Disclaimer: I own none of the characters depicted save those whom I've created. The purpose of this story is to show what happens when normal people strive to become something so much more then what he or she is.
Prologue
Evening had fallen upon the capital of the Republic of Tengoku. The lights of the city of Haruhi seemed to ward off the darkness of the night. Fully luminated was the chancellary manor which appeared to be quite active. Men and women in uniform moved up and down the halls of the manor. In the highest point of the manor a man dressed in a formal kimono reminicent to that of a feudal Shogun stood before a window where he could gaze upon the citizens below.
A man wearing the uniform of a high ranking officer entered the room and delivered a salute.
" I came as soon as I could Chancellor Hakuro." The man spoke with upmost respect.
Chancellor Shinji Hakuro the twenty fifth Chancellor of the Republic of Tengoku turned to address the man with a nod. " Your timing is appreciated General Arashi. Given the urgency of your request I take it you have something to report."
General Kaito Arashi nodded in agreement. "We've received a message from the Island Nation of Jashin."
Shinji swore under his breath fearing the very words Kaito spoke next. "For the fifth damn time those terrorists have declared war upon us."
Shinji ran a hand over his eyes as if he were trying to ward off a headache. " This is unbelieveable. Right when we think they've been silenced they prove to be quite persistent."
Kaito nodded in agreement. The Island Nation of Jashin was one of the many advesaries to the Republic and undoubtedly one of the most relentless. Supposedly its name came from a deity in the Shinobi Realm who's aspect is death and destruction. No one knew how such a small nation could become a threat enough to challenge the republic itself. It was this Island nation that was responsible for four previous wars each one worse then the last. Now it had declared war on them yet again and the implications unnerved Shinji exeedingly.
" I can't even begin to fathom what horrors this war will unleash upon our people." Shinji finally said after a long moment had passed.
Before replying Kaito cleared his throat. "That's exactly why I insisted on this meeting your excellency. In addition to the declaration we also intercepted another message."
Kaito paused momentarily to allow Shinji to contemplate on his previous words before continuing. "The Island Nation has forged a pact with two of the Republic's oldest advesaries. Ones we initally thought extinct."
Shinji showed Kaito a questionable look. "Does the report mention who these two groups are?"
Kaito nodded. "The first is Karasu the leader of the Order of the Raven or rather the last of the order given that no other members remain. The second is the leader of the Shi Murder Guild Hametsu the 50th head of the guild."
"I've heard my fair share of rumors about both." Shinji replied with genuine concern. "Karasu is said to be the most vile of the order and that Hametsu's hunger for vengence is as strong as his ancestor."
"They call themselves the WARU Triumverate." Kaito said with upmost seriousness.
By this time Shinji was still grappling with what he'd been told. Alone the Island Nation was a considerable threat, but now they had formed an alliance with two of Tengoku's most deadly enemies. Yet this was not the most troublesome issue. Shinji could sense that something else was bothering Kaito. Being an esper Shinji was more attuned to thoughts of concern and worry. "Something else is troubling you general. I can feel your unease."
It took Kaito a moment to collect his thoughts before he replied to Shinji's statement. "We also intercepted a message from the WARU Clan to the Junketsu Organization."
The Junketsu Organization was known for creating highly skilled mercenaries. The fact that the Island Nation carried out a contract with this group raised too many questions and concerns.
"What exactly are the specifics of the contract?" Shinji asked intently.
In a firm voice Kaito answered. "Go to the Neutral Realms, hunt down the Hero of Tengoku, and elimenate him."
Shinji's eyes widened and he stood up slamming his hands on his desk. "They're after the Hero of Tengoku!? That's impossible! How would they even know where to look?"
"That's just the issue sir. Supposedly they also have access to dimensional travel. However we don't know how they'd be able to locate him, but we have narrowed it down to one world within the Neutral Realms called Earth no proper realm name nor has it established any dimensional travel. They don't even have access to space trave." Kaito paused for a moment to allow Shinji to take in his words.
When Shinji spoke his voice took on a philisophical tone. "That explains why they sent for Junketsu members. They are known for their professionalism as well as their honor to every contract no matter how dubious." He paused then asked. "How many mercenaries did the organization send?"
Kaito's tone was immediate. "Only two, but they're supposed to be the best."
Shinji adjusted his glasses then showed Kaito a serious look. "General consider these orders top priority. You are to travel to this Earth, locate the Hero of Tengoku, and bring him here." When Kaito didn't respond he added. "If you encounter the mercenaries be ready to protect him with your life."
