The Archangel Legacy -- Prologue

7:30 PM

          “Jeez, school was killer today.” A teen said to no one in particular, not even sure if he was talking to himself. “Even for me; and I’m getting homework three grades higher than my own.” The teen ran his light-tan hand through his rose colored-hair and stared at his face in the mirror on the door to his room.

          Subaru Ryou was the perfect example of someone who was the contrary of the ideal Mu resident. He took pride in being different from everyone else. Subaru’s usual attire consisted of a teal muscle-shirt, teal pants, brown crystalline-toed boots, and his trusty azure cloak, adorned with triangular markings and flame decals. Recently, Subaru had put poppy-red streaks in his messy hair, and let a lock of hair fall on either side of his face. Subaru also had unusually light-colored skin, whereas everyone else in Mu had a perfect tan skin.

          Subaru hurriedly paced towards his calendar. “June fourteenth. School’s almost out!” Subaru comically leapt in the air and pumped a fist. “Huzzah!” Naturally, Subaru didn’t have any homework –he always finished everything at school, so he gazed out the window at the incredible view his house on a hill provided.

          Subaru lived with his parents and a sister, but they were gone so much, he might as well be living alone. Being as different as he was, Subaru had trouble making any friends, so he got used to being alone. The only people he regularly associated with were his teachers, and his childhood friend Misora, whom was away in Kodama, participating in a shaolin kung-fu tournament. I wonder how she’s doing so far. Subaru smiled a childish smile as he reflected on the countless attempts Misora spear-headed to teach him martial arts. The only fruit of her labor was his eventual mastery of the wakizashi. I’m so bored. Nothing interesting ever happens. Maybe I should go see if Zack-sensei or Sakura-sensei need any help at school...or maybe I should take another crack at those runes Dad left yesterday.

Subaru’s dream was to unlock the mysteries that shrouded Mu’s past. No one knew how the amazing technology in Mu worked, or who built it. They just maintained the giant dome surrounding the city, kept the spirit roads running, and all the other necessities. The spirit roads were probably Subaru’s favorite piece of Mu technology: they were yellow orange paths in the sky, colored as if someone took a pastel to them, and served as the city’s main trafficking route. At night, they radiated with a brilliant light. However, the best –and most mysterious- part of the spirit roads was that they weren’t made of matter, rather spirit energy from the people walking on them (which produced decent-paying jobs for people to walk aimlessly on them, keeping them charged), yet they exhibited every sign that matter does. Somehow, the spirit roads also prevented non-intentional loss of contact (falling, tripping or being pushed off) between itself and the walkers.

I think I’ll go try translating those runes again. Subaru stretched, and strode to his room, where the ancient characters lay on his bedside table. “Okay, let’s see...” Subaru gazed at the 3 runes in front of him.

A year ago, when Subaru told his dad of his dream, three runes were on his table the next day. When Subaru questioned his father, he said “They are characters in the ancient Mu language. If you want to fulfill your goal, you’ll need to learn it. Memorize those three and three more will be waiting the next day.” Subaru had since memorized twenty characters, and the three successive runes were proving to be borderline excruciating to figure out. Gah! Okay, calm down and look carefully.

A great discovery was made about the same time that Subaru was born. It was proven that the ancient language was already carved deep within each person of Mu’s brain at birth by some unseen force. All that was needed to understand it was patience and lots of studying.

Now, the character, written on a scrap piece of paper slowly began to have meaning to Subaru. It slowly changed from the wicket and 7-like symbol to something of meaning.

          “Ha-ha, got it!” Subaru hastily scrawled the pronunciation and meaning under the symbol. This one in particular meant “sky” and said “ka”. That’s number twenty-one. How many are there again? When Subaru asked his father, the answer was “About one hundred.” Subaru’s joy altered to that of disheartenment as he recalled the answer to his question.

          “Man, another eighty or so to go...”

Subaru worked for another two hours, successfully learning the symbols. The second rune meant “water” and said “to”. The third was “fight” and “ni”. After the meanings and sounds were written down, Subaru’s head poked out of his room, and his attention on the clock hanging on the opposite wall.

          “It’s ten-thirty? Wow.” Subaru shrugged, and got himself ready for bed. He knew he’d have trouble getting to sleep for the next hour or two; it always happened after he learnt a rune.

Right before slipping under the covers, Subaru always caught a glimpse of the silver-leaved trees. They soothed him somehow, found it calming to look at he supposed. His brain’s activity started slowing down, as he became more and more drowsy. Almost ready to nod off standing by the window, a yawn escaped Subaru’s lips. It was the drowsiness that was the precise reason he jumped when the loud tune of the doorbell swept through the house.

