An eternal darkness, just like my fate; complete void. No hope to be found. But I refuse. I refuse to give up yet. I can't face my despair yet. I can't die yet.
In that darkness, I came to feel my senses. My legs got its footing on something. And that darkness slowly faded away. The more my senses came the more clear my vision got. I was standing on someone's palm.
A huge divine being; maybe a deity. Completely covered in black divine dress. Only her white hairs and lips were to be seen; not her entire face nor her eyes. Behind her, rays of lights were coming.
"Greetings, final hope of humanity." I heard as her lips moved synchronizing the words, "I know you have many questions. It's a shame, that being a Serion of time, I still don't have much time left to answer. Just hear what I am going to say the rest will be cleared on the path you shall walk."
It's common for me to have many questions. But that can wait for later. As she said, I have only a little time to hear what she has to say. So, I don't wanna waste her time. After all, time is most valuable thing one can ever get.
"Your destiny is preordained by fate. You, thus, may bring salvation upon Zakara, the world which is doomed by the Demon Sovereign Kayaro. It's the toughest task to accomplish. But still I beg you. I beg you to defeat his fleet and grant this world its freedom. And bring back this world's former state."
Her body started to degenerate into light particles; slowly faded away too as she had a smile of relief. The darkness erased entirely. I found myself middle in a snowy forest. Standing on the snow I looked at the trees.
The tress were covered in snow, yet the green leaves were much alive. The weather was chilling as the snow clouds covered the entire sky including the sun, might be a sign of blizzard. I was feeling a little chill. I was still wearing my school uniform when I left home.
"Yuki, are you in this world too? If so, wait I'm gonna find you." I spoke to myself. "But as that Serion said, this world is pretty much doomed by that Kayaro or whatever. That also means I've to fight him. Such a drag."
Yes, it's a drag to get messed up in complicated situation like fighting demons or monster. But, hey. It's better to fight against those than fighting for myself to earn respect from those illogical humans of my world.
If I were to save this world, I'll be acknowledged by everyone. Moreover, everyone will be grateful to me. Yes. No one will be there to bad mouthing me.
'My hands are heavy.' I looked down. Unconsciously, I was holding a katana, no; it was more like an one edge sword with a looks of a katana and longer by two inch or so.
I have the ability to recognize. I was once part of the kendo club. I gained much information on katana and many different blades. It's a good thing having a blade with me. Protection comes first before securing food or place.
Not like I can get any food very soon though.
"That's a Daiken called ASTRA. It has powers to unleash five different elements. May you have the potential to use it wisely." The sound just echoed through my head. No doubt it was the Serion of time.
But what's a Serion anyway; a goddess maybe? Serion of time didn't have time, huh? There must be pretty solid reasons for that. Unleash she intent to leave in the dark.
"Jeez, Sayaki don't think like that." I slapped gently on my both cheeks, "That reminds me. While I'm on my path to establish my name, going with 'Sayaki' maybe unsuitable for me. I need a new name."
I started to think some names. I don't want to drag Kawaragi Sayaki along with me anymore. I'm, to be honest, sick of that name. Hearing that name always reminds me of everyone in my past life. Now then what should I call my self.
"The time will come one day. Just wait till then, Sa…" another voice echoed in my head. But it was not that Serion; more like it was one of my memories that had been left behind.
"Samuel, how does that sound." I said to myself.
Samuel is actually a name of a Western hero of whom my sister was fan. Regarding my concerns, that's cool name to bear, I guess.
"Now then Samuel. It's time to set on journey." I taking a proudly smile on my face took a step.
"The heck, how I'm supposed know which direction to go." I kneeled on the snow. The smile faded. "Arggghhhhhh!!!, I need some kind of lead, damn it." I screamed.
I sensed something on my left side. Like, somewhere at a distance, a child was crying. It was too low, yet I could perfectly hear. Where's smoke there's fire. If a child is nearby, a village has to be too. I rushed.
With enhanced stamina and high speed I ran to find the source. My skills of past life sure was handy in this world; I never really had to use a katana before nor I had to dash with my all might. There was no need for them at all. As if my body was in training session only to be used in this world.
"Preordained, huh? Let's see what my fate has prepared for me."
