A/N:
My current Monochrome Factor work in progress, (Original Title)Demons Love! Eh...the current title now is Devils Love(?)...I have several suggestion at the end, unless you all want to add to that. I was going to put it as a one-shot and hoped to finish it, but I gave up after a while. So...ENJOY!
Disclaimer: I do not own Monochrome Factor, it rightfully belongs to Kaili Sorano-sensei. But I do own the OC characters here.
Warning: Slight OCC, Female Akira, language and suggestive themes that is not good for the heart. OC's are also included.
Pairing: Shirogane x Ryuuko x Akira.
Helpful Tips:
Normal - Title
Normal- Emphasis
Normal- Present Time
"Normal" -Present time speaking
Normal- Flashback/nicknames
"Normal" - Thoughts/Past speaking
Prologue: O Hail the King, O Hail the King, O Hail the King!
The screams of joy engulf the snowy kingdom as had the commoners already cleared the streets for the path of a common yet sophisticated parade float. The two platforms main colors of the fiery victories spread toward the center of the loyal oceans themselves in gradients colors. The edges etched of the ribbons starting with the golden royalty and spread down to the maturity of the silver, the endless depths of darkness, and lastly the sacred snow. Upon standing were the elites and the few elite guards themselves, all close to the edges of the barrier waving at the crowd of commoners with a smile, but they were at a close distance to the main star of all.
A woman at the appearance of twenty, the shape of her face soft giving her a expression radiating innocence if it weren't due for the maturity shown in her teal eyes that seem to stare into one soul, her slightly tan skin and her messy light chocolate hair at the base of her neck with a barely noticeable braid on the side of her head connected by white and purple beads and golden like hair sprouts at the base of her neck flows down. The brunette well-developed yet fit figure clings to the loose royal cloths she had been mandatory to wear to this day. Her long-sleeve red button-up shirt under her black tail-like vest, black trousers and black shoes, all under a sophisticated scarlet mantle with white cotton edges that resemble fur, golden seams at the end of her cape flow along under the wind, held together by two purple buttons and golden ropes above her chest. Atop of her head adorned was a head-band like purple crown with white pearl edges. Her posture firm; both feet spread apart by shoulder length, her head was straight and looking ahead, and her shoulders up and her arm were straight as both hands overlapped each other holding on the butt of the hilt of a straight Chinese sword. The blade made of pure silver and there were carvings of Celtic runes engraved a few runes only.
The brunette was deep in her own thoughts, everything from her experiences of her life drastically changing to what it is now…
"It appears there are no complaints of the finality that you are officially King now, Princess." A cool voice interrupted the brunette thoughts.
The woman, known as Princess turned her head to see the male next to her. He was around the same age as her, his slender build tug against the thick cotton black shirt and brown leather vest, the fitted black leather pants and brown boots rugged and caked in dirt, and around his waist were portable bags and a metal scabbard for his signature katana dubbed Shiki at his left side. He grinned broadly as his spiky gray tinted raven hair tilted to the side and his chestnut eyes full of vitality stare at the apathetic King.
"Or should I say, King?" The raven haired man asked sarcastically.
Princess resists the urge to roll her eyes, knowing it would look silly especially in front of all these people here and it would appear unfitting to her status currently. Fortunately for her, the famous Seeress appears in the flesh and whacks her so-called best friend (which he declared himself) in the head.
"Ow!" The raven haired boy shrilled in pain, clutching where the bump is forming now.
Then, he glared at the Seeress with faint tears at the corner of his eyes from the pain mostly. "What the hell was that for, Jade?!"
The Seeress, Jade, her appearance nothing more than a young child yet her eyes show that she is older than she appears to be. True to her name, her long hair was in a unique shade of green held in a loose braid over her petite shoulder, and her eyes were also a unique shade of green. Jade wore a light white dress with green edges going upward under a brown poncho that protected her from the frigid climates, wearing only straw sandals through she didn't seem to mind the cold hitting her two tiny feet. Gerbera daisy at both sides of her head that were connected to a brown head-band, her favor of floral accessories was no surprising.
Jade glares back at the raven-haired man, "Your impudence around her majesty, right hand man, Hikaru."
The raven haired man, Hikaru only pouted more, glancing at the King herself who kept her impassive face and stared into the horizon in front of her. Princess, sensing someone staring at her moved her teal eye to make contact with Hikaru chestnut ones.
"...Do not even dare." The female King eyes spoke.
