Chapter 47

Shadows of the Past

Riku looked around the strange place he was floating in. It was a mix of blue and purple with a few white sparks here and there. Where are we? He thought. He looked to his side and saw Gurumin looking at something. He followed the old man's gaze to a black hole under them. They were approaching it fast. "We will be there any second now" Gurumin said.

When they reached the hole Riku was blinded by a flash of light. He rubbed his eyes as he tried to regain his sight. After a few seconds of rubbing he managed to focus on the environment around him.

The sky was filled with stars and a full moon. He realized he was floating. Below him was a vast valley surrounded by mountains. In the valley was a small city. In the center of the city was a crystal clear lake. Even though it was night, Riku could see fish swimming in the water. They were flying to the top of a cliff. On the cliff was a magnificent palace with white stone walls and red roofs.

Riku's hearing picked up the sound of music and laughter. They reached a window and looked in. Inside were rows and rows of rectangular tables covered in all kinds of food. Eating merrily were hundreds of demons. Most were animal demons like wolf, fox, and hawk demons, but Riku could see a few fire, water, ice, and wind demons. There was a stage with girls dancing for entertainment. At the far end of the room was a table with some high ranking demons on it. Riku saw that the tallest chair was vacant.

"These demons are members of the Rebel Forces. They are celebrating a recent victory over the Demon King's army" Gurumin said. He motioned Riku to follow him. Riku nodded and they flew along the side of the palace to the other side of the room.

Riku saw a lone figure standing on a balcony. He gasped when he got a good look at the guy. He looked exactly like Riku. The only difference was that this guy wore a long sleeve red gi, red pants, black chest armor, metal gauntlets, and a gold chain around his neck. The Crescent Edge was strapped to his back. "Is that…" Riku began. "Yes, he is the one you are reincarnated from. The leader of the Rebel Forces, Ryu" Gurumin replied.

Ryu seemed to be deep in thought as the wind blew his long hair. His golden eyes scanned the valley below him as if he could see every little thing going on in the city. The Demon King is getting more aggressive. I'll need reinforcements soon Ryu thought. He heard footsteps behind him.

"Ah there you are" a voice said. Ryu turned around and looked at the intruder. Riku's eyes widened when he saw who it was. Standing at the entrance to the party room was guy who looked just like Hiei. He had on a black gi, black pants, black gloves, and a black chest plate. Strapped to his waist was a katana. He had the same spiky black hair with a white streak but it had red highlights instead of blue ones. He was also taller than Hiei about 5 feet 7 inches.

"Why does he look like Hiei?" Riku asked. "Well father and son tend to share traits" Gurumin replied. "That's Hiei and Yukina's dad?!" Riku said. Gurumin nodded. Riku looked back at the two.

"What do you want Katana?" Ryu asked. "I've been looking for you. Why don't you join the celebration" Katana asked. "I won't celebrate until this war is over" Ryu replied. "It would boost our troop's moral if you joined" Katana said. "What's one battle? We've won others and haven't celebrated" Ryu said. "We did take on of the Demon King's most fortified castles" Katana said. They stood in silence.

  "Can I ask you something?" Ryu asked. "Of coarse" Katana said. "When we win, what do you plan on doing with your life?" Ryu asked. "I'll probably search for a mate and settle down in the Makai" Katana replied. "This war won't last much longer. I can sense the Demon King's impatience. The final battle may be less than a year away" Ryu said.

"Do you think you're ready?" Katana asked. "I'm always ready. The question is, are our men ready" Ryu said. "We'll no doubt have to fight the Demon King himself in the final battle" Katana said. "Good, he'll see first hand what power he's created" Ryu said. His body was surrounded in red flames. When it died down he had transformed to the Devil Wolf. His bat-like wings were spread out behind him as his now red eyes gazed back at the valley. "My only wish is that the world be a peaceful as this place" he said. "This war has lasted many years and cost millions of lives. Until till the end, I'll fight by your side old friend" Katana said. "You head back to the party" Ryu said. "What about you?" Katana asked. "I need some alone time" Ryu said before jumping off the balcony and flying toward the mountains. Katana stood in place for a few seconds before heading back to the celebration.

Riku and Gurumin followed Ryu as he flew over the valley. "So that's the guy I'm reincarnated from" Riku said. "That is correct" Gurumin replied. "And that other guy was Hiei and Yukina's dad" Riku said. Gurumin nodded. "So his name's Katana" Riku said. "Actually that was only his combat name. Only a few know what his real name was" Gurumin said. "Were he and Ryu friends?" Riku asked. "They were comrades in battle and best friends during peace. Katana was second in command of the Rebel Forces" Gurumin said. "I guess using a katana runs in the family" Riku said.

