Post by Shugo on Nov 19, 2006 17:44:30 GMT -5
Part 1
Shugo Yuy walked along the old dark road. His hand felt the cold stone as he walked along. The oil lantern’s flickered as Shugo walked along. His shadow came and left. The big, heavy, steel sword was being dragged along the ground. There was a ditch being created from the sword’s point. The boy’s breath shallow and faint. The seventeen year old boy staggered onward home. These dark creatures that ruled the earth, vampires, demons, they took their toll on Shugo. He was a monster hunter.
His shaking hand reached for the door knob of the little wooden house. Before he could get a hold of it the door flung open and two arms wrapped around him and hugged him tight. The girl that wrapped herself around him was crying. Shugo hugged back dropping the sword.
“I’m home… Asuka…” Shugo said slowly before fainting.
The boy’s eyes opened as he lay in his bed. He sat up quickly clutching his heart as if it were in pain. A searing pain in his chest caused him to groan quietly. He slowly rose out of his bed. Asuka was lying down there by his side. Shugo put the blanket that was over him over Asuka. He smiled; the pain was gone for a few moments. He winced as it returned.
“Asuka… I’m sorry… I might have to leave again…” The boy said to the sleeping girl. He felt bad for having to leave his little sister once more. She was mute so it made life hard for her. Luckily staying with her was a good friend of Shugo’s, Fayt.
Speaking of who ran into the house and locked the door. There was loud banging on it. Shugo crept up behind her. Shugo had the sword across his back. He stopped up in front of Fayt and pushed her back behind him giving her a small smile. He pulled the door open. Three large men stood in the door way.
“Well, well the little boy’s back in town. No wonder Fayt was acting so brave now that she’s got someone to hid behind,” the biggest man said.
Shugo’s face was grim as he stepped out of the house, “Touch Fayt... and I’ll kill you…” The boy said. His body shifted up into the air kicking the smallest of the three squarely in the chin. His body moved to elbow the middle man in the chest knocking the wind out of him. The biggest of them all was hit over the head with the flat side of the sword knocking him unconscious.
“Take him… away…” Shugo ordered the men. They did as they were told and scurried away in fright. Shugo turned around to face Fayt as he closed the door. Her eyes were filled with tears. She could tell that Shugo was in pain, a lot of pain. She wrapped herself around him tightly. Shugo’s arms wrapped around her with much less hesitation then they did when he hugged Asuka.
“Shu, please stop fighting these monsters. Come on please. You’ve been fighting since you were twelve when your parents…” Fayt knew better than to finish the sentence, “Sit down. I want to take a look at your cuts.” She said forcing Shugo to sit down on the couch. Fayt forced Shugo take off his shirt and she took a look at the make shift bandages over his abdominal area, chest, upper left arm, and his lower right arm. She pulled out a roll of fresh bandages from a cabinet. Fayt slowly took off the still wet and almost, completely red bandages off of Shugo and replaced them with tears falling down he cheeks.
“Shu, please… be more careful,” Fayt said walking away to throw out the bandages. Shugo, feeling bad for making Fayt cry, followed her and hugged her tightly from behind. Fayt was surprised but her hands on Shugo’s arms.
“Fayt, I’m sorry,” Shugo said saying his first sentence that wasn’t broken since he came back. Asuka came out of the room and looked at them with her big brown eyes. Shugo smiled as he got out of the hug. He walked over to Asuka and patted her on the head.
“How’ve you been holding up sis?” He said to his little sister not wanting her to find out about his wounds. There was no point in worrying the already too worrying little sister. Asuka gave Shugo a big happy smile. Asuka had waited a long time for Shugo to come back. Little did she know, by the time she fell asleep today, Shugo would be long gone.
The door was knocked on three times before being flung open and a boy of the age of twelve walked in. He was Asuka’s best friend; they were of the same age. His name was Destine. He was much like a brother to Asuka, they looked out for each other every where they went. Destine was a bit afraid of Shugo as most people in the village were. He shook as he looked at Shugo.
Trembling he said, “Sorry Mr. Yuy for forgetting to knock.” Laughing Shugo placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Hey don’t worry bout it. You looked after Asuka while I was gone right? So you’re pretty much family,” Shugo said with a smile. Asuka and Destine played around while Shugo and Fayt talked about what happened while Shugo was away.
The house began to feel hot. This was strange because it was late autumn. Shugo also smelled smoke. The house was on fire. Shugo grabbed Fayt and ran out the back door. Asuka and Destine were about to run in the house and tell Shugo. He slung Asuka across his back and grabbed Destine around the waist. He was pissed off. The fire was created by someone.
Shugo ran back into the house and pulled out his giant muramasa and a few of the other weapons there. Someone was targeting them. This meant that Shugo couldn’t let anybody that was near the house when the fire happened be unprotected. He gave Asuka a dagger, Destine was handed a short sword, and Fayt was given a metal staff with a sharp edge much like a pike.
