Chapter 1: Prologue (1)
/TAP/ /TAP/ /TAP/
In the heart of a forgotten town, where shadows danced along crumbling alleyways, the souls of the past whispered tales of sorrow and redemption.
The rain was pouring down as the heavy atmosphere filled the environment.
The sound of someone running could be heard as the steps clashed with the beads of water formed over the surface.
/HOWL/
The storm veiled at night. But that wasn't enough to stop the silhouette from running. Her face was covered with a cloak to protect her from the heavy rain.
And after a round of walking in the rain, the silhouette finally reached a hut.
/CREAK/
Instantly opening the door without knocking, the silhouette entered the hut like she was in a hurry.
The door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit room occupied by an old woman, her eyes closed as if in deep meditation.
"You are here," a raspy voice resonated from the depths of the old woman's throat, her words carrying an otherworldly aura that sent shivers down the girl's spine.
/TAP/ /TAP/
The girl approached cautiously, her wet cloak dripping onto the wooden floor as she stood before the seer. Her eyes, filled with a mixture of hope and desperation, searched the elderly woman's face for answers.
"I seek guidance, wise one," the girl spoke, her voice trembling slightly with a blend of trepidation and anticipation. "The moon of the Spirit world is about to align with the moon of the Real world. I need to know what lies ahead, what destiny has in store for me."
The flickering candlelight in the room cast dancing shadows upon her face, accentuating her anxiety.
The old woman raised her hands as she pointed to the sky. "So, the time has come…. The time for the destiny to unfold…. The twins of the moon are about to be born…" As her words echoed inside the hut, the girl flinched and waited.
Waited for her to continue her words.
"However, a harsh reality awaits them. A harsh destiny that no one but one shall bear." She stopped emphasizing her words. "One of them will close their eyes to this world, and the other one will always wish he was the one that would close his eyes." The woman spoke, her hands moving in the air, pointing towards the girl.
"And, you, my child. You will be the guide to the one remaining. The fate of our world will be in your hands when the time comes, my child. It will be at the hands of you… Whether you will be able to guide the weapon under the guise of a child to the light, or you will fail your destiny."
As the words of the seer echoed inside the room, the girl's hands trembled, absorbing the gravity of her role.
"The one that was left…." The girl murmured, her voice barely audible. "What must I do? How can I ensure that he finds the light?" As the words poured from her trembling lips, anxiety gripped her heart, tightening its hold with every beat.
"You can't ensure anything," the seer's voice carried the weight of ancient wisdom. "Destiny is elusive, its path winding and uncertain. It is never meant to be absolute, for it is woven from the threads of choice and circumstance."
The girl's shoulders slumped, a heavy sigh escaping her lips. "Then-"
"However," the seer's voice held a glimmer of hope, a spark of guidance amidst the vast expanse of uncertainty. "There is only one thing I shall say to you, dear child."
"You must embark on a journey, my child," the seer spoke, her voice resonating with an otherworldly clarity. "Seeking out the place where the wisdom and power spoke more than anything else. Where the ones with the heaviest destinies gather….. There, the one in destiny will come towards you on his own…."
Hearing this girl, the girl's eyes shone once again as color returned to her skin.
"Remember, my child, that your compassion will be your greatest weapon and shield. Nurture it, let it guide your actions, and let it kindle the flames of hope within those who have lost their way. Never lose your way on the path of pride."
As the seer's last words of warning settled in her heart, the girl felt a surge of determination coursing through her veins.
"The place of knowledge and power…. My fated one… I will be there for you…." A small mumble left her mouth; she turned towards the seer.
With a final nod of gratitude, the girl turned to leave the seer's presence, her mind already filled with thoughts of the profound role she was destined to play. And as she stepped into the unknown, she carried within her the belief that her compassion would illuminate the path of the one who sought the light amidst the shadows of his destiny.
"Oh, my little one…. Hope you don't fail us….."
Chapter 2: Prologue (2)
In the heart of a forgotten town, where shadows danced along crumbling alleyways, the souls of the past whispered tales of sorrow and redemption. Among them, a young man's story unfolded—a tragic tale that began with a thirst for vengeance.
But let us rewind back to a time when the world was still innocent and filled with possibilities.
In a modest home, nestled amidst lush greenery, lived two children—a boy and a girl—alongside their loving family. Their days were filled with laughter, mischief, and the unconditional love of their parents.
