For any of you disappointed by the boorishly short Chapter 1, Chapter 2's here. Technically, it's more like Chapter 1.5, but I couldn't fit this in Chapter 1. Okay, to be fair, it's still pretty boring, but I don't you all came here to read stories of 5 year old Yuuno kicking mage ass.

Before Beginnings

A story of 2 children's beginning, that leads to the end…because every end is a new beginning.

Disclaimer: I don't own Nanoha. Period.

Today…marks the 5th year I was reborn and raised Yuuno Scrya.

5 years had passed since the day was I was named a Scryan.

Grandpa told me…I was abandoned, thrown away from my own flesh and blood. And that he took me, and raised me like his own son.

I was glad. I don't feel any animosity, probably because to me, the Scrya had always been enough of a family to me.

The Scryas…We are a tribe of diggers, and archeologist. In a way, I suppose we're workaholics by nature. We seek mysteries of the past; curiosity drives us to uncover the stories of ancient times. Sometimes, we find nothing, but our discoveries are often more than enough to outweigh any disappointments.

I suppose…that's why I don't have many friends.

Children as young as 4, and depending on whether or not they possess magical aptitude of suitable wavelengths, even 3 year olds are trained, and entrusted by the elders to be able to work and fulfill one's role as an adult Scrya, working towards the goal of archeological forefronts.

Work is our priority. Friendship, playing, things I hear that children outside do…these things are mostly secondary. We know of it, we understand it, but at the same time, we know that as members of the family, we carry each other's weight to support the pillar of our foundation.

That is what it means…to live and die as a Scryan.

"Are you…leaving the village, uncle Calum?"

He looked at me, and with a sheepish smile, knocked my head with a slight chop.

"What uncle? I'm only 26 years old, and I'm not married. I'm still young and dandy…Yeah; I'm leaving…and probably never coming back."

"Why? It's true that many people are not keen on working here for the rest of their lives, but you…"

Calum Scrya. One of the few young adults of the Scrya clan who helped instructing me in my magic practices, and also considered to be one of the few who would eventually stay on and become an important member of the elder Scrya council. He was also the one…who taught me…the role and heart of being a Scrya, to live as one, and to die as one on the motherland.

But here before me…he's planning to leave, maybe forever.

"Why?"

"It's probably strange for me, who taught you the traditions of Scrya to say this. But, that one time, I left these mountains…just to see a glance the world beyond Midchilda, I saw…the universe. A world not entrenched by any border of beliefs, technology, culture…and I chose this path."

He squated down adjusting his height to mine, and his deep blue eyes looked at me on equal standing.

"I'm sorry, Yuuno. I don't expect you to understand what I'm saying currently, but someday…the world will call out for you. I can feel it."

I stayed silent. It was tough to digest everything he said, being a mere 5-year old. It was more painful of thinking about his departure, than trying to grasp the words he was speaking.

"You'll understand when you're older."

"Goodbye."

Uncle Calum's departure was honestly, a mild shock for me.

Not because of what he said to me, nor because of where his heart and belief truly lie, but because I feel as if I lost a friend.

Maybe it's because I possess magical aptitude, or maybe it's because I'm not a Scrya by birth…I didn't exactly get along well with other Scryan children, and to begin with, there wasn't a strong bond of familial families between tribe members. The unity of the tribe was born from the spirit of living as a Scrya. The results and capabilities are what truly matters the most.

Reading dug-out historical text or books brought from central Midchilda…practicing my non-elemental reinforcement manipulation magic… Studies on culture by working and digging in the regional zones and archeological sites to look, study and preserve ancient heritage and knowledge…It makes me feel more at ease.

This is who I am.

But it is…lonely.

"Can you hear me?"

"Can my voice be heard?"

A voice? Was someone calling out to me?

The voice dissipated…no, it wasn't a voice. It was more like a…resonance. A resonance created from my usage of a magical field within the surroundings of the areas.

A resonating echo…it can be caused by something that reacts to amplification of magical wavelengths.

Could it possibly be?

The deep, endless darkness that occupies the lowest levels of the valleys in which the Scryans prosper. It was the most dangerous of all archeological sites, and even adults are not allowed to conduct excavating missions without forming a well-composed team. And here I was a mere 5 year old…with only Grandpa, after pleading him, to seek out the source of that feeling.

I stood amidst the darkness, only illuminated with a small ignited magical light, I tried to feel it. The source of the voice, the echo of the call…

The rough stone walls kilometers tall, the dirt of the ground…Like what Grandpa and Calum taught me…

"Archeological excavations is not just a technical application of formation and stratification, it also involves a diggers instincts…their feeling towards what their goals. And lastly…do not forget that history is a living concept, and as people who study the history of man, our principles and life itself…must be living."

With those feelings in heart and mind, I saw…a slight sparkle. A dim yet noticeable pink sparkle definitely shined at that small-cave in of a hole among the stone walls.

Together with Grandpa, we both carefully removed the dirt and rocks around that area. And I found it, a small round jewel, covered in heavy dirt. I held in my palm, holding it tightly.

"Is that the one, Yuuno?" Grandpa asked of me.

Is this the one? That is what I want to know as well. This jewel…Were you one who called for me?

I fragmented a part of my magical powers into this jewel, hoping for a response. And before I knew it, the jewel shined strongly, and spoke, in a female, monotone voice.

"So…my voice was heard after all. I give you my thanks."

"So..it was you."

I answered, slightly bewildered by the sudden actions of the jewel as Grandpa looked on interestingly.

"This is…an Intelligent Device!"

"System Rebooting, reanalyzing memory data, Status: Mildly corrupted due to prolonged energy loss."

"Reassessment of Self-Identification: Checking…Intelligent Device Serial Number XVII, construction composer…corrupted data, date of composition…unable to access to loss of original constructer information…Code Name…

Raising Heart."

Raising…Heart. The voice who called out to me. Why me? I never asked.

I never knew until much later…the world uncle Calum saw, the destiny that ties me to the worlds outside the Scrya lands, and the people I would meet.

It was almost as if…the world itself called out to me.

Author's Note:

Okay, the story's covered to the point where he first found Raising Heart. Okayyy…Some of you may think Yuuno's way unlike a 5 year old here, but keep in mind that none of the Nanoha girls and boys really think and act like 9 year olds to begin with. They have that mentality semblance so I hope the portrayal isn't too off, since Yuuno felt a little…I dunno, angsty here?

Chapter 3 won't be as early as Chapter 2…I think, so don't hold your breathes…if there's even anyone reading this. If there is, please give your opinion in reviews if possible. I need input to improve as a writer.

Until the wind blows,

Nighty Gale.