Ice Carts with cage, four in total, were going as the drivers were pulling the ropes that was bounded the polar bears. Inside three of the carts, some kind of humans were trapped; and the children were crying.
Demi humans? No. They weren't demi humans. They have exact looks of humans; but with bluish skin and snow-white hairs. Their eyes were magnificent. Even I could tell from this much distance.
How should I describe it. Umm. Hmmm. They were just like Sapphire. But the tears were not appropriate for those eyes. It was my intrinsic feelings that told me. In my eyes, they were humans.
Humans bulling humans. Seeing that kind of scene, I smiled like a devil. Here we go again, my alternative personality.
I don't understand. But sometimes looking at things like that always gives my kind of… I don't know. it's hard to explain in words. More like, a sudden urge to satisfy myself by doing what's right as I see fit.
I slapped myself again. 'Keep your calm'. I didn't have any idea of what was going. I, thus couldn't jump into conclusion. I needed to find about it first.
With four driver of each cart, eight other humans were walking beside the carts; hitting the cage and ordering the women to clam their children. Their attitude was nasty. But each one of them has the blade called Daiken; just like I had one.
The first cart stopped. Following it the rest of them also stopped.
"Why the hell did you stopped for, Kosel? Is there any problem?" A person with huge body around 6'4 and deep voice came to the first driver. "Why aren't you moving."
"Ah boss, there's a person standing on our way." He pointed his finger at me.
"A person?" he looked at me, "Hay boy, what are you doing alone in this forest. This a dangerous place to be."
" I actually got lost and found myself here. As I was finding a way I saw you guys. That made me curious." I replied kindly; the kindness was unnecessary yet was helpful to lower their guards.
"Is that so."
"Yes that is. By the way, what are those things and why did you capture them?"
"You never saw an Iceborn before?"
"NO. is that what they are called?"
"Yes. They are a sub-species called Iceborns. They are pretty much like humans but it's hard to get one of their kinds."
"I never knew. But for what reason did you caught them. To sell them as slaves?"
"Slaves? Boy you really don't know any thing about it huh?" he smiled, "The eye crystal of an Iceborn holds a specific value in market. We can sell that crystal and can become rich over just a night. We just need to rip of their eyes for tha….."
His right armed slashed off. Of course it was me who used my Daiken to do that. He's really that type of guy whom I despise most. Even killing him won't affect my mind.
"I'm sorry. But I don't wanna hear more about your deeds or intentions." I replied with my kind smile.
He fell on the snow, screaming in pain. The blood made the white snow red. His men reached hearing his scream.
"How dare you to do that to our boss. You're gonna pay for this." A person rushed towards me with his Daiken.
'Wait, is his Daiken burning?' I thought, 'That Serion did told that ASTRA can unleash five different elements. So can I use the fire too.'
As I thought holding ASTRA, I felt a flow of energy through the blade. And steam came out. Following it, the fire wrapped around my Daiken, ASTRA.
The flames that were burning wrapping the blade of ASTRA was magnificent, deep crimson in colour. I can feel it. I can feel those flams have the power to melt a metal just in a second.
Dodging his attack, I nearly touched his chest with tip of ASTRA. A small scratch yet the intensity of the flames from it, burned him to death; only the charcoal black skeleton left.
"You've gotta be kidding me." The boss said, "No Daiken has such incredible power to burn the flesh in just a blink of an eye."
'Forget him. I didn't know that myself. Is that Daiken really that tremendous. I sure got a handy weapon.'
Ignoring his words the other six guards rushed only to get death sentence one after another. It was amusing to me. Dodging their weak flames and cutting, more like burning each of them smoothly. They didn't even got any second left to think what happened to them.
Smoke from their burned skeleton disappeared. I killed seven people. Yet I wasn't feeling any guilt. Good for me anyway. I didn't wanna bear more guilt on my shoulder.
"Hay boy. Tell my how you get your hands on that powerful Daiken." The boss stood up holding his Daiken burning in fire.
His bleeding stopped. His anger got him. I highly doubt anything I say will make any effect on him.
