The Last Lorican
Chapter One
Chapter One
Six centuries have passed since they were betrayed.The world was painted red from senseless bloodshed. Chaos took hold as war against them turned to a free for all.
When sanity returned they were gone. The humans and demons went their separate ways. In the valley, that separates Mount Shisho from Reisho, they still existed.
Ancient magic isolated them from the discriminating world. Rebuilding homes on top of the clouds, only would their wings reach so high, never seen for an eternity.
The suns rose, one to the north, one to the south, I watched as they lit up the valley below and stretched their arms to one another. It’s been a long time since I last watch the sky create a cat’s eye above the world. As the slit of black ran from the fiery red I could hear footsteps coming up behind me.
“You should be at home, celebrating this day with your family,” an old but firm voice rang in my ears.
“I was enjoying the suns rising while my family slept.”
Sensei was an old but wise Lorican. His white hair was cut short and his dark blue eyes seemed to look into everyone’s soul. His simple black clothes contrasted with the bright morning light.
“Go home Tenshi. We will train after everything settles down around here.”
“Yes Sensei.”
We bowed before I headed off. Once at home, I entered the kitchen. Mother was setting the table, not noticing me as I started to move the fruit there as well. As soon as the first bowl tapped the wooden top she jumped and turned to me.
“Tenshi Ame! How many times have I told you not to sneak up on me?”
“I didn’t sneak up on you. I merely walked in without you noticing and frightened you.”
My mouth clamped shut as she glared coldly at me with her light blue eyes. Before anything else could be said, a loud crash came from the hallway to the bedrooms. Closely following that was Tabi.
“GIVE THAT BACK YOU LITTLE THEIF!!!”
As my red haired brother ran past us and around the table Aki came rushing in, a look of death in her dark pink eyes.
“I’ll give it back when your boyfriend drops dead,” he replied as he tauntingly dangled a locket in front of our elder sister.
My sister gave a frustrated cry before racing around the table after him. Tabi ran away and headed back to the hallway, nearly running into our father.
“What is all this noise so early?” Father asked.
Mumbled apologies came from my siblings as our father sat at the table. He was the second eldest in the village, his father being the oldest, and took over all the duties since Grandfather fell ill.
Every time I looked into my father’s eyes I saw conflicting traits. He demanded respect and was very serious about his duties, but he has always had a certain child like demeanor about him. It’s hard to believe he is older then Sensei. As we sat to eat a loud silence filled the room.
“Well Tenshi, how does it feel to finally reach your day of passage?” Father asked while Mother and Aki did dishes and Tabi tended to his chores.
“Besides not training with Sensei, it really doesn’t feel any different.”
Rich, deep laughter filled the room, “Well at least you can enjoy it. Our people went to war on my day of passage. We had no time to celebrate it.”
I had heard plenty of stories about the great battle of our people, the incredible cut in our numbers, the unbelievable hate of the demons and humans alike. Nearly everyone had died in those few days. Now what was left never stepped outside of the village, it was forbidden, and they were afraid. They say they hate the demons and humans but they have more fear then anything.
My race has a low birth rate and most of those born are male. My family was lucky enough to have three children, two of which are female. Losing one member of the village now would take a large toll on our chances of survival.
Despite this I still take leisure strolls in the valley below. I’ve even been to the nearest village which is at least a quarter day’s walk from the valley. It was a human village that was at least twice the size of my own. The humans were very friendly and welcomed me as one of their own kind.
“Tenshi, tonight you will be placed in your role of the village. But right now you will receive your gift from us,” Father stated as everyone gathered at the table.
Placed onto the table was a large box, longer then half my height, and another that was the length of my forearm. Opening the large box, I immediately saw a turquoise robe with a brown sash. Slipping it over my long black clothes and tying it off, I saw slits up the sides so I could walk and could feel slots in the bell-end sleeves for anything and everything. Underneath the robe was a sword whose blade had two points that swept to meet each other, a falchion.
“The cloth is infused with magic. It will shift to hold your sword and will shift to release your wings without ripping,” Mother explained as I wondered where to carry the blade.