"I will do whatever I want to do, Princess!" The right hand man spoke back, sticking his tongue out childishly that earned another smack in the head by Jade.
The brunette only gave a quiet sigh, silently watching that her right hand man had jumped off the platform and ran into the crowds doing whatever he desired to do.
"I apologize for my cousin obnoxious behavior, your majesty." The Seeress respectfully bowed to Akira, apologizing for Hikaru obnoxious behavior.
Princess nodded to Jade that it was fine since she was used to the raven haired man childish behavior to certain limits. Jade nodded back and stepped away from the King, going back to where her place was on the platform. The brunette went back to her thoughts, knowing that the parade float will most likely take another tenth of the daylight here before the ceremony comes in.
"Even time would catch up and spoke loudly that I have to take my responsibility as King…" The brunette thought to herself, her teal eyes casting down on the floor, slightly covering her face with her bangs.
Yes…Time always did tell.
Despite her unaging appearance, there were always some things she could never escape. For example, this duty of hers as a leader of the crusader organization that was originally supposed to protect humans from the vilest, evilest, and most tainted creatures that live in the night. The decades that passed and the laws change for certain demons themselves to assist humans' guardians to protect civilian humans and if possible innocent creatures of darkness.
For creatures like her, an unaging creature with tainted human blood in her she would use for another example.
But, that's not all the reason why she is here right now and the people that she once treated as friends and superiors are now honoring her, revering her with their loyalty and gifts to her.
It was a simple reason really.
She wouldn't call it a curse really; the word curse is to put it as a better term.
Either way, she was curse because she looked exactly like one of the Four Kings of Dark and Light, Lord Ryuuko.
The brunette had heard of them before and yes, she even met them a few times before on her missions. Usually as enemies and sometimes as neutral people, the last time…the last time…
Princess expression tightened slightly at the thought of the last time she met them. It wasn't a bad encounter that was very traumatizing…
All right, it may have been.
No matter how much she thought about Lord Ryuuko and his…good friend and rumored to be the strongest of all Four Kings, Lord Shirogane offer. She could not find it in her mind to be able to accept it despite her heart desire to.
The brunette mind started to wander off into the memories…
Darkness blanketed the sky, not a single star or moon in sight. The once cool air became chilly when thundering roars loudly echo, flickering white on the sky gave only a temporary comfort of light. Throughout the sea of thick dead trees, if one mistakes their path to an eerie shape rock of a monster jaw will be their last sight to see if they ever fall into the crashing and powerful currents of the river.
On top of the cliff, that was where the brunette was right now. She was fighting for her own survival against one of Homurabi men, Nanaya, the very same one with that unsporting blue hair and very much noticeable face piercings and eyepatch over his jagged and scarred to be permantly blinded right eye that had chosen to be ambitious of his bloodthirsty goals; revenge and payback at her. The brunette parried each strike of the blue haired demon twin forked Chinese long daggers with her twin short daggers, her small stature pushed back due to the gap of strength between them both very close to edge of her fall.
Princess gritted her teeth struggling enough just to keep her guard up, glaring with distaste at Nanaya, who only smirked mockingly and laughed.
"What's wrong?" The blue haired demon taunted. "Tired already? That's no good, the fun barely started!"
In flaring moments, the brunette removed her guard and pushed Nanaya away with a powerful kick to his abdomen. Satisfied of hearing a pained grunt from the blue haired demon, she charge in quickly while Nanaya is still recovering to only bring her arm holding the dagger close to her. Once within range, she shoots her arm up and to the surprise of Nanaya barely step back to try to dodge the attack. Try, yes, it was ineffective when the blue haired demon let out a howl of pain of the dagger now deeply imbedded on the juncture of his collarbone.
It wasn't exactly vital, but still pretty much painful Princess thought as she pulled away quickly along with her dagger when she felt Nanaya about to kick her. She knew she was still cornered and even if she did fight back, it would be only a waste of energy given her condition. Teal eyes glanced behind her at the cliff before glancing back in front of her. The brunette was pretty badly injured from her last fight, knowing her running around blindly to find an escape must have made her appearance a mess right now, and her heavy pants from lack of energy and her injury that started to open up again did not help one bit.
So it would be either die trying to fight Nanaya or jump off the cliff to have a fifty-fifty chance of living and still intact or dead inside the merciless torrents.
"You bitch…!" Nanaya growled, glaring at the brunette dangerously.