"This Daiken? Oh! It's a gift from a person I recently met." I smiled at him; only to enrage him more. Humans always take unnecessary steps while blinded by their own ego or rage. All I did was to take advantage of it.
"You caught us off guard. But your Daiken is good, I give you that much. Now let me show you what my Daiken is capable of. It's fair to pay you back after all." He smiled like a lunatic. I just stood still and waited for him to make his fist move.
The burning flames of his blade was impressively hot. Even I could feel that, standing about five metres from him.
"Behold. This is the ultimate technique for what I'm known as Burner. Flames Of Hellllllll...."
He rushed for me, just as I anticipated. As soon as he stroke me with the 'Flames Of Hell' or whatever. I used a stance taught by Haruki. Dodging that, I separated his hands from the hilt of his Daiken.
His Daiken flew away. His another armed sliced off. He kneeled.
"Now then. what were you talking about." His neck was on tip of ASTRA.
"Boy you don't have any idea on whom you turned your blades on. My contractor is no ordinary person. She holds one of the top ranking seat in Demon Sovereign's army. When she will find out about this. You're as good as dead."
"You see, your empty threats don't even scare the hell out of me. As for your contractor , Whoever the person is, I don't give a damn about it." I told that into his eyes.
'Come on Sayaki, I mean Samuel. Don't get so full of yourself. Restrain. Restrain. Don't go any further.' I tried to make my mind. But my heart wasn't still satisfied.
I wanted him to feel the same pain an Iceborn felt, whenever their eyes were ripped off.
The burning flames of my Daiken put off. Thinking of something else, I hit the snowy land with it. Some rocks grew up and entrapped him; only leaving his head out.
This was the power of the earth, unleashed by ASTRA. The more I use it the more I become impressed. I also got to know how to control and switch with other powers.
"Burner was it? Did you ever feel the pain when an eye is ripped off." I smiled holding his hairs.
"What the hell are you trying to say." His eyes reflected sign of fear.
"Rejoice. Today you gonna get to experience a great joy of your own game." I ripped off his one eye.
The boiling blood flew down from his eyes as I used the fire power again.
"Ahhhhhhhh!!!! AHHHH AHHH AHHH….Ahhhhhh!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHH….. Ahhhhhhhhh." he screamed and screamed.
'His screams are feeling like a melody' seriously? Is that what I was thinking.
His screams went more delightful as I make him completely blind by ripping of his remaining eye. But it's wired to think 'delightful' when he was screaming in pain; which he deserved anyway.
After a while his screaming stopped. He was blind and armless; entirely hopeless. Yet, his anger was something else. How can a person be so mad at this point. The fact that a mare boy interfered with his plan and prevented him form becoming wealthy, could be reason.
"Boy, you may have win this time. But mark my words. You'll be the reason for your own worst time that has fall upon you." He laughed.
"Time huh? You know what, no one can't decide about their own time. After all, I just met the Serion of Time who actually didn't have much time to give me more information about this world. And you think you can tell which time I'll be going through."
"You met whom? Serion of Time. Are you a Ne…" His head fell apart from his body.
I killed him. Seriously, every word that came from that guy made me sick . He was saying something. I don't much care about his rubbish talks anyway.
'Now then. It's time for me to free this.. what're the called again. Ah, Iceborns.' I thought.
I asked the drivers, who were begging for their lives, grovelling on the snow. They released the Iceborns. Pretty much everyone of them were women and children.
They were frightened. Most of their cloths were ripped off. Some of them were even injured. They also had blood as red as human. Like I said, only distinct characteristic was their skin. Aside that they were humans.
A beautiful girl, maybe same age as Yuki came from the crowed. Her eyes were shining more than the rest of them; particularly her eye balls, like a star was shining in middle of the sky.
"Sir, how can we ever thank you for the things you've done." Her eyes filled with tears, "I don't know if we'll ever be able to repay your kindness. But if there's anything you want, we'll do our best to give you that."
Her emotions hit my heart. Saving them was the right call even if I was just satisfying my own ego. Seeing them grateful was also an achievement for me. After all, I intent make my image acknowledged by everyone; leaving discrimination out of the scenario.
"No, no. I don't want anything. I'm happy to help. But you see, I was just doing it for my own satisfaction. You don't really need to thank me." I took the cloak from the dead guy and wore it.
