Darkness.
Invaders.
Panic.
Chaos.

'Help!'
'Please don't kill us!'

Massacre.
Annihilation.
Battle.

'Run, Haruka!'

Death.

"No! Father! DON'T!"

"My daughter! Wake up!" She felt a slap upon her cheek.

Haruka was harshly pulled back from her nightmare. She squinted her eyes to look at the person in front of her. There stood Fujin, along with her cousin Rai, giving her equal gazes of concern.

"What's the matter, H? Had a wet dream?" Both father and daughter glared at her. "Sorry," she muttered. "I was just kidding. Peace y'all," Aeolus made a sign with two of her fingers.

"Father, I saw something in my dreams." Fujin sat down beside the still-shaking blonde. "There were creatures, monsters, of all sizes…they've invaded the towns and killed everyone…including you…" Haruka trailed off, resting her head in-between her hands to try and fight back the tears. "I'm scared, father."

The mage closed his eyes. He held a serious expression on his face.

"Father, what if it happens--"

"What else did you saw, Haruka?"

"Aside from the carnage?" The girl shuddered in fear. "There was a group, on which you and I belong…we tried to fight them off, but they were too strong. We got killed one by one…"

"I see."

"Father--"

"Don't worry about it, my daughter. Just take a deep breath and clear your thoughts with that horrid image. It was just a dream. Go back to sleep."

"Okay."

The man smiled and ruffled the messy golden hair of his 'daughter'. "Don't think too much about it, okay?" He turned to his niece, "As for you, young lady. I believe you need your daily dose of beauty sleep. You wouldn't want your suitors to scamper away because of eyebags, now do you?"

"Uncle…how many times do I have to tell you that I hate boys!" The two teenagers shared a knowing glance and a full smile. "But yeah, I'll be going now. I'm still dead tired from the archery contest. Night guys," Rai Aeolus stumbled a bit as she went back to her quarters.

"See you in the morning, Haruka." Fujin stood to leave his daughter's room.

"Good night, father."

"Good night."

----

Don't worry about it, my daughter. Just take a deep breath and clear your thoughts with that horrid image.

It was just a dream…

"Though I wish it would only be just that…"

The red-haired man was in a cross-sitting position in his room, meditating, asking the flames in front of him of signs about an age-old prophecy.

"Seven pillars of fire,
Giving warmth, light, passion,
On the heavens above.
Heed my calling,
Answer my questions,
Show me what I want to see!"

The fire ignited into a large inferno, engulfing him in its arms. In an instant, Fujin Tenoh was surrounded by an orange cloud.

Why did you summon us, keeper of the flames?

Pardon me, my masters, for disturbing your sleep.

What do you want to ask? What do you want to know?

An issue about an ancient legend came into my mind…

And you want to know if it will come true?

Yes, my masters.

Always the paranoid one, are we, Tenoh?

It concerns my daughter…

Yes, yes. We know. I am sorry, but we cannot reveal to you things that would determine the fate of the universe.

Is she the savior?

My, you are direct, keeper.

I don't want her to die.

Death is a natural way of life. We cannot prevent, nor can we cause it. It is not up to you, but rather to the twins Destiny and Fate, to decide Haruka's future. Be strong, Tenoh. For if you crumble now, who would be the one to protect her if the thing you fear to happen suddenly turns into reality?

Apologies, my masters. I should have never called you.

Oh, it's quite alright. Do remember though that you should not rule Haruka's life, rather, you should just guide her to the right path.

I will take your words, wisely.

Farewell, our apprentice.

Farewell, my masters.

----

Four loud knocks on the wooden door had awoken the young and beautiful Michiru from one of the most wonderful dreams she ever had. But even though it was interrupted, she could still remember it clearly...

It happened on a castle, a very large and picturesque one. There was a party to celebrate her birthday, and everyone on the kingdom was invited. Her guardian, Ekhi, wanted to find her a good husband so that their realm would finally have a king.

But every prince she met was only interested in her face, her body, and her money. They were either too boring, too conceited, or too much of a pervert for her taste. Finally, feeling that she had enough for the night, she wore her golden mask and took off to her favorite spot in her home, a hidden rose garden.

She was a bit surprised to find someone crouching near a bush, admiring the flowers. "Who are you? What are you doing here?" The princess demanded.

The stranger turned around, his silver cloak swishing, to reveal a handsome face clad in white. He smiled innocently at her.