“Let’s go, before who ever set the fire finds out we’re alive,” Shugo said leading them out of the little town. They moved behind the alleys trying not to get caught. By the time they got out it was dark. They had to set up camp outside of the town in the dark forbidden forest. Strange things happened in this forest. No man that had entered this forest lived. No man except Shugo’s father that is. Shugo felt confident he could protect them. Asuka and Destine were curled up by the fire and slept. Shugo and Fayt were leaning against a log that was rolled onto its side. Fayt was asleep leaning against Shugo’s shoulder, but Shugo was wide awake. His arm was around Fayt holding her tightly. This day couldn’t get any worse could it? Luckily there was only fifteen minutes left in this day to get worse, but there was all day tomorrow to go bad.
End Part 1
Part 2
His thoughts drifted and his eyes slowly closed as he uttered the words, “Fayt... I’ll protect you…”
“Huh… I feel weird…” Shugo thought as his eyes slowly awakened. Light shone through the tiny holes in the trees. The fire was out. Everything was scattered and Shugo wasn’t on the ground. Shugo was tied up against a tree, three feet off the ground. He moved from side to side trying to get loose. His friends were tied up together. Suddenly a cold, silver, steel knife was placed under his throat.
A cold voice with bad breath spoke, “Don’t move. Not a word. We’ll be taking the girls and your money. You may fight back IF you wish to die.” The man gave Shugo a grin that burnt Shugo up inside. The man’s crooked teeth were something Shugo wanted to knock straight out of his mouth. Moving quickly Shugo kicked up at the man’s chin and then moved it down and hit his wrist. Shugo caught the knife in his mouth by the handle and then dropped it catching it with his hand. The knife’s handle tasted nasty. Shugo cut the rope binding him to the tree and used it as a weapon. He used it like a whip and hit an old black revolver out a man’s hand giving Destine the chance to cut the rope binding them.
Shugo groped for his sword and lashed out backwards with it. A man was cut clean in half. Red splattered on the ground and Shugo’s eyes wide. He took a bullet to his shoulder. His breath grew shallow. How could one bullet do this to him? He was on all four. His mouth opened wide and crimson liquid poured out. Shugo’s consumption took its toll. Consumption, better known as tuberculosis, took their toll on his lungs and blood spewed out his mouth every now and then. It appeared right now was one of those now and then times.
“SHUGO!” Fayt screamed out as she held back a man. She was pushed down to the ground. The man started to reach for her shirt but then a gun shot was heard and then man went flying. A man wearing red appeared. The red shifted from one man to another. On his hand was a knife like brace. It twisted around his knuckles. The man punched them down leaving a lot of blood to fall. Destine stood in front of Asuka with the sword pointed at the man in case the man was not a friend.
“Put that thing down before you hurt someone…” the man said. Shugo slowly stood to face the man. The bleeding had stopped but Shugo hadn’t wiped the bit of blood at his lips. Shugo felt tired and slightly afraid that he couldn’t protect his friends from this new foe or friend.
“Who are you?” Shugo said to the man.
“Common courtesy dictates that one give his name before asking for another’s.” the man answered.
“Of course, I’m sorry. My name is Shugo Yuy; this is Fayt, Destine, and my little sister Asuka.”
“My name is Zade. I’m a monster hunter. Those things you fought were not human, most likely a shape shifting demon.”
“I see. I’m a monster hunter as well, son of Theo Yuy the legendary hunter of the basilisks.”
“Ah yes, Theo Yuy the man who killed the entire race of basilisks and more than his fair share of vampires, werewolves, and many other foul beasts.”
“Yeah the very same man. Onto more urgent matters, where are you heading?”
“The town of Tokanto, I have a job there.”
“I see. Mind us tagging along?”
“Not at all But you’ll have to pull your own weight.”
“We will don’t worry.”
Shugo’s and Zade’s conversation ended. The group with their shady acquaintance headed onwards toward Tokanto. This was a surprising turn of events. What waited for them at Tokanto? What was this man’s job at Tokanto? Only time would tell.
End part 2
Part 3
The group walked onward with Zade in the lead. He knew the way the best so it was only right that he took the lead. Destine and Asuka followed up behind him. Shugo and Fayt walked in the back. Fayt was lecturing Shugo about how he shouldn’t push himself so hard. Other than that the group was fairly quiet. There was a bit of tension between everyone in the group and a bit of anxiety of reaching Tokanto. It was a royal city with a great lord. This lord may even commission Shugo giving him a job and a house for the others to stay in. They had lived through the forest, the second party to have done so.
Shugo stared down at the pendant around his neck, his father’s pendant. This had been a good luck charm and something that gave Shugo hope and courage. His lips grew to a smile as he reminisced about the old times with his father. His father had taught him to sword fight and use offensive magic. His father had also been a big family man and was always helping around the house when he was at home. He wasn’t home much but when he was it was great. The house was always filled with happiness then.
“Here is the great city of Tokanto,” Zade said pulling back a tree branch to reveal the city of Tokanto.
“So where is it?” Destine said with his hands holding up his head. The city had been leveled down to the ground. There were many foul beasts flying around the city.
