Welcome Home

The day is April 22nd, Aries 16th birthday. She has returned from her secluded training in the mountains of a far off land with her grandfather and has come to begin her coming of age celebration.

"Grandfather are you sure I'm ready?" Arie looked up at her white longhaired grandfather who never ceased to smile, something that she always loved about him, especially during the harder parts of her training. 

 

         " Of course you are! To tell you the truth I thought you were ready for this two years ago...but you know we can't go breaking a 500 year old Priest tradition now can we?" Her grandfather let out a chuckle as they continued making their way down the busy city streets of Izena. Arie looked around anxiously, she lived in this city for 10 years, however 6 years ago her grandfather had taken her to a secluded mountain range in a far away country to train her for this day; the day she became a Jingyuo Priestess.  She had never cared for the crowded streets of the city and took to living in the mountains far from others easily, however, she seemed more anxious than the usual watching waves of bodies flow by her. " Just relax Arie, we are almost there...look!" Arie peeled her eyes away from a middle aged woman who seemed to be arguing with someone over what Arie remembered as a phone and turned her attention to the Torii gate just across the street. The Tori gate marked the scared grounds of the shrine where her family had lived for hundreds of years. There would still be a good twenty-minute or so hike up through the woods on an old warn out path before they would reach their old home. Arie let out a sigh of relief, yet she couldn't help but still feel like there was huge knot in her stomach as they approached the gate and grew farther from the bustling streets. 

        

         As Arie and her Grandfather began making their way up the trail engulfed by strong towering trees, Arie noticed a shadow up ahead that resembled a person.

         "Grandfather...who is that up ahead?" Her Grandfather only smirked, and as they drew closer, she could finally make out the face of the stranger waiting for them, and suddenly all the anxiousness and self doubt that was raging inside of her calmed. 

         "Ah Takuya, it has been a long time, I barely recognize you!" Arie's Grandfather slapped an enthusiastic hand on the young man's shoulder.

         " Master Aldric, it is an honor to be the first to welcome you back home" Takuya gave a deep bow; his voice was strong and smooth. His dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail, his body looked at strong as his voice sounded, Arie looked at her old friend admiring how much change had happened in the six years she had been gone. As Takuya rose from his bow his gaze turned to Arie. " My Lady, it has been six years since we have seen each other last, welcome back. I hope your training went well; the family is waiting for you and preparing for tonight’s ceremony. I have been assigned to escort you to the house while Master Aldric prepares with your father." Takuya said this while also bowing even lower to Arie.

         " Um..uh.. thank you Takuya, but wait...Grandfather you aren't going up to the house with us?" Arie was flustered by Takuya's formality and grace. Takuya's family had been servants of hers for as long as her family had been Priests. She was use to the older servants being so formal with her, but not Takuya who she had grown up seeing as an equal; a friend. Now she no longer knew Takuya the boy, he was nothing more than a distant memory; she was facing Takuya a man.

         " Yeah about that... I have other things that need to be taken care of in order for the ceremony to take place; I will be helping your father out at the ceremony grounds. Your mother is waiting for you at the house with your little brother, you must go there with Takuya, and prepare your body and mind." Aldric stroked his long silver beard as he spoke, something he only did when he was not telling the truth. However, Arie had studied this ceremony her whole life and knew that preparing herself was the first step, but she could not help but feel that something was out of place. 

         " I understand Grandfather." Arie bowed to her master, " Thank you for the past 6 years, I will bring you honor tonight and bear the fruit of your teaching for all to see." Takuya stared at Arie, also not recognizing the young woman who he had always laughed at in their childhood. Though he was destined to serve her, he could never picture Arie as anything more than the frightened tomboy who followed him around trying to best him at anything he did. Now he heard the words of a respectable and honorable woman. Aldric only nodded and gave a slight bow back.

         " Takuya, you may take her now, I leave her to you." With that her grandfather headed off the trail, into the forest, and out of sight, leaving Takuya and Arie alone. 

