They will be fine. He has sent them to be trained by others, just as he sent you to be trained by me. Now rest up, we don't have that long.”

Nathan looked at the ground, Who could Jake be getting trained by? He was just captured by the enemy...