The Beginning

I clicked my tongue and clenched my fist before saying "Don't hand me that bullshit! My father was an only child, so don't try and hand me that shit!" Yuji took a step back with his hands raised as he let out an overdramatic gasp. "Did Mukan really not tell you about me...? I'm hurt, oh so hurt! Was he embarrassed by his big brother, or was he worried that I would tell you what you should've known a long time ago...?"

Yuji's voice turned dark and filled with malice toward the ending of his words as he sneered and yelled "Everything that bastard had done outshined my own work, which was millions of times better than his! He always talked about peace and prosperity, but never followed through with it. He would turn a blind eye on those suffering, and he even left me! He left me all alone with no one else damnit!"

Yuji suddenly extended his hand to his side and all of the students, including Orzo, Arisu, Azrael, and Sylia, were encases in some kind of see through barrier. I went to tell him to let them go, but he stopped me before I could even open my mouth. "I want to tell you everything, Take. Your life was planned from the beginning. Your father and mother had planned everything, down to the last detail, however, they miscalculated one thing..."

He paused before taking my silence as the cue to continue. "They had forgot to incorporate your naivety. I'm sure you know the rest after they had died, so I'll skip that and go back in time, back to when this all started. Your father and I were the sons of a village chief in the East, and he was always smiling and helped out around the village, while I stayed inside and kept my head in my studies, completely amazed by the art of Alchemy.

Soon, my title as the village Heir was taken away and given to Mukan. I was furious for many reasons, however, I could never actually hate Mukan, for he had done nothing wrong. Many years passed and we steadily grew closer as the time of his ascension neared. Shortly after he had become the village Chief, he distanced himself from me, as well as the villagers. He made rash decisions and the whole place became plagued by bad harvests.

Then, she came. A rogue Demon from Noir had wandered into our village knocking on death's door. It was the first time I saw my brother's eyes regain their color as he rushed over and helped her up. He gave her his portions of food and water for several days until she could support herself. They eventually fell in love, and fled from the village under the cover of night as bandits came in and slaughtered everyone, but I was able to escape.

I made an oath that day, to kill my brother and get vengeance for my village, but he was still my little brother. I couldn't bring myself to think such thoughts. Years later, I had received a letter from Mukan saying that his wife had given birth to a son...a half-breed son. However, this was not you, for you came after and were but a mere Human. Mukan had told me to take care of his half-breed son as he and his wife fled to the city of Asako.

I found his son lying half dead in a basket as he floated down the river. Even now, he lives and wishes for nothing more than your head, but I have a better idea. Join me, and feel what it's like to have power...to have people fear you!" Yuji's eyes began to glow a deep red as he cackled maniacally. Suddenly, a loud bell rang out across the city, striking fear into the hearts of many. Distant cries and screams erupted as Yuji raised his hand to the ceiling before saying "Find me in Nago at the very North edge of Vislax. I'll be waiting for you answer."

He disappeared in a brilliant flash of light, and the barrier surrounding everyone was broken. Although I wanted to ask Yuji some more questions, but I didn't believe one bit of what he said anyways. Everyone had heard the conversation, as well as the screams and cries outside. They didn't have to ask what was going on. There was one question on my mind at the moment.

Whose side do I pick...?

It didn't take a genius to connect the eight pointed star to the screams outside. Someone had inscribed a summoning circle inside and summoned a presumably large amount of forces from Noir, but how did they go unnoticed up until now? It doesn't matter right now, I have to do something first. I turned and looked at everyone present and began to speak.

"I know many of you may not like me, however, right now I am your only chance at getting out alive. I know a man who will take us under his wing and guard us until we reach a safe haven. It's up to you to pick you poison though. I'll not force you to tag along." Everyone was silent, but then one boy began laughing hysterically. "You really think we're gonna fall for that? You probably want to use us to escape by yourself! There's no way in he-"

Before the boy could finish his sentence, a hand suddenly burst through the wall and grabbed his head. A large, muscled, red-skinned Demon burst through the wall and lifted the boy up in the air before crushing his head and tossing him toward us, showering the room in blood. Many people were too afraid to move, and had fallen to the ground, however, there were four people still left standing next to me.

"Stay back, I'll handle this big guy!" Orzo drew a slender sword and dagger, both of which curved upward in the shape of a flame. I could see his aura shining brighter than before and, combined with the fire in his eyes, I couldn't tell him no. Orzo's blades burst into flames as he rushed forward and dodged the Demon's heavy punch.

