Edited and reposted 8-19-18: edit in the story dates/days.

Edited and reposted 8-5-18: minor detailing and wording, change of chapter title.

Edited and reposted 4-29-18: Moving around of information for better flow, changed to First/Second/Third/Fourth Rank.

Edited and reposted 3-11-18: Minor changes, changing status names to Level 1-4 rather than names.

Edited and reposted 10-14-17: Minor changes.

This is a crossover, but this story does not include any canon characters from any series. Some ideas may be influenced from a series, but are not exactly those ideas. I do accept and will use OC's that would like to join.

You can find the links to my music I make for this story on my profile, Austin101.

July 26th, 1293 NB (New Beginnings)

A long, imposing table sits silently under a massive dome. Nine chairs, four on opposite sides, are neatly lined up at the table. The last chair proudly stands at the head of the table. Of the nine chairs, only seven are filled. Men and women, each around their forties, are seated around the table.

This is the Hall of Denizen, where the legendary Guardians of Wytsu meet. Wytsu, a continent separated from the rest of the world, is comprised of eight countries. These eight countries represent a different element: Light, Fire, Lightning, Wind, Water, Ice, Shadow, and Earth.

The continent of Wytsu is like a large donut cut into seven pieces with an island country in the middle, and there are massive mountains all along the edges of the continent. No one enters Wytsu, and no one leaves. Each Guardian not only has their respectful power, but they also have twice the lifespan of a normal human.

The door to the large room opens and a man walks in wearing a kimono covered in silver and gold. The Denizens at the table stand and bow to him: the Keeper. The Keeper watches the Denizen and summons them to meet and discuss anything that needs to be brought up. Once the Keeper takes a seat at the end of the long table, the rest follow. The last lone,empty chair belongs to the Wind Denizen.

"Thank you for coming. As many of you are now aware, the Wind Trial for the new Wind Denizen has now been completed. Does anyone have time to help her get accustomed to her new role?"

No one speaks up. After a brief moment, a pale hand raises. The woman, the Light Denizen, looks to be in her 40's. "I have some time to help her."

"Thank you, Layta. I will provide you with the details afterwards." The Keeper turns to the Fire Denizen who sits at the far right side of the table. "How is the mining project?"

"There have been a few incidents, but we are gathering more reliable Locket users to reduce the casualties." His booming voice echoed. The Fire Denizen wears clothing with flame and mountain designs, distracting people from how old he looks.

"I hope that the casualties lessen in the near future."

"I sincerely apologize." The Fire Denizen bows guiltily.

"Icatan, did you really found an Ice Candidate?"

"Yes, that would be correct." Icatan, the Ice Denizen, slowly speaks with a cold breath of air. His light blue and black clothing makes him seem younger and sturdier, though he is currently the oldest of the Denizen, at the age of 182 years old. The oldest a Denizen has been known to live for is roughly two hundred years.

"Alright, then. Who is able to referee the Ice Trials?"

The Shadow Denizen raises a hand, his black and purple cloak flapping. He appears to be in his 40's, but he is 167 years old, one of the youngest-looking Denizen at that age. When the Shadow Denizen raises his hand, the Earth Denizen stands up. "I don't want that traitor to watch over someone's trials!"

"All I did was say I could referee. He asked to know who could." He said quietly and calmly while pushing back the purple hair from over his right eye.

"He is not in the wrong," Icatan reinforced. "His mistake was cleared up, I don't understand why you continue holding onto that hatred towards him."

"I will not allow bickering at this table." The Denizen silence themselves upon the Keeper's request. "Who else is able to watch over the Ice Trial?"

The Water Denizen raises her hand. "I, too, would be able to be a referee for the Ice Trial."

The Lightning Denizen also raises his hand. "I can, as well."

"If no one else is able, then let us nominate from these three. Who nominates Gary Tsutsukage, Shadow Denizen, to watch the Ice Trial?" Gary and Icatan raise their hands. "Who nominates Hali Geratsu, the Water Denizen?" The Water and Light Denizen raise their hand. "Who nominates Pachi Kashima, the Lightning Denizen?" The rest of the Denizen present raise their hand; the Lightning, Fire, and Earth Denizen. Pachi, the Lightning Denizen, has the most votes. "Will you accept, Pachi?"

