1 Storm clouds over paradise.

-Prologue-

The country of Galiena is one that is teeming with exotic animals, plants, fruits, and life forms.

It is as beautiful as it is dangerous; for the beautiful landscape beckons the unwanted attention of bandits, poachers, and many organized crime and dark syndicates.

As hard as these groups may try to stamp out the light, there is always someone that is ready to drive back the darkness.

The Kuroki Forest

Covering a range of 1,500 square miles of the western section of the continent, the kuroki forest is the largest in Galiena.

Being the natural habitat to a myriad of animals, it is also protected by Galienan law although the occasional poacher will try to harvest meat, plants or fruits for their own personal gain.

Also living within the Kuroki forest are two powerful warriors, with them is where our story begins...

"Are you sure you want to do this nephew?" Asked Shozen.

Shozen is a kindly old swordsman and somewhat retired hunter of a certain exotic game. He has lived the last thirty years of his life with only his left eye after a hunting accident. Nowadays he spends his time at his forest shed where he lives with his young nephew and his three tailed Wyler( four legged mammal known to live in dense forests. Characteristics include elongated ears, three thick tails and darkly colored outer iris )companion, Kira.

"Oh, yea! I can't tell you how long I've been waiting for this day." Cairo excitedly responded as he stretched out his muscular shoulders.

Today is Cairo's twenty-third birthday and all he wants is to do is test the skills he's learned over the past twenty years. Cairo is Shozens nephew from his only sister who unfortunately passed away when Cairo was three from rare heart disease. Since Shozen came into his life he has not only been his uncle but his teacher as well. Shozen is not only a master of swordsmanship, a martial arts grandmaster and a spirit magic mage he was also a legendary demon slayer of the Iron Brotherhood.

"I'll try not to take that too personally," Shozen responded sarcastically as sarcasm was like his second language.

Shozen then noticed a flock of yum yum birds flying overhead, he loved birds and how free they were.

Taking advantage of the lack of attention paid to him; Cairo went on the offensive by delivering a leaping kick at Shozen's head.

Being the martial artist he was, Shozen blocked the attack easily.

"Oh, have we begun? Well then let's go!"

KOOOMPF!!!

Shozen delivered a hard kick to Cairo's belly knocking him back ten feet. With blinding speed, Shozen was in front of Cairo as he stood to his feet as if he teleported there.

"Don't forget your training." Shozen said before putting a bit of distance between himself and Cairo and taking up a fighting stance.

Shozen's technique that he perfected himself is called Quiet Berserker. While throwing a punch, kick, knee, elbow or even swinging his sword he's completely relaxed up until the point of contact at which point he releases all built up strength and force resulting in devastating blows that he's able to deliver continuously without fatigue.

Despite his age, Shozen is in amazing shape and his connection to the spirit realm is incredibly strong.

Cairo wipes away the small amount of blood he coughed up from the kick to his belly. Standing to his feet Cairo smiled a devious smile. "Oh, I haven't forgotten, "

FLOOSH!!

Just as soon as he said that Cairo's first explodes into flames as well as his eyes. Cairo is not like most humans, he is the one hundred and fifteenth son of the God of Fire, Lord Damos.

Cairo is currently the only living Demigod of Fire.

"There's that intensity," Shozen said referring to his nephew's love of a good fight. Cairo, like all demigods before and like him, loves to fight and become excited by battle.

Cairo's eyes become engulfed in flames whenever he has becomes what he calls battle focused.

"Get ready old man! No holding back now!" Cairo said before unleashing a barrage of fireballs at Shozen.

Although able to dodge the attacks, being in such close proximity to the flames still left burns on his skin.

Cairo smiled his devious smile again,

"How's my memory?" Cairo asked obnoxiously. The personalities of Cairo and his uncle would sometimes crash due to their opposing natures.

Cairo is bold, extremely sure of himself, got tempered and impatient despite Shozens many attempts to break him of these habits.

Shozen is calm, relaxed, focused and prefers jokes and drinks to swords and blood, but will not spare his blade for any evil.

