Prologue

“ What do I do?” Kiara breathes heavily, sweating dripping off her face. The air feels suffocating in the area she is in. Her fingers grip heavily on her katana, her battle stance shaking heavily. Her opponent is covered in a whirlwind of spiritual energy.

She was deep in the forest and all alone, and she was faced with someone much stronger than her. She only had her skills and blade to protect her.

The talisman behind him is broken. The energy he is emitting, slowly crushes Kiara’s lungs. He slowly walks forwards towards Kiara, his footsteps heavy and deliberate.

“ Thank you for releasing me, “his cold, and husky, quickly summoned his blade in his outstretched hands, “ It’s been a while since I’ve been in a battle. Prepare yourself girl.”

Kiara raises her katana high, preparing for the inevitable, “ I won’t make… it easy for you,” her voice was shallow and quiet, fear taking control of her. There was only one way out of this. Only way out of this situation.

12 years ago

Since the beginning of human civilization, curse spirits roamed the world. Invisible to regular humans and forms made of pure shadow. Those awakened with the power to fight these curse spirits are called Wardens.

Europe- Poland

The sun is peeking through the clouds, the birds are flapping their wings and chirping. The sky looks peaceful but it is a different story in the battlefield below.

“ Everyone…retreat right now-,” the warden said before dropping dead from his wounds.

“ It’s too strong, we have to regroup,” another warden commanded everyone else on the battlefield, his eyes darting to all the survivors nearby. The grassy field is soaked in red and bodies. The air was thick with smoke, blood and the scent of blood.

Elusives are ranked from a scale from lowest to strongest, D rank to S rank. Wardens follow a similar scale from F to S. A gigantic vulture-like creature covered in armor appears through the flames, crashing through it with high speeds, sending many flying away. Many tiny smaller spirits accompanied the giant creature. Elusives with the rank of S, are named by one title- Monarchs.

A few wardens jump towards the Monarch, but their efforts are quickly stopped as its accompanying spirits grab them mid air and swiftly tearing them apart and disappear into the skyline.

“ There’s just too many,” a young apprentice says, his voice quivering in fear. His face and body covered in blood and dirt, “ We can’t handle this.”

“ We can’t do anything if that thing keeps laying eggs, and creating more reinforcements,” the apprentice’s companion says next to him.

“ We just gotta keep holding on, until reinforcements arrive,” a senior warden appears, putting his hands on their shoulders, calming them down but ultimately preparing them for the inevitable.

Only A ranks and above are capable of handling these types of creatures. Even then it is still a challenge for them.

The sky darkened as the battle continued, as more Elusives appeared through the smoke. The wind blows against the battlefield, brushing to a country far in the east in Asia, where a different battle is about to unfold, far in the countryside, hidden in the mountains.

China.

The monasteries are filled with monks and students training and meditating. A falcon flapping its wings perched itself on the head monk’s arm, with a report wrapped around its leg. Gently untying the paper, the man reads the paper. A bell signals a group of monks of an Elusive attack, and they prepare themselves for battle.

“ We have gotten a report of an Elusive in the countryside,” the head monk commands as he reads out the report to the group, “ There is a nearby village in its trajectory, evacuate the village and neutralize the threat.

The younger students look at their mentors, fear flickering in their eyes. The group rushed out of the gates, rushing into battle, each step bringing them closer to neutralizing the threat.

On the other side of the world, in the distant ocean, in the dim wet streets of America. People are running around, seeking shelter against the rain. Wind blowing violently against the trees and the buildings below. The battle against the Elusive is a constant battle between survival and death. A task bestowed on themselves, to protect mankind in secret.

America.

Rain fell incessantly down, wreaking havoc on the entire small neighborhood. Each drop shimmers in the dim moon light, and makes tiny splashes, sending little ripples across the streets.

A lone middle-aged figure stands still in the real desolate streets, wearing his trench coat and, with an umbrella, standing alone. His silhouette is lit by the streetlights as he walks slowly toward a house in the neighborhood. Superficially, it looked just like any other suburban house- well-mowed lawn, flower bed rather on the neat side, trapped colors from the orchids and daisies in bloom.