          “Holy Jesus!” Subaru’s mind caught up with the events and it dawned on him that he should go answer the door. “Coming!” He called. Who would be visiting at this hour?

The door opened, revealing a man with a slender build and an above-average height.

          “Ah, Zack-sensei, what are you doing here this late?”

          “I was so caught up marking papers--especially your long-ass one, that I forgot to come by earlier.” The two males were only of a few years age difference, and got along like brothers. “Don’t come to school tomorrow. Stay home and get some rest or something. I know how hard you’ve been working yourself with those runes and school work. Can’t have my best and favorite student’s health going down the drain, can I?” Subaru face had a slight tinge of a blush, from the compliments and worry.

          “Okay Zack-sensei, but you know how hard it is for my health to be anything but perfect.” The wind bellowed, making Zack’s slightly long black hair sway, and a chill ran through his bones. Subaru, being the expert observer he is, noticed and invited his teacher in for a cup of tea before he left.

          “Sure, why not? I don’t have anywhere else to be.” Subaru turned and motioned for Zack to come in. After Zack walked in, Subaru heard a loud scream.

          “Did you hear that?” Zack looked confused “No, what?”

          “That loud scream.” Subaru’s teacher shrugged. “Nope” Subaru’s mind churned at what it could be, so he reached for his azure cloak, and wandered outside, wondering if it came from nearby. Seeing nothing, he scratched his head, turned and walked into his house.

Just before the door closed, a golden feather, shining as if the sun was imbued inside fell from the sky and into the hood of Subaru’s cloak.

Subaru, not noticing the feather, tugged at the string holding the cloak in place, and rolled it off his shoulders. He then tossed it onto a nearby chair, and went to go make some tea for him and his sensei.

The feather’s brilliant light simmered until it was a soft glow, waiting for its inheritor to take heed of it

8:37 PM

          A fist came crashing down on a black-dressed man’s head. The fist was followed by a kick to the gut, and a heel to the back.

          “Don’t ever hurt this girl again, or any girl for that matter!” Ash hair covered the left side of his face, and was put in messy spikes everywhere else. An aquamarine shoulder less-shirt with indigo trim, aquamarine shorts, and red ninja sandals were his garb. Intricate black-ink tattooing ran up the right side of his frame, and a red fang-like tattoo decorated his right cheek.

          “I suppose it’s only fair to tell you the name of your killer.” The black-clad man on the ground’s eyes widened with fear. “It’s...Ikari.”

          “No, please! Don’t kill me...please!” Ikari seemed unaffected by the man’s pleas. However, on the inside he doubted himself I’ve never killed before. And that girl doesn’t seem like she wants this scum to die, for whatever reason that is. Ikari’s teeth ground together and he looked at the innocent girl hugging herself, blood trickling from the small knife wounds she received in the attempted defiling of her person.

          “Too bad! You didn’t stop when she plead you to.” Ikari’s fist once more crashed onto the cowering man’s skull, and the man keeled over. The girl shrieked at the event. Ikari looked back with concern.

          “Don’t fret, I merely rendered him unconscious.” The girl loosened up a little. “More importantly, are you okay?” The magenta-haired girl nodded weakly. She had obviously been walking home from a formal event when the man attacked, judging by the remains of her tattered clothes-a white dress. She couldn’t be more than 14 either, a full year younger than Ikari was. Ikari picked the girl up bridal-style and asked. “What’s your name?”

          “S-Sarah...thank you for saving me.” Ikari blushed ever so slightly

          “No thanks are needed. I shouldn’t have had to stop that, because it never should have happened.” Sarah smiled and spoke

          “Can you take me home please?” She gestured to a house a few blocks down. Ikari nodded and started his trek through the silver-leaved trees.

          It started snowing before Ikari and Sarah made it to her house. It was a rare occurrence, snow. The glass dome rarely allowed for weather to affect the city it contained. As it turned out, both of them loved the snow so they took to dancing in it for a few minutes.

          “Would you like to stay at my house?” Sarah began. “Overnight I mean.” Ikari considered it. His house was a good hour away -he had been visiting his brother in the hospital- and he didn’t think to bring a coat.

          “Okay, sure.” Ikari shivered, and Sarah giggled. “What’s so funny?”

