I don’t make a lot of author’s notes so I’ll make this quick. If
anyone ends up reading this, and finds that they like it, please
e-mail me and tell me that you do. Nothing makes me happier then to
know that someone out there likes my work. Well...that’s about it. On
with the show!
**********
13 years ago, in the mystical land of Juukumei, the half-century long
war between humans and angels came to an end. The omen of the end of
the war was a massive earthquake that ripped through the world. It
released six powerful creatures onto the surface. These creatures now
stalk the land and terrorise its inhabitants. At the present, five
unique characters have come together to end this evil once and for
all.
However, things are not always as they seem. And the only way to save
the future may be to uncover the secrets of the past...
**********
One blow struck. A second, a third. A sharp slice to follow them up.
Akira struck at the training dummy again with her sleek wooden sword,
her long ponytail of black hair whipping up over her shoulders with
the thrust. After a final, sharp, angular blow, the young woman
collapsed to the ground in exhaustion. Akira laid the sword to rest
next to her knees, tucked in beneath her. It was foolish to train at
this point, in some twisted way Akira knew that, but she didn’t much
care.
Today was the day.
Today was the day, that Akira Kusagana became a fully-fledged knight
of the 7th Order.
She had been preparing for this day for as long as she could remember.
Under the watchful eye of her master, Genzo Kiryu, her skills had
grown from those of an insignificant novice to those of a masterful
warrior’s. Akira herself was surprised at the amount of progress she
made when she *really* looked at it, but Akira was never satisfied
with that. After all, she had a legacy to uphold. She was the daughter
of Hyudo Kusagana, the legendary crusader who led the Gammakai squad
into victory over the Tenshi-jin. Living under the darkness of her
father’s shadow cast fear into Akira. Would she be good enough? Would
she make her father proud?
Akira sighed out loud. Even she didn’t know herself. Besides, not even
the Tenshi-jin could match up to the power of the six devils. They
would be her targets. And when Genzo passes on, she would be the new
leader of the Heaven Slayers. Then she would see if her skills were
enough to match up to those of her father’s.
Akira meekly stood up off the ground, steadying herself with her
sword. While standing she looked at her wooden sword. Good old
Mokuken. When it was first given to her by Genzo, it was fresh, and
invigorating to hold, full of Mana-Ki. Now, nearly all of its Mana-Ki
had been drained, through battles and intense training. It was now
fatigued, withered and worn-in. And in only two hours a whole new
sword would replace it. Still, Akira felt a little sentimental while
holding Mokuken. Her old buddy had been there for her throughout the
ruff times, when she didn’t think she’d make it as a knight for the
7th Order.
A small smile traced its way across Akira’s lips.
“I’ll miss you, sweetie.”
The sentimentality left Akira however, when she looked back at the
training statue before her. She chose to train a little before the
ceremony and now she was going to go through with it. After yelling a
war-flash, Akira plunged Mokuken at the dummy again. Only a few meters
away behind the bushes of the Kiryu family training garden, Mitsuki
Kiryu watched Akira in quiet awe. Her grandfather had not exaggerated
Akira’s power. Each slash Akira preformed was carefully executed and
perfectly timed. Needless to say, it astounded Mitsuki. She herself
was a healer. She had no powers to fight with like Akira, no hidden
strength. Mitsuki respected Akira for it, especially since she was a
girl. Women didn’t have a lot of influence in the 7th Order. The only
female knight she knew was Miki, so the fact that Akira was about to
be appointed a Knight for the Order was really a great achievement,
despite her lineage. But Mitsuki didn’t just feel respect for Akira
though. She had long since come to terms with the fact that she was in
love with Akira.
It happened a while ago. Four years back, Akira had been brought here
to the Kiryu training grounds by her grandfather, Genzo. At first,
Mitsuki just saw her as an acquaintance, and then she became a friend.
Then a close friend and then her best friend. Then, just recently,
something a little more. Mitsuki had tried to present her feelings
towards Akira many times since then, but she just couldn’t quite find
the words. She still felt shy about it. And Akira was always too
wrapped up in training to even look twice at her. In the end, Mitsuki
decided to keep her feelings hidden. It wasn’t easy, though, but she
did it.
