Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Kyo Kara Maoh, this is purely fan-made.

Prologue: Astride the Shadows

~Flashback~

The forest was dark and foreboding that night due to the new moon, and the stars offered Conrad very little light with their negligible glow. Also, above him, thick and ominous clouds had begun to gather, swelling rapidly with moisture. And so the only light that illuminated the impenetrable blackness surrounding him was the occasional flash of lightning which was soon accompanied by an earsplitting roar of thunder...

Even though it was exceedingly dark, there was no way of telling when it would start to rain so Conrad didn't bother to light a torch. And besides-as unlikely as it was-if there was someone in this part of the forest, the torchlight would immediately give away his position.

Still, the likelihood of that was very slim given where he currently was. For near one of the borders that Conrad often patrolled, there was a particularly dense part of the forest that could prove treacherous to the inexperienced so very few people ventured there. Although it was still one of the most effective ways to slip into the Great Demon Kingdom unnoticed with very little chance of being discovered.

But unfortunately, part of the reason for that was because most trespassers-especially those who foolishly chose to make the journey alone-ended up getting themselves killed by one of the many dangers this forest posed such as the dangerous beasts that prowled the night and the hidden traps of nature that were all cleverly disguised to ensnare the obstinate and reckless travelers that dared to enter their domain. Not to mention that there was the occasional bandit who could be found wandering the area in search of hapless victims to rob blind after posing as escorts through the forest and leading travelers directly into an ambush.

Thankfully, Conrad knew this forest better than anyone else in the Great Demon Kingdom. With the exception of Yosak of course, who also favored using this route as well whenever he needed to leave the capital quickly for a reconnaissance mission. Therefore, even though Conrad was presently alone, he felt perfectly comfortable amidst the ancient trees-trees that were said to date all the way back to before the Originators-since he had seen no signs of human activity for miles...

Still, the lack of activity and his own familiarity with these woods did not lull Conrad into a state of complacency. There was still a very high chance of danger lurking in the shadows, so Conrad made sure that he kept himself focused and attentive to his surroundings. Listening for anything that indicated a threat.

He could sense the presence of unseen wildlife surrounding him who were preparing for the imminent storm by listening to the muffled rustle of leaves being disturbed by their movements. Also, Conrad would occasionally see the glint of their eyes in the dim light whenever one of them briefly entered his field of vision. But apart from that, the forest was completely silent tonight save for the soft moan of trees being tossed in the strong wind and the soft patter of rain as it finally began to fall in a curtain of silver sleet.

His cloak was quickly soaked through in the sudden and heavy downpour, but being the trained soldier that he was Conrad the cold didn't bother him in the least. So, since he was already soaked anyway, Conrad relented to remove his hood and shook out a spray of tiny droplets from his silky brown hair. Relishing the sensation of the heavy rain touching his skin and rolling down the nape of his neck...

While most other's preferred riding in broad sunlight and being surrounded by bright skies, Conrad actually enjoyed traveling in the misty rainfall because it reminded him so much of the first day he met Yuri shortly before he had become the Demon King. The rainfall also fondly reminded Conrad of long ago of when he first learned to endure the hardships of nature while traveling alone with his father in the wilderness. And sometimes, Conrad sorely missed those days of aimless wandering and longed to experience them again as he did before his father died at the short age of eighty-two since he was only a human man. Unlike his son who was only half human...

As Conrad rode on towards home on the faded path that he and Yosak made through the forest over the years, he soon became aware of a pair of keen eyes watching him closely from beneath the thick canopy. They did not seem hostile at the moment, yet Conrad felt the intensity of their gaze drilling into his back and considering him thoughtfully. Therefore, Conrad reached for his sword, prepared to draw it if necessary.

Finally, after a few more moments of careful deliberation, Conrad decided that it might be in his best interest to face whatever was following him before it chose to attack first. And it just so happened that just a little further ahead there was an opening where the trees thinned out where there would be more room to maneuver if it did come down to a fight.

So after having decided that, Conrad drew up his hood again and quickened his horse's pace to a steady gallop. And judging by the rustling that followed, so had his pursuer.

Just as he reached the interval between the trees, Conrad turned and watched as a shape detached itself from the rest of the shadows and approached him. But it was still dark, so even with his acute eyesight Conrad still had a difficult time seeing it at first. The silhouette of the creature however, once it came close enough, was unmistakable...