Born on the same day beneath the enchanting glow of a full moon, they were inseparable twins, bound by an unbreakable bond.
Their lives intertwined like the branches of a mighty oak, their dreams, and aspirations entwined as they grew side by side.
As the years passed, the young boy and his sister grew distinct from each other. Not because they wanted to but because of their duties.
At the age of five, the girl discovered her magical abilities and impressed the village with her talent. As a result, she began attending the shaman's hut to receive education and training.
Regarding the boy, he was not being idle either and was striving to be useful. Despite his physical weakness, he began assisting his parents with their daily tasks upon observing his sister's diligent work ethic.
But the boy had a deep-seated curiosity, a burning desire to explore the mysteries that lay beyond the familiar sights and sounds of their humble home. His hunger for knowledge was insatiable, and his favorite pastime was delving into the pages of books, losing himself in the tales of distant lands and extraordinary adventures.
One night, as their mother sat beside them, reading from a worn, leather-bound book, the boy's eyes sparkled with anticipation. His sister listened intently, but his thoughts drifted to the world beyond their village.
"Mother," he began, his voice filled with excitement, "why do we never leave our village? I want to see the outside world, to experience the wonders that lie beyond our borders."
His mother's expression shifted a mixture of sadness and longing washing over her features. She paused for a moment, her eyes gazing into the distance as if lost in memories of a time long past. A sad smile tugged at her lips before she replied, carefully choosing her words.
"My dear child," she began, her voice tinged with a hint of melancholy, "Our village holds secrets, secrets that tie us to this land, secrets we must protect. The outside world is not always as welcoming as it may seem."
The boy furrowed his brows. He leaned closer, seeking a deeper understanding. "What secrets, Mother? Why must we keep them hidden?"
Even though he was a child, he was smart, immediately grasping the meaning behind his mother's words.
However, her mother's gaze turned soft as she smiled, hiding her melancholy.
"My child…. We are happy as we are right now….. We only need each other to live… You will understand everything when the time comes…"
She placed a gentle hand on his, her touch comforting yet filled with unspoken caution. No matter how smart he was, he wasn't able to see the melancholy behind her mother's face.
The days passed as the scene changed, with sunlight shining brightly.
The boy had bright purple eyes, looking from the window and watching the greenery. His black hair cascaded to his waist. "Sister, when are you coming?" He mumbled as he started cleaning the house inside.
The boy was all alone inside his home because his sister needed to complete her duties. "She is always pushing herself…" He spoke as he saw a small picture of him and his sister smiling. "I must complete everything, so she can find respite in our home." With that, he focused on his work.
After finishing his daily routine at home, he saw the clouds in the air as he spoke. "Ah, I need to stock firewood. Winter is coming." That mumble left his lips.
As the one that needed to provide for the house, it was his work to cut the firewood.
Just like that, he left the house and started walking towards the forest.
The village they were in was close to the mountain range, so it didn't take too long for him to reach the forest. Then he started looking for the slightly weak trees to cut, as he knew it wouldn't be efficient to waste too much time and energy on a young tree. He knew that from a prior experience where he was exhausted before cutting the tree down, thanks to his weak body.
'While he was doing his job, his thoughts lingered around his sister.'
For him, she was always a role model.
She was an angel.
It was her bright white hair and blue eyes that made him think in such a way since she would always illuminate his life…..
Inside this forgotten village, where nobody would visit, her sister was the one that would protect the village from the dangers, helping the villagers in need…
Because she was blessed with magical powers from a young age, and as per tradition, she received her magical training succeeding the shaman.
After their parents passed away together with the shaman of the village, thanks to the life, he and her always watched their backs.
At first, a tinge of envy tinged the boy's heart as he witnessed his sister's strength and talent. But that feeling quickly transformed into determination. He realized that he, too, could be of use and contribute to the well-being of their home and community.
At that point, the boy paused, his ax resting against his shoulder as he gazed up at the towering trees surrounding him.
"Huff… Huff…" His breath was ragged as his body had already started showing signs of getting tired.
However, at that moment, a plume of smoke caught his attention, rising above the treetops in the direction of the village. His eyes widened, a sense of urgency gripping his heart.
"Smoke?" he mumbled, his voice laced with concern. "It is coming from the village!"
