I don't own Yu-gi-oh, so just enjoy the story. I just lost count on how many stories I just created.
Chapter 1: Mana
"… Ah… the slab of darkness and the slab of light… they are known to be…"
"… Mana! Are you all right? That spell is strong, but I didn't expect it to affect you..."
"… He has beaten them before. Do not worry, Mana…"
"… Mana, come with me. It's …"
"… Mana…"
"Mana! Wake up!" The vision blurred for a second, and series of shuts and openings tried to clear the scenery. It was those voices again. She couldn't get a visual of the dreams, but she could hear the same voice talking to her on different occasions. She couldn't recognize how the voices sounded like. Whether it'd be male or female, she couldn't remember how it sounded. It bugged her, but it would usually be forgotten after she focused on something else. Her name was called again, and this time she knew the voice. It took some time for the eyesight to clear up only to see tan feet laced on white soles, one tapping in one single rhythm under the forest green dress.
"I see that young Mana has awaken. May I continue the lecture on the history of the Elemental Slabs?" Wincing, the person, named "Mana," slowly looked to trail up the robe to reach the upper half of the person's body.
"Ah! Sorry, Auntie! Go ahead." Mana laughed sheepishly and waved a little to her "aunt." Mana was a seventeen-year old teenage girl, but her mind was a child compared to her current age. Under the blond bangs of her long, disheveled hair, her green childish eyes glowed with innocence and life. She had rosy cheeks on her cheekbones, giving out a childish look from eyes to face. She was currently wearing a loose tan shirt, loose tan shorts, and white soles that are wrapped around her feet, but that was her temporary wear since she was learning inside her home.
The current room she was in was a study room. The room was dark and wooden, but it was fairly large. Bookcases filled next to each other on the wall at Mana's right, and there were a few books taken out of its shelves. There was a single door built in the middle on Mana's left, so nothing was placed near the door. Behind her, two windows were letting in sunlight to brighten the room, and it was helpful for Mana to read the words on the textbook. There will be times that the windows would be open, but since there was a breeze coming from outside, the windows were now closed to protect papers from flying away. In front of her, there was a large chalkboard written in words, and in the middle was a large table that had notes in front of her, a few number of books piling on the left side, a quill pen, an unlighted candle on the right, and a wooden chair Mana is sitting to face the board.
This person was her teacher, current caretaker, and aunt, Lilith, a Dark Elf. The robe ended up to the smooth, golden breastplate that the headwear was, too, armor-like and had the similar design. Her plum hair brightened her golden eyes and her tan skin from her dark image. Lilith was strict, unkind, and impatient, and she used to stress over Mana's ability on learning. It was a rocky start between Mana and Lilith, and the reason Mana was able to stay in her home was because of Lilith's sister. Over the months that turned into years, Lilith learned patience and tolerance on Mana's cheerful personality and showed kindness from time to time. She was still strict on Mana's studies, but Lilith and Mana had built the bridge on their relationship. The woman sighed and turned around to the chalkboard that had written words.
"As I was saying, the Elemental Slabs represent the creation of the world we live in. They were once were one with the world, and now they are connected with large stone tablets deep in the areas. Now, Mana. Tell me what are the elements we have been discussing a while ago." Mana smiled a bit and answered.
"There are four elements that created the world. They are known as wind, fire, earth, and water." Lilith nodded and wrote the words on the board.
"Very good, Mana. Now, tell me. Where are they located?" Mana frowned and tried to look back on the notes she had on her papers. Unfortunately, she couldn't find them and tried to make up an answer.
"Uh… they are… they are somewhere deep in the elements where they are first created." Her aunt paused for a moment and nodded slowly.
"Yes. That is close to the answer. Could you name the places where the slabs are?" Mana bit her lower lip and fidgeted uncomfortably on her seat, trying to decide on whether or not to tell her aunt the truth. Therefore, she decided on an option.
"Ah… Um… Auntie? Could you repeat where they are again? I lost the notes of their location." She was lying and hoped to, this time, write down notes that she mostly slacked off during the lessons. At her first year living here, her aunt couldn't tolerate on Mana's unenthusiastic manner on studying and was mad at her for not taking notes. Today, Lilith could tolerate her and would repeat the lessons from time to time if Mana asks to repeat them. Lilith sighed and nodded.
"All right. Be sure to write this down, Mana." The Dark Elf wrote words next to the previous words that said, from top to bottom: Wind, Fire, Earth, and Water.