         " Please follow me My Lady" Takuya gestured to the path ahead and they began their journey towards the main house. Neither of them spoke for what felt like hours, and Arie could not help but feel awkward and uncomfortable. If she was supposed to be preparing her mind she needed to change this heavy atmosphere. 

         " So Takuya..how have things been here?" Arie played with her one long piece of red hair that came past her shoulders. If anything, Arie felt that this was the only pretty thing about her, while the rest of her hair was a golden brown and fell just above her shoulders, this one piece of flame red hair was a distinct family trait that she adored, it gave her confidence. 

         " Things have been as they always have. Your mother has missed you greatly while your younger brother has grown more mischievous and has taken to playing pranks on his maidservants." Takuya gave a slight smile; the most emotion Arie has seen from him since her return. 

         " Well what about you?" Arie eyed him curiously, trying to reacquaint herself with the new Takuya.

         " Thank you for your concern in my well being My Lady but-"

         " Takuya" Arie interrupted him as she came to a halt. " You don't need to refer to me with such formality, you can just call me Arie. Besides your two years older than me, I should be showing you the most respect." She smiled up at him, trying to let him put his 'servant' guard down and bring back the little boy she missed climbing trees with and hunting with. Takuya only looked back with an emotionless expression and then continued walking without saying a word.

         " H-hey! Takuya don't just walk away without saying anything! You're an escort remember? Don't just leave me behind you jerk!" Arie ran a few steps to catch up with him, but he remained silent. Arie, feeling frustrated and defeated decided that maybe the silence was best, she could not afford getting her feeling stirred up before the ceremony or else she would never be able to call upon her soul weapon. She let out a calming breath and let her body and mind relax, picturing the old mountain scenery of which she was beginning to miss; and then she felt it. Her body was cold and an instinctive sensation to fight began clawing it's way to the surface, all other emotions beginning to leave her. 

         " Takuya.." She whispered.

         " I know. I felt it when we began talking, just keep walking." It began to make sense now, the emotionless look on his face and why he ignored her. How could she have been so stupid? After her extreme training she should have known better, should have sensed it much earlier. An Anima here? now? Of all days! Arie thought to herself. Anima were spirits that once enslaved man kind 700 hundred years ago. It was because of brave priests and priestess, who learned about soul weapons, that  the Anima were not trapped in a different realm. Most of humanity had forgotten about such horrible times and they were nothing more than legends, however, there were still Anima that sometimes found their way back into our realm and if left alone, they kidnap, murder, and posses anyone to get what they want, usually revenge. 

         " It doesn't feel very strong yet, it must have just passed over. If we just get to-" Arie grabbed Takuya by the arm and threw him back, landing hard on the ground. Takuya, short of breath and nothing short of annoyed glared up at Arie. " What was that?" He looked into her eyes and saw what had happened. Her eyes, which were normally a bright emerald, were now a dangerous violet. His mind flashed back to when they were only 6 and 8 years old, the only time he had ever seen her eyes like that. He had been tasked with entertaining her and watching her as usual between her lessons and they were having a tree-climbing contest along with another young boy servant, Kyros who was also 6. It was then that he first saw why so many dedicated their lives to serving her and her ancestors; the Tomoshige family.

         " I can see them and you almost walked right into their trap." Arie's voice was also completely different now. What was once light heartened and compassionate, was now flat yet determined, nothing like Takuya had ever heard before. 

         " Then...you mean there's more than one anima here?" Takuya looked around frantically, knowing full well he would see nothing for anima are invisible to the normal eye. 

         " Yes, and these Anima have taken the form of snakes, crafty and secretive. I thought something was weird when we weren't attacked after we had sensed it, yet it was obviously following us." Arie just stared straight ahead, while Takuya saw nothing, Arie saw a wall of piled vipers of all colors hissing and staring at them, bloodlust radiating in high density. Takuya quickly pulled himself together and stood next to Arie trying to focus where she was looking. 

