I was only 16, but a trusted witch of renown among my people.The southern government had tried to exterminate my kind, but to no avail. Buring our homes, defiling our land, tearing our sisters and brothers to shreds, leaving only the eldest. I watched my siblings being ripped apart and burned to crisp on that cruel pier....That pier, I hated it.It was the symbol of our hate for the humans and the flame for our revolution.

But unlike the others, I was spared ,being the youngest in the family.

Ours was a unique race of vampires...vampire witches....capable of reproduction. The humans were very careful to limit any and all births in my tribe.If any refused to comply, their head was severed off in an instant by the cruel Caspasian Guard.

Becoming an only child at 5 years old, I was vigorously trained with magic and medical practices. Thus I spent my 11 years of my life.

But then a day came I will never forget...none of my people will ever forget it.Alas that I never bore it with my people, and lived my wretched existence after their horrific end.

Several resistances bands had made their camps along the highways, ambushing and killing any and every human and taking the plunder back to the tribe.But the victory of course was short lived. Hoards of human infantry were sent to storm every tribe , slaughtering, everyone in their path. They burned they villages and even the small town.Every soul of my people was mercilessly destroyed. But I was practicing my magic and medicine in my little shed high in the mountains.

Unlike most vampires, we were the most human. We had no super speed, no super strength ,no enhanced vision. The only thing we had in common with our vampire counterparts was the fact that we fed on blood . Though we lived much longer than humans, we were not immortal. The humans knew this, and called us mock humans, not worthy of existence. Our only use, they said, was as slaves.

As I unknowingly ventured down the mountain, I saw black blury wisps of smoke rising to the sky, and when I noticed where they were coming from, I quickened my pace.As I crossed the stream , my heart nearly stopped .

" They....they....destroyed everything...."

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

"Please tell me we dont have to go through those mountains"😒 a girl of 16, sighed. "My bike won't make it up those rocks "

She was tall and flippant, with whitish blond hair and complacent look.She was very beautiful, despite her attitude. her name is Nan Demo

"Well ,the map says to stay on the path. We might get lost in the middle of these dark hills and woods" another 16 year old girl replied. Her name name was Shurui. "The last time we wanderer off the path, we ended up 50 miles from our destination "...Besides, I dont like these woods...I sense a formidable aura."

Ignoring Shurui, Nan kick started her bike and coasted along the outer rim of the ominous forest ahead. Stopping some 60 feet ahead, she called over her shoulder, "Get on...we dont have all day ya know"

"But....", Shurui sighed. She knew it was pointless to try to reason with Nan.

The two drove on in silence for a good while until Nan suddenly pulled over.

"Look up ahead......."

Crumbling towers and smoke filled the sky in the distance. Some of the tower caved in a and fell to the ground as they watched. But no sign of life stirred. Unable to contain her curiosity, Nan drove forward to about 50 feet from the crumbling gate and hid her bike behind a shrub.

"Let's go and see what we can find," she said.

"But this clearly has been done recently. If we go now , we run the risk of running into who is responsible for this " Shurui pleaded.

"All the more reason to go in" Nan replied absently, picking up her short and slender blade. "Let's go"

Shurui reluctantly followed Nan surveying the place as she advanced.

This is very dangerous......

Passing through the broken streets , cautiously at first..then boldly, they neared the town square. Dead remains and debris was everywhere. Shurui fell to her knees and cried, trying hard not to scream. Nan was clearly disturbed, but didn't show it as much as Shurui. Carefully advancing ,she knelt to examine a body nearby.

"Three days." she said

Shurui rose up with her hand over her mouth.. Dead for three days....who did this?

"How could anyone --" Shurui began

"Stop!Who are you! get out of here!! A slender figure called out from a rooftop .She jumped down had positioned her hands and fingers in formation. Nan readied her blade.

" Wait, please stop we are just passing through and saw this place. Naturally we would be concerned. " Shurui tried to explain.

The girl looked at them carefully for a few minutes. "You are not human...good." The purple fire that had gathered on the tips of her fingers as a result of a defence spell dissipated as she stood upright.

"It is clear you are a witch...will you please tell us what happened here? " Nan asked.

"I dont see how that is any of your business." the girl replied curtly.

