Prologue

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the Characters from the Manga. I only own Mia and her family as well as future characters not associated with Inuyasha.

His eyes flickered nervously between the other man and the tunnel he was in. It was very dark and this was his first mission.

He had gone through a lot of training to get where he was now. He was surprised when they first approached him. Of all the others in his unit, he was one of the lowest rank. Though he tried very hard in every field they tested him in, he couldn't seem to get on top. It was frustrating considering how much he put his heart into it all. He remembered his confusion when they first walked towards him. It was very dark when they arrived and they were wearing their armor and helmets. There were three of them and when he saw the color sash around their waists, he knew immediately who these men were.

He immediately went down on one knee, heart racing. Anytime you saw one with a black sash with red tips, you automatically knew they were of the highest rank, the closest to the King. They were literally in the inner circle, the Kings' left hand. It was the highest honor to meet with these Officers. He did all he could not to drop to their feet and worship them.

"Is this him?" One of them asked. He winced without meaning to. The man's voice was cold and sharp, and he an involuntary chill shot through his spine.

"Yes. His name is Harvir Galandril. He's been in the program for about 3 months." Harvir recognized that voice. It was his commanding officer.

"Stand up soldier," the man with the chilling voice commanded. Harvir immediately stood, standing at attention. He did the best he could to keep a straight face and give his full attention. Though he couldn't see the man's eyes, Harvir felt he was being dissected. After a moment of silence, he spoke again saying, "We have something important we'd like to discuss with you. Can we meet inside your quarters privately? We don't want anyone to know we are here."

"Yes sir!" He moved promptly to his tent and held open the flap for them to follow through. After they entered, He swiftly entered himself and closed behind him. They were all still standing. After they ordered him to sit, he couldn't help but feel really intimidated as they all seemingly towered over him. He suspected he knew what they were doing. They wanted him to know that he was inferior to them, and it worked. He felt very small.

"We have an important mission of the utmost secret. You have been chosen to assist us. Before we continue, we must ask: are you willing to join us? And if so, can we count on your absolute discretion?"

Harvir could feel his hands getting clammy. A top secret mission? And why him? Before he could ask this question, they continued, "In order to maintain the secrecy of this mission, we can't have those in the higher ranks involved in case something goes wrong. We can't have anyone knowing what we are doing. We have looked through the reports and have heard of your dedication and loyalty to the service and to our Majesty. We trust that you will prove effective and dedicate everything, even your own life in the services of our King."

This rocked Harvir to the core. Though partly offended that they acknowledged his low rank and incompetence, he was also flattered that they would think so highly of him. And this mission was for the King? What even greater honor! Despite his reservations, he immediately knew what his answer would be.

"Yes. You can count on me to help you and keep absolute silence." He declared proudly. They peered at him intently.

"You do understand that if you speak any word of this in any context, that it will ensure your immediate execution?" Harvir's throat felt thick but he nodded promptly. His heart was pounding hard now with anticipation.

When they told him the details of the mission, he still remembered how confused he was but he knew that it was important for the King and he would do whatever it took, even given his life for it. He was told that they were to leave first thing before the sun rose to avoid eyes watching. This would be the highest honor he could bestow upon his family. He couldn't wait to see their faces when he returned.

But now that he was here in this bleak, dark place, he began to feel nervous and have some doubts. He had heard all about the stories of war and the glory that came with it, but no one ever warned how bloody it could get. The chaos during the battles, the sounds of dying men, the body parts lying around and the deafening clangs of swords and other weapons clashing over and over again. Even the silence after the battle. The cold, still silence of the dead. No one warned him of the fear and adrenaline that pumps through the body. Suddenly, war was not so glorious after all.

They had ambushed the men guarding this tunnel. He was told that the men guarding this tunnel were of the Old race and guarding something very precious. Not sure what they meant with the Old Race, he figured they were of a lesser people, not evolved like he and others.

Though they easily overpowered the guards, no one except those that planned this mission anticipated the magical protection surrounding the tunnel. The unlucky souls that ran towards the tunnel were immediately incinerated in a blazing blue fire that took the shape of a fierce dragon. Our sorcerer came forward and was able to get rid of the magical spells, but Harvir couldn't help but feel paranoid every time he took a step, afraid that something would spear him. Afraid that he would die a slow painful death. Though he was glad he wasn't dead, he couldn't help but feel sorry for the others. They were just regular soldiers, peasants or such who were drafted into the army. Times were hard these days and the King was always in need of men to fight. Still, as long as he was alive, he would forget those men and move forward. There was no way he could live if he didn't.

After they reached a certain point in the tunnel, Harvir was ordered by the man, whose name he still didn't know, who first came to enlist him in the mission to wait. Not sure what they were waiting for, he stayed put, restless. He wanted to get out of here as soon as possible and get back to his unit. This place was giving him a really bad feeling. Of course, the one standing next to him was unfazed. The man was made of steel it seemed.

Then he heard the screaming. The high pitched, terrified screaming. Eventually they turned into horrible moans and pleas and then that cold silence that came after death. The hairs on his neck raised. He was terrified.

"What was that," he cried, forgetting to act like a seasoned soldier.

"Probably the guards being finished off," his superior stated, seeming unconcerned. Harvir wasn't sure. They had killed a lot of those guards, and it sounded like a large group of men were being killed off. Yet not wanting to seem weak and scared, he said nothing more. Surely the others were okay? Nothing had gotten to them and ate them? No wild demons? He supposed that if the rest of the men were truly in danger, his Superior would go out and help them, and since he was standing there stoically, he figured he should relax. The others were okay.

