There once was a great kingdom, it was graced with love and peace, there was no war nor famine. The people where happy and lived in harmony with the land. The secret to the Kingdoms greatness was it's rulers, a beautiful queen and a charming king. They balanced each other out and kept peace with other kingdoms. They never wanted war and they never wanted money. Everything was right, everyone was happy. Everyone but one young man. The man was greedy, he wanted to be wealthy and powerful, he felt that their kingdom could be so much more, and he even had a plan to do it. One that would ensure the end of the kind hearted kingdom. So when the man felt as he had enough of the 'laziness' of his rulers, he went to the castle. He told the King and Queen of his wishes and ideals, and they were horrified. They told the man he was crazy and should never think of such things every again. Angered the man lashed out at his rulers, he cursed and made them a promise.

He promised that he would bring the kingdom to greatness, and that he would see the two fall at his feet. The king called for his guards and had them chase the man out of the kingdom and into the dark forest, where he shall stay for the rest of his life. The soldiers chased him, threatening to catch and hang him. Citizens threw rocks and food at the man in anger and pity. The chased him until night fall, it was then they let him be in the forest. Bitter and weak the man found shelter in a large hallow oak. He paid no mind to the fact that it was clearly someone's home, for he hoped the owner would show him kindness and let him stay. He waited in the oak, he waited all night and all of the day after but no one showed up. Tired he rested his head, falling into a deep sleep. When he woke he found that he was outside in a clearing, and to his horror the only thing that had found him was a large black lion. The lion was monstrous, standing as tall as most of the trees in the forest.

"Why are you in my forest?" The lion spoke but his mouth did not move.

"I was banished."

"Why?"

"They believed my ideals where too extreme, not like our kingdom and such."

"What was your idea?"

"I wanted our Kingdom to be great, we are all so strong but yet we lay in wait. We lift no finger when war threatens. We waste our power and our talent and I am sick of it. I wanted to call upon the spirits and ask them to aid the kingdom. Give us the drive to push forward and take what is ours." The lion smiled and laughed at the man. "You think I'm mad too."

"No. I like you. I think the same of your kingdom, you see I am one of your ancestors and I can help you. All you have to do is promise the blood and the bodies."

"The bodies for what?" The lion sat down and let out a low growl. With it's growl other creatures came forward, surrounding the man in a circle.

"For us to live in!" The animals spoke in one voice that was so loud the ground shook and the trees trembled. The man stood and faced the black creature, staring him right in the eyes.

"I promise." The lion cackled as his eyes glowed. The man looked up in horror as the sky turned black and the moon turned blood red. In listened in horror as screams of terror and pain came from the kingdom. The lion had dispersed and so had most of the other animals. All that remained was a wolf, a coyote, an elk, a elephant and a black dog. They all stared at him unwavering and stoic. And when the man went to speak he was instantly silenced by the wolf.

"You, one of greed and sorrow. Pain and wrath. You will fall and die, parish to the deepest depths of hell. You have committed an act so evil it has cursed your soul. It is black and empty, you will be forever alone. No one will ever love you. Your name will now be Shrapnel."

"Why, why do you curse me?" The wolf did not answer, he only walked away. The other animals did not speak, they only headed to the village, leaving the man all alone in the forest. With his new name Shrapnel. He waited and listened to the screams as they died out and the night became silent. He knew the village was at peace, at least he thought so. That was until the sun began to rise and a voice rang loud over the morning birds.

"On this day 300 years from now the moon will turn red once again, the darkness will be released and the world and all it's people will fall. Though do not lose all hope, there is a way you can all live, and that is to take hold of the sun and the moon, to hold them in your hands and go forth with the intent to kill. Kill the darkness and free the light. Until then fear the Red moon."

(Kumara's view)

My feet became sore as I ran faster, I could feel the sticks and rocks cut and tear my flesh. The wind clawed at my face and pushed against me, and sharp rain pelted my skin. Everything was against me in this one moment, I could feel it. I looked up at the sky in horror as red and orange battled for control over the dark sky. It was wrong, the night should be filled with blue and black, quiet and calm. It should not be a battle ground for the flames of destruction. I slowed my pace as a large house came into view, the battle grounds of the flames. My house. I pressed on, I walked into the flames and all but ignored their fangs and claws, my skin would burn and scar but, if I can save him it will all be worth it.

