Author's note: My god, I'm sorry it took so long you guys, forgive me!!! (Bows down to other people) I've been hit with extreme writer's block and have been stuck for a long time. Sorry if this chapter is bad, I tried to rush this which is not a good thing for me. Guys, please I haven't forgotten about this fic, it's just that lately I've had other things that came up. Though now that school has started my update time has been shortened than it already has. Questions, Comments, please e-mail me at Saiyuki04@hotmail.com or visit my website at . Thank you for waiting and please enjoy chapter 1.

Extra note: The story HAS been slightly altered to fit the plot of this fic, not sure if I mentioned that before or not...

This is Sanzo-chan signing off, until next time.

Chapter one: Predestined Future

The air was humid, thick, and musky, even breathing was a difficult task. The desperate gasping from her mouth echoed off the surroundings. Franticly, she searched around her, only to realize that pure darkness embraced her. Then from a distance a faint sliver of light barely struggled to reach her.

She rose to her feet and walked forward. Her feet were bare and the ground beneath her was slick and chilled. A droplet of water slid off a large pillar of stone and fell into a pool of water, the sound echoed was ripples grew each second.

The drop of light expanded with each step taken. When she reached the end of the tunnel, the light was blindingly bright yet soothingly warm. When she regained her vision she saw a large mountain that reached high into the heavens. As if being drawn by an unknown caller, she grabbed an edge and started to climb. Each step taken grew more dangerous than the last as she scaled the steep formation. As she continued, she lost her footing on the slippery rocks and began to fall. As she plummeted several feet her screams were of pure fear and ear piercing.

To save herself from sudden death she grabbed hold of a vine and stayed suspended in mid air, until she could catch her breath When she was ready she continued her journey up. Several moments passed, her nerves started to shake and her hands were cut and braised. Tired and exhausted, she let out a great sigh of relief as she slowly reached a wide platform.

The mountain stood high above the clouds as it overlooked a vast majestic valley. Behind her, a massive waterfall flowed with a thunderous roar. The water's mist formed a thick fog as a soft breeze carried it over. Her body was cold and wet with water and sweat, she shivered as the mist brushed against her skin. Transparent beads of dew ran down her short, raven black hair as she searched her surroundings.

"Where, where am I?" She whispered to herself, but became overcome with fear. So she yelled franticly. "Is somebody there? Please, anybody!"

"Welcome, you are in my realm. Tell me child, what is you mane?" A thunderous voice answered back to her.

She trembled with shaken nerves and her heart jumped to her throat. Not wanting to disobey, she answered. "I am Soia, daughter of Ortega. I come from the kingdom of Aliahan."

"Well then Soia, I will ask you a series of questions. Answer them truthfully and don't think too hard about them. Are you ready?" As he said this a high wind picked up and flowed through Soia's hair.

Soia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Although she was scarred, she somehow felt relaxed talking to the unseen stranger. "I accept."

"Good." The voice said with a calm, gentler tone. "On a journey, do you feel more confident with strong equipment as opposed to taking allies?"

"No, because I have no real experience of a battle." She lowered her eyes and bit her lip, she was ashamed of her answer.

"I see. Have you ever thought of how wonderful flying could be?"

"Yes, often I'd dream of it."

"Do you think birds are free?" The voice continued.

"Yes."

"If you could be reborn, would you like to be a princess?"

"And give up my life now? No."

"Do you find it hard to turn down people's request?"

"Yes."

"Do you sometimes daydream and amuse yourself with you imagination?"

"yes."

The voice paused for a short time, thinking of more questions. then said, "If there were one wish in the world that could come true, could you say it now?"

Soia had to think about this, but she knew that decision making wasn't her best point. "No."

"Do you often think of the past?"

"Yes, all the time."

"You know, a simple 'yes' or 'no' will suffice." Said the Voice, then he continued, "Do you think the world has more sadness than happiness?"

"No."

"Do you want to grow up quickly, or have felt that way?"

"Uh-uh." Soia shook her head.

The Voice growled, and then asked the last question. "Lastly, Let's say there is something that you want very badly. If it turns out that it's unattainable, would it make you want it more?"

A chord struck at Soia's heart. If there was anything that fed the fuel of her determination, and that was reaching for something and completing any task difficult. "Yes!"

The voice seemed very pleased with her response. After the questioning session ended, there was a short pause, again. Soia waited patiently for a response from her unseen stranger.

"I see, I think I have an idea about who you are. However, I need you to take a test."

"A test? What do you mean?" Soia asked, she did not get an answer.

With a strong gust of wind blowing harshly on her face the scenery had changed. The beautiful mountain valley became a dark, dank enclosure similar to the one before. Soia gagged with a wrenching feeling in her gut as the pungent stench of mildew and fungus emitted from the murky green walls surrounding her.

Ahead of her a post sign stood. Quickly she ran towards it to have a better look.

"You must continue straight and turn right at the next tunnel, if you value your life." Soia read the sign out loud.

Taking the safe route, Soia followed the signs' directions. As she walked she found a small torch hanging on the cave wall. Quickly, she grabbed the torch with her left hand and placed her right on the wall to guide her. With the aid of the light she avoided traps and dead ends. Upon turning a corner a chest of gold, flowing to the brim lay before her. The coins sparkled like stars as the torch reflected when Soia leaned for a closer look.