          “Looks like my knight can’t take a little cold.” Ikari was a bit taken back. Knight? Sure, I helped her, but really? She’s really nice...or maybe it’s just because I saved her. How could any girl like anything about me? Sarah giggled again, which changed Ikari’s though process a little bit. How could-you know what world? Screw it, I’m not letting past experiences make me judge a girl before I know her.

          “Well, come in Knight. I’ll fix us a nice cup of hot chocolate-you like that right?” Ikari nodded, still blushing.

          “My parents are gone on some business trip, and I don’t have any siblings, so it’s just us two.” Sarah said as she handed Ikari a hot mug full of chocolate goodness.

          “I see. Does it bother you? Being alone in your house with a complete stranger, I mean.” Sarah stifled a laugh, and furiously shook her head.

          “Of course not! You’re my savior! Besides, you seem nice, and I know you’ll protect me.” Ikari blushed and scratched the back of his neck.

          “So...” Sarah began after sipping her hot chocolate, and deciding it needed more cooling “Where did you get so strong anyways?”

          “I have a black belt in Kung-fu, and I’ve always had a talent for combat. Some sort of genetic thing if I had to guess.” Sarah’s face brightened as if a light bulb lit up on top of her head. “You should be in the army!” She blurted out.

          “I have been.” Ikari answered. “I was for a year. After nearly twelve months of harsh training –also where I got my black belt- I was put onto my first mission. Turns out I had to assassinate some political figure on a nearby continent, in our alternate dimension.” Sarah looked horrified. I’ve invited an assassin into my house?! Obviously, Ikari wasn’t finished explaining as he stared at her vacantly.

          “I didn’t do it.” Sarah’s appearance returned back to its usual –as far as Ikari could tell- bubbly-self. “That’s why I quit, I won’t kill people.” Sarah donned an aura of confusion. The obvious question was asked. “Then why’d you join in the first place?” Ikari sipped his beverage, not minding the temperature of it. “Because I was told I’d be in the information gathering unit.” Sarah nodded in understanding.

10:31 PM

          After the initial hot chocolate, four more rounds were served, savored and cherished. By now, both teens had learned as much about each other that long-time friends of either knew.

          Sarah had changed into an aqua dress that stopped just above her knees, and had a high collar. When returning to Ikari from her room on the second floor, she tripped and started falling...right into Ikari’s arms, having been there the second he heard her fearful cry. She blushed and gratefully thanked Ikari for saving her for the second time.

          “No problem.” Ikari smiled cheerfully “Can’t let my cute friend get hurt can I?” What did I just say? Ikari thought, realizing he used words he wasn’t intending to. “T-Thanks...” Sarah muttered as she looked away, blushing. He thinks I’m cute? Everyone says I’m ugly because of my hair, or some other reason. He’s nice, smart and strong.

          “You sure do blush a lot Sarah.” Ikari added. Sarah nodded, still blushing. Could make a good boyfriend Sarah added to her thoughts mischievously. Those mischievous feelings seeped its way to her expression, primarily her eyes. This did not go unnoticed by Ikari’s skillfully observing eyes.

          “What are you cooking up?” Ikari asked, straining his words, and poorly concealed accusation laced in his words. Sarah put on her “perfectly innocent little girl” façade and answered in a sing-song voice, “Nothing. Nothing at all, Knight.”

          A shrill scream ran through the house. Ikari nearly dropped Sarah as the scream reached his ears, clawing at his eardrums. Sarah fared slightly better, as she was able to cup her ears with her non-busy hands.

          “What the bloody hell was that?” Ikari asked, clearly in pain. “No idea, but we have to check it out!” Sarah yelled, fearing that Ikari might have a temporary case of deafness.

          The two ran out the door of Sarah’s residence, frantically looking around.

          “Nothing” Ikari said as soon as he confirmed it. Sarah quickly agreed.

          “But both of us were so sure...” “Come on” Ikari started for the door “It’s getting late.”

          Two sun-mirroring feathers fell and dropped just in front of the 2 companions. Sarah’s eyes lit up at the sight of such beautiful feathers. Ikari too noticed the feathers, and bent down to pick one up. Sarah did the same. As soon as the feathers were within their grasp, and the two were inside, the two feathers’ golden existence shattered into tiny beads of a glowing essence. Half the beads flew at Ikari, and the other half at Sarah

          “What...the...” Ikari choked out before he fell unconscious, one of his jade eyes a bloody-crimson color. Sarah didn’t manage any better, and she fell unconscious, sounds that were previously impossible for her to hear, now being heard clear as a bell.

