“YOU there. Were you the one who kept calling me this whole damn time?”
A ragged voice rasped behind a towering tree’s thick, gnarled roots. A wisp of a girl with wild, crimson hair matted with dirt peered through the gaps in the makeshift barrier. The stench of damp earth and decay filled her senses. With overgrown, messy, dirty crimson hair, the little girl looked back at her reflection; the Spirit lowered her head in shame. The dirtied cloth she was wearing had mud-stained on it and holes. Pity that it was once a beautiful piece of white frilled dress.
Across the barricade, a boy stood, his brow furrowed in a frown. His deep forest hair, contrasting with the girl’s fiery red, brushed his forehead. He wore a pristine white training suit, symbolising wealth and privilege. But his eyes—more mature than twelve years old—held the little girl captive.
The boy had been playing catch with his foolish friend, who couldn’t even make a good throw and dared to order him, the young Lord of the White Wolf Clan, to go retrieve the ball. What upset him even more was that his people had joined the tease! With a heavy sigh, Shinji looked for the ball and found it. Just as he was about to leave, he heard a soft whispering voice calling out to him. The voice had called out to him by the wind and brought him to this place.
“I asked if you were the one who kept calling my name,” Shinji repeated, his voice sharp. “Answer me.”
The girl shivered, not just from the cool night air but from the boy’s demanding tone. Fear prickled at her throat. She didn’t understand these strange words; the isolation had dulled her senses.
Strange. The girl didn’t look like she was starving or dehydrating, at the very least.
Shinji observed her surroundings; there was no food or water to quench her hunger or thirst. Turning to the girl again, he took steps closer to the tree. He then sighed, a flicker of frustration crossing his features. He turned to leave, but a strangled cry stopped him in his tracks.
“Don’t go!” the girl’s voice, hoarse from disuse, barely escaped her lips. Her thin hands, pale from lack of sunlight, reached desperately through the gaps in the barrier. “Please don’t leave me.”
Shinji froze, his eyes widening in shock. This ragged child spoke his language fluently, a language spoken only by a handful since the Great Man’s War that decimated the Spirit race. How could this be?
He steeled himself, a decision forming in his mind. He tore through the thick roots with surprising strength, creating an opening. He needed answers, but more importantly, the little Spirit girl needed food, clothes, and shelter.
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MIKA woke with a gasp, sweat clinging to her skin. The dream – so vivid, so real – lingered like a phantom limb. Images of a towering tree, a boy with wise eyes, and a desperate plea for help flickered in her mind. But the details remained frustratingly elusive, like a half-remembered song.
A shiver ran down her spine despite the warm confines of her room. This wasn’t the first time this dream had plagued her. Was it a forgotten memory, a premonition, or simply a trick of her lonely mind?
Pushing the unsettling dream aside, Mika rose and stretched. Today was a new day, with it came a renewed sense of determination. Exile from Luyas had been a harsh blow, but Shinji’s words offered a flicker of hope. “Be patient,” he’d said. “The right time will come.”
Just as she finished getting dressed, a soft knock on the door startled her.
“Come in,” Mika called.
The door creaked open to reveal Shinji, his expression uncharacteristically grim. He was dressed for travel in the same attire he’d worn when she first met him back in Andania. A large backpack slung over his shoulder. A knot of unease formed in Mika’s stomach.
“Good morning, Shinji. What brings you here so early?” Her voice betrays a tremor of nervousness.
As his Chosen Apprentice, Mika was required to refer to Shinji as either ‘Master’, ‘Sir’, or, by his Honourable title, ‘Lord’. However, Shinji explicitly told her to call him by name whenever there were just two. His excuse was that he had heard plenty of people calling him by titles that would last him for the next lifetime and that he did not need his Chosen Apprentice to do the same.
Shinji’s gaze held a mix of urgency and something more profound, perhaps concern. “We need to leave, Mika,” he said, his voice low. “And fast. Pack only the essentials. I’ll explain everything on the way.”
Mika’s heart hammered against her ribs. Leave? Where were they going? And why the sudden hurry? A million questions swirled in her mind, but one thing was clear – Shinji needed her, and that was all that mattered for now.
“Alright,” she said, forcing her voice to sound steady. “I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”
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THE young Lord had barely three hours of sleep before the weight of responsibility dragged him from slumber. He lit a cigarette, the smoke curling around his face like a shroud. Despite his stoic exterior, nerves gnawed at him. This mission was unlike anything he’d faced before – a journey into the perilous Red Line, a bridge between worlds teeming with unknown dangers.
