The group, along with the abbot, Shiro, and some of the guard monks entered the praying hall. As the group entered, they were astonished by the vastness of the hall, the beauty of the goddess statue in front of them, and the altar where the statue placed, which were the first things that they noticed when entering the hall. For Dragon, the view of the hall brought back memories when the first time he and his friends were here a few years ago. At that time, they were on a mission to enter the other realm to fight Daimajin for the first time, and in this place as well was the time he and his friends received the Universe Gems, which empower them with elemental powers and soul power.

The memory of his friends saddened him, but when Yuki, who felt his change of mood touched his hand, he became calm again. He felt the support coming from her and felt his strength coming back to him.

The monks and the abbot of the Order turned to face the group. “This is the temple of the Order of Light. As you can see, the hall is not in good condition, courtesy of the earlier attacks.” Said the abbot while smiling ironically. Then he turned toward Dragon. “Ryu Dragon, I need to speak to you privately.” Then to the rest of the group. “I apologize if I cannot accompany you all. Shiro-san and the monks in here will show you all the rest of the temple and serve you.” Then he bowed and turned to walk toward a room on the right side of the hall.

Ryu Dragon turned to his companions. “I would speak with the abbot for a moment, you guys enjoy the tour around the temple. I won’t be long.”

“We will be around.” Said Ken.

Dragon nodded then followed the abbot into the room. When he disappeared into the room, Shiro nodded toward the group and extended his right hand to the opposite side where the abbot and Dragon went. “Shall we ?” Then the group went with him and a couple of monks.

Coming out from the hall, the group encountered a passageway, a row of rooms where the beginner monks slept, and when they passed the passed the row of rooms, they arrived on a very beautiful garden, if not for the damages caused by the fights. The garden was shaped in form of a circle, varieties of trees were planted on the outer edges of the garden. The garden itself had a big fishpond, which covered the most part of the garden. In the middle of the garden was a bridges shaped like the word ‘S’. In each side of the pond was a stone pagoda, placed precisely on the opposite side of each other diagonally (Author’s note: For those of you who still can’t picture the pond’s shape, it’s a Yin/Yang symbol shaped from bird’s eyes point of view.).

The architecture was amazing, it was a shame that the destruction had marred the beauty of the garden. “This is the Yin/Yang garden. This place is not only for enjoying the view, but also for meditation and at times to practice martial arts.” Explained Shiro as the group admired the garden.

“Ken, your garden at home is nothing compared to this.” Whispered Dan.

Ken nodded. “Well, later when I go home, I’m gonna build one like this.”

After enjoying the view for a moment, Shiro signaled them to move on. From the garden, they came to an intersection, to the left was a big size building, and Shiro went there along with the group. Inside was a room filled with numerous types of exercise machines like those can be found in modern gym. The group was astonished to see the big difference from the ancient type of view from the outside to the modern type of view in the inside. At the view of the group’s expression, Shiro chuckled. “Not like what any of you thought, eh ? We of the Order of Light also embrace the modern type of exercise. This is especially good for monks who wanted to start learning martial arts. They can build their stamina and strength through these exercises without getting in the way of more advance students or vice versa.”

Next, they went to the opposite side and came into a building that although not as tall as the one before, but much wider. The building was filled with… nothing. Nothing at all can be seen in the building except for the four walls and three windows on each side of the building, and a double door on the opposite side of the entrance. “Now this place is for the monks to practice their martial arts techniques. It can hold at least seventy five monks practicing together, same or different styles.”

“What about weapons ? Don’t you practice weapons as well ?” Asked Claude curiously.

“We do, and that is in another building which is similar like this. Only in that one, it has various kinds of weapons placed on the walls.” Explained Shiro.

“Can we go there ?” asked Natalie.

“Certainly.” Replied Shiro.

They walked out the building using the opposite site of the entrance’s doors. After passing a small garden, they came into another building which was similar to the one they visit before. They entered, and were astonished with the numerous kinds of weapons placed on the walls. There were probably at least seven sets of twenty-five types of traditional weapons.

The group inspected a weapon each and found that the weapons were in very good condition and quality. Shiro explained that each weapon was crafted by a group of very exceptionally skilled smiths down in the village near the temple. The monks who learn weaponry were also taught how to take care of each weapon properly.

Next, they came out of the weapon practice building, through the barehanded practice building then turn to the right on the intersection. They came to the library. In it were rows and rows of shelves filled with books, scrolls, pictures, and maps. However, a lot of them and the library itself were damaged from the fight.

“Wow, this is amazing. It’s a pity to see this wonderful place damaged like this.” Said Chun Li. “How many books and scrolls are in here ?”

“About ten thousands books and a thousand scrolls, divided into spells and literatures types of scrolls.” Said someone who suddenly came out from behind a shelve surprising them all except the monks. The person that came out looks as ancient as some of the books that kept in the library. He wore similar monk’s uniform, but there were so much dust and stains that the group thought that he might had never change clothes at all.

“Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce you to Brother Miki, the librarian in here.” Said Shiro. “Brother Miki had been the librarian since I first came into the temple. Some says that he is as old as the temple.” He winked funnily.

“Don’t listen to the old coot. He has lost a lot of his memory.” Said the librarian. It was quite clear that from their banter that both monks were best friends. The group only smiled at their banters. The old librarian turned to Shiro. “I heard that Ryu Dragon had come again ?”

Shiro nodded. “Don’t worry, old man. This time is the true Ryu Dragon, the best friend of the Order.” Then indicating at the group, he continued. “They come along with him.”

Miki shook his head. “You have to explain to me.”

Shiro grinned. “I will, later on. Right now, I’m taking them on a tour around the temple.”

The librarian grumbled. “Fine, but the explanation has to come with a meal and sake.”

Shiro laughed heartily. “Done, my friend.”

Then the librarian turned to the group. “Now, how can I be of service ?”

Inside the abbot’s office…

Over cups of tea, Ryu Dragon explained his adventures from the time he left the temple few years back until today that he arrived at the temple to the abbot. The abbot listened intently to his story, did not say much save asking questions for clarity. When the story finished, the abbot took a sip of tea, then asked his friend. “So what is your plan ?”

“We are planning to chase them to the era where they go and prevent them from completing whatever they are trying to do.” Replied Dragon.

“Do you know which era ?” asked the abbot.

Dragon shook his head. “We don’t know precisely to what year they are going to, but we do have clues concerning the era.”

“And that is ?”

“They are looking for a demonic blade called Soul Edge and planned to absorb the power to enhance their powers.”

“Soul Edge ?” asked the abbot rhetorically. “I’ve never heard about the blade before. But I’m sure we can find some clues in the library.” Then he sighed. “It’s really too bad that the library was damaged quite severely. Many of the books and scrolls were burned or destroyed during the fights by those two demons. They also steal the sacred time travel spell scroll.”

Dragon nodded. “I understand. But I also know that the temple always make a copy of each book and scrolls in it.”

Yokai nodded. “It’s a lucky thing that we never told you where we keep the copy, otherwise the demons could have taken the copy as well.”

Dragon grinned. “It is a lucky thing, indeed. And I think I prefer that you keep me ignorant of the place, just in case.”

Yokai smiled, then drank his tea.

Later in library…

Ryu Dragon and Yokai arrived and joined the group. They informed the librarian and asked him to find information regarding Soul Edge. After a few hour of search through the shambles, they found very limited information on Soul Edge. They knew now what it was and the origin of Soul Edge blade, but they could not find any information regarding whereabouts the demonic blade was located on earth nor the precise time.

“This is useless.” Said Ken as he closed another book. He saw the librarian frown and said. “No offence meant, Brother Miki, but all the information that we found provided only little information for us to deal with the problem.”

The old librarian nodded. “No offence taken, Ken-san. I’m also frustrated at the difficulty finding the information to help us all.”

“It is possible that the two demons took the books or scrolls that contain the information that we’re looking for.” Said a monk who was helping the research.

Shiro nodded. “Yes, it is possible.”

“So, now what do we do ?” asked Natalie. “Time is really precious, and if they got back before we can prevent them finding the blade, it would be a disaster.”

“I’ve got an idea.” Said Ken after thinking for a while. He took out his phone and dialed an international number.

“Who’re you calling ?” asked Eliza.

“A very excellent treasure hunter.” Replied Ken.

She leaped.

And landed on a stone pillar in crouching position. An arrow sped passed a few millimeters from her nose, so close that she could feel the wind. She jumped to another pillar, and another, and another, until she landed on the tenth pillar. Each was rigged with the similar arrow trap. As she landed on the last pillar, an axe swung down just a few inches in front of her. She stopped and analysed her surroundings. No arrow trap or any other traps, only the giant swinging axe, but she could safely bet that the swinging axe could cut her easily and cleanly if she just made a slight miscalculation.

Four feet in front of her was a ledge where she aimed to go. She carefully calculated the distance, the time she needed for the momentum to jump without introducing her lovely body to the swinging axe. She stepped back on the back edge of the pillar and waited. As the axe swung precisely in front of her, she moved. Two steps passed, and she reached the end of the pillar, then she jumped. Past the axe, and barely caught the ledge with her hands. She groaned from the pain in her shoulders, but did not let go of the hold. She took a moment to recover then pulled herself up. She sat on the ledge, feeling the excitement and breathing heavily.

She moved along the passageway carefully until she reached a massive hall made of stones. She walked a few steps while checking her surroundings. Eight stones pillar, four in a row on each side of the hall. She walked slowly and silently, all the while, her hands never far from her trusty guns. As she got near the first pair of pillars, she stopped. Then, from the back of each pillar, a monster came out. The monsters had a head of a hawk, a body of human, hands of gorilla – plus talons in replacement of its nails, and lower body of a horse.

