Los Angeles, California- two years ago"It's twenty to get in," said the tall, burly man who had the current title of bouncer. Aria looked up at his with her bright eyes. He was a good foot and a half taller than her, maybe more.
She took out the twenty with ease, as if she was used to intimidating bouncers giving her the evil eye. Even at twelve, Aria looked much older. She knew which clubs didn't card girls, and she knew which clubs didn't card runaways.
And she was a runaway. As soon as she stepped inside of the old warehouse, the sudden beats of unknown techo music. The smell of alcohol wafted up her nose, along with the smells of teen spirit and body odor. The walls were draped with black velvet, making it look like dark water was echoing across the room.
This wasn't Aria's usual scene, but a couple of "buddies" invited her for a free drink. Even though she still had nine years before she was able to drink legally, she didn't care, and she never really drank it. Free drinks equal free food.
Plus, sometimes the music was good."Hey babe," a voice from beside her slurred. He looked around fifteen or maybe seventeen with a slight build, but he rank of beer. He put his arm around her and she quickly shoved it off.
"No-"she said, but was cut off by his words."Aren't you that one chick who helped Alfonso break into that store?" She snorted in return, crossing her arms again. "Aren't you that jerk who got drunk and decided to hit on girls that clearly don't like him?"
He narrowed his brown eyes, trying to level out with Aria. But when she needed to, she had the eyes of a pit bull, with the attitude to match.
"Hey, c'mon pal, leave the pretty lady alone."Another voice called, and one that sounded like he didn't know what alcohol was. A tall boy with brown hair walked beside Aria, throwing his arm around her. It seemed in more of a protective way, but still made Aria shiver is displeasure.
The other boy blinked, but said brown headed boy sighed and shook his head. "C'mon, beat it," said the brown headed boy, giving the other guy a shove and then began to walk away, taking Aria with him. A couple of steps later, Aria broke out of the guy's reach.
He gave her a lofty smile."What?" he asked, shifting his weight. "I'd say thanks, but I didn't need the help." Aria said, crossing her arms over her chest for the third time. The boy sighed and raked his hand through his hair, lifting it up enough to reveal a long, spirally dragon tattoo.
"I saw a pretty lady in trouble, so I helped. I usually don't get 'thank you's, sweet cheeks. Usually they reward me another way," he winked his crystal blue eyes and smiled. His smile was a little less pervertish than ones that Aria's seen before, but she still didn't like it.
"And if you think I'll-" the boy shook his head, making stray pieces of his hair fly about."No, chick. Really." Aria gave him a disbelieving look and turned away, not bothering to look back.
Besides, she wasn't here for him, nor will she ever be. She was here for Alfonso, who offered her some drinks and food, along with a small, regular price."Wait!" the boy yelled. Aria moved swiftly through the tall crowd of teenagers until she reached the bar area.
"No."The barkeep quickly said, not even looking up from his clear glass that he was cleaning."I'm here for Alfonso," she said, raising her voice above the now hip hop music.
The barkeep grunted and nodded towards a side door that was partially covered with the black velvet curtain. Unnoticeable when drunk, and almost as invisible when sober. The perfect place. "Thanks," she said, then scurried over to the door.
Her being thin, it was easy for her to make her way inside without knocking the curtain down. Once the black door shut behind her, she was greeted by a well-lit area with grey walls, blue couches, and a mini-bar in a far corner. There were two hallways: one to her right and one to her left.
"Of course it's a hide-and-go-seek game to him," she muttered to herself, shoving her hands into her jeans pockets. She began to close her eyes, and exhaling. Vibrant colours of the souls in the club were all dancing vividly behind her. Only a few souls really stood out, which were the souls of meisters or weapons.
Alfonso was a weapon with a bright orange soul. It had a small 'X' on it's hat, like in real life. She followed it, casting out all other souls she didn't want to bother with.
Turning to her left, Aria quickly saw several more rooms that led to other places unknown. She saw his soul in the room down at the end. Once she knocked on the door, two well-built men quickly answered it.
Aria's known Alfonso for a whole two years, and she's never seen these two men. Their vibes were creepy, and Aria was a bit afraid to see what souls lie beneath them.
Through a small gap between the guys was Alfonso. His striped fedora hat was tilted to the left, as usual, and the noticeable 'X' was showing proudly."Hey kid," he greeted."These are my friends Bill and Carl."
"Carl," said the one with the crooked teeth."Bill."said the other, who was more stockier than his friend Carl. Alfonso patted them on their backs dearly, as if they were old friends."You see, Aria, in the business world you have to do things that you don't like. I don't like conversing with Al Capone, but I've got to,"
"For business sakes," Carl agreed, grinning. Alfonso nodded, and took his hat off to reveal his stark orange hair."Listen, kid, business is business, and I've gotta let you go."
Aria stepped back, a bit shocked. This was her only source of income. She was twelve, for crying out loud! With her skills, the best she could do in Los Angeles was to be a defiant kid who worked with the mob.
But, like her life, everything was short lived. "And when he says "let you go", he means-"
"Let you go!" Bill suddenly transformed into a long, multi-pronged spear. Carl curtly caught him, and suddenly turned to Aria in such a swift motion that she could only mistake for a-"Monster," she yelped.
