Chaos-Elysium, Requim of Lost Souls - Chapter 1
Chapter 1...
If you're wondering what the previous four posts were... *blink* um... prologues... *blink* yeah...
Chapter 1: The Dance Begins
It is the dead of night, and upon the bedspread a young blonde boy lies. Face matted with sweat, his chest heaves, seemingly having difficulty in breathing, expression contorted into one that clearly showed pain. His hands grip the sheets tightly as his body curls into a feral position. He begins gasping for breath, tears forming at the corners of his eyes.
“Master Norn!”
The door leading into the room was flung open, and standing against the light streaming in was a tall man, hair and moustache grey with age. The monocle he wore over his left eye flashed momentarily as he swiftly approached the bedside, piercing black irises examining the boy as his hand press against the petit figure’s forehead.
The boy’s eyes open, revealing two spiraling cosmoses, stars of an unknown space glittering within his very soul. The man is taken aback, monocle falling from his eye.
“Master Norn…!” his voice was an urgent whisper, fearing for the boy’s safety. Slowly but surely though, the boy’s gasping lightens, till it is but a mere pant. The spectral within his eyes also begin to fade, and eventually they are replaced by innocent ocean blue irises.
“Are you alright?” the man asks worriedly, helping the boy up into a sitting position.
The boy gently touches his forehead. Composing himself, a frown holding both sadness and pain crossing his face as he recalled his dream, “It… has begun.”
The next morning, in one of the sleepy suburban areas just outside the city, in the local clinic, a girl is tidying herself in front of the full-length mirror in her room on the second floor. Humming to herself as she pushed back her platinum brown hair with a white hair band, she examined her reflection with cheerful light yellow irises: she was in her new school uniform, with a white short-sleeved button-up top and navy blue skirt that reached just above her knees. Completing it with tying a red ribbon round her collar, the crystal pendant she wore round her neck flashed momentarily as the girl happily skipped out of the bathroom and down the stairs, black shocks padding against the wooden floorboard as the smell of food floated up to meet her.
In the kitchen, a woman is busy tending to the stove. Her semblance is uncanny with the girl’s, save her irises were a much darker shade. Dressed in a pink one piece with cherry blossoms spiraling across its length with a white apron before it, she appears to be a perfect example of a housewife, movements graceful yet also precise.
At the dining table nearby, a man is hidden behind the papers. His grey irises appear serious, black gravity-defying hair with aftershave and goatee giving a somewhat wild but professional look to him. He appears to be the clinic’s doctor, wearing a white coat over a navy blue long-sleeved collar shirt and black long pants.
“Ah, good morning Mia,” the woman was the first to notice the girl as she entered.
“Good morning mother, Fa-” the girl known as Mia couldn’t complete her sentence as the man pounced on her.
“My little angel has grown up to be such a big girl!” almost koala-like the man clings to the girl, rubbing his own cheek against hers. Any form of professionalism the man had before was now completely destroyed.
“Father! Let go!” Mia squirmed in her father’s embrace, struggling to escape from it but to no avail. Quite suddenly though, her father’s iron grip snapped as he crumbled to the floor, head literally smoking from what appeared to be a large bump. Mia’s mother stood above him, frying pan in hand.
“Dear, act your age,” even though Mia’s mother was smiling, there was a throbbing vein clearly visible on her forehead. Laughing nervously, Mia observed the scene a moment longer before sitting at the table, helping herself to some freshly made pancakes.
The television was on, and currently it was broadcasting the morning news. Images of a destroyed road and damaged buildings flashed across the screen, not that any one in the house really cared.
“Late last night, at around 11:39pm, witnesses claim that an unidentified creature appeared in the North District and went on a rampage. Fortunately, no one was reported injured or killed. The police is looking into the case and is currently classifying it as a freak accident. Anyone with information please call…”
The rest of the report was lost in the sounds of Mia’s father recovering from the concussion and struggling to stand. Chuckling, Mia finished her breakfast and stood.
Outside, a golden retriever, which had been snoozing in his kennel, was awoken by the sounds within the household. Raising its head lazily, it yawned, licking its nose. Lapsing in and out of consciousness, it was only when it heard its mistress’ voice that it pricked its ears and snapped wide awake.
