" Shōgo's leaving for the academy tomorrow" Mr Hu suddenly announced to his wife on bed.
Mrs Hu suddenly smiles.
" I knew this day would come, but I didn't expect it so soon " Mrs Hu sighs.
" Let's talk about it tomorrow" Mrs Hu covered herself with the blanket and went to sleep.
It seemed like a jovial day for the birds as they continually chirped cheerfully. Shōgo carried a bag while Mei carried a luggage as they were about to embark on a journey.
"Shōgo, I knew this day would come finally, you're leaving us to face a cruel world, make us proud, kill a lot of beasts and take care of Mei alright" Mr Hu sobbed.
" Don't worry Mrs Hu, I'll do as you wish" Shōgo smiled to push back the welling tears.
" Come give me a hug Mei" Mrs Hu gestured to Mei, and received a hug.
" Goodbye Shōgo, till we meet again" Mr and Mrs Hu continually wave until Shōgo and Mei are out of sight.
Mrs Hu then bursts into tears.
" It's okay" Mr Hu consoled while trying to hold back tears.
...
Shōgo looked out the window of the taxi as it drove past the streets of Japan.
" What's our destination? " Mei suddenly asked.
"Kyoto" Shōgo replied.
" You gonna miss them? " Mei asked again
"Uhn uhn" Shōgo smiled and run ed Mei's head vigorously.
" Hey, we're in the city now how about u stop treating me like a baby, you just scattered my hair" Mei retorted.
"Does it look like any guy would fall for that" Shōgo burst into laughter.
"Don't talk to me again idiot, hmph!" Mei suddenly looked in the direction of the other window.
"We've arrived in Kyoto, where's our destination? " The driver suddenly asked.
"Uhh The Academy" Shōgo replied
"Okay sit tight, we'll be there soon" the driver nodded.
"I thought it was Daemons Academy" Mei whispered
"It is, folks here don't recognize it as that" Shōgo replied.
" Ohhh I see" Mei nodded slowly and sat back.
" We're here, you can alight now " the driver announced again.
" Woahh, such a big gate" Mei marveled at the large gate before then, it was pitch black with red gradients descending, it had a logo of a colour divided circle, the upper area of the circle was white while the lower was black, it had a black sword stabbing from on the white area into the dark area.
" Magnificent " Shōgo commented.
" Let's go in" Shōgo gestured and Mei followed.
***
Inside the academy was entirely different from the outside, the gate led down a path directed at a medium sized pagoda. On either sides of the path were very spacious metal barriers. On the path, slight greenery was common sight.
" Wierd place" Shōgo commented as they approached the building.
" Hello! " Shōgo called out inside the building.
" Hey don't make so much noise in here, it's prohibited!!! " an old man suddenly retorted from what seemed to be a cashier's table at the left side of the hall, he looked to be an attendant.
" I'm sorry senior but we have no ill intensions, me and my sister just want to take a test and get accepted into the academy" Shōgo explained.
" Ahh, very well, take that route then " the old man pointed to a door on his left.
Shōgo and Mei promptly approached the door.
" Wait! " The man suddenly halted their movements.
" You're going in individually " the old man warned.
" Uhhhh ok, Mei you go first " Shōgo gestured.
" No you go first" Mei retorted.
" Look Mei, I don't know what this man is up to, what if I leave and he does something wierd?, how can u protect yourself? "Shōgo explained.
" Fine I'll go in first" Mei conceded and entered the door. While Shōgo followed suit.
***
"Where am I?" Shōgo found himself transported into a forest with greenery all around him. He could frequently hear clashing of metals, it seemed to be like people were at war.
"Mei!!!!" Shōgo called a few times but got no answer, he sighed and moved in the direction of the sounds.
After walking for about a minute, Shōgo found a group fighting a hound, they were a group of five, two continuously blocked the hound's claws with their shields while one other distracted it occasionally, the remaining two were the ones assaulting the hound. At the point where the hound was worn out, it got distracted and kept it's claws busy, the assaults saw the opening and dashed at its head.
"Tsssssshhhhh!"
"Huuuuuuuuu!" The hound let out a howl as it was stabbed in the forehead by one of the assault. However when the next assault with an axe was about to land the finishing blow, the hound suddenly released a red bright glow...
"Woom!" The assault's weapon met nothing but thin air.
"Uhnn!, where's it?" One of the defense asked.
"Ahhh!" One of the defense suddenly cried out as blood seeped out of his throat.
" Heok, how fast is that thing?, I can't even see it" they suddenly panicked.
" Tsshh!"
" Ahhh!"
" Ahhhh!"
" Ahh!" So it was the hound finished them off. The hound started to make his way into the forest but it suddenly stopped and looked back, it's red aura exuding as magnificent as ever. It then changed its direction to behind him while growling softly.
'shit, it found me' Shōgo panicked and took to his heels. The hound arrived behind Shōgo in a flash and extended it's claws towards his back.
'booooom!!' Shōgo crashed into the nearby tees as blood slowly but swiftly seeped out of his back.