"How many times do I have to repeat myself for you to understand Kalla?! Don't cross the village walls just because you feel like it. One day, a big creature will end up eating you, and it won't be my fault!" The nun scolded with a stern face.

Even though she was being heavily scolded, the little imp continued smiling. Today was Kallaya's birthday and the turning of the age, the first millenia of human history. Of course she couldn't hide her smile albeit the circumstances. She was already 10 years old, and those fearsome creatures were nothing to her! That's what she thought of telling the nun, but after a second thought, refrained from doing so. Little did they know how Kalla was capable of getting out of the village so easily, everyone had their secrets. This was her and her's older brother little secret.

Maybe Aria, the nun, was right about the dangers, but soon enough, Kalla would be able to summon her magical beast. Which, normally, only appears between the age of 12 and 14, when people already have their souls fully developed. These magical beasts are nothing but the physical form of the soul. That's what her teacher told the classroom, if she remebers correctly.

"Remember classroom. A magical beast is the embodiment of your souls. They are what you desire, feel and think. By killing other creatures, your souls are capable of consuming them and becoming stronger."

Yup, that's what she told her, her memory was still too young to forget things. If she still wasn't stong enough to go in the wild, just two more birthdays and she would be. Coming out of her daze, she responded the nun with a cheerful voice.

"Sorry! I won't do it again, I promise!"

"Humph! Quit lying, I know your schemes. For now, however, I will forgive you because it is your birthday, and because we also need all help we can gather to prepare for tonight's event. Now go aid your classmates setting the barracks." Said Aria with a bitter smile.

"Yes Mam! I won't disappoint you!"

Kalla went straight to her friends. They needed her help to set the tents, and one more pair of little hands still held their value.

"So, how is it going?" Kalla asked with excitement.

"Well, well, well, look who decided to show up! Everything could be better if you ask my opinion. We would be able to end our tasks if you had come earlier, Kalla. But no, adventure first, right?!"

"Come on Sofia, I just got late a little!"

"A little?! 3 holy hours? Ahhr, I wish I could stay mad at you. But with that cute face, I am hopeless." Said Sofia, raising her arms to hug Kalla.

"Not so fast! Don't you think you can hug me just because you are the same age as my brother. Humph."

"Ah don't be so mean little Kalla!"

"Speaking of your brother, he said he has a surprise for you." Dandel reminded. Edward had asked him to tell Kalla about it.

"Where is he?" The task delivered to her by Aria was erased from Kalla's head, she was already drooling over what would be her birthday's present. It could be anything. Her brother was the most promising tinkerer of the village. Although the village didn't have many of them, this fact didn't change the greatness of Edward's talent.

"I don't know. He said you would know where he is."

"Ohh, I understand. I will be back soon."

"Hey! Don't just go away again!"

"Sorry Sofia! Don't worry, I will be back in a second!"

Kalla knew where her brother was, it was their secret place. She went straight out of the monastery, to the east side of the village. The east was abandoned a long time ago, there was almost no security to prevent Kalla from climbing the walls. Before people could explain why, the crops from the east side started rotting and the farmers moved to the west. And like a domino, merchants, blacksmiths, tailorers and so on, went to the west.

Arriving at the outskirts of the village, Kalla climbed the 10 feet walls by leaning on an abandoned house. On the top she could admire the pinewood forest and the massive snowy mountains on the horizon. She always lacked air when contemplating this view.

On top of a tree, a tiny wood house was constructed. Kalla climbed the wood latter and arrived at the tiny house. She was rushing and almost slipped on the moss, but griped on the leaves. The entire house was covered with lime moss, time seemed to have taken its tool on the furnace as well. It was a relic leaved by their fathers, as they parted away before Kalla could even walk. Hence, the responsibiliy to raise Kalla was laid on Edward's shoulders.

"Hi, Kalla."

"Fast, fast, where is my present? I got go back help my friends."

"Whoa, whoa. Calm up there, you almost fell on your butt because of your haste. First, hear me, I still need to say some things before you part back to the village."

"Fine, it is your fault if I am scolded again!"

"Hahaha, and do you care about such a thing?"

Kalla averted her eyes. She knew he was right, but wanted to deny it.

"Anyways, what I am going to give you isn't something I did. And don't start complaining before I finish. What I am going to give you is something our dad made."

"Something our dad made?! What is it? Is it a godly weapon passed from generation to generation? An overpowered armor destined for me?!"

"Wait, wait, HAHAhahahaa. Don't freak out that much. It is just a little gadget."

"Ahhh, why a gadget if our dad was a blacksmith?"

"Well, something you and the whole village don't know is that our dad was also a tinkerer."

"Are you serious?" Kalla stared at him with desbelief.

"Of course! Where did you think I learned the basics for being a tinkerer?"

"OHh, now it makes sense! I always doubted your talent. It seems I was correct, and the reason for your greatness wasn't talent but the guidance of our father!"

