Shaman King Fan Fiction ❯ The Path to Destiny ❯ Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer I don't own Shaman King, or any of its ideas. I do own Denjou and any powers or qualities he has. He is mine, so stay away!!! ;-)

 

 

Chapter 3

 

A man in completely white robes walked up to another. “Sir,” he said, “We have all arrived. Shall we begin the preparations?” The second man nodded, “Yes, begin immediately.” The first nodded, and walked away.

 

The second man stood in the dark, being slightly heated from the cloak he was wearing. “And so it begins,” he smiled, “The continuation of the Trial.” He thought for a moment about his family.

 

The nameless family, the people that has been in the shadows all throughout human history, the ones that have been saving both humans and shamans all throughout history.. The group that has used thousands of others in such evil ways to reach our goal of peace. Arrac smirked, an after all these years, we stay in the shadow of the rest of the world, them never knowing.

 

Arrac was interrupted. He turned to see who greeted him. “Ah yes, Parr, my son. So good to see you here.” Parr looked up at his father, and nodded speechlessly. He turned and walked away, watching the other work to prepare for the ceremony.

 

Arrac shook his head, I do not think he is ready for this. He is too full of resentment and vindictiveness. Arrac sighed, and looked up at the clear sky. Above, the stars foretold a destiny unfolding.

 

I only wish it wasn't him.

 

A worker came up to Arrac and saluted, “Sir, we are ready.” Arrac looked at his watch and nodded, “Yes, it is midnight. We begin now.

 

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

 

Rows of men in robes crowded the area. They all chanted in a low voice

 

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Arrac sighed, and put on a large mask, one of a contorted demon face. He peered through the eye slits to see what they have done. Torches lined the area. The men encircled a platform with an altar. The altar was a simple wooden one. On it was Two beams that had chains attached to them. Symbols were scrawled all over the poles. The chains were tight, and tied to a stone plaque. In-between the beams were a hole, but the bottom couldn't be seen. Darkness swirled in it.

 

Arrac looked up at the skies, May God help us.

 

He walked forward. A small passage the men left, he walked through quickly. His white robes flew up as he marched onto the platform. All the men quieted as he spoke the ritual words.

 

“Our people,” Arrac spoke loud and clear, “have been given their destiny. We are told by the great gods to save this world. Thousands of years ago, this mission we took in hand. Now we stand today, ready to fulfill it. A great power is told to arise. The stars tell it, and our scriptures confirm it. Whether its intentions or not, we have no choice but to destroy it. We cannot allow it to throw off the balance of things.”

 

Arrac pointed at the plaque. “This holds the key. We shall use the power locked away in this stone to destroy the unknown that comes ahead.”

 

Arrac looked back at all the men, “After tonight, once this ceremony is finished, we shall have to put our fates in the chosen one's hands. Parr.”

 

The men looked back to see Parr coming towards him.

 

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

 

Asuri ran up to the lit up area. His stolen car was parked some 200 yards away. “I'm late,” he whispered to himself, and hid in some brush.

 

From a distance, he gaped at the amount of people kneeling around the platform. A young man was walking down the path, towards the platform.

 

I hope I didn't miss it.

 

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

 

Parr strode towards the platform. His robes were exactly the same as his followers, except that they were completely black. He walked into the platform, and stared at the ground ahead of him, preparing for the ritual.

 

Arrac walked behind his son and clamped his hands over Parr's shoulders, “My friends,” Arrac stated, “Tonight is the night that our family legacy shall be continue to be fulfilled. Parr shall be the one to save us.”

 

Arrac stumbled a bit for the next words. Everyone looked at him expectantly. Arrac inwardly sighed. He looked up, and said, “We've always asked fate to guide us. Now lets guide ourselves.”

 

Everyone murmured in confusion. Arrac chuckled, “I'm sorry. Let it begin.”

 

Parr glared at is father as he left the platform. The old fool never had any trust in me. Now I'll show him what I am. I'll show him I am worthy and powerful.

 

Arrac walked off the platform, and kneeled. He turned towards the altar, and started to utter,

 

Dark is here, light is gone. Fate is here, destiny waits. The one with strength, all mind body and spirit, shall be the one who takes in hand. The will to move, the power to pursue. With eyes unclouded with hate and fear and greed, the one shall take in hand the power. Life at balance, light and shadow, the battle of the two sides begins. Let us pray we want the choice, let the ancient scriptures choose the one.

 

The men behind Arrac chanted with him,

 

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The unseen torches that lit the area started to go out. One by one, they went out, making the area dimmer and dimmer, until it was pitch black. A wind tore through the area as the dark of the night took over the area. The voices of the men and Arrac could still be heard. The shadows in the area flowed with the wind as it blew.

