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Overview
Nickolas Landry; Martial Arts instructor, model citizen, and former Navy SEAL. Years ago, after leaving the Navy, he was confronted by an ancient little man from Japan, who claimed that Nick was destined to serve as the Guardian of mankind. His duty, until the end of times, is to safeguard humanity from the forces of darkness. This destiny came with a warning, explained by Masamoto that this duty would destroy the life Nick knows.
When the time came, after years of training, Nick learned first hand how true the warning was. He believed that he possessed the strength and ability to protect his life and the loved ones in it. On the eve of his wedding, he was shown how wrong he was, when his bride to be was taken from him, along with Masamoto, losing her life because of his destiny.
How does a man give his life to save the rest of mankind? Sure, he could've walked away and denied his destiny. But, how could he carry on with his life knowing that the future of mankind is doomed on Earth? Nickolas Landry is not that kind of man, but with the end of times near, he will soon learn the extent of this so-called destiny that has consumed his life, and what it will truly cost him. Allies have been made, with more to come to fight at his side, on this eve of doom. It is then that Nick will discover what the ultimate sacrifice is to save the word.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781463438814 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | AuthorHouse |
| Publication date: | 08/05/2011 |
| Pages: | 524 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 1.05(d) |
Read an Excerpt
DRAGON'S FANG
The End Of Times Part 1By Stacy A. Wright
AuthorHouse
Copyright © 2011 Stacy A. WrightAll right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4634-3881-4
Chapter One
June 3rd, 2003Megan gave me this journal for a Christmas gift, last year. I've never been one to keep a journal, unless you count my mission logs, during my six years in the Navy. Being twenty six, I felt that I was a little too old to start a diary, but I kept it any way, even though I thought I'd never have a use for it. You know; one of those things that you can't get rid of, but is always lying around. I find myself admitting that the events of this evening have proved me wrong. If ever something needed to be written down, it would be this.
Me, and Meg, were out for our date night, like every other Friday night, since I moved back to Miami. A phone call earlier from Sonny tried to put a damper on the planned festivities, but I was quick to put a stop to it, real quick. A lot has happened in my life since she was court-martialed, but I'm still her anchor to reality while she finishes out her sentence. The one thing I wish she could accomplish in prison is moving on with her life, without me. She says that she has, and wishes me and Meg the best. Any way, her call was to tell me that the courts were reducing her sentence, and that she would be out in time for the wedding. Of course, her adding the part about standing up and protesting the marriage is what sent me over the edge. She swears that she was joking, but knowing Sonny, as soon as the preacher asks why these two should not be joined in holy matrimony, Sonny would be the one to jump up, waving her arms.
Lucky for me, I was able to blow the whole thing off and return my focus to my night out with Megan. The dinner was good, but only because of the company. God, I swear I could enjoy ketchup covered cardboard, as long as I could stare into her deep blue eyes.
The movie afterwards was terrible, but Megan loves those romantic comedies. She tried her best to convince me that I was wrong as we walked down the street, which actually turned out to be more comical than the movie. Finally, after declaring the debate a draw, we stopped in an ice cream parlor for desert. It was there that we witnessed something that would change my life, forever. Meg thought that the parlor's old time flair was too cute to pass up. Knowing when not to dispute her call, I bought us both ice creams while she picked out a table. I did my best to enjoy sitting at the uncomfortable wrought iron chairs around the matching table on the parlor's front patio, but I don't think she would have noticed if I stood up and protested the accommodations. Her attention was focused on an old man standing in front of the alley across the street, who she thought was staring at us. I told her to finish her ice cream and pay him no mind. Now days, there are plenty of wackos out on the streets, staring at people. When she became concerned, I had to be concerned, or neither one of us was going to enjoy the rest of the night. Looking up, I saw the old man and quickly deduced that he was no threat to us, at all. What I did find disturbing was the group of hoodlums that were eyeing the old man as an easy mark. Most people wouldn't have seen it, but my training is what it is.
Before I could react, the gang was forcing the old man down into the alley across the street. Meg begged me not to get involved, but I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if I didn't. Six against one is bad odds for anybody, much less an ancient relic. I assured Meg that everything would be alright and took off across the street. I didn't hesitate charging right in and displayed my abilities, leaping over the gang to take a defensive stance between them and the old man.
One of the thugs had already taken a shot at the old guy, knocking his cane away before shoving him up against the wall. I took out that guy first, hitting him with a jab to the throat, expecting the rest to turn and run. I wasn't extremely surprised when they didn't, but I was ready for them all the same. Me, Charlie, and Sonny handled far worse opponents from all around the world, than these guys could ever hope to be. The fight was on and I quickly proved that the gang was no match. A few minutes later, I was helping the old man up and out of the alley, as Megan came running over.
