Look who's back! That's right! The long awaited sequel! I won't talk long, don't worry. ^^ Quick reminder, if you have any questions for this story the Q and A thing is still up at the end of Soul Prince, i'll gladly answer. Now without further ado, the prologue for Soul King! Enjoy!
When young Toshiro had first been called upon to the realm of the Soul King, held up by his dying father and about to snap, he had never expected anything like it. It had taken time and a little outside help, but eventually he realized his role in the world and moved on to fulfill it. As his father faded and the demons inched closer, Toshiro became stronger. There was more to him than just being the prince; he learned he was truly the reincarnation of a heavenly guardian, something he'd heard once before in battle but never thought of as important. He was the wielder of two dragon spirits, and the center of a prophecy that may or may not spell out death for the worlds.
But he did not struggle alone. Hoping to use the boy's connection to the Japanese Soul Society as leverage against the prince, the Dark Master, Kamai Dethmaiyn, began to attack, subtle strikes that eventually escalated into battles of life or death. He targeted some more than others, specifically a human-Shinigami-Quincy hybrid by the name of Karin Kurosaki. The Demon King had recognized her for who she was before even Toshiro did; the one person capable of bringing the prince to his knees, the one person he would ever truly allow into the depths of his heart. He made several attempts to capture the girl, but she always got away, and in the end, she and the prince grew ever closer.
So much that Toshiro could hardly stand to be from her side for long.
And so Kamai grins.
There are still secrets that lie in waiting. Where is Kamai hiding away? What else is he planning? What power does he possess that allows him to counter the Soul King on even ground? The dragons sense the stirring of war and know they must soon choose, but who will they pick? With Toshiro as their Dragon King the choice seems obvious, but many have doubts about someone so young as their leader.
After all, who would be crazy enough to accept a child as their leader?
Two years have passed since the death of the King of Light, Satoru Hitsugaya. Two years since Toshiro took his place and began ruling over the many realms. Though all before him never left the realm, he is known to head to the Soul Society often, keeping in touch with those he knows there, making sure they are well protected as demon armies continue to capture ground within their walls, and searching for the whereabouts of the entrance to the demon world so as to stop Kamai in his tracks. So far there is no sign of any passage leading to the darkness where the beasts reside. All the king had to go off of was a vague prophecy and snide remarks from demons, nothing of any possible worth that could show them the way.
Perhaps they do not look hard enough.
War threatens to start at any given time. One wrong move and the demons would devour them all. Similarly, one mistake and the darkness would be revealed to the light. Both sides were cautious, both never made any headway. With some tact, and no small amount of flattery, Toshiro was able to convince a few dragons to aid in protecting the realm of spirits, the wild becoming tame as they found their spirits as strong as themselves.
But is it enough? This question bothers the young king weekly every time he arrives at or leaves his former home, checking the defenses and seeing the progress made by the fighters. The demons that fight are weak, easy kills for the warriors that trained relentlessly in his realm to be prepared for the worst.
But what is the worst?
They had yet to encounter any of the fabled Solar Five Sisters, five deadly masters of various arts, Five Demon Lords of untold power, since their attempts to kidnap Karin Kurosaki. Kamai had only shown his face once to them, and once again near Karin as he responded to an insult she herself had given him, but it was enough to warn them he had plenty of power and intelligence to crush the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, and he could do so at any time while they were weak. Stress was high as they worried about coming face-to-face with the Dark Master in a battle they knew they would lose.
They knew he was planning something. They knew they were simply waiting for the end to arrive, whatever form it may take. It was only a matter of time before the darkness rushed headlong at them, and then…not even the Soul King would be able to protect them. Fear was common now in the lives of the Reapers.
Fear was their greatest threat.
Fear was their end.