         " Why aren't they doing anything?" He was on high alert now, not moving until Arie told what to do. 

         " I do not know, the one behind us is getting closer though, be ready." Arie was now shifting her gaze to her left side. 

         " No my Lady, you have not yet gained your soul weapon and therefore are not able to defeat Anima yet. As your escort I will protect you and fight for you." Arie's gaze did not waiver, however her body relaxed. Takuya could still feel the sheer determination and longing to fight emanating from her, but he had a job to do and that was to get her safely to the main house, he could not dishonor his family or his master by letting Arie fight a battle she could not win. There was a moment of silence, Arie watched as the larger snake that had been following them moved closer. The larger snake Anima was able to hide the presence of the others by heightening it's bloodlust for a quick burst,  and just when they were in range of the other anima, it would try scaring them by moving in close, hoping they would run away and into the wall where the overwhelming amount of them could either posses them or if strong enough, manifest for a short amount of time and kill them. 

         " And just how do you plan to fend them off." Arie's voice was still flat as she took a step back, leaving Takuya to face the anima alone. 

         " My Lady Arie, if you will be my eyes, I promise you I will not be defeated, I will show exactly what I've been doing these past 6 years." Takuya gave Arie a smile that beamed confidence and passion, something that Arie resonated with, for the will to fight was the only emotion she felt when her eyes turned violet. " Please My Lady" Takuya begged one more time, " aide me by using the eyes the Jingyuo!" Takuya was now bowing before Arie on one knee.  

         "Very well, on one condition." Arie pulled Takuya up by his arm so that they were facing each other as equals. " Just call me Arie okay?" Arie's voice was barely flat now; the longing for battle could be heard in her voice as if her very words were being held back from pouncing on something.  Takuya couldn't help but smile, I guess she really hasn't changed all that much, Takuya thought to himself. 

         " Okay, Arie." Takuya turned glancing around, took a deep breath, and revealed an array of throwing knives on his belt hidden by his shirt. " Guide me".

 

         Takuya took a step forward, the wall of anima behind him, the larger and more powerful one somewhere in front. He closed his eyes blades ready to strike. Though he could not see the Anima, he could get an estimate of where it was by focusing on its spiritual energy it gives off. His knives were engraved with wards that would allow them to make physical contact with it and deal damage. While a soul weapon would be able to exorcise the spirit and get rid of it completely, weapons blessed by a Jingyuo priest and accompanied by a ward were the next best things. 

         "If we can fight off the one in front the rest will most likely retreat." Arie informed Takuya," Since they haven't attacked us yet they must be under the influence of the bigger one." Takuya had faith in Arie, Aldric had prepared her for this, and there was no reason not to trust her words. Suddenly, Takuya could feel the spirit moving in on him from his left, Takuya begin to aim for a spot the make his first attack, hoping he would make any kind of contact, when Arie cut him off, " Takuya jump now!" Takuya, without hesitation, jumped straight into the air, high enough to see the tops of the trees, " Throw it down now!" Arie yelled and Takuya could see to where she was pointing.

         "Evil Spirit return to Xuril!" He shouted as he sent a rain of throwing knives down and landed next to Arie. Arie heard a loud shriek coming from the anima; Takuya had been successful in hitting his target, however now it was growing hungry for blood.  The shriek continued and Arie couldn't help but cover her ears. “ Did I hit it?" Takuya looked at Arie half smiling, obviously oblivious to the screeching. 

         " You did, however, I think you just pissed it off." Suddenly the air completely changed. Even the clouds darkened from the presence of the anima shifting. The wall of snakes behind them suddenly crumbled and they all advanced towards at lightening pace. " Move!" Arie lunged at Takuya, throwing both of them out of the way of the horde of anima. However they didn't follow them, instead they all crashed onto the larger one and to Arie’s horror, it began devouring all of them.

         “ What’s going on? I don’t like the way this feels. It’s getting stronger, how?” Takuya was trying to keep his cool. 

