I looked down at the red envelope that lay on the wooden table; it just didn't make sense, everyone in Tazmily lived within walking distance of each other and I can't imagine why anyone would put the effort, not to mention the supplies, into writing and sending a letter when they could just talk to me. It had such a fancy envelope too: it was a deep shade of red , wrapped in a beautiful ruby ribbon and was sealed with a strange circular emblem with an uneven cross on it. I pondered, wondering what it meant, before delicately opening the object of my confusion. I read and re-read the text several times while walking over to my bed and sitting down, "What the…" I mumbled to myself. Apparently I was invited to some sort of fighting competition called 'Super Smash Brothers' …whatever that was. But it said I'd be gone for quite a while and I can honestly say that I'd miss Nana, Fuel and all my other friends in Tazmliy; however it would also mean I could get away from my father for a while which is always a plus. Also, having to hide my psychokinetic abilities was becoming tiring and I'd love being able to actually use and practice my skills. I lay down on my bed, the letter in one hand, and closed my eyes contemplating my options. I think I will go; whatever it is it can't be worse than looking after sheep day in and day out. I bolted upright as the door opened and my father's thoughts soon entered my mind - the black art of mind reading can be a curse in many ways, you'd be surprised to know just what people think of you, but it's helped me in many a situation and I am thankful for having it.

"Hello", came my father's tired, strongly southern, voice.

I glanced up at him with cold eyes, "Hello", I replied flatly.

He noticed the letter in my hand, "What's –"

"It's an invitation." I said before he could finish his sentence, his mind already giving me access to his thoughts.

"An invitation?" he questioned with a hint of concern in his voice, "To what?"

"It's just… a fighting tournament.", I replied, picking up on his comprehension and confused as to why it was there; he abandoned me for three years a few months is nothing compared to that. It's not like I was the son he actually cared about anyway.

The man sighed and sat down at the table, taking off his hat, "Are you going to go?"

"Most likely", I replied, trying to do so in the simplest manner possible.

"There isn't any point in trying to talk you out of it then, I suppose.", the balding man scratched his head, "You've grown too stubborn to argue with lately."

So stubborn's what you call me for actually defending myself…

"But won't it be dangerous?", he persisted – despite his last statement.

"After everything that I've been through I think I can handle it.", I hesitated before continuing "Are you saying that you still don't trust me?"

"Well, it's not like you actually succeeded with that."

I tensed, was he purposely trying to make me mad? "Yes, I am aware." I replied through gritted teeth, trying to hide my feelings at the statement. "But that's why it's all the more important that I go! I need this opportunity to redeem myself and get stronger."

He looked up at me, "Like I said, I'm not going to try to stop you. While I may not support your decision if you feel as though this is something you need to do I will tolerate it." He got up and opened the door, "I'm going to Yado; I'll be back later tonight."

With that he left. I'm glad that was finally over; it seems like I can't have a conversation with him anymore without it turning sour. I lay back on my bed – I like being alone, it leaves me with my thoughts – I knew I'd have to get up sooner or later before dad got back so I could organise everything but I just wanted to rest for a minute…

I could feel the hot breath of the half-mechanical beast on the back of my neck.

Mum was grasping both me and Claus' hands tight as we ran through the Sunshine forest with flames seemingly stopping us at every turn. Soon enough we were surrounded, trapped in a ring of fire, shadows of dragos seemed to jump out of licks of the inferno turning into monsters that crept towards me. I was alone now. Engulfed in a world of fire and confusion without anyone to stand beside me and-

I jolted awake; I was lying on the wooden floor next to my bed. Shit, I must've fallen asleep and apparently I'd fallen out of bed… Oh well, I never was much of a graceful sleeper as Claus had zealously told me many a time. I stretched and sat up; what time was it? I could see through the window that the sun was already rising; I'd really have to get going soon. I reached under my bed and grabbed the 'Real Bat' it would be pretty stupid to go to a fighting tournament unequipped but this was really all I had time to take and the invitation had already said that everything I needed would already be there. Yeah, that's not disconcerting at all… I got up and grabbed the letter as silently as I could so as not to wake my father. I didn't want to say good-byes to anyone – especially not him – he'd probably be too drunk anyway; I rolled my eyes as I thought this, closing the door behind me. According to this letter I have to burn it to gain admittance; I rolled my eyes for a second time, yeah… that makes perfect sense.

