Chapter 1: New Beginnings

Cloud Zephyr, a powerful cultivator with mastery over summoning, divination, binding, and spirit energy control, is in fact only 18 years old today. Yet he has an inner talent for combat, healing, and even his looks despite being a little thin, yet as strong as a full grown man. His piers all speak highly of him, and cheer him on as he was to received a spirit companion. He was having an extremely great birthday. As he looked at all his friends, he knew he'd be seeing them not as a student, but as a hard working magus.

"Everyone, I hope we all meet again in the world, and share many stories to tell. Here's to new beginnings in the world!"

Cloud yelled out as he lifted his party drink. His master came in, smiling that all of his students were having a great time. After about two hours, his master called him to his chambers.

"Cloud. No, Shuten. You've proven yourself worthy of a new title, and guardian spirit. Your aptitude is outstanding for, in your words, an American nerd. However you have remarkable talent. I can no longer teach you from here. It's time you made your own future as a man who dreams endlessly. Although..you might want to hide your ears, horns, and tail."

He pointed out Shuten's deer like horns, fox tail and ears, much to his embarrassment. Shuten isn't entirely human, he's a hybrid between a human and a being known as a Fox Deer. A powerful mystic spirit that took the guise of a woman and was saved by Shuten's father from poachers who only saw her as a fox for the hunt. After she was saved, she took the form of a human woman with silky hair made into dreadlocks and chocolate brown skin and named herself, Melissa. They named their son after the legendary Oni because of his father's right arm was a demonic one, similar to the ancient demonic figure. His name was Samar. Although Shuten was sad, he was also happy his master gave such praise to a student he found outside his temple eating cooked fish. After a summoning, the spirit was a chubby panda dressed as a kung fu master and had a stone staff, and samurai shoulder pads.

"I love him! I think I'll call you…Katon. It's Japanese for Fire Style. And master, I thank you for all you taught me, and hopefully I can live up to the expectations you worked hard to cultivate for me. I hope to see you again, in life or in spirit, whichever comes first that is."

He hugged his master goodbye, and flew outside with Katon right behind him. As he left, he saw everyone holding signs of good luck as Shuten flew back to America at about Mach 20 speeds. As he landed, he saw his mother and father, both seemingly haven't aged in about 8 years since Shuten had left for Japan. He hugged them both and told them all about his experiences. Katon introduced himself, but almost forgot that no one else could really see him besides Shuten and his parents.

"And so, that was my adventure. Believe me I thought I was gonna pass out a couple times there, but I roughed it out and now I've got a new title. Devil Mountain. Seems kind of accurate since I'm named after a demon. But enough of that, time to change outta these clothes."

He laughed as he went to his room to find his little brother playing computer games while levitating a metal cube. Although his brother had autism, he had complete control over his powers and could speak pretty well. He noticed his brother and went to hug him, excited he came back to play more games or watch a funny video. As they both caught up, his brother tried to sneak in a metallic punch with his cube. His brother didn't have any hybrid traits, yet he had higher than average intelligence and deduction skills, and a special metal he made from his own energy that can take on other properties. He understands his own autism but doesn't let that get in his way, and lives his life as best he can. Shuten stopped it, laughing at finally stopping one of his punches.

"Big brother, had fun in Ja…Ja-pan? I never seen..ja-pan in real life."

Shuten told his brother all about it, and it's culture in a way he could understand.

"So you see Sam, it may look small on globes or maps, but in real life it's pretty big. Maybe one day I'll take you, but that means you have to behave yourself out there. Just because it looks nice, doesn't mean everyone else is. We're different, our skin, our way of life, and even our "existence" isn't like humans at all. Many will accept us, many won't, but that doesn't mean we have any right to hate just because they hate us back. It's an exercise in futility to hate others because in the end you become no better than them. Understand?"

Sam nodded understanding every word. He knew his family was different, and so were other people that were "chosen" like he was. Those chosen ones stay in shadow, hiding in with the average people of the planet, while healing it from the corruption of human kind. But their efforts aren't enough, and are too small to last. Shuten wanted to cause a major change, even if it means humanity will repel his kindness. Although his train of thought was completely broken after hearing his parents call him and Sam for dinner, which was pointless to resist, even to a trained warrior. However, in the veil of twilight, a figure of masculine beauty and the aura of a Pharaoh was flying overhead, watching Shuten from the sky.

"So you are the one. My foil. My friend. Destiny is cruel, such an loving family similar to my own, and his ideals are nothing but the absolute will of deities and those that are closest to them. We shall meet soon Shuten Taylor. I shall not underestimate someone more worthy of the title of a king."

Said the being as he spun himself around swiftly as he vanished into a black sand cloud and disappeared.