PAGE 1

Of Soul Reapers and Wizards Prolog: Gender Confused Dungeons

The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not 'Eureka!' (I found it!), but 'That's funny ...'

--Isaac Asimov

I'm sitting here in this disgusting excuse of a dungeon, for a stupid plan that probably won't even work. What kind of a plan involves a team member getting caught in it? A dumb one, that's what, and you know I couldn't care less if they heard me talking smack about it. But seriously, this can't be a real dungeon. I mean, come on, what sort of a cell has a plush red velvet couch? Seriously! If I'm going to be held in a dungeon, I want the real thing; you know metal bars and concrete floors, not some pillows and shag carpet, although they are nice. What kind of a jail is this? I went through the trouble of getting caught and this is what I get? Oh for crying out loud!

All right, all right. I'm done ranting, but a dungeon should have an iron maiden, not a flat screen TV (not that it will work). Whoops, there goes one of the lights. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm called Lexus Delani (Del-A-nee). My real name? Not your problem; I never use it cause you never know what someone could do with your real name. I'm sixteen years old, and if schools in Japan would let me have a job, I would be a professional wizard, but they hate me so they don't. And just to get this clear, yes I am a girl; yeah you heard me, a FEAMALE WIZARD! I just moved to Japan from Chicago, Ill. Yaaay! Go me! Just look at where the latest move has landed me, a crappy dungeon that seems to be confused as to what exactly it is. Is it a holding cell or is it a parlor room? Well, I sure as 'shrooms don't know. I'm still ranting, aren't I? And for those of you who don't know a rhetorical question when it lodges itself in your eye; that was one.

Anyway, in order to fully appreciate my predicament you'll have to go back to the beginning of my story. No, not back to when I was born, just to my first day of high school in Japan, or if you want to get specific, this morning. And let me tell you, it was a fun one, but before I begin lets just get a few facts straight.

Okay, number one; yes I'm a real wizard. I'm not one of those Hogwarts people; love potions, wands and all that, no. Yeah I do magic, but my kind of magic is more alchemic than what you've seen or read. No I can't fly… currently, but I can find just about anything you've ever lost. I'm also good with dealing with spirits and Nevers.

Number two; I was trained by my Uncle Harry (ironic no?) Dresden in the windy city; look him up he's in the Yellow Pages, one of the few under Wizard.

Number Three; Nevers are my term for people from Nevernever, the home base for all of those things like fairies (fae), vampires, ghosts, weres, and others [this includes the things that go bump in the night]

Number Four; I am able to see ghosts and Nevers through my third eye, yeah it's located right smack dap in the middle of my forehead, and before you ask, no you can't see it weather or not it's open. And I can also sense a Never from how their brain wave patterns differ from humans (I'm NOT Psychic).

And just as a warning, don't get too close to me with any technology. It tends to explode or at least cease all function within the presence of a Wizard or magic. Always keep electronics of when dealing with wizards; you'll save yourself a butt load of headaches.

Well, let's get on with the story and I'll fill you in on everything else as we go along.

High Ho Silver, Away—sorry about that, sometimes I just can't help myself.

--END PROLOG--