Dragon Soldiers:: The Prophecy

Together they ripped open their envelopes. Inside of them were old papers all folded neatly together. They pulled the documents out of their respective packages, and when they unfolded the papers two necklaces fell out.

"Huh?" Miya muttered as they reached for the adornments. "Wow, pretty," she touched the twinkling silver charm at the end of the chain. The charm was shaped like a dragon. It looked like a western dragon with four legs and long wings. The face's attributes were hard to make-out because the metal had been worn down. Besides that, its radiant luster was not marred. The significance of Miya's charm was that at the heart of the trinket laid a silver crystal.

"Damn right," Kazuki agreed as he examined his necklace. The fine jewelry was much like Miya's in brilliance - but its metal, too, was partially worn down. The charm attached to the necklace was molded into an Amphiptere; a dragon with only wings and a feathered, serpent-like, winding body. It also had a jewel at its center- a yellow sapphire. Kazuki fastened the necklace about his neck and so did Miya.

"Oh yeah! The papers." Miya prompted herself. Kazuki nodded and lifted one of the articles from his lap.

"To our dears, Kazuki and Miya," he read aloud. Both scanned their identical letters that read:

To our dears, Kazuki and Miya,

We are deeply sorry for our absence in your hardest time of life. These evil creatures keep stalking and threatening us. We wanted to keep you safe from danger, so we brought you to this orphanage. Mr. Nori has promised to be your guardian and make sure that you don't get yourself into jeopardy. You two are probably receiving these letters later in life. The stars foretold that Mr. Nori may lose them but they would soon find you once more.

Unfortunately by the time you receive these we'll have left this world at the hands of the very beings we were running from. The other papers in these envelopes of yours tell of your history, our people and the village you both swore your life's to save. It tells about the Dragon Senshi or the Chosen Ones. Read them and wear the ancient charms whenever you can. This all will make sense to you soon, just be assured that you're never alone out in this cursed world. We'll always be with you both, just look into your hearts. Remember this: love will help you fulfill your destiny.

Love always,

Mother and Father

Kazuki bit his lip and winced-- the pain inside was taking over. He quickly stuffed his face into his upper arm and shuddered. Then, slowly he lifted his head and ran his fingers carefully through his waves of blonde hair. Kazuki squeezed his eyes to rid of the forming tears.

"Why...?" Asked Miya in a whispered, hoarse voice. Her locks of curly hair covered her anguished expression. Kazuki shook himself and moved over to Miya's bedside. He sat next to her and wrapped his arms around her affectionately as Miya placed her head gently on his shoulder. "Why us? Isn't it hard enough that we are social outcasts? Orphans? This can't be real! Just what the hell did we do to deserve this?! Why did they have to die? Is this some kind of mad joke?! It's not funny! I don't believe any of this! Why... hick ... why ... why ...?!" The tears flooded down her cheeks as sobs of anguish for both her parents' death and what had been placed in front of her rang out. Kazuki responded by squeezing her tightly against him.

"Cummon, our parents died for us. If this is all very much true then we'll have to put up with it in the end. For now can't we just trust our hearts and what happens next? Can't we be strong for Mom and Dad?" He stroked her hair. Kazuki knew exactly how she felt, and this wasn't a good time in their lives for this particular turn of events.

"Kazuki..." Miya raised her head from his shoulder. Her hair stuck to her face, wet and disorderly. She attempted to remove it from her skin - it only stuck right back. Miya straightened herself up a bit and pulled the other papers from the envelope silently. These documents were considerably older than the letters. There were five sheets of paper altogether and they were hard to read, being written in old figures. The first page was titled:

Dragon Senshi:: The Prophecy of the Chosen Ones

Miya turned the page...

1603 - It was a time of war where hate plagued the nation, the end of the world was so close - but there was hope. There was a prophecy. It told of the Star Children – Chosen Ones, who would be the only beings strong enough to save the world. The war of Draco the Hydra against the Dragon Senshi would be by far the bloodiest battle and even the last, witnessed in the Himitsu village.

The war was derived from a singular argument between the legendary Dragon Protectors. The debate circled around a particular tragic turn of events. Exactly two hundred years before the argument began the great dragon Neo Genesis, protector of the Himitsu village, predicted of the considerable evil that would, two hundred years from that day, devour the soul of the dragon, Draco, an old alliance of the Hidden village (Himitsu Village). He would become a dreaded hydra who possessed the power to summon the Demon Mercenaries, warriors from infinite hells. The battle would one day be christened, Draco's Revolution:: War of a Thousand Hells. Neo Genesis mentioned the eleven children of the stars, the Chosen Ones that would all come together on the final day of battle as the Dragon Senshi.

Over the next two hundred years the Himitsu people trained their soldiers and their children mainly for battle. They all hoped that by chance their children would be connected to the title of The Chosen Ones. No-one ever thought that the poorest families in other villages would spawn the heirs to the most prestigious name in the town. The children are described by the elders of the village as:
"Potential souls that hold no limit." "Their grace and inner beauty shows no standard." " They take the good with the bad and, by the grace of the gods, have power to rule even the greatest of dragons." The high priests took them in from their destitute homes and brought them to the temple in which they learned so well their identities and soon were brought up to recognize their dragon companions.