"I will," the Lightning Denizen replies.

"Thank you. How are your children?"

"They are growing strong and showing a lot of promise for our family."

"That's wonderful to hear." He stands up. "The Wind Trial is over, and she will join us next time. The Ice Trial is soon to come, and we will meet once again when the Ice Trial is nearing its end. Everything seems to be going well."

The meeting continues for a while longer.

The Fire Denizen, Kai, raises his hand hesitantly.

"Yes?"

"Pardon me," he apologizes. "It's just… I believe that 'he' appeared in my country." The Keeper shifts his eyes towards the Fire Denizen. "I couldn't clearly see him, but I knew it was him."

The Keeper moves himself behind his chair. "I want you to send scouts to find 'him'. We cannot afford to let him roam in Wytsu again."

"Immediately," the Fire Denizen bows, standing and immediately taking his leave from the Hall of Denizen.

The Ice Guardian chuckles gently, releasing cold air from his lungs. "If I wasn't so old, I would pay him back for taking my left arm," he says, grabbing his right arm. Underneath his clothing is a fake arm made of ice. "I guess I was too patient with time."

"It can't be helped, it was the best thing you could have done in that situation," the Keeper notes. "I just hope the Ice Trial can begin soon and without interference." The Ice Denizen nods slowly, releasing more cold air as he exhales.

The meeting is adjourned. Another ten years pass. The Ice Denizen now lays in his deathbed.

The Ice Trial has already begun.

Chapter 1: How It All Began

October 5th, 1303 NB (New Beginnings): Outskirts of Patsu City, Shadow Country of Wytsu

White flakes find their way through the windows of the old wooden home. I am looking down at a little girl who twists in pain on a bed while speaking to my best friend who stands next to me. "Is she getting any better?"

"She is, but it's still bad."

I let out a saddened sigh. "Do you still don't know how she got to be this sickly?"

"I can only imagine it was from her school."

My name is Maelynn, and I earned the Third Rank in the Shadow Country. My best friend, Lily, has a sister named Kisa who has fallen ill for quite some time due to the lack of income, and they are both in the First Rank. In Wytsu, everything is all about status: you get extra money based on your status, you can get better housing, and you are well respected by others. In this country of the Shadow, we have four ranks:

First Rank, the lowest of the low, working as farmers and barely managing to live.

Second Rank, the status of your everyday citizen, going about living their lives and working.

Third Rank, where I am at, is a more advanced lifestyle where we show incredible talent for something and do nothing but work on that talent. We are paid a considerate amount, as well.

Fourth Rank, the highest status one can receive other than Candidate and Denizen. These are the best of the best with what they do. Not only that, they also are some of the strongest fighters in the Shadow Country.

With my status, I get enough money so I can support Lily and her sister enough to help them move along while still being able to take care of my needs. If I can help a friend, especially a best friend, I will.

"Let me know what medicines you need and I will get them for you."

"You're so generous," Lily says as she bows to me due to my status. Even though we're best friends, we still respect the system as often as we can. I wave my arms frantically.

"Please don't bow to me, it's really okay. I want to help." She wasn't listening; she continued to bow. I exhale. She eventually told me what medicines she wanted to try using for her sister and I jotted them down on a piece of paper.

"Are you sure you're okay with helping us so much? You should make sure you can take of yourself, too."

"I'll be fine, I have lots of extra money to help you two and handle anything else that comes my way." My eye twitches when a white flake hits my open eye. I look out the window, remembering that it's getting late. I stand up and head for the door. "I should get going. I'll stop by tomorrow to give you the medicine."

"Thank you so much," Lily responds with a bow, followed by a tight hug. I then walk out the door into the sunset.