"Hey! I have my talents, you devious little sister!" Edward grabed his sister in a big hug.

"Hhaa ha ha, stop. I surrender!"

"I let you go this time, but don't expect my kindness next time."

"Hahaha, I'm sorry O great Edward." Kalla said in a flushed manner.

So cute! She is dangerous Thought Edward. His little sister was a perfect combination of black hair and a flushed white skin. But he knew, behind that innocent appearance, there was an imp.

"So, back to the topic. Here it is." Edward grabed a small box and gave it to Kalla.

"What is it?"

"Discover it yourself. I'm sure you will like it."

Kalla opened the box with haste. What she found was a small box with a string connecting it to a... helmet?

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"What is this? A helmet?"

"No, far from that. I call it a headphone. It lets you hear musics!"

"How? Can it sing?" Kalla asked blankly.

"No, it isn't that. That little box keeps the music stuck. Put it in your ears and click that button." Edward repeated the same words his dad said to him to Kalla.

"Whoaaa, this is amazing! Who is singing? This voice seems familiar to me, it is so beautiful!" Kalla was blown away by the music, it was calm but intense at the same time.

"It is our mother's voice." Said Edward with a sad smile. Kalla never really had parents of her own, this device was made by them for her.

"Our mother's voice?" Kalla couldn't keep her emotions.

"This is the voice of my mom?" Her mother was someone so distant, yet so important to Kalla at the same time.

"Your voice is so sweet mom. You must have been a wonderful person.. yet I couldn't meet you." Her heart was shrinking, so tight..

"Thank you! Thank you for making this present!"

Edward hugged his sobbing sister.

"Happy Birthday Kalla, we love you." Comforted her brother.

Kalla got down from the tree and went back to the town. She was still feeling lightheaded after the revelations she received along with the present. Apparently, her mother, Eluna, was a bard and her father, Heindel, was both a tinkerer and blacksmith. They didn't go to the war to fight, no, they went there to aid the army. Her father would ensure they had the best equipments, while her mother would provide some peace to their hearts.

They died when the camp was invaded by enemies coming from the south. Even in the middle of the war, they still remembered their child and made this present for her. They were such caring people, Kalla was proud of being their daughter. I will make you two proud as well, just sit and watch. Thought Kalla while listening to the music.

She come out of it only when she arrived back where they were setting the tents.

"Why do you look so far from here? Focus on the task Kalla." Sofia noticed the strange behavior of Kalla in an instant.

"Oh sorry. I was just thinking about something."

"Yeah, right." She also noticed the strange object over Kalla's head, but chose to not ask about it.

Kalla focused on the task with fire on her eyes. She needed to prove herself worthy to her parents, she couldn't continue to be the lazy girl she was anymore! In a mad rush, the tents were set earlier than expected.

"Damn, what happened to you? Where is the real Kalla? What did you do to the lazy Kalla we know?!"

"I ain't a doppelganger, and I am not lazy!"

"Just sounds like what a doppelganger would say to me!"

"Yeaah, maybe I am a doppelganger. And would enjoy to eat you piece by piece." Said Kalla, with a mad grin on her face.

"Haaa, I take what I said back. The only person capable of making that grin is Kalla."

"Sure it is! Well, I will go fetch something to eat. I'm feeling like I am starving." Said Kalla, still with the mad grin on her face.

"Haha, go ahead."

Kalla went to the west side of the village. On her casual walk, as she walked by the dirt road, the air got heavier and the sky more cloudy. She spoted countless crows overtaking the trees. Why were there so many? She asked herself. It seemed almost like they were preparing for a feast. She stared in wonder on their display of numbers.

Crows were known to appear where there is death and curse. The Black Curse gave the crows this reputation, it occured in the south-west Elven Republic, and had thousand upon thousands of victims. An unknow number of necromancers placed a horrific curse on the land, infecting the animals and plants whom after brought misery to the elfs. At the time, there was a huge effort made by the priests to cure the infected and cleanse away the curse. The crows, in this particular event, appeared where the curse striked, and therefore were a huge help for the authorities to identify the areas affected by it. The loss didn't stop there, however. The Elven Republic had put the fault on humans, and so the war began. The battlefields were filled with piles of bodies and countless crows awaiting to fill their bellies. It was the same war which Kalla's parents took part in. She knew very well the history behind it.

While she was thinking about it, a slightly bigger crow on the top of a tree picked her attention, it was staring back at her with its three night black eyes. The same eyes which witnessed the misery of war and its vile nature.

Kalla was taken aback by the crow. She stepped back with a shaky feeling. Its gaze was intense, it pierced her soul. What would she do if all those crows decided to attack her? She prepared to make a sprint for it, but then the crow just flied away. In quick succession, all of them left the trees.

"Whoa. What was that bird? Maybe I should ask the nun about that creature. It could be a monster variant!" She felt relieved the crow didn't attack and curious about what it was. After some seconds of calming down, she resumed on her causal walk. There were so much things she didn't know yet. Pure anticipation of exploring the world filled her mind.