His instincts kicked in, and adrenaline coursed through his veins. Without a second thought, he dropped the wood he had gathered, leaving it behind as he sprinted towards the village. Each step propelled him closer to the source of the smoke, his mind racing with a thousand possibilities.
Fear and worry mingled within him. What could be happening? Was there a fire? Were the villagers in danger? Questions plagued his mind, but he pushed them aside, focusing solely on reaching the village as quickly as his legs could carry him.
His heart pounded in his chest, echoing the urgency of his footsteps. The familiarity of the village came into view, but something was amiss.
Even if his body was weak, even if he was not talented at magic like his sister, he always trusted his senses.
/FLINCH/
And those senses were screaming at him to hide.
And soon to prove him true, a horrifying presence descended upon the village, piercing the peaceful night with its malevolence.
The air grew thick with an otherworldly aura, and the boy's heart sank as the heavy stench of iron and something burning assaulted his senses. The acrid scent mingled with the sounds of a crackling fire, filling the night with a grim symphony.
However, the boy resisted the pressure. He knew his sister was there in the midst of that chaos. He knew he needed to do something. So, he gritted his teeth…. Blood fell down from his bitten lips and his overly tightened hands.
Yet he paid no mind to pain as he walked towards the village. Only to witness a horrifying scene. He watched in horror as a legion of black creatures, their forms twisted and monstrous, descended upon their once-serene village. Their grotesque figures moved with unnatural agility and ferocity, their eyes gleaming with a cruel hunger for destruction.
The passage of time felt like it was slowing down as he searched anxiously for his sister. His heart was pounding with a mix of fear and hopelessness.
Amidst the chaos and flickering flames, he finally saw her standing tall and determined. She used her powerful magic to valiantly defend their home and their people.
Fear mingled with hopelessness as he realized the odds stacked against them. But still, the boy's body moved instinctively, driven by a desperate need to protect and aid his sister.
But his actions did not go unnoticed.
The girl that was trying her best to defend her citizens with her magic had noticed her twin trying to approach her.
/THUD/
And at that moment, the boy's movements came to abrupt. 'Hmm?' Not noticing why this was happening, he tried to move his body but not to any avail.
His body which was wide open, was pushed back to the forest once more.
At that precise moment, his eyes met with his sister's.
With eyes filled with sorrow and a love that transcended their dire circumstances, she was looking at him with a smile.
And, he understood.
The reason why he was not able to move his body.
The reason why he was getting pushed back.
Since his arms and legs were bound with bright white light.
'NO! NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!' He wanted to scream. He wanted to gather the attention of his surroundings. The attention of that vile creature is to save his sister.
But, not to avail. Since no words left his mouth at all.
Tears streamed down his face as he struggled against the magical restraints, his eyes locked with his sister's. She mouthed words he could not hear, her gaze filled with both love and sorrow.
Helpless, he could only watch as she turned back to face the demonic horde, her magic blazing brighter than ever before. She fought with a courage born of love, deflecting blows and striking back with unwavering determination.
The boy's heart shattered as those vile creatures overwhelmed his sister, their relentless onslaught consuming her light.
His eyes which were filled with light, slowly lost their color as blood started pouring down from those eyelids.
He wanted to close his eyes.
He wanted to avert his gaze…. He wanted to get rid of this scene…
But he didn't.
He continued to watch, his body trembling with grief and a newfound determination. The massacre of his village and the murder of his sister imprinted upon his soul like a scar that would never fade.
The weight of loss settled heavily upon him, fueling a fire within his heart—the fire of vengeance.
In her final moments, she gazed at him one last time, her eyes filled with love, as she mouthed words….
Though the boy was not able to understand what she was saying at all…
It was at that moment an abomination was born…
Chapter 3: Prologue (3)
Amidst the ruins of an abandoned town, where alleys were lined with shadows and memories of the past lingered stories of both despair and hope were whispered by unseen voices.
/TAP/ /TAP/ /TAP/
The heavy rain poured onto the ground, filling the world with sadness. There, a man could be seen walking toward the forgotten town.
Trailing behind the lone individual, a group of determined hunters emerged from the veil of rain, their attire exuding a sense of formality that contrasted sharply with the decaying surroundings.