The night is the most dangerous time of day. Patsu City, the heart of the Shadow Country, is the most ruthless place to be in all of the Shadow Country with criminals roaming the night. Why am I living in such a place? While Patsu City is the most ruthless, it is the most respected place for those with status and it has the best jobs for Third and Fourth Ranked. Those of us who are Third and Fourth Ranked generally live within expensive hotel-like buildings. The high pay isn't only because of our status, but it is because these buildings are protected from criminal activity. No one can rob or kill within the buildings, so of course it's going to cost a lot of money to keep such a home.

I run as fast as I can, my large bag riding on my back. The hay path and fields of trees setting change into a setting of paved roads, shady alleys, and urban business buildings. I take a deep breath, adjusting again to the smokey air of Patsu City.

The sun barely peeks over the mountains that surround the continent of Wytsu. I only manage to run a few minutes into the City when I catch something shining in the distance. I duck, barely dodging a weapon. The fact that they are attacking me means that they are probably also a Third Rank like myself. If someone of a higher or similar status dies or loses their status, someone will either move up or become noticed by everyone which helps to reach the Fourth Rank. I'm currently in the top ten in the Art industry of the Shadow Country, so I'm targeted often.

A man in the shadows with the harpoon walks into the lit area of the road, the sun saying goodbye behind the mountains. "I couldn't tell if you used your Locket power, but you better use it if you want to live. Unless you give up your status, then we'll let you leave without any serious wounds."

"I really don't want to hurt you, so please leave me alone."

"You should worry about yourself, first." He puts the large harpoon down and pulls out two crossbows, shooting a few rounds from each. I quickly move to the side for each shot, barely getting out of the way.

"Why don't we make a deal: if you can hit me with a weapon within five minutes, I will step down from my status and leave. If you can't hit me in that time, then you have to step down and leave the Shadow country." The man and the other two start laughing, so I make another remark. "I'd say it's reasonable; you are asking me to step down, so why don't I ask you to step down?" The man stopped laughing. He puts a crossbow down and reaches for his own neck, pulling out a locket hidden underneath his gangster shirt. It glowed green. These lockets are the way to fight in Patsu City. Without one in places like this, you're as good as dead.

During the fourth generation of Denizen over 700 years ago, Alchemists created Lockets and stones that give people power as long as they wear the Locket. The Lockets hold a small object that is made using a small part of one's soul, and the power is based off of that soul piece. For example, someone short tempered may have their soul piece be put into the locket and bring about the power to explode something nearby. The people of Wytsu are only able to get a locket if they have the status or money to do so.

"Yea, sure, fine, whatever. Five minutes." He laughs to himself, clearly not planning to follow up with the deal in the end if he loses.

Sadly, I have already won. His left hand glows blue, white numbers appearing on his left hand: 5:00. My eyes change from a golden brown to a bright sky blue.

Roughly 95% of the Wytsu population are average people. Roughly a quarter of the Wtsu population are a Third or Fourth Rank. However, about 5% of the Wytsu population have what we call a Pure Power. We are people who don't need lockets for power. We typically hide it from the public due to the hatred towards us.

My Pure Power is known as Taishiru. A Taishiru is a "Dealer" who can make someone do what you command them to do or to make them do what it takes to fulfill their debt. Just now, I sealed him so if I win, he must fulfil his part of the bargain. If he tries running away, the seal will acknowledge him as resigning and forces him to fulfil the bargain. He he succeeds, the seal will simply disappear.

The man freaks out. "What kind of locket power is this?!"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" I hide the fact that I am a Pure Powered. We are shunned and hated. He grabs the crossbow he put down and begins shooting without having to reload. His locket is Solidify, allowing him to create things out of the air and be able to manipulate the objects for a certain amount of time and specific range. I've come across many who have a Solidify locket.

4:56. My feet dance and my body sways, dodging the ammunition and kicking away the two goons. It wasn't against the deal to have help restraining or be attacked by others, as long as the weapons he uses hits me.

My specialty is in the Art Industry: dancing. I have danced since I could stand, and I learned to fight like this in order to get where I am.

