Prologue: Meeting Akuryou (905 Words)
The street was cold and dark as the shadowed figure of a girl walked. The sound of her heels clicking against the cement echoed off the shrouded buildings. Mist wafted up from the sewers and gray clouds hid the night sky from view. The crescent moon could barely be seen beyond the clouds. The obscured frame of a beastly demon was well hidden from the girl's sight but not from her mind and senses.
She kept walking despite the urge to turn around and kill the beast. She had picked up the Hollow's reiatsu awhile back when she had first turned onto this badly lit street. The only reason keeping her from attacking was the fact that there were still people around. Homeless folks slept in the alleyways that were nestled between the shop buildings, and a few drunks stumbled by every once in awhile.
She kept her eyes forward but pulled her cloak tighter. The silver emblem that pinned the cloak on was engraved with cherry blossoms. She hated the feeling of being followed. It was like a cold, clammy hand was snaking its way up her spine, ready to grab the back of her neck and thrash her about. The girl could have sworn the Hollow growled lightly from behind her. They finally reached an open field. The kids around town would usually practice their soccer skills here. She turned on her heel to find a gigantic white mask in her face.
Sharp, white teeth gleamed in the faded light, and the gray skin shifted as the Hollow moved his leg to balance himself. "I'm glad you stopped," the Hollow said. His voice was deep and scratchy, one you would expect from a sociopathic murderer. "I was growing tired of this hunt." His breath created a foul smelling mist as he spoke and breathed.
"I'm sorry that I'm so boring," the girl replied. She rested a hand on the sword that hung from her hip. "But I assure you that you'll never have to be so bored again." A crisp wind blew across the field. Her short, blonde hair was brushed back with the breeze. The Hollow backed away from her at her words, as if angered.
"You don't have the power to defeat me!" The Hollow reared onto its back legs and let out an ear-shattering neigh. She realized then that the Hollow was very similar to a horse. The Hollow leapt forward with its fangs bared and nostrils wide. In the blink of an eye, she pulled the sword free from its sheath and blocked the feeble attack. The Hollow howled in pain and collapsed to the ground. Black blood poured from a large diagonal cut that stretched across the Hollow's mask. "How?" the Hollow asked weakly. Its body was already dissolving, ready to travel onto the next life. "How could a Human like you defeat an Adjuchas like me? I am so pitiful."
"Yes, you are pitiful," the girl commented. She squatted in front of the Hollow. Its blood red eyes stared into her blue ones, defiantly fighting to stay alive. She reached out and patted the matted, black mane. The Hollow growled and attempted to scoot away.
"Don't touch me, you filthy Human," the Hollow growled. Half of its body was gone.
"If you'll listen, I do have an offer for you." When the Hollow didn't respond, she continued. "Why don't we join forces? Together, we'll both become powerful and neither of us will die any time soon. Think of it as a way to save your oh-so-pitiful life." The Hollow still didn't say anything, but his ear twisted forward, listening. She scoffed and said, "If you don't want to live, it won't affect me any." She stood up and began to walk away. She sheathed her sword and dusted herself off.
"Wait!" the Hollow nickered, although it came out like a hiss. She stopped and turned back to face the Hollow. "What-What did you have in mind?" Only the head and neck remained now, and she knew she would have to move quickly.
"Let me have your reiatsu," she said, kneeling in front of the Hollow again. The Hollow seemed to hesitate but let her have it after a tense moment. The rest of the Hollow's body finally dissipated but not into the next world.
The girl felt a new presence set itself into her mind. "Well done, Human. I didn't expect you to be that skilled in Soul Transfer," the Hollow said from the confines of her mind. He sounded oddly disappointed.
"I suppose I should give you my name if we're going to be together for a while," the girl mused aloud while standing again. "Meara Queen. What's your name?" When the Hollow didn't respond, she asked, "You have a name, don't you?"
"Akuryou," he replied. "My name is Akuryou." He then receded into the darkest depths of her mind, apparently done with any conversation.
Meara sighed and ran a hand through her hair. I hope he's not always this moody, she thought. She then looked up towards the sky. The clouds were beginning to clear as the sun was just peaking over the horizon. It looks like it'll be a beautiful day.