         “ Its eating the other anima...it’s taking their power and it’s probably going to-“ Before she could finish explaining the snake let out a final blood curdling scream, and this time Takuya could hear it. 

         “ Don’t tell me it’s going to manifest!” And just like that, the snake suddenly appeared in front of him, it was nothing like he had seen before. It was a bright yellow and red serpent; its head came to his shoulder and was the width of a strong oak tree. And if that wasn’t enough, it suddenly began to speak.

         “ Fools, if you can’t defeat me, you are not worthy of my master.” It hissed in a barely audible voice.” Suddenly without warning it struck, a streak if yellow whipping past Arie.   I...I can’t track it, it’s too fast! Arie thought to herself, realizing what they were now up against.  Takuya also seemed to realize this and suddenly he vanished, just before the snake reached him baring its venomous fangs. Arie jumped back too, calculating the anima’s reach. Quickly Arie glanced around, trying to find her escort.  

         “ That was a close one.” Takuya suddenly reappeared behind her. Arie turned and noticed the thin cut along his left cheek. “Don’t worry I’m fine, it wasn’t his fangs, his tail got me right as I started moving.” His eyes did not waver from their enemy, they revealed the intensity welling up inside, Arie could feel his will to fight matching hers and they were in total sync.“ Here take this, that way you won’t be totally defenseless.” Takuya threw Arie another one of his hidden blades, this one slightly larger than the others. Arie grasped the blade and turned her focus back towards their enemy, who was coiled up, ready to make another attack.  Takuya threw Arie a single glance, and suddenly, as if reading each other’s minds, they split Arie going left and Takuya going right. They moved fast, almost as fast as the snake anima, and circled around it.  

         Takuya drew its attention, moving in close, causing the snake to snap at him, but moving back just before getting two fangs ripped into his face. Arie kept her distance but kept moving, not giving her enemy the chance to relax or focus. Okay, Arie began thinking, wait for the perfect timing, when Takuya gets in closer...now! Arie darted forward, only a red streak would be seen by the naked eye, and drew the blade ready to strike at the back of the head, when a glimpse of something yellow and red appeared in the corner of her eye. Instinctively she threw the dagger in that direction and leapt back, but before she could push herself from the ground she felt cold steel meet her shoulder, just barely more than grazing it. She looked up to see the the tail coiled around the knife.  

         “Arie!” Takuya called out to her, halting his attack, and reappearing to her side.

         “It’s just a scratch” Arie assured him, “ but I didn’t even think to pay attention to the tail, I was being stupid. Now it has the knife. “Arie gripped her shoulder in frustration, how could she have made such a stupid mistake? They both looked back at the anima, but all they saw was a flash of yellow and red, and Takuya found himself jumping in front of Arie. Arie ran to her right watching Takuya take on the Anima. Takuya retrieved another longer blade as the snake attacked and used it as a guard against the fangs that came just inches from his face, but could do nothing as the tail coiled around the blade came whipping around its body, sinking into Takuya’s right arm. He winced at the pain, but pushed forward, fighting to keep it away from his face when suddenly red hair brushed his face as he watched Arie dart in and send the Anima flying sideways with a powerful kick, leaving the blade in his arm. Arie’s feet emanated a blue fiery aura and her eyes were black and lifeless. The Aura disappeared and her eyes were back to the blazing violet. The anima was crumpled up against a tree, hurt, but not sent back to Zuril, the Anima realm, which means it still had some fight left. 

         “ You got a spirit hit on it just now.” Takuya looked over at Arie, taking in how much she truly had grown. 

         “ Yeah, I used a soul kick, but it will take a few more of those to send it back to Zuril and I don’t think we have that kind of time right now nor do I have the stamina yet.” The snake began moving again, slowly gathering it self together in a tight coil. “

         “ There’s no way we’ll be able to hit it while it’s able to move freely. We need to get it immobilized, distracted.” Takuya was deep in thought, but being wary of the anima’s movements. They didn’t have much time they needed a solution fast. 

         “ How many daggers do you have left?” Arie asked.