Even though bowing is not his nature Cairo always shows his uncle the respect he deserves.

Ready to continue, Cairo takes up his stance ready for whatever attack Shozen may have.

GRRRRRRR!

Suddenly Kira quickly hopped to her feet and began to growl angrily as she shifted her gaze around the mountain landscape as she felt a presence approaching, a strong presence.

"You feel that?" Cairo asked his uncle that was already looking around.

"Of course. Such a hostile aura, how could I not?" Shozen responded.

Both men stayed perfectly still and silent trying to figure out which direction this energy was coming from.

Suddenly out of nowhere three throwing daggers came flying toward Shozen,

TING! TING!

Using years of honed reflexes Shozen caught one of the daggers and used it to block the other two.

"Now come out!" Shozen shouted as he threw the dagger into the ground.

Just then, a man dressed in all black with a half-face mask resembling a spider's fangs appeared behind Shozen on one knee with his head down.

Shozen turned to the bowing stranger and stood before him with his arms folded, not many things irritated Shozen but sneak attacks definitely did. Cairo stood ready as well with his fists still engulfed in flames as well as his eyes, Kira by his side ready to attack at her masters request.

"My apologies, but I had to make sure the rumors were true," said the stranger still with his head down. He had a serious tone of voice, he was clearly the more cold and concise type "And what rumors have you heard?" asked Shozen with a grin. He was fully aware of the rumors surrounding his name; Shozen was in his prime, a world-renowned demon hunter/ slayer and part of the legendary Iron Brotherhood.

"Rumors of the great Shozen, The savior of Harlow, The Genius warrior, The one-eyed demon killer." Responded the stranger.

"Stand and show me your face," Shozen said to the stranger in a commanding tone of voice.

Slowly the stranger stood to both his feet, Cairo kept his guard up just in case he tried anything. The stranger made direct eye contact with both Shozen and Cairo before reaching for his face mask.

Once removed from his face Shozen and Cairo could see the grizzly scar that stretched across his face on a diagonal slant, his eyes were focused and intense, and his hair was gray and pointed backward in a ponytail.

"My name is Fang, I came from Dormir. I was sent by Hideki Akiyama, " Fang said with a hint of sadness. Shozen picked up on the hesitation to say the name of who sent him especially since it was someone he knew.

"How is Hideki? Still serious all the time?" Shozen asked with a smile.

Fang was silent for a moment before giving Shozen a dead-serious look,

"He's dead,"

Fang responded still so hurt by the fact that he couldn't even make eye contact with Shozen.

Master Akiyama found Fang on the street pick pocketing gullible townspeople to have enough money to eat. When he tried to pick master Akiyama's pockets however he found that the old man was faster than he appeared. Impressed by the young boys fearlessness, he decided to take him in.

Fang would sneak and watch as master Akiyama would teach his students and practice when he was alone. Master Akiyama eventually found out and began training him, not before long Fang was made a genin or low level ninja. Within two years he had advanced to a Jonin or high level ninja which is an unprecedented rise in power. Master Akiyama was like the father that Fang had never known, he was not an emotionally supportive person nor was he compassionate to Fangs feelings but he was there when no one else was.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Hideki was my brother in arms." Shozen confessed as he held his face in his left hand. Hideki was also a demon hunter and member of the Iron Brotherhood, he and Shozen were friends in their youth.

"What happened?" Shozen questioned. An intense look of ferocity came over Fang's face, like he instantly became upset.

Fang went on to tell the story of what happened to Master Akiyama and the rest of his clan.

Dormir

Two weeks ago

I was tasked with the mission of collecting intel on an enemy clan that's been supposedly plotting against my own. While I was gone a visitor came to the monastery, a powerful one.

Apparently he had intentions of purchasing our services which wouldn't be out of the ordinary except for the fact that this particular visitor wanted to make his payment in promises instead of currency.

He told master Akiyama that of the Anansi were to be his personal bodyguard he'd make us the ruling clan of Dormir.

The hairs on the back of Shozens neck began to rise and stand straight on end, Fang hadn't described the man yet but he got the feeling that he knew exactly who he was.