A sliver of sunlight pierced the darkness, painting the sky with the promise of a new day. Shinji watched the sunrise, a bittersweet beauty that might be his last if he failed. He squeezed his eyes shut, forcing himself to focus on his promise to Suzumi—both he and Mika would return home together.
Shinji extinguished the cigarette, the embers mirroring the unease in his stomach. The Elders’ words echoed in his mind – the mission was paramount. As much as he wanted to wait for Mika to recover fully, as the White Wolf Clan leader, he had responsibilities that he could not refuse – time was a luxury they no longer had.
Closing his eyes for a brief moment, Shinji reminisced about the last conversation he had with Suzumi hours ago:
He found Suzumi in the living room, her nimble fingers weaving a red scarf, symbolising warmth and protection amidst the coming storm.
“Shinji,” she greeted him, her voice laced with concern. “It appears the reason why the Spirits suddenly emerged into our world lies in the Red Line.”
Shinji recounted the Elders’ decree; The Red Line, also known as the Red Sand, is dimensional lands that act as a bridge to the Spirit World and vice versa. Since the end of the Great War, the late Master Oracle Khulai had taken significant measures to ensure that no Spirits were brave enough to go through it without suffering a significant risk of losing control of themselves. No men have ever dared to venture there either, as it is said to be heavily protected by a powerful barrier. Very few exceptional people were allowed to enter.
Shinji puffed, making rings of smoke in the air.
“Correct. Scout reports have stated the Spirits that attacked Andania Town had lost control of themselves because they had been forcefully gone through the Red Line. Our Intelligence Units are secretly working closely with Lord Eden and the Master Oracle to investigate and find the culprit behind all of this. Imagine an army of Spirits came to invade us. Without any preparations, humanity will perish for good. Even our Clan members alone will not be enough to battle the Spirits. Hence, As the one who is wise and knowledgeable about the Spirits and the current Lord of the White Wolf Clan, it is your sole duty to investigate the core and stop the Spirits from taking over this world.”
Suzumi finished knitting and put down the needles on the table. She then looked up at him. Finishing his last cigarette, Shinji stood up and yawned tiredly while stretching his arms and limbs.
“Quit worrying. I’ll make sure the two of us get back home in one piece. I promise.”
“You said that but how could I resist worrying over my clumsy little brother?” She wrapped the knitted red scarf gently around his neck. “It looks good on you.”
“Thanks, Suzumi,” Shinji smirked, pulling his oldest sister in for a hug.
“Remember to keep each other safe and sound. Come back home to me.”
“I’ll make sure we come home. Promise.”
After a moment, Shinji pulled back and admired the craftsmanship of the scarf wrapped around his neck.
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“About the thing we’ve spoken about earlier, I think it would be in your best interest if you could wait until the time is right to reveal the truth to Mika. For now, though, continue to watch over her. You’ll need to let her wings grow too, Shinji. I know it has been a long while since you last saw her, and surely you must feel awkward around her, but please do your best. We all will be waiting patiently for your return.”
A knock on the door startled him from his thoughts.
There stood Mika, a stark contrast to the ragged girl he’d first encountered. Suzumi had prepared and gifted her a new outfit for the trip – a fit, short-sleeved sleeves, knee-length dark red outfit that hugged her slender frame with dark brown sash wrapped around her torso and tight black pants. She wore long combat boots and fingerless gloves to complete the outfit. On her back, she carried a backpack.
“You look different,” he commented, handing her a pair of twin blades. “You know how to use them, right?”
“Yes. I’ve been trained to use all types of weapons in the Knights’ Academy.”
Mika hefted the blades, their weight a comforting presence in her hands. “Yes. I’ve been trained to use any types of weapons back in the Luyas’ Knight Academy,” she said, her voice firm.
“Good. You will be using them from now on. Let’s go.”
Mika stared at the blades in her hands before she slowly nodded. She then arranged and hooked each of the twins’ blades at the sides of her waist. After making sure they were comfortable and easy for her hands to reach out to.
“Pardon me for asking, but where exactly are we going?” Mika asked shortly after they started walking into the forest.
“The Red Line,” Shinji replied.
Mika’s eyes widened. “The Red Line? But isn’t that... dangerous?"
Shinji glanced at Mika, who bore a confused look.
“Tell me, how knowledgeable are you regarding the Red Line?”
“I’ve heard and read about it. But not entirely enough to say that I know well about it.”
Shinji told her about the Red Line and the suspected reason the Spirits had crossed over.
