Ether
(prologue)
*authors note:although the plot and characters are disconnected from both Saiunkoku Monogatari and Avatar the last Airbender, the setting/world is a crossover of both of these Anime.
The Alchemists said that everything on Earth was made out of four elements, earth, water, air, and fire; but the stars were made of Ether. Ether is what all the other elements came from.
The Legends tell us that hundreds of years ago, during The Great War, a star fell from the sky. A young swordsman found the star and was blessed with The Gift of The Elements, the power to move and bend the four elements to his will. With the power of the four elements, he united the four warring nations, ending The Great War. He declared himself Emperor over the newly united nation, and called it Chikara, meaning power. The Emperor had Four sons, each was gifted with the affinity of one of the elements. They became the Four great families, and are the ancestors of all the nobles. The sons born to noble families were born with the gift, but never girls.
The Emperor made a law that all with the gift must be trained in it's use as well as swordfighting. Young nobles would be tested in a yearly tournament, and be given government positions, as officials, soldiers, and even servants, according to their skill.
They say none but the first emperor had the power to use all of the elements, but during the blue moon, one with the affinity of Ether may be born again.
Ch.1
"Ching!, ching!" the sound of metal against metal, 2 swordsmen facing off, or at least, that's what it sounded like in her head. Mizuki knew it sounded more like "Chsh! chsh!" as she battled the straw dummy. she missed her instructor, now retired. no matter, The Tournament was only a few days away, and she was ready.
"Mizuki! There's a letter from your uncle!" Obaa-san called from the main house. "swish!" Mizuki chopped the dummy in half and sighed. sheathing her twin blades, she ealked to the main house. "Any idea what it's about?" She asked as she took the slip of paper. "yes, you need to go get changed right away!" said Obaa-san. Mizuki scanned the letter and made a grunt of annoyance. "A birthday party? my birthday was last week." "Yes, but your uncle was not in town last week." Obaa-san explained, "Now go get ready!" Obaa-san pushed her inside and started doing her hair.
Mizuki was the princess of the Mizu (water) family, one of the four great noble families. Her uncle had become the temporary head of the family, after the death of her father. It was likely whomever she married would become the new head of the family. The sixteenth birthday, which she'd just had, was the most important for any young noble. For a girls, it meant she was eligible for marriage; for a boy with The Gift, it meant automatic entrance in The Exams, and in a strange twist of fate, for her it meant both. Mizuki, even being a girl, had The Gift, more commonly known as bending. She was a water user, quite a good one, and had even acquired a second affinity, air, whic meant she could use the secondary element, Ice. Mizuki was a master the Mizu family could be proud of, but until the exams were over, she had no rank, and therefore, no recognition.
Mizuki had blonde hair the went past her shoulders, and icy blue eyes. She was small for her age, but fast. Obaa-san brought her a robe in the deep blue color that represented the Mizu family. She fidgeted as Obaa-san pulled her hair into the elaborate hairstyles worn by the nobles and pushed hair ornaments into her hair. Mizuki pulled at her robe; it was so uncomfortable, she much preferred her training outfit. Soon the carriage arrived to take them to the families main estate. Mizuki had been living with her grandparents on a separate estate. when she was married and her husband set in as head of the family, she would move into the main estate. Mizuki loathed all the pomp and circumstance of the main house, she much preferred their quiet estate, where they were left mostly to themselves, and they only had a few servants. soon the carriage pulled up to the main estate.
Mizuki stepped lightly out of the carriage. Two servants bowed and opened the great grand door of Mizu family estate. Inside, many of the guests had already arrived. Some bowed deeply as she passed, while some gave a simple bow of the head. This was according to their class. Soon a girl in a deep green robe approached Mizuki, and bowed deeply.
"Stop that, Tomoko, you know i don't like all this formality. The parties hardly started and i already feel like gagging."
Tomoko giggled and stood up straight "you're the princess of the great Mizu family, and i'm just a lower noble, how can i not bow?"
"Come on Tomoko, you're my friend, you don't need to bow." Mizuki took Tomoko by the arm and led her away from the crowd. "has my Uncle come out yet?"
"No, but i caught a glimpse of him earlier, he had a very serious look on his face."
Mizuki slouched over and sighed. "great, that's just what i needed. He must be in a bad mood."
just then, Obaa-san interrupted. "there you are Mizuki, I have been looking for you everywhere! Your uncle would like to speak to you. It's very urgent." Obaa-san started dragging Mizuki to her uncle's study. Mizuki looked pleadingly at Tomoko. Tomoko just smiled and waved.
Mizuki walked into her uncle's study. He was sitting by the window overlooking the garden. Party guests walked the paths, admiring the many rare and beautiful plants the oriental garden had to offer. Hearing her come in he turned around to face her.
"Mizuki, welcome. I hope you are enjoying your party." He said
"As much as always, uncle." Mizuki said coolly
"It's a shame you loathe the spotlight so much, Mizuki. You really are stunning."
"spare me the small talk, uncle, what is all this about?"
"Why your sixteenth birthday of course; you do know what it means, don't you?"
"That I'm eligible to participate in the tournament." Mizuki turned away from her uncle "and…"
"And that your eligible for marriage" her uncle finished for her.
"But uncle, getting married will only hinder me." Mizuki protested.
"Don't worry; you must trust that I've pick someone suitable for you."
"You mean you've already chosen him without my consent?"
"Now Mizuki you know you would have never willingly agreed on someone the family chose. Besides, this is the family's will. You will meet him after the last day of the tournament, during the festival of swords. Then we can talk more of your future together. Now," he took her arm in his, "let's go enjoy the rest of your party. It's time for presents!" Mizuki followed reluctantly. Although she loathed to admit it, her uncle was right. If they waited on her, she would never be married. But what was she going to do? What if she was to be married to a cruel old man? She wouldn't stand for it. Whoever this person was, she decided, she wasn't going to give in easily. She'd give them a run for their money; make them break off the engagement. As her uncle escorted her back into the main hall, Mizuki allowed herself one mischievous smile.
