Prologue: Part 5
The True Power of the Elemental Scriptures
This is one of my favorite scenes, such beautiful treachery and power. Hope you enjoy this last part of the prologue. After this prologue, the journey begins. Happy reading!
-Houshi
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The wooden door crashed down. Hanshou looked back. Standing in the doorway was the great dark wolf, Hana. "Greetings Hana," Hanshou simply said continuing to work on a new carving of Kusabana he was planning on giving Kusabana the next day. Hana looked around and finally spotted the Elemental Scriptures lying still on a large golden stone. There were two sharp silver daggers beside the scriptures for decoration and there was a carving of Akira standing near the scriptures. Hana looked back at Hanshou. How could he have no reaction to Hana's new demon form?
"Right, Hanshou could see through anything. He could easily identify that the wolf standing in front of him was a good wolf instead of a demon wolf about to kill him. He probably still sees me as a silver coated wolf," Hana thought as she smirked, "This power isn't very useful right now is it?"
"Hana, why have you come?" Hanshou asked calmly. "I see your eyes; they're glazed over with darkness and hatred. You want to kill me, do you not?" Hanshou stood. "The Elemental Scriptures will not give their power to a dark hearted wolf like you. And, I am not going to give them easily over."
"Oh really," Hana grinned and let out a menacingly howl that sent chills through Hanshou's spine. The wooden house burst open and an army of wild wolves gathered around the remains of Hanshou's house. Each wolf snarled ferociously and glared at Hanshou who was helplessly in shock at what just happened to his cabin. Hana stepped forward.
"Not so confident now, are you?" Hana smirked as he advanced on Hanshou. "However, you have a choice. Let's make a deal." Hana glanced at the Elemental Scriptures sitting calmly between the two silver daggers. "You can use the Elemental Scriptures and gain power. These wild wolves are looking for a leader. You can lead us Hanshou!"
Hana's voice rose to a crescendo as she thought of her wildest dreams finally coming true. "Forget about that she-dog demon! Join us! You can be ruler of the world. Just use the Scriptures and we can dominate the world. Conquest, that is the dream of every man. Together we will succeed where no one has ever succeeded!" Hana's persuading voice was so convincing, Hanshou hesitated. "Join us, or perish," Hana whispered threateningly. Hanshou considered.
"What about Kusabana? What will happen to her when we rule?" Hanshou asked in a low voice.
"She is dead. I murdered her." Hana answered indifferently.
Hanshou's face darkened. "And you expect me to join you after this? You expect me to join forces with Kusabana's murderer?" Hanshou was shouting now. Hana remained calm but a glint of frustration crossed her eyes.
"Of course you will join me," Hana explained coolly. "It is your only option. It is also a wise decision, for it benefits you in all ways. You will come to power! I will work for you! You will rule the lands with nothing to stop you. It is a most glorious path to take. You and I are the same. We are both alone in this world without anyone to care for us. We both desire power."
Hanshou closed his eyes in deep thought. He did want power. He had never thought about power while Kusabana was alive. But Kusabana was dead, and nothing could bring her back alive. Maybe he was the same as Hana. Maybe he did desire power as much as this wolf…
Hanshou stood and carefully walked towards the golden stone on which lay the Elemental Scriptures. Hana followed and stood next to Hanshou staring hungrily at the Scriptures. Hanshou whispered something inaudible to Hana.
"What?" Hana inquired trying hard to make out the words Hanshou was speaking. Hanshou reached for the Scriptures. Suddenly, in a flash of a second, Hanshou had grabbed the silver dagger and thrust it into Hana's forehead.
"No, we are not alike," Hanshou whispered to the wolf as it howled in pain, "I am loyal to the ones I love, while you are not. I would never betray anyone." He thrust the dagger deeper into Hana's head. "I do not desire power like you, I do not kill without need, and I possess love, while you never will." Hana's eyes flickered with pain, but with one final effort he flicked the dagger out of Hanshou's grip. Hana backed away and growled.
"You have lost your last chance. You know, I had doubt about the prophecy. The second word 浪(meaning river waves) was the place the person in question would be found, I knew it was you. The prophecy said you would die because of Kusabana. I thought you would join me, but then the prophecy would be wrong wouldn't it?" Hana explained menacingly, "You were fated to die because of Kusabana. I was fated to kill you and her and the boy."
"I would gladly die for the woman I love," Hanshou retorted.
"Then perish, for the prophecy is coming true and will take you life now," Hana growled. He ran towards Hanshou.
"Kusabana," Hanshou whispered as Hana's fangs sank deep into his neck, "Kusabana, wait for me. I am glad I'll meet you soon." Hana sank his fangs through Hanshou's neck as Hanshou gave a last shudder, and perished.
Hana drew her fangs out of Hanshou's neck. He lifted his head and looked at the Elemental Scriptures lying on the shining golden rock. Hana sighed sardonically, "Now I don't have a friend to share all this power with. Oh well, now I will rule over not only the wolves but all the creatures of the land." Hana gently picked up each Elemental Scripture and swallowed it. He felt a burst of power and energy fill his body. He let out a deafening howl.
Suddenly, without warning, Hana felt his body convulse and her flesh ripped off her bones and shattered and shot all over the lands. Each piece of flesh contained a tiny shard of an Elemental Scripture. This was how many wolves died, and it was how Hana's army perished. The flesh pieces shot into bodies of wolves; which then instantly collapsed without even a tiny trace of life.