The one-eyed demon seemed to ignore his wound that continued to bleed, twisting the daggers in his hand so that the pointed part of the blade was facing the ground and smirked at the brunette to her confusion.
"Tonight a nice night...Thunders are everywhere and there could be lightning anytime…" Nanaya spoke, confusing the brunette when the one-eyed demon struck his daggers into the ground.
"Lightning?" Princess thought to herself, what that had to do with any-!
Her teal eyes widen in surprise at the true meaning of Nanaya words. If her assumption is true, then indeed this night would be unfortunate in her battle against him. Lightning then shook the sky and shot down Nanaya, lightning up the dark like a blade. Nanaya only laughed manically and his smirk became more twisted as he grip the hilt of his daggers tighter to send a shock wave of lightning at the brunette.
Princess, being a moment too slow was too late when she felt jolting pain throughout her body and when it ended, she staggered a bit. The fatigue feeling of her body needing rest and her eyelids about to closed yet she struggled to keep them awake as much as possible, panting heavy as she got into a weak defense posture. She took note of the blue-haired demon sadistic grin that turned to a scowl when the sound of a horn being blown reaches their ears.
"What was that…?" The brunette thought to herself.
"Tsk, looks like Sawaki is calling me now." Nanaya cursed at his superior, glancing sideways before turning back to the brunette.
The blue haired demon grinned madly to Princess bemused face. Nanaya pulled both his weapons up and made a swinging motion with his right hand across the ground horizontally. There was silence between them, the brunette shoulders relaxing a bit when nothing happened until the ground she was standing started to shook. Teal eyes widen and glanced at the ground where Nanaya had sliced earlier. The cut ground lowering till it separated into where she was standing is nothing more than a piece of giant rock.
She reached her hand out to grab the edge, but her reach was short and watched as Nanaya appeared in her vision standing there with that grin still plastered on his face.
"Too bad, I could've had more fun with you. For now, let's see if you can survive this!"
"Shit…" She cursed, already far away from the cliff to do anything against the blue-haired demon.
Weird, she didn't even remember closing her eyes and the last thing she heard is someone calling her name in unison.
…
…ma…ty…
"Your majesty!" Jade whisper harshly, nudging the brunette ribs to get her attention.
The brunette jolted at the sudden nudge and looked at Jade quizzically. Jade in return glared at Princess.
"You do remember what you are suppose to do for the Coronation, yes?" The Seeress hissed.
Coro...nation?
Oh yes, yes…The parade had finished just an hour ago and she had entered the castle with Jade and Hikaru by her side. They were all standing outside a grand door to the Throne Room, moments before the Coronation will be at its main dish once she enters through the doors.
"You sure you are okay, Princess?" Hikaru asked with worry. "You seemed to be dozing off a lot."
"Yes…I'm fine, Hikaru. No need to worry about me, I guess…nervous about the ceremony." Princess answered calmly, giving both the raven haired man and Seeress a faint smile.
The Seeress gave a calculated stare at the brunette for a moment before nodding.
"Well, it is a grand thing after all. After all, a lowly half-demon rises to become the next King here! It's quite a surprise and no wonder you are all anxious about it! Oh, if only the Gods could strike down for this predicament that's will happen in moments!" Jade spoke dramatically, mockingly making an exasperated sigh that sounded more like an insult.
Hikaru couldn't help, but to restrain a snicker when he saw an imaginary tick mark appearing around Princess. It was blunt to say that she saw the insult in the Seeress drama here.
"…Let's just get this over with." Princess frowned at them.
"Right, right." Hikaru reluctantly agreed, liking the drama at the moment.
"Indeed, your majesty."
The brunette resists the urge to roll her eyes at the tone they used. Quickly, she regained her composure when the doors started to creak and open slowly. The sight greeted her was how decorated the Throne Room with giant crimson curtains covering the walls and the Northern Castle symbols at different area's on the wall that were white and blue. From above, glass windows of pure snow radiated down where the Throne stood. Knights, Dukes and Duchess, Lords and Lady, Governor, Mayor, and other famous people and high-ranked nobles were present, cleared out of the way to the side where a scarlet carpet reached across the room barely touching the steps.
Where in front of the Throne, there was the Archbishop Adrian, a slim man in his pontifical dalmatic(1), matching white and gold mitre(2) sat upon his zuchette(3) head, the pectoral(4) cross made of pure gold on his chest held by white beaded necklace, the pallium(5) around his shoulders and the Episcopal(6)ring sat upon his right finger. The Archbishop blue eyes through his round lens glasses shown relief when his gaze sat upon the brunette.