Their dragon familiars included, Fanta Ai (dragon master over love and the affinities that bind lovers and relationships together), Prime Verity (dragon master over youthfulness and truth), Element Ace (dragon master over the elements or weather). Aqua-Dono (dragon master over water), Impetus (dragon master over emotions such as bravery and power), Rei-Ki (dragon master over the spirits and wisdom), Fay Nymph (dragon master over faeries and elves), Draco Hishi (dragon master over the dark arts and of the unknown). Pyro Fracas (dragon master over fire), Neo Genesis (dragon master over the new beginnings and light), and God Amity (dragon master over peace and friendship). All of the dragons were in association with the Dragon Protectors and all were allies with the Himitsu Village. The girls grew to be as beautiful and graceful as the finest geisha women; and the men grew strong and brave as the greatest warriors. They were only in their delicate teens; [but] when the time came for the first battle, they were prepared both physically and mentally for what was to happen next.

It was the day; the prophecy had come true. War and death had struck out onto the lands. Even the strongest warriors were not strong enough to defeat the evil. The land was stained with blood. The day was dark, hot, and humid. The atmosphere was smeared with the stench of evil and corruption. Not even the devil would feast upon this damned of days. In the final battle, Neo Genesis was to be the victor; but no one was to know that this clash was only the first, not the final. For only ten of the eleven Chosen Ones were to be seen on the war field in the beginning. Kimura Taihen Nanashi of the Taihen Clan mysteriously joined the fight for only the final moments. The Taihen Clan was once most notable for its honored spiritual beliefs and its historical education. Their most prized treasures were their ancient ninja texts and language. But that once thriving community now lays in ruins. One day the village was a peaceful, flourishing town but the next day it was wiped out and how it happened, that remains a mystery. There may only be a select few Taihen people living now.

Draco, the Hydra's, power proved to exceed it prophesied force. Although the Dragon Senshi tried their hardest in the fight, they weren't quite strong enough. Nanashi chanted a verse from the ninja text of his village. Gathering the strength of the Senshi, he locked the great power of Draco away. It was soon learned that Draco's power was simply paralyzed until far off into the future. That simple incantation would also allow the Chosen Ones to one day become reincarnated and then join together again some day in order to finally defeat Draco and his minions. It is said that approximately four hundred years into the future history will repeat itself for one final time. If prophecy holds true, the world will be saved once and for all.....

"Wow..." Kazuki breathed, unsure what else to say. Miya had stopped crying and sat cross legged on her bed also pondering over the situation.

"Supposing this is all true...what do we do now?" She furrowed her brow. This was like a book she had once read - except this wasn't fantasy - it was really happening! 'But couldn't this all be a lie?' she thought. But it couldn't be! She witnessed with her own eyes magic! Nanashi had stopped time and had caused Miya to become mute! Didn't that strange, mysterious, handsome boy she met today show her just how real all of this was? Miya thought back on how the darkness of his eyes made her feel defenseless and his hair swayed slightly in the little bit of breeze that made itself evident...and the kiss. Miya's lips parted slightly and she closed her eyes –but then she was brought back to attention by Kazuki.

"Why don't you go ask that to your friend Nanashi? He seems to have a lot to do with this." Kazuki supported himself as he leaned back and yawned.

"Hmm...I guess I will." She replied half heartedly.

"It's about time for dinner, let's go."

"I'll pass."

"Cummon Miya we're having sushi and rice tonight –it's your favorite!" Kazuki urged.

"No, I'm tired and I'm not too hungry. Tell Ken I said hello if you see him."

Kazuki rose to his feet and walked to the door, "Your loss," was all he said as he walked out and closed the door behind him.

Miya dragged her fingers through her hair and sighed. She stood up, walked to the closet and pulled out some clothes to sleep in. Tiredly, she pulled off her tank top and shorts and unfastened her bra. Then, just as fatigued as she taken off her clothing, she put the pajamas on. The design of the pajamas had little panda's every where. Composed of a button up shirt and shorts; this was her favorite pair.

Miya paced over to the mirror by the closet and looked at her reflection. Tall and thin was her figure. Her arms and legs were slender but not bony and her skin was slightly tanned. She knew, obviously, from her hair color and eye color that she was not purely Japanese. That's what made her so different, and she hated herself for that. But she knew she was not alone because her brother was in the exact same situation. Heck! They were twins! She touched her hair. The golden blonde tendrils came just below her shoulders in bouncing locks, slightly unlike her brother's which only reach his ears and is wavy, not curly.

She looked over at the clock as she slowly made her way to her bed. "Six-forty five," she said to herself. Miya pulled the covers of her bed over and sat down in stillness for a moment. Why was she so tired? Did the events of today really consume her that much? Miya sighed then finally laid back and covered herself. Slowly her eyes fluttered to a close as sleep took her over...