“Right there, those broken buildings,” Zade said as if nothing happened. He didn’t seem surprised by the destruction.
“You knew about this.” Shugo said with a stern face.
“Yeah, so what if I did?” Zade said coolly.
“You led us into danger,” Shugo said feeling angrier.
“You never asked if it was in one piece or not,” Zade said turning his gaze back to the city. He continued onward. Shugo felt anger but went onward with Zade motioning the rest to stay there.
“I’m going in, but only to get supplies,” Shugo said still pretty angry. Zade shrugged and they continued silently. Zade and Shugo split up upon entering the city. There wasn’t much to pick up. Shugo picked up whatever food he could find that wasn’t ruined. He also got a few other supplies.
A big crash was heard and a huge blast of light. Shugo raced towards the area leaving the knapsack under a turned piece of wood. What he saw was Zade shooting at what looked like a blonde girl that resembled a succubus. Shugo’s eyes grew wide. The girl was blonde, pale skin, and wore red and black clothes. Shugo knew this girl and she knew him full well too.
“ALEXIA!!! STOP THIS!!” The boy yelled out leaping into the air with his right hand behind him glowing. His hand was in the shape of a fist. White light emanated from it. The girl, Alexia, looked over at him. She glared at him coldly and then bared her vampire teeth and darted down at the boy. Shugo was hesitant but put his right fist forward and the white light shot out at Alexia. Just before it hit her, she disappeared.
“Dammit…” Shugo said looking up at the spot she was at before she had disappeared. Zade was marveling at the very same spot. He had shot out three silver bullets at that spot. The shells clicked as they hit the ground. Zade made his way towards where Shugo landed.
“What was that all about? Who was she?!?” Zade said shaking Shugo by the neck of his shirt. Shugo grunted and pulled away.
“That was… my sister…” Shugo said looking down at the ground with a distant stare. This wasn’t a good topic for him to discuss.
“How is a girl as hot as that related to someone like you?” Zade said to him, “Besides! She’s a vampire!”
“She… and my parents… were… taken by the vampires… my other sister… Asuka… and me are the only ones in our family left that aren’t vampires,” Shugo said. Zade grunted. He had now become a part of this. Alexia would most likely report to a higher authority. She had been wearing an army uniform.
“Zade, you’re a part of this now… you and I have to work together…” Shugo said to him with a seriously look.
“No way, I work alone. You’re lucky I even helped you this far!” Zade said rather offensively. There was a certain reason he didn’t work with a partner. He had been reluctant to even get them out of the forest but didn’t show it.
“We have to! She’ll take us down one by one then! If we work together we can stop her!” Shugo said.
“No, you want me because you can’t kill her yourself. She’s too important to you. How can you love a vampire?” Zade said to him.
“She’s family… I can’t forget her…” Shugo said staring off to the side. Zade understood. He had lost many people to vampires.
“I don’t want to work with you because I’m half vampire. I don’t need blood to live; I have all other vampire attributes other than a weakness to sun light. Sometimes blood lust can get the better of me. It was that blood lust that drew me too you,” Zade explained. He couldn’t remember the partners he had killed because of his vampire side overwhelming him.
“I… understand…” Shugo said, “But still… we need to work together. I think I’ll be able to stop you.”
A grin came upon Zade’s face. He cracked his knuckles and sent a punch to Shugo’s face. Shugo flew a few feet backwards. The bent knife brace on Zade’s fist left a slash on Shugo’s right cheek. Shugo wiped away the blood and grunted as he stood.
“What was that for?! Aren’t we working together?!” Shugo yelled out.
“If you only think you can stop me then there’s no point in us for working together. I’ll kill you now and then slaughter the sheep up there,” Zade said pointing backwards at the direction Fayt and the others were waiting. His eyes glowed red.
“I WON’T LET YOU HURT THEM! TOUCH THEM AND I’LL KILL YOU!” Shugo said feeling his blood boil. His anger raged. Pulling out the muramasa, he slashed downwards at the ground creating a ditch that went out like V. Zade leapt up into the air yawning. Then he pulled out one silver revolver. It had one bullet left.
“One bullet, one bullet is all I’ll need to beat you,” Zade said provoking Shugo. Zade’s body moved like red lightning at Shugo. Another punch was sent at him but this time with his left hand that wore no brace. Shugo blocked with his right arm. Zade smirked as he sent his right fist with the brace at Shugo’s chest. His shirt tore and blood came out. The wound was surprisingly shallow. It was as if Zade wasn’t even trying.
Shugo flipped Zade into the air and leapt up after him and kicked him in the gut. He glowed blue for a moment and got above Zade. He put the sword across his back once more and put his hands together knocking Zade to the ground. Zade plummeted for the dirt but as he crashed he landed on both feet and his left hand. As Shugo came down with the sword Zade jumped backwards with a smirk.
