Prologue

Deep in the snow-covered forest on the peak of Mount Manabu, they say there is a hidden temple. Lying within its walls are the ashes of a merciless killer who lived nearly four thousand years ago. Yuriko. Legend tells that she was born to a human mother and a demon father. After many battles she was finally slain by the most ruthless of demon hunters, Manabu Miyamoto. It is here, at this temple, that our story begins.

xXx

Hidden deep in the forest of Mount Manabu, the temple grounds glow under the glimmering light of a full moon. All is quiet. Not even the woodland creatures stir. Two men, clad in armor that does little to ward off the cold, shift uneasily at their station. One moves closer to the torch next to the front gate and the other makes a face at him. This routine is nothing new.

A shadow passes over the grounds, blocking the light of the moon and making everything appear colder. Glancing up at the clouds, one man mumbles a prayer under his breath and fingers the prayer beads in his pocket. It is the other man's turn to make a face.

A gust of strong wind catches the pair off guard, sending them stumbling backwards from the force of it. The temple entrance slams open. Recovering quickly, the men strike a fighting stance. Their eyes dart across the grounds before settling on the darkened forest and they prepare themselves for a fight.

Two black shadows leap from the trees, engulfing the men before they can move. Their pained screams alert their comrades inside, who rush out too late to aid them. They circle the temple, pulling out their weapons and pointing them towards the front gate. The mangled remains of the gate guards lay on the ground, but the creature or creatures that killed them have vanished.

Out from the shadows steps a hulking being standing no less than eight feet tall. Gray skin bulges with each twitch of his muscles. Blood-red eyes examine the pitiful force defending the temple and the being- no, the demon- laughs.

"Mere human scum believe they can take down a demon of my status? Pathetic!" He half-turns to the forest. "Kuenai, Koukai, teach these pathetic humans their place."

Two more dark beings walk out of the shadows. Both similar in appearance: shaggy black hair, gold eyes, and skin as pale as the snow around them. The splattered blood of the gate guards cover them. They flash identical crooked grins at the guards.

"Yes, let's teach these humans a lesson, brother," says the one on the right.

"Yes, let's have some fun, brother!" answers the left. Laughing, the twins merge into their shadows, lunging towards the guards.

As the bloody screams of the guards echo into the night, a fourth demon saunters up to the first. Her long hair flows gently in the wind like ribbons of blood. Golden eyes focus on the building before them.

In a loud voice full of playfulness, she says, "Lord Osamu, the Lady Yuriko's ashes rest inside. Shall we go to retrieve them?"

The gray demon smirks again. He walks through the battlefield, taking no care to avoid the blood and gore littering the snow. The red-head skips along behind him, humming tunelessly. As they reach the first step of the temple, one injured guard staggers into their path. He sways like a leaf, but his expression is determined. He clutches his sword with a fierce grip, shouting, "You will not enter! I will stop you in the name of Master Miyamoto!"

"You are but an annoyance, trash," scoffs Osamu, knocking him to the side with little effort and takes a step. The guard grips his pant-leg with the little strength he has left.

"Hurry! We must let King Enma know what's going on!" the man shouts to a pair of guards halfway into the grave already. One leans heavily on his spear, but nods in determination. Osamu stops and laughs. He kicks the guard away and continues up the steps. Before he enters the temple he says, almost as an aterthought, "Hotaru, these rest are yours."

The red-head squeals before pouncing the closest guard.

With that, Osamu finally enters the temple.

xXx

The room is empty save for the muffled screams of the dying men and a single stand in the center of the room that holds a large jar covered in seals. Osamu kneels before the jar, bowing his head.

"Lady Yuriko," he murmurs, "I have finally found you. My apologies fortaking so long. Now our rightful ruler of the Three Realms may rise once again."

Hey everyone! Just letting you know that this story is also on my Archives Of Our Own account: FallenEagle063.

Update: edit by my best friend, Shelby :)