Luckily that also had a spot to hold my Daiken behind my back inside the black cloak.
"Sir, if you may. I'd like you to come visit our village. Although the village might not be in a good shape, but we at least, can do something to thank you."
"Seriously, you don't have to go that far," I replied with a smile on my face, "All the things that matters to me that you guys are all ok…." She suddenly ran towards me.
Before I could finish my words she pushed me aside and blocked the coming attack from one of the bears. The other three bears also came after her. I stood, pulled out my Daiken.
A different power felt within it. I was curious to see other elements as well. I unleashed a different one. It was thunder. With the speed of lightning I cut down all other the bears like it was nothing.
She was amazed. Everyone else also. I was planning to kill the one which was held by that Iceborn girl.
"No. please don't. Fighting an Ice Bear is our everyday job. I can handle it myself." She said as she punched the bear.
The bear fell back a little. It prepared to jump and attack on that girl. I didn't interfere as she asked of me. Let's just have a little faith in her.
She also took position. She punched her both fist with one another near her chest. With incantations her hair waved. Blue lines appeared on her entire body. The flow of energy went to her fist from her body through the lines that appeared.
"Supreme Serion of ice, heed my utmost wish. To obliterate the obstruction in my front, give me power and emphasize my Yonn."
The ice particles started to gather in front of her. It made a solid and sharp lance. She held that. Taking aim,
"Frost Annihilation Lance" she released. The flying lance hit the bear just after it jumped slightly.
As soon as it touched the bears body. The lance became a boulder from which many needles of ice came out within the bear's body making absolute destruction of it.
"That's a nice ace you got under your sleeves." I complemented her, "You're strong."
"I appreciate that." She smiled lowering her eyes, "But if only I was as strong as you, I might have saved my village and my people from reaching their doom. By the way, I'm Sika. Also the daughter of the chief of Iceborn Blue tribe. And you…"
"Oh, forgive me for late introduction. The name is Samuel." I introduced myself, "If you don't mind, what did you mean by Blue tribe."
"Oh, that's our tribe among the five tribe of Iceborns."
Apparently, Iceborns are divided into five tribes based on their lineage that inherited separate eye colour. Among them, the purple tribe is said to be the most rare of them. Following by red tribe and blue tribe. That leaves only the green tribe and yellow tribe.
In market value they all are pretty expensive. The more rare they are the more price they hold. Thus, hunters from pretty much every kingdom tried to hunt them. Similar to human smuggling.
Hearing the words from her, I was kind of angry as well as sad for the sub-species. But it's not like I can change this world right after I came. With time by time, I will change. But as the Serion already told, it's not an easy task to accomplish.
"How rude of me." She said, "I invited you to our village and here I'm talking to you in middle of this dangerous forest. We should head back. It's not far."
I nodded.
"Umm Sir, what will happen to us." The guy name Kosel asked me.
"Let's see." I turned to Sika, "Ms Sika, what are we supposed to do with them."
"You can call me Sika, Sir Samuel." Her smile faded as she looked at the driver, "As for them, leave them be. Without any help of those bustard, they'll be eaten by monsters in the forest anyway."
She might have a point. But I need at least one of them alive. I intent to visit the nearby kingdom pretty soon. But I don't know the way.
"You're Kosel right." He nodded at my words, "Listen, everyone beside Kosel are free to do whatever you like. And for you Kosel, you'll come with me. I have some business with you. Is that ok Sika."
"If that's what you want, then be it. Sir Samuel."
"Please, call me just Samuel. No need for any formalities."
"Ok then Samuel."
The other three were at despair as we all left them; surrounded by seven burned skeleton and five dead bodies including Burner , their bass. The place was pretty bloody. It reminds me of that day, when I and Yuki were killed.
A little ago, where the children were crying, the women were uncertain about what was going to happen to them, now every single one of them got their calm. They were happy. I was happy to see them happy.
Everyone followed Sika's lead. I and that Kosel person were at the behind.
Kosel was not an adult. He was a teenager like me, young and a little handsome as well. He has scarlet red hairs and scarlet eyes too. I killed the other without a second thought. I could have killed him too. But he was different from them. As if he was trying to earn some money badly.
