Got a lot of stories to make up, so little time..Ara's the main character of this one, but the pairings are still being decided. If you have any suggestions, please let me know!
Ara: Sakra Devanam
Aisha: Elemental Master
Chung: Deadly Chaser
Elesis: Grand Master
Elsword: Infinity Sword
Rena: Wind Sneaker
Raven: Blade Master
Add: Mastermind
Eve: Code Empress
Eun
"So, have you decided on what you're going to do? Humanity will extinguish itself soon without a God's intervention."
"...Yes. I have found a suitable vessel for my power."
"A vessel? Are you really making a human into a vessel of your power?"
"She will be marked with snow white ears and a tail that glows in the moonlight. If my vessel is in peril, my powers will protect her."
"Hmph. Whatever you desire. Well? Will you show me this...'remarkable' human?"
"Of course. Her name is Ara, a daughter of the Haans, the family that preserves and worships my power."
"You're insane, trusting a girl that fragile to something like this."
"Possibly. But she is stronger than she looks. The prophecy is coming true. I must act."
"I pray that your intuition is right..."
The Vessel will be known as a demon to all,
Her ears and tail made of snow,
Will mark her as a dead woman,
But people will learn to know that her pure white form,
Will be a beacon of hope for Elrios,
When the Chessmaster and his Doll come to enslave them all.
What if my parents find out? What if AREN found out?! I'll be condemned as a demon and I'll...I'll be executed for sure!
Suddenly growing snow white fox ears and a tail weren't exactly on Ara's schedule when she woke this morning. She was pacing around in her room, her fox ears alert and her tail swaying from side to side. She stopped once or twice to stare at her new form in the mirror before looking away in shame. She felt..pretty. Vanity wasn't something the Haan family encouraged. Since her family were the protectors and leaders of her small village near the capital, Hamel, she had to focus on more important things. A knock on her door shattered her small panic attack.
"Ara? Sister, are you ready yet? We have to begin your initiation soon," it was Aren, who paused, sighing loudly. "Sister, I know you're nervous, I am too, but you can't just hide out in your room."
"I-I know, Brother! I'm coming, sorry, I'm just.." Ara put a cloak, discarding the other in favor of her hooded one. She stilled her tail and slid the hood over her ears. When she stared at her hands before opening the door, she realized how badly she was shaking.
This won't last for long..and on the day of my initiation too.. Ara swallowed, took a deep breath, and opened the door. Aren was standing there with a sympathetic smile on his face. He cocked his head and stared at his sister.
"Ah, Sister, are you..wearing your new cloak that I bought you?"
"Y-yeah. I wanted to try and see how it would work for me in battle. Besides, it goes with my outfit." she smiled. It was true, her cloak was the same shade of white as her garments, and had a golden border. Aren smiled.
"Good. Hurry and eat quickly, the harpies will be up soon, and then you and I can start your evaluation."
Ara nodded and stepped around her brother and rushed to the kitchen. Her parents were out, and the house was deathly quiet.
Oh that's right..they went out to Hamel to discuss the Prince's marriage. she thought, sitting down and poking at her porridge. I'm still pretty shocked that Prince Elsword agreed to marry Queen Eve. I know it's to stop the Nasods and Humans from entering another war, but.. Ara looked out the window, shoveling the warm, sweet porridge into her mouth. There could have been another way besides marriage. She's been really hostile towards everyone lately, just like her adviser, Add...
Aren put a hand on his sister's shoulder as she let out a small burp and chuckled. "What do you say?"
"Excuse me," she giggled. "Aren, I don't see any harpies flying around outside..are they sleeping in?"
Aren made a noise. "No, harpies don't usually do that. Maybe they're planning an ambush or something. All the more reason for us to get out there quickly and quietly. We'll jump on them before they jump on us."
Ara nodded in agreement and washed out her bowl and dried it, setting it with the other dishes. "Let's go, then." she felt her hood slide down and grabbed it just in time, pulling it back over her head. She felt her tail begin to sway again, and she pressed her back to the cupboard, trying to still it.
"Something wrong, Sister? You really shouldn't wear your hood inside, you know..it's bad manners." Aren scolded, giving his sister 'the look.' She sighed and nodded.
"I know, I know. But I have a really bad bed head today.." she yawned, thanking her brain for making it look convincing. Aren rolled his eyes.
"Fine, fine. But you're taking it off when we're done for the day, alright?"
Perfect, Ara thought, nodding at her brother slowly. I won't last long..I'll be..
"Well, let's go, Ara." Aren patted her shoulder and led her outside into the warm morning air. The other villagers were starting to rise, but the warriors were already out patrolling.
"Some of the knights from Velder are coming from Hamel to lead several of our warriors there for Prince Elsword's marriage. So please, try to be polite.." Aren was squirming slightly, gazing nervously at the road. When he looked to the left, he saw a girl with long, fire red hair walking towards him with a huge grin on her face.