"Dad?" I called out into the heavy smoke. My eyes darting everywhere, looking for the smallest movement. My ears trained and focused for the sound of life, for a voice. A familiar sound caught my attention. I moved fast in the direction of which the sound came from. Pushing oak planks and other debris out of my way as I got closer and closer to the source. My hands were burned so badly by the flames, that I could no longer feel what it is I was touching, the jagged wood cut and irritated my skin, and the black smoke left my chest feeling heavy and worn but, none, and I mean none of this would ever make me stop.

"Kumara?" I heard his voice, it was rough and forced, he was clearly dying. I got closer and then finally I could see him. He was stuck under debris and fire.
"Dad it's me, I'm here !" I pushed more debris out of my path, and reached my hand out to my father. "Dad take my hand!" He laughed, and coughed making blood spill from his mouth. I coughed hard but stayed focused."W-what's so funny? Please just grab my hand, I'll help you out!" I stuttered out my words as I tried to hold back tears. He made no noise he only looked down, down at the rest of his body, it was crushed completely from the waist down by a support beam. I felt my heart clench and my body freeze.

"I won't make it." I could almost not hear his voice for it was drowned out by the raging flames around us. I could no longer hold back or try to hide my feeling, so I let the tears fall down my face.

"Shut up! Your talking nonsense! I will get you out of here!" Grabbing my father's hand I pulled, and pulled, but his body would not move. Tears ran down my father's face, as he raised a hand to point at something. He trembled and groaned.

"Kumara, I need you to do me a favour," I nodded, "Take that bag into the forest, and never no matter what, try to leave. It's too dangerous in the city." I moved and picked up the bag, holding it tightly to my chest. I don't want to do this.

"But-" My father let out a scream of pain, he stared me right in the eyes. He was serious and I could no longer change his mind.

"There is nothing left for you here! You are the only survivor of this family! You cannot DIE!" He continued to scream until no sound came from his being. His hand fell to the floor and so did his head. His eyes glazed over like newly cut glass. The once radiant green, was now a pale hazel. He had died.

I ran out of the burning building as it collapsed, collapsed just like my world. I ran back into the forest, just as I was told, tears burned my face. I continued running until Kida's cottage was in view, tearing open the door and collapsing on the oak floor. The house was dark and cold, and it was all I had left. No family, or friends to turn to for help. All I have is Mina, a blue wolf who saved my life when I was only 5. Speaking of the devil, I looked up to see Mina walk over to me and kick my hands, trying to get my attention.

"Kumara please don't be sad, if you are sad the sun won't shine tomorrow. The rain, it won't stop, and the beautiful flowers won't blossom. Please, my child, smile and be strong, like you always have been." I smiled and sat up. I wrapped my arms around Mina and pulled her into a loving embrace.

"Thank you Mina."

"Of course my child." I whipped away my tears, smiled, and stood up. Looking down at the bag that I held tightly in my grip. I walked over to my couch and sat down on it. I sat it down on the coffee table and unhook the latch. When I opened it and looked inside what I saw, had me shedding tears once again. The object inside was a photo, a photo of my family before everything went to shit, me, mom, sister, brother, and father all together and happy. This photo was nothing but a far off dream, or maybe a far off memory but now a dream, it was one that has shattered like fragile glass that someone let a 2 year old play with. That couldn't be put back together, not with any amount of glue, none of the king's horsemen, there was nothing for me, for no one can bring back what is truly loss forever. No one. I stood up and walked over to the fire place, I sat the photo on the mantle and turned back to the door. Taking a breath I walked back outside, and looked up at the clouds as they rolled away, pulling back like curtains opening a play or maybe the next act. The stars where the performers as they danced in the night sky and the wind sang a song of sorrow and mystery. They mocked me, with their stories of love and family. I wish the sky would just go black. I griped my family chest on her shirt and began to think. I thought about my life that was to come, of the hardship and terror that awaited me, all I could think of was. I am Kumara Yasha Wolphe, I am 14 years old, and the last surviving member of the Okami clan. From this day on, I am alone. The world has turned on me completely, I can't trust anyone but Mina, as long as I live and nothing can change that . A new goal is what I have found in all the pain, the goal that I will reach at all cost. For that goal will be the answer to my question. WHY?