“Then I’ll be going now.”
“Have a nice day.”
As Mia slipped on her shoes the golden retriever bounded to her, and like her father pounced on her. Luckily, Mia was ready for it this time, catching the canine before it drove her to the ground. Kneeling down Mia scratched the back of the dog’s neck, and got a wet tongue in return.
“Good morning to you too, Jean,” Mia spoke to the dog, which barked in reply, “I can’t play with you now, it’s my first day of school at the academy, remember?”
Almost pouting, the golden retriever known as Jean whined, tail disappearing between its legs. Mia stroked it’s back apologetically, “I’m sorry Jean. I’ll buy you your favourite snack on the way home later, alright?”
Seemingly content with the reply, Jean saw Mia off to the front gate, barking as she waved goodbye.
The day was off to a slow start, and no one was really out. Walking casually, Mia enjoyed the soft breeze that blew past, carrying with it the soft scents of newly bloomed flowers. Spring had just begun, and Mia loved it.
Lost in a world of her own, it was only when she reached the local playground that she realized someone was calling out to her. Turning, she found a girl around her age running towards her, wearing the same uniform as she did. With bright red hip-length hair that flowed freely behind her as she ran and purplish irises, the girl stop short just before Mia, panting slightly.
“Didn’t you hear me calling to wait up, Mia?” the girl said, finally recovering her breath. Mia blushed slightly, sticking out her tongue.
“I’m sorry, Quess,” she replied, “Guess I was too caught up with spring.”
Quess sighed and shook her head, “I’ll let it pass this time, but if it happens again you’ll have to buy me ice cream.”
Mia merely smiled back, and the two went about on their way again. Apparently they were headed to the school on the outskirts of the suburban area: Norn Academy.
“Nervous?” Quess queried.
“U-um…” to tell the truth, Mia felt more excited than nervous, but now her feelings were so muddled up it was hard to tell which was which. Today, she and Quess were to start their junior college life, along with hundreds of others. Even if it was still early, there were already numerous people within the compound, most of whom were first years like them.
“Let’s see where our classroom is,” Quess said, evidently also excited about her first day. In her haste however she accidentally bumped into someone, causing her to fall to the ground.
“Ah, my bad,” Wincing slightly from the impact, Quess looked up and momentarily lost herself in a pair of sparkling green irises. The eyes belonged to a boy with a crown of pale brown hair, about half a head taller than both girls. He wore the standard school spring uniform for males: short-sleeved white collared shirt and navy blue long pants. He extended his left hand towards Quess, a silver cross marked with blue designs attached to the bracelet he wore swinging slightly as he did so, “Are you alright?”
Realising that she had been staring a tad too long, Quess turned a brilliant shade of red, “Y-yeah, I’m fine.”
As Quess accepted the boy’s hand and pulled herself up, Mia had already walked over to their side.
“As ditzy as ever,” Mia commented, smiling. Quess laughed slightly, embarrassed. The boy smiled at them.
“I’m a first year at this academy. Edmund Pylon, or Ed for short.”
“Us too,” Quess replied, composing herself, “I’m Quess Karin, and this is Mia Leighbrit.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Mia nodded in affirmation when her name was mentioned. The boy known as Ed smiled in slight amusement.
“Leighbrit?” he repeated thoughtfully.
“Eh?” Mia queried, somewhat confused, “Do you know my family?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I just saw your name on the class lists. Quite a remarkable surname,” Ed replied, scratching his chin, “Seems that the two of you are in the same class as I am.”
“Really?” Quess asked somewhat suspiciously.
“What’s with that tone now?” Ed remarked, acting somewhat hurt, “I do make it a point to remember who’s in the class on the first day, especially cute gals like the two of you.”
“Well aren’t you shameless?” Quess remarked. Ed merely chuckled.
“Fine. If you don’t believe me you can go have a look for yourselves.”
With a new acquaintance in tow, the two girls squeezed passed the many others viewing the lists and searched for their names. Both of them were in class 1-6, and true enough, Ed was also in their class.
“Quite a few interesting names in here,” Ed remarked, tapping the end of their class list.
“Zahn Thanatos?” Mia read off the name written at the end.