{I still think Akira is cute when she’s all intense like that. I wish
I could tell you.} Mitsuki thought.
It all seemed so easy, right? Just tell Akira the truth? But things
are never that simple. At least not for Mitsuki. She had Kai to think
about...
*********
At the far gates of the Kiryu training grounds, a young man on a white
horse. He was of medium height, had short blonde hair with smouldering
chestnut eyes. The man was wearing a white shirt beneath a leather
mini bomber jacket, and a pair of dark trousers, linked around his
waist by means of some metal chains. He was also wearing a white
bandana, and two iron bracers around wrists. As he reached the front
gates he quickly dismounted, and strode up to the two guards in his
path. The two guards quickly crossed their spears at the front of the
gates and stared at him with contempt.
“Halt,” the first guard said. “State your business.”
The man smirked at the two guards for a second, and unlocked the
bracer around his left wrist, revealing a long tattoo of an ancient
dragon.
“I’m Anju Raioh, second of the Twelve Dragons.”
Both guards sweat-dropped and lowered their spears.
“I’m sorry sir Anju, but we must take precautions.” Said the second
guard.
Anju smirked again, lowering his wrist and walking past them
arrogantly.
“Yeah, yeah. Just get outta my way. And have someone tell Genzo about
my arrival.”
The two guards nodded, and bowed respectively.
“Yes sir.”
Anju walked into the Kiryu training grounds through the gates, and he
marvelled at the fact that in over seven years, this place had still
not changed much. Same statues and random guards, same smell, same all
round theme. It felt good to Anju though. He was afraid that coming
back here after so long would have been a little...awkward, but it
appeared to be just the same as before. Anju intended on speaking to
an old ‘friend’ here in addition to joining the Heaven Slayers, and as
he neared the far chapel on the grounds, that ‘old friend’ made
herself known.
“Well, well. When did the Kiryu start to need mercenaries?”
Anju turned around quickly to the voice that viciously called out to
him, but he only smiled sheepishly at her.
“When they woke up to the fact that the second Dragon’s skills were
invaluable to their aims.” Anju walked closer to the woman.
“It’s been a while Miki...”
Anju laid eyes upon the woman he had not seen for the past seven
years. Miki was insanely beautiful. Possessing a seductively alluring
and divinely sculpted body, beaming maturity amidst gorgeousness.
Long, hazelnut brown hair, two thick locks of it braided around her
forehead, blazing emerald eyes and soft ivory skin. She was wearing a
buttoned white shirt, a maroon coloured skirt cut halfway around her
calves and a silver neck chain, with them emblem of the Soujumah clan,
the flaming lion.
Miki was very much perfect. Not only was she intelligent and
beautiful, but also she was powerful. Her rank as the 73rd knight of
the 7th Order proved this.
Miki’s eyes thinned into little slits as Anju stepped closer to her,
automatically clenching her fists at his advances. Anju stopped in
front of Miki, and gently ran his fingers through her long, hazelnut
hair, grinning playfully at her.
“...And you’re still just as beautiful as you were then...”
Miki closed her eyes. She was afraid of this. Anju was as much of a
sweet talker now as he was back then. She should stop this. After what
he did, he didn’t have any liberty to speak to her like that, right?
Following a second of doubt, Miki pulled herself away from Anju and
glared at him.
“That was a long time ago. Things have changed. I changed.”
Anju grinned again. He expected this from Miki. It was understandable
considering the history between the two of them.
“I can see. But it was good...what we had, wasn’t it?”
Miki looked hard at Anju. “We have more important things to do then
reminisce about old times. You were hired for a reason.”
Miki’s personality hadn’t changed either. She was still more
pre-occupied with business rather then pleasure. Anju suddenly became
serious as Miki watched him.
“We need to take care of the six devils, right? Do you think that if
it was this simple, Juukumei would still have to suffer their
darkness?”