"The location of each slab is unknown, but many of these historical books hypothesized that the slabs should be hiding somewhere in their own element. They could be found in caves, on floors, or somewhere else to hide away from the eyes of civilization. In order to protect the balance of the world and the living things roaming in the world, these slabs are hidden somewhere close to their elemental birth." Mana nodded and wrote what Lilith had said. It was true. Anyone would found the elemental slabs could easily manipulate the elements, and the world she was living in was cruel. Many monsters were struggling to survive, and there were others who would want more power. If any of those slabs were found, it would be problematic for everyone in this world.
"Now, tell me, Mana. What are the purposes for each element?" Lilith asked while continuing to write the words. Mana thought about it and answered with a bit of hesitation.
"Wind is the source of our air. It helps us to breath in, and without it, we would suffocate. Fire is the source of our warmth and light. It provides us with heat through the cold nights and guides us through the darkness. Without it, we would be lost and lose ourselves to the cold. Earth is the source of our food and the ground we walk on. It gives us a place to live in, crops to sustain our hunger, and a world to walk on. Without them, we would fall and starve. Water is the source of our thirst and the beauty we watch. It glows both under the light of day and night and quenches our thirst. Without it, we would dehydrate and never learn what beauty is." Lilith turned around to face Mana and smirked.
"Poetic, aren't we?" Mana blushed and shook her head.
"N-No! I was just-"
"It's fine." Her aunt interrupted. "It's what you think, and you described it on your own knowledge. Don't be ashamed on what your opinion is." Mana sighed in relief and nodded.
"Okay." A knock on the window took their attention away, and the women saw someone at the window.
"Nya! Mistress Lilith! Open the window!" The Dark Elf gave that person a glare, and the person mewed pitifully... literally. Lilith sighed, and with a wave of her hand, she unlocked the window. Just by a mere second, the window burst open, and Mana's vision was now… up at the ceiling. It was probably that her chair tilted over, and Mana was still sitting on the chair with someone on her chest.
"Nya! Man-nya! Neko's hungry! Please, give Neko a fish!" The person purred, and Mana sighed, patting the back of the said person.
"Neko. You just chased down birds outside. Aren't they enough for you?" On her chest, Neko was smiling without a care.
She was a Nekogal in the forest and one of the rare Nekogal because of the unique fur color. She is part human, and she was also an animal. Neko reminded her of a cat… well… a big, energetic kitten who had a mind younger than Mana's. She had light blue fur on her hands, shoulders, feet, and legs, and she also had claws. Her skin was tan, and the brightness of her fur darkened her skin. Her hair was very short, and her blue cat ears were flattened under the violet helmet. Her blue, cat-like eyes, red whisker-like markings on her face, and her fangs brought out the cat-like features in her, but she had strange distinguishes that contrasted herself from the feline personality. She had big wings like a fly, and her tail was furless and light violet. On the end of her tail, there was a blade, and a violet handkerchief was wrapped around the end to prevent the blade from cutting other things. Her violet helmet had antennas like an insect, and her violet tank top and shorts had holes to let her wings and her tail out. Another difference was that Neko was fiercely loyal to Mana and Lilith, and she, a cat-like person, was acting like man's best friend.
"But… Neko wants fish…" Mana giggled and, this time, patting Neko's head.
"Okay. I'll get you a fish by the river." Neko mewed and was now off of Mana, jumping over the table and almost letting the door fly off its hinges. Paper was flying everywhere, and some books on the bookshelves fell down. The teenager stared at the door incredulously, and she knew that Lilith was ready to fry their human house cat. She stood up and pulled the chair up just to look at her aunt who gave her a glance and closed her eyes.
"Oh, fine. Give Nekogal a fish, so this doesn't happen again." She shooed, and Mana was hesitant to help her aunt clean the mess. Lilith slightly stared at her before frowning at Mana.
"What are you waiting for? Do you want to clean up the mess, or do you want to get Neko a fish?" Mana didn't hesitate this time. She jumped over the table and dashed straight to the door, not realizing that she just dropped more books from the table and the chair she just put back. She didn't need to know how frustrated her aunt was right now; Mana decided to get the heck out of the house with a fishing rod and bait. However, she decided to visit someone else nearby.
