Well, here is first chapter, this one too revamped. I have clearer idea for story, and it will be much more coherent. This one is more of prologue. next few chapters will be set in Heian period, and then we pick up in modern times. Please enjoy, read and review!
Once, once there was nothing. Neither light nor dark existed yet in void inhabited by being known as the Great Spirit.
Where did they come from? Some forgotten fallen world, some said. Others claimed that they were mass of pure energy, which separated and filled the void. Third yet claimed that Great Spirit were void itself. I however, can safely say that all these claims are true and false at same time.
Great Spirit simply is. They were and will be, a perfect being that is like circle, without beginning or end. From them we came, and to them we shall return when ( if) they decide to annul the world. Even I.
Oh? Why wonder? Why shocked faces? I assumed it to be logical. After all, if only Great Spirit existed, they must be source of existence, don't you think so? And, if they can create, they can unmake. Rather simple.
But then, my perspective may be reason. I was there when Great Spirit willed us into being. Why-who could say? Perhaps it was loneliness, or boredom. Those are some of things I would hesitate to call younger than me. I apologize for digression, and ask that you forgive me for what comes next. I never had ability to charm with words ( for mine is to destroy and decay, not create anything, lest of all beauty) , and my birth would be hard to describe even to greatest writers.
Great Spirit commanded and so it was. We, the first of first were born. The universe. Nature Godaiseirei. Space which we all inhabit became a spot and then room and in the end what it is today. Time rushed and pulled us all. Fate, will of our Creator incarnate set down laws for us to obey. Darkness covered space and coated it all in black. Fire roared, burned and pushed away the Darkness. Cold fled from flame and stars, joining Dark in deep vacuums of Space. Wind and Rain scattered over world, while steady Earth formed itself into planets and meteors and thousand others shapes.
Earth and Rain formed bodies of mortal creatures, Lighting and Wind provided them with fuel, and Fire filled bodies, preparing them for final gift of Great Spirits. Life. Moment it was born, it was shattered and scattered, filling so many bodies, so many beings. It would remain with them, even after they came to me, and their souls were ready to return to Great Spirits. Later, that life would be given to gods and demons, pure souls that never wore flesh, creatures of us , nature, and creatures of mind, of thought and concept and emotion.
Life is everywhere. And where there is Life there is me. For I am what it seeks, it's final destination. It's end, punishment and reward. By me it is defined, made worthy, because of me it exists, as do I for it. Mine is to destroy, to tear apart as Fate and your choices dictate, to return souls to our Creator.
I am that which dwells everywhere and nowhere. I'm less than second, yet first nightmare. In all of my siblings exist-their whims bind me, as my purpose binds them. I'm final, greatest weapon, last enemy to be faced. I'm heart that stopped beating, severed nerve, broken floor. I'm earthquake, tornado, inferno, tsunami, thunder. I fly with arrows and ride on bullets. I'm carried by swords and plagues, following famine and conquest, war and pestilence. To all, human and star, microbe and king, plant and beast, rich and poor, noble and wicked I come.
You can call me a demon, goddess, the pale rider. I don't care.
I am death, and only that matters.
Fire is hungry and greedy thing. It latches on anything and everything and doesn't stop until there is nothing left to consume or until you snuff it out. So greedy and persistent, sibling fire. So much work it brings it. It can only hope that fire won't spread over forest-that would truly be too much work.
It doesn't know why woman and child remain here, as fire slowly overtakes their home. Why there is crowd shouting and cheering outside. Don't they see outcome? Don't they know what will happen? So confusing, those humans. Spend entire life avoiding it and when it is near, they seem to relish in it.
Child is screaming. It seems that he isn't as dimwitted as others . Maybe it will save itself this time.
'' Go Asaha! Go!'' Woman screams and falls on floor, wriggling like worm as flames latch on her long hair, it's shine enough to rival the glory of Sun itself. She coughs, desperate, growling, as dark ash and smoke fill her lungs. It is only now that death sees that woman is bound with thick ropes, thicker than her arms.