Slowly and gracefully, the brunette walked inside with the two behind her trailing down started to decrease.
"Good luck, Princess." Hikaru whispered as he moved slowly to the side.
"We will watch from the crowd itself, your highness." Jade whispered as well, moving to the other side.
Soon, they were both gone from Princess left and right sides. The two blended in the crowd and watched the brunette walked on the red carpet.
In truth, she was nervous and giving second thoughts about this Coronation. What if she couldn't be the King the people wanted? What if she couldn't meet their needs? What if she was weak? What if…
Great, it seems Hikaru words of encouragement from few days prior to this seemed to be coming back to her.
What? You're worried about something like that? Oh come on, Princess! I, Jade, Brother and everyone else in this guild know you well enough that you have what it takes! So don't worry, I will be there to help you out! What are friends for?!
The brunette could only inwardly sigh at the…for a better lack of vocabulary, wise words. It was annoying, but she had to admit that Hikaru could be right.
Well, hope at least.
"What's done is done…Jade at this point would punch me if she knew of my thoughts…Hikaru would scold me and asked for a sparring match…" Princess thought to herself, smiling very faintly to herself.
In minutes, the brunette descended on the steps and bend down on one knee, kneeling in front of the Archbishop. Not once did she looked behind to see for any reassurance from Jade or Hikaru…or anyone else that might've been unexpected to come.
"So today, I, Archbishop Adrian will now proceed to crown our new King!" The deep, smooth voice of Archbishop Adrian was loud enough for everyone to hear.
Loud footsteps the brunette recognized are Hikaru older brother, Ichiro walked up to the Archbishop. Shortly, they retreated back and the Archbishop continued his speech.
Everyone watched with keen eyes when a young Priest that wore similar facial features as Hikaru, except older and mature known as Ichiro. Unlike Hikaru, who was more dynamic while Ichiro is tranquil, said by the less spiky black hair with more blue tints that stopped at the base of his neck and were combed neatly and his doe eyes sparkle with compassion. Priest Ichiro wore an alb(7), a purple cincture(8) to hold the alb, and a golden stole(9) hanging around his neck and let loose down to his knee. In both hands was a elegant red cushion lined with braided gold, resting on the expensive fabric was a crown made of the purest yet darkest ice adorned with various gems; topaz, amethyst, rubies, and diamonds.
Archbishop Adrian smiled at the Priest politely, nodding before taking the crown slowly and carefully. Priest Ichiro bowed his head politely before stepping back.
"And this crown that represents our castle, our home and our kingdom, the Northern Kingdom shall rest upon her highness…!" The Archbishop paused midway.
Archbishop Adrian placed the crown on the brunette head that fitted perfectly. The brunette herself noticed and rose slowly, then turned around to the mass of people with an impassive expression as the Archbishop finished his sentence.
"…Her highness, King Akira Nikaido!"
Prologue Ends
A/N:
That concludes the prologue. As for the numbers...
It will be exactly from what is said from this link ( 2006/05/06/clerical-clothing-what-do-priests-wear/). Warning, it may not be 100% accurate and I know there are some terms missing from the site, but this is a majority of it. If I made a mistake, please do correct me:
dalmatic(1) -Large vestment worn by deacons. It hangs down full from the shoulders and has large broad sleeves.
mitre(2) -The pointed folding hat which Bishops, Cardinals, and the Pope wear at official church services.
zuchette(3) - The skull cap worn by the Pope and Bishops.
pectoral cross(4) - A cross worn on the chest area
pallium(5) -A narrow white woolen ban worn around the shoulders, having two short woolen pendants, one hanging down teh front, the other down the back, and ornamented with six black crosses. It is worn by the Pope and Archbishops
as a sign of their authority.
Episcopal (6) - I'm not completely sure, but it's relating to Bishop.
alb (7)-An ankle-length white linen vestment with sleeves which the priest wears at Mass.
cincture(8) -A long cord which the priest ties around his waist to hold the alb in place.
stole(9) -A very long narrow strip of cloth. Priests today wear the stole around the neck and hanging straight down in the front. Bishops at Mass will wear the stole crossed over the chest.
Thanks for all of your time and hoped you enjoyed the prologue, the next few chapters(Definitely the first chapter) will be posted soon as possible! Review and criticism are helpful!
