Chapter 1: Egypt, a few months later

It was already noon and the people of the bustling city were already up and going through their day to day routine. Somewhere in the distance, a bell tolled from the nearby mosque calling the faithful of Allah to prayer. Everyone in the city stopped and knelt on the ground for the midday prayer. All except one shrouded man who passed through the masses with his group of equally robed followers towards the stately mansion in the far corner of the city. The majestic building was a direct contrast to the simplicity of the humble homes that surrounded it. The entire estate was guarded by men who were fanatically loyal to the master of the house. Also, they carried themselves with an air that meant death to all unfortunate to trespass on the premises uninvited.

Arriving at the gates, the shrouded man was allowed to enter and was immediately paid obeisance by the astonished guards who wasn’t expecting the former master of the house. An arrogant nod was all the attention he gave to the guards, recognizing some of them since he first inherited the mansion. Ordering his followers to wait, he then proceeded to the library where he expected to find the one who had called him here.

Stopping before the opened door of the library, he found who he was looking for on the terrace overlooking the city. Pausing a moment he took time to observe the present master of the house seated before him and holding a wine glass in his hand.

"Greetings, brother", the master said. "I trust your trip was comfortable and uneventful?"

"Don’t give me that, Gill", came the reply. "What do you want? You didn’t call me just for a family greeting."

"Is that any way to show respect for me, Urien?", Gill answered. "I called you here because there is something that we must discuss concerning the future."

"Since when did you ask ME for advice with regards to what you do? Last time I remembered you even stood over me gloating on the wounds I received when I refused to surrender the family mansion to you!", Urien said equally irritated.

At this Gill smiled wickedly. "Not to worry my younger sibling. What I have to say will be of immense benefit to us both. So please sit and let me explain what I have to discuss with you."

After Urien was seated, Gill began, "I understand that as of lately, you have been making plans of extracting revenge on a fighter named Ken Masters who ignominiously defeated you in battle."

Urien replied, "Hah! So you know… but it is of no consequence. I’ll have him on his knees the next time we meet again. Not to mention that I’ll make him pay for humiliating me before. Speaking of defeat, I’ve heard that you’ve also experienced the same fate in battle at the hands of one who used the Shun Goku Satsu."

At this, Gill retorted, "The fool who did that will pay for what he did. But he has since disappeared after fighting with the one I was supposed to face before I was put out of the picture. But since then my strength and power have increased so he will not be able to defeat me again. Right now, I plan to have you at my side that we may destroy all who would oppose us in our plans of total domination."

Urien considered the proposal presented to him and answered, "Why should I agree to ally myself with you? I believe you capable of doing things without my help."

Gill said, "Because by doing so, we would be unstoppable and we would both have revenge on our enemies. You must also remember what happened to Shadowloo after its leader, Vega, was defeated by the same Ken Masters and a friend. If you were to kill Ken now, you can be sure that his friends will be after you. By eliminating them all, none would be left to stand in our way."

"For once, I agree with you. Very well, I will join you but remember that Masters is mine", Urien replied. "Where shall we start?"

"Ahh my brother, first we shall seek out and destroy the one capable of stopping us even if we dispose of all our enemies", Gill said.

"Who is this one you speak of?", Urien asked.

Gill replied, "The Shotokan warrior… his name is Ryu."