“You don’t know how powerful Hyudo’s daughter is. She’s just sixteen,
yet her talents already match mine.”
Anju sighed and walked over to the balcony that was facing the inner
courtyard. He looked out distantly.
“She’s been trained by the Kiryu. I suppose that’s worth something.
But do you really think one girl can be enough?”
“Genzo seems to think so.” Miki said.
Anju chuckled lightly to himself. “...Genzo thinks that...what about
you then, huh?”
“...It...does not matter what I think. My duty is to watch over her.”
Anju turned around, leaning on the balcony, and stared incredulously
at the hazelnut haired woman.
“And that means you’re not entitled to an opinion?”
Miki looked away from Anju and stared at the far walls. Although Anju
was a trifler, he could be very serious when he wanted to be. She
liked this side of him more that others.
“I have faith in Genzo’s decision. And if you don’t believe in it, why
did you even bother to accept his offer?”
“Heh, heh. If I’m gonna die, I’d prefer to die fighting the six
devils. And...” Anju winked at Miki. “I’d never pass up the
opportunity to see you again.”
Miki sighed at that and walked away from him. Things still don’t
change, do they?
**********
Two hours later, many people from inside the training grounds, and
some innocent spectators from Zaakumaikyuu, gathered in the main
chapel. This was a big event, for all of the people of Juukumei to
celebrate about, but only a selected few could watch this in person.
Great effort had gone in to this, and all the people seated in the
large, musky chapel were astounded at the holy and sacred ornaments,
the moderate decorations and that mystical atmosphere that was around
them all. Akira was in formal 7th Order dress, a feminine armour,
mainly for special ceremonies, and she was kneeling in front of the
large stone altar, awaiting the arrival of the one who would bestow
her with Knighthood. Mitsuki and Miki watched from the far doors, Anju
was on the upper floor, leaning over the banister and watching Akira
with some amusement, and Genzo was waiting by the chapel doors. After
a delayed wait, the chapel doors opened slowly, and revealed a man who
was considered the hero of Juukumei.
With three guards behind him, the man called Ryuma Kakounji gaited up
through the cheers and yells from star-struck commoners and fans.
Ryuma was literally a celebrity. He was the legendary warrior who
defeated the evil angel Tensatsu right before the great earthquake,
nearly thirteen years ago. Many stories had been told about his
heroism and bravery, and hundreds of women across Juukumei were simply
haunted and mesmerized by his noble grace and handsome looks. Akira
herself envied him almost as much as she envied her father. She didn’t
resent Ryuma, but a quiet jealously lay beneath her respect for him.
Ryuma carefully walked up to the stone altar, and waited for the
cheers from the all of the people around him to stop. Mitsuki and Miki
watched Ryuma with mild interest, while Anju looked down at the hero
of Juukumei with a scowl. He didn’t trust Ryuma as far as he could
throw him.
{There’s just something about him.} Anju thought.
Ryuma waited patiently for the end of the fanfare, and as it died
down, he coughed to clear his throat, and tossed tresses of his long
dark hair over his shoulders.
“Citizens of Juukumei, righteous knights of the 7th Order, faithful
members of the Kiryu clan. We are all gathered here today to witness
the birth of a new warrior. A powerful warrior who is the sole
descendent of a great man, Hyudo Kusagana, a warrior who has a great
destiny. To free Juukumei from the terror of the six devils.”
Ryuma looked down to Akira.
“Rise and step forward, Kusagana Akira.”
Akira slowly stood up, and walked up to the altar, quickly bowing to
Ryuma in respect. Ryuma bowed also, and a priest walked up to Ryuma,
holding a plush and decorated pillow, carrying the sacred Dragon-edge
sword. Ryuma bowed to the priest as he lifted the sacred sword off of
the pillow. He then walked around the altar, and stood before a rather
apprehensive Akira.
“I place this holy blade in your hands, as symbol of you new
appointment. Use it well, and trust in the blade in the same way that
it now trusts you.”
Akira bowed again, and respectfully took the sword from Ryuma’s hands.