Master Akiyama declined being a man of limited imagination, what ensued was all out slaughter.

Three days had passed while I was on mission, when I returned to the monastery I was greeted by the sight of all of my brothers dead.

The only reason that master Akiyama was able to survive long enough to tell me all of this is solely due to his ironclad spirit, even when faced with death he was a true leader.

With his final breaths he instructed me to seek you out, so here I am.

Shozen was speechless as a million thoughts flew through his mind. Cairo placed his hand on his uncle's shoulder sensing his tension rising, "Everything okay, uncle?" Cairo asked concerned.

Shozen was still speechless for a moment before looking Fang directly in the eyes.

"Did he describe to you what this man looked like?" Shozen asked somewhat fearing the answer.

"He did." Fang responded.

Fang went on to give Shozen the details given to him by his master;

Long dark hair, stoic face void of all emotion, long red and black robe with the symbol for oblivion sewn into it and a darkened left arm ...the man that had killed Fangs clan and Shozens brother was a man that went by Lord Kane.

A two hundred year old son of the God of Shadows, Lord Edos, Kane.

35 years ago he attempted to do something that would have destroyed the entire world and almost succeeded, he attempted to open the demon gate.

A portal that connects to every plane with the dark realm or realm of malevolent spirits, if it were to ever be opened it would be the end of the world.

Kane was able to destroy four of the eight talismans that keep the portal closed before the Iron Brotherhood was able to perform a sealing spell locking him away in a mirror dimension( a dimension exact to the one we live in but completely empty of all life ), somehow he was able to break out.

After explaining everything to Shozen Fang got down on both of his knees and bowed down to the ground. Shozen, Cairo were both confused by the sudden show of submission.

"Uhh what's going on?" Cairo asked trying to break the awkward silence.

"Please take me under your wing so that I may be strong enough to get revenge for my fallen comrades! I will do whatever you say, I beg of you!" Fang shouted in a pained voice. Shozen could feel the hatred and pain that was causing Fangs blood to boil as it was all too familiar, Kane had taken many of his friends during their pursuit of him all those years ago. Typically he didn't take on students and if he did there was an entire process they'd have to go through just to prove their worth, but he saw much of himself in Fang just as he did with Cairo.

"Stand." Shozen commanded.

Fang stood to his feet and met Shozen eye to eye with his shoulder back and chest out.

"I will train you, but you will not be the one to kill Kane, not alone anyway. You are not strong enough for that, it's the sad truth. He has more than three lifetimes on you; I couldn't even defeat him alone." Shozen said with regret. Despite his years of battlefield knowledge and training he could never hope to defeat Kane, someone trained by one of three legendary first practitioners.

Two hundred years ago at the time of Kane's birth was also the time when the druids first came to Galiena from their far away homeland. With their arrival came the practice of spirit magic and dark spirit magic, one of the first practitioners of dark spirit magic a man named priest Kazama was Kane's master. After raising Kane in a temple devoted to his father Lord Edos filled with men and women loyal to his name, Kane slaughtered them all on the day of his twentieth birthday after they had taught him everything about his abilities and dark spirit magic.

After that he's had another two centuries to perfect his abilities and pick up new ones, they would need the remaining power of the

Iron Brotherhood if they were to stand a chance.

Cairo stepped forward towards Shozen and Fang and dropped to one knee

"Uncle, this is what I have been training for my entire life, what you've been training me for. Let me help you." Cairo said with conviction. Shozen smiled as he looked down at his nephew, he felt such pride in him.

"Of course nephew. You've become an excellent warrior, definitely more than I was at your age. I'd have it no other way." Shozen said making Cairo stand to his feet with a new level of confidence.

"So what's the move?" Cairo asked ready for action.

Shozen walked casually to the edge of the high cliff they were all on overlooking southern Galiena,

"We regroup," Shozen said with his own devious smile.

****

Yashesh

A country to the west of Galiena known for its high quality Moon steel( steel made from meteorites ) and the many wars that have permanently ravaged the landscape.

In the town of Ravens Cry which is home to all kinds of nefarious individuals.