His name is Hiro Masamoto, originally from Japan. According to him, he has traveled from afar, to seek me out. Of course, I had to ask the stupid question of how he knew I would be at the ice cream parlor at that specific time. His response was simply, "destiny." I guess most people would have walked right away from the situation, believing that the old man was off his rocker. Megan first believed that his comments and statements were just rantings of a lunatic, but something intrigued me about him. In fact, I was so curious that I offered him a room for the night.
Megan was apprehensive at first, but the old man quickly won her over with his eastern charm and humble personality. Personally, I think it was his reference to her as a perfect cherry blossom that made Megan swoon. After assuring me that he was good to walk, we set out for home as he kept us mesmerized by his fanciful tales of his past. Later on, me and Meg compared notes to see if we could determine what was fact, and what was fancy.
They are both asleep, right now. I set Masamoto up in the guest room, and Meg is passed out on the sofa. The crazy old man, I offer him a perfectly good bed, and he rolls out a bed mat in the middle of the bedroom floor. There is something about him that I cannot shake. I mean, during our walk home, he kept bringing up points of interest about me that not too many people know. It's not so much that I want to know how he knows these things about me. It's the why he knows that bothers me. I guess we'll find out tomorrow. According to Masamoto, my training begins at sunrise.
June 4th, 2003
Be careful what you wish for. I, I just don't know what to say. Megan left out early, claiming she was giving me a chance to acquaint myself with my new friend. Ha, Ha, she really did me a favor with that one. By the time I finally rolled out of bed, Masamoto was already out in the back yard. Where we found the ground level deck a good place for socializing, Masamoto found it suitable for his morning meditation.
With my cup of hot tea in hand, I stood at the back door and watched the old man as he performed some kind of Tai-Chi style of meditation ritual. His movements were smooth and graceful, and yet slow and precise, as if something else was controlling his actions, mind, body, and soul. I may not know his true age, but I am starting to think that this guy could've probably handled the gang, yesterday in the alley. If he wanted to, well, probably, okay maybe he would have made them think twice next time about targeting an old man.
I stood there in the doorway and watched him for at least thirty minutes, before he acknowledged my presence and motion for me to come over and stand before him. Honestly, I didn't think he really knew I was there. It was strange, to say the least, that he sounded insulted, when I presumed as much. Here I am, twenty six years old and a complete stranger was berating me like a lazy child. Apprehensively, I walked out into the yard to join him. He spoke out as I approached, never opening his eyes, and never pausing his exercise. "Your destiny is to safeguard the world from darkness. To do so, you must be of pure mind, pure body, and pure spirit." According to him, I had two out of the three. My mind, evidently, is the one out of sync with the other two, and the only way to get all three aligned was his form of meditation. "Peace must exist all around you. Strength can be drawn from that peace, and used to face the darkness."
I did learn something, even if it did take me All day to do it. Masamoto blindfolded me, forcing me to use my other senses as he instructed. If true focus is achieved, my mind's eye can rely on my other senses to see his actions. As I began my meditation exercise, he would circle me, tapping his cane lightly against the deck, in a very unbalanced repetition. Then, he would lash out at me, striking me on the leg or shoulder. On and on this continued with me trying to focus, and him doing all that he could to disrupt it. That is, until I reached a higher level of focus. I could feel the light vibrations of him moving about coming from the deck. I could hear the fabric of his loose clothing moving through the air, and the sound of his cane twirling around. It was like I could see an image of him moving, and visualize his proximity and actions. It was then, at that specific moment, Masamoto lashed out at me again to strike me across my chest. Even blindfolded, it was like I could see the attack and to my surprise, I blocked it. I've heard of stuff like this, but never thought of pursuing it. I mean, how often do you have to worry about someone attacking you while you meditate?
Masamoto didn't flinch, smile, or nothing. He just turned away like a pouting child. When I questioned him about it, his only reply to me was, "You have proved yourself worthy for the task at hand. That is all. I will return in two days. We will continue then."
There are few times in my life where I've been dumbfounded, with this being one of them. For one, I still can't believe that we spent the entire day in the back yard. It isn't often that I completely lose track of time like that. I have to be honest; I really thought the old man would have been more impressed with how quickly I picked up his little trick. Masamoto retired to his room and hasn't been seen since. Megan said that it was probably his way of saying goodbye. I'm putting my money on him being back in two days. The question is what will he have in store for me then? Megan is going out of town to visit her sister for a week or so. That will give me some good one on one time with the old man to try and figure out what he's all about. That is, of course, if I'm right, and he does come back.