She burst through the door and jogged lightly to a certain place. Outside the home, a grave was lying next to the place. It was a small stone tablet with white flowers with stems shaping like swords on the side. On the stone tablet, there was an image on the stone, showing an image of Lilith. However, below the picture, the name was different. The name is known to be "Eve," and below that name, it said "Beloved Mother," "Beloved Sister," and "Beloved Friend." She halted in front of the grave, where her mother's ashes were buried.
"Hey, mom. How are you?" Mana knelt down and touched the image of Lilith's look-alike.
"Auntie's teaching is still brutal, and Neko wants her fish now. It's always like this for three years now, and I don't think this will ever change." Eve was known to be a Mystical Elf and was like a mother to Mana. She was a twin, a younger sister, to Lilith; and she was the kindest woman Mana ever saw. She also was patient and calm, and Eve would have this motherly smile that would brighten Mana's day. She also was the one who took care of Mana after her accident that caused her amnesia. Neko founded her lying somewhere in the forest, bleeding on the head and through her clothes. After Neko brought her to this house, Lilith was the one who revived her, and Eve took care of her wounds on the forehead and on the stomach. All was left was a scar hidden under her blond tresses and a large scar across the stomach.
"You know, mom. I still miss you, even after your death. But… auntie said that I would have to move on to live my life. Neko said that she would be there for me all the time, and she kept her word, even at night." Mana was very close to Eve and was attached to her like a child to a mother. Lilith was more of a teacher and acted father-like, and Neko was more of a cheerful, little sister to her. After Eve died a year ago, Mana was devastated. She couldn't stop crying for a week until Lilith did something unexpectedly. Lilith hugged her and told her to cry for today but move on. It was like being hugged by a stranger, but this stranger was giving her a chance to live on with her life. Mana smiled as she touched the flower's petals gently.
"Auntie did keep her promise. She really put your favorite Gladiolus flowers in a small vase. I should really thank her." She lifted her finger and touched the edge of the stone. Eve always loved the Gladiolus flowers. It meant "strength of character," and she said that it reminded her of Mana, who survived miraculously in the forest. The Mystical Elf believed that Mana had the strength to do anything she wanted if she believed in herself. Lilith, before she was nice, always scoffed at her sister's belief and said that if Mana worked hard enough, she would get what she wants.
She sighed and stared at the image one last time. She could remember how she looked like. She had dark blond hair, wears a light green robe, and has her armor white instead of gold. Her skin was blue, a strange pigment, but her blue eyes were amazing like the shining ocean.
"Puh! Puh!" Hearing the squeaks from behind, Mana smiled and turned around to find a flying creature with wings that remind her of a dove.
"Kuriboh! When did you come in?" "Kuriboh" was another strange creature like Neko, but it was cute and had big yellow eyes behind that big ball of brown fur. It had green paws, but it preferred flying. It was small and able to fly through tight places, but when Mana or Nekogal is around, it would land on their heads and hitch a ride. Kuriboh was actually a Winged Kuriboh, one of the forest guardians roaming around the place. It was also one who helped Neko find Mana bleeding, and it also lead Mana out of the forest when she got lost in the forest for the first time. Mana and Kuriboh became friends, and Mana would always visit Kuriboh while traveling with Neko to get fish. It would sense were danger is and would always lead them away from danger.
"Man-nya! Let's go! Neko's hungry!" Mana sighed and looked at the grave.
"I have to go, mom. Neko is going to whine again if she doesn't get her fish. Bye." Mana stood up and walked away from the grave.
"Come on, Kuriboh! Let's go!" The winged monster squeaked and followed Mana to the forest.
0000
"Man-nya! Where are Man-nya and Neko going?" Mana giggled and balanced herself on a log without falling, leading Neko on the same log Mana was walking on and following Kuriboh across the forest.
They were traveling in the Havernn Forest, and it was not occupied by any other creature, except for birds, small land animals, and fishes from a creek not far from the house. The forest looked peaceful and enchanted, but it was very protective of its creatures. Any other creature, beside Mana, Neko, and Kuriboh, was quickly dealt with through Lilith's dark protection, Neko's claws, and other Winged Kuribohs, and everyone would be kept safe in the forest. The house behind Mana was a slightly large cabin on a hilltop. It was simple and seemed peaceful, close to relaxing and livable. It was two stories high, had a high porch, and a room on the roof. It was simple enough: two bedrooms, a connected room of a kitchen and dining room, a study room, and a bathroom. In appearance, it looked like a cabin, but only Lilith, and probably Neko, knew the house inside and out. Mana wasn't told that there was a basement, but she knew something was happening under her feet.