Knema an associate of Kane's is here to meet with their contact about a rare treasure or rather something that will lead them to a great treasure.

Ravens Cry is not just a hub for criminals but also plays host to more than twenty different taverns and brothels, Captains peg leg is where she is set to meet with her trader. The noise from inside of the establishment could be clearly heard out on the street, drunken men shouting over each other just to say nothing at all.

Knema pushed the swinging doors open forcefully, abruptly announcing her presence.

All eyes were on her.

Knema's long ears and tail was all that anyone could look at, as well as her curvy frame and fierce warrior woman demeanor, every man in the building was stricken by her.

As she made her way to the end of the bar she was watched closely, one bold soul even reached out to cup her ample behind.

Knema immediately stopped in her tracks and gripped the man's wrist.

"Be thankful I have much more pressing business to attend to. I'll be back for you," Knema said with fire in her eyes.

Knema then let go of his wrist which was now sprained, the man winced from the pain and began to sweat at the thought of what she meant by she'd be back for him.

Now reaching the bar Knema took a seat next to the only other person in the bar who was not drunk.

"Nice entrance," said the trader as he took a sip from his water. Ulrich was his name, whether it was his first or last name was unclear however anyone that wanted to find any type of rare treasure had to find Ulrich first.

"Do you have it?" Knema asked not making eye contact.

Ulrich made a face at her that said obviously as he reached in his bag and laid out what Knema was looking for,

The map of the four talismans.

35 years ago Kane destroyed four of the eight talismans keeping the Demon gate closed, now with this map he'd be able to find and destroy the last four.

Although since his last attempt the spirit alliance( spirit magic government made up of both light and dark practitioners ) and The council of Five( heads of the five continents ) all designated their best warriors to act as guards protecting the talismans, they were no match for the power of Lord Kane.

"Excellent," Knema said pleased. She then dropped a small pouch filled with gold coins on the bar and made her way to the exit. On her way out she stopped when she remembered a promise she made.

She looked to her right and saw the man that had assaulted her earlier.

"I believe we have a date," Knema said giving him a look that would have killed if possible.

CRAAAASH!!!

Suddenly the handsy drunkard was thrown through the front window of the bar and into the street.

Knema tossed the bartender a few gold coins from her pocket as she continued on her way out, "for the trouble," she said to the barkeep as she disappeared into the night.

Emerging from the darkness of the thick woods, Knema arrived at one of the many abandoned churches in Yashesh. Religious beliefs in this country were absolutely on the low side not just for Lord Edos believers. Outside of the church were four level two demons( Brutes : four arms and low intelligence ) guarding the church at Lord Kane's order. Knema walked past them and through the large double doors.

Inside were four men with one of them standing at the podium like a pastor addressing his flock.

"I have retrieved the map my lord," Knema said as she dropped to her knees and held the map out in front of her.

Slowly walking out of the darkness emerged Lord Kane exactly as Fang described.

Long dark hair, handsome yet emotionally void facial expression, darkened left arm and immense power generating from him.

"At last! The final four seals will be broken and this world will tremble! I will be a God!" Kane's maniacal ranting would give a devout follower of the realm nightmares, when ever he raised his voice it was like hearing his voice as well as another; to be in the presence of such evil is enough to corrupt the hearts of the most pure.

Joining Knema on her knees were the other three men that served under Lord Kane; Malakai, Jobu and Azrael.

Malakai is Lord Kane's most loyal and is therefore his second in command. Although he has no spirit magic abilities he is in peak physical condition and is extremely intelligent. He wields a large sword capable of nullifying any magic used against it.

Jobu is a former member of the Iron Brotherhood. While on a mission to take out a nest of level one demons( Dwellers : weakest of the demon race appearing large in numbers ) he was taken prisoner and possessed by Genra The Bloodthirsty a demon General( Generals : second only to the demon god himself, extremely powerful ). Azrael is a powerful wizard and spirit medium, he wields no weapon only a possessed mask( a mask possessed by a great spirit allowing whoever wears it to control that spirits abilities)allowing him to cast powerful spells.