Akira’s eyes widened in sheer surprise as she felt the amount of
Mana-Ki within the blade. Shaped in the form of a katana, the
Dragon-edge was overflowing with latent power. It was to be expected
though. Only three swords of this calibre were ever forged. This
sword, the Dragon-edge, her father’s sword, the Lightning-edge, and
Ryuma’s sword, the Mist-edge. It was a great honour to be allowed to
wield this legendary weapon.
Ryuma smiled at Akira.
“I now pronounce you, Akira Kusagana, as the 113th knight of the 7th
Order.”
People then began to ecstatically cheer and cry at the birth of a new
knight. Ryuma and Akira bowed to each other again, and Ryuma made his
way to the chapel doors. The people continued to cheer for Akira, and
she blushed lightly at the amount of support she had. Mitsuki watched
Akira from the sidelines. She felt a bit dwarfed by Akira and her
popularity. But that didn’t shake Mitsuki’s feelings for her. Mitsuki
nudged at Miki.
“I think Akira’s a little embarrassed to be in the spotlight.”
Miki let out a small smile. “Wouldn’t you be if you were in her
position? Great deals of people are counting on her. And counting on
us.”
“What do you mean?” Mitsuki asked.
“We have to protect and guard her while she hunts down all of the six
devils. Our roles are as crucial as Akira’s is.”
Miki’s face then looked confused for a second, and she looked at
Mitsuki.
“But I’m curious, why are you joining the Heaven Slayers? I know you
are a healer, so you will be invaluable, but still there are others
who could take your place. And you are marrying Kai, aren’t you?”
Mitsuki’s face then became darker, more distant and foreboding then it
usually was.
“My grandfather arranged my engagement to Kai. I don’t love him.”
Miki smiled. “I know you don’t.”
“So then why must I marry him?”
Miki looked at Akira again, still looking self-conscious and nervous,
then looked back at Mitsuki. In her heart she knew the direction their
relationship was headed, but sometimes duty was more important then
personal feelings. Miki had learned this first hand.
“If you marry Kai, you will unite my clan, the Soujumah clan with your
clan, the Kiryu clan. It will strengthen the both of them.”
Mitsuki looked up at Miki blankly. “And that’s more important then my
happiness?”
“Of course not.”
Mitsuki looked away again. “So why did my grandfather arrange it when
he knows that I won’t be happy?”
“Genzo loves you. But he also has the clan’s best interests in mind.”
Mitsuki sighed. “I guess so. Anyway that’s not important now. All I
really care about at this point is protecting Akira.”
**********
“You have a difficult journey ahead of you, Akira. Are you prepared
for this? After tomorrow, there will be no turning back.” Genzo said.
The two were in Genzo’s private meditation room, a serene room with
artificial water springs and bonsai plants. It felt calming to simply
be in here, Akira thought. Akira then thought about what Genzo said.
She had been waiting for this day for twelve years, and had been
waiting anxiously for as long as she could remember. But when it
finally came, when she finally became a knight, Akira really didn’t
know what to think. Was she ready? Although the majority of the 7th
Order supported her, some were sceptical about giving her the
Dragon-edge and putting her in the Heaven Slayers. Just because her
father was a great warrior, it didn’t necessarily make her one. And
Akira was never satisfied with her powers; no matter how many times
people told her that that they were second to none.
“I...think so.” Akira said.
Genzo stepped towards Akira and looked hard at her.
“I have trained you well, Akira. But if you doubt yourself, only death
will await you.”
Akira looked away. Genzo was always so very blunt.
“But what about my father? How can I live up to him?”
“You and your father are two different people. You will never be
Hyudo. You know that. But you also know that you should not try to
emulate him. You must follow your own path and etch your own destiny.
Only when you realize that, will you know for yourself.”
Akira smiled. “Thank you, Master Kiryu.”
Genzo smiled back. He felt close to Akira, as if she were his own
child. He had watched out for Hyudo’s daughter since she was a little
girl, and had seen how grown up Akira had become.
“I know you’ll make Hyudo and I very proud, Akira.”
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