“Is that really the best you have?” Zade yelled out. Shugo’s bluish glow got darker. His eyes were wide. There was a massive crater where Shugo had landed with the sword. He dashed back at Zade. His sword went downwards at him once more but Zade blocked with the knife brace on his right fist merely yawning. Zade acted quick moving the sword down with his great strength and then sent a backwards kick at Shugo’s face. Shugo’s body flew backwards.
By now his aura was black. Pitch black. Shugo’s anger fueled him. He dropped the sword to the ground and knocked Zade down to the ground. Shugo’s black fist went to go for the finishing blow at Zade’s face but he stopped it and Shugo’s black aura disappeared into the wind.
“Wow, if you fought like that from the beginning you would have beaten me. Seems I’ve found myself a worthy partner,” Zade said picking up the unconscious Shugo and putting Shugo’s arm over his shoulder and putting his right arm under Shugo’s right arm. He lifted the boy’s body back up to camp. Fayt raced over to him and Asuka stared in horror.
“SHUGO!” Fayt screamed starting to cast a few healing spells. Asuka rummaged through her pack looking for medical herbs.
“Don’t worry; the boy’s taken only a little damage. He just pushed himself too hard,” Zade said coolly, “He’ll be alright in the morning.”
End Part 3
Part 4
Meanwhile on the other side of Tokanto a man of around seventeen stood with the wind blowing through his blonde hair. He looked at all the destruction around him. The boy’s large cloak whirled in the wind. He sighed as he picked up the knapsack under the turned piece of wood.
“Why must mankind and these other species fight?” the man said putting the knapsack over his shoulder. He followed the signs of fresh destruction and the foot steps. It appeared that one person was being dragged. The man pulled a short dagger, a very short dagger. It appeared to be a main gauche, a type of French dagger used by explorers for things like cutting forestry in the way. It didn’t offer much protection from animals or other humans unless the person using it was very skilled. The man looked up to see the group. He saw one person in particular, the cute brown haired girl, Fayt.
“Oh baby, she’s cute. How do I look? Silly question I always look great,” the boy thought. He continued to walk onward. He walked up behind Fayt. She was the only one awake at this moment.
“Excuse me Miss but-” the boy said tapping Fayt on the shoulder. Fayt was surprised and picked up her steel pike and hit him over the head with flat side.
“RAPIST! RAPIST!!! SHUGO HELP!!!” Fayt yelled out. Shugo’s body leapt up with sword in hand and he looked over at the “rapist.” The face was familiar, very familiar.
“Hmm…. XASH! HOW’S IT GOIN OL’ BUDDEH?” Shugo said with a happy look on his face. Xash turned to face his friend which he almost hadn’t recognized.
“SHUGO! WOW! YOU GOTTA GIRL!” Xash yelled with a grin.
“Yeah and I see you’re still hitting on ‘em.” Shugo said with a smirk
“Yeah, I mean why stay with one when you can have three or five?” Xash said with a grin.
“So how many do you have?” Shugo grinned.
“Well… um…”
“None?”
“Yup.” The two friends started laughing. Fayt was confused by this.
“Shugo, you know the rapist?” Fayt asked hiding behind Shugo a little. Shugo started laughing.
“Fayt this isn’t any rapist. This is my best friend Xash!” Shugo said with a grin.
“Hmph! I thought I was your best friend Shugo!” Fayt said turning away from him. Shugo went and hugged her from behind.
“You are. You’re my best friend that’s a girl. And he’s my best friend that’s a guy,” Shugo said. Fayt turned around and hugged him back. Now with Xash joining the party things would get pretty hectic. Xash went to sleep up against a tree and Shugo slept against another with Fayt leaning on his shoulder.
Alexia walked through the east corridor of the dark, bleak castle. The thrown room was in the center room. She was supposed to be there right now giving her report of what happened at Tokanto. She decided against giving it right now. Alexia needed some time to think about the stuff that had happened. Her older brother had… attacked her? He had missed though. From anyone else’s eyes it would appear that Alexia had disappeared before the beam had hit her, but she had frozen on the spot thinking death was
approaching her. Her older brother had missed though by an inch or two. In all her life she didn’t know Shugo to miss his target. A cold pale hand grabbed her by the back of her neck.
“Alexia, my dear you haven’t given your report to the king,” a cold voice said to her. His breath reeked of blood. This man scared even Alexia. He forced her into the thrown room and threw her in when he got to the door.
“My sire, Alexia Yuy is now here,” the man with the cold breath said. He had cold snake eyes. He walked away giving himself a sick smile.
“Alexia, you haven’t given the report,” the dark king said.
“Lord Vlad-“
“I prefer Dracula,” the sick man sad.
“Lord Dracula, I’m sorry. I was preparing it. Yuy, Shugo Yuy was there along with someone else. I over heard his name being Zade. Zade was there on some sort of job. This job was unknown and so was the employer. I’m not sure about why Shugo was there but he saw my uniform and attacked back at me. I believe… he’s the enemy now,” Alexia said.
“He was always the enemy. Don’t forget that Alexia. Forget your ties to that man. Next time, kill him,” Dracula said licking his lips.
“Yes my sire…” Alexia said turning and walking away. Her target was now… Shugo Yuy.
