Prologue: To be worth something
I recognize this. This scenery has been played in front of me time and time again. The rumble, the clattering of boots across the wasteland, figures dressed in black looking like phantoms as they moved eerily in sync with one another. A beat, a familiar rhythm that has echoes inside. Thousands of voices roared in the moon-lit night. My eyes catch the sight of him yet again. That long cloak caught in a blaze from whence he darted to the side. A vicious beast towering past the horizon hurled lobs of furious flames, burning like comets in the night sky, yet he pushed them aside with ease. A hand, blackened and cracked, waved a light that guided them into the ground. Thwoom! They crackled, kicking up gusts of earth. "Now!" He cried. That voice…
A horned woman leaped in from behind, propelling over his head in a single swoop, her tail flickering with the thrill of the fight. The armor that she wore shone with untold stories. Eyes a piercing bright ruby, glistening with her power. Spear in hand, her grip tightened as she adjusted the hold, the momentum giving a window for a powerful thrust. The beast snarled, a direct hit! Their bodies tumbled as she drove it into his chest, with the ease of a woodworker pushing nails into a board.
The sound of their bodies boomed as they fell into a clutter. Each soul wrestling for control. Cracking noises from the ground as they tumbled. The titanic creature rolled onto its back, bearing its terrible fangs, claws reaching closer and latching onto her frame. With a twist, the spear dug deeper within its flesh, driven and spun with such ferocity. Finally, the beast was silenced.
She came closer to where I stand; a single leap reunited familiar with their summoner. She turned to me, eyes on fire themselves. Her voice called "Yukura..." "Yukura!". Yet again, the vision faded. Field of red within the blur of what felt like a dream long forgotten, or a memory yet untouched.
Waves of sand rolled over upon themselves, endlessly fighting. Figures of warriors long past raised swords, spears, axes on high, a glow flowing from their palms – streams of light spurred forward from within their grip, a showcase of their power. At their side, legions of familiars to the pairs of humans. Two groups as one.
Again, spirals of sand swish into a new vision, spires of mountains stand against the rising sun. As if it had been struck by a single slash, a singular diagonal cut left it falling inward of itself. A gush of sand kicked up, a maelstrom rising; and from within it a hand crawling out of the earth itself. The once colorful sunset faded into a dark night, as though reflecting what was about to come.
Loud cracking noises carried over through the mountains. The earth parted for their entrance. Jolting through the soot, and ash. They marched in stride, with venomous intention. Sharpened jagged weapons pointed forward as they charged. The horde charged towards the people; many fell, and as they did buildings lit ablaze, towns sunk, bodies scattered throughout the streets. An amethyst flare shined among the brutal scene, cloak flowing against the wind. A single man standing against the threat.
"Yukura!" My head reeled back and forth. "Yukura!" That voice. Why does it feel like it is getting closer? "Wake up you lout! You're going to be late for the ceremony!" The voice cut through the fog like a dagger. 'Ceremony?... Ceremony!' My grogginess faded almost immediately as I came to realize my situation. Tatebu. I had almost forgotten, today was the graduation day of my class.
You'd swear a hollow log was tumbling in my room as I fell out of my bed in a panic. Which would be a fair comparison, a cut piece of wood and I share more similarities than what I would wish for. 'Oh no.' The thought dawned on me. 'I have to look presentable if she is on her way, or she'll kill me!' I stumbled to my closet and found it: the cloak. The purple almost glistened, a symbol of what it is. The mark of a true summoner, well- a trainee summoner, the fabric stopped at my waist, showing I still had a lot of growth to do. Taking my black trousers, I hopped my way around the room while trying to get dressed.
"If you don't leave now, you're going to be late. You know it's a long walk!" Her soles patter as she walks. That echo, that sound. I always knew when she was coming.
Judging by volume, she's close. 'Act quick!' I roll to the door, nudging the lock closed with my nose while rolling my arms through my sleeves. I stole a glance in the mirror hanging against the wood, my red hair looked ratty and skewed. It isn't good enough. Hopelessly trying to tame it, blue eyes look back at me, like almonds – the mark of my mother. "I need to eat more." The words left me so easily. It sounded a lot like what she would say. Clicking my tongue, I turned my back to the reflection.
Rattling, the doorknob shook. My body started trembling like a child left outside in the cold rain. 'I'm not ready, no no no no!' my head screamed at me, willing myself to move. I tried to reach the door and keep it from opening, but just as I was about to the door swung open. Panting breaths escaped my lips as I came face to face with Tatebu. She had that look on her face, so cynical, judgmental. Always Miss-Prepared, dressed to the nines! White stockings hidden under a short black skirt, a neatly pressed corset within a purple summoner's mark, a perfect presentation of what a student at the academy should be. Her ponytail swished to the side as she tilted her head. Slightly shocked, half expectantly.
I could feel Tatebu piercing me with her hazel eyes. An inhale. "You dumb moron you just woke up, didn't you? Do I have to monitor you every second? Are we still kids? You big baby, you can't even dress yourself right!" Her hands flailed, waving in my direction, it almost seemed like she wanted to throttle me.
"I have clothes on, don't I?" I bit back hesitantly. "Your shirt is inside out!" Her pale index jabbed into my chest in frustration. My hands shot up as though I was being interrogated by the grand task force. "It doesn't matter, we have to go now or you're going to be disqualified."
She spun on her heel; I followed that purple coat-tail like a lost puppy. Down the stairs, we slid out into our living room. I had to admit, I've grown accustomed to living with her. Having co-ed housing wasn't the worst experience, it sure kept me on track, though I suppose that was the goal from the Academy with every trainee. In sharp contrast with the spotless countertops and shining floor, our couch was riddled with books. She spared no expense to clean, yet she left her work everywhere, as I opened my mouth to ask what she was working on, "Hurry, hurry!" Her voice silenced my thoughts. Pushing past me, she hastily made her way across the room. Sliding into her boots, Tatebu swiftly tossed me my pair. The brown wing-cuffed boots flew into my arms, throwing off my balance as I tried to catch them.
"You're wasting time, always so slow!" She rolled her eyes as if she expected me to crumble before them. 'You'd swear she was my older sister rather than my best friend. Before I could even reply, the sliding door flung open to the outside. The light burned so brightly, almost blinding. Together we were ushered towards what should be our futures, but I could feel a sinking feeling in my stomach… This is my future and mine only, got to make it worth something.