He kicked off of the Demon's arm and flung his dagger into its eye, causing it to howl out in pain as it frantically swat at Orzo's blurred form. His dagger returned to his hand and he turned into a deadly dance of fire and steel, each attack hitting a vital organ with such speed that even I had trouble keeping up with it. However, his attack patterns were predictable.

It didn't take long for the Demon to realize this as it swung its fist down at where Orzo was about to strike next, but it was all a ruse. Orzo had purposefully made his attacks seem predictable, causing his opponent to make a fatal error. Orzo's blades plunged into the Demon's neck as he pushed his ability to the max, scorching the Demon from the inside.

He flipped off of the burnt carcass and sheathed his weapons back into their hidden sheathes. "Damn, that was actually pretty impressive..." I whistled in amazement as I watched the Demon's body fall to the floor with a loud thump. 'These types are known for their fire resistance...impressive indeed.' Orzo had a smug look on his face as he brushed his hands and shoulders off in an attempt to look good, but it was doing very little in the current situation.

"Now, hurry up and choose what you want to do, or else I'll leave all of you here to fend for yourselves." The students began to quickly beg and plead for me to take them along, but that was my plan from the beginning. I had actually lied when I said I wasn't going to force them, but I wanted to wait and buy my time for something like what had just happened to well...happen.

If I saved these Noble kid's lives, then I can possibly get a huge chunk of gold from each family. Just thinking about the gold got me feeling all giddy inside. A nudge from Orzo helped me return to the present, and I quickly told the students my plan, and told them to not make a single noise no matter what. If we were to get out of here alive, I needed to use the full capacity of my hearing.

I held my amulet in my hand before thinking about contacting Samuel, and the gem turned a bright green as the sound of steel ringing against steel came through. "Hey, so, I have a favor to ask." I could hear Samuel grunt in annoyance as he slashed something and parried an attack. "Damnit, of all times you little bastard! I'm busy, so just...wait a damn moment!"

He was breathing heavily as he chugged what I assumed to be a potion before saying "Look, meet me in the forest at the West gate and then we can talk about your favor. If I don't show up by nightfall, leave and go to the city of Latol, find the man who lives in the big mansion. He owes me a favor. Now, go before I have to fight another one of these bastards off."

I thanked him before ending the transmission and gesturing for everyone to stay put while I went to scout the halls. So far, there were no signs of anyone, not even students. I returned back to the classroom and we all began to head out toward the exit. We moved as silently as possible and I could hear the screams and cries outside getting closer.

"We're getting close to the exit, I can hear the screams getting closer. Don't freak out if you see dead bodies or a stray Demon. If they're not attacking you, then try to sneak past them." I whispered as quietly as possible and had the others relay what I said to the rest. I knew that most of the forces invading were just like me and had sensitive hearing.

We neared the doors and I pressed my ear against them and I heard a few voices outside, so I decided to change things up a bit. We moved further back down the hall before opening up one of the large windows and climbing out. There were no signs of any Demons and such, so we continued to move silently until we had found the West gate. The fires and sounds of battle were over by the South side of the city, so I thought we were safe.

We moved through the gate and ran toward the forest at full speed. Sylia and I were in the back while Arisu, Azrael, and Orzo were in the front leading the way. I had my ability active and I saw nothing out of the ordinary, so we continued on until we had reached the tree line. However, fate just loves to tickle my balls before putting them straight into the grinder.

A lone man emerged from the trees and was dressed in an all black, ninja-like suit with a mask covering his face. He wielded two tantos, which were strapped across his back, while two pouches were around his waist. He stopped and spoke out, his deep voice echoing throughout the air. "I've come for Take Wakizawa. I suggest you lot withdraw before I lose my leniency."

If he was looking for me, then that means he has information about me. I don't know how much he knows, so I have to be careful. "What do you want with me? Are you from Noir?" The man looked my way with an observant gaze, his red eyes glowing brightly. "Yes, I am. I was ordered to have you killed in the name of the Arvair House. I shall not let you roam about any longer..."

The man drew his tantos and they were about 22ish cm long, they had much more reach than my daggers did. This was going to be rather tricky. "Do not worry, we will fight by your side..." I looked over and Sylia and shook my head before speaking in a loud, clear voice for all to hear.

"Everyone, you will proceed with the plan while I hold this guy off. Don't worry, I'll make sure to come back somehow. Now, go, and make sure to stay alive..."