"Hey Aren! How's your little sister doing?" she said, placing her hands on her hips.
"Hello, Elesis," Aren smiled back, patting her shoulder. "I'm getting ready to take Ara out on her first harpie hunt as her evaluation."
"Ooh, that's why she's up earlier than usual," Elesis's smile grew bigger. "Aren used to complain about how you would sleep so late."
Ara's face turned pink, and it wasn't from the morning heat. She slapped her brother's arm in embarrassment. "B-brother! Why would you say that?"
"He talks about it at least once a week. But don't think Aren wasn't like you when he was younger. He was late so many times from sleeping in when he was younger that the captain was sure he wasn't going to make it. At least, that's what he tells me." Elesis nudged Aren with a sly smile and a chuckle. Aren rolled his eyes, fighting the smile that was forming on his face.
"So, before we go..Ara, this is Elesis, one of the soldiers from Velder, and Prince Elsword's sister."
Ara's eyes widened a bit. "You came all the way from Velder? That's on the other side of Hamel, isn't it?"
Elesis nodded. "It's pretty far away from Fahrmann, yeah. But we're here only to get ready for Prince Elsword's wedding, as you probably have heard. Aren't you sending soldiers for the occasion?"
"Yes, I believe so. Oh, how's your brother anyways? He must be busy getting ready for his wedding.."
Elesis sighed. "I don't know how Elsword's doing. I've been in Velder or traveling to Hamel for most of the month, so the only people I've been able to talk to are Chung and the other soldiers."
"Where is Chung, anyways?"
"Doing El knows what. He's been on edge since the wedding was announced, and won't leave Elsword's side for less than fifteen minutes."
"That sounds like Chung..ah!" Aren suddenly turned to Ara and nodded at her. "We're gonna be late, look!" Ara turned to where Aren's finger was pointing to see other warriors walking towards the outskirts of the village. She squeaked.
"We're supposed to go where no other warriors are, and if they're coming out already, we're really late! Sorry Elesis, we've gotta go!" Aren grabbed his sister's hand and rushed off, leaving Elesis standing there, chuckling.
"He certainly hasn't changed much, has he..?"
Ara was sitting behind a rock, keeping an eye out for the harpies. Aren had pointed out that very little of them seemed to be active, and it put Ara on edge. Aren was watching from afar, his sword in hand and his eyes as skeptical as Ara's.
They might be planning an ambush..but I'm not sure. Ara's eyes narrowed at the sun's glare as she looked into the sky. It was a lot warmer today that usual. Why was everything so odd today? First her sudden animalistic growth, and now this..something was off.
Screams rose up behind her. She whipped around, but was quickly tackled to the ground by something heavy and soft. She raised her spear reflexively, and it collided with something warm. She managed to open her eyes to see a harpy biting her spear and pinning her down with her claws. She kicked out and the harpy grunted, taking off again and circling the area above Ara, who was scrambling to get up. She readied her spear and watched the harpy circle her while it uttered screech after screech.
What is it doing? Ara thought, glaring at it. She soon found her answer once the ground began to shake. She fell, using her spear to steady and prop herself up while the earth shook. Ara looked for Aren to make sure he was safe and found him using his sword as a handle, keeping himself steady with ease. In a few moments, the shaking came to a stop. Ara sighed, and looked up again to spot the harpy, but it had disappeared. She squinted and huffed.
"Gone already, huh..? Why was it so agitated though?" Ara muttered, crossing her arms and tracing her spear's patterns with her eyes. She looked back up to check on her brother to find him gone. Her eyes widened.
"Aren? AREN?!" she looked around wildly, getting no response to her yelling. In fact, the area was surprisingly quiet. She steadied her breathing and listened.
Nothing. Silence completely dominated the area. The smell of smoke made her sneeze and she groaned.
"Is..something burning?" she turned around to find a plume of smoke rising from afar.
Right where Fahrmann was. Ara's heart dropped into her stomach and she grabbed her spear, running as fast as she could towards the smoke. The flames were in view now, and so were black, hulking forms.
What..? What are..? she gasped as several of them turned towards her, their eyes glowing a malicious golden. She halted in place, staring at them with her mouth agape. She was shaking, she realized.
No..move, dammit! You've gotta..you've gotta help your brother! And save the village! her mind screamed at her body to move, but it refused to obey. The shadows moved closer towards her and reached out, wrapping their claws around various parts of her body. She let out a strangled cry as their claws dug into her skin and their mouths opened wide, revealing sharp, jet black teeth.
Someone..help!
Do not worry, Ara. All will be well. A woman's voice echoed through her head, making her stop squirming.
What..? White light enveloped her sight, and the last thing she heard before everything went black were the screeches of pain from the creatures.
