Chapter one - Cherry Blossom Fire

I guess no one can change the past and no one can ease pain as easily as it is caused. But that's how we learn. Though some people learn differently from others, maybe I'm different too because I learned nothing from the pain I was put through on that day. I didn't even learn from the pain I experienced after. Heartache, loss, loneliness, sadness, anger, anguish but most of all hate. The emotion that made my heart as black as it was, something that made it impossible to forgive and forget.

•••••

I was walking throughout my home when it happened. I heard a scream, it sounded like my mother's voice so I rushed outside. Only to behold a horrific sight, my mother lying on the ground and two Dragons smirking at the sight of her scarlet blood flowing onto the ground.

One Dragon was an ivy colour, with pointed scales and a large head but what was most striking were the Dragon's indigo eyes that faded into a black colour. It was like they were sucking me in. The second Dragon, however, was a vivid green. It's colour clashing with that of it's fellow Dragon, it's head a rounded shape, it's tail like a trident and finally the orange eyes that scared me to the bone. But I wouldn't allow them to hurt my mother anymore. She let out a muffled scream, it sounded like she was telling me to run but no sooner then she did the ivy-coloured Dragon slashed her body again.

Tears ran down my face, I was just standing there. Watching. Watching my own mother be killed. But I felt helpless, like I couldn't do anything anyways. Though that didn't stop me from screaming and then running up to my mother and laying my body over hers protectively. The green Dragon looked at me curiously and then laughed. It was as if it was mocking me, saying that I should give up, run away and leave my mother behind. But I wasn't about to back down. They raised their claws simultaneously and despite their best efforts the couldn't get near us.

It was a golden light, warm and caring. Where did it come from? I looked down only to see my mother fading away and becoming a sword. How? How could I let this happen? My mother wasn't supposed to use that, it was a lost magic. One she picked up years ago and only told me about. She said, if she ever became that sword I was the only one who was strong enough to wield her and use her.

I grabbed the sword with tears running down my face and I swear I heard her say 'Goodbye Lucy, I love you and stay safe.' Which only made me cry even more. I promise I would avenge her, no matter what the cost.

A terrific silver and golden light enveloped me and filled me with more power than I could of ever imagined to have as a young child. I took my mothers keys and instantly Capricorn, the goat zodiac, summoned himself to help protect me. I after that summoned Cancer, the crab zodiac, and sent the sword I held straight for the ivy Dragon.

After a few seconds when I moved away its wound filled with a blinding light, that's right my mother had become the almighty Sword Of Light one that not even God's possessed but here I was a four year old young girl holding the most powerful weapon in history, the Dragon yelped in pain and fell to the ground. The other Dragon was looking worriedly at it's comrade until it angrily glared at me.

Sending it's claws straight for me I slashed the swords through them, blood was already spilled over the entire garden area, I was so afraid I started shaking but my Celestial Spirits -no my mother's- comforted me but I could still see the tinge of sadness in their eyes. I attacked each Dragon again and again, not stopping until I knew they were dead. This was my revenge for what they did to my mother and me. They deserved to die, they were smirking at her bleeding body. After I told Capricorn and Cancer it was okay and the could leave they left.

I laid the Sword Of Light carefully on the ground, I had to remember this was still my mother. She was still alive in this sword, maybe I could find a way to bring her back. But after that a red light came from within my body and the power I felt before was paled in comparison to the power I had just gained.

One of the Dragons spoke in a barely audible voice saying, "You now have Ultimate DragonSlayer Magic. But keep it a secret there are people who would kill you for that power."

DragonSlayer Magic? I guess I did kill two Dragons. What did the Dragon mean by 'Ultimate' though? Oh well... I guess I'll have to face father even though I hate to be near him. But mother will be with me! So I'll be fine.

I grabbed the Sword Of Light again and walked back into the house, actually pondering on how he didn't notice all the commotion or maybe he did but didn't care, I went up the long stairway to his office. I braced myself for some shouting and knocked on the door.

"What is it?" His dull voice could be heard through the door, he clearly wasn't happy.

"... Mother is a sword now Papa... Two Dragons tried to hurt her and me but she used that forbidden spell.. I killed the two Dragons with her though so it's all okay!" I told him, trying to put a positive output on it, but I heard glass fall to the floor and a big crash. "Papa are you okay in there?"

"..." No answer.

Even though this man sometimes abused me and treated me wrongly, he was still my papa. I loved him although he sometimes seemed to hate me.

"Are you kidding me?! Why didn't you stop her?!" Papa threw the door open and hit me with a broken wine bottle, causing my head to bleed and excruciating pain to run throughout my body. I felt dizzy but I knew I had to stay awake for papa's sake.

"I tried papa but mother had already done it before I realised. Here's the Sword Of Light that she became..." I handed him the sword, but he threw it across the room.

"Keep that thing away from me!" He shouted and hit me again across my stomach, the pain was becoming unbearable and I couldn't help but scream in agony a little.

"Papa mother is still alive in that sword! Don't throw it away!" I pleaded but my vision was becoming fuzzy.