Slowly climbing the stairs, the man's feet seem to echo as he ascends the creaky wooden steps; it almost seems as if the house were grumbling under his own weight.

"Charm."

A transparent barrier shimmers into existence around the suburban house. As he moved closer to the house, he carefully speedily retracted the umbrella, folding it back and placing it in one of his many pockets on his coat. He gently knocks at the door.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

His voice followed the second knock, a low murmur cutting through the silent night.

“ Alexander. Open the door. Are you okay?”

Silence.

Without any hesitation, the man pushes his way into the house, the hinges screeching in protest. The brightly covered wallpaper was now torn, scratched, and peeling. The chandelier lay broken on the ground, its crystal scattered like fallen stars. The man slowly investigates the area, the atmosphere oppressively weighing heavy on his senses. The house reeked heavily of death and sorrow.

Pulling the pendant from his pocket, it shone into the dark and desolate house. He senses a dark spiritual energy coming from the second story. Quickly unsheathing the sword as he climbs the stairs, he disregards the creaking of the old hardwood boards. His approach was rushed. The dark energy grew stronger as he ascended. A huge sinister spirit notices the man climbing to the second floor-an Elusive. It waits patiently for just the right moment before making its move.

“ The cursed spirit here somewhere,” he whispers to himself, his voice low, but shaky. His eyes kept falling on one corner and the other to ensure he was never caught unaware. He was just preparing himself because he could sense the sudden dark spiritual energy from the room ahead. He quickly prepares himself for the inevitable.

Gripping his blade tightly, he slowly opens the door, the hinges slowly creaking. The room was barren, the furniture was broken and it was covered in clawed marks. The man was about to leave before he noticed something or someone was watching him from the closet. He froze for a moment, his heart beating heavily in his chest.

Quickly pointing his blade at the closet doors, he stepped closely, his footsteps feeling heavy but delicate. His eyes flickered at the doors. His hands trembled slightly before pushing the doors open.

Slowly creaking the closet door, he sees a small girl cowering under a pile of clothing. Her face was pale in shock, covered in droplets of blood, and her eyes widened and covered in fear. She was clutching onto a small stuffed animal, her breathing very shallow and rough like a wounded animal.

Kneeling carefully, the man lowered himself to her level, his voice soft and gentle, despite his heart pounding heavily on his chest.

“ Hey there… What’s your name.”

The girl looked at him cautiously, eyes darting across the room, not knowing whether to trust the stranger or not but after a couple seconds she answered his question, “ My name is… Kiara.”

The man slowly offers his hand to Kiara, his smile radiating warmth and safety for the young girl. “ It’s nice to meet you Kiara,” his voice soft but trembling, “ My name is Edward and I am your grandfather. Your father hasn’t introduced me to you yet, hasn’t he.”

The girl slowly nods, still unsure whether to trust him.

“ Where are your parents Kiara?” Edward’s voice was worrisome, waiting for Kiara’s response to ease his consciousness.

“ The monster killed them… in that room. In there.” pointing directly at the room across from where the two were. Edward quickly approaches the room, loudly pushing the door wide open, creating a little shockwave that rippled the home.

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Edward just stood there, and the silence was palpable. There was no sign of the cursed spirit but the remnants of something tragic. The oppressive feeling and smell of death were still lingering in the air. His heart was hammering in his chest, and the feeling couldn’t be ignored.

With a powerful sigh, he slowly makes his way back to Kiara, the sadness in his chest growing more with each step. He turned towards Kiara, clearly trying to hide the pain on his face and in his voice. He kneels back down to Kiara. He glances at the empty room, the air thick of memories of what happened back there.

“ It’s alright Kiara. I’m not gonna let anything happen to you.” his heart raced- the thoughts of her parents lying dead on the ground lingered in his chest. He couldn’t undo what happened in that room, or undo what she had seen.

“ There are people I know that are going to help you as well. I promise.” Kiara, hesitant at first, slowly offers her hand to her grandfather, and she slowly leaves the closet.

Grabbing his Nokia out of his pocket, he quickly presses the number and answers whoever picks up the receiver. He firmly holds onto Kiara’s hand as he waits for someone to pick up his call. His footsteps brought anxiety upon Edward as he knew the cursed spirit was still inside the house, and he needed someone to come pick up him and Kiara.