End Part 4
Shugo Yuy walked along the old dark road. His hand felt the cold stone as he walked along. The oil lantern’s flickered as Shugo walked along. His shadow came and left. The big, heavy, steel sword was being dragged along the ground. There was a ditch being created from the sword’s point. The boy’s breath shallow and faint. The seventeen year old boy staggered onward home. These dark creatures that ruled the earth, vampires, demons, they took their toll on Shugo. He was a monster hunter.
His shaking hand reached for the door knob of the little wooden house. Before he could get a hold of it the door flung open and two arms wrapped around him and hugged him tight. The girl that wrapped herself around him was crying. Shugo hugged back dropping the sword.
“I’m home… Asuka…” Shugo said slowly before fainting.
The boy’s eyes opened as he lay in his bed. He sat up quickly clutching his heart as if it were in pain. A searing pain in his chest caused him to groan quietly. He slowly rose out of his bed. Asuka was lying down there by his side. Shugo put the blanket that was over him over Asuka. He smiled; the pain was gone for a few moments. He winced as it returned.
“Asuka… I’m sorry… I might have to leave again…” The boy said to the sleeping girl. He felt bad for having to leave his little sister once more. She was mute so it made life hard for her. Luckily staying with her was a good friend of Shugo’s, Fayt.
Speaking of who ran into the house and locked the door. There was loud banging on it. Shugo crept up behind her. Shugo had the sword across his back. He stopped up in front of Fayt and pushed her back behind him giving her a small smile. He pulled the door open. Three large men stood in the door way.
“Well, well the little boy’s back in town. No wonder Fayt was acting so brave now that she’s got someone to hid behind,” the biggest man said.
Shugo’s face was grim as he stepped out of the house, “Touch Fayt... and I’ll kill you…” The boy said. His body shifted up into the air kicking the smallest of the three squarely in the chin. His body moved to elbow the middle man in the chest knocking the wind out of him. The biggest of them all was hit over the head with the flat side of the sword knocking him unconscious.
“Take him… away…” Shugo ordered the men. They did as they were told and scurried away in fright. Shugo turned around to face Fayt as he closed the door. Her eyes were filled with tears. She could tell that Shugo was in pain, a lot of pain. She wrapped herself around him tightly. Shugo’s arms wrapped around her with much less hesitation then they did when he hugged Asuka.
“Shu, please stop fighting these monsters. Come on please. You’ve been fighting since you were twelve when your parents…” Fayt knew better than to finish the sentence, “Sit down. I want to take a look at your cuts.” She said forcing Shugo to sit down on the couch. Fayt forced Shugo take off his shirt and she took a look at the make shift bandages over his abdominal area, chest, upper left arm, and his lower right arm. She pulled out a roll of fresh bandages from a cabinet. Fayt slowly took off the still wet and almost, completely red bandages off of Shugo and replaced them with tears falling down he cheeks.
“Shu, please… be more careful,” Fayt said walking away to throw out the bandages. Shugo, feeling bad for making Fayt cry, followed her and hugged her tightly from behind. Fayt was surprised but her hands on Shugo’s arms.
“Fayt, I’m sorry,” Shugo said saying his first sentence that wasn’t broken since he came back. Asuka came out of the room and looked at them with her big brown eyes. Shugo smiled as he got out of the hug. He walked over to Asuka and patted her on the head.
“How’ve you been holding up sis?” He said to his little sister not wanting her to find out about his wounds. There was no point in worrying the already too worrying little sister. Asuka gave Shugo a big happy smile. Asuka had waited a long time for Shugo to come back. Little did she know, by the time she fell asleep today, Shugo would be long gone.
The door was knocked on three times before being flung open and a boy of the age of twelve walked in. He was Asuka’s best friend; they were of the same age. His name was Destine. He was much like a brother to Asuka, they looked out for each other every where they went. Destine was a bit afraid of Shugo as most people in the village were. He shook as he looked at Shugo.
Trembling he said, “Sorry Mr. Yuy for forgetting to knock.” Laughing Shugo placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Hey don’t worry bout it. You looked after Asuka while I was gone right? So you’re pretty much family,” Shugo said with a smile. Asuka and Destine played around while Shugo and Fayt talked about what happened while Shugo was away.
The house began to feel hot. This was strange because it was late autumn. Shugo also smelled smoke. The house was on fire. Shugo grabbed Fayt and ran out the back door. Asuka and Destine were about to run in the house and tell Shugo. He slung Asuka across his back and grabbed Destine around the waist. He was pissed off. The fire was created by someone.
Shugo ran back into the house and pulled out his giant muramasa and a few of the other weapons there. Someone was targeting them. This meant that Shugo couldn’t let anybody that was near the house when the fire happened be unprotected. He gave Asuka a dagger, Destine was handed a short sword, and Fayt was given a metal staff with a sharp edge much like a pike.