"Please ," Shurui carefully approached with her hand in the air, "We mean you no harm, we want to help you." Shuri noticed the girl loosen up slightly and took her by the hand. The girl flinched. " You are safe, we will rake you to the nearest town and-- "

"There is nothing you can do! My entire race has been destroyed...I am the only one left! I should have died with my people!" the poor girl began to cry.

"Dont worry," Nan spoke suddenly, "We will bring justice for your people. "

Shurui gently pressed the girls hand comfortingly. "Nan and I promise to help you avenge your people of the horrific deeds. "

"What is your name?" Nan asked

"My...my name...is Ketsueki ".

By Akali Akuma and her favorite group.....

"So how much further until I reach Hallo?" a young Mage murmured to herself. She didn't look anything like a mage, but preferred to go places dressed as a normal girl her age.

"It should be due 10 miles west." She knelt down and put two fingers to the ground, closing her eyes. *exhales deeply* "Huum, a storm is coming. If I'm quick, I might be able to reach Hallo before it hits."

She began to her trek down the mountain at a reasonable pace, all the while paying attention to her surroundings.

This mage was on the run.

About 2 months previous, she had been given a sacred duty. Each generation, one young mage was chosen to be the bride of the Telion family reigning male heir. But she refused to comply.

"I have no desire to marry this man, or anyone else. I do not care about these customs..I refuse to marry him".

Of course this was highly offensive, but many admired her for standing up to the council and the Telion family of spoiled brats. This resulted in a small gathering of followers who claimed that they would not be subjected to the council's outrages. So much tension built up within such a short time that the young mage's life was threatened, and she was forced to flee for her life. She sometimes wondered if she had made the right choice, but she knew there was no going back. On the night of her departure from her home, her sisters bid her goodbye .

"We admire your courage ,sister Kaen. We will all strive to be as brave as you. Please be safe, and find your purpose. "

Those words kept running through Kaen's mind as she traveled. "I must find my purpose....what I'm meant to do...."

For a mage, their existence was meaningless unless they had a purpose....a specific purpose. They couldn't just live an aimless life. Such a life would literally drive them insane and deplete their power, eventually killing them. As Kaen thought on this, she noticed the position of her shadow.

"Night is almost here..it looks like I wont make it to Hallo before dark. But I cant stop, or else I'll be caught in the coming storm." Kaen quickened her steps forward down the path. Thankfully, she had now reached level ground.

Darkness came very suddenly ,along with the sounds of werewolves. Kaen kept her mages staff ready her side.

" Thank goodness the moon is bright tonight! "

Kaen walked for a while, but was suddenly over come by a strong drowsiness. "Wha...what is...this? I sense ......strong...evil aura." Unable to stand any longer, Kaen fell down behind a bush , unconscious.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

When Kaen awoke, it was still very dark. She was a strong mage, so the purposeful and seeming defensive evil aura had only a minor effect on her.

The source seems to be coming from over here.

Carefully advancing around the bush, Kaen slowly moved towards a small clearing. Her eyes were greeted by a small cemetery. Moving forward in that eerie place, she jumped behind two large shrubs. Directly ahead , kneeling on the ground was a dark looking girl, clearly not human , and the source of the evil aura.

Instantly, the strange girl turned her head in Kaen's direction.

"Have you no shame?!" she said. It was said so quietly yet surprisingly clear that it was almost like a hiss. "You clearly dont know your place. Let me show you."

The girl stood up suddenly....and Kaen was mortified to see that the girls hair actually grew a little longer. The girl pulled out a gun and a sword, seemingly out of no where, and her red eyes glowed with anger.

this demon of a girl is clearly a rare piece!

Kaen hurriedly positioned her staff, but was nearly sliced in half as the demon savagely jumped over her head. The sheer force and rage of the demon set the surrounding grass and bushes aflame.

"COME HERE AND DIE FOR YOU INSOLENCE!!!!!" the demon raged. Her hair had grown longer and turned jet black. Kaen had never faced such a fierce opponent and was honestly scared. Taking her staff she managed to throw a ball of fire. But the fire was seemingly absorbed by the demon.

Perhaps she is a fire demon, so maybe she will be hurt by water.

Kaen tried a water spell. Absorbing every ounce of dew from her surroundings, she meshed them together and launched them full force at the demon..... which the demon dodged.