"What will you have us do, my lord?" Asked Genra.

Lord Kane looked out of the window towards the moon allowing the light to shine down on his wicked face.

"Go to Galiena."

****

Calduran Tribe Grounds

The Calduran people first migrated to Galiena in the dark ages from their home country of Caldura which was invaded by Grimorian forces and overrun.

In an effort to elude pursuers, the seven tribes that were able to escape the slaughter split up and went their separate ways. Two tribes ventured to Magnolia, another two decided on Dormir while the last three made the journey to Galiena lead by the Tok Mahna tribe.

Now in the present day, the Galiena chapter of the Galiena tribe lives and thrives off of the Western woodlands.

The tribe itself is lead by Jora Tok Mahna the great, great, great grandson of the great navigator, Ranjo Tok Mahna.

Knema's fraternal twin sister Kahna stares out her castle window onto the village and the world beyond wondering where her sister was and if she was even still alive.

Kahna being Knema's twin was every bit as beautiful as her sister. Her eyes were bright and yellow as the sun and a smile that seems to make everyone smile right along with her.

Unfortunately it's been two years since she'd laid eyes on her and she was starting to feel her connection to her weaken.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

Three strong knocks and then silence, it was most likely Kahna's and Knema's older brother, Clavius.

Clavius was the successor to his father, leader of the village knights and said the be the best swordsman of all Caldurans.

Clavius has red eyes which is said to be a color of power among the Calduran people and his physique was powerful and statuesque.

He loved both of his sisters from the bottom of his soul, since their father was a stone hearted man that barely showed any type of emotion since the death of his wife which was caused by the banishment of Knema, Clavius had taken up more of a father figure role in Kahna's life.

"Hey sis, how are you doing today?" Clavius asked with a big smile.

Clavius was even more torn up about Knema's banishment than Kahna was but would never show it.

"A warrior has no use for sentiment,"

One of the hundred lines that his father had drilled into him since he was five years old.

Knema turned to her brother with a smile to match his even though on the inside she felt empty.

"I'm great, you don't have to worry about me ya' know," Kahna said trying to maintain her mystique.

She received all of the same training and lectures that Clavius was a party to, although her discipline was different.

Kahna was the most powerful spirit magic conjurer that her tribe had seen since her mother. However Kahna was more likely to defeat you and then heal you afterward, she was Knema's polar opposite.

"I know, I know but worrying is what I do best," Clavius joked referring to what Kahna and everyone else says about him.

Kahna chuckles at that fact and walks past her brother out of her bedroom gently patting the left side of his face as she passes him in the doorway.

Clavius follows behind as the walk out into the main hall which is an outside corridor.

Kahna was making her way to the school house where she would volunteer. Although she was royalty in the village she did not let that keep her from interacting with her people, "A village is not a bunch of buildings within some walls, it's the people and their bond with each other." One of the many lessons that Kahna learned from her mother before her passing.

"I miss her Clay. Everyday," Kahna said allowing some of her hurt to rise through the cracks in her heart.

Her words hit her brother like a boulder because he felt the exact same way.

"Me too. It's all I can do not to take off and go find her." Clavius said in a whisper. Just mentioning going against the wishes of the village chief was treason even for a successor.

"Well why don't we? With your fighting skills and my magic and bond with her we'd find her before they knew we were gone." Kahna said as she stopped walking and turned to her big brother.

Kahna didn't care if she was violating any rules as far as she was concerned if she was banished as well then at least she'd be free to search for her sister, but at the same time she'd be separated from her brother and father.

"Yea no one would notice that the prince and princess were both gone." Clavius said sarcastically as he began to brush past Kahna.

Kahna then grabbed Clavius' arm and gripped hard making him stop walking away from her. He had forgotten about Lahna physical strength, even though she was not a person that enjoyed fighting she was suspiciously one of the strongest people in the tribe.

"I've been thinking about this for months. I'm going." Kahna said with pure seriousness in her eyes.

Clavius knee he should talk her out of it, he even knew what he could say to get her to let this idea go, but instead…

"I understand. How can I help?" Clavius said that.

