Disclaimer: Unfortunately I do not own SM, but the context of which the characters are placed is mine.
Dark Ages
Prologue
Death. Destruction. These are words that coincided far too often. Their brotherhood tears world's apart, eradicates races and humans like an everyday occurrence. Welcome this mayhem because the purity will astound you. The deficiencies of the human nature brought upon this chaos. Therefore, rejoice for the darkest of times has befallen the land. Cheer for not a shred of hope or life will ever be strong enough to survive. The opaque veil of evil that surrounds the hearts of so many will choke the beauty of life out of their miserable carcasses. Destiny and fate have cursed the human race for many centuries to come. Will we ever see the light? Or, are we forever accursed from the scorn of the black widow that we can ever find neither the courage nor the strength to pull through.
Feudal era, Tamoe
Our happy days as newlyweds are over. The dark lords warriors invaded our village at dusk as expected. A dark cloud surrounded our village as the Terrans approached. Luckily, we were foretold by the priestess of the shrine of Otori two days ago of their fore coming. Therefore, we all prepared in advance to depart our beloved home moments before the attack. We were twenty miles away, perched on the slope of the Parthian mountains when we saw them arrive.
From our perch, we could see the whole village slowly burning to the ground. We could hear the screams of agony from the villagers who were trying to flea from the chaos that surrounded them. It tore my heart to see these poor unfortunates souls die so miserably; to see my home destroyed, burned to the ground and to see my sister fight to her death for those unbelievers. Yes, those doubters of the craft, those blind fools, fool to not see her trustworthy enough to lay the protection of the village in her capable hands. Tell me, why would my sister lie to herself, to me or to her people about the coming of those beasts. Why would she do such a thing, if she were not positive that the intended target was indeed us. It kills me to see the hurt in my kin's eyes when they did not believe nor trust her warnings. How cruel, how unjust, how unfair it was. Life was just too unfair for someone so good of heart. Nobody deserves this kind of treatment from the townsfolk. In a way, I think they deserved what they got. Wouldn't you say? She would not be happy hearing me say these things, she would tell me these people were to be pitied and helped, that it was because of their ignorance that they treated her this way.
No, I believe it was the fear of the unknown that was the cause of their behavior. Her power scared people; it frightened them so much that they wanted to get rid of her if ever she became corrupt. Yes, the evil that lurks in this barren land does this to the purest of souls. You often hear stories like this, you known of powerful beings who use to do good deeds suddenly becoming mass murderers for no apparent reason. To the gullible fool yes, but to everyone who has a brain knows those 'beings' were tempted by something otherworldly and evil to do what they did.
Still, this does not justify the injustice she faced everyday for serving and helping her people. They knew her abilities were strictly used for healing, defending and nothing more. They knew that she was special enough for the gods to even grace her sometimes with the knowledge of the future on a rare occasion, hence the past premonition.
On the east side of Tamoe, I could still see the shrine standing. It could only mean one thing that Sakura is still fighting of the soldiers. Ah, there's a force field. She must have rounded up villagers, and are protecting them in there while she took on the enemy alone. How noble of her. I should not have left. I fell to my knees and broke down crying. My husband came down and held me, feeling my pain. He whispered comforting words in my ear, trying to calm me down. As soon as I started to relax, I heard an explosion. I stood up abruptly, knocking my husband down, searching for the source. I felt a pang in my heart, it felt like a piece had been torn away. My eyes fell on Otori. It was completely engulfed in flames, which would only mean one thing, my sister had died.
o
I stood their heartbroken for who knows how long. I couldn't believe how easily someone could be taken away from you. Tears were still running down my cheek after we left. Artemis and I were sitting on our carriage following the path my sister had indicated for us to go by. We only brought what was essential for our survival. We had a long way ahead of us, towards the other side of the Parthian mountains. We were headed to the ruins of Hirokina shrine, located on a mountain point that was overlooking the Syrokian village. She told us that we needed to live through this ordeal; others were counting on our survival, and pointed at the mountain. Perplexed, I told her that I did not understand. Who could possibly be waiting for us out there? She answered me with a smile, 'You'll see' she said and left us at the gate of the village.
I don't know what fates has in store for me and Artemis, but we will continue for her sake and for those that are awaiting. Strange, I don't know why I suddenly feel hope rising in my chest. I somehow know that whatever is out there is truly unique and special. In these dark days, there is a great need for hope. Light has to penetrate the dark veil that has secured itself so soundly around us. It needs to warm back the frozen lands of this dying earth. It needs to end this.
o
Give me some feedback, and I might finish correcting the next chapter. Tah tah.
Next chapter:
Children of Gaianame subject to change
. : takillah : .