11 Chapter 11

Chapter 11:

Luna was a spirit who served the Great Nine-Tailed Demon Fox during the great war. Albeit 'she' took on a human form, in essence, Luna was an entity that went beyond a man's pragmatic apprehension. She was miracle.

"Stop making snide jokes, Luna. Hurry up and get started!"

Despite being enemies, the master-and-student couldn't help but feel nostalgic. The moment was slight, but it was their most convincing evidence that demonstrated their trump card. The omnipotent god-like ray of hope was not lost. Although it happened in a flash, Scarlett swore her mentor had returned to his old self. The caring self of her master that she knew.

Luna sighed. "Revelation, yes? You're such a slave driver, Loki."

Scarlett and Lucas watched the awkward interaction between the two. Scarlett obtained Luna from her bastard father five years ago. That was way before she was accused with her grandfather's murder and was disowned by the noble house. There was no memory of her knowing they knew each other. It was also Scarlett's first time hearing Luna's melodious voice. 'Luna' wasn't just a random protective relic her mother had left behind. The magical orb had a will of its own.

"H…hey. You know Lord Loki, Luna?"

All this time, she had thought Luna was a manifestation of her mother's love, her late mother's memento, and guardian who saved her when she was at her worst. Judging by the way things are going, things were more complex than a simple guardian angel. Luna was entrusted with a responsibility that will eventually become a double-edged sword. One that will overturn the world, for the better or worse, was the burden of fate, and the final wish of the Great Nine-Tailed Demon Fox.

Dressed in fabric and armour similar to Loki, one could tell these two have many things in common. They belonged to a perished civilisation that was bygone eons ago. The era of the Warring States Period. Scarlett suspected they were denizens of that era before man could form and develop conducive domains that allows them to live in peace. Hypothetically, Scarlett feared these two might be immortal. To survive eons years into the modern era, it was an impossible feat beyond a mediocre human capability. They were entities that lived outside human timeframe.

A staff appeared from the black mist in front of her. Luna reached for her beloved staff and grabbed it, the confidence from familiar touch sprouted. There was no need for appraisal. The look Luna demonstrated was more than enough, considering the years they have been together.

A loud clank resounded when the metallic sound made contact with the reinforced bedrock ground. The sounds from her staff reverberated, producing the high-pitched echoes. It was the source of ripples formed in the shallow lake. Slowly, silhouettes reflected in the clear water metamorphosed into holographic images.

"You're quite perceptive, as always." Loki recalled fond memories.

Scarlett was exceptionally excellent, even as a child. Despite his harsh words, the time he had spent with the little Scarlett on Mount Haku were his precious treasures. He had never regretted one ounce of it. He had believed she would become someone significant to the world of man. In the far future, she had anticipated a great revolution that will eventually become salvation to the people Scarlett would learn and come to love. Yes, the construction of that which the sage had often preach.

The bonds of emotions.

Loki had been entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing their little heir. Until the day she would unleash her true powers. However, that is something of the hereafter. His job was far from done. Instead, they were finally at the starting line.

Lucas and Scarlett stared at the image reflected in the lake. Just like Loki and Luna, she was dressed in a similar fashion.

"Who is she?"

"Kagura. The revered Goddess of War, and your grandmother."

Lucas and Scarlett were appalled. This was her first time hearing about it. When she was younger, she had some very tough times. No one had ever told stories about her origins, and many, including Loki, had skilfully evaded such topics. After Loki vanished and was later taken in by her father, things got worse during her time at the Ko Mansion. She had to endure the disdain and abuse from her stepmother and half-sister. That horrifying experience that she went through s a child influenced her jaded personality.

"K..Kagura?" Scarlett repeated.

"Yes. She was the great goddess who blessed people with wisdom, power and prosperity. She was the lord who ruled lands with iron fists. The lands later were known as the Wisteria Empire. Soon after that, she fell in love with a man and had two children."