June 9th, 2003
Okay, so this old man has me hooked on this destiny crap. There is something about him that seems almost supernatural. I don't know how to explain it. The guy knows too much about me, that isn't common knowledge. I mean, he was rattling off stuff that he declared was pivotal in my growth for this destiny. The scary part is that some of that information died with people and family members a long time ago. Has he been stalking me for decades?
Upon his return, he hurried me out of the house with nothing but the clothes on my back, and we wandered through the everglades for two days where he explained his mission to me. According to him, this destiny isn't a world changing event. Instead, my duty is to keep that event from ever taking place. Should I fail; the world will become a living hell for all manner of creatures on Earth. When I pushed him for a little more information, he simply said that my focus must remain on the present that the rest will be revealed at the right moment in time. Tomorrow, he wishes to accompany me to my dojo. I'm starting up a new class designed to aid in the training of Navy recruits. If this works out, it could give me a long term contract between the base and my dojo. After all, who knows what a Navy SEAL needs to know most, than a former Navy SEAL?
June 10th, 2003
I declare that Hiro Masamoto is my idol. I say that because today I learned what true power really means. I took Masamoto to sit in on my classes like I planned. At first, I was a little disgruntled with the old man by the way he kept interrupting the class by critiquing my instructions. When I had finally had enough, I invited the old man to take over. That was mistake number one. Masamoto threw me around the mats like a dog playing with a rag doll. Then to quiet the recruits, he invited four of them up onto the mats. One of the guys makes a snide comment about hurting the old man. I'll never forget the look on the guy's face when Masamoto faced the opponent and told him, "You don't have what it takes to hurt me. Two minutes later, four Navy recruits were lying flat on their backs looking up at Masamoto. He then offered me the saving grace by pointing out that he was my Master, my teacher, and that everything I learn will be passed on to my students through how I teach. I am intrigued even more now that I have been accepted as his student. I'm curious about his fighting styles that seem to have no strong basis in any one of the Martial Arts. It's almost like an evolved combination of different techniques, but based on ancient forms. I truly believe that this could be the next level I've been searching for.
November 13th, 2003
Today was an exciting day for me. I was the lucky guy who got to play human pin cushion, as Masamoto used a blow gun to attack me. Sure, I had a shield about the size of a coffee can lid strapped to my left hand. Of course, it didn't do me any good being that I'm left handed, and usually block with my right. After a while I managed to doge a few off target darts and actually blocked a few more with my itty bitty shield. I should have a little time to come up with a good excuse why I looked like I was attacked by hornets. Meg will be home tomorrow around lunch time. It'll be good to have her back. I never thought I would miss someone as much as I miss her. On the other hand, Masamoto insists that my relationship with Megan must come to an end. I don't know how he can expect me to do that. What's a guy supposed to say? Hi honey, I sure am glad you're home! How was your visit with your sister? Did you, and her, just sit around looking at wedding magazines? By the way, we need to talk. Yeah, sure, like that's going to happen. Somewhere down the line, me and Masamoto are gonna have to come to some kind of agreement on this matter. There's no way I'm going to give up everything just to protect something that might not even need protecting in the first place? I'm gonna need a little more convincing before we cross that road.
May 6th, 2004
Masamoto returned today, this being the third time he's disappeared in the middle of the night. Each time he's done this, he's given me some bullshit story about where he's been. The first time was about a six months ago, when I went to meet him at our spot in the 'glades, and sat there for seven hours wondering if he was going to show up. When I asked him about it, once he finally returned three weeks later, he told me that it wasn't my place to question him or his actions. At least the second time he pulled this little stunt, he gave me a line that the talisman was in jeopardy and he needed to lead the darkness away. This time, it was a long commune with the council, where he was able to learn more about my destiny, but wasn't at liberty to say what that was. I guess he's starting to break down a little though, because this time he did leave me a note telling me that he was going. It didn't say where or how long he would be gone, but I did know he was outta here. I'm glad he's back. To be honest, I'm looking forward to resuming my training.
August 28th, 2004
Everything has a reason and a purpose. Boy, that one was drilled into my head today. I think today was one of Master Masamoto's off days, as in off his rocker. Here I am, supposed to be this destined warrior who's gonna save the world, and Masamoto's focus is on how I should brew my tea. I keep telling him that he's wasting his time with the trivial stuff. I don't know what I was thinking, trying to argue with him about what to, and what not to teach. He went off on one of his little spills, comparing me to something else. This time it was the tea and the possible danger around me is the sugar. He said that like the hot tea, as long as I did not falter, the danger in my life will succumb to my will, as the sugar does to the hot liquid. Change my standards, and it will overpower me.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from DRAGON'S FANG by Stacy A. Wright Copyright © 2011 by Stacy A. Wright. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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