4:28. The ammunition keeps coming, faster than before, but it was no use. I am able to dodge all of them through the strength in my legs that I built up all my life. It is getting harder to avoid the faster ammunition, though. I caught glimpse of one arrow in particular that was about to make contact with me if I didn't jump. I am forced to jump out of the way and lose my footing. The man smiles and turns the weapon towards me again. My pure power is making deals, but it doesn't help me once I am in battle. He shoots like a machine gun in my direction, and I barely jump out of the way again.

4:02. After continuously managing to barely pull off these dodges, I decide that I need to use my own locket. I don't like using it, but when you need power, you need power. My chest under my shirt glows where the locket is, and everything around me begins to slow down. My locket is Speed, allowing my body to move faster than everything around me. This, however, was a mistake, showing the fact that I have both a locket and am Pure Powered.

"There's no way you can have two lockets, that's impossible. The only other explanation is for you to be a damn Pure Powered. " Getting agitated, the man drops the crossbows and begins to use his Solidify to directly send harpoons at me directly without the weapon. He has good eyes, being able to still be able to follow me with this speed.

2:46. All the harpoons miss their target, and I am starting to feel the side effect of my Speed locket, getting really light headed. Once again, he gets really close to hitting me with one of his harpoons, but I jump out of the way. I suck up the pain and the lightheadedness, working to focus on going faster and avoiding the man for just a little longer, but he makes more and more ammunition with Solidify.

0:58. I am barely holding on anymore. In a fight where I am forced to use my Speed locket , I can last for only a few minutes before I'm out of breath and have to stop because of the strain of moving at such speeds. I'm not strong enough. The only thing I can do is use my words before a fight begins.

The harpoons I dodged exploded upon hitting the pavement, sending debris into the air in front of me. I try turning another direction, but I can't slow down fast enough and stumble through the debris, getting scratched and bruised by the sharp edges. I didn't hit any of his harpoons, though, so I'm still good. However I found myself on the ground and he rushes over, putting himself on top of me while I am on my back to prevent me from getting up. I put my hands up to block his attack. He raises a knife that he Solidified and brings it down while I close my eyes.

After a few seconds of silence, I slowly open my eyes, finding the knife stopped a foot away from my face. He stands up against his will, and I stand up. His hand continues to glow, the timer on his left hand saying 0:00. His entire body glows sky blue and then it fades, a blue mark engraved on his left hand.

"You..." the man snaps while trying to make his body move, but it is in vain.

"A deal is a deal," I say slowly, catching my breath. I do not like the fact that I have little stamina for Speed, but it helps when I need it most.

To dance around my opponents and continue hiding the fact that I have a Pure Power. This is my Night Waltz.

I get inside my building and take the elevator to the twenty-third floor without anyone else causing me trouble. People can still vocally attack others in these expensive buildings.

I open the door to my home and walk through the kitchen into my room. I throw my bag on the floor and shed my clothes from my body, walking into the bathroom and turning the water on. I undo the ponytail and flick it back, hoping to get as much of the hair untangled as I can. With the tub nearly full, I slide my feet into the warm water.

Before I can get comfortable, I hear knocking at the apartment door. Cautiously, I slowly get up, put a towel around my chest, and go to the door. I look through the looking hole to see who it is. When I see who it is, I quickly open the door and stand up straight before bowing from the waist. Not too low, though, due to the towel. I bow because it is mandatory to bow to those of higher status.

"Hello, Miss Yamaharu. What do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" Miss Yamaharu is a Fourth Rank, one of the few in this city. Miss Yamaharu takes an envelope from her handbag and hands it to me. "This is for you. The content on this letter is regarding the Trial of Fourth." When she says this, I realize what is going on.

My dance is being approved as Fourth Rank material.

"Thank you for coming to deliver this in person." I bow again.

"Of course. We can't trust anyone other than ourselves to deliver information these days." She turns and takes her leave. "See you in the morning." While walking, someone leaps at her. Without recognizing the attacker, walking as if nothing is happening, he plunges into the floor. I, like everyone, know this: she has a special, rare locket that gives her the ability to manipulate the weight of objects and people. Like all lockets, it takes time and experience to use one's locket more often and to bring out more power from it.

