Prologue

Japan, several centuries ago...

The spring morning was cool and temperate as it's breeze blew through the small village.

Kazue got up from her little straw bed and set herself to carrying out her morning chores along side her sister.

It was a pretty normal day for her; she followed her mother to their small farm to tend to their crops and once her help was no longer needed, she went to the family shop. There, she helped her older sister and father until the sun was high in the sky. Her father sent her off to deliver some orders but right after that she was free to do as she pleased.

Kazue had no friends, no physical ones to be exact.

She made her way to the small shrine at the village edge, close to the forest.

Years ago it had come as a shock to her parents when she declared she could see beings no one could but to her misfortune no one took her seriously.

It only resulted in chides from her mother and mocking from the other children.

Many years later, Kazue still hadn't grown out of it, not that talking to yokai was something that one could grow out of. After many warnings from her mother to 'not disgrace our family.' Kazue decided it would be best to keep her chat with the spirits secret. Which was why she often snuck off into the shrines and deep into the forest to interact with the most wonderful creatures.

She'd met her fair share of mischievous spirits but the gentle ones were present as well. She'd set right what she could but not everything could be fixed. She didn't mind though, the yokai were the most interesting part of her life.

There was one aspect of her life she didn't like....

The arguments.

They happened almost on a daily basis.

Her mother near tears and her father screaming angrily.

'Why are you so useless?!'

'Stop insulting me, it was a mistake.'

'Mistakes. That's all you can make. No sons, just one sick girl and another crazy one.'

'Don't speak of my daughters that way!'

Kazue sat just beneath the window leading into the small area where they would take dinner. The place her parents were currently arguing. She was thirteen and her sister was eighteen, unable to find a suitor because of her ill health.

Her father hardly let a day go by without reminding his wife of the 'failures'. Kazue didn't wish she could stop seeing spirits. They were good company and she would find a suitor that just had to deal with it.

That was all she'd be good for.

Growing a tad bit irritated by the arguing noises now getting louder, Kazue ventured further from the home. She ran into a little magpie which in fact was no ordinary magpie at all. It was a magpie spirit, talking down to her. She responded back and unwittingly joined in an impromptu game of tag.

She went a little off the trail, their game leading them into the forest, into the company of other spirits. She heard whispers of conversation she probably wasn't meant to.

Another human was there.

She wasn't surprised in the least, it was a general forest, anyone could enter. She turned back about to leave due to how dark it was getting.

Then she heard something about the human being deathly injured. Kazue couldn't just leave with that now weighing down her conscience. She turned and approached the spirits, in the dark she couldn't see their exact forms but they pointed her in the direction she ought to go.

Kazue walked with hasty steps, scanning the ground with her eyes until they fell upon a figure seeming to crawl along. A male probably.

She hurried to his side.

'Sir! May I be of any assistance?' She asked, her tone anxious. There was blood around her feet, much than her sister's occasional coughing fit.

'It would be in your best interest to leave, child. This forest gets dangerous at night.' The old man, she now noticed he had a graying beard, said hoarsely.

Kazue frowned, 'I understand but that's why we should get help.'

'I am fine, young miss, do return to your home.'

'The spirits say we should leave soon, you look as though you can't stand.'

His tired eyes stared at her, calculating, 'You hear them? The yokai?'

'A good deal are my friends.'

He sat up and now Kazue could see his wound more clearly. A gaping hole in his midsection. She was no physician but even she knew he wouldn't live for much longer.

'That looks painful.' She was surprised with how bluntly she was taking this but part of her did feel deeply worried though. She felt sorry for him.

'I don't have much long to live if one has to say.'

A shrill scream cut through the air causing Kazue to flinch. She looked around, fear slowly taking hold of her as the sun set deeper beyond the trees.

Her beating heart sped up drastically, but she remained at the old man's side. He watched her, deeply touched.

'You must leave.'

'You need assistance.'

'I won't make it, but... there is something in me that should...' he hesitates 'I wanted to hide it but now it seems I have no choice but to use what the gods have provided.'

She raised a confused brow.

'The gods sent you here to take something from me now that I no longer have the strength to keep it safe. You must do the same else the world of man and spirits shall fall into great disarray.'

Kazue felt her blood run cold, 'Are people in great danger?'

'I'm afraid so.'

She paused, 'I wish there was more I could do but all my life, I've brought my family is disgrace." Vivid taunts of being the crazy girl filled her ears, she'd accepted her ability a long time ago, it was part of her and she loved it but it had still ruined her life, still made her unworthy of the happiness she craved from being around people, 'I...I can't-'

'Then that isn't the life meant for you.' The old man said, commanding, 'Your gift is wasted among mere humans, but right now the gods have sent you here for your true calling. You were always meant to be more. You maybe useless now but convince yourself, that with what I'm about to bestow on you, you will fulfill your purpose.'

Kazue stared, mind racing, heart stuttering under the intense glare but elated at the news that she may not be useless after all, that someone saw worth in her than some common housewife which she was never certain about becoming.

'If you accept this, your life will never be the same. After tonight, you shall be a wanderer.'

Another shrill scream, this time followed by a howl.

'No one must know of your existence, and your work shall be one with no reward.'

'I'm afraid of what the future yours speak of holds, but...if this is a chance for me to do more for everyone...' She stopped thoughtfully. She had no idea what she was getting herself into. But this old man had no reason to lie and he was badly injured. His voice carried no hints of madness but only cool, strength authority.

'You accept then?'

'I do.'

He closed his eyes briefly, adjusting his sitting and holding back a cough that would result in blood pouring down his mouth. He placed a hand on her shoulder, 'It will hurt just barely, but as soon as I say so, you must run. Run until you reach your home. Hide there for only tonight but no more. By morning you must leave. Never stay in one place for too long. You will have my memories guiding you. Protect any man who needs it and help any spirit who needs it as well. Your work is for both worlds.'

She nodded, a deep pool of dread sinking into her.

She felt a spike of pain go through her shoulder, diving deeper into her body and entering her heart. She shook and wept silently as it was more pain than just falling and scraping a knee.

Suddenly, a cool enveloped her. A sudden clearness of her mind. Her trance was broken by the frightened scream of

'RUN!'

Kazue startled, heart pounding. Her feet carried her before her brain could catch up. She bowed to the old man and turned, running as fast as her legs would let her. This new feeling overwhelmed her, jarred her senses and awakened them to an extent she'd never dreamt of feeling.

But there was a darkness, one that threatened to consume her but she wouldn't let it. No matter how life had been cruel to her, had put her down, she would never become one of those who took it out on innocent people.

It was very late by the time she got back home. She had failed to take into account her ruffled clothes and the hems stained with blood.

Her parents were furious but she only got away with a scolding.

She went to the room she shared with her sister after washing up and having dinner. She laid down but sleep didn't come easy and when it did, it was filled with voices and strange dreams.

On waking, Kazue knew what she had to do. She couldn't live this life, not with what was dwelling within her.

Beings with power so great that she had to keep them from other forces that wanted them.

She would figure out the best way to handle things as time went on but for now she needed to pack.

And leave.

Morning light brought with it a new life that no longer belonged to just her. But to the mission she was tasked with and despite the dread of leaving her family, Kazue had never felt so free.

So untethered to the rules of the society because they no longer applied to her new self.

She was free.

And with a purpose.

*Vigilante: a person who undertakes law enforcement in their community without legal authority, typically because the legal agencies are thought to be inadequate. (In this case because they can't fight Demons)