Ryu flew to the base of a snow-covered mountain. The trees and ground around him were covered in a deep blanket of snow. He went back to his normal form. That blizzard did less damage than I thought Ryu thought as he jumped to the top of a boulder and sat down. He closed his eyes, enjoying the silence this place brought. That party was giving me a headache. I bet most of my troops are drunk by now. Hopefully they won't go on a drunken rampage he thought as he looked at the stars. Why me? Why was I the one with the right genetic code? Out of the millions of wolf demons in the world the virus chose me he thought.

He was brought out of his thoughts by an unfriendly scent. Ghouls he thought as he ran to the source. As he neared the scent he slowed his pace so as not to give away his position. Years of combat had taught him how to walk in snow without making a sound. He gripped the Crescent Edge as he looked into a clearing from behind a tree.

In the clearing were fifteen Ghouls. Ghouls are the basic troops of the Demon King's Black Legion. They used to be humans but the sins they committed in life turned them into loyal slaves to the Demon King. All of them wore black samurai armor with a skull shaped visor and were armed with spears, bows and arrows, pikes, or broad swords. Seven of the Ghouls in the clearing had swords, five had spears, and the last three had bows.

They had surrounded two girls. One was 5 foot 8 in heat, with blue eyes and light blue hair that went to her waist and was tied in a high ponytail. She wore a pink kimono with a white sash. The other was 5 foot 6 in height, with aqua hair tied in a ponytail and blue eyes. She wore a light blue kimono with a red sash. She looks awfully like Yukina Riku thought.

"Now you two come with us and no harm will come to you" one of the Ghouls said. "Leave us alone" the blue haired girl said as the aqua haired one clung to her. "You asked for it. Archers, prepare to fire" the Ghoul said. The three with bow readied to shoot. "Aim, fire" the Ghoul said. Before they could shoot their arrows, a blur shot past the three. They feel to the ground dead. "What the?" the Ghoul said.

"Didn't your mother tell you that's no way to treat ladies" Ryu said as he stood in the clearing. "It's Ryu" the Ghoul said as they all backed away. "You picked the wrong time to try and kill innocent girls" Ryu said. "Let's get him" a spear Ghoul said.  They all charged him. Ryu disappeared and a blur flew through their ranks. Ryu reappeared behind them. The Ghouls all joined the archers.

Ryu sheathed his sword and turned to the girls. "You okay?" he asked as he kneeled in front of them. "Are you the rebel leader Ryu?" the blue haired one asked. "Last time I checked" Ryu replied. "Thank goodness" she said. "Who are you?" Ryu asked. "My name in Relena, and this is my friend Serenity" the blue haired one said. "You two are koorime" Ryu said. "Yes and we've been sent to find you by the elders" Relena replied. "Why is that?" Ryu asked. "The Black Legion is attacking the floating island we live on. We've been sent to asked for your help" Relena said. "Both of you, take my hand" Ryu said. The two koorime cautiously grabbed his hand. They were wind morphed to the palace.

"Is that Yukina's mom?" Riku asked. "This is three thousand years in the past. Koorime only live one thousand years" Gurumin said. "Then why does Serenity look so much like Yukina?" Riku asked. "Serenity is Yukina's great grandmother" Gurumin said. "Great grandmother!!!" Riku said. "Yes, Katana originally fell in love with Hina's grandmother, Serenity. Being a full-blooded fire demon, he can live five thousand years. He was only about one thousand when the war started. After the war Serenity and Relena returned to the island. Katana was so bogged down in helping rebuild the human world that it was three thousand years latter when he was able to start a search for his love. Serenity had already died when he arrived but her granddaughter Hina looked exactly like her. Katana and her fell in love and the result was Yukina and Hiei" Gurumin said. They flew back to the palace.

Katana was standing on the balcony when Ryu appeared out of nowhere with two girls. "Don't startle me like that" he said. "Katana tell the generals to meet me in the strategy room" Ryu said. "What is it?" Katana asked. "The koorime need our help" Ryu replied. Katana nodded and went to fetch the generals.