Am I dead?
The one thought echoed throughout Ara's mind as she floated in that dark, empty space. She was cold, so, so cold. She was scared. Her brother was lost, Fahrmann was in flames, and those demons..they weren't from the desert. Out of the corner of Ara's eye, she saw a white light that seemed to be getting closer to her. She turned towards the light, and hesitated.
Will it lead me to the afterlife..?
No, I am not here for that, Ara Haan.
Ara stiffened at the woman's voice. It sounded like the same voice she had heard before she went unconscious. She looked closer at the light, and saw it taking form. The body of a fox was formed, with nine, shining white tails flowing behind it. The darkness seemed to dissipate in the presence of the fox, who sat down in front of the young woman, who was staring at the fox in bewilderment.
"Who..are you?"
I am Eun, young one.
"As in..the kitsune Eun?" Ara bit her lip. Her family protected the artifact that was used to worship Eun, the Silver Blossom pin.
Yes. As you know, your family has been worshipping and protecting my instrument of power for centuries. I thank you for your services. But, that is not why I am here. I am here to tell you that the creatures that attacked Fahrmann is only the beginning.
"Beginning? Of what?"
The beginning of the fall of Elrios. The monsters were merely there to steal my instrument of power to stop my vessel from awakening. I had to intervene.
"Vessel..? Wait..me?" Ara's hands went to her ears, which flicked a bit at the contact.
Yes. I had to...make sure that you would not lose your life easily. Forgive me.
"You..I'm your vessel?" Ara pursed her lips together. "But why me? What did I do?"
You had the biggest potential. Originally, it was going to be your brother Aren, but his destiny became...clouded.
"Clouded..?" Ara's brow furrowed, and she gasped. "Fahrmann! Are they okay? Is my brother..?"
Your brother is alive..but I cannot see him. Fahrmann's flames have been doused. It is time for you to wake once more. Ara..when you wake, you must find my instrument and leave Fahrmann.
"Leave? Why?"
You will know in time. I cannot tell you..my interference is already pushing my limits. Please Ara, r- the fox began to fade in and out, and the words began to sound strained and far away.
"Eun? Eun!" Ara called out to the fox and tried to walk towards her, but her feet seemed to be nailed to the ground. She reached out and the goddess faded. Ara looked around, watching the darkness begin to overtake the area once more.
No. No no no, not again!Ara shrieked as the darkness washed over her like a wave, suffocating and wrapping itself around her. She couldn't breathe, couldn't see. It felt as if she were drowning. She tried to scream for help, for Aren, for someone to help her. A voice faintly called her name in the distance.
Was that...Elesis?
"Ara!"
Elesis!
"ARA!"
Elesis, I'm coming! Ara struggled and fought, wrenching her way out of the suffocating darkness and ran towards Elesis's panicked voice. She smiled, feeling relief for the first time in a while.
"ARA! Wake up!" Ara closed her eyes, picturing Elesis, Fahrmann, and her brother. She was going to make it, she wasn't going to succumb to the darkness. She reached out and felt the sun on her skin and her smile turned into a grin. When she opened her eyes..
She was standing in the remains of a house, her spear, dripping purple liquid onto the charred debris. She felt dazed, staring at the ground. She felt something beckoning toward her, something under the ashes. Ara shuffled towards the pile of burned wood and knelt down in front of it, lifting the debris slowly, ignoring the splinter that had dug into her pinky. It was like she was in a trance as she dug up the pin, the fox spirit Eun curling around a golden flower. Ara gripped the pin tightly, put it in her hair, and stood up.
"The Silver Blossom has been found, and the vessel is safe," she whispered, staring at the sky.
"Ara!" a hand on her shoulder jolted her out of her trance and she jumped, turning around to face the voice. Elesis was staring at her with concern swimming in her eyes. "Ara, you're okay! I thought.." Elesis trailed off and her eyes went to Ara's head. She pulled back, gaping at her.
"Ara..? What's..what's that on your head?"
"Hmm...?" she felt up on her head, feeling her soft fox ears. She froze. Her cloak. Her cloak was gone. "Oh...Elesis, wait, I can explain."
Elesis shook her head. "You..what did you do with Ara?"
"Elesis? Elesis, it is me, I'm-"
"You. Aren't. Ara. Demon."
Ara felt time slow down. Her heart started to beat faster and she backed up. Elesis drew her sword, flames rising up from her fingers.
"How dare you inhabit Ara's body, demon! I'll deal with you myself!" before Ara could even say anything in her defense, Elesis charged.
The Seer, burned by her past,
Will find the Vessel, and welcome her.
The Chessmaster is coming, the Doll at their side,
The Lie's web will start to unravel.
So, how was it? I have no idea when I'll start chapter 2, but thanks for reading the first chapter!