Dammit! We aren't near a large body of water, so I cant draw from that...and I'm limited in water here.. Maybe if I could--

"AAAAAWWWWWWWHHHAA"

A terrible pain and numbness suddenly came over her as she noticed her arm on the ground beside her. The savage demon was circling back around for another attack. Kaen could barely stand. The sudden shock and loss of blood filled her with fatigue and everything became blurry. She fell to the ground .The sun was coming up already. Then she heard a deep and strong voice.

"Yokujo, stop"

Turning her head she saw a huge white........ fluffy thing?

is that a......bear.

She then heard another voice, that of a girl yet deeper . It sounded angry

"She deserves it brother! she interrupted me in this holy place of my ancestors! I have every right to kill her ! Normal humans like this mage shouldn't even have been able to get past the barrier I set up!!!"

" She clearly is not a normal human. Calm down."

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

When Kaen woke up, she found herself lying on a blanket in a large green field. Somehow, her arm was attached again and completely fine.

"Good , you are awake." The mighty voice boomed out again. Kaen blinked a few times.

bea....bear!

"Who ...who are--" 😳

"I'm sure you have many questions, but for now those will have to wait. Yokujo, come here. "

Kaen turned her head and saw a ....guy? Rather good looking, with black hair streaked with red ,and wearing some leather pant like shorts, a long coat like jacket and--- Kaen noticed that the ....person....didn't have the jacket buttoned, revealing some strips of cloth across the upper chest and leaving a nice waist and a good and rather muscular bare front.....

Wait a minute...its a girl! the same one who attacked me! Her hair got really short!!

Kaen's thoughts were interrupted by the bear's voice.

"This is Yokujo...I'm very sorry she attacked you."

Yokujo stood there glaring.

She really would look just like a guy if her jacket was buttoned up.

" I'm sorry..." Yokujo said grudgingly.

The bear spoke, "Yokujo is a hybrid (half werewolf half vampire) that has been demonized ," he explained. " I'm a werebear . Just call me Grim".

" I know this might be very sudden to ask, but Yokujo and I are on a special mission, and we need the help of a mage....I know we didn't meet on the best of terms, but would you be willing to travel with us? In return, we can provide safe passage to wherever you wish to go afterwards. "

Kaen looked at the bear in disbelief.

***This beautiful demonized hybrid tried to kill me , and now I am being asked to travel alongside her?

Kaen sighed***.

"Fine, I will travel with you as long as you can guarantee my safety. " Kaen finally replied, glancing at the menacing, yet handsome demon...who was sharpening her sword.

"Very well," the best said. "You heard that Yokujo, so dont try anything again."

Yokujo completely ignored him .

"Don't worry," Grim laughed,a little nervously. "She wont harm you."

Sneak peak: 🤗😉

" Do you really think I'm scared of you!!! You Angel's are most prominent for your looks! "

" Well, looks ain't everything this Angel's got!!!"

*.*.*.*

Note for gc: Radha makes her appearance in next episode!😄

A storm hit hard that morning as three wanderers made their way along the great valley.None of them spoke. Tensions were high as the hybrid was sullen, the mage flustered, and the bear was oblivious.

"We will reach Atlasia in three days, hopefully, if all goes as planned. " said Grim.

Does he not notice how uncomfortable this whole situation is?!

Kaen glanced over at Yokujo, how had her headphones on her head..... she always looks mad ,it seems.

Gosh will that stupid mage stop looking at me?!! Does she freaking want to die?!!

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

On the 14th day of their journey, Yokujo seemed to be in an especially sour mood.She was very on edge and rather jumpy. "Yokujo, what's wrong?" Grim asked.

"N...nothing!!" she said...she sounded nervous and fidgety.

she clearly doesn't realize I can tell something is wrong.She must sense an entity opposite to her own.

Grim looked thoughtfully at Yokujo, then at the surrounding area. Seeing nothing, he looked at Kaen, who was walking with her hands joined in front of her. Her look was always away from Yokujo.

Huum.....I think the mage senses something as well.

They travelled on in silence for a long time,until Yokujo suddenly stopped in her tracks. "Yokujo--"

ZANGG!!!!

Yokujo suddenly went berserk. Pulling out her sword and gun, her hair grew to a very long length. Her eyes glowed a bright fiery red and her mouth agape revealing what looked very much like .....fangs!? Kaen immediately stepped back.

She seems more angry than the time she tried to kill me!!!

