《Reincarnation of the Red Dragon》


 Nightmare

    I slowly opened my eyes, I was lying down on a bed. I got up slowly blinking my eyes as I adjusted to the darkness. Out of nowhere, a hand shot out and grabbed me. I jumped in shock as quickly as possible, I viciously shook my arm, freeing myself I bolt forward.


    An undescribable feeling of terror filled me. I threw a look back, someone was after me. Someone was coming. I pushed myself to run even faster, I ceased to a stop when a wall appeared in front of me.


    Panic began to surfaced as I pounded on the wall, trying to hope that it was just my illusion. But deep inside, I knew that this is the end. An malicious laugh came from behind. I whirled around to see her. "Do you miss me?" She asked, her eyes laughing at me. No!! This can''t be happening! This can''t be!! I thought frantically.


    "I asked you a question!! You, little bitch!!" She shrieked. I look up to see her hand coming toward me. I willed my body to move, but it refused to budge. I stood there frozen as a painful sting shocked through my cheek. Next the pain came from my stomach as she kicked me. I dropped to the floor as I clutched my stomach.


    "You little bitch!! You bullshit!!" She grabbed my arm before I retracted it. A smearing excruciating pain shot through. I winced, that was when I felt something wet, slippery and sticky slide down my arm. It took me a moment to realize that it was my blood. I looked up as it confirmed my worst fear. In her hand hold a bloody knife. I watched as she brought it down upon the side on my stomach.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    I bit my lips until blood came out, but it was nothing compared to the pain on the side of my stomach. She contuinue before slamming me into the wall. I hissed in pain as my back hit the wall and that''s when I heard something cracked. Black spots danced in my vision, the darkness which was once so forbidding now seem so warm and welcoming. I slowly closed my eyes, just when I felt myself being pulled up by my hair.


    "Look at me, you asshole!!" I slowly opened my eyes as I looked at her. Her mouth was twisted in a wickedly smile, that''s when everything stopped. I looked up as the arm holding the knife slowly came down. I twisted my body but it was too late. I watched in horror as it crashed down.


    <hr>


    I wake up with a start, my forehead drench in sweat. It''s just a dream. Thank god! I thought. I take a deep breath, trying to smooth my nerves. I get up from the forest floor where I had spent the night. Packing my things into my backpack, I swing it across my shoulder as I continue walking.


    It''s been a long time since I had that dream. The nightmare I dread, even though 8 years have passed it still huants me. It turned me to a cold and unwelcoming person. I no longer laugh nor cry. It''s been a long time since I have experience any emotions. I do smile from time to time but it''s just a smile that held no meaning to it.


    However, none of this matters now. All that it matters is that I have arrive to my destination. The one that I spent years just trying to get here. I look out at the city, Sunrise City. I stand there taking in the view. I smile faintly behind my mask, before stepping into Sunrise City.

 Sky Star Academy

    Sunrise City, part of the Star empire. In this city,hold the greatest Academy everyone dreamed to go and attend. However that chance of you ever attending the Academy is very slim, basically you have a 0.0001% of attending that Academy. Sky Star Academy,the greatest one in the entire continent.


    Sky Star Academy only offers a spot in it''s Adaemy each and every five years. However, there are exceptions. Such as, whena noble or royal family wants their child to test out for the Academy. Then Sky Star Acaemy, will random let the first 10 children that passed through the gate partipated in the test.


    Today, the day has finally come. The time of the year, where Sky Star Academy open it''s gates for everyone that wants to get in.


    <hr>


    A hooded person walk down the crowd streets of Sunrise City. Excitement and nervousness fill the air, as people chat back and forth. The person walk, in an ease and slow pace. She took her time as she walk to the heart of the city where the ceremony is going to take place.


    She watch as others rushes passes her, she eye them like a predator. Finally after 5 mintues of slow walking she reach the entrance of the ceremony. She walk to the table, where she would have to get a pass. That''s if she even gets one, since this is also part of the test. After all, they only give out 1, 500 passes. And over billions of people come to apply.