“Sounds French,” Quess muttered, bending down to get a better view of the name.
“Who knows. I thought Leighbrit would be German, though it doesn’t seem to work that way now, does it?” Ed replied, eyeing Mia analytically. He caught sight of the pendant she wore, “Hmm?”
“I wonder how he’s like,” Mia said to no one in particular, unaware of Ed’s expression.
Meanwhile, at the West District, workers were cleaning out the rubble that littered the road as the police went about on their investigation. Indentations on the ground that resembled massive footprints were quarantined by yellow tape, and a forensic team was already beginning to take measurements and samples.
Above all these happenings, on top of one of the partially destroyed buildings, a boy with raven black hair stood, icy blue eyes observing the scene. His attire is full black: trench coat pulled over a t-shirt and loose jeans. The only things that weren’t monotone were the metal tips of his boots, the silver buckle of his belt and a bracelet he wore on his right wrist. The crystal attached to the silver links swirled mysteriously with the colours black and white, glittering occasionally in the sunlight as it swung to and fro. Next to it hung a small yellow cat’s bell, it tinkling softly with the crystal’s motion.
“It’s time to dance,” the boy muttered. Lowering his body, he pushed himself from the building, leaping up into the sky and disappearing down an alleyway.
Back at Norn Academy, the class of 1-6 just realized they were missing one person.
“Zahn Thanatos?” the teacher repeated. Again there was no reply, affirming the fact that he was indeed not present.
“An interesting individual indeed,” Ed muttered, smiling slightly, “not showing up for class on the first day of school.”
Since they were first years, Mia, Quess, Ed, and the rest of the class had the privilege of touring the campus, which lasted almost through the morning. After a brief welcome speech by the principal, the first years were let off for lunch break.
“I never thought the school was this big,” Mia voice out, digging in to her packed lunch. She and Quess had found a quiet place under a tree near the back of the school to have their lunch. Ed had tagged along also.
“Norn Academy is privately-funded anyhow,” Ed replied, biting into his sandwich, “as long as they have the money, they can have the liberties.”
“What are you doing here anyway?” Quess asked.
“I just felt like it,” Ed replied, “To spend some quality time with two hot girls. Alone.”
Quess rolled her eyes as Mia giggled. It has been established since that morning that Ed was quite the conversationalist, and apparently quite a lecherous one for that matter. Still, he really didn’t mean any harm.
Just as Quess was about to make a remark, suddenly shouting could be heard round the corner of the building before them.
“Looks like something’s up,” she chose to say instead. Even before the trio had begun to move a body was abruptly sent flying from round the building, it crashing headlong into the school boundary wall. Without needing a second invitation the three of them rushed forth to see just exactly what was happening.
What greeted their eyes was truly unexpected. Hair blazing red, an apparent first year was surrounded by numerous other boys, all of whom appeared to be seniors. The black irises of the first year darted about warily, sizing up the competition.
“You’ll pay for that you jackass,” one of the seniors spat, cracking his knuckles. The first year chuckled dryly.
“I’ll take on all of you anytime.”
Taking offence, the seniors all rushed forth at once, fists raised. It was also then that Mia and Quess realised that Ed wasn’t at their side anymore.
“Hold it! Hold it!”
Naturally everyone was surprised as Ed stepped forth, stopping them in their tracks. It was a rather amusing scene: the seniors were just about to start piling onto the first year, and one was even hanging from his back as all of them looked to Ed for an explanation.
“Who the heck are you?” one of them asked.
“Just a normal passer-by,” Ed said casually.
“Then scram!” one of them yelled.
“Hold your horses!” Ed raised his hands as a sign of peace, “I was just wondering why you guys are pummeling him.”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“Obvious? Hmm…” Ed scratched his chin for a moment, “Oh, so he wants to be pummeled so that he can go to the sick bay huh? I see…”
“That’s rig- huh?” the seniors were all struck dumb. Ed was in disbelief.
“Didn’t you know? The school just hired a few new nurses over the holidays, and man, I tell you, they are one horny bunch.”
The ears of the seniors pricked at just the mention of that word, “Serious?”
“Trust me, they bring patient’s welfare to a whole new level.”