A click sounded through the receiver.

“ What’s the problem, Edward?” The voice on the end was rigged, familiar, but with an edge of concern.

“ Hey. I got to the location, and I couldn’t save the parents, but I found this girl. I need some backup to take her safely back to the temple. Now” Edward said, his voice low but commanding.

“ No problem. Help will arrive in about 10 minutes. Hope she doesn’t mind being stuck in the rain for a while. We don’t want new recruits to be sick on their first day”

“ Hahaha. How funny!” he said sarcastically, looking down at Kiara, his gaze covered in worry and uncertainty. I don’t know about this one. I don’t think she possesses any spiritual gifts at all.”

“ Did she show any signs of sensing or seeing the Elusive?” The man’s voice had a hint of skepticism.

“ Yeah.”

“ Edward? Are you under the weather? That’s a clear sign that she possesses spiritual energy. She has to be recruited. Is there anything wrong Edward, that the council needs to know about?”

Edward’s mind raced with thoughts: the council, the system, the rules. He didn’t have time to get involved or argue about them; his main mission was getting Kiara to safety. He had a strange feeling about all of this—he knew how the training for the recruits went.

Her spiritual gifts made her not belong to this world nor did she belong to the world the council would likely demand out of her.

What could Edward do? He was one man in the system and he had to do his job. The most that Edward can do is shield her as much as he can with her training.

Kiara’s quiet voice broke Edward out of his thoughts, her gaze drawn to the blade that he sheathed on his side. She slowly met his gaze.

Kiara, noticing his discomfort, tugged on his sleeve, “ Why do you have a sword grandpa?”

Edward gives off a small smile to Kiara.

“ This sword is a part of what I do Kiara” Edward was having a hard time trying to describe what he does for a living and why he carries a blade around him, “My job is to protect people from dangerous spirits- Elusives.”

Kiara blinked, “ Is that…what killed mommy and daddy?”

Kiara’s words felt like a knife to Edward’s throat, he didn’t expect her to bluntly say that to him. He wasn’t sure how to respond. A strange dark presence snuck up behind Edward, the elusive was near.

“ Kiara. Stay behind me now.”

Edward quickly unsheathed his blade and Kiara scurried behind her grandfather. His eyes darted everywhere, unable to find the elusive. The dark presence was near.

“ We’re not safe in this house, you walk in front of me as we descend the stairs okay.”

Suddenly a huge dark monster leaped towards Edward, catching him off guard, a blur of claws and teeth. His instincts kicked in - quickly pushing Kiara out of the way before the elusive and Edward fell down the stairs. As they tumbled down the wooden stairs, the world spinned as they crashed into the dust-filled air..

The dusty smoke cloud created, blinded Edward, making him unable to see the creature. His vision was still spinning and he needed to regain his footing. He grabbed his weapon, and used it to block the creature’s vicious attempt to bite his face off, its jaws snapping a few inches away from his.

“ Flame!” His voice was steady but commanding despite the pain he was in.

Edward’s blade glowed red before being engulfed in a whirlwind of fire and ash. The elusive jaws backed away from the blade hissing as the heat burned its twisted form, scurrying back to create enough distance.

Kiara’s eyes widened in shock and amazement, her mouth wide open as the fire surrounded her grandfather’s blade.

Swiftly dashing at the spirit, Edward swung his katana. The elusive tried to dodge it but it was too slow. Edward swiftly sliced into the monster’s side. The fire covered blade burned and scorched the creature, trying its best to escape. Its shrieks echoed throughout the house.

Using all its strength, Edward swung his arms, and managed to cut the creature in half with brutal force. It’s twisted body cracking from the slice. Quickly bubbling and expanding before exploding into dark mist. Vanishing with a howl. Edward gives off a quick sigh of relief as the dark energy is transmitted into the man’s blade.

“ Kiara. It’s safe now. You can come out.” His voice is calm, but urgent.

Kiara quickly ran down the stairs almost tripping but she walked up to her grandfather, holding his hand. Her face once covered in fear was now covered in awe.