"My god, my family would be able to pay off our debts with this kind of money. Hell, mom even owes Ai, money, we're just glad she's not a loan shark!" She softly spoke as she slowly reached for the gold.

Suddenly, frantic cries of help echoed through the cave. The voice was of a young female.

Forgetting about the treasure, Soia followed the cries dropping her torch to the floor. The sharp hissing came as quickly as it went when it frizzled out.

"Somebody, help me!" The distant plea echoed within the walls.

Soia hurried as fast as she could; her bare feet splashed into the puddles with each step taken. On a slime coated stone Soia tripped and landed on her knees, leaving them scuffed and bruised. Now, exhausted, battered, and soaked, she still pressed on hoping she's not too late. Though, she stopped when she was able to find her.

The girl was trapped under a pile of large stones, covering her lower half of her body. On top of her was a fierce beast of enormous size, crushing her underneath. The beast had large claws with a lion body and wings that spread to the length of that of three men. It licked it's lips as it played with it's meal like a cat after it just caught it's prey.

The girl's face was red from the pressure of the weight, with sweat dripping off her chin. her screams were death piercing that only excited the beast even more.

"Stop it please!" She cried with hot tears streaming down her eyes; screaming to the maximum capacity of her lungs.

The monster only growled at his capture; he began to salivate with spit oozing from it's jaws as it aimed to bite at the throat. The girl just closed her eyes tightly, hoping that death would be swift and painless.

As it inched closer to the jugular and sharp stone was hurled at the forehead, the monster whined in pain as blood started to draw. The monster looked up and saw Soia with another stone in her hand. It stared at her face as she smirked at the hideous being before she threw the other stone at it.

"Get off her, you dumb ass freak!" Soia said, then turned to the girl "Hey, you alright, miss?"

The girl didn't answer, only whimpered. Angered that his supper had been delayed; it got off the girl and gave Soia, a stone glare.

I have to be extra careful, I don't have my sword and my spells aren't strong enough to kill it. She thought, the only weapons she had were her fists, magic, and her wits.

The mantigore, with a loud roar lunged forward on top of Soia. She fought hard to make sure his jaws made no contact with her neck. Her hand searched for a sharp stone. When she found one she jabbed it into the mantigore's paw. Bellowing with pain it quickly released Soia who then rolled away.

Quickly she pulled onto it's mane and climbed on it's back. Getting a good grip on the mane, Soia stabbed the mantigore in the left eye. The half blind mantigore wildly bucked Soia off it's back; Soia fell back and slammed against the cave wall. In a berserk rage the mantigore, with it's claws slapped Soia across the chest.

With the wind knocked out of her she entered a short coughing fit. When her breathing became steady, she clenched her chest in extreme pain. On her hands a warm, thick, liquid slowly oozed painting her palms.

Her blood-scent aroused the mantigore's olfactory sensors. It growled low, and licked it's lips.

Soia got up and tried to make a run from the mantigore, while she was trying to save the girl. Her quick movements however did not help as she tore her wounds even more. Buckling with pain and exhaustion, she fell to her knees and crawled.

She barely made it to the girl when she felt a paw press on her shoulder. The claws slid out of the paw and dug into her flesh. Tiny beads of blood slowly drew from her delicate skin. Saliva dripped through it's teeth and splattered onto Soia's hair.

"Get off me!" Soia growled.

The mantigore only answered with a snarl.

"I said, get off me you son of a bitch! BLAZE!"

A second later, the beast's mane caught on fire. It jumped on it's hind legs and howled as Soia cleared the rocks to set the girl free.

"Miss, I hope you're alright. You have to leave now or-" Soia never finished her sentence. The moment the girl was set free, she ran to escape.

During this time the mantigore recovered. It's flesh was only slightly charred, but not enough to do any real damage. Determined to get revenge it leaped several feet forward and lunged over the girl. She tried to turn around to escape, but it blocked her way.

Despite herself being in pain, Soia got up and ran to the mantigore. She pulled on it's tail to try to distract it. Without a seconds notice the mantigore kicked her with it's hind leg in the stomach cutting off most of her breath. She clenched her stomach tightly and cried. Now with nothing to get in it's way the mantigore lunged itself at the girl. Soia heard blood curdling scream that echoed throughout the cave, but that was all.

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Soia awoke in the middle of the night with a disturbing rush and in cold sweat. She broke into strained tears as she hyperventilated in a wild shock. The pain in her chest was still great even though not a mark was left on her body. A sense of sadness and bewilderment filled her mind as the midnight air filled the room.

"A dream, thank god." Soia said to herself, "The voice said it was a test. But, what does it have to do with me?"

End Chapter one

Next: Reluctance

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Reviewer Feedback!

Flamestrike: Thanks, I'll try my best.

Spincut: Thanks for showing up, man. The version I'm using is the gameboy color version of the game.

Kitsune and Zero: Sorry for taking so long to update, I'm very slow when it comes to these things and my computer time always keeps getting taken away. School's not much help either. Again I'm sor for the inconvenience my delay has caused you guys. Next time you review can you please leave an e-mail so I can let you know when I update next time, please? ^_^

Silver Fox: Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about this story. It's just that sometimes I get burned out easy with my other fics and my web site that I tend to take long breaks. But when I'm rested enough I get the urge to write again!!! =^_^=

Mia: Excel Saga rules, and so does Strong Bad!!!!!!