"Is this the place?" he inquired, his voice carrying a weight of authority and determination. The answer came from one of the team members who held a device that detected the malevolent energy surrounding them.
"Yes, Captain. This is the very spot where the surge of demonic energy has been detected," the subordinate confirmed, eyes fixed on the readings displayed on the device.
"Then, get ready for the confrontation. I smell blood here." the captain declared, his voice resonating with seriousness. The team responded swiftly, each member assuming their respective roles with practiced precision.
One of them had an axe in his hands, the other one had a sword, then a bow. A silent understanding passed between the hunters, forged through shared purpose and unwavering camaraderie, as they had been on this path together for a long time.
/TAP/ /TAP/ /TAP/
As the relentless rain continued its mournful descent, the hunters advanced further into the heart of the desolate town, their steps resolute and their spirits unyielding.
However, nothing aside from the destruction awaited the hunters as they delved more and more into town.
The traces of extinguished fire, the traces of destroyed homes….
The dead bodies were scattered around the streets.
The scent of blood was surrounding the environment.
"What is this?" the archer questioned, his voice heavy with disbelief and sorrow. The scene unfolding before them was unlike anything they had encountered before. The sheer brutality and depravity were difficult to comprehend.
"Insanity," lamented another hunter, their voice filled with agreement and a sense of helplessness. The weight of the situation settled heavily upon them all.
The leader, unyielding in their resolve, responded, "This is the true face of demons. Now do you understand why they are so despised, Tom?" The rest of the team nodded, their expressions etched with a mix of anger and determination.
"Yes, Captain. It's becoming painfully clear," replied the swordsman, his voice laced with a somber understanding. He cautiously approached one of the lifeless corpses, observing the gruesome aftermath. "Their insides have been devoured, their blood drained. These creatures are no longer deserving of the name 'human'."
However, the archer's discerning gaze detected something amiss. "This isn't normal. I've encountered the handiwork of demons before, but this level of bloodlust is unusual," they remarked, gesturing towards a near-skeletal figure stained with dried blood.
"In any case, this is not our primary task," the captain interjected his tone grave and focused. "We're here to search for clues and gather evidence." With a resolute nod, he signaled for the team to begin their investigation.
As an hour almost passed, the leader felt a weird feeling. 'A sound?'
His senses as an A-rank were something to be proud of, so his eyes were instantly perked. 'Someone is there.'
As the sound of breathing entered his ears, he instantly lowered his center of gravity and walked towards the house.
There he saw a young man.
A young man whose eyes were closed.
A young man with black hair that was collapsed on the ground.
Traces of dry blood could be seen on his face and his hands.
'He bled from his eyes…' It was evident that the boy had been bleeding from his eyes. And, then his hands. They too were filled with blood as they were clenched up to the maximum.
However, the boy's palpable white skin and the little pressure emitted from him were enough to show that, he was just a harmless individual that had no strength to cause such a scene.
"He must be a local resident," the leader mused quietly, his mind racing with questions. 'But what is this necklace.' However, there, on his neck, could be seen a white shining necklace that had the form of the crescent moon.
The leader was tempted to explore, but he refrained from doing so. As he decided to inform his teammates.
******
"So, are you saying you found no survivors inside the town, aside from that one kid?" A middle-aged man dressed in a sharp suit spoke from behind the polished wooden desk that adorned the office. His stern expression revealed the weight of responsibility he bore.
In front of him was a person whose face was filled with a diagonal scar. He maintained a calm and composed demeanor as he delivered his report. "Yes, Mister Lucas. As I mentioned earlier, we encountered no survivors and no trace of any demons. The town lay in ruin, bearing witness to a massacre. The only individual we found was the young boy, who had already succumbed to unconsciousness."
Hearing this, the man in the suit contemplated for a second. "I understand, Hunter Garrett. If that is the case, you can submit the evidence you collected and then leave the association."
With that, the man named Hunter Garrett stood up and left the room, leaving the man named Lucas alone.
"Now… We need to put the kid in the orphanage…. As Hunter Garrett left the office, Mister Lucas's gaze shifted towards the young boy, his heart heavy with sympathy. "What a poor soul." He knew the boy's life had been forever changed by the horrors he had witnessed.
With a sense of duty, Lucas began making the necessary arrangements to ensure the boy's future; he started making some calls as he started arranging the orphanage where the boy would live his life.