Alright, so I've worked on this for more than a year, and I have actually got most of the story typed and saved( can't believe that I actually did it), I just need to add a little and do some finishing before updating. This started out as Mystel's backstory for my backstory fic, but it grew way too long. And I enjoyed writing it. Sincerely hoping that you enjoy it just as much, here I begin...
CHAPTER 1: THE FIRST VICTIM
Down in the lush valleys of Sumatra, lived a humble populace. Youthful women and hardworking men bustled through the fields when the kids would be loitering around the villages, finding immense satisfaction in being a headache to the few rich merchants in the village. Most women worked in the rice fields, and one of them was Lin. Lin was a beautiful young lady with black hair in her late twenties. Lin had a son, whom they called Mystel. Mystel often served as a surprise to the tourists( who were the customers of Mystel's father, a tour guide). In the whole valley, only one person had blonde hair- Mystel. Then he could do feats even masters of Gymnastics would raise their eyebrows at. There was a huge wooden tower in the village, said to be the base for some construction the local authorities had planned but abandoned before completion. Mystel and his gang had made it a habit to climb to the top and watch the sundown every day. They tried to make it a habit to see the sunrise, but waking up so early was a nuisance. So when it came to coming down, Mystel would do some arduous stunt while others could only gape.
This was Mystel's talent number 1. No one taught him these things, he just had it in him. Surprisingly enough his mother had little opposition to these stunts, but every other mother in the area was horrified at the idea of their kids jumping from the tower.
Another talent he possessed was stealing things. Not money and gold, but things which childish minds value- mangoes, honey, buttered bread and the candies from the lean shopkeeper. This kept Mystel's gang satiated, and gave Mystel the royalty among the village kids.
His father was super strong, not only for Mystel but for everyone. It was hard to believe that a normal tour guide could effectively fight away beasts when the squandered into the settlement. Mystel's father was multitalented as well. He told Mystel lots of stories at dinner time.
"Time for a story!" Mystel exclaimed as soon as he saw his father in the shed from a distance. He left his Mother's hand and ran playfully into his father's steely arms.
"Looks like no one cares for mother" came Lin's voice as she entered with a false puffed-up face.
Mystel would only giggle, and contagiously the whole family would laugh.
Lin lit the fire in one corner of the shed, as people in rural areas have kitchens in open to ensure that the cook doesn't die from suffocation. The ingredients went into the boiling water and Mystel's father asked for Mystel's choice.
"A story about Homeland!"
For a second Lin's and her husband's heart stopped.
I forgot to tell you, but you might have guessed that this family didn't belong there. They came from somewhere in China, where there were forests and huge open pastures and in distance were mountains that seemed to be always covered with snow. It snowed only in winter at their Homeland. For some reason, they left the place, which Mystel seriously wanted to know. But no one would tell him. Lin never wanted him to know about it, but someday it accidentally slipped from her tongue that they looked different and wore mystical amulets because they were from China. She tried to cover it up but the damage was done and that night both she and her husband had to tell something bout their Homeland to Mystel, who was utterly fascinated. But later on, he realized that they weren't very clear. In short, they didn't tell him anything other than the fact that it was a beautiful place with beautiful people, they knew many crafts, had even denser forests, far higher mountains and many annual festivals were celebrated with huge pomp and show.
So he made the demand today.
" But that's boring Mystel let me tell you about something else" tried his father but in vain.
"No Nah no! Homeland is interesting. Someone was telling me China is across the sea. And the sea is never boring."
"Oh but Mystel the sea is interesting. Homeland is not" Lin tried to explain as she left the broth boiling and sat beside him.
" Mom Homeland is very very interesting! Everyone knows their Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles. But I don't know anyone. Noni says she has three Grandfathers and I've met them all. But I don't even know the name of a single Grandfather. " tears were there in those sapphire orbs.
Lin could do but stare helplessly at her nine-year-old son. What should she do?
It was deep in the night. At a glance, you could see thousands of stars glimmer in the moonshine. Lin sat on a log holding Lee's hand. Mystel had fallen asleep hours ago after a lullaby.