Most people would faint at the sight of the monsters, but not her. She had seen creatures equally and more terrifying than these. She smiled sensually at the creatures and pulled her guns. She could feel the adrenaline beginning to rush.

Then, it began. As she ran toward the creatures, she aimed at the first pair and shot them with deadly precision. The creatures reacted. The first pair that was shot screamed in agony but did not die. The other six began to react and charged at her. When she had taken down the first pair with ten bullets each, she killed the next creature on her left while all along running to her left side. She ejected the empty clips out and reloaded again in only two seconds time. She took out the next creature coming at her then jumped back a few steps and shot to the incoming pair of creatures.

Five down, one dying, two to go. She somersaulted to the right, evading the last pair of the monsters lunging at her. She ran toward the dying monster and finished it with the left gun. She felt the other two coming and ran toward the first pillar on the right. Turning around, she saw one monster about to come at her. When the first monster leaped, she skidded to the left and shot the creature on the head three times. One downs, one to go. Both guns almost empty, and she did not have the time to reload as the last monster was very near. It swung a backhand at her. She dodged under the attack and shot its right front leg. It screamed and raised its front legs catching her off guard. She went down with a grunt and quickly rolled to the side as the creature’s legs bore down on her.

She rolled into crouching position, holstered her guns, and took a machete from her back. She ran straight toward the creature, and on the last second before the creature’s punch came out, she shifted to the right and caught its waist. She jumped up the horse body and rode it like a cowboy trying to tame a wild horse. The creature tried to shake her off but she clung to its back tightly. Then, she thrust her machete into its human’s body from the back. As the creature was about to go down, she jumped up off it and swung the machete horizontally, decapitating the creature’s head. She landed gracefully on her feet as the creature died.

She looked at the fallen creatures. “Hmmm… That was easy. I must talk to Bryce again to make more powerful opponents for me.” She thought. She went past the door into a modern lab room. Inside were a couple of monitors, machines, equipment, and a young man sitting in front of the monitors that were showing rooms full of traps and the last room where the woman battled several manmade robot creatures. “Bryce…” She called the man that was sitting.

“I know, I know, make harder enemies.” He turned around. The young technician was frowning toward the woman. “Lara, these are the first tryout for multiple opponents that I made. You said you didn’t feel satisfied with single big opponent, so you asked for multiple opponents, and I made them.” Then he smiled. “Give me a slack a bit, alright ? I want to be sure that it is safe enough for you to have a go. After all, I don’t want to lose my employer.”

“Well, your concern is noted and appreciated, but don’t forget, next time make them harder to defeat. After all, in my line of work, I’ve faced harder stuff than these bunch.” She winked.

Suddenly, a man dressed in butler outfit came in. He brought a wireless phone on a silver tray. “A phone call from Master Ken Masters, Lara.”

“Oh, from Ken ? Wonder how he’s doing.” Said Lara as she took the phone. “Thank you, Hillary.”

“Ken Masters ? The future heir of the billionaire Masters ?” asked Bryce to Hillary.

He only nodded.

Lara was talking to Ken. “Ken ! How are you ? Good to hear your voice again.”

“Thank you Lara, and I assume you’re good and healthy as well ?” asked Ken.

“Of course. So, what’s going on ?”

“Well, Lara, I’ve been having a trouble finding some information regarding a certain thing, and I remember that you’re a great treasure hunter…”

“Tomb raider.” Said Lara. “And thank you for the compliment. So what are you looking for ? Wait, tell me first, are you thinking to be a tomb raider as well ?” asked Lara jokingly.

Ken chuckled. “Nah, don’t worry, I won’t be your competitor, I’m sure I’d lose to you.”

“Flatterer.” Replied Lara, grinning. “So, how’s your wife, Eliza ?”

“She’s good and well, she’s here with me actually.” Replied Ken.

“Here ? Where are you ?” asked Lara.

“I’m at Japan at the moment.” Replied Ken.

“Ah. Been quite a while since I went there. So, what is it that you’re looking for ?”

“I’m looking for whatever information that you can find and give to me regarding a demonic blade called Soul Edge. Urgent.” Answered Ken.

“Soul Edge ?” Lara contemplated. “I’ve heard of the name, I’ll get back to you in a couple hours if that’s alright with you ?”

“Of course. I’d be really grateful, Lara.”

“Don’t worry about that, Ken. We’re friends. What are friends for if not for helping each other ?”

“Right. Well, I’ve got to go. I’ll wait for you call later ?”

“I will. See you again, Ken.”

“See ya, Lara, and thanks.”

“You’re welcome, and say hi to Eliza for me.”

“I will. Bye.”

“Bye.” Replied Lara as she turned off her phone. She turned to Bryce. “Bryce, get to work. I need whatever information you can find about a demonic blade called Soul Edge from the net, pronto. Hillary, you and me are going to hit the books.” Then she turned toward the door and flexed, showing off her beautifully shaped body and making the two men’s eyes bulged. “After I hit the shower first.”