Papa called for one of the servants but after that I passed out. When I awoke I found myself still lying on the floor, but I could smell smoke. What had happened? Where am I? Then it hit me. This is MY room and it's on fire! Mother is still in here too! I have to get at least mother out! I tried to get out through the door but to no avail as I found it locked. What? Why?

I heard papa laughing, 'Now you and your mother can rest eternally!' I heard him say that. Did papa really become mad? Is he okay? Wait, no! I need to get out of here before me and mother burn to ashes. I couldn't hide my fear, why had so much happened today? I grabbed the Sword Of Light, salvaged some things that the fire hadn't burned yet, put them in a small rucksack then faced the window, it was two floors up but if I used the Sword Of Light I might be able to make it down safely. I opened the window, finally getting fresh air as a change from the suffocating smoke filling the room. My lungs breathed heavily, surely glad they no longer had to endure the smoke.

I got ready to jump, I held onto the Sword Of Light tightly praying I'd make it down safely. I climbed onto the window frame and just incase I called Capricorn and so the last thing I heard from that house was the crackling fire and the creepy laugh from my father edging though the door.

After me and Capricorn had made a so-called safe escape with no major injuries, just a small scrape on my left knee, I sent him back and started wandering. I managed to stumble upon a market place.

People were crowding around certain areas and were pushing past other people in the hopes of getting a good deal. I didn't get much money but maybe it's enough for at least some bread or fruit. I try squeezing past the long line of people but it's difficult as I'm only small so they don't notice me.

One person pushes right into me and I fall onto the floor, dropping everything I have; including the Sword Of Light or better said my mother. I desperately tried to get her back but the passers by kept pushing it back and away from me. I was losing patience so I shouted the word 'STOP' and everyone around me stopped. I grabbed the Sword Of Light and held it close. Though when I did I heard people mumbling things, they were probably wondering why such a young girl like me has a sword.

I decided to give up on finding food and instead I focused on getting away. After about three hours of walking around I found a cherry blossom tree, but something was off about it. The petals were covered with a layer of fire. Fire petals? I've only heard of those in fairy tales and rumours. Then I realised the entire forest surrounding it was also covered in a flame. I looked around and found a path, not at all covered in flame and I decided to follow it.

I wandered around the path until it was dusk, I was about to find shelter when I saw something unbelievable. A Dragon. I was scared stiff, I couldn't bring myself to even move away but this Dragon's energy seemed different. It wasn't a threat. I stopped shaking and walked forward. The Dragon opened it's eyes, they were a clear crystal blue. They were beautiful and they gave me the same warm feeling as the Fire Petals had. Did this beautiful Dragon create them? I touched it's scales, they were a pale lilac colour with a fire shape at the end of each.

"You do not fear me human girl?" It asked.

"No, you're beautiful! Not like the other Dragons from earlier at all! Did you create the Flame Petals?" I said.

"Other Dragons?" It asked, "And I did create them. I find them peaceful with a refined and beautiful aura around them. Or maybe it's just that others look at them so adoringly."

"Wow! Oh! The other Dragons..." I looked down with tears threatening to overflow from my eyes but I tried my best to stop them. The Dragon seemed to notice and it looked at me.

"Was it the Ivy Dragon and the Green Dragon? They tend to be scary and easy to anger." It said.

"Yeah.. It's the reason my mother used a forbidden spell.." I replied.

"A forbidden spell?..! Is she that sword?" It asked and I could only nod with tears brimming on the edge of my eyes, I tried to cover my face with my fringe.

"Hmm.. Well seen as your mother is unable to look after you, why don't I? Would you like that? Oh and my name is Xiuhcoatl, it means Fire Serpent. But you can call me Xi if you'd like." Xi said.

"Really?! Thanks Xi!" I hugged her and we went under the flaming tree.

It was strange, the fire was evident but nothing was burning away, there was no smoke filling the air and my lungs unlike when my father locked me in my room. They were colourful and they were dancing in the wind. I was becoming curious as to what type of Dragon Xi was. So I decided to ask her.

"Xi?" I said.

"Yes young one?" She replied.

"What type of Dragon are you?" I finally asked, I was waiting patiently for the answer but she was quiet for a while.

"I'm... A Dragon of Nature.. I can manipulate anything, natural, around me to make it peaceful. They say I'm one of the most powerful Dragons.. Though my attacks are not that powerful because humans and other creatures are a result of Nature. However, if I teach you Nature DragonSlayer Magic depending on your will and inner strength your attack strength shall be much greater. You will be able to create happiness and beauty wherever you go. I hope you are strong enough but I can tell your heart holds the will of nature and nature holds the will of you. To rid of darkness, correct?" Xi said.

"Yeah.. I don't want people to feel sad like me. But now you're here Xi I feel happy!" I said in return to her statements.

After that we sat talking for hours until it was very late at night. Xi told me I should sleep so I decided to do so. The ground was rough and the grass kept poking my eye, it seems that Xi noticed this because she lifted me up into her wing. Her scales were surprising soft unlike the rough ones that covered her head though they would still be difficult to break through. And just like that I fell asleep with Xi holding me close.

This dramatic and painful day had finally come to a close.