A few minutes later, he heard the clanks of chain mail and boots echoing through the tunnel. He turned towards the sound, doing his best not to look scared. What he saw however was nothing he could have prepared for.

It was none other than his King and others of the inner circle. He immediately fell to his knees and bowed low.

"Your majesty," both him and the man next to him echoed.

"Arise," the King responded. His voice was smoothe and low, and Harvir immediately arose. The first thing that stood out to him was the eyes. They were red, and the way the King was looking at Harvir was almost akin to being devoured. Before this strange thought could take root, the King nodded his head. "You have done well Captain Harvir and Senior Lieutenant Kageromaru. Let's continue, shall we?" And before anyone could reply, he moved forward and Harvir moved to the side to make room.

Without further hesitation, he followed after his King and the others, excitement coursing through him. He was finally able to see for himself why they worked so hard to get into this place and the secrecy they had to maintain. Even more, why this mission was so important that the King himself would come.

They entered into a wide cavernous room. Right in the middle was what looked like a cage, except it was made of bars of shifting light rather than metal. This was definitely magic containing the object inside. Harvir figured the Sorcerer would do his job and take it down but to his surprise, the King himself walked up to it and stuck his hand into the cage bars. The lights warped and crackled as if it were electricity. The King's hand turned red and it looked as if the cage were warping around it. Not sure what was happening, Harvir tried to look closer to get a better look. Before he could figure out how the King was getting his hand into the bar unscathed, the King grabbed onto the object inside and took it out. It was a pale blue orb, connected to a chain that one would wear around their neck.

What a strange object, He thought. Why would the King want a plain necklace like that? It didn't seem that special. What he didn't see was the victorious look in the King's face, the manic gleam that shone in his red eyes.

"Leave, except for Captain Harvir," He ordered sharply, and everyone made their way out of the dark cavernous room except for Harvir, who was feeling extremely nervous. Why did his King want to be alone with him? The King walked up to him slowly, studying him. "I've heard good things about you Captain."

"Thank you, your Majesty," Harvir replied, trying to sound humble yet grateful.

"I also heard how dedicated you were to this mission and your contributions in making this a great success..." Harvir wasn't sure what to do with all this praise. He began to imagine metals and all sorts of riches and honor the King would bestow upon him for his great service. He couldn't wait to see the jealous looks of his older brother, who was always much better in everything than he ever was. "Especially since you weren't told the real reason why you had to come," continued the King. Yes, Harvir thought that was rather true. He tried not to ask too many questions.

"I like that you just obeyed and did what you had to do." The King held up the orb to his eyes. It was gleaming, and Harvir thought he noticed fog shifting inside. It was mesmerizing. "Do you know what this is?" The King asked him.

"No, your majesty."

"This," he said, pulling the orb to his own face, "Is a real treasure. Without it, I could never fulfill my plans, of a greater future. My empire." The King's voice, though still soothing, began to have an elevated excitement. But it wasn't a happy excitement that one had out of joy, but of a manic one. Harvir frowned. He wasn't sure where his King was going with all of this.

"I am happy that you have what you need to fulfill your plans," Harvir responded carefully, not wanting to convey anything. The King then looked him straight in the eyes.

"Are you?" It was chilling. Harvir had a hard time getting a breath in.

"Yes, your majesty."

"Then, do you promise to swear loyalty to me and to give your life for my cause," He asked. Too calmly.

"Of course, your majesty."

"Your family is very influential, and I am aware that not all of them support my decisions." Harvir felt alarmed before looking away from that penetrating stare. They were walking on very thin ground right now.

"I am aware of some of my family's shortcomings though in no way do I oppose thee, your Majesty," He responded, trying to be as diplomatic as possible. He heard a soft chuckle and looked up quickly. He didn't like the smile gracing the King's features. His eyes were cold as he stared at Harvir.

"Do you really?"

"Of-Of course," Harvir stammered. He was losing composure.

"I believe you, you know. But unfortunately, not all of your family do, and without them, I can't move forward with my grand vision of the future." The King's voice was hard now, making Harvir sweat.

"I am sure they will come around, your Majesty," he replied a little too hastily.

"Hmm... I really doubt that..." Sweat was falling now from his forehead as Harvir looked at the King.

"Your Majesty-"

"This pains me to say it, but I regret what must happen next," The King said, and before Harvir could say anything else, the King's body began to contort and twist. Harvir's face twisted with horror as he pulled out his sword to protect himself. This wasn't a man! This was a monster! But before he could do anything, a tentacle from behind the King shot forward and speared Harvir right through the middle of his chest. Harvir tried to scream but only a gurgle came out. The tentacle had pierced one of his lungs and it was filling with blood. As he choked and coughed, blood spurted out of his mouth.

All Harvir could manage were horrible gurgling sounds. It was then he realized what he had heard earlier. The terrified screams and the moans and pleas that had came out of the tunnel. And with terror, he knew he was going to die and there was nothing he could do to save himself. If all those men, including the King's own men, were killed off there was no hope for him.

As the tentacle drew him closer to the King's body, Harvir saw the King's chest open wide. He was being devoured alive! That was his last thought before his world went black, and all that was left was the squishing, sloshing sounds echoing throughout the chamber.