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Prologue (Chapter 1)
The sun was high overhead in the red sky, shining down on the mountains below. Hiei stopped walking, looking at the forest around him. This will do, he thought, removing the warded bandana on his forehead. Shigure's words of warning came back to him. "You are now Jaganashi. However, it will take some time before the evil eye will obey you. I would highly suggest not even attempting to use its powers until a year has passed at the very least. If you do, it will probably rebel and destroy you."
"Hn." It's been long enough. The Jagan has recognized me as its new master. Time to test my new abilities, Hiei thought. He closed his eyes, concentrating. Now, let's see what sort of creatures I can summon.
The Jagan pulsed as Hiei tapped into its powers. He searched through different auras, sorting through the creatures he now had the power to call to him. Weak, weak, WEAK! Are there no powerful creatures at the Jagan's call?! he thought angrily. He paused as he felt the energy of one creature whose power was far above the rest. Hiei smiled, feeling a kindred spirit. A fire elemental. Yes, this will do nicely for my first summoning. He commanded the Jagan to encircle his chosen target, pulling it through the dimensions towards him.
The ground began to tremble, the dirt falling away to form a large hole a little away from where Hiei was standing. Steam rose from the glowing red pit as two large claws emerged, digging into the ground for purchase. The scaly claws easily came up to Hiei's waist. A reptilian head, supported by a long neck, rose up out of the ground. The salamander shook its head, dislodging any excess dirt and rocks from its spiky mane before it looked around. Its red eyes narrowed as they landed on Hiei's small form.
The fire demon braced himself against the wind as the huge monster drew in a deep breath, rearing its head back. His eyes narrowed marginally as the giant salamander's neck and head began to glow bright red. He had better not be doing what I think he is doing.
The salamander opened its mouth, releasing a massive fire blast that instantly incinerated everything in its path. Instinctively, the Hiei raised his arms in front of his face as the fire consumed him. Being a fire demon himself, the intense heat of the flames licking his skin only caused an almost pleasant tingling sensation wherever they touched him. After the fire had subsided Hiei lowered his arms, glaring at the creature that had dared to attack him. The flames had burned off his cloak, but that was it. He concentrated, focusing all his energy into his Jagan. I summoned you. I am your master. You WILL obey me!
The salamander roared, whipping its head from side to side as it tried to fight against the fire demon. However, Hiei refused to give in, focusing only on gaining control of the creature he summoned. After several minutes of an intense battle of wills, the salamander surrendered to Hiei's control, lowering its head in obeisance.
Panting for breath, but satisfied, the fire apparition turned to survey the destruction behind him. An eyebrow lifted in appreciation. The destruction spread out behind Hiei; a large path had been cleared through the forest, leaving only charred dirt behind. Starting from where he was standing, the flames had spread out, burning everything in their path. Hiei strained his eyes, trying to see the extent of the damage. He started when the Jagan showed him what he was trying to see.
Interesting. So that's how you use it, he thought. After figuring out how to control this particular ability of his evil eye, Hiei viewed the path of destruction. He found where the trail was widest. The flames had lost enough heat that the plants weren't completely incinerated, leaving a long trail of twisted and charred trees, which were still smoking. Oddly enough, none of the fire that had burned them remained. That must be a quarter mile in width, at least. This salamander will be useful if I'm ever fighting an army, but that's about it. The creature's flames couldn't even hurt me, so it is likely that my flame-based attacks are deadlier. A bit of a disappointment, but I will find a creature worthy of being summoned.
Hiei was about to dismiss the salamander when something caught his eye. There seemed to be a building on the edge of the vision shown to him by the Jagan. Curious, he focused on it, trying to see what was there. The Jagan complied and a picture of a ruined village jumped into focus in Hiei's mind. The buildings were still smoldering, some having collapsed on top of themselves. The charred, twisted remains of the inhabitants littered the streets, adults and children alike.
"Hn." What do I care? Hiei thought, turning away. He released his hold, banishing the salamander back to the realm from whence it came. Weariness stole over the fire demon, threatening to make him collapse right then and there. I didn't realize it would take so much energy to summon one creature. I will have to train harder so that my body will be able to sustain the powerful creature that I seek. But, for now, I must return to my hideout and rest. The fire demon turned and began walking towards his lair. Hiei gasped softly as pain engulfed his left hand. Raising the limb to his face, his eyes widened slightly as what he saw. The back of his hand was glowing bright red as something burned itself into his skin. When the glow faded, Hiei was able to make out the form of a salamander, appearing to be a red tattoo. I see. A part of my body must be given in order for the summoning to be successful. As I was able to subdue and master the salamander, I will always be able to summon it with the tattoo on my left hand. It will certainly save time as I no longer have to search through all those weak creatures to find it, but I doubt I will ever call the beast to me again. Hopefully, the mark will fade in time if I don't use it. Hiei stumbled, almost falling. He shook his head and began again, wary of wayward demons that might happen upon his path. Next time, I will make sure I am closer to my hideout.
After Hiei had gone, a bandersnatch stepped out into the open, staring after him. When it was obvious the fire demon wasn't coming back, the wolf-like creature began to change. His arms and legs lengthened, paws becoming hands and feet; while his fur disappeared, being replaced with a light blue tunic with brown leggings. His snout shortened, canine becoming more human-like in appearance. Shaggy brown hair hung down to his shoulders. The demon stared in the direction Hiei had disappeared in for a few seconds more before turning and surveying the charred path.
Who was that demon? What was he trying to accomplish by summoning the monster out here? The only thing in these mountains is my village-- he paused, his eyes tracing the route the flames had traveled in. He raced along the path, ashes painting his clothes black as he stirred them up and tripped in his haste to reach his home. No! He couldn't have! Please, don't let them be gone!
It was several minutes before the first smoking buildings came into sight. He cried out in anguish at the sight. Ignoring all the other houses, he ran to one on the left side of what used to be a town. He stopped briefly in front of the skeletal remains of a house, the frame one of the only things left after the fire. The door swung slightly in the breeze.
He ran forward, ripping the door off its remaining hinge in his haste to get in side. Please don't let them be in here! Please, don't let--NO!! He knelt down beside a scorched body that was sprawled on the floor. He reached out a hand to touch it, pulling back at the last second lest his heavy hand destroy the fragile corpse. "Maliha," he whispered softly. He stood, stepping over the body and walking towards the wall, dreading what he would find there.
"My little Tsuruki..." In the burned remains of a cradle lay a small body, just as black as everything around it. A tiny arm was lying away from the body, as if reaching towards the smoking toy beside it.
The demon screamed long and loud, giving voice to the anguish threatening to tear him apart. Tears streamed down his face as he grabbed what was left of the furniture, throwing it through the wall and punching what didn't fall down. He raged, destroying everything that was left in his house, but being careful to not disturb the bodies of his loved ones. After he had worn himself out, he collapsed on the floor, crying bitterly as he dropped his head into his soot-covered hands.
He mourned for several minutes, allowing his grief to overcome him. In his mind, he saw the demon standing in front of the fiery creature he had summoned, looking down along the path of destruction. His body began to change without a conscious thought to do so, his brown hair turning to black and standing on end with a white starburst on the front. His body shrank, black garments replacing his clothes. He raised his head, red eyes glaring with hatred as a third eye opened on his forehead. He stood and ran outside.
"I WILL FIND YOU!!" he screamed, Hiei's enraged voice filling the air. "NO MATTER WHERE YOU HIDE OR HOW LONG IT TAKES, I WILL FIND YOU AND I WILL MAKE YOU PAY!!"
. . .
To Be Continued
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