Meanwhile, the cloud of crows moved in unison past the village and to the high north. One by one, the crows dissapeared like an illusion. The only crow which remained was the one with 3 eyes. It was as fast as lightning. Flying through the trees, until he arrived at a camp. There he went directly to the biggest tent, and landed on the shoulder of a skinny figure.

The man was old, with scars and wrinkles fighting for space on his cheeks. His skin as pale as the snow. His eyes lifeless, with no motion whatsoever and a dull grey color almost covering it all. He had a bad posture, making his height of 1,67 m even lower. He didn't attract attention, almost melting on the scenery. This was how he liked it however, his appearance was meant to not attract unwanted attention. Afterall, he was the scout of an army.

The crow shrieked in the old man's ears, and all he heard were great news.

"Good, Salamon will enjoy this new development."

As soon as the 2 moons shined upon the village, the celebration started. People flooded the main district, nearing the monastery. Where various tents were set to sell their goods, and ready to receive everyone's sum of money. This event was a good business for the monastery, as for the money collected would be directed to its children. Everyone was having their fun, praying to the gods and wishing for a good new year. The village invested more on this event than it normally would, because it also was the start of a new millenium. They even bought fireworks, which were only used on the capital.

These fireworks were expensive due to their relatively complicated runic constructs, which would ignite and explode in a specific spare of time. They were also made in a way to make no noise, as that would attract too many unfriendly creatures.

They were soon going to be released, and that is why Kalla was running with all her might to the east district. She needed a better view of it, since she would only see those fireworks one time in her entire life. She reached out of the village and went to her little house in a rush.

There she climbed a rope that was inside of the house. The rope would take her to a deck on top of the tree. And there, she would be able to imprint those fireworks forever on her mind.

The fireworks started, and the skies lighted with their dazzling colors. Those explosions were silent, everything seemed calm and quiet. Only Kalla and the boundless sky. She felt in peace there. The forest was quiet and so her heart.

She just wished she had wings to fly and touch the stars. She grabed her headphone and putted it on her ears. The music could lift her imagination and make it fly away from here. The voice of her mother was close to Kalla.

It was deep, calm, but strong at the same time.

Instead of wings, maybe, she wished to see her parents again.

A long time passed until the fireworks ended. Finishing her internal reflection, she came down and went to the village. That was when she saw. The entire wall of the village was destroyed apart. As if there was an invasion.

"What happened?! What is happening?" She asked herself while runing to the village. What could have happened to her brother? Aria? Sofia? Dendel? Where are them? I must find them!

Her heart was pounding. Her back and hands sweating. Who did this?! Monsters? How big can them be to do this? No, they wouldn't be the responsibles for this. They don't attack together. They hunt themselfes. NO! It can't be! It must have been an accident with the fireworks! Yes, there is no reason to worry. If one of those exploded, it is reasonable the scale of that hole. So why?! Why am I feeling so weak and fearful? Where is my brother? Where is my BROTHER!? Where are you Edward?!

Kalla was panicking, her hands and legs trembling as she runned. She couldn't stop thinking of Edward. Her mind played tricks with her, always suggesting the worst possible. She felt weak, with no energy to keep going.

But them she arrived at the main district. All she could utter was desbelief and terror. Pure terror. The snow covering the streets was painted red. Blood covered everything.

This isn't true! It is a nightmare! Where is everyone?! What do I do? Where are you Edward?! Her mind was in complete disarray. For a split second which felt like an eternity, she felt frozen in time, her chest tight and a sense of impeding dread sticking around. She collapsed on the bloody snow with no control of her legs.

After hours, she could get back up. There was still nothing around the village. Her brother gone. Her caregiver gone. Her friends gone. What remained was only her and her's headphones.

And a bloody message written on the monastery's walls.

"LORD SALAMON HAS RETURNED"

Salomon.. Salomon.. Salomon.. Kalla repeated the name in her mind.

He took everything from her. It was his fault.

His fault! Kalla was filled with rage.

It was him. Salomon.. Salamon.. She repeated for herself. Everytime she repeated those words, her hatred increased.

"What do you feel?" Came a voice on her head.

Cold

Anger

Loneless

Sadness

She responded without thinking. "What do you wish for?"

My family back

My friends back

Revenge for those who took them from me

A cold and miserable death for Salomon and those who follow him

Then she looked to her headphones, and reason came to her. Almost as if her mother was there, looking at Kalla's soul.

I wish to stop feeling cold, sad and alone

I wish a strong mind to withstand these feelings

I wish for peace in my heart

I wish I could fly away and don't feel the pain that is to live here

"Very Well. Close your eyes."

Summoning Vital Contract... Connecting Soul to Physical Domain

"Now, what do you see?"

An eagle, covered with flames.

It is looking at me.

Its eyes are pitch black, feathers made of black metal.

Its talons are sharp and ready to cut apart its prey.

Soul Linked.. Contract Complete.