Thanks a lot to Kitty Chan33 for encouraging me to write this, and doing serious repair work in revising this chapter. I appreciate her support greatly and hope she knows it. I doubt my story will be as good as hers but I can try. She's the best, and I look forward to her opinion, as well as others!
Ren isn't in the chapter; it is only an intro to set the scene, and to clear things up. He will appear in the next chap, which will start the real story, this is just an intro so bear with me, and don't diss me right at the start. Also I apologise for shortness, but as I've said, this is only an introduction or prologue, hope that is clear and it will be better next chapter.
Summary: She has travelled the world destroying the dreaded demon race for reasons for the protection of the world with her guardians and spirit. She reach a small town and has to save a shaman named Ren from demon attack, who now won't let up till he knows who she are. He insists she helps him train to gain strength to defend himself against the creatures. Despite differences they become closer, now caught up a nightmare with great consequences of her past. Also, this troubles Ren; what if he falls for someone so untouchable, or a girl who he knows his family would never let him be with.
Black Magic, White StarlightChapter 1: Hidden Past, Weary Future
Screams echoed through the abyss of the evening, flames engulfed everything in their path.
People rushed through the endless darkness of the small village, now being brutally destroyed. Many of the folk tried to escape the horror, only to be blocked by snarling beasts of the devil, fangs glistening in the light, claws sharpened and the symbol of a serpent coiled around the moon bore into there chests. Despite the fact the monsters came in many forms and shapes, they all had the symbol of loyalty to their clan tattooed on skin.
More cries of pain chorused in the air, blood splattered on the ground to mark the territory and life essence stolen. Also, shrieks of ghosts broke through the crackle of flames. Even in death you could not escape these creatures. They were soul stealers; creatures from nightmares able to draw spirits into their clutches and use the pure life force increase their power. The ghosts would of course be lost forever, a fate worse than death; the utter end. This meant anyone killed that night by the monsters never made it to the afterlife.
The commotion continued, the agony expressed in the faces of the carcasses that lay on the ground. Every decapitated corpse had been abused and left to rot by their murderers. The innocents were carelessly slaughtered; all to please Yamimakai, the King of Demons. He never came to Earth, but now he had chosen to make an appearance, as gruesome as ever, to witness the end of his enemies. He took pride in what he saw, knowing he caused it all. The giant dragon serpent with large muscled arms, scarred features on his face, and blood red eyes that pierced the soul, looked on with glee, thinking he was victorious.
In the midst of the chaos, two creatures crept away, unnoticed by the attackers of the village. Soon they reached the top of the highest hill, looking down on the once-peaceful valley, home to a gentle race, now forever lost. One tormented soul slipped into their minds, making them both sadden greatly. This was the second time this had happened to the small tribe, and now Yamimakai would be positive he had succeeded this time.
However, he was wrong.
He had failed in his mission to wipe out the entire race, as one soul still lived. That person he had missed was now in their care. The male and female glanced at each other before looking down on what was in the arms of the female. Clutching a sacred necklace, was a child, crying greatly, unknowing of the life that had be led now, and the mission ahead...
---
Panting and sweating, I awoke with a start. Damn, that stupid dream again! I didn't need a reminder of the past; it was already branded in my memory for all time without it appearing in my sleep.
Using my hand to prod around the ground beneath me, I searched for my satchel, and found it close by. Rummaging through the contents, I pulled out an old hand mirror, checking my appearance. Moonlit skin thankfully made my reflection clearer as I inspected the damage. My lilac waist-length hair was tousled slightly; a brush-through would fix it in the morning. My silver eyes still held the determined spark I carried with me since youth.
Brushing up my mass of purple locks, I kept myself huddled from the cold. What time was it? Fumbling in the bag again, I found an old moon dial. If you were correct it was...2:30 in the morning! What did I do to deserve this! My grumbling stirred the two forms close by me, both now awake and staring at me.
"Child, are you alright? What are you doing up?" a kind womanly voice asked.
"The dream again?" another voice, a deep baritone, questioned, to which I nodded.
They got up and sat next to me, one draping an arm around me, the other lying on his stomach outstretched behind me. I leaned back into the male, snuggling close, surprisingly into soft ebony fur.