In the Strategy Room

"No way, we can't spare anymore troops for this operation" a storm demon said. "Katana and I will led it so we'll only need about two hundred" Ryu replied. "But what's in it for us? Why help them?" a wolf demon asked. "He has a point Ryu" Katana said. Ryu looked over to Relena and Serenity. Relena had told everyone the situation on the floating island. The Black Legion had a foothold on the eastern tip of the island and was making its way west. Serenity remained silent the entire time. "Soujiro, how many wounded do we have?" he asked a dragon in its human form. "About one-third of our troops stationed here are in no condition to fight" Soujiro replied. "The koorime are legendary for their healing powers. Relena, if we help you, do you think some of you could came back here and heal our wounded" Ryu asked. "I don't see why not" Relena replied. "Then it's settled, tomorrow, Katana and I leave with two hundred troops to the floating island" Ryu said. The other generals nodded.

Ryu looked at a fire demon around 5 feet 9 in height. He had spiky black hair that went to his mid-back and black eyes. He wore a red gi with a black vest over it and black pants. A katana was strapped to his waist. "Shiro, you're in charge" Ryu said. Shiro nodded. "Dismissed" Ryu commanded. The generals bowed and left the room.

Ryu walk behind a curtain and rummaged around. He walked out a with a miniature replica of the floating island. "Relena will help me make a strategy. Katana, you take care of Serenity" Ryu said. Katana nodded and turned to the aqua haired koorime. "Follow me" he said. She followed him out the door.

"She doesn't talk much" Ryu noted. "Well she's very shy. It wasn't really our choice in coming here" Relena said. "So what's the quickest way to travel on the island?' he asked.

"You feeling okay?" Katana asked Serenity as they walked through the palace. "I'm fine thank you" she replied nervously. She was naturally afraid of the fire demon. "I'll show you to your room and let you settle in" Katana said.

They continued until the stopped in front of a door with dragons carved on it. Katana knocked on the door. "Who is it?" a girl's voice said from the other side. "Katana" he replied. The door opened. Standing there was a girl around 6 feet in height. She had black hair with blue highlights and light blue eyes. She was dressed in blue robes. "Hey Katana, what can I do for you?" she asked. "This is Serenity. I was wondering if you'd let her stay in your room" he said. "Of coarse" she replied. "I have some business to take care of so I'll see you latter" Katana said as he walked away.

Serenity stood in place. "My name's Mizu, what's yours" she asked. "Serenity" the koorime replied. "Well come on in" Mizu said. Serenity walked slowly into the room. It was a pretty large room with a blue marble floor. The walls were covered with paintings of fish and other water animals. At one end was a four-post bed with dragons coiled around them. It had blue sheets and a white transparent curtain around it. On the left hand corner of the room was a table with a tea set on it. At the other end was a dresser with various makeup and jewelry on it. Next to it was a cloths rack with mostly blue robes hanging off it. On the last side was a screen that led to a balcony. 

"You're a koorime aren't you?" Mizu asked as she went to a corner and poured some tea. "Yes" Serenity replied as she sat on the bed. "I've never met one before. Being a water goddess means I'll freeze if I go to the floating island" Mizu said as she walked back and handed Serenity a cup. Serenity was about to take a sip when two golden appeared in front of her. She yelped and hid behind her chair. "Don't be scared, Genso was just curious" Mizu said. Serenity looked from behind the chair at Mizu. At the goddess's feet was a small dragon with blue scales and golden eyes. "He's not in his true form so that's why he's small" Mizu said. Serenity sat back down in the chair.

Katana stood back on the balcony in deep thought. He couldn't get Serenity out of his head. Why can't I stop thinking about her? I can't in love. I'm fire and she's ice. She'll probably burn if I touch her. One thing's for sure. She's drop dead beautiful he thought.

"Katana" Ryu said from behind him. The fire demon turned around and saw Ryu and Relena standing in the doorway. "What is it?" he asked. "Where'd you take Serenity?" Ryu asked. "To Mizu's room" Katana replied. "You there" Ryu said to a guard. "Yes sir" the guard said. "Take Relena to Mizu's room" Ryu ordered. "Follow me please" the guard said. "Goodnight" Relena said as she followed the guard.

"So that's the girl Ryu takes as his mate" Riku said. "Yes but that is many months latter. Right now we will travel to the moment Ryu and the rebels start fighting on the floating island" Gurumin said. Everything around him and Riku went black as they traveled forward a few days.

Quit a few surprises huh? We met Hiei and Yukina's dad and their great grandmother. Introduced two created characters in this chapter. I know they're not as you described them but these are their past selves. The present Shiro and Mizu will be introduced in future chapters.

Shiro was created by heatwave

Mizu was created by Sweetangel.

Next chapter, the battle for the koorime island. Review please.