“Our Intelligent Units is secretly working on the case with Lord Eden and the Master Oracle. While they’re at it, we must investigate the core and do whatever it takes to stop it. Whatever information they have gathered, I will receive it as soon as we enter a city or town.”
“How’s that so?”
“The Clan has many contacts throughout Fulaina.”
“Sounds fair. But why must it be you if you don’t mind me asking? Shouldn’t the authorities do something about it instead of the White Wolf Clan?”
“Not to sound egoistic, but when it comes to Spirits, my Clan knows better about them than anyone else in Fulaina. Before the Great War, we had an excellent business relationship with the Spirits, mostly on medical supplies. Of course, we would never abuse whatever pieces of knowledge that were shared with us. Which is why we’ve been keeping ourselves as isolated from the public as possible.”
Shinji took another glance at her. “As a Chosen Apprentice, you should learn as much as you can about the Clan’s background. If you don’t understand something then ask. Understood?”
Mika met his gaze, her eyes burning with determination. “I won’t let you down, Shinji.”
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THE journey was filled with silence, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the chirp of unseen birds. At times, they would exchange words about the trip and what to expect, but mostly, they were deep in their thoughts. Their eyes darted, vigilant for suspicious movement in the dense forest.
By noon, after a couple of hours of trekking, they reached a sun-dappled riverbank. “There’s a village nearby, Islez,” Shinji announced, his voice gruff. “Our first stop. It’s a short walk, less than half an hour.”
Mika nodded wordlessly as Shinji settled under the shade of a large tree. He lit a cigarette, the smoke curling lazily into the air. Mika refilled her canteen at the stream, then sat nearby to stretch her muscles, her gaze drifting to the clear blue sky above. A sigh escaped her lips.
The faint scent of tobacco smoke reached her from behind. She closed her eyes and tried to relax, focusing on the gentle breeze that ruffled her hair. Suddenly, her keen hearing picked up a faint sound of rapid footsteps coming from the bushes on the river’s opposite bank.
Instantly, she was on her feet, twin blades drawn. She glanced at Shinji, surprised to see him on his guard, gun reloaded. How did he know something was coming? Judging by the accelerating sound, it wasn’t human. A cold dread filled her stomach.
A twig snapped, followed by a dark blur that erupted from the bushes and lunged towards her. A horrifying, scarred face with black eyes and gnashing fangs snarled down at her. Mika barely had time to react before her blades met the creature’s claws in a shower of sparks.
With a surge of adrenaline, she kicked the Spirit – for that’s what it had to be – in the stomach, sending it reeling back. She raised her blades for the final blow, but a screeching, almost telepathic voice froze her.
“STOP!”
Mika locked eyes with the Spirit, its anger mirroring her own confusion.
“Why are you attacking me? We’re the same!" The creature spoke in a language that resonated deep within her – Ancient Aspanian, the language of her people.
A wave of memories flooded her mind – the massacre in Andania, the screams, the blood...
A deafening gunshot shattered the silence. A single bullet ripped through the Spirit’s chest, sending it stumbling backwards. It collapsed onto the ground with a pained whimper.
Mika whirled around to see Shinji standing behind her, his face grim. He grabbed her arm roughly. “Don’t zone out during a fight, Mika! Stay focused!”
“Sorry,” she mumbled, shamefaced. Shinji released her, and they both turned back to the wounded Spirit. Mika gripped her blades tightly, but the urge to deliver the final blow had vanished.
The Spirit writhed on the ground, clutching its chest. It looked up at Shinji, its black eyes burning with hatred.
“Your scent clings to her!” The Spirit snarled.
Shinji pointed his gun at the Spirit’s head. He couldn’t risk leaving it alive. Who knew how many others might lurk nearby, waiting to be called upon?
Despite its injury, the Spirit lunged at Shinji with surprising ferocity. A brutal fistfight ensued. Shinji blocked the Spirit’s blows with his free hand, firing off three shots that the creature dodged with inhuman agility.
“Damn it!” Shinji swore, reloading his gun. He aimed for the Spirit’s head, his brow furrowed in concentration.
But the Spirit only smirked. “Pathetic! Our lost beloved princess, only to be found with a filthy human!” The creature’s words were laced with venom, its gaze fixed on Mika, who stood frozen. “Unforgivable!”
With an ear-splitting shriek, the Spirit launched itself at Mika, its claws flashing.
“Mika!” Shinji roared, lunging forward. He shoved Mika aside, taking the full force of the Spirit’s attack. A sickening crunch echoed through the air as Shinji slammed to the ground, the Spirit landing on top of him.
