Ayano: There are definitely grammar errors (my sense of grammar is still as bad as ever)...this is my first time writing such a fanfic, so suggestions and comments are welcomed.
Sa, hajimemashou.
7 Pendants
(Prologue)
Excalique World was a place where five different animal clans existed. The place were filled with forests, rivers, mountains, and other sorts of natural features.
The animal clans were the Ookami (wolf), Neko (cat), Shirotora (white tiger), Kitsune (fox) and Karasu (raven). Each clan possessed an element power. The Ookami clansmen possessed Dark Flames, the Neko clansmen possessed Pure Electric, the Shirotora clansmen possessed Air, the Kitsune clansmen possessed Pure Flames and the Karasu clansmen possessed Dark Electric. The clansmen of each clan were actually humans born with their respective animal features - ears and tail. For example, if someone was from Ookami clan, he or she had wolf ears and tail. The only clan who did not have animal features was Karasu Clan.
There was a rumour that the first Devoured Night (known as cursed day) would occur on 12 December 5550, and that the next Devoured Night would occur on 12 December 5551. This was a cursed cycle which would happen every year, on the same date and time. Devoured Night is a dangerous and terrifying event where shapeless beasts named Deadless would roam throughout Excalique World, devouring people's souls. The victims would then turned themselves into Deadless, searching and eating others' souls. From 12 December 5550 onwards, Deadless would roam the region. They would devour people's souls during the cursed day, however, they would only harm and attack people during other normal days, not devouring their souls.
That rumour was told by a female named Sylvette who did not belong to any clan. She also told another rumour - 'There are seven pendants which exist in another parallel world, once all seven pendants are retrieved, a wish will be granted to the person who obtained all of them.'
(End of Prologue)
12 December 5550
A certain azure blue haired male laid against a tree trunk, clasping both his hands behind his head while gazing at the night sky.
There are no stars tonight, he was slightly disappointed. Anyway, that rumour seemed to be a lie. Nothing happened. After thirty minutes, it will be 13 December 5550. He thought. Who is this Sylvette anyway?
'!' Without warning, he noticed an enormous black magic circle emerged on the ground of Ookami Clan's modern village, glowing brightly. Gradually, swirls of dark air fused together, forming shapeless beasts. Growling and howling, countless of those beasts dashed across the area, searching for souls which would satisfy their hunger. Many clansmen summoned Dark Flames to counter them, ripping and killing them. Those who were unsuccessful got their souls devoured.
Instantly, the whole modern village was stained with blood, Dark Flames were burning at every corner and screams and shouts were filling the atmosphere. Some people were completely stunned as they were not fast enough to react, some were boiling with frustration as they fought hard against the beasts, others were crying in fear.
Mikuo widened his eyes, refusing to believe that the rumour was true. The original peaceful village had became chaotic.
'Kya!'
'!' A female voice shrieked which startled him, causing him to prick his wolf ears. From the loudness of the voice, he knew that she near and something else was chasing after her. In an instant, he heard the rustle of leaves and someone fell to the ground. When she lifted her head, the female stretched an arm towards Mikuo.
'H-Help...me.' Tears were streaming down her frightened face. Before he could react, a beast pounced on top of her while growling, driving out her soul. The sight of it was gruesome to the very core. The victim gradually turned into dark perished air and was forming some kind of a shape - similar to the beast.
The azure blue haired male immediately knew that he was going to be the prey of two Deadless. Of course, he was terrified. However, deep down within him, he sensed something was awakening.
Kill these low-life.A dark voice echoed in his mind, startling him for a moment. Mikuo knew that his dark personality was showing up. Instantly, his eyes flashed with Dark Flames and a sky blue magic circle emerged on the ground where both Deadless were standing on. A gush of Dark Flames burst upwards and continued to flared. Knowing that his enemies might as well be dead, he immediately left the Ookami territory.
This place is no longer safe...no, this world is no longer safe.He thought, his dark personality was fading.
In the beginning, he was strolling out towards the entrance, as time passed, his pace hastened. Before he realised it, he was running.
'Kh! Why didn't I save her?' Gritting his teeth, he asked himself. The image of that female terrified expression kept emerging in his mind, as though haunting him.
(An hour had passed)
Mikuo lied silently on the grassless patch beside a boulder, his head resting on an arm. Although it was not as comfortable as the bed at home, he did not mind. Too much stuff had happened all of a sudden, causing him to be confused. Then, he recalled the second rumour - retrieving of the seven pendants in another parallel will grant that person a wish.
'What is this parallel world anyway...' He mumbled.
Nothing will change if I worried about it now. Not wanting to care much, he closed his eyes and rested.
(Morning)
Sensing a ray of sunlight shining on his face, Mikuo slowly opened his right eye. When he realised that the objects above him were tall trees and leaves instead of ceiling, he finally accepted reality.
So that was not a dream. He sulked innocently. From that day onwards, he knew that life was not going to be the same.
'Whatever, let's search for breakfast.' He told in a laid back tone.
Some parts deep in the woods, a crimson haired female accidentally stepped onto a ''trap''. Instantly, a black magic circle emerged on the ground where she was standing and arrow-headed chains shot up from it, tying both her wrists and ankles, pinning her down to the ground, Gradually, blood oozed out from her wrists and ankles.
'Tch, I let my guard down.' She attempted to break the chains forcefully but to no avail, this action caused her wounds to worsen as more blood flowed out. When she created a Pure Flame magic circle to counter against that black spell, the effect was immediately cancelled out, exactly what she had expected.