         “ The one that was in my arm, and a few of the smaller ones, why?”

         “ That should be enough. Listen, I’ll immobilize it, you send it back, no matter what it takes.” Arie’s voice was drifting further away and she was becoming lifeless again. Takuya had to clamp down on any opposition he had, that was clearly a command not a request, and as he was her servant, he could not forget his place. He was determined more than ever to get rid of this Anima once and for all.

         “ I understand My Lady.” Takuya bowed with his right hand over his heart, and he could feel it again. She didn’t need to tell him what to do or how to do it, he could feel it; he felt her passion and will to survive, and he knew that she felt his; they were in sync again. Okay, Takuya thought to himself, I get it but I don’t like it, lets end this fast. Arie nodded her head, as if she could hear his thoughts, and suddenly her eyes went black again, her face stripped of all emotion. Her feet became shrouded in a mystical blue aura. The Anima, sensing what was happening, gave his opponents no time to think, with a shrilling shriek, it surged towards its prey, however this time the atmosphere completely changed. The Anima’s power had doubled, as well as its speed.  Takuya felt a strong wave of wind rush over him, just as he watched the Anima disappear from his sight without warning, dust and dirt filled the air as he tried to keep his eyes open, however he realized he didn’t need to keep his eyes open, he just had to jump.

         Arie did not anticipate the Anima to use a final cry, a move that would expel all of its soul power to become twice, some times even ten times as strong. In this situation though, it didn’t matter, the curtain of dust rose to reveal Arie, who had already began moving towards the Anima at a equal speed, was now wrapped tight in the snakes grip; yellow and red coiled around her body. Takuya, who had jumped as high as he could in the air, saw exactly what he felt would happen, Arie though she was trapped my the anima, had shinning blue arms and fists wrapped tightly around the Anima’s neck, keeping the fangs away from her face. It had been a gamble, but Arie successfully immobilized the enemy. 

         Arie didn’t need to tell him what to do, Takuya took out the remaining four small throwing knives and once more shouted, “ Evil return to Xuril” as the blades rained down the serpent. They pierced the snake’s body in various places, and where blood should have been, black air appeared instead rising into the sky and vanishing. Takuya had one more blade left, the final blow. As he began descending, he pulled out the larger blade, cut the palm of his hand and chanted in a different language as blood ran down the cold steel, “ Axvil reylun itu lozin!” The dagger glowed bright orange and Takuya came down like a eagle on the anima’s head, pushing the blade through until it came jutting out of its bottom jaw. The fiery orange blade consumed the anima as it released Arie, until nothing but black smoke was left, and after a few moments even the smoke had disappeared.  

         Arie dropped to one knee from exhaustion and relief. Takuya let out a huge sigh, as if he had been holding his breath the whole battle.

         “You okay?” he asked Arie half grinning as he extended a hand to her.

         “ Yeah, just tired. Using soul energy takes a lot out of you when you’re wrestling a 200 pound anima snake!” Arie let out a slight giggle. Her eyes had returned the their glimmering emerald, her humor returned, and her smile is back, Takuya couldn’t help but take note of how much he appreciated her smile after seeing the serious lifeless side. Arie took his hand and was pulled to her feet. “ Oh Takuya, your hand is still bleeding!” Arie exclaimed. 

         “  Oh yeah it is, it’s not a big deal, I had completely forgotten-“ before he could finish Arie had already ripped of what remained of her sleeve from her white traditional priestess robe, and wrapped it tightly around his hand. Takuya bowed deeply, “ Thank you for your kindness and compassion.” Arie couldn’t help but blush, she hated formalities, especially from people who were her age, yet she couldn’t help think how charming Takuya was when he was doing his loyal servant role, however to her he seemed more like a knight than a servant.  

         “ We should probably get going, mother is going to be worried if I’m late and then I won’t hear the end of it from father, you know how he is.” Arie forced a laugh to keep Takuya from noticing her blushing, but when she looked over at him, his face was rigid and stern. Oh crap, Arie thought to herself, don’t tell me...

