Fire engulfed the plant life, huge mass of smoke choking the air and the smell of blood all around. Screams filled the air as countless Celestials fled. Overpowering the terrified screams were vicious roars that seemed to make the ground itself shake. Close to the size of the floating Plain itself was a massive chunk of earth. On it were stairs that led up to a bell at its center. Curled and writhing around the bottom of the floating island were the bases of the long necks of the terrible beast.
At the ends of the eight thrashing necks were the reptile-like heads with glimmering dagger fangs and blood red eyes set in its head. Its long serpent body glowed a magnificent, beautiful gold that contradicted the horrible nature of the reptilian beast.
"Hurry! This way!" A young, velvety voice urged. Resting on the ground was a huge, metal ship, intricate blue lines decorating its sides. The Celestials pushed to get inside to safety, away from the demon that was attacking. The seemingly young man who was urging them on had long, golden hair. His shirt was similar to a Japanese Kimono, the cloth having the same color as cherry blossoms, with a darker pinkish shirt underneath. His pants were a dark purple, and he wore tall, red sandals that were nearly half as tall as his legs.
Another vicious roar split the air, stinging his ears. A wave of black edged with crimson sped out along the once beautiful plain. A few Celestials got caught by it, screaming with terror before they fell silent and collapsed. The wave surged forward without slowing until suddenly, plants bloomed and dispelled the horrid black magic.
The young man watched as a magnificent white wolf appeared at his side. She had long, wing like appendages that sprouted from the bottoms of her paws, her shoulders, and her haunches. Her fur was laced with intricate crimson spider-web patterns and swirls across her back and face. More crimson color edged the wing-like appendages and the swirls of her tail, which was tipped with black.
Her pelt radiated with white light, and floating above her back was a red and orange disk with swirls similar to those on her back etched into its surface. The disk was engulfed in swirling azure and red flames that licked harmlessly at her back. She growled at the 8-headed demon in disdain, baring her sharp, ivory fangs.
"Amaterasu!" The young man exclaimed. "The Celestial Plain is lost, but we have to defend the others until they can board the Ark!" The wolf looked at him, their eyes meeting for a second. Without a sound nor signal, they rushed forth, coming between the demon and the fleeing Celestials. The heads glared like death itself down at the two and snarled viciously. One of the heads moved farther forward than the others, still thrashing wickedly. Atop this head was a gold helmet much like the armor covering the rest of it's body, a large crest atop the helmet that looked like fire with something written on it.
"O, wild god of the heavens, your hope is lost! I will destroy this land, the Celestial Plain and all who are here. Once I am rid of the only ones standing in my way, I will control the world, and no one will be able to stop me!" The beast roared in a terrible, booming voice.
"Shall we, ma Cherie?" the young man commented to Amaterasu, just barely holding the nervousness from his voice. The wolf snarled at the enormous demon fiercely as the demon reared it's heads and roared. The battle was not long, but the young man and Amaterasu struggled to draw the battle out, for they knew they couldn't win this battle.
The young man panted, looking behind him. The last of the Celestial's were surging into the Ark. "Amaterasu, it's time to go." He spoke. The serpent roared viciously. "You won't escape from me, O wild god! All of you shall die here!" The demon's head lunged forth but before his fangs closed over the wolf, his eyes were slashed seemingly by an invisible sword. He shrieked and hissed in pain and anger, shaking his head in the air in a frenzy.
"Come, ma Cherie, before the ship sets sail without us." The young man commented. They quickly retreated to the Ark and the huge door closed shut. The young man and Amaterasu made their way to the control center. Using the device, the young man programmed it and with a creaking shutter the ship took to the air, sailing away from the Celestial Plain, slowly at first, then gaining speed.
The young man breathed a sigh of relief and looked to his companion. "That was a close one, eh, ma Cherie?" He asked. The wolf barked in what seemed to be agreement. "Now that we're away from there we should-" Suddenly a wave of screams came from inside the ship. The young man and Amaterasu rushed to see what was happening.
Horrible creatures were pouring out from deep within the depths of the ship, pouncing on the Celestials on board and slaying them.
"What's happening? This ship was supposed to be a lifeboat for everyone on the Celestial Plain!" The young man exclaimed in horror. Amaterasu watched in grief and horror as the monsters kept coming, killing the Celestials before her eyes. She crouched, snarling and readied to leap when the ship lurched, creaking. Suddenly it veered chaotically in different directions, Amaterasu struggling to keep her footing.
"The Ark's rudder is gone!" The young man shrieked, holding onto part of the ship to keep himself steady. The ship hurtled through the clouds, it's bottom skimming against the rock as it passed between two mountains. It crashed into a lake at the two mountains' base, the whole ship shuddering and moaning. The young man was thrown from whatever he was holding onto and hit the ground hard, then the lights in the inside of the ship went out.
The young man stirred drowsily, his skin brushing against fur. He stood up clumsily, his head aching terribly, and looked at his friend. The wolf stood, her fur brushing against him.
"What happened?" He asked. Amaterasu turned her head and the young man followed her gaze. All around them the wind howled, throwing snow through the air in a vicious blizzard. Below, they could see the Ark they'd been in only a while ago. The door of the ship was open, but the Celestials did not come from within. The demons that had slain them poured out in countless numbers, the snowy ground below not even visible.
The young man grimaced. "How could this happen? All the others, were they…?" He looked at the wolf and the mourning in her eyes told him what had befallen the Celestials. His hand delicately brushed her head and stroked her velvety ears. "You saved me in there, didn't you, Amaterasu?" He didn't need an answer to know what the wolf had done. "I only wish the others had made it…" The wolf licked his hand gently.
He watched as the demons filed out in a daze for a long moment before he spoke, his voice suddenly calmer.
"Orochi can only be defeated with the help of the Chosen One."
Amaterasu's gaze slid up to his face. It was a prophecy. His eyes met hers again. "So it seems now, we wait until the day when the Chosen One destroys that terrible demon, eh, ma Cherie?" He spoke. The wolf rested her head against his thigh and yipped in agreement, the young man still stroking her ears gently.