Mia and Quess were stoned. It was rather obvious Ed was acting, but the seniors actually bought it.
“We’ll remember this!” one of the seniors threatened the fiery-headed first year before running off other the other, much more appeasing things on their minds.
“That should keep them busy for awhile, since the sick bay is right at the other end of school,” Ed muttered, eyeing after the disappearing backs of the seniors. He then turned to the first year, noticing his unbelievably bright hair, “Did they hit you over the head? Looks like you’re bleeding quite some bit.”
“It is my hair,” the first year spat in a somewhat disgruntled manner.
“Oh,” it was too late when Ed realized his wrong use of words.
“I didn’t even ask for your help in the first place,” the first year added, shoving his hands into his pockets. Before Ed could say anything else the first year had already left.
“I sure did it this time…” Ed muttered, sighing as Mia and Quess came over.
“Will he be alright?” Mia asked. She was refering to the first year.
“If you’re asking about his hair, that’s the colour it is,” Ed replied. The bell ended the conversation, “We’d better get back to class.”
Eventually, school ended without much further incident, though it was rumored that a bunch of seniors were caught trying to peep into the nurse’s changing room at the sick bay. Bidding farewell to Quess and Ed (who, coincidentally, takes the same road home), Mia made her way towards the shopping lane of the West District. She was surprised to find parts of the place in ruins. Fortunately, the pet shop she was planning to drop by and get Jean’s favourite treat was still in one piece.
“Welcome,” the cheery voice of the shopkeeper greeted Mia as she opened the door, “Oh, hello Mia. The usual?”
“Um,” Mia replied.
“Ah, your dog really is one pampered child,” the shopkeeper said as he took a box of dog biscuits from the shelf and packaged it. Mia only smiled.
“What happened outside?” Mia asked, catching sight of the damaged building just opposite the pet shop.
“Hmm? Some people say they saw some beast attack the place, but it’s probably just some industrial accident. Petrol is occasionally transported through here to the city, so maybe one of them exploded here last night.”
“I see.”
“Well, here you go.”
“Thank you,” paying for the purchase, Mia left the shop. The sun was beginning its descent on the horizon, washing everything with a deep orange hue. There was still some time before rush hour, and since the main part of the lane had be destroyed, not many people were about. Some policemen were on patrol, and currently there was a news crew doing an evening report.
“We are here on site at the rumored ‘beast’ attack of last night. As you can see, the craters on the road appear to be in the shape of massive three-toed footprints, making it near impossible to drive through. Authorities say that they will have the area repaired as soon as possible, but no set date has been given…”
Back at the Leighbrit residence, Mia’s father had just closed the clinic for a break and dinner. As he walks into the living room he catches sight of the news report, or rather he spots Mia walking in the background.
“My angel is on TV!” almost child-like Mia’s father squealed, plastering his face onto the TV screen, “I’m so prou-”
Mia’s mother made sure her husband couldn’t finish whatever he wanted to say. Humming to herself, she continues to prepare dinner, leaving her husband sprawled across the floor with a smoking head. Neither of them notice the TV screen flicker and go fuzzy.
Meanwhile, at the shopping lane, a strange sensation suddenly struck Mia, sending chills down her spine. Body shivering uncontrollably, from her hand the pet shop’s package fell. Knees buckling, Mia slumped to the ground, clutching her chest as she gasped for breath. It was as if an invisible force was pinning her down, choking her.
“W-what’s going on?” Mia whispered, fear gripping her as perspiration matted her forehead.
She needn’t wait long for the answer. With a earth-shaking roar the sky seemingly split open over the shopping lane. The lights that flickered on just moments before now zapped out, traffic lights going wayward and flashing randomly. As people stopped and looked upwards, the crack in the sky slowly widened, revealing a mass of black matter. A grey hand appeared, gripping the edge of the split sky. A head soon followed: a pure white mask contrasting blood red eyes. With saliva dripping from its mouth, the creature roared yet again as seven more hands joined the previous. With a powerful wrench the sky was split open further, and the creature was sent pummeling into the shopping district. Screams muffled amongst the shattering ground, everyone was sent running.