 

Asuri gasped, This is absolutely amazing! What the hell are they talking about? Chosen one? Worthy of the shadow? Destiny at hand? Balance and war? They are . . . .The platform!

 

The platform rumbled. It creaked as if it was about to crumble. But from the hole came a black liquid. In a huge ball, and swirling around, it hung in the air.

 

Parr smiled. He turned to face the ball of black. This is it

 

Arrac sneaked a peek up at Parr, And so it begins.

 

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

 

Abruptly the wind died, and sounds disappeared. The ball rippled as a deep voice thundered from it,

 

Ceremony begins.

 

Starting search the chosen and all aspects of mind, body, and spirit.

 

Searching . . .. . . . . . searching . . . . . . . . . .

 

worthy person found.

 

Suitable person shall now be taken for ritual completion

 

Asuri leaned forward to see it better.

 

Parr smirked, This marks the beginning.

 

Sweat dripped off Arrac as he gulped in air, What have I done?

 

A Black Hand emerged form the floating sphere. It reached out towards Parr. Parr closed his eyes, ready for the hand, but it never touched him. He peeped open an eye in confusion, and gasped. The hand was reaching past him. He swerved around to see the hand heading towards some shrubbery on top of the hill above them.

 

Asuri was puzzled, “I thought that dude in black was supposed to be the one chosen. Why is it . . . .” Asuri trailed off as it hit him.

 

Its coming for me!!!

 

Asuri spun around to run away, but the hand grabbed his leg.

“Ugh!” he yelled as he tried to break free, but the liquid pulled him in. Soon his whole body was consumed. The hand pulled him back towards the sphere.

 

The crowd jostled as they tried to deduce what went wrong.

 

“We must have messed up!”

 

“No! That boy is a spy, and is trying to steal it from us!”

 

Arrac stood there in complete shock. He couldn't understand why the ritual chose this stranger, and not part of the Heritage.

 

Asuri struggled, but it was useless. He screamed as he entered the sphere. Blackness consumed him.

 

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

 

Parr marched up to his father, “Why didn't it work?” he demanded, “Why didn't I be chosen?”

 

Arrac looked at his son, and almost smiled. With a stern face of concern, he replied, “The ritual did work, it was meant to choose the one whose destiny was to complete this fate. Apparently, you aren't this person.”

 

Arrac raised an eyebrow, “And yet, my son, you have managed to disappoint me again.”

 

Parr was furious. He started to say something, but kept his mouth shut, and marched away.

 

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

 

The crowd behind Arrac was turning into a riot.

 

“Yeah! He must be here to steal it! Why else would the ritual turn on its own heritage?”

 

“He must have tampered with the area to change the outcome of the ceremony!”

 

“Or he could have messed with the artifact beforehand!”

 

“Whatever the case, we must capture him. As soon as the boy comes out, grab him.”

 

Hundreds of men nodded, and waited for Asuri.

 

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

 

Asuri opened his eyes. Where am I?

 

He looked around; it appeared he was floating in some kind of different dimension. There was no ground, sky, or anything. Just swirling blackness.

 

Something caught his eye. Asuri stared harder as he saw a humanoid figure walk towards him, except it wasn't walking on anything.

 

What the???

 

The figure was completely covered in black robes. He wore a hood that spread a shadow over his face. His hands stayed in his cloak, and it as well covered his feet. Asuri strained to see him from the black surroundings. The figure spoke in a dark cold tone.

 

I am the collector. I gather wandering energies, and search for those who are worthy of them.

 

Tell me, do you wish power?

 

“I do.”

 

You may have some, but if you do have power, what will you do with it, boy?

 

“I will complete my dream, and fulfill my destiny.”

 

The collector stood silent for a moment. Then spoke again,

 

You are the person I have been searching for. Take this power, and complete your dream, as well as your fate.

 

A hand flicked out of the robe, and shot a small black fireball at Asuri. It hit him, and melted inside his chest.

 

“AAAAAAAHHHHHH!” Asuri screamed in pain. He knelt on the unseen floor below him, and writhed in the agony. The black fire swirled around his neck, and formed a necklace with a small stone at the end. The Collector floated away, but not before saying,

 

We will meet again, Asuri.

 

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

 

Asuri shot out of the sphere. The ball of black disappeared, and the plaque fell to the ground with a thunk. Asuri opened his eyes, and looked up, “Oh . . . “

 

Ahead of him stood the men. Many of them marched up to Asuri, fists clenched. Asuri stammered, “Ok, ok, take it easy. I'm sure we can reach an agreement that works for us all . . . .”