"Silly. I'm going to get you a fish, so we are going to the creek nearby." Mana heard Neko stopped behind her, and she turned her head around to see Neko having her finger tapping on her chin at the corner of her eye.
"Neko? What are you thinking about?" There was a saying that curiosity kills the cat, and Neko has always avoided death many times. Mana was always told that she shouldn't worry about Neko since she always got away from trouble. However, Mana couldn't help it but be worried about her safety all the time, even if Kuriboh was leading her away from danger with Neko going straight to it. Now, she was worried about her own safety, and Kuriboh sensed her discomfort. Neko had her tail up and grinned, showing her sharp teeth, and Mana knew that this is a sign of trouble.
"Man-nya! How about the village outside of the forest? Neko and Man-nya haven't been there because Mistress Lilith said not to." Mana lost balance and fell off from the log, landing on the dirt. It was a good thing it was dry with the sun shining on that place; the forest could be wet for all she could know.
"Wh-what? Neko! Didn't you hear what auntie said? Because I was taught magic under her, any spell caster and fairy could sense me from ten miles away, and I could get in trouble. Besides, I didn't bring the bracelet with me." Mana retorted, as she quickly stood up and brushed the dirt off her shorts.
There were times when Mana was always reminded to never enter the village near the forest. She always asked why she couldn't use magic anywhere, but the answer was always the same: she may never know if there is a spell caster or a fairy nearby. Lilith always warned her that if someone could sense the magic in her, then Mana would be taken somewhere far away where no one could find her. It scared her, and she always has something with her before venturing out of the forest. Even though the answer wasn't straight, Mana was already intimidated on the warning. Neko grinned and held out a golden, simple jewel glowing under the sunlight.
"Man-nya means this?" It looked simple, but under the bracelet, it had writing that seemed unfamiliar to any other creature. However, Mana could recognize the elven writing. This writing was actually a masking spell that could prevent magic from ever leaking out of the person. However, this bracelet could only hide her magic for a limited of time. It could only last for thirty minutes, and Mana could only take it off somewhere unpopulated.
"H-How? How did you get this?" Mana asked as she took the bracelet from Neko's paws. Neko grinned and bent down to face Mana since she is three inches taller than the 5'4" Mana.
"Let's just say Neko wants to go somewhere new with Man-nya and only with Man-nya. Man-nya always wanted to see the village, and Neko wants to go with Man-nya to see the village." Mana smiled and patted Neko on the head. Neko was very sweet, but there were times when Mana wished that she would grow up… just a little bit.
"Thanks, Neko. But… auntie would get upset about us leaving the forest." Mana saw her ears lower down, meaning that she was either sad or upset. Neko frowned and instantly grabbed Mana. She didn't like Mana's answer and made a dash further into the forest. Kuriboh followed quickly and squeaked in protest for Neko to slow down.
"N-Neko! Wh-what are you doing?" Neko grinned and looked at the Winged Kuriboh.
"Kuriboh! Neko is taking Man-nya to the village! Stay at the forest for a while! Neko will return Man-nya!" Kuriboh seemed to get the message and stopped flying after them. Mana paled while continued to run up to Neko's pace. Oh no. Neko did not… she wouldn't…
Neko grinned at Mana and told her.
"Man-nya needs to put Mistress's bracelet now. Neko couldn't get Man-nya in trouble with the village." Mana tried other excuses.
"But we would get lost in there!"
"Don't worry! Neko has a keen sense of smell and acute hearing to find Man-nya."
"We didn't bring money with us!"
"Neko brought it! Neko has it on Neko's hip!"
"Your tail would be seen!"
"Neko made sure that Neko's tail would be covered tightly."
"Well, my bracelet could only hide my magic for so long! I could get caught!"
"Does Man-nya not like Neko?"
"NEKOOOOO!" The voice boomed in the forest, making birds fly out of their homes and up in the air. Only the creatures and the residents in the forest knew what happened, and Lilith didn't ignore that voice. She glanced from outside and back to her work.
"It's only a matter of time until those two are going on their own." She tied a small rope into a knot, securing the contents in the bag from ever being spilled out.
"Only a matter of time…" The Dark Elf whispered and began preparing the next bag.