"How long it will go on?" asked Lin in a tired voice.
"I simply don't know," answered Lee, gazing at the stars, maybe trying to make out some familiar constellations.
They looked at Mystel. Have they robbed him of his life?
They could only sigh. After all, escaping destiny wasn't easy.
The roots of trees hanging from the wall. Some illegible scriptures on the wall. Many small clay lamps were glowing, whose light created mystical patterns on the blood-stained walls. Bloodstains almost carpeted the entire room. Some old, some new. None knew how many met their fate in there.
In the centre was a pedestal. Three old men stood there. The grim look on their faces radiated a serious silence which kept the young boys and girls, no older than twelve, in the room quiet.
"Oh, Children! You all are well aware of the danger hanging over the human race. Evil never rests for long. It comes. It comes without warning.
Sometimes in the face of disease,
sometimes in the face of famine,
sometimes in the face of war,
and sometimes, in the form of Death."
The first old man completed his speech. No one moved. The young girls and boys seemed to be nervous about something else. All heads were down, silently praying for the test they had to give. The prettiest among the woman bore a look as serious as the old men. She was beautiful, but the resolve she stood with was intimidating.
The second old man began gruffly-
" Since humanity acknowledged the presence of the Supreme Power, Lord gave us the responsibility of finding the saviour whenever the evil takes over the world.
The Ultimate Prophecy warns us of the destruction man can't imagine, the power man can't wage, and time when a man can't live."
Dead silence hung over the place. The lamps now projected ghastly shadows over the walls.
"It is the foremost duty of the Bai Hu Clan to find the Hero and direct him to his purpose. The Prophecy tells of a human young in blood and brave in heart who has the power to tame the evil and save humanity. And only one of our flesh and blood can make the saviour realize his duty, his power and his potential."
"My daughters and sons, Zhàndòu!"( Fight!)
The little assembly took their unleashed their swords. None of them wore an armour, though a few of them had sword scars all over their body. All took positions in a circle. Three old men shouted-
Ràng jiàn chōngtū！(Let the swords clash!)
And the hell broke loose. All seven were fighting each other simultaneously. The girl we talked about earlier, whom I'll refer to as Nìmíng for now, stood in a defensive position, with her sword at before her, and feet ready for action. A heavily scarred boy( though his demeanour was of that of a Man) came straight at her, and Nìmíng engaged her sword with him. He was skilled, as he managed to mark a few cuts on her arms, but Nìmíng was from the highest family in the clan. She skillfully kept him busy, while someone from behind thrust his sword into his neck, thus killing him. Nìmíng didn't waste any time. Though this was her first time, he knew what these were like. As her opponent attacked, she swiftly strode to right, and by the time her opponent was running towards the, she turned glided her wrist anticlockwise, sending a cut right across his torso. He immediately whacked his sword onto her shoulder, which must have hurt, and she gritted her teeth in pain, glaring hatefully at him. They were all right. This battle could be won only with the valour to kill. If she wanted to live on, she must kill, or be killed. And pressing her to hurt left shoulder a bit, she jumped furiously at her opponent who backed in surprise and alarm. Just a moment ago she had looked so vulnerable. But he could see his end in her eyes. it was coming. All his opponents must have seen this look in his eyes before. Maybe he was never born to be the one. He had stopped even using his sword. Nìmíng's sword closed into his heart, and he died. At least he died like a warrior- stabbed in the heart.
Another boy, known as Zhang, was having extreme difficulty fighting two at once. He was receiving one blow after another. But stopping to inspect any of them meant an invitation for death. He ducked at a sword coming towards his eye and swung madly, which killed one of the two. The one who was alive jumped over his fallen comrade's body, and knowing he won't last in a straight fight with this lad, he looked around from the corner of his eyes and saw Nìmíng staring at the boy she just killed. Expecting her to be a better target he jumped at her, and Nìmíng raised her head in surprise, but before she could react, Zhang leapt twisting his body and gashed straight through the opponent's body splattering his face with blood all over. Nìmíng would have scowled but was much more fixated at the opponent dies. She couldn't take his eyes off the person dying at her feet. Zhang knocked her out of the fixation. Would he kill her now? Could Zhang...