Two days later

Their plan to get Kahna out of the village before anyone could notice was simple.

First Kahna had to "become ill"

and excuse herself from the dinner table, one of her chambermaids would then take her place in her bed.

Clavius would keep their father busy so he and away from Kahna's room while Kahna sneaks into the stables.

After their father goes off to bed Clavius would then move the guard from the front gates, give the signal( whistle ) and Kahna would escape.

Unfortunately the roadblocks in their plan were that Kahna was as healthy as a racehorse and had no talent for dishonesty, so all of the talking would be left up to Clavius.

It was just about time to put their plan into action, they were just waiting for their father to come down from his chambers for dinner. He was late which was not at all like him, most of the time he was sitting down before the had gotten there.

"Clay it's been an hour now, I'm starting to get worried about father." Kahna said with worry in her tone. Clavius shared her concern and decided that they should go up to his chambers and see what was going on.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

Clavius' signature three knocks, their father already knew who it was.

"Clavius my son, come in( cough - cough )" Jora said as he let out two hard coughs. He had not been feeling well lately but Kahna and Clavius chalked it updates to the seasons change.

Clavius and Kahna entered and was greeted to the sight of their once dominant, powerful and strong father for now he was sickly with a healer at his side.

Kahna went to her father's bedside and took his hand while Clavius got some answers from the physician,

"Clavius sir.." the physician said nervously. Dr. Fay moire was already a nervous man, but in the presence of a masculent, red warrior such as Clavius would make almost any man cringe.

"How's my father doing?" Clavius asked plainly.

The chart that the doctor held shook like a dying leaf caught in a breeze.

"W-well y-your father is quite( gulp )" Dr. Fay moire could barely speak, Clavius started getting upset at the dr's sudden loss of words and snatched the chart away from him and read it himself.

What he read explained the doctors reluctance entirely. Jora was unfortunately beyond the help of medicine and was set to die in days. The strain of fever that he contracted likely on one of his many hunts was too powerful for Dr. Fay moire to handle.

Clavius looked over at his father and almost broke down into tears, but he knew that right now he had to be strong for Kahna.

Clavius slyly handed the Dr. back the chart before joining Kahna by their fathers bedside.

"Father, how are you feeling?" Clavius asked with a smile as he stood beside Kahna with a smile on his face and his hand on her shoulder.

Jora struggled slightly to sit up in his bed, Kahna went to help before he stopped her or rather his pride did.

Jora being the leader of his tribe for the past thirty years after winning the title from his father before him was an extremely proud man.

"I'm okay Kahna, I'm not dead yet." Jora said jokingly.

"Don't joke about that! It's not funny!" Kahna angrily responded. She saw no humor in her father joking about his mortality, especially after the death of her mother.

Jora pulled Kahna in close and hugged her tightly just like he did when she was a child and just like then it calmed her and put a smile across her face. Kahna loved her family and tribe unconditionally, but she was a daddy's girl at heart.

"Everything will be okay," jora reassured her knowing that it would not be. He had been quietly suffering for months now and it was all he could do not to collapse in pain. Clavius also knew that everything wouldn't be okay but didn't have the heart to tell Kahna, instead he'd let her enjoy their father while he was alive.

****

One week later

The worse had finally happened and the entire village felt the blow.

Jora Tok Mahna was more than just a father and leader he was a role model for both children and adults.

He will truly be missed.

At the burial service Kahna was destroyed but could not shed a tear, her father's last words would not allow her to do so.

"I'm going to be with your mother," he said smiling.

Kahna was happy that he went out that way and that was why she could not cry, although she was sad that her father was gone the idea that her parents who had loved each other so much would be reunited.

As the last pile of dirt was thrown over the plot and people began to disperse, Kahna and Clavius remained standing over their fathers final place of rest.

"I'm going...Tonight." Kahna mandated. Clavius turned and looked toward his sister and for a moment he didn't recognize her, she seemed so determined and confident.

"I understand. Please, just be careful."

Clavius said as a single tear fell from his cheek.

****