The golden essence massaged the bodies of the two receiving of it, preparing it for the adaptation they were undertaking

          Black-clad legs skillfully, and powerfully, cut through the air. The target raised his arms and blocked each successive attack.

          “Geez” The defender complained “You don’t let up do you?” Platinum-blond hair clouded his vision, as a fist crashed into his stomach. Then the defender could feel the fist twisting, as the blond assailant flipped herself upside-down in the air, and delivered a battle-ending kick to his head. Then the ground rushed to meet him.

          The blond haired girl stood triumphant over the fallen man, hands on her hips. A red-lined, black kimono and red belt adorned her slender frame. She brushed the hair out of her naturally crimson eyes, as the judge inspected the fallen combatant.

          “And the winner is...Misora Naomi!” A proud grin crossed Misora’s face.

          “Was there ever any doubt?” Misora’s face faltered for a second when she asked the referee a question. “How many more matches do I have left?” Her answer was “Next match is the finals.” Sweet! I can go home after kicking the stuffing out of my next opponent, and go see Subaru! Finally!

          Misora looked at the dawn sky, exhausted from the early morning training she did regularly. The bright oranges, reds, and other colors seemed exceptionally beautiful to her today...in fact, she could swear she saw an eerily bright sphere descending from the sky.

          What could that be? It looks like its falling near the lake...let’s go check it out! Misora got off the stump she had substituted a chair for, dusted her pants off and leapt over her estate’s fence. She had only gotten a block when a shrill scream pierced the surrounding quiet.

          “That came in the direction of that shining thing!” Misora ran faster than she’d ever had as she made her way to the landing point of the object.

         

          “Aha. There you are...but where’s the thing that screamed?” Misora said to herself as she paced closer to the bright article. “A feather?” She asked quizzically. Shrugging, Misora picked it up and held it in her grasp, where it shattered into many golden orbs. Her eyes widened and she became frightened, as the orbs raced towards her, and into her body. What...what’s go-going on?... Misora’s body was on fire. The liquid-flames snaked their way up her throat as she coughed up blood. She collapsed, and an electric-sensation shot up her arms and legs, leaving her unable to get up. Black ate away at her vision like fire on paper, leaving darkness in its wake. Help me...Su...ba...ru...

          A pale teal-haired man tread towards Misora’s fallen person.

          “This is what happens when an Angel of Light takes a feather intended for one of the Dark” He crouched beside Misora and looked her in the eyes. “Do you feel that of a hollow heart?” Misora tried to answer ‘no’ but she was only able to choke out a groan.

          “Apparently not.” He painted a design on her left shoulder in ink. A “t” with an arrow-head bottom. Just like the necklace that dangled in front of her face, and the tattoo on his shoulder.

          “Now...you will feel the same hollowness as I do. Just like everyone else will.”

And then Misora’s world went blank.

                             Feathers react violently when not inhabiting the body of the intended...and a 50% chance of a fatality if it inhabits the wrong kind of Angel                              

          A blond-haired teen tripped as he got out of bed “Gah!” His face hit the wooden flooring of his bedroom hard.

          “Stupid legs. I can’t believe I need special braced shoes to walk.”

         

         The blond teen –fully dressed- had a self-assured smirk as he looked at himself proudly in the full-length mirror. An azure scarf and sapphire tank-top with an intricate black spiral decorated his upper-body. Red and blue chapped pants (an inch too short) were worn on his lower body, and black-fingerless gloves covered his hands. The teen’s smile faltered as his gaze drew upon his shoes. To the casual observation, they looked like ordinary ninja-sandals (a popular type of footwear in Mu), however, they sported a metal brace to support his legs. Stupid birth defect, messing up the nerves in my legs.

          “Hatori, come and get breakfast!”

          “Huzzah for food!” Hatori yelled as he bounded down the stairs to the kitchen. “Hi mom.” He said as he brushed past her and sat down at the table.

          Walking the spirit roads to his martial-arts academy, Hatori looked down at the scenery below him. The silver-leaved trees, buildings, and people going on with their busied lives made the perfect collage, he thought. After 10 minutes of slow-paced walking, Hatori arrived to find the academy empty.

          “What?” Hatori asked, as if the very notion that the academy was devoid of people inside training was absurd. To Hatori; it was. Walking in, tense, incase any combat were to occur, he surveyed the room. There were only the 4 white walls, the wooden floor, the doors to Master’s office and the washroom, the wall-to-wall mirror to his left, and the weapons hanging from the wall opposite the mirror. This is...odd.