But at the moment they turned around to a horrified voice. It was Naina, one of their childhood friends. she was never meant to be a warrior. She just wanted to be a good woman when she grew up. JUST WHY WAS SHE EVEN HERE?
But as destiny had it, she was born in the warrior class of their tribe. The ones who grew to adulthood were the ones who had all passed years of these battles.
Nìmíng's knew that these battles left only two survivors. By present circumstances, it mean.. it meant that one of them had to die. But who?
Her gaze went to Zhang, who was no older than her, yet he looked much more powerful. A day ago she couldn't have believed that Zhang was one of the most dangerous warriors, and even though he was only twelve, he was feared by many. Who lived and who died was in his hands. Only his.
But Zhang stood silent, leaning to one side supported by his sword. He wasn't killing any of them. He couldn't kill her. And to kill Naina was unthinkable for him. Could he draw his arms upon a girl who was never even meant to be here?
The three old men, otherwise known as the Guardians, knew that Zhang wasn't going to move. It went against his principles, and a true warrior like him could die for the sake of his principles. And to force him to cast aside his honour would be a sin for them.
So, in sort, it was time for Nurezanshi to act.
"Nurezanshi!"One of the Guardians called out.
Nìmíng turned her head, and her eyes met the Guardians'.
"Nurezanshi, and Naina, this battle shall continue between you two."
All three were surprised.
" And Zhang, you shall not interfere."
Zhang moved aside startled. Though he had been wishing for a solution, he certainly wasn't hoping for this. Nurezanshi's body froze. Her eyes scanned Naina. A girl of twelve was kneeling, her sword shaky in those tender trembling hands. Her horrified face, quivering lips painted an image of pity one couldn't simply ignore. Nurezanshi knew she couldn't kill her. She was her friend. Hadn't they promised to be present at each other's marriages?
"Kill me Nurezanshi, Kill me" Naina wailed, " I wasn't born to live. I am a disgrace. Kill me" Nina dropped her sword, and it's ring reverberated through the room.
Nurezanshi looked to the Guardians for pity, but all she found were the unforgiving eyes, ordering to kill. She looked into her grandfather's eyes, but all she saw was the stonehearted Guardian. Just why?
Nurezanshi slowly drew her sword to the front and with slow steps advanced towards Nina. Naina stood up and stepped back. Each step Nurezanshi took forward, Naina stepped back. Naina reached the end, and there she stood with her back against the wall. Nurezanshi stopped too, but everything was closing onto her, and an invisible force pushed her forward. Naina stood at an arm's length. Her eyes were locked with Naina's. Those eyes were full of fear, tinged with guilt. Tears made their way out, admitting their cowardice, and begging for an end. Closing her eyes, she stabbed Naina with a force she couldn't tame. Naina's scream never reached their ears.
"Swords down!" Three serious voices ordered.
The three old men began a sort of poem, and the two survivors of the battle stood in shock.
When the time shall come,
the rage shall flow,
women shall starve and men shall die,
the destruction unknown, the peril unseen shall grow,
none knows what of us shall become,
but there's faith,
there will be good,
a hero shall arise by the grace of God,
to tame the untamed and destroyed the evil uncouth.
Oh! Children pray to the heavens,
for the saviour ultimate,
for he shall be the future of our clan and the common man,
to save us all from the evil ultimate.
A twelve-year-old Mystel woke up with a start. Breathes were hysterical body drenched in sweat. What did he just saw? That girl... was she killing others? Who were those men? Why could he see them ...
That girl's face ran through his mind again and again. his head spun. That two... Zhang and Nurezanshi- they weren't the ones to mess with.
Note: Mystel didn't grow overnight. It was a time skip.
I'll appreciate some feedback. Also if anyone is learning Piano, Japanese or French, I'll like to learn together.