A sudden blinding flash of light erupted from the forest behind them, followed by a deafening clang. Tipped with a wickedly barbed hook, a long chain snagged the Spirit mid-attack, yanking it away from Shinji in a shower of blood and flesh.
Shinji lay there, gasping for breath; his arm had a large scratch from the assault. He healed the wound quickly. Mika rushed to his side, her face a mask of horror.
A hulking figure with spiky ginger hair and a mischievous glint in his eyes emerged from the trees, a chain taut in his hand. A silver skull earring glinted in his right ear, and a hefty skull necklace adorned his neck. He sported a plain grey shirt under a bright orange jacket emblazoned with a skull. Worn brown pants ripped at the knees and weathered boots completed his attire.
Mika’s hand instinctively flew to her weapons, her glare sharpening as she drew her blades. A gust of wind ruffled her hair as the ginger haired man breezed past her, his movement catching her eye.
Panic surged through Mika as she whirled around, realising who the man was targeting. She sprinted towards Shinji, bracing for a fight, only to be met with a loud, obnoxious laugh. The mysterious intruder had Shinji in a playful headlock.
“Sneaky bastard!” he boomed. “Why didn’t you tell me you were visiting Islez? Busy schedules and all, I guess. How’s Suzumi? Still mad about that accident? It wasn’t my fault, I swear!”
Mika watched, dumbfounded, her mouth agape.
A smack followed by a loud pained “ouch” snapped Mika out of her trance. Shinji snarled, “Get off me!”
With his arms freed, Shinji crossed his arms and glared sharply at the man.
The stranger raised both hands in the air, still with a playful smile. “Alright, alright I’ll stop. Introduce me to your new friend.”
Shinji sighed deeply and delivered a terse introduction. “Mika. This... douchebag is Kazuo.”
Mika extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, I’m—”
Before she could finish, Kazuo’s large hands engulfed hers, holding them against his chest where his heart thumped loudly. His gaze held a playful glint.
“The name’s Kazuo, but for a beautiful warrior like yourself, I’d answer to anything,” he winked, his voice smooth as honey.
Mika, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes, couldn’t help but return a small smile. Internally, she rolled her eyes at his cheesy pickup line, but a small part of her found his charm endearing.
“Last cheesy words before you die, asshole?” Shinji interrupted with a gun clicked ominously, pointed at the back of Kazuo’s head. His face clearly stated how unimpressed he was by the man’s cheap pickup lines.
Kazuo chuckled nervously, releasing Mika and raising his hands as he backed away slowly. “Easy there, tiger,” he stammered.
The sound of bullets being reloaded sent shivers down Kazuo’s spine. “Whoa, hold on! My hair just got done!” he yelped.
BANG!
Mika gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief. Had Shinji, actually...?
A triumphant grin spread across Shinji’s face. Dirt and mud marred his features, but he didn’t care. The stress had melted away, replaced by a twisted sense of satisfaction. He’d never felt so alive!
In contrast, Kazuo’s knees buckled, trembling despite knowing Shinji wouldn’t kill him. Still, the close call had sent a jolt of fear through him. Shinji, with a cruel glint in his eye, had aimed the gun mere inches from Kazuo’s head, a gamble that would have sent anyone scrambling for their life.
“Seriously, man? You just HAD to scare the living daylights out of me?” Kazuo whined, his voice laced with mock-offended terror.
Shinji offered him a murderous glare, opting for silence as he stalked away for a cigarette in his mouth.
Kazuo ran a hand through his hair, sighing awkwardly. “Damn, didn’t expect him to be that pissed.” Turning to Mika, who watched him with a sceptical look and arms crossed, he offered a sheepish smile and extended his hand.
“Sorry about that,” he apologised. “Old habits die hard, you know? Let me try again. Kazuo, twenty-five, single, Lover. At your service, beautiful.”
Mika shook his hand, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes. “Mika. Former Knight of Luyas and, I guess, Shinji’s Chosen Apprentice.”
“The infamous Mika I’ve heard about?” Kazuo’s eyes widened.
“Y-you’ve heard about me?” Mika stammered, surprised.
“Word travels fast,” Kazuo winked. “Especially about Andania. But don’t worry,” he added, a glint of determination replacing his playful demeanour.
“You’re with us now. We’ll keep you safe. And anyone who tries anything...” Kazuo brandished his chained sickle with a menacing grin, “...well, let’s just say they’ll have a nasty surprise coming.”