          “Hello?” Hatori called. No response. Sweet got the whole place to myself. Hatori pulled 2 daggers from the wall and held them in a reverse-grip. He trained vigorously, but slowed his movements and made them gentler as something he recalled something his Master said once. “Don’t force your techniques. Keep them gentle and practice light but a lot. Repetition is key.”

          Hatori was in the middle of an upward-strike when a bloodcurdling scream coursed through the room, causing Hatori to lose his grip and the dagger to plunge into his hand. Ignoring the screaming for a moment, Hatori winced as he slid the blade through his hand.

          “Jesus.” Hatori got up from the bloodstained floor and dazedly walked to the door. “Who the hell screamed?” Knowing he wasn’t in the shape for a search –not that he would like to go and search anyway- Hatori turned around... to see a shimmering golden feather materialize from the pool of blood. Woah, what’s that doing here? He tentively walked towards it, and the feather burst into golden orbs and flew towards Hatori. “Wha-“Was all Hatori managed to say before he collapsed. A man in black and red walked up to him, as he was falling and said

          “Well well; what’s all this here then?” Then, placing one of Hatori’s blades across Hatori’s throat, he spoke again. “Newly made Grim Angel eh? Can’t have another one in my way-“

          “Stop, Phaun!” Boomed a voice, as the voice’s owner barged through the door, his long black bangs whipping in the wind.

          “You ruin all the fun Syona.” Phaun said as he withdrew the blade from Hatori’s throat and let it fall, clattering on the ground. He glared at Hatori, the hatred piercing Hatori’s clouded mind. Then he turned away, and walked out the door. “Let’s go. I can’t stand to see a worthless person undeserving of the Pluma like him live.” Syona glanced at Hatori with a look that said ‘sorry’ before following Phaun.

     A feather works double-time if the host is indanger of losing it. Such was the case with the 2 interfering, if they were to extract it before it could be in sync with its inheritor’s body     

          Lei was late.

          “Oh crap!” Dashing out the door, the brown-haired and brown-eyed teen waved a good-bye to his sister, forgetting his katana. Master is gonna kill me! Late again to bushido lessons!  The spirit roads were a useful, and quick way to travel; almost more so than vehicles. The energy that made up the spirit roads flowed in a specific direction, so if the energy that was being soaked up was in tune with the direction of the flow (an easy feat for any person of Mu), a person could run nearly 3 times as fast. Very helpful in Lei’s case; very, very helpful. Lei’s head craned, trying to get an estimate of how much time till he had till he arrived at the academy by the scenery. Hey, there’s Hatori. He’s never late though...I’m early? That’s a first... Lei pondered on how he could be early, when it donned on him. Oh, right...the clocks went back an hour today; whoops. Oh well.

          Even with the help of the spirit roads, Lei got tired easily, and fell behind Hatori. Soon, he heard a loud -very loud- scream tare through his ears.

          “Gah!” Lei yelled as he jumped. “What was that? I can’t even tell where it came from.” Suspicious, Lei continued on to his destination.

          About 15 minutes later -5 if he had continued running- Lei arrived at the academy. He peeked inside only to see Hatori’s unconscious body, a blood stain, and no one else.

          “Hatori, what happened?!” Lei tore through the area between Hatori and him, to see what was wrong with Hatori. His hands prodded Hatori’s body, the only visible injury being the knife wound on his hand. What happened here? Was Hatori the one screaming?

          “He took in his Pluma.” Lei twisted, looking at a green-haired man leaning against the door frame.

          “What’s a Pluma?” Lei asked, looking at the man like he was demented. The man pushed himself out of the leaning position and paced towards Lei, inspecting him. “The name’s Zephi and it’s a golden feather that falls from the sky. It gives the person who picks it up angelic abilities.” Lei’s impression of the man read “escapee from mental clinic”.

          “I have one too, Lei.” Zephi disappeared, and a split-second later, appeared behind Lei. “See?” Lei was shocked. How can something like this actually be true? Zephi smirked.

          “Believe it. You’re destined to have one too.” He vaguely gestured to the office. “It should be in there.” Hoping that it was, Lei cautiously crept into his Master’s office, should anyone be waiting inside to do him harm. There was only the feather, shining like the sun. Lei’s expression became one of amazement and joy, as he motioned to pick it up.

          It exploded in a flash of light.

          The ground rushed up to meet Lei.

          Zephi walked in and gave a low whistle. “Wow, that one was violent.”

                      All feathers explode into its purest essence when in the hands of their inheritors. If it explodes before that, the abilities it grants are increased.