“A large creature has just suddenly appeared from the sky, crashing into the shopping lane of West District!” the reporter from before was continuing with her broadcast even as people around them were running for their lives. The camera was swung towards where the beast had landed, the settling dust allowing vague vision of it, “It appears humanoid, but it has six… no, eight arms!”
The beast roars yet again, brandishing its eight massive fists. Like nothing it destroyed the buildings around it, pummeling them like marshmallows.
Not far off, Mia could only watch in horror and helplessness, unable to even stand, let alone run.
“Why? Why can’t I move?” Mia’s chest tightened, hindering her breath even further as she tried to force herself to get up. Unfortunately, her actions were not left unnoticed. Grinning gleefully, the colossal creature lumbered over, its shadow looming over Mia as she finally managed to stand. Raising one of its fists, the creature wasted no time as it thrust it forward, intent on ending Mia’s life.
“NO!”
Mia had wrenched her eyes shut when the fist was about to hit home, failing to see as a brilliant flash of light surrounded her. With a shriek, the creature was flung backwards, its fist ripped off and fizzling into nothingness. With a thunderous sound it crashed onto the road, sending debris and rubble flying everywhere.
When Mia realised that she had not been harmed, she chanced a glance. Cracking open her eyes, she saw poised before her a raven-haired boy around her age, back against her, an icy blue eye observing her with slight interest.
“Who-” Mia’s words were cut short as the creature howled angrily. The boy before Mia turned to face the beast as it pushed itself off the ground, and it was only then that Mia realized the boy carried a weapon.
A staff, half white and half black. Its top tip was attached to some sort of triangular clamp, to which there was a circular blade attached, edge as sharp and bright as the brilliance of light. At the bottom tip a blade shaped like a crescent moon was found, blade as dark as night and somewhat blunt and blurred. Raising the weapon, the chain that wrapped itself against the staff and seemingly connected both ends clashed, the yin and yang symbol attached to it swinging wildly as the boy gripped the weapon with both his hands and readied himself in a stance.
“Let’s dance,” it was but a mere whisper, but the his words reached Mia’s ears so clearly, it was as if they were blown right into them.
Angered by the loss of one of its hands, the creature charged forth, launching four fists at once. The boy leapt forth just as the fists came, causing them to slam into each other, unfruitful. Turning counter-clockwise, the boy sliced through the beast’s open arms, dismembering all four limbs. With them fizzling into nothingness, the creature drew back, shrieking in agony, and as the boy landed with back facing it, the creature attempted yet another punch.
Grip tightening on the staff, the circular blade began glowing pure white as the boy swung his weapon in a wide arc, striking the creature’s fist like a batter would a ball in a game of baseball. The blinding light escaped from the circular blade, slicing through the beast’s knuckles before dashing forth to its right leg, splitting it at the knee. Screaming, the unbalanced creature plummeted forth, it’s face meeting with the circular blade of the boy’s staff. The white mask was split vertical down, the creature’s eyes narrowing as its howl echoed long and hard. Slowly remnants of the creature’s battered body began to fizzle and eventually disappeared into nothingness,
Silence fell. Mia watched on as the boy stood deathly still, weapon still outstretched. She nearly gasped as the boy raised his head and turned to look at her, eyes unblinking. Again Mia found her breath caught, but now more out of amazement and curiosity than fear. Yet, as she tried to speak the boy turned away from her, leaping up onto a nearby building.
“Who are you?” when those words escaped Mia’s lips only when the boy was long gone.
Meanwhile, the young blonde from before gazes out of the windows in his bedroom, a hand placed gently on the cold surface. In the distance smoke was rising, and above it, in the sky, what appeared to be faint cracks were sealing themselves, returning the space to its usual uniformity.
“Master Norn,” the door is opened, revealing the man with the monocle, “Isis says that the Soul Demon has been destroyed.”
“How is she?” the blonde asks, gazing over worriedly.
“She is resting in her room now, Master Norn,” the man, apparently some sort of butler, bowed with his words, “She is fine both physically and mentally.”
“That’s good to hear. Thank you, Aron,” the blonde smiled softly, glad that the person known as Isis was fine. Aron excused himself from the room as the blonde returned his gaze to outside the window.
“I’ll leave it up to you then, Zahn,” the blonde whispered, his fingers tensing slightly on the cool window pane.