I close the door and excitedly run into my room to jump on my bed still in the towel.

If I pass the trial, I can become a Fourth Ranker and get more money to finally get Lily and her sister to a better home. Too excited to sleep, I get back into the tub to clean up and calm down so that I may sleep.

October 6th, 1303 NB

"Are you going to be okay?" Lily kept looking Kisa, giving her the medicine that I brought with me.

"I'll be fine. I've been training for this all my life."

"Still, a trial is a trial for a reason. It may be something that you won't be able to do."

"Such little faith," I said sarcastically.

"I just worry for you."

"Don't worry about me. You need to make sure to help her feel better."

"I'm only able to help her because you have been giving us the medicine."

"I'm allowed to help friends, there isn't a rule saying I can't help someone." She gives me a hug.

"Promise me you won't die in the trial?"

"I'm not going to die. I'm not going to leave you two to fend for yourselves." I fall back from the hug and pat Kisa's head before walking out the door. Quickly, I run back to Patsu City where my trial will be held. When I arrive, surrounded by the tallest buildings, there is a crowd circling Miss Yamaharu and two other Fourth Rankers. The Shadow Denizen, himself, stood in front of the Fours with the crowd bowing on their hands and knees. He may be old, but he looks young. I slowly walk through the crowd into the open space.

"Welcome, Maelynn Hatsuburi, to your Trial of the Fourth." I bow. "As you know, this trial will be similar to the other Trials." Gary Tsutsukage, the Shadow Denizen, walks towards me. Between the two of us, a small shadow grows and a table emerges from it with with some sort of vase. He stands on the other side, and I walk to the table.

"Today, Miss Hatsuburi, you will be given the task of protecting this vase. This vase is a replica of a vase made by a famous Alchemist, Hibe Yatsuhara, known for its properties and being priceless. You may be attacked at any time by not First, Second, and Third Rankers, but also by the Fourth Rankers." He leans in closer. "However, if you are unable to protect this vase, you will be stripped of your current status and someone close to you will be put under heavy surveillance so we know they aren't aiding you in staying here, for failure at such a momentous trial is not tolerated. We will know if the vase breaks" I swallow hard. "You have all of Patsu City as the field. You have twenty-four hours for this Trial. You have ten minutes to prepare yourself." The purpose of putting our status and someone close at stake is because of the risks and responsibilities it takes to become a Senmoka. If we can't show to be able to do even one thing, then we need to prove ourselves again by starting all over again.

I adjust the bottoms of my leggings and breathable black shirt, suited for dancing. With another nine minutes to go, I decide to do nothing. Some don't appreciate the wonders of doing nothing for a few minutes to clear the mind.

Ten minutes pass, the sun now appearing in the horizon. A large, low gong is sounded throughout all of Patsu. Everyone around me charges straight at me. Grabbing the vase, I immediately use my Speed to get through the crowd. As soon as I am out of reach, I run normally so that I may preserve the power and energy. My first aim is to find the most secluded locations in Wytsu and blend in with the darkness.

Before I can reach the nearest alley, a Third Ranker appears from the shadows and reaches out at me with an enlarged arm that transformed into that of a beast. Arm, a common locket power that can give multiple arms or take the form of another creature. I swerve to my right and bring my fist down to the back of his elbow, causing his arm to tremble and be paralyzed momentarily. I run around him and gain momentum to run along the wall to around the First Ranks lingering in the alley. On the other side of the crowd, another group of Third Rankers waited and charge at me. With some struggles, I manage to weave my way through the mob without anyone touching the vase, but two of them keep close to me as I run off.

With no time to think, I run down the side of the road to gain momentum to again run along the wall and then climb to the roof using my free hand. To my dismay, the two stayed behind me the entire time. One of them pulls a sword out from the sheath on his back and it starts heating up while the other inhales heavily. If I want to get away, I need to knock them out. The one who inhaled makes a high pitched scream that startles me, and the other swings his sword at me. I was able to dodge the sword and maneuver around him to chop at the back of his neck. At this point, I can't help but cover my ears and keep running to get out of the scream's vital range. About two minutes pass with this happening before I can manage to get behind him and kick his manly area, sending him to the floor of the roof in agony.