A look of uncertainty and confusion came over Kaito's face. "Your excellency, are you certain it's wise to bring him. What about the laws that forbid us to reveal our existence save for those we can trust?"
"I'm afraid desperate times call for desperate measures old friend. These latest events no longer focus solely on Tengoku it focuses on the various worlds we have access to whether under our surveillance or not." Shinji's tone held with it words of truth. Shinji knew that with the formation of this WARU Triumverate countless worlds were now potential targets and it was that reason why the Divine Guardian Core was founded to protect those worlds from beings who would throw them into chaos.
After a long moment passed Kaito bowed slightly. "I will carry out this mission with upmost descretion."
He turned away then left Shinji alone. Kaito made his way through the manor toward a transportation station where two soldiers awaited him. "What are your orders general?" One of the soldiers asked wondering how his conversation with the chancellor went.
Kaito looked at them with utter seriousness and composer. "Send for a shuttle. I have a top priority mission to accomplish and it's critical that I return to base immediately."
Without asking questions the soldier called in for a shuttle to take them to the base. It didn't take long for the shuttle to arrive. Similar to an advanced L train the shuttle was big enough to hold up to twenty men and was capable of reaching speeds between 25 to 50 miles per hour.
They boarded the shuttle without a word which began to transport them to the base. From inside the shuttle one could view a grand expanse of the city of Haruhi. Tall buildings and towers could be seen as far as the eye could see. At night the city seemed even more vibrant with flashing lights eminating from hover crafts, signs, and buildings. In the daylight looking to the north one could see the great Sakura Forest a protected area with some parts being made into public parks. Kaito could recall walking through the forest as a boy long before he joined the Core.
As he continued looking out toward the horizen he couldn't help but wonder what would happen when he found the Hero of Tengoku. He wasn't used to explaining the existence of Tengoku to other beings and the fact his quarry resided within the Neutral Realms ones in which Tengoku had no juristiction bothered him even more. How would he explain something so vast and incredible to someone who was unaware of what awaited him?
His thoughts were halted when the shuttle came to a stop in the bases' station. Kaito exited the shuttle and was greeted by a man with long white hair, icy blue eyes, specticals, and a crisp white coat similar to that of a lab coat. The man seemed to carry himself like an aristocrat and when he spoke with Kaito his voice carried with it a formal almost light english accent. "Greetings General Arashi. I've been awaiting your arrival."
Kaito raised his hand motioning for the two soldiers to disband. "Then I take it you're aware of my mission. Your intuition is quite sharp Dr. Shirayuki."
Hisame Shirayuki was the head of the Cores' Research and Development branch. He was reknowned for his intellectual prowess as well as his ability to manipulate ice. It was through him that Tengoku had gained the ability to travel to other realms and worlds.
"The Neutral Travel Chamber is ready sir. I confess I was concerned when I received word of your destination. We rarely have reason to go to the neutral realms." Hisame said with utter sinecarity.
He lead Kaito to a military lift which lead to the lower levels of the base. When they entered Kaito broke the silence. "The feeling is mutual doctor. As seasoned as I am I always get nervous when I have to reveal our existence to someone unfamiliar with our ways."
Hisame showed him a weak smile. "I do fear for the young lad if the Junketsu mercenaries find him."
Kaito scowled. "They are the least of my problems."
Hisame remained silent as the lift continued downward. It stopped at the lowest level of the base where the dimensional travel chambers were located. As the two exited the lift they passed chambers connecting Tengoku with its surveyed realms. Past the surveyed travel chambers was a large operation center filled with people and monitors which showed the activity within the surveyed worlds. It was here that the Core observed whether or not outer dimensional threats were present. Further down past the operations center was a single chamber which lead to the Neutral Realms.
Unlike the dimensional travel chambers which lead to the surveyed worlds this one lead to worlds that were not in the Cores' juristiction. As Hisame mentioned before the Core rarely used this chamber as the majority of worlds within the Neutral Realms as they were worlds the Core would rather avoid or worlds too undeveloped. However the recent events warrented the necessity of this chamber.
Once Kaito had scanned his ID card and entered the chamber Hisame made his way to the console to insert the cordinates for Kaito's destination. The chamber began to issue various tones and then the portal appeared. Before Kaito leaped in he pressed an icon that changed his uniform into something to make him blend in with the world he was to visit. After a long moment Hisame gave a cordral salute. "I look forward to meeting this Hero of Tengoku. May the gods be with you sir."
Kaito showed him a confident grin then leaped into the portal.
End Prologue