    "Ahem." The person who was writing look up at her. "Name?" He ask in an formal tone. "Scarlet." His eyes narrow, it''s very rare for a girl to take part in the ceremony. "Age?" "13." He raise his eyebrows in surprise. "Rank and your unit?" "Rank S, assassin."


    Before he could reply, his companion butt in. "Look, if you want to play a prank or lie to us. It is not the time for it." He snort. "After all, a girl like you can''t be rank S nevertheless belong to an assassin unit."


    Scarlet narrow her eyes behind her mask. "And what makes you think I''m joking." She reply coolly in an emotionless tone. His companion sigh in frustration, "Look, we don''t have time for all this. You should leave before you regret it." He reply harshly.


    Scarlet smoothly slide a card across the table. "If you think I''m kidding, care to explain what this is?"


    The person that was originally speaking to Scarlet, takes the card and examine it. He gets up and walk to one of the person standing there. Scarlet watch as they exchange a few words. She watch as their lips move back and forth, making out what they are saying.


    "Zero, is this real or a fake?" "What do you mean Jason?" Jason hold out the card to Zero. "Wait, why are you showing me this?" "Well, you see the one who had this is a girl, standing a few feet away from us." "A girl?" Jason nod. Zero''s eyes widen, taking the card from Jason. He examine it carefully, "No doubt about it, this is real." "Do you think she stole it?" "Well, it doesn''t hurt to give her a pass. I mean if she did stole it, she won''t get in anyway." Jason nod before coming back.


    "So?" Scarlet ask. "Here." Jason hold out a pass. Scarlet took it before walking off. Before walking into the arena, she stop and turn around."By the way Jason, thank you for the pass." With that Scarlet walk into the arena.


    Jason nod absent-minded.Wait, how does she know my name, thought Jason.


    <hr>


    Scarlet walk into the arena, instantly she feel everyone''s eyes on her. Whispers increase, while others eye her trying to find a weak spot.


    She smirk behind her mask. This is going to be interesting.She stands there as more people comes in, each of them tenses up the mintue they came in. That''s the last one, now then let the fun begin.


    "Ahem." Instantly, everyone''s head turn in that direction. " A Master.." Everyone stare in awe, while Scarlet herself is more compose.


    "Now, that I have your attention, I''m going to tell you something. Only 5 or less out of all 2,000 will pass. The first task is simple, I would like you to retrieve a stone from the mountain. Of course, not any kind of stones. I would like you to retrieve a jade water stone." Everyone except Scarlet gasp, "A jade water stone?? That''s quite rare!!"


    He pause, before continuting "I scatter 1,000 of jade water stones in the mountain. There will be of course a time limit and you are allow to take stones from each other as long as you don''t reach the gate. You will have 1 hour to find a jade water stone. Now begin!"Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Everyone rushes off, while Scarlet just stands there. Murmurs arise, "What is that guy doing?" Ignoring all the commotions around her, Scarlet closes her eyes.


    In her mind, she begins to visualize the mountain. Then she scans for an open mind near by. There it is! Her eyes flies open, without wasting a moment she takes off. But she isn''t see anything in front of her, she is looking out of someone else''s eyes, a falcon.


    Glancing down, she spots something glinting in the water. She swoops down checking to make sure, and indeed it is a water jade stone. While, her body quickens the pace. I''m close, I could feel it.


    She slows down as one of her eyesight return while the other is still flying high. She bends down into the small stream, picking up the stone, she clutches it in her hand.


    With one eye looking from up above while the other in front of her, she had the advantage in this game.


    As she is slowly walking down the path, she spots something lying on the floor. Curoiusly takes over as she walk over and pluck it off the ground. It is also a jade water stone. Wait. Scarlet unveil her hand as she compare the two stones together.


    I knew it! They are different. The one on the ground is fake. But good enough to fool someone at first glance.