Suddenly, a bright light glowed above them and a stunning figure appeared. " What is a Arch-demon doing here!" the figure shouted, pointing at Yokujo. "I have no choice but to kill her!"

Yokujo was nearly out of her mind in rage. "GET OUT OF MY WAY YOU DA** ANGEL!!!! THE ONLY THING YOU ANGELS ARE GOOD FOR ARE YOUR LOOKS!!!" Yokujo was literally snarling in this Angel's presence . " GO AWAY UNLESS YOU WANT TO DIE!!!!!"

The angel stood unmoved as Yokujo lunged at her like a rabid wolf. " Well, this angel isn't all looks!!!" she said. The first clash of their swords of opposite powers caused a great earthquake that literally split the great hills around in two. They soared high up into the sky at lightning speed, going higher and higher far up into the clouds. Clashing with terrible blows ,Yokujo purposefully dropped her gun and put her power in her sword.

"I WON'T LET YOU GET AWAY!!!" Yokujo screamed angrily.

" NEITHER WILL I!!!!! TAKE THIS!!!!! YAAAAAAGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!" the angel plunged a deadly ****** at Yokujo, which she barely dodged .

Meanwhile, on the ground, Kaen was wonderstruck. "What the hell just happened?!" Kaen was desperately trying to see them...way up in the clouds.

"Well, it's better if we leave them be." Grim said complacently. " Yokujo can take care of herself...she has never lost a fight."

WTF?!!

Up in the sky......

"HOW DARE YOU CROSS THIS VALLEY YOU DEMON!!!! THIS IS ANGEL GROUND!!!!"

"WELL IM SORRY THAT I MISSED THE PROPERTY SIGN!!!!"

The two fought a terrible battle,and managed to lay several bloody blows on each other. In fact, they literally fought for 20 hours. (Kaen and Grim had set up camp below) Both demon and angel were getting weary, but neither would give up. Large drops of sweat poured down both their faces.

Having been exposed to angel force, Yokujo's more demon looks were temporarily revealed....her horns and tail.

Both fought till they collapsed on a tall mountain surrounded by clouds. They were too tired to pick up their swords, so they just glared at each other .

"When........my....strength returns.......I'll......kill ya." Yokujo said.

" I.....will.....kill...you.....first." The angel persisted.

Both of them fell asleep.......(I'm not joking 🤗).

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.,.*.*.*.,.*.*.*

Yokujo woke up first, but was still too tired to stand up. For some reason ,both of their swords were a good 20 feet away. The angel was about 8 feet away. Yokujo stopped to examine the angel....(because she was too mad before, so she hadn't actually stopped to look at her) She was actually quite beautiful....very much so.

Yokujo dragged herself to the sleeping angel and managed to sit up. The truth was, Yokujo had a weakness for pretty and shiny things. She gentle touched the Angel's hair and face.

"Huum.."

The angel stirred...but Yokujo just sat there. Slowly, the warrior angel opened her eyes only to see.......

"Huh?"

............

what is .....

Yokujo was captivated with her eyes for some reason and was so close she could feel her breath.

"Uhhh.... you....wha....." the angel began to say, but Yokujo laid a finger on her lips.

her lips are so soft....Yokujo thought.

The Angel's face turned bright red at Yokujo's sudden touch. Her face turned even redder when the demon actually kissed her lips!!

huuuuuuuummmmmmmm

But as suddenly as the kiss started, it suddenly ended, and Yokujo got up to leave.

"You wont get away alive next time..." she said over her shoulder.

The angel was stunned, but said in a frenzied manner, "What!!?? No! You can't just leave!! Not after what you just did!! What ,Why...."

"Goodbye." Yokujo said curtly.

"WAIT!! My name is Tenshi!" the angel shouted. why did I say that?!

"I am Yokujo... Now leave me alone."

Tenshi watched Yokujo walk away, her horns and tail disappearing once more....all the while Tenshi had her finger on her lips .....

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

"What happened?!?! " Kaen asked anxiously.

"Did you kill that angel?" Grim asked ,very intrested.

"Well......did you?????" Kaen and Grim asked at the same time.

"No.." was all Yokujo said.

Somehow she seemed different. Somehow, she seemed ....nicer? Quieter? Neither Kaen nor Grim knew what it was, but they would learn someday. Something happened, something snapped in Yokujo...and it would have a drastic impact on her in the time to come....that was for sure.