 

Asuri jumped back to dodge a thrown punch. He punched another coming towards him, and kicked another.

 

“Guys, this is all one big mistake!” Asuri pleaded. He ducked his head for a near kick, and rammed his fists in the guy's stomach. “You don't want to fight me!”

 

Someone in the riot screamed, “get him! He stole the power!”

 

Asuri swore under his breath, “Aw shit.”

 

He jumped aside, and kicked someone in mid air. Some of the men charged him, but Asuri fell to the ground, and tripped them. He jumped up, kneeing another in the stomach. Asuri spun around and round house kicked a group of men.

 

The crowd halted some feet from Asuri. Fear spread as they stared at Asuri.

 

He just smiled, “You want to fight? Bring it.”

 

Something crashed over his back. Asuri fell to the ground; blood and splinters ran from his back. Dazed he rolled out of the way from another hit. He blocked an attack with a cane, and spun kicked the goon in the chest.

 

The crowd regained their composure, and charged at Asuri. Asuri tried to fight back, sending a flurry of punches at the mob, many fell down but many managed to throw a bunch of punches at Asuri.

 

Asuri fell back, bruised from the crowd. He clenched his teeth, and sprinted back to dodge another wooden blow. He ran into a thin wooden pole that held the torch that lit the place.

 

Asuri looked it up and down quickly. He spun around and jarred one in the face. He grabbed another running man, and used his momentum against him. Asuri threw him into the pole.

 

“Augh!” the man screamed in pain as he broke through the shaft. Asuri grabbed the broken piece, and used it as a staff. He swung it around, clipping 4 men off. He used it to vault away, and spun it around him, stopping the countless men charging him.

 

“There's too many!” Asuri said to himself. He rolled away, and slammed the rod into the guts of a few more goons. He jumped back, and hit a wall.

 

“Oh no!” Asuri gasped as he looked around him. He was completely surrounded. In front of him and to his sides was the huge mass of men, which he had no chance of getting through. Behind him was the platform, but it is too high for him to jump, and there are men standing on it.

 

One of the cloaked men stepped out of the crowd; “Just give up!” he roared, “Give us back the power, and tell us whom you are working for!”

 

Asuri shook his head, “I don't work for anyone, this is all one big mistake!”

 

“You fool! Do you think that you can delude us like that when you are here in a completely private ceremony, and when no one in the public knew it existed? You must be a spy. It doesn't matter. We can take the power form your dead body. Once we have it, it doesn't matter who sent you.”

 

The crowd advanced towards Asuri. Sweat dripped off him as he tried to formulate a plan.

 

I've go to think, maybe if I . . . .

 

“Perhaps you could use a hand?”

 

Asuri jumped at the voice, and spun around to see who was talking to him, “Who. . . . .Who . . . .”

 

A figure in the shadows appeared, enveloped in the black Asuri strained his eyes to see it. Then it hit him; “You're a spirit!”

 

The Collector and his words of power given ran through his head. That spirit must be the power everyone is speaking about!!!

 

“Uh . . .Kid, the guys are almost at you.”

 

Asuri's attention snapped back into reality as he realized the riot was almost upon him. Without thinking he raised his hand shouted, “SPIRIT BALL, INTEGRATE!!!”

 

Asuri shoved the spirit ball into his chest, and felt the strange spirit's strength, skill, and power spread through him. Asuri smiled, and he glared up at the upcoming mass. He raised his staff, and shouted in a voice unlike his, “BLACK SHADOW FLASH!

 

Asuri disappeared, and reappeared 200 hundred feet away. Hundreds of men screamed out in pain as many blows and strikes hit them all over their bodies.

 

Through the confusion and outcry, Asuri ran off into the trees.

 

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

 

Arrac sat dumbfounded at the whole commotion. A priest came by, and asked, “Are you alright Arrac?”

 

He nodded. The priest sighed, “We have lost the power. The thief got away and your son has disappeared too. Apparently he was disappointed that he didn't get the spirit.”

 

Arrac almost smiled. He was so happy that his son didn't get the spirit. He never trusted his son, and giving him the spirit was the wrong thing to do. He didn't want to do it, but the council gave him no choice. The events that occurred gave Arrac hope.

 

He stood, “It doesn't matter now. What is done is done. Fate decided this. Now that boy has our fate in his hands, whether he wants it or not. Let us pray on him.”

 

Arrac prayed, Please. Please give this boy strength to fight off the great power.

 

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~