'Curse those Deadless.' She frowned as her plight made her felt vulnerable and she hated it. There was nothing she could do.
'!' In an instant, she heard footsteps approaching her which caused her to prick her ears.
It must be Deadless.She thought, fixing her eyes in the direction where the footsteps were heard. The sound gradually became louder as time passed and the atmosphere around her was rather tense as she continued glaring. The next moment, the unknown figure made his way out of a bush and the female noticed a certain azure blue haired male. Then, the two of them exchanged glances as though stunned to meet each other coincidentally.
'Morning.' Mikuo smiled, waving a hand. When he realised that she was trapped and injured, he approached her to help. However, this action made her waried.
'Back off, or I will slash that neck of yours!' She scowled, having an aura that would make anyone think twice about approaching her.
'You can't, your wrists are chained down.' He told in a calm tone while continuing ambling towards her.
'Tch!' An anger mark appeared on her forehead as she casted a glance to the side. 'You are too meddlesome.'
After creating a Dark Flame magic circle on top of the black magic circle, the spell immediately dispelled and the chains vanished. Hence, the female was freed.
'The person who is caught by the spell won't be able to free himself, only someone who is not caught by it can release the person. You knew that, didn't you?' He inquired. She simply ignored.
'!' They heard a sudden footstep rushing towards their direction and they sensed a familiar presence. As expected, a beast instantly revealed itself, staring at them with bloody red eyes.
'This deadless must have been attracted by the smell of blood.' She commented, immediately standing up. When she stood, her wounded ankles felt the pressure and was straining in pain. Despite that, she did not even showed the slightest hurtful expression as she did not care. Narrowing his eyes, Mikuo decided to think of something.
'At this rate, more Deadless will appear due to the smell of blood.' Charging her right hand with Pure Flames, the crimson haired female prepared to send an uppercut. The sight of Deadless annoyed and disgusted her as it was drooling non-stop and moaning as though it had a terrible headache.
'I have a plan!' Mikuo suddenly spoke.
'Heh~? A plan?' she inquired, refusing to show that she was interested.
'LET'S RUN FOR OUR LIVES!' In an instant, the azure blue haired male grabbed and carried her in his arms, turning in the opposite direction and sprinted off.
'U-Uwa!' The female was stunned by the sudden change of events. 'What are you doing? This is what you call a plan?!' She was utterly confused, however, she was even more shocked that she was carried by a mere person like him.
'...' Not getting any explanation or reply, she felt irritated as an anger mark appeared on her forehead. T-This...carefree idiot.
She sighed, 'I guess I will help you a little.' Summoning Pure Flames, she transferred them to him.
'Arigatou.' He mumbled, sensing an increase in speed. Actually, he decided to escape since she was not in any state to fight. Furthermore, more Deadless would be attracted by the smell of her blood, leading them to be in a greater disadvantage. He felt that the ankles would hurt a lot if she ran, thus carrying her was the best option.
Whenever he zoomed passed animals or trees, a strong gust of wind would swept across the area before everything resumed back to normal. 'T-This is really fast.' He was travelling at random direction with a speed of 100m/s. It's a miracle that he had not bumped into any obstacles. By now, they were already too far away from the Deadless, thus the threat was over.
After ten minutes, the effect wore off. Initially, he was sprinting, gradually slowing down to running, then to jogging, followed by walking and ambling. Finally, he had no more energy left to run, collapsing to the ground. His soul came out of his mouth, drifting on mid air and his eyes had twirls of confusion. Before he collapsed, the female managed to get off his arms.
'I...see...stars...' He told in a shaky tone.
WHAM.
'!' Mikuo's eyes widened as he felt a sharp pain. 'What was that for?' He touched his head gently.
'See? You snapped out of it.' The crimson haired female smirked. Turning his head sideway, the azure blue haired male sulked.
'Anyway, this is goodbye.' She turned to leave. 'Don't interfere with me again.' She told in a stern tone.
'Wait, I have a question.' He instantly requested. The female turned around, having a grim expression. 'What?'
'Do you know about that parallel world? The route to it.'
'?' She tilted her head. '...You mean the world which the seven pendants existed. Well, I don't know anything about this world. This rumour is told by Syl...silly...Syl-whatever right? You want to obtain the pendants?'
He nodded, 'her name is Sylvette by the way.'
'Interesting. Then I shall go with you to explore that world. I have nothing to look forward to in this world anyway.' She told in a fascinated tone. this made Mikuo widened his eyes in jubilation.
'You look silly.' Startled by his reaction, the female commented.
'Hehe, it's just that,' He smiled,' you are my first friend!'
WHAM.
'Who said that we are friends? We are just...just...' She could not find an appropriate word to describe. Although she had a grim expression, deep down, she was elated that Mikuo considered her as his friend. She smiled slightly.
'You like hitting me?' He had a troubled expression, then, he immediately remembered something.
'What's your name? Mine is Mikuo'
'Kiku.'
'I see. Nice to meet you, Kiku chan-'
WHAM.
'Don't add ''chan'' to my name!' She flushed a little.
'Fine then,' Mikuo smiled, did not seemed to mind getting hit often. 'Nice to meet you, Kiku.'
'It's not nice to meet you, Baka Ookami.'
Ayano: Arigatou to otanoshimini. -Smile-