         “ What exactly am I like, Arie Hikaru Tomoshige?” A deep, powerful voice bellowed from behind Arie. 

         "My Lord Takahiro, forgive me.” Takuya immediately fell to his master's feet, kneeling with his head down on the ground before him. “ I have not escorted Lady Arie to the main house on the time allowed, there is no excuse for my failure.”  Takuya felt ashamed, this was his first real order to fulfill and he had failed. He expected punishment, but what he got instead was a firm grip on his shoulders that pulled him up.

         “ Takuya it is okay my boy, time well spent is not lost time. Arie doesn’t she need to get ready just yet, although, her mother did expect you to be there a little while ago and so she called for me to go looking. That woman has no patience.” Takahiro gave Takuya a warm smile, hands still grasped on his shoulder. Takahiro was a large muscular man, not at all what most people would expect of a priest. His hair was shoulder length and dark as night with one piece of red hair, like Aries, that framed the right side of his face. The only signs of age were found in his beard, which was lightened by strands of silver. Scars covered every inch of his body and he was not shy of showing them to show his experience and power to enemies and rivals. He was currently wearing his training clothes, a black cut-off shirt with baggy dirt stained white pants held up by a worn out belt. “ I saw what happened, the warrior in me was dying in jump in, but I’m glad I didn’t. You really have proven yourself Takuya.” He extended a massive hand out to Takuya, who was so bewildered by the words and gestured of his master he could barely grip the hand extended for a handshake worthy of Lord Takahiro. 

         “ Are you kidding me dad! You were watching this whole time? How? I didn’t even notice you!” Arie was half annoyed and half amazed. 

         “You didn’t seem to notice Atreus either.” Her father gave her a prideful smirk as he pointed to the sky. A huge eagle anima who was in physical form, the size of a fishing boat, came swooping down from behind the clouds and landed behind his master. 

         “ Amazing...” Arie couldn’t help but whisper to herself. Not only did she notice her father’s presence, but this giant powerful anima’s presence either whom she had grown up with.

         “ See, you weren’t in any real danger, at least in my eyes.” Takahiro took a step towards Arie.

         “ You really have worked hard these past 6 years haven’t you?” He couldn’t help but beam down at his daughter who he had missed, and now standing before him she had grown up in a blink of an eye, and was already stronger than he could have hoped for. “ Your soul energy is wonderful, I have never been more proud, grandfather must have worked you hard!” He embraced Arie in a crushing hug, Arie let out a small yelp, being squeezed by the giant anima snake was more than enough for her, she didn’t need to be crushed by her man-bear of a father next. 

         "Thanks dad, but I’ve got a long way to go if I missed the giant scary eagle flying above my head.” All three of them broke out in a chorus of laughter. 

         “ Don’t worry you’ll get there.” Her father measured her,” in the mean time, lets get you back to the house and tend to your injuries, both of you. You have much more exciting events awaiting tonight.” Takuya and Arie smiled at each other and nodded, they were both ready to get some rest and brag about their first encounter with a powerful anima. “ Oh and Arie..” Her dad stopped as he turned to start walking,” Welcome home."

Author's Note

Please ignore grammar mistakes for now, this is a rough draft. Feel free to comment on and critique the story and characters! Please keep in mind this only the first chapter so any questions you have may be answered later in the story, but please let me know if there is anything you are curious to know that I can include in the coming chapters that I may not have thought of!

Reviews

[aj milton]

Full of action, and with some mystery to keep us interested and wanting to know more. I like it.

[A.R. Murray]

I feel foreshadowing with Arie and Takuya. The relationship so far we have seen is great. The relationship between her and her grandfather is good so far but I think it would be a good idea to she more of their relationship. I like her father too and her relationship between them. It is a good start I think with the characters.

I like there is a fight already. It grabbed my attention.

Great job. I like this so far. It has caught my attention. I enjoyed it so far and let me know when you continue it.