Chapter 4)

Guidance …

Staring into the starless amber red clouds, the sky of this miserable world, Hao stared longing for the star filled sky in the world of the living, their twinkling glow pulse with life, ever so far always in the deep emptiness of space. Letting out a rush of air, Hao sighed, his heart still arched. His foretelling of Yoh following him, was clearly now a hoaxed, it was Yoh that was to defeat him. Beside him stood his guardian spirit, lava for veins, arms for fire. Powerful indeed, but not powerful enough to defeat Yoh, sensing his master's pain the fire spirit looked into the desolated world, looking down he stared into his master. They have been together for a thousand years and more, alas their dream to conquer the world of living has been yet in vain again. Hao gazed into the amber clouds, 'now' Hao said to himself, '500 more years… Revenge…500 more bloody years' added Hao as anger raged within him.

Above the amber sky, a dark portal opened into this miserable world. With it came a breeze that swept into the world that Hao currently resides in. Hao, felt wonderful in the cold breeze, wishing it could last forever. His mind didn't mind that a portal has opened up in this world; he just cared only for the windy cold breeze. The portal like the wind appeared without warning, and like the wind it vanished without a trace, cutting the breeze from the dark portal. Hao now contemplated on his decision, should he have checked the portal? His mind playing tricks on him, there is no such things as a dark portal, is there? Hao wondered in silence. In his thousand years of living, he had never seen a dark portal, opening into the world of the dead.

The fire spirit, stared into the sky, his eyes following a thin ray of light. He wanted to tell his master but… soon decided his master shouldn't know. From there, the thin rays widen into a gateway their razor sharp edge slicing the air itself. The blinding white light eventually grew darker by absorbing the light from its surrounding until night itself could only be a fraction of its darkness. A cold breeze swept passed, the fire spirit enjoyed the sudden coldness of the breeze, closing his eyes as he felt his tense body loosen, just as the sudden breeze came, it disappeared just as soon. The Fire Spirit's eye widen, staring into the dark portal, but realized it had disappeared. 'Well, it must be a once in a lifetime thing' guessed the Fire Spirit.

Hao closed his weary eyes, falling into a blanket of sand. Feeling depressed he signed again, he isn't died nor is he alive, he was trapped in the middle. Hao had never been to the world of the dead, this… this tainted world was just limbo where the restless dead remained till they found their inner peace, or fulfilled their goals. No one knew what the after-live held for them, people just cared about the future and the present. The portal, itself was just a mirage… guessed Hao. He was about to sleep when a dark shadow, covered the sun from his weary almond eyes. 'Thanks, Fire Spirit' said Hao wearily. His spirit fell into the dark abyss, his senses blur as he fell into a deep slumber.

Dreams plagued Hao's worn out brain, sending him into the darkness of the world. In the world of darkness there is no life, no sound, and no light that could enter this abyss. He was alone, and he feared it. His shaman bond he shared with his fire spirit was severed here, eerily silence and intensity filling both his mind and body. He knew this was no dream; this was a portal, to a sinister world.

"What is this?" Hao shouted in fear, his voice piecing the darkness and the silences, echoing into the dark abyss.

"Watch and behold my wraith…" said a disembodied voice, from the darkness. Startling Hao, with its low growling rumble.

"No, or you shall soon behold my wrath…" replied Hao sharply,

Without warning, Hao landed heavily on his feet, his leg ache from his tumble in this weird world. Quickly Hao jumped back on his feet, challenging the disembodied voice, which didn't replied, there was just a profound silence all around him. Hao soon noticed the hard ground that he stood on starting to swirl into a whirlpool. Rays of light shot out from the ground, blinding Hao who had adjusted to the emptiness of darkness, voices ruptured the world, echoing in this world. There was a shout from a familiar voice and another from the disembodied voice… The ground had become a screen; Hao could see two images fighting in an isolated desert, the moonlight casing an eerie glow to the battlefield, and the warriors themselves. The only other light was that of their sword, one glowing with a sky blue aura, the other just seems to absorb the darkness.

"I see two people fighting! What had this have to do with me? You bloody darkness" asked Hao confused, by the fuzzy images. Their swords flashing as they blasted fireball and unknown tactics to Hao, clearly intended to eliminate their opponent.

"That is my wrath… Hao Asakura… and I'm powerful, more powerful than you" said the disembodied voice.

Nodding Hao agreed with the disembodied voice, looking again at the fuzzy images below his feet. The disembodied opponent was losing to him, taking attacks after attacks. Both were powerful, but the disembodied voice was stronger. Hao had no idea how he knew the disembodied voice was the winning person, he considered the notion that this so called 'host' was toyed with his mind.

"What is it you want of me?" said Hao restless

"Do you want to see my opponent...? I trust you will find it pleasing!" replied the disembodied voice.

"Why do I care, who your freaking opponent is?" shouted Hao now impatient

"Your brother…Yoh…" the disembodied voice taunting Hao

"And why should I care? I want him dead!" replied Hao, not feeling sorry for his twin brother, who stood against him when he was alive. Hao could still remember that day when he had accomplished his goal. Yes, his goal. He had finally captured the King of spirits, he was… a… GOD…, but Yoh. Yoh Asakura stood in his way, like all Asakura do… Pride was within him, but sheer minutes later… doom came, with the flashing of blades.

"You shouldn't care and… that's good… I already killed him; he has arrived in the world of the restless dead. Is that good news for you?" said the disembodied voice questionably

"Brother…" muttered Hao, under his breath. His heart skipping beats as excitement poured over him. Hao kept his face as smooth and ignorance as he could, hoping to keep his thoughts away from the wandering eyes of the darkness.

"I have to go…" said Hao to the darkness,

"Enjoy my gift to you!" said the disembodied voice, before the swirling light below vanished into the darkness. Hao felt his body vaporized, and real sleep took hold. Hao enjoyed and welcomed his visions of defeating Yoh with open arms. Finally Yoh has come... 'Yoh, you're dead…' thought Hao, just as sleep took him.

A/N: R&R please… I will post 3 chapters per week… Kk