Flipping backwards, she had dodged the spear."Don't take it personally," Alfonso called, then shut the door to the room. Growling in frustration, Aria had no choice but to fight the almost-kishin eggs. The Monsters.
"C'mon girlie," Carl called, twirling his weapon."Come out and play!" And the room went a bright red colour from the energy of the weapon. Aria ducked behind a long couch and quickly decided to evaluate their souls. Carl's was a misty grey with crooked teeth, and Bill's was a fiery red with spiky hair.
Aria didn't know what to do. Without a weapon of her own, Aria usually resorted to fighting with her ghetto martial arts, but if she got anywhere close to Carl, Bill would have her in his soul wave, and his soul would easily take over hers.
"This isn't fun," Bill called out from his weapon form. "let's just take her and torture her," Carl huffed at his comment. While the two began to have idle chat, waiting for Aria to come out. Aria huffed, her mind racing.
There wasn't much that she could do. She was twelve, they were probably mid-twenties. They were buff and bronzy while she was thin and agile.
Maybe I can sneak out, she thought. Lots of dark patches here and there... Lots of places to hide and escape to."Well, her soul's a bit weird, but I bet it's tasty." Bill said.
"Well let's find out." Carl said. Not a second later the couch was smashed in half, stuffing flying everywhere."Eep!" Aria yelled, running away.
"Get her!" Bill hissed. Aria pushed herself farther and farther until she reached the black door. She twisted the handle, and suddenly she was pushed back and down onto her back.
She looked up. Standing there was the brown headed boy, a worried expression plastered over his face."You ok-"
"Hiya!" Carl yelled, swinging Bill fast. Aria jumped up like a cat and pushed the boy out of the way, and back into the hallway. "Score! We've got two souls now."Bill said. Carl licked his lips."We sure do, Bill."
Aria stood up, getting into a fighting position. No offense to the guy with brown hair, but she could now easily sneak out if he was to distract them."Hey kid," Aria said to the boy.
"You really want to help me?" He nodded and stood up, rubbing his head."Yeah, hold on." Blinking in confusion, Aria stepped back. Right before her very eyes, the brown headed boy transformed into a black-and-blue mace with what seemed to be water rushing around in it. The spikes were black, but the water was an electric blue.
Quickly, Aria grabbed him. In an instant she could feel their souls connecting. Smirking, she gripped him tighter."Now this fight seems fairer," Aria said proudly, leaning down for takeoff.
"Whatever," Bill murmured from his weapon form. In a flash, Aria propelled herself forward, towards the monsters."Ahh!" She exclaimed, swinging the blue mace. It raked against Carl's shoulder, and he jumped back.
"Dammit," he cursed, looking at his now bleeding shoulder. "Oh, now it's personal."Carl growled. "Well c'mon at us, big boy!" Yelled the guy, whose name Aria didn't know.
"Let's see what you're really made of."Aria shuffled her feet on the ground, getting a firmer grip, even if her shoes were combat boots. Carl jumped into the air, sucking the atmosphere up with him. The chilliness didn't effect Aria like he thought.
He jumped from the wall to the ceiling, shoving his feet up so it made holes. He was now swinging from the ceiling like a monkey, swinging his hammer in a circular motion, making a wind-tunnel.
"Ready?" Aria whispered to her new weapon."Oh, I've been ready." he responded cheekily. Aria jumped a couple of steps back, and then ran forward, swinging the mace.
The mace an the wind hammer collided roughly, making a huge spark of water and wind. Carl fell from the ceiling, and Aria was sent flying backwards. Hitting the broken couch, Aria and her weapon were perfectly fine, even though she was wet from the water.
"You're an elemental weapon?" She asked. In the clear energy-water in the mace, Aria saw his face."You don't know me, and I'm a complex guy," he answered.
"Well let's get this job done." Aria replied. Aria got up, water dripping from the ends of her hair and clothing to the floor, making a puddle. Carl was kneeling on the ground, coughing out water.
Dashing towards him, Aria lifted the mace, ready to strike. A couple of feet from him she turned on her heel, sticking her elbow out. She hit in straight in the gut, and then she swung the mace, taking him out completely.
Dropping the mace to the ground, the boy transformed back. Carl's remains were gone, and all that was left of him was his soul. Also dripping wet, the boy with the brown hair turned his head to the side and began to beat the water out of his ear.
"Well," he said."I'm Drakon. Just call me Drake or Draco," casually, he stuck his hand out. Sighing, Aria took it."Aria." he smiled. She didn't."We still gotta find Bill,"
Drake nodded then shaking his hair like a dog. Aria scrunched her nose up, turning her head away. "I think he's gone," Drake said.
"Yeah, hopefully," Aria replied. She crossed her arms over her chest and said,"Thanks, Drakon. I really needed the help and you came through."
Drake flinched at his name. "Please, just call me Drake. I hate my name." Aria shrugged her shoulders."Mkay," she replied.
"Well, I suppose I'm sort of your weapon now, right?" Drake asked, throwing his arm around Aria's shoulders. She quickly removed his arm."I suppose so. On one condition, though."
"Sure." Drake smiled. "Please don't touch me."