“Let’s go, before who ever set the fire finds out we’re alive,” Shugo said leading them out of the little town. They moved behind the alleys trying not to get caught. By the time they got out it was dark. They had to set up camp outside of the town in the dark forbidden forest. Strange things happened in this forest. No man that had entered this forest lived. No man except Shugo’s father that is. Shugo felt confident he could protect them. Asuka and Destine were curled up by the fire and slept. Shugo and Fayt were leaning against a log that was rolled onto its side. Fayt was asleep leaning against Shugo’s shoulder, but Shugo was wide awake. His arm was around Fayt holding her tightly. This day couldn’t get any worse could it? Luckily there was only fifteen minutes left in this day to get worse, but there was all day tomorrow to go bad.
End Part 1
Part 2
His thoughts drifted and his eyes slowly closed as he uttered the words, “Fayt... I’ll protect you…”
“Huh… I feel weird…” Shugo thought as his eyes slowly awakened. Light shone through the tiny holes in the trees. The fire was out. Everything was scattered and Shugo wasn’t on the ground. Shugo was tied up against a tree, three feet off the ground. He moved from side to side trying to get loose. His friends were tied up together. Suddenly a cold, silver, steel knife was placed under his throat.
A cold voice with bad breath spoke, “Don’t move. Not a word. We’ll be taking the girls and your money. You may fight back IF you wish to die.” The man gave Shugo a grin that burnt Shugo up inside. The man’s crooked teeth were something Shugo wanted to knock straight out of his mouth. Moving quickly Shugo kicked up at the man’s chin and then moved it down and hit his wrist. Shugo caught the knife in his mouth by the handle and then dropped it catching it with his hand. The knife’s handle tasted nasty. Shugo cut the rope binding him to the tree and used it as a weapon. He used it like a whip and hit an old black revolver out a man’s hand giving Destine the chance to cut the rope binding them.
Shugo groped for his sword and lashed out backwards with it. A man was cut clean in half. Red splattered on the ground and Shugo’s eyes wide. He took a bullet to his shoulder. His breath grew shallow. How could one bullet do this to him? He was on all four. His mouth opened wide and crimson liquid poured out. Shugo’s consumption took its toll. Consumption, better known as tuberculosis, took their toll on his lungs and blood spewed out his mouth every now and then. It appeared right now was one of those now and then times.
“SHUGO!” Fayt screamed out as she held back a man. She was pushed down to the ground. The man started to reach for her shirt but then a gun shot was heard and then man went flying. A man wearing red appeared. The red shifted from one man to another. On his hand was a knife like brace. It twisted around his knuckles. The man punched them down leaving a lot of blood to fall. Destine stood in front of Asuka with the sword pointed at the man in case the man was not a friend.
“Put that thing down before you hurt someone…” the man said. Shugo slowly stood to face the man. The bleeding had stopped but Shugo hadn’t wiped the bit of blood at his lips. Shugo felt tired and slightly afraid that he couldn’t protect his friends from this new foe or friend.
“Who are you?” Shugo said to the man.
“Common courtesy dictates that one give his name before asking for another’s.” the man answered.
“Of course, I’m sorry. My name is Shugo Yuy; this is Fayt, Destine, and my little sister Asuka.”
“My name is Zade. I’m a monster hunter. Those things you fought were not human, most likely a shape shifting demon.”
“I see. I’m a monster hunter as well, son of Theo Yuy the legendary hunter of the basilisks.”
“Ah yes, Theo Yuy the man who killed the entire race of basilisks and more than his fair share of vampires, werewolves, and many other foul beasts.”
“Yeah the very same man. Onto more urgent matters, where are you heading?”
“The town of Tokanto, I have a job there.”
“I see. Mind us tagging along?”
“Not at all But you’ll have to pull your own weight.”
“We will don’t worry.”
Shugo’s and Zade’s conversation ended. The group with their shady acquaintance headed onwards toward Tokanto. This was a surprising turn of events. What waited for them at Tokanto? What was this man’s job at Tokanto? Only time would tell.
End part 2
Part 3
The group walked onward with Zade in the lead. He knew the way the best so it was only right that he took the lead. Destine and Asuka followed up behind him. Shugo and Fayt walked in the back. Fayt was lecturing Shugo about how he shouldn’t push himself so hard. Other than that the group was fairly quiet. There was a bit of tension between everyone in the group and a bit of anxiety of reaching Tokanto. It was a royal city with a great lord. This lord may even commission Shugo giving him a job and a house for the others to stay in. They had lived through the forest, the second party to have done so.
Shugo stared down at the pendant around his neck, his father’s pendant. This had been a good luck charm and something that gave Shugo hope and courage. His lips grew to a smile as he reminisced about the old times with his father. His father had taught him to sword fight and use offensive magic. His father had also been a big family man and was always helping around the house when he was at home. He wasn’t home much but when he was it was great. The house was always filled with happiness then.
“Here is the great city of Tokanto,” Zade said pulling back a tree branch to reveal the city of Tokanto.
“So where is it?” Destine said with his hands holding up his head. The city had been leveled down to the ground. There were many foul beasts flying around the city.
