Guest tale 1

Of the stories remembered of the heroes on the grand floating island of AnimeB, the story of Junichi Kanzaki is sadly the least known. Years ago, beneath the Great Tree, a boy in shining armor sat, a shining sword strapped to his waist. He sighed with the longing of adventure, whilst unbeknownst to him, was where his destiny would lead. On the night of giving, the one night a month when the people prayed to their great god Style and were rewarded with many gifts, was where his journey would begin.

A wicked witch flew down from the heavens above, cackling in the moonlight. She was an ugly witch, with boils and warts covering her face and hands. A large witch’s hat sat on her head, and she sat upon a broomstick. The day, or should we say night, of prophecy had arrived. The night where she would gain a husband through the shackles of fate. This witches name was Chao. On and on she flew before finally arriving at the great floating island until she reached the great tree itself. There, sitting in one of the branches, was a boy. Young Ori Misaki, a well known and well liked lad. Above the crowds he sat, something he would do every month. Sadly, the boy was often used as a scapegoat by those he loved, and those who loved him. The witch pulled out a small device which pointed in the direction of her new 'slave'. It was the boy. In she flew, groping at the air as she cackled. "Come to me child! By right, and by fate, you are MINE!" she screeched, causing those below to cover their ears. Taking hold of Ori, she flew off, cackling away.

At the foot of the tree, Junichi looked out into the night after the witch. Enraged that someone would take his friend, and yes Ori was his friend, as many at AnimeB are friends with one another, Junichi charged through the crowd in pursuit of the kidnapper. It wasn't long, however, that he found himself lost in the great forests of Shirakawa. Walking cautiously he moved, sword at the ready, looking for any sign of movement, listening for the sound of danger. Nothing. That was, until a magpie cawed above and was quickly silenced as a hand wrung its neck. A being of cold darkness floated gently to the ground. Her blonde hair flowed beautifully in the breeze of her spell. Upon landing she smiled darkly. "You there, boy. What do you seek in the forest on a dark night. Don't you know how easily it would be for you to get 'hurt'?" With a grin, she revealed two extended fangs. "I am Dark Evangel, keeper of this forest. What the hell do you want?"

Junichi was mesmerized by her beauty. Never in his short life had he seen anyone of her high 'caliber'. She set the other AnimeB women to shame. Yet, upon glancing at her fangs, a shiver caught him and he stepped back. "Yes child. I am a vampire." she said taking a step forth. However, unfortunately for her, she tripped on a stone and fell, hitting her head on the ground. Immediately her spell broke and she assumed the form of a child. "Damn it all!" she roared. Junichi could not help himself as a laugh escaped his lips. Soon, she was on him, whacking his head with her fist. "This is your fault!" she cried, before giving up on the violence. Regaining her poise, she grinned. "Now. You did not answer me child. Why are you here."

"I am chasing a witch who has carried off my friend, Ori Misaki!"

Her face twisted slightly, before returning to its smile. "The prophecy... Poor, poor Ori."

Junichi gaped at her. "You know him?"

"Indeed I do. If you must know, I watched as she flew over this forest. Come, I shall show you the way out. I am supposed to keep you from following, but really, that is all too boring."

With that, she led him through the forest to the other side. "And this is where I leave you." she said, slipping back into the forest. Junichi turned to stop her, but she had already left. He was once again, alone. On the other side of the forest was a small desert which led straight to a long fifty foot high brick wall. Staring at the wall, he tried to figure out a way over, as it seemed to continue even into the far distance. A voice from behind startled him. "Hey minna" he said, waving to the surroundings like a mad man. Twas Ori's brother, Ryo Misaki, the second of the Misaki brothers. “I have a way across” he said, turning to Junichi. Transforming his Bokken into its Naginata form, which is a long polearm type of weapon, he slid it between Junichi’s legs, spun around and flung the boy high over the wall. He landed, much to his dismay, on one of the many rocks of AnimeB, which was on the other side of said wall.

Night slowly turned to morning, and the lad found himself yawning with lack of sleep. That was of course, until a large tower appeared in the distance, one that had never been there before. From within, a long cackle could be heard. Rushing forth, the boy unsheathed his sword, before arriving at a large chasm with a bridge before him. There, standing directly in the middle, was a man. “I am Balmung. Thou shalt never touch my Minstra!” he roared, charging into battle. He was a rather large looking Samoan, with a rather gentle look in his eyes. “This battle is not one I want” he called “But I shall do anything to protect the one you seek!” With that, he dove into Junichi, knocking the boy down. Slowly, he got to his feet. “It is not the one you call minstra who I truly seek. I am here for Ori Misaki, my friend, and in a way, my brother. The sun caught his armor, and it shone brightly. Rising his sword high above him, he used the light of his surroundings to blind Balmung. “I am sorry, but I must get by” he said, rushing past.

The door to the tower creaked as he opened it, and a voice called from above. “Ah, I have been expecting you child!” called the witch. Junichi quickly made his way to the top floor, where he gaped at the sight before him. There, stood the witch. But not as she had looked before. Nay. Beneath the witch’s hat, was a young girl of Chinese origins, with a ball of hair tied on each side of her head. “It’s you!” bellowed Junich, pointing at her. “What on earth are you DOING Chao?!”

“Following the prophecy, and getting a husband. Have you got a problem with that?” she said cheerfully, yet smiling deviously. Junichi held his sword out, the point of the blade aimed at her throat. “Unhand him you fiend!” The lad dove forward, but was too late in his attack. Chao dodge skillfully to the side, before unleashing a small ball of fire into Junichi’s armor. “Oh fine…” she said rather sorrowfully. “I made up the prophecy anyway.” With a grin, she set Ori free. “I was just having a little fun with you all.”

Ori, now unbound and ungagged, simply laughed. “Another prank gone haywire, but at least I’m the scapegoat.”

At that, they all went home.

The End