Testing this, I swung the falchion and slid it against my back before releasing. At first it felt as if it wasn’t there, but I realized it seemed lighter then before. Before I could question it I found the other box shoved into my face by Tabi. He was eager for me to open it.
Inside were two pairs of daggers. The first pair was thin and went to a straight point, stiletto blades. The other was katana like with dagger length blades. I found they easily hid within the folds of my new robe.
A short moment passed before everyone headed out to tend to their duties for the festivities that would occur at twilight. I was the only one not busy preparing so I headed out to the human village.
When I arrived I found demon bandits raiding the village and killing all those who stood in there way. As I walked to the center of the village several underlings notice me and attacked. One swing of my falchion was enough to handle these weaker demons. In the center of the bandits was the leader.
An unpleasant sight, a tall man with a clay complexion, his face seemed as if someone was constantly pulling the skin back to stretch each feature. His large eyes glared at me.
“A female half demon is trying to ruin all our fun. You’re pathetic in every way woman. Why don’t you just run along?” the rouge said, waving his hand as if I would.
“Never underestimate your opponent, be it half demon or human, man or woman, or even a child. Cockiness will be your downfall,” I stated as I took my stance.
“You really think a half demon is any good compared to a full blooded demon like myself?”
“Talk is only a delay of the inevitable.”
He let out a frustrated battle cry as he charged forward. A javelin was attached to his arm by a chain. A simple quick thrust forward was all he could do with such a large heavy weapon; it was easy to jump over.
A mind shattering pain erupted in the side of my face as I slid back along the ground.
“Look who’s underestimating now girly.”
Shaking, I stood and wiped some blood from my mouth. On his right arm was the simple chained javelin, but the end of that was held by his opposite hand. It had a metal ball on the end.
“I see you’re still wasting time with talk.”
As he came again I quickly sheathed my falchion and pulled out the stiletto twins. Jumping his thrust again, I caught the chain on the blade of one dagger while stabbing the other through the bandit’s skull. The sound of the metal piercing the bone was rather sickening, but it was the swiftest way to kill the b*****d.
In their sense of loyalty all of the underlings attacked at once, blinded with rage. Long sweeps of my largest blade quickly reduced the numbers to nothing. Even though I saved them they feared me. The humans, who were once my friends, now knew of my half breed blood and despised me for it.
Nothing needed to be said; I quietly left the village to pick itself up. As I got closer to Lorica I could smell smoke in the wind. Alarmed, I released my wings and raced home. But I was too late.
I arrived at the edge of the village. Flames were eating away at everything as fast as they could. What left me in shock were the blood and disembodied parts strewn everywhere. Retching at the sight and smell of the place, I found my mind was filled with haze as I tried to put the fires out as quickly as possible.
The fire damage wasn't as bad as it first seemed; half the village hadn't been touched by the flames. Everywhere smelled of fresh spilt blood as I walked into Lorica. It was a torturous sight. Pieces of bodies decorated the homes and streets as if a pack of starving dogs ran through.
My mind was stricken blank as fear filled my entire being when I approached my home. It was untouched by the fire but the door was in shreds. Pushing aside both the door and my fears, I saw something I never though could happen.
Whoever killed them had no honor. Laying in pieces in front of me were Father and Sensei. Pain was screaming silently from their faces; it was obvious they were torn apart before they died.
I fell to my knees and let tears fall, "Why?...... How?"
Questions repeated themselves, falling unconsciously from my lips. I'm not sure how long it took, but I was able to pull myself back together. I stood and started gathering body parts, separating and sorting the ones that I knew and ones that were charred and impossible to tell.
Time was out of my reach. I didn't know daylight from moonlight as I buried my people below our home. When I finished and cleaned the village of it's blood, I realized something.
Where's the enemy?
There were no bodies from outside of Lorica yet the village looks like an army rained on it. My people were fighters they would've killed a few at least. Searching the homes again, I found nothing until I resorted to my other senses. A lone scent that didn't belong covered the place with its stench.
I vow to find the owner of the smell and destroy him. Sweet revenge overpowered all thoughts of reasoning within me despite all of my training. As the last of my people I will not die unless he goes with me.
