Chapter One: Dark Moon, Night of the Leaping Flames

The moon shone brightly above a lush green field, illuminating it like an ever watching eye. The field was still and barren, not to mention totally quiet. Not even the sounds of the night animals could be heard.

Suddenly, as if to intrude this harmonious place, a dark shadow moved silently through the field with total stealth. Clad entirely in black, it moved so swiftly that no one could have possibly detected it, not even a skilled hunter.

Then, just as abruptly as he had appeared, the figure suddenly stopped in its tracks. It raised his head and sniffed the air. There was a scent, faint but detectable, hanging in the air. The figure knew this smell, and as it looked high into the air, large horns protruded from its head, as if reaching for the stars above.

Miles away, more silhouettes made their way through the darkness. Unlike the previous shadow, they were far more in number and less careful as they marched loudly and openly into the field. As they stepped out from the darkness and into the moonlight, the lunar goddesses revealed their true identity. Possessing green, scaly skin and huge tusks that shot out from their wide open mouths, they were undoubtedly orcs. They continued to march towards the first figure, who had apparently stopped in the middle of the field, as if awaiting them.

The platoon stopped before the creature, and from within their ranks, a huge giant marched out. He was much larger than the other orcs, and he bore a gold crown upon his forehead, which was decorated with various feathers by the edges. In his hands he brandished a large axe, albeit a peculiar one. It had only one hilt, but from it sprang three blades, each set parallel to each other. Blood red in colour, it seemed to radiate an evil glow. There was no mistaking it, the legendary Blood-seeking axe Sabbath, rumoured to be able to take down even a knight in a single blow. And the wielder of Sabbath was none other than the mighty Orc Hero, leader of the orcish warriors.

With a grunt, the Orc Hero questioned, "What… u…. want…. with…. us….." The first figure replied in fluent speech. "I happen to have urgent dealings in Prontera, and the fastest way there would be through your village. I know that by doing so, I have trespassed on your territory, but shall you be kind enough to let me pass, I will repay that favour by leaving each and everyone of you unscathed."

There was a great murmur in the orcish troops, as the Orc Hero roared in anger. "How… dare…. you…. threaten….. us……" he bellowed. "ATTACK!"

At his command, the entire army surged forward, making their way to the mysterious figure. It was heavily outnumbered, and it seemed that it would soon be trampled to death by the charging orcs.

Without warning, the ground below the orcs suddenly gave way into a giant, slimy quicksand. The quicksand held them tightly in place, as they struggled to free themselves. Ironically, the harder they tried, the faster they were engulfed by the horrendous, green slime.

"Quag… mire…." Orc Hero grunted. This was a very high level Earth element magic, one that not many wizards chose to master. Both time consuming and tiring, one would usually be dead before the sand could trap the opponent. However, those who insisted on learning and mastering the technique were handsomely rewarded. Once executed, the spell would generate a giant sandpit, large enough to consume and entire army, to hold all adversaries in place. The sand who grasp the enemies tightly, giving the spell caster enough time to channel another more destructive spell, or make his getaway. The feared Wizard spell, Quagmire.

The figure looked at the Orc Hero and said, "This is your final warning! Let me pass or be reduced to ashes before me!" Orc Hero roared in anger, "Nobody…. threatens….. Orc….. Hero!" With an inhuman leap, he jumped high into the air, over the quagmire, and brought his axe right above the figure.

The figure calmly raised his hand. A giant wall of fire flew up before him and shielded him from the mighty orc. Caught by surprise, the Orc Hero stumbled to the ground, as more and more walls of fire sprang up, pushing him further and further behind. This was undoubtedly another wizardry skill, the fire wall. As the Orc Hero struggled to regain posture, the figure pointed his index finger at him, and began a spell chant.

By now, the Orc Hero had already regained balance, and had begun to strike at the firewalls, threatening to crush them. With a few mighty strokes, he demolished the first wall, and went in to the destroy the second. The figure was still chanting under his breath, as a fireball began to slowly circle him.

With a powerful blow, the Orc Hero destroyed the second wall, and rushed in to break the third, final wall. The figure suddenly opened his eyes, and said out loud the final, crucial words. "SIGHTRASHER!"

The fireball, which had previously encircled the figure, split into eight balls of flame and flew in all directions. One of them caught the Orc Hero in the chest, and he was knocked back flying. As he landed, he trod on a hidden landmine. Chords of fire sprang up beneath him, wrapping around him like vines of poison ivy. No matter how hard the Orc Hero tried, he couldn't break free. This was yet another fire spell, the Fire Pillar, a hidden trap that would lie in ambush, only to explode when trod on, and hold the victim tightly in place, leaving him to the mercy of the caster.

The figure looked at the helpless Orc Hero, before turning his back towards him. "I shall take my leave now," he said curtly. Still struggling, the Orc Hero roared back, "Wait!" The figure looked back, as the Orc Hero continued, "Tell…. me…. your…. name….."

Pausing for a moment, the figure slowly removed its hood. Beneath it, was an extremely large helm, with two horns shooting up from the sides. The figure then proceeded to take off the helm, revealing the face of a young, beautiful girl, barely the age of 18. She had dark black hair, which was kept short till shoulder length, and also smooth, white skin. Her eyes were of a piercing brown, sharp and intimidating, looking straight at the Orc Hero.

"Chidori," she said coldly. "Yukino Chidori. Despite my name, I am actually a master of the flames. Remember my name well. Chidori, the incarnation of the fire." With that said, she once again put on the helm, and continued her journey through the field.

Huge storm clouds covered the moon, shutting out the moonlight. However, the world beneath it was still brightly lit, illuminated by the huge fires of the mysterious wizard, Chidori.