I extended my right arm, focusing my mind, and an orange and red blur of fire lit from my hand to my elbow engulfing the paper as it did so. Before I could even question what was going on a bright light surrounded my vision forcing me to close my eyes. When I re-opened them I was in a completely different place: in front of me was a huge mansion, I don't know what exactly I was expecting but this surpassed whatever vision I may have held before.

The masterpiece that lay before me was absolutely gorgeous; it took a minute of just standing outside just to fully appreciate it. However, when I opened the door I was met with even more grandeur; beneath me was a black and white checked floor made out of a shiny marble with a red velvet carpet that led up to the two detached stairs, on either side there were many different doors – all of which had gold-plated frames. I shook my head lightly to get focused again. Where the hell am I supposed to go? I turned my head as I heard the faint sound of conversation in the room to my left. There maybe? Ugh, who knows, it's worth a shot.

I hesitated as I stood outside the door, the echo of voices all blurred together resonated from it, I was never good at meeting new people because I never really had to in Tazmily; I grew up knowing everyone. But it seemed I didn't have a choice now. I opened the door to see a huge crowd of… humans? Well, I suppose some of them are but there are so many other strange creatures... I suppose after being witness to so many chimeras nothing like this shocks me anymore.

"Hey there!" a voice jabbered out from my left; I turned around to see an Asian boy with black hair and a red cap – who looked roughly my age though much shorter – coming towards me; I didn't give him a response, merely a bitter look. "I don't think I've seen you today, did you just come here?" he asked, a cheesy grin plastered on his face.

"Yes…" my bleak tone surprised even me.

"That's cool", he replied, his smile unfaltering. I broke my usually expressionless mask and frowned slightly; people who are too optimistic about everything drive me crazy. "I came here earlier on." He paused before continuing, "What's your name?"

I couldn't help but detect a strong Japanese accent in the boy's speech. "It's Lucas, Lucas Ryuka.", I replied, " And you are…?"

"Ness Usen!" he responded his voice teeming with confidence. After that he trailed off into some pointless topic that I couldn't care less about and I tuned out. Did this guy ever shut-up? I honestly didn't have the time or patience for people like him. I gritted my teeth as his words seemed to trail on in an endless blur; silently praying to Dark Dragon that he'd shut up. As I regained my focus I realised that Ness was staring at me with bright, purple eyes as if waiting for me to answer his unheard question.

"Huh?" I mumbled – almost out of instinct.

"I was just wondering whether you wanted to go into the kitchen. It's pretty crowded in here and I'm hungry… well, I'm actually hungry 24/7 but y'know", he chuckled lightly.

I shrugged, anything to get out of this room; it was mobbed and remarkably provoking my anxiety.

"Sweet!" he continued before walking in the direction I assumed was the kitchen. "C'mon Lucas!"

I followed him half-heartedly. There were a few others in the kitchen: a woman in a training outfit, some sort of fox-man-thing, a young boy clad in blue armour and a man in a green tunic.

Ness was already hocking around in the fridge, "There's like hardly any… Aw yeah!", he exclaimed – seemingly unbothered by the others – bringing out a packet of ham and shoving a piece into his mouth; he must have thought he was being rude because he gestured the packet in my direction, "Want some?"

I grimaced at it, "No, that's disgusting. An animal died for that."

He stopped chewing for a second, "Yeah, but it's good!"

I gave him an unimpressed expression and rolled my eyes, for the third time that day. Being able to talk to animals it has always greatly disturbed me when people kill them for meat. I've always preferred animals over humans - animals make great companions.

Whoo, first chapter done. Hopefully my first person writing style isn't utterly unbearable. I actually have most of the story planned out already so hopefully I'll be able to update it regularly.