The images in the lake's reflection changed. It now had images of two unfamiliar faces. Judging by their faces, one would know that these two were twins. And just like Loki, Luna and the woman named Kagura, the pair of twins were dressed in similar fashion. From the shape of their eyes to their jawlines, they were two of a kind. They were identical twins.

Although Lucas and Scarlett know nothing about the people Luna had showed, Scarlett believed they were important people that would eventually become the key in changing the world. Somehow, and very strangely, she sensed an odd bond despite no knowledge of who they were at all, much to her puzzlement.

Lucas tilted his head slightly. "So… isn't that a good thing? The almighty goddess came to know love."

"No. It's vice versa. Instead, it was the trigger that causes our clan's misfortune. Since then, our prowess dwindled, and our descendants died young." Loki corrected them.

"It's been four hundred years… since Kagura fought her final battle and laid to rest." Luna chipped in.

Lucas and Scarlett were lost for words. From the start, Lucas had known she was different from others he had met. Things have become far more convoluted than he had expected. The place they have stumbled upon, the 'Border of the Near Shore and the Far Shore', as Loki had called it, possess the key to the recent serial deaths and missing people in Amestris. Once, a seer had called out to him on the streets. It was before he made his decision to infiltrate Wisteria Prison. The old woman had recited him a prophecy. At that time, he felt she was a fraud and had not bought one cent of it.

However, today, uncertainty clouded his astute judgement.

Lucas swallowed, and took a deep breath. "Say…. How did such a magnificent meet her death?"

"She faced thousands of our enemies alone. She died protecting you, our little ray of hope, Scarlett Ko." Loki replied.

"You must have realised you are different from others, Scarlett. That void of emptiness have eaten you away from the shadows of darkness. But you must understand, you have a role to serve. As a descendant of the Kouga clan, one who inherited the blood of the Great Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, Kagura, you will eventually come to understand the world our master once envisioned. I believe you can make it happen." Luna spoke.

"It can't be…."

"The special abilities you inherited is a symbol of our Kouga clan. You will, no, you must take up the mantle of the next commander and cut away the strings of fate. The fate of misfortune, that is."

Scarlett clicked her tongue. "Tch. This is a waste of time. If we aren't getting any answers on those missing people, I'm outta here. Let's go, Lucas."

"Oh? So that's what you've been up to. I'm impressed." The grounds reverberated, sounds echoed and temperature fluctuated drastically. The lake began to freeze, the air pressure increased. Lucas dropped to his knees and started coughing.

"What's wrong?" Scarlett asked.

Lucas writhe in agony. "H..how…. don't you feel pain, S..Scarlett?"

The Lord of Zion manifested next to Scarlett, his strong arm wrapped around Scarlett's waist. "It's useless. Humans like him can't tolerate my immense presence. Although I'm the lord of this desolate place, I'm still a God in essence."

"Get your hands off me!"

The lord vanished and reappeared behind Scarlett. "You look fine. It seems you have inherited Kagura's blood."

"Why should I care? I've survived alone all this time. I don't need anyone's help. I have my own life."

The Lord sighed. Scarlett was stubborn, just like Kagura did back in the days. "You reminded me of her. I've decided. I'll make you mine. Come home. Stay here with me. You'll be freed of your worries."

Scarlett slapped away the lord's fingers. "Don't be mistaken. I am Scarlett. I am not Kagura. And I'm human!"

The lord smirked. "Have you forgotten? Today's a full moon. I'm sure you know damn well what's going to happen on a night of a full moon."

"What's going to happen?" Lucas asked, between grits of agony.

"See? Even this young man doesn't know. Your pledge of love is flimsy." The lord taunted. "Let me enlighten you, young man. On the day of the full moon, she'll lose control. After all, half of her are origins of the netherworld. She belongs to the dark side, young earthling."

Scarlett stepped few steps away from the Lord. She was pale white. She had a mistake. To miss a day of a full moon, an amateur blunder. Everything she had done, it was all for naught. From the looks of it, her master, Loki and the Lord of Zion have been waiting for this day. Her blood was about to go out of control.

"Lu…cas…. Run…."

Those were her last memory before falling unconscious.