Note;; This is the story of Tseng's life. Most is made up in my own head, because I'm bored and awhsome like that xD. If my timelines are off, shoot me.
The religion in this is basically my own, because i like making faiths up XD Basically, Spirit animals are representatives of your personality, usually an element complies with this. When you die, you enter the Fields of Ariu, where you can await for the spirits of loved dead ones to enter or you can find Leviathan. In the fields of Ariu you take the form of your spirit animal. Should you find the god, you will either be given freedom to end life forever and enter a state of peace if you have lived a non-sinful life, or be forced to re-live life again and continue the cycle of suffering. Your sins will be paid for by drinking the blood of the victims you have harmed, and then you will be reborn to the world as your spirt animal, from then on Karma plays its game until you are human again and given the chance to enter the final state again. Umm I think thats all you need to know really. So enjoy.
Chapter 1.
To you, the Wolf
A single bird sings, its laconic melody bursting out across the once silent landscape. The early light of day pours upon its feathers, and its sweet song continues to pour from its tiny black beak. Its eyes glimmer with the glow of life, and its song reflects that, a celebration of the dawn. Then the bird takes to the skies, its song still playing all across the quite landscape, and with it more begin to sing, a rising chorus. The melody drifting high into the air, cutting up through the mountain side and rising into the sky. All of life seemed to be celebrating, the grass and the trees swaying in time with the music. The wind whistling through the Wutainese buildings, stirring the wind chimes and causing another melody to be played along side nature. The humming of a single woman was played in tune with a birds song. She knew each and every whistle well, having paid attention to nature for so long. The birds where second nature to her, and so easy was it to simply listen and gain the secrets that the forest held.
The Shamaness smiled, her body old with age but her mind fresh with youth and intellect. Today was the day the children of the small mountain village neighboring the great city of Wutai learned of their spirit animal. Today was the first awakening, the day they got their marks and officially became followers of Leviathan. It wouldn't be long after they got their spirit animal marked forever over their Point of Life, or belly button, if you prefer.
She herself was a Black Fire Ram, a creature of a stubborn personality but a soul that burned with raw passion. The black represented only that she was childless, something expected of the Shamaness. Raising her hands, the fire materia in her cloak glowing and soon after lighting the small semi-circle of candles. The fires would not go out until deep into the night, when the last child had been seen to and the last spirit animal revealed. Already the first was approaching, early though the child and his mother where, it was good for the Shamaness. Perhaps she wouldn't have to stay up too late this night.
"White Vixen, you have come early to seek the path of the dawn for your child?" the Shamaness asked, addressing the scrawny lady. The woman she had spoke too was tall, dark bags underneath her eyes and light wrinkles serving only to enhance her age. . Her eyes, though the most brilliant shade of blue, where dull, so lacking in life, empty almost. Her lips formed a deep frown, her long black hair unkempt. Her whole appearance screamed "gray". A lonely soul perhaps, lost her way, wary as she watched her only child. Yet those of the village knew full and well what had happened to her.
And blamed her for it.
The child was looked upon with disgust by everyone but the mother and the Shamaness. The village children refused to play with him, insulting him and mocking him. What good was a son without a father? And a mother who allowed her lover to run away? Both where foes, neither belonged in this village. Outsides, a disgrace. Yet the Shamaness would have none of it. She was older, she had wisened. She had learned of the White Vixen's hardships. She knew the Vixen had a strong will to raise a child through all this, being a single mother was hard enough, never mind being persecuted for it. Seya, the mother vixen, that was her true name. The name the Shamaness could not even bare to say.
"Come child" she smiled, that welcoming smile the child had so rarely seen. He himself was obvious nervous, the excitement brimmed from him. He didn't move however, until his mother touched his shoulder, nodding in reassurance. It was okay. He could trust her. So typical of those born to the Vixen, so caring for their cubs. After this touch he came so swiftly, bowing and sitting himself below the Shamaness. He had obviously been prepared for this. The Shamaness spread her arms, her hands clasping with the seated child. "Are you ready, Tseng?"
The child smiled, obviously happy to hear his name spoken in a soft tone, instead of the usual mocking way or in disgust. "I am" he sang out, the excitement overcoming him. He was obviously so hopeful to be one of the "cooler" animals, such as a dragon or tiger. Sad as it was, most would turn out to be something completely against their expectations, such as an ant or a mouse. All where good, but at a young age only the more aesthetic animals proved to be popular.
She bows her head, allowing the summoning to begin. Letting go of the childs hands she steps back, a bird suddenly flying to her from the trees. It seems to dance around her before flutting back off into the sky, and she begins to spin and dance. Her body so old and wrinkled, one would not expect such a withered woman to dance with such grace and elegance. She raised her hands above her head, the fires around her leaping wildly, and her eyes began to glow. The shadow of the ram became visible before her, its great horns thrust back as the shadow leapt wildly. She herself could see only the great fields of Ariu, and before her a Vixen. Where the child had stood now lay a wolf, chocolate eyes raised to look at the Shamaness. It was pure black in colour, as to be expected. The wolf was far beyond the childs years, a look at the future. She could tell instantly what element it was, Ice. Its cool, almost knowing stare mixed with its blank, almost emotionless eyes told her that. The wolf raised its head, the white mark on its head glowing slightly, and for a moment she thought it looked almost regal. Then the fields began to vanish, her soul growing cold and the candles flickering. Her dance stopped, her eyes closed and she breathed heavily.
"Child, you are born of the wolf."
Chapter 2 coming soon. Please Review if you like. :3