“Right there, those broken buildings,” Zade said as if nothing happened. He didn’t seem surprised by the destruction.
“You knew about this.” Shugo said with a stern face.
“Yeah, so what if I did?” Zade said coolly.
“You led us into danger,” Shugo said feeling angrier.
“You never asked if it was in one piece or not,” Zade said turning his gaze back to the city. He continued onward. Shugo felt anger but went onward with Zade motioning the rest to stay there.
“I’m going in, but only to get supplies,” Shugo said still pretty angry. Zade shrugged and they continued silently. Zade and Shugo split up upon entering the city. There wasn’t much to pick up. Shugo picked up whatever food he could find that wasn’t ruined. He also got a few other supplies.
A big crash was heard and a huge blast of light. Shugo raced towards the area leaving the knapsack under a turned piece of wood. What he saw was Zade shooting at what looked like a blonde girl that resembled a succubus. Shugo’s eyes grew wide. The girl was blonde, pale skin, and wore red and black clothes. Shugo knew this girl and she knew him full well too.
“ALEXIA!!! STOP THIS!!” The boy yelled out leaping into the air with his right hand behind him glowing. His hand was in the shape of a fist. White light emanated from it. The girl, Alexia, looked over at him. She glared at him coldly and then bared her vampire teeth and darted down at the boy. Shugo was hesitant but put his right fist forward and the white light shot out at Alexia. Just before it hit her, she disappeared.
“Dammit…” Shugo said looking up at the spot she was at before she had disappeared. Zade was marveling at the very same spot. He had shot out three silver bullets at that spot. The shells clicked as they hit the ground. Zade made his way towards where Shugo landed.
“What was that all about? Who was she?!?” Zade said shaking Shugo by the neck of his shirt. Shugo grunted and pulled away.
“That was… my sister…” Shugo said looking down at the ground with a distant stare. This wasn’t a good topic for him to discuss.
“How is a girl as hot as that related to someone like you?” Zade said to him, “Besides! She’s a vampire!”
“She… and my parents… were… taken by the vampires… my other sister… Asuka… and me are the only ones in our family left that aren’t vampires,” Shugo said. Zade grunted. He had now become a part of this. Alexia would most likely report to a higher authority. She had been wearing an army uniform.
“Zade, you’re a part of this now… you and I have to work together…” Shugo said to him with a seriously look.
“No way, I work alone. You’re lucky I even helped you this far!” Zade said rather offensively. There was a certain reason he didn’t work with a partner. He had been reluctant to even get them out of the forest but didn’t show it.
“We have to! She’ll take us down one by one then! If we work together we can stop her!” Shugo said.
“No, you want me because you can’t kill her yourself. She’s too important to you. How can you love a vampire?” Zade said to him.
“She’s family… I can’t forget her…” Shugo said staring off to the side. Zade understood. He had lost many people to vampires.
“I don’t want to work with you because I’m half vampire. I don’t need blood to live; I have all other vampire attributes other than a weakness to sun light. Sometimes blood lust can get the better of me. It was that blood lust that drew me too you,” Zade explained. He couldn’t remember the partners he had killed because of his vampire side overwhelming him.
“I… understand…” Shugo said, “But still… we need to work together. I think I’ll be able to stop you.”
A grin came upon Zade’s face. He cracked his knuckles and sent a punch to Shugo’s face. Shugo flew a few feet backwards. The bent knife brace on Zade’s fist left a slash on Shugo’s right cheek. Shugo wiped away the blood and grunted as he stood.
“What was that for?! Aren’t we working together?!” Shugo yelled out.
“If you only think you can stop me then there’s no point in us for working together. I’ll kill you now and then slaughter the sheep up there,” Zade said pointing backwards at the direction Fayt and the others were waiting. His eyes glowed red.
“I WON’T LET YOU HURT THEM! TOUCH THEM AND I’LL KILL YOU!” Shugo said feeling his blood boil. His anger raged. Pulling out the muramasa, he slashed downwards at the ground creating a ditch that went out like V. Zade leapt up into the air yawning. Then he pulled out one silver revolver. It had one bullet left.
“One bullet, one bullet is all I’ll need to beat you,” Zade said provoking Shugo. Zade’s body moved like red lightning at Shugo. Another punch was sent at him but this time with his left hand that wore no brace. Shugo blocked with his right arm. Zade smirked as he sent his right fist with the brace at Shugo’s chest. His shirt tore and blood came out. The wound was surprisingly shallow. It was as if Zade wasn’t even trying.
Shugo flipped Zade into the air and leapt up after him and kicked him in the gut. He glowed blue for a moment and got above Zade. He put the sword across his back once more and put his hands together knocking Zade to the ground. Zade plummeted for the dirt but as he crashed he landed on both feet and his left hand. As Shugo came down with the sword Zade jumped backwards with a smirk.
“Is that really the best you have?” Zade yelled out. Shugo’s bluish glow got darker. His eyes were wide. There was a massive crater where Shugo had landed with the sword. He dashed back at Zade. His sword went downwards at him once more but Zade blocked with the knife brace on his right fist merely yawning. Zade acted quick moving the sword down with his great strength and then sent a backwards kick at Shugo’s face. Shugo’s body flew backwards.