"Why won't it leave my mind? It keeps repeating itself in my head..."
"When destiny is settled, only then will past trauma melt away," the baritone replied, causing me to turn and look at him lying behind me from where I lay against his side of soft fur. He was not a man, but a large cat-like beast, slightly bigger than a lion or a tiger. His black coat covered him all over, yet his belly was white, raising up to his chest, as well as on his paws, muzzle, and the ruffle at the tip of his tail. He couldn't stand upright, so he walked on four legs. A pair of giant fangs hung out of his mouth like a prehistoric hunter, yet sharp emerald eyes looked at me with sympathy at my distress. He was kind, but fierce in battles due to his long dagger claws and fangs, hence his name.
"Listen to Sabre-kon, dear, it will pass, once everything is in place," the soothing female explained. I looked at my other guardian, once again meeting with kindly green eyes, only these were jade instead; much lighter. The voice belonged to not a woman, but a wolf. Unlike her companion, she had developed to walk on two legs and had developed hands, still with talons at the end of each finger. Her fur was silver, yet had mists of black on her hands, tips of her ears, chest, and paw-like feet. Her soft muzzle had a tiny black nose that twitched at times made her seem gentle, but her sharp teeth were threatening when bared. The kind beast also had long waves of black and silver-highlighted hair running from her head down to her back, making her look more feminine.
"I know that, Twista, but the question is when it will end. I've been at this for years now and it never seems to stop."
"Hunting demons is a tricky business. They can breed and survive in hiding easily, and go on for weeks without feeding. You know that, and we haven't given up yet." Sabre-kon remarked.
"That's right. You've taken out strong monsters ever since you started your training. It also helps that your talents not only lie in being a witch, but a shaman as well." Twista reminded me.
Smiling, I took out a carved monument I made of glittering crystal. Looking at it, I realised it always had been this way. The four of us travelling from place to place, staying to destroy demons before they hurt people or tired to kill me, then leaving once more as if we never were there, just like we'd scattered into the wind. Still, I never needed anyone else. Who needed friends your own age when I have beast guardians and a main spirit to hang out with? Besides, life was always a challenge -- I had my mission -- and caring for others would only get in the way. This way, no one else got hurt because of me. Even if I did find anyone who cared, I would have to leave him or her behind when I moved on. It would only be more painful.
"True, we can take anyone out, no matter how strong, isn't that right Sing-chi?" I asked the monument, as purple smoke lisped out, and a woman's spirit floated before me. She was only in her late twenties; turquoise hair divided into two tails, each one held by a black wrap, a black bandanna tied around her head as well. She wore a knee-length blue kimono-style dress with black and gold trim and sash around the waist. Her arms and legs were wrapped with black and blue ribbon, as if bandaged. These concealed old wounds from her life as trained assassin. Apparently she had died young on a mission to take out the emperor.
"That's right Kora, no one can triumph over us. I will always fight with you, no matter what," Sing-chi answered, giving a cheeky grin and proving her youth in her death. Despite this, she was an excellent fighter, and had been with me ever since we met when I was little, and agreed to be my protector.
"Now that this is settled, can we go back to sleep; we have a long journey in the morning." Sabre-kon put in.
"Okay, goodnight guys," I muttered, huddling again under my old cloak I used as a blanket.
"Goodnight Kora, no more nightmares, and pleasant dreams." Twista hugged me before laying down herself.
"Try not to wake us again." Sabre-kon moaned, but smirked and licked my face before curling up into a ball, head resting on his front paws. I finally turned to the spirit, bidding her goodnight as well, as she disappeared back into the crystal carving.
I did love them a lot. The shadow creatures that were my guardians were just like the parents I never knew, and Sing like an older sister, even though she acted like a child a lot of the time. Still, they made me curious about the real family I had and what they were like. I did have memories; painful ones that I shut out long ago and refused to think about. This was why I didn't want to be around others. I barely got over the pain of loss when I was young; I didn't need that again. If I didn't care about anyone new, then I could never lose anyone else close to me.
On the last thought, I drifted into a peaceful slumber, unaware that tomorrow would alter things forever.