I know that feeling. After all I was pretty much the same. Moreover he had a sign of guilt on his face the entire time. He knew, what he was doing is wrong..
"Say Kosel, why a person like you was working with those scums? " I asked.
"For money of course." He still had the guilt in his voice,
"I get that you need money. But for what reason. There must be a solid reason otherwise I don't think you would have signed up for the job."
"You're right. When I signed for the job. The boss told me that we are going to hunt. But he never said we're going to hunt Iceborns. When I knew it was late so I couldn't deny them."
'Just as I anticipated' I thought. "So, why did you need money."
Hearing my words he started to explain.
Kosel Trait is his full name. His home belongs to El Sanata. A kingdom far from this forest. In that kingdom there are several classes in society; he belong to the lowest, Defective Class.
As he also mentioned, his Yonn, which is a some kind of energy infused body circuits, didn't work properly. Leading him to be recognize as defectives.
Being the lowest class it's hard for him to earn money. To look after his disabled mother and poor father he agreed to go on hunting for fifty Ravin.
[Ravin and Rav are the currency used in El Sanata. 1 Ravin= 100 Rav= 10$]
But coming this forest he got stuck with them. And I killed them before he got his payment. Now I'm feeling sorry for him.
"By the way sir, do you mind if I ask you something." He showed a little enthusiasm.
"Go ahead. I don't mind."
"Earlier. You used three types of element power with just a single Daiken. I never seen something like before. How did you mange to unleash three different types of Sere-Yonn at once."
"I don't know that. I don't even know what Yonn and Sere-Yonn are."
"There is a factor to unleash one's true might." Sika came near us seeing my interest, "It's called Yonn. It's a complex bodyline structure that exist within everyone parallel to their body structure with a link that is known as soul."
She explained further. Yonn is divided into many group; each group represents a specific species. In case of Human and their Sub-species like Iceborns, it's called Tsu-Yonn.
Sere-Yonn represented the Serion or spirits. Getting lower grade Serion or their fragments a Daiken is made containing only one type of Sere-Yonn as it's impossible to transcribe multiple Sere-Yonn all together.
While a human has a single type of complete Tsu-Yonn, matching his Yonn a Daiken is needed to unleash the power of both of them. Thus they are able to unleash whether fire or thunder but not both at the same time. The Tsu-Yonn controls the flow of soul energy and resonating to it, the Sere-Yonn gets its direction.
Moving on the sub-species, their Yonn is actually a mutation that leads them to unleash their elemental powers without using a Daiken. But unleashing attack can drain a vast amount of their Soul Energy.
Kosel, had an incomplete Tus-Yonn; thus known as defectives. Sika had mutated. And me? I don't actually have Yonn. After all I'm from a different world.
"You see, I think the Daiken that was bestowed upon me is actually infused with additional soul energy thus I don't really have to use Tsu-Yonn to give it a direction while unleashing its potential." I played along. I didn't want to revel I'm from another world; not yet at least.
"That explains it how a single scratch can cause a person to face death. Not to mention three Sere-Yonn at once is unheard of." Kosel said.
"Actually, My Daiken is capable of unleashing five elements in total." Both of them couldn't believe what they heard. I just smiled while they were stunned.
"Come on guys. Don't give me that look. I had no idea about it myself. The Serion of Time said me those words"
"What??????"
"What??????"
Their expression matched. I'm surprised. I don't think Sika still holds grudge against him anymore.
"You met the Serion of time. No one in history has ever met her." Sika said.
"Is that so."
"It is. After all that Serion in particular is responsible for maintaining of time in this world. Her absence for even a second can make a huge impact on this world."
"Well I don't know as you guys do. But I was certain what she said. She didn't have much time. So she vanished just after giving me this Daiken."
"No wonder why you're so strong." They were still at awe. I can't blame them though.
I didn't want to blast more bombs on their heads revelling more secret like the name of my Daiken. If they were that much knowledgeable, I think I should lay low. Besides, I got to know what was needed. Like Sere-Yonn and it's functions or so.
Our talks came to an end as well as the way. We reached the Iceborn Village entrance.