"My apologies. I got lost on the way to the ballroom, and found this breathtaking garden by chance. If you want to have some privacy, then go ahead, I'll leave." Again, that smile.

She found herself flushing a bit. Who was this stranger, and why is he looking at her with a profound expression on his face? "Why are looking at me that way?"

"Uhm, I'm not sure. But your voice keeps buzzing on my head, giving me a sense of familiarity. Have I met you before?"

"I don't recall…"

"Yes, I'm sure that if I have already met you, I would've remembered being enchanted by such alluring eyes," the guy said as he stepped up to reach for her hand and kiss it. "M'lady, my name is--"

"Michiru, breakfast is ready!"

"I'm coming!" She grunted and buried herself deeper in her pillows. Ekhi really had bad timing. The guardian could have come a second later. To think that she was just about to hear his name!

"Michiru, your escorts will arrive in a few minutes to take you to the academy! And oh, breakfast is ready!"

"I AM COMING!"

And with one last humph of irritation, she was up and away from the comfort of her bed.

----

"Haruka, it's time."

"Father…" She never wanted to leave, she never wanted to let go. Who knows if what she saw in her dreams happen while she was gone?

"Haruka…you must let go. This is a brand new day for you, my daughter. This will start your new life at the academy. If only I could, I wish I would be there with you on your training to guide you."

Fujin wiped away his daughter's tears. "Hush, I don't want to see you cry. Just remember the things that I've thought you. Go now, they are waiting for you…" He gave her an encouraging push.

It took both of their will to go on their separate ways and never look back. Haruka wanted to walk away from her scholarship. Fujin wanted to keep his daughter safe. But Destiny calls, and they must heed her voice.

Haruka…I just pray that five years from now, you'll come back to me alive and safe…

---­-

"Michiru…" Ekhi's white dress was already wet with tears.

"Mother Ekhi…please don't cry. I'll only be gone for a while to study."

"But will they treat you right? Will they feed you? Will they serve you whatever you want?" The maid wailed even louder.

"I will go there to study, and not become a princess. Please, don't cry. I promise, I will be back." Michiru gave the old lady one last big hug, before turning around and walking towards the huge structure with her bag in tow.

----

"Welcome young scholars, to the Academia de Witchcraft!" Raymond, the head instructor beamed up at his new students. They came in different shapes and sizes, a few were short and skinny, while others were large and bulky. Yet, one's own appearance didn't really matter to the institution, but rather, their talents will be the one to determine their own future.

Two of them had already caught his attention. One was a quiet, beautiful green-haired who was rather popular among the male teenagers of the town. Her name was Kaioh Michiru, heiress to the Kaioh riches. While the other was the anti-social daughter of the infamous magician, Fujin Tenoh, who looks more like a boy rather than a girl.

The wizard chuckled at what he foresaw about the pair. But it was only in the near future, while they are in the academy. Their imminent fate was still clouded from the old man's eyes.

----

"Name please?"

"Kaioh, Michiru."

"Age?"

"14."

"And what class would you like to sign-up for?"

"Priestess."

"Okay, miss Kaioh. Take this form to Sister Cecilia. She's right ahead at that Radiant Tower you could see from here."

"Thanks."

"May the gods bless you, little one."

----

"Name please?"

"Tenoh, Haruka"

"Age?"

"15."

"And what class would you like to sign-up for?"

"Priestess."

"Wait a minute, young man. That class is restricted to female students only."

"But I am--"

"You only have two choices: mage or swordsman?"

"But--"

"Mister Tenoh, there are other people lined up behind you. Please choose now, or I'll have you reported to Sir Raymond."

"But I don't know what should I pick…"

"Just tell me what you want to do: become attuned to the elements, or be a talented warrior?"

"Uhm…a warrior, of course."

"See, that wasn't so hard. Here, take this form to Sir Lainre of the Knights of Justice. From here, walk up straight to that corridor, make a left turn, then right, then left again. There are mini-maps on the walls in case you get lost."

"Uhm…I'm not really sure about this."

"Don't worry, I'll be sure that you'll make a fine swordsman."

"Okay…"

"May the gods bless you, little one."

"I really, really hope so…"

Haruka kept her fingers crossed and silently offered a prayer.

----

Author's Notes:

I wonder how long will it take me to write the next chapter? Lol.

Disclaimer:

Haruka, Michiru, and the rest of the BSSM gang belong to Naoko Takeuchi. I'm just borrowing them for a little while.
The Academia de Witchcraft and Raymond are from the MMORPG Priston Tale.