    Not wanting to leave the fake one back on the ground, Scarlet takes both of them with her. She glances at the time, only 5 more minutes left. Not wasting anytime, she starts sprinting back to the arena.


    When she is almost out of the forest surrounding the mountain, she feels someone stalking her. She turns around to see no one. So you want to play? Then I''ll play with you. Let me warm you though, you chose to play the wrong one. She smirk.


    She continue sprinting as she feels the presence drawing near, then in a prefect timed- movement she swings her feet back and kicks someone across the face.


    Then she continues her own business. She walks into the arena to find serveral people there already. A line was already formed, she walk to the end as she waits queitly. She watches as others come including those who came after time''s up.


    She stares at them, not really feeling anything, no pity or whatsoever. "Next." She jolt out of her thoughts as she walks into the tent.


    "Show me the water jade stone." She opens her hand, and in the middle is the stone. "Hmm, good. Now here''s your final test. I want you to go back out there in the mountain and find me a sprirt stone."


    She stands there not moving one inch, "I believe that thisis not the final test, but merely a start of it. I want you to give me the real final test."


    He (The master from before) stares at her, before chuckling. "You truly are indeed a very sharp person. No one ever questioned me, and yet you''re standing in front of me questioning more like demanding me." He smiles, "You are right about that this is just merely the start of the final test but you will need a spirit stone as a ticket to take part."


    Scarlet steps forward, as she opens the other hand that is close. "You mean this? I spotted it when I was on my way back to the arena looks very decieving. The ones that had this stone failed to pass the first round yet had the ticket to the final round. Am I right?"


    He smiles, "You''re sharp on as always aren''t you Scarlet?" Scarlet tenses up, "How do you know my name? I don''t recall telling you, except for the Jason guy."


    "Who wouldn''t know you? After all, you are quite famous. Of course, they only know you by the name Nightmare." Scarlet smiles faintly behind her mask. "Impressive as always, Master or should I say Ethan."


    "The final test is simple, all you need to do is to defeat one of the newbies we got. Knowing you, you''re going to defeat them with no problems at all." "May I ask you something, Master?" "What?" "Do anyone else besides you know who I am, and I mean by they knowing me as Nightmare."


    "All the masters and elders know who you are. But the rest don''t know. Unless, they find out of course." Scarlet stands there not saying anything. "Now then you may begin the test. This way." Scarlet follows Master Ethan through the back where a bunch of students stands.


    "May I have your attention?" He nods in approval when they gives him their full attention. "We have a challenger. Remember the rules, that there are no killing. The defender can not use any weapons, or spells. Only the challenger may do that. You may begin."


    Scarlet steps out from behind, she walks forward to meet her opponent. Dipping her head respectfully, they both gets into fighting stance. Scarlet is not the type to wait for her opponent to strike back so she went for the first move.


    She throws a punch stright in the person''s face. He lifts up his arms to block it. Not giving him a chance to strike back, Scarlet continue thowing punches. She suddenly drops down and sweeps her opponent off the ground. Instinctively, her right hand went into her pouch and draws out a knife.


    Holding the knife against the throat of the fallen opponent, he stares at her. His eyes fills with fear, slowly he raise both of his hands in front of him. "I forfeit."


    She gets up and helps him up as well. Dipping her head again she paids her respect. Noticing the silence, she glances around to find others staring at her. Some with awe, while others with surprise.


    She lets Master Ethan lead her out to the arena. He raises her right hand."We have our first challenger who have successful passed all the tests. Congratulations!"


    <hr>


    Unknown POV


    I walk into the room. I sits down across from the first person who actually pass the test. I frown, his body more like his frame isn''t muscualr at all. He looks very skinny up close. He''s also not as tall as I thought he would be. In fact, it seems like he''s just an average boy.


    I turn my head as the door opens revealing a student from the Academy. I seize him up, juding by his uniform he''s a senior in the Academy.


    "Follow me." With that he walks off, leaving me and the skinny guy to follow him.