Prologue
Wave after wave of hate pounded the barrier. Demon after demon who struck at the glowing shield was shot down by the palace archers, only to be replaced by a dozen more of his fellow. From the small boat, I watched it all. Of course, we had all known this day would come. Our home had always been a utopia, where demons and humans lived together peacefully. That is what had attracted them to the island. Malevolent demons, jealous of the beauty of my home, poured out of Makai by the thousands, each one stronger than many of the natives. Each one of those thousands joined the multitude who was trying to destroy the lovely barrier that had protected our glorious island for millennia. It would not hold much longer, this I knew. That is why I was here, adrift on the sea, searching for help from King Enma or the others in Reikai, instead of fighting the demons who assailed my beloved home. As the sun set below the oceanic horizon, I got my last view of my island, my beloved island, Atlantis.
Chapter 1
I approached the great king with as much caution as I could muster. In truth, I was not impressed by his size, or the power that radiated from him like the sun's rays beating down on the beach beneath my feet. Come, now, even I have more power than that, and I'm still a child by our standards! What a showoff! I thought. Of course, I knew that he was concealing a good deal of his strength, but still, thoughts like this one helped with my nervousness.
Creeping forward a bit more, I swallowed my fear and approached the king of Reikai. "Lord Enma," I said with as much respect and dignity as I could muster, "My home, the island of Atlantis, is under attack by malevolent demons from Makai. My people sent me to request your aid in our defense." I could barely believe it when he responded. "I am busy, girl. I do not have time to waste on one tiny island out of the thousands in Ningenkai." That pig! He was just sitting there in the sun, relaxing for all his worth! I held back my temper (rage never helped politics) and spoke again. "My deepest apologies for disturbing you, great king, with such a trivial matter. Instead, might I speak with your son, Prince Koenma, about this matter? He is not as strong or a high ranking as you, therefore, he should not be so busy."
Ooh, I could tell I'd gotten to his ego there. The old fool was practically glowing with pride! What a lump! "Very well, but Koenma is currently confined to Reikai for reasons that shall remain between the two of us. You may, however, go to Reikai and discuss matters with him there." I smiled. It was working! "I thank you for your generous offer, Lord Enma, but I myself am demonic, and would not be allowed through. Is there another way I could speak with him, O wise and powerful one?"
Ah, I cannot tell you how much I hated having to suck up to this idiot. Obviously, Koenma held the power behind the throne, because this guy had the throne, but no power! "There is a natural entrance to my realm in the jungle behind us. Look for a large cave with a strange aura around it. There is only one; you can't miss it. I will inform Prince Koenma of you. He is permitted to meet you halfway, demon child, but no further unless the situation demands it." I couldn't believe my ears! It had worked! "Thank you, my king. I shall go immediately." Enough said. I left.
Later…
Ok, I found the cave. Not okay, there were two demons near it. Well, I couldn't just let those clowns find the secret entrance to Reikai and wreck havoc! "Hello, boys," I said in as beguiling a tone as I could muster. For a quick improvisation, and to avoid recognition (these goons had been among several who had run screaming from a barrage of my arrows), I cast a Glamour-like spell, changing my long white hair into a lovely shade of copper, and my red-gold eyes into the purest of greens, with cat's pupils. My skin paled fractionally, and my long, black nail shrank back and became a dull shade of purple. Ugh, how I hated purple! But, focusing on the two idiots who were now turning around to face the source of my voice…
"Whoa…" was all one could muster. "Pardon me, kind sirs, but I need to enter that cave. Surely you wouldn't hinder a lady in her task, would you?" I batted my eyelashes, smiling sweetly. It is impossible to find the words for how disgusted I was with myself today. First to that great oaf on the beach, now to these morons blocking my path, was the sucking up never going to end? I just hoped that Koenma wasn't too much like his father…
"Oh… sorry… we'll move now…" said Idiot Number One. Idiot Number Two just nodded stupidly. They shuffled off into the jungle. With a sigh of relief, I dropped the Glamour spell, resuming my original shape and colorings. For some odd reason, I had never liked to change my form. It always creeped my out, watching my own body transfigure itself into something or someone else… brrr… I entered the cave, shaking my head slightly to clear out the disturbing thoughts now crowding it. I really needed a thought-filter spell… I'd make a million if I could invent one… Or perhaps a focus spell, I thought as I walked smack into a rock. Sheesh…