By now his aura was black. Pitch black. Shugo’s anger fueled him. He dropped the sword to the ground and knocked Zade down to the ground. Shugo’s black fist went to go for the finishing blow at Zade’s face but he stopped it and Shugo’s black aura disappeared into the wind.
“Wow, if you fought like that from the beginning you would have beaten me. Seems I’ve found myself a worthy partner,” Zade said picking up the unconscious Shugo and putting Shugo’s arm over his shoulder and putting his right arm under Shugo’s right arm. He lifted the boy’s body back up to camp. Fayt raced over to him and Asuka stared in horror.
“SHUGO!” Fayt screamed starting to cast a few healing spells. Asuka rummaged through her pack looking for medical herbs.
“Don’t worry; the boy’s taken only a little damage. He just pushed himself too hard,” Zade said coolly, “He’ll be alright in the morning.”
End Part 3
Part 4
Meanwhile on the other side of Tokanto a man of around seventeen stood with the wind blowing through his blonde hair. He looked at all the destruction around him. The boy’s large cloak whirled in the wind. He sighed as he picked up the knapsack under the turned piece of wood.
“Why must mankind and these other species fight?” the man said putting the knapsack over his shoulder. He followed the signs of fresh destruction and the foot steps. It appeared that one person was being dragged. The man pulled a short dagger, a very short dagger. It appeared to be a main gauche, a type of French dagger used by explorers for things like cutting forestry in the way. It didn’t offer much protection from animals or other humans unless the person using it was very skilled. The man looked up to see the group. He saw one person in particular, the cute brown haired girl, Fayt.
“Oh baby, she’s cute. How do I look? Silly question I always look great,” the boy thought. He continued to walk onward. He walked up behind Fayt. She was the only one awake at this moment.
“Excuse me Miss but-” the boy said tapping Fayt on the shoulder. Fayt was surprised and picked up her steel pike and hit him over the head with flat side.
“RAPIST! RAPIST!!! SHUGO HELP!!!” Fayt yelled out. Shugo’s body leapt up with sword in hand and he looked over at the “rapist.” The face was familiar, very familiar.
“Hmm…. XASH! HOW’S IT GOIN OL’ BUDDEH?” Shugo said with a happy look on his face. Xash turned to face his friend which he almost hadn’t recognized.
“SHUGO! WOW! YOU GOTTA GIRL!” Xash yelled with a grin.
“Yeah and I see you’re still hitting on ‘em.” Shugo said with a smirk
“Yeah, I mean why stay with one when you can have three or five?” Xash said with a grin.
“So how many do you have?” Shugo grinned.
“Well… um…”
“None?”
“Yup.” The two friends started laughing. Fayt was confused by this.
“Shugo, you know the rapist?” Fayt asked hiding behind Shugo a little. Shugo started laughing.
“Fayt this isn’t any rapist. This is my best friend Xash!” Shugo said with a grin.
“Hmph! I thought I was your best friend Shugo!” Fayt said turning away from him. Shugo went and hugged her from behind.
“You are. You’re my best friend that’s a girl. And he’s my best friend that’s a guy,” Shugo said. Fayt turned around and hugged him back. Now with Xash joining the party things would get pretty hectic. Xash went to sleep up against a tree and Shugo slept against another with Fayt leaning on his shoulder.
Alexia walked through the east corridor of the dark, bleak castle. The thrown room was in the center room. She was supposed to be there right now giving her report of what happened at Tokanto. She decided against giving it right now. Alexia needed some time to think about the stuff that had happened. Her older brother had… attacked her? He had missed though. From anyone else’s eyes it would appear that Alexia had disappeared before the beam had hit her, but she had frozen on the spot thinking death was
approaching her. Her older brother had missed though by an inch or two. In all her life she didn’t know Shugo to miss his target. A cold pale hand grabbed her by the back of her neck.
“Alexia, my dear you haven’t given your report to the king,” a cold voice said to her. His breath reeked of blood. This man scared even Alexia. He forced her into the thrown room and threw her in when he got to the door.
“My sire, Alexia Yuy is now here,” the man with the cold breath said. He had cold snake eyes. He walked away giving himself a sick smile.
“Alexia, you haven’t given the report,” the dark king said.
“Lord Vlad-“
“I prefer Dracula,” the sick man sad.
“Lord Dracula, I’m sorry. I was preparing it. Yuy, Shugo Yuy was there along with someone else. I over heard his name being Zade. Zade was there on some sort of job. This job was unknown and so was the employer. I’m not sure about why Shugo was there but he saw my uniform and attacked back at me. I believe… he’s the enemy now,” Alexia said.
“He was always the enemy. Don’t forget that Alexia. Forget your ties to that man. Next time, kill him,” Dracula said licking his lips.
“Yes my sire…” Alexia said turning and walking away. Her target was now… Shugo Yuy.
End Part 4