“ Grandpa, that was awesome. How did you do that? That was cool.” She exclaimed, her eyes wide opened.

“ It’s a skill,” he says keeping it simple, “ A skill you learn to survive… and to protect others.”

“ Do you think I will be able to do that, Grandpa? When I’m older?’

“ I don’t know Kiara,” his voice uncharacteristically low, “ It’s not a life anyone should be forced to do… there are people in this world who will break you if you are not careful.”

Kiara smiled and squeezed his hand tighter, an unexpected determination, “ I can do it Grandpa. I’m strong just like you.”

Edward gave a small chuckle to himself, a small faint smile across his face. He quickly escorts Kiara out of the house where they waited for their backup to arrive. The rain continuously poured heavily onto the house and the neighborhood. Edward gave a quick glance at Kiara who was still tugging on his sleeve after witnessing him kill the elusive.

The tired man looked off to the distance as his comrade’s car arrived onto the scene. Its headlights pierced the rain. Quickly rolling down his windows to alert the duo.

“ You guys look rough. Edward, get the kid into the car, she looks like she is gonna get a cold real quick in this weather.”

Edward slowly kneeled down to Kiara. His hand resting on her messy dirty hair.

“ I almost forgot. How old are you Kiara?”

“ Five,” she replied.

“ You must have a lot of questions Kiara. That trick you saw me doing, there’s a chance you could be able to do that too, you could be like a warden like me”

Kiara’s eyes widened in happiness and curiosity, she began jumping in excitement.

“ Do you think I will be able to control the fire? Or… create candy out of my hands?”

Edward chuckles to himself, amusing in Kiara’s child-like antics. He grabs her hands, retracting his umbrella, and they walk to the car.

“ Listen Kiara. You don’t have to be a warden, there are many more important things in life than that, but if you choose this path, I will always protect you, no matter what. “

Kiara’s hand gripped her grandfather’s, he could feel the unspoken promise between them.

“ These people might not be the nicest and most caring like your parents but I will shield you from them, you understand.”

“ I understand Grandpa.”

Edward’s eyes lingered on Kiara’s serious and amusing face. He has no idea what the future will lead to her or for him but he knows all he can do is guide along the right path.

Edward slowly puts Kiara in the backseat of the car, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a new life for him and Kiara.

The days that followed blurred into weeks then into months then finally years.

11 years later

The sun dipped low. The streets bustling with busy people leaving their driveways to work, and kids walking to school, unaware of the ancients forces lurking in the shadows.

Edward’s hands trembled a bit as he finished cleaning up the last of the pans and dishes, he slowly picked up his slow roast coffee but nearly dropped it when he noticed the time.

“ Kiara. Finish your breakfast. At the pace you are eating, you will be late for school.”

Kiara with her mouth open, about to consume a piece of pancake on her forks, puts it down. She checks the time on her clock, and her eyes shoot out in shock and confusion.

“ Oh crap,” she begins quickly putting the pancakes in her mouth and washing it down with a nice glass of orange juice. It was a sharp contrast from the scared girl from that many nights ago.

Edward rolled his eyes, he almost forgot what it was like to take care of a teenager at his old brittle age.

“ Oh by the way Kiara, there will be no training this week, and if you dare try to disobey me… that’s 20 bowls of veggies for you for the next two weeks. You need to study for college and not worry about killing elusives.”

Kiara gives a soft groan a familiar sound to Edward, “ I understand grandpa, I promise to try to not disobey you,” tossing him a grin and playful wink as quickly grabs her bag and dashed out of the door, leaving Edward contemplating whether she is really being sincere or not.

“ That girl is gonna be the death of me someday. Just like her father.” His voice felt unrecognizable, rough with years of experience and too long burdened by secrets.

He begins putting his hand into a hand sign. A dark mist appeared in front of Edward, revealing a small spirit falcon. It hovered in front of Edward, its glowing eyes met his.

“ Keep an eye on Kiara today,” Edward ordered steadily, “ Report to me when she eventually hunts another elusive.” The bird quickly flapped its wings once and disappeared into the air, vanishing into the shadows of the house. Edward walks back to his study room, his steps steady, but his thoughts are anything but.

Something was off today. But what?