Murders. Death hates them- meaningless additions to her workload.
'' But mama!'' Child screams and steps forward, towards woman and fire and it. But woman turns and rises her head. Scorching flames are reflected in woman's eyes, which are cold and golden like coins which all too often lead humans to it . Her pale, sweating face contorts as smoke curls around her and fire spreads over her clothes, and yet she finds strength to snarl, saliva running down and mixing with tears and sweat.
'' Just run! Run and never come back! '' As child's eyes widen and tears run down, woman's face softens and she continues talking, her voice soft and quiet.
'' Don't worry about me. I will be all right. Just... just go.'' For a moment child looks at mother, and then beyond, stares into air, as if he can see something invisible and for some reason, death feels as if somebody is poking at it's vey soul. And then it passes, and child runs over to other end of hut, as flame follows it, spreading over wood and straw, like dog following master.
Woman is burning completely now, her lungs almost entirely emptied of air. Cheering outside continues and laughter rises, but she keeps her composure, even as flames move on her body. She looks strangely beautiful, for moment resembling that which is harming her, a fiery spirit, goddess of crimson and gold.
And woman screams, high, horrible wail that can be heard for miles. Laughter stops and even death is wary, for that cold, booming wail is something old and primal, something animalistic and not quite human, almost demonic. It is filled with sorrow and pain, with anger and hatred, with guilt and envy.
But not fear. Not a trunk of it.
It rises and rises, despite fire, despite her melting flesh, despite dark curtain that envelops and suffocates her. And then it is cut off, and night is made quiet again as death strikes and enters woman ( people outside do not laugh, and even death is thankful for silence).
Woman's soul rises, calm and shining. Sorrow and rage linger for moment in those gold, strong eyes, and then she rises into the night sky, grand and glorious like star. She has joined the Great Spirits immediately upon her death. It has been too long since something like that happened, and death feel grateful. Human souls are always so angry, so entitled, so loud ( and honestly, it would rather not have this woman shouting at her).
For moment it wonders about child, child of this strong human being, child with strange sight, then forgets about it.
Most likely, it will see it soon. Maybe murderers will catch it, maybe it will fall and break neck, maybe it will drown. Maybe it will freeze or starve, maybe it will be torn apart by wild beasts. One more victim, one more task for it.
'' The winner is team Star!''
No cheering, no laughter as flames consume bodies and souls. Only shocked faces , tears and rage upon some. And of course screams and terror and despair and million monster and demon and murderer and images from eyes not his clawing their way inside his mind as he smiles.
Hao looks as Spirit of Fire feasts and grows stronger, looks as life flees his opponents. Poor and foolish, so many of them. He savors moment, drinks audience's fear and disbelief. Maybe some will realize now what awaits them, and join him.
Or not. It doesn't matter. He doesn't need them, they can't harm him and Spirit of Fire is always so hungry. Success however you look at it.
From corner of his eye, he catches a sign from her. She remains second longer then previous time. Second longer than she remained anywhere after fulfilling her duty, after accepting living in her embrace.
Subtle shift, nod, low eyes. His smile rises bit. Not many notice, but Patch and his brother and his annoying friends do, as do X-Laws.
'' Opacho, Luchist,'' he says, too quiet for Patch's cameras to record and broadcast, '' I think we will have guest soon.'' They do not ask questions, though they want to, but follow him out of arena. Smart and loyal as always.
Spirit of Fire sighs and grumbles. He is most loyal of them all, and smartest, but his patience for certain things is rather thin.
'' Don't worry. We won't bicker.'' His heart feels Spirit of Fire's skepticism , which is like thousand paper cuts, subtle but painful and giant.
'' Well, not too much.'' Grudging acceptance, Spirit of Fire's most common feeling. Hao laughs.
Everything is bound to get so much more interesting.