I quickly get down from the building and head to the nearest street occupied by Second Rankers. Second Rankers own stores or take their business to the street, but there are many cases of stores being abandoned once a business falls apart. Third Rankers don't come to these shopping areas because of the quality. They usually go to the pricey stores for the better quality products.

I come to a stop in middle of a crowd who start falling to their knees and bowing. There isn't a single person who doesn't know about my Trial, but Ones and Twos aren't allowed to participate directly. I maneuver around everyone to the closest shop. Closing the door behind me, vase in hand, I go up to the counter.

"W-welcome! What c-can I do for you?" The owner stumbled, quickly giving me a bow from his knees.

"I would like to know if there are any abandoned shops around here. I don't want to get anyone here hurt." If I asked someone this in the street, everyone may have started panicking with the thought of their businesses getting attacked.

"O-of course!" He points to the east. "About a mile down at the edge of the street is an old factory that no one uses anymore."

"Thank you." I turn to take my leave while he bows to me again, but as I go to rush out the door, a brunette rushes through the door and we run into each other. Shocked, I stumble and try to catch myself only to move backwards and drop my head onto the edge of the counter. I go unconscious from the impact.

October 7th, 1303 NB

"A-are you okay?" I try opening my eyes, but my eyes say no to opening because of the tremendous pain in my head. "Are you awake yet?"

"Leave me alone," I murmur. I put a hand to my face only to feel something slimy. I flinch, jumping up from my original position and opening my eyes quickly, only to find cake frosting on my hand. Looking around, I was probably in the back room of the sweet shop. I drop my hand before realizing something. I grab the person's shirt. "Where is the vase?!"

"Oh, that thing?" The guy calmly points to a broken vase next to me. My heart stops.

"So I dropped it…"

The stranger raised a finger to himself. "Actually, it didn't break when you dropped it. It slightly cracked, but I picked it up and tried carrying you along with it and it slipped." He smiles. I chamber my knees to my chest and kick the stranger's face.

"How dare you! Damn you!"

"Was that thing supposed to be important?"

I grab the collar of his light blue shirt. "It was very damn important! My future depended on that vase!"

He scratched his head. "Was part of your soul trapped in the vase or something? Why would a vase be so important?"

I push him away from me and grab my head. "I failed. Not only do I not pass the Fourth Ranker Trial, but I have to leave Patsu City and revert back to a First Rank!" As my heart burns with rage, I raise my hand towards the stranger, my eyes changing sky blue. The stranger glows and although covered by his jeans, I place the blue mark on his left shin. "You are going to stay sealed to me until I can get back my status, you bastard."

He looked uncomfortable. "Sealed, like… married?" I slap him hard.

"I can't believe I actually have to leave Patsu…" As I say that, I realize that Lily is also going to be brought into custody to make sure they don't let me stay with them! I storm out of the room, the stranger being dragged behind me from the unseen power of Taishiru; someone who is sealed cannot be too far away from the Taishiru unless he or she allows them to go a certain distance. I quickly head to her house. I need to tell her I am leaving and need to bring them with me to keep them safe. I run into the farm setting with fields and trees all around. By this time, the sun has begun to rise.

When the house is within sight, however, the Shadow Denizen and a few others stand in her open front door. I see Lily and her sister walking in handcuffs, the sister being carried in someone's arms.

I'm too late. Not only do I lose my status and lose my home, but I lose my closest friend and her sister. I wasn't able to protect them or myself. I get to keep my money, but my friends are more important. If I want to save them, I have to leave the country and get a status equal or greater than the Fourth Rank status, and who knows how long that is going to take. I also have to get stronger to face the Fourth Rankers.

With tears in my eyes and furrowed brows, I run back to my home to gather my belongings. Once I had everything in my backpack and duffle bag, since everything of mine could fit in these two bags, I take my leave of Patsu City with this bastard running to keep from being dragged. He's going to be my slave until everything goes back to normal.

Little did I know what I was getting into.