Between Light and Shadow Name and Deed: It is a time of darkness, a time of chaos, where two forces are locked in a timeless battle of fits and power. The prize: Total Control over the Universe. On one side of the battlefield lies the Goddess Tokimi, a mysterious otherworldly entity who has manipulated the destiny of billions for centuries. She has chosen to side her considerable power with the Jurai Empire, a feudal government whose very power-base is unknown even to their leaders. On the other side of the conflict, is the enigmatic Shadow Player, a creature of chaos and order, darkness and goodness, unfathomable to the universe, and whose power has shifted the fates of entire galaxies. His power is secretly backing the Galactic Assembly and their so-called peaceful, open-handed power structure. Held between these two forces, on a lone and distant planet called Earth, are a handful of people. Each person holds within themselves an untapped potential, be it physical, mental, or purely spiritual. These potentials are under the constant manipulations of the two players, forever being tossed into situations they do not understand. All while trying to live a psuedo-normal life in a place called the Masaki Shrine. Book 18: Lifelines By Ryan Norman 18A: Lost and Found Chapter One: The Emperor, the Goddess, and the Pact Emperor Azusa stood at the threshold of his Throne Room, looking out over the ancient banister of the porch, watching over the great city of Jurai Prime, his great city, the capital city of the Jurai Empire, his Empire. He smiled inwardly at how great his city, his Empire, had become. It took many thousands of years, many wars, and much bloodshed to make it so, but to him, it was worth it. "Sire, you have a meeting with the Inner Court in two hours. Also, Lady Funaho wishes to speak with you about planetary defense. She has arranged a dinner for the two of you at 2700 to discuss this," a man spoke from behind the Emperor. Azusa turned and stared at the man. He was pathetically small and subservient. His entire life was designed to serve the Royal Family. His beady little eyes conveyed the fear that the man felt as he stared up at his Emperor. "Yes, yes, I know, Courier Tureil," Azusa answered, his voice was proud and strong, ample proof, at least, in his own mind, of just how great he truly was. "I was just reminding you, my Lord…" the man shivered as he spoke, the fear had spread throughout his body, turning his skin pale and his forehead began to sweat. "Is that everything, Tureil?" Azusa asked, his voice bordering on anxiety. "Uhm, Princess Ayeka would like to see you sometime today, as would Lady Misaki. They said something about…" Azusa looked at the man angrily, a few stray sparks flinging from his eyes. "I understand, Tureil. Now leave!" he spoke harshly, almost growling. His voice conveyed a great anger upon the man. "Yes, my Lord," the Courier answered. He wasted no time in fleeing from the room, all pretense of formality emptied from him. Azusa would have laughed at the actions of the Courier had he not done similar things to others like him a thousand times before. His life was becoming tedious, boring, as the years stretched farther and farther apart. "Sire, was that not inappropriate for you to do?" a young woman asked, stepping up to him. Azusa smiled at the woman's courage. She was pretty, if not beautiful, and she wore the loose-fitting raiments of a Royal Advisor proudly and with great dignity. [Ah, if I were only three-thousand again, I would take this lovely young thing,] he thought to himself, letting loose a simple sigh. "And whatever might you be referring to, Advisor Maetel?" The woman did not back down, she stared into Azusa's eyes without fear. "You used your energies to put the fear of God into that poor man," she answered cooly. [Ah, this one has learned much of the Power,] Azusa thought. It did not worry or annoy him, merely amused him, as not much did amuse him anymore. "How do you know that he did not naturally run, eh?" "He's one of the best Couriers in the Empire, Sire. He does not easily scare," Maetel shot back. Her eyes never wavered from his. "Only the famed Power of the Jurai Royal Family could do such things to a man with an iron will like his." "You're very good, Advisor Maetel," Azusa complimented. "I did manipulate him, actually. I wanted him out of my sights. The same as I wish for you. I choose to be left alone for now. So please leave my presence." "But, Sire, Princess Aye…" Azusa cut her off fiercly. "I said, leave, Maetel!" he nearly shouted as he spoke, swiping his arm through the air angrily. "A… As you wish, Sire," Maetel answered hesitantly, her strong defenses having been shattered. She bowed before the Emperor, her legs wobbling with fear, then quickly composed herself and led the other Advisors out of the Throne Room. Azusa stared longingly at the empty chamber. He walked up to his throne and brushed a hand across its smooth surface. He examined the magnificently carved throne, which he knew was crafted out of the living Tree of Jurai itself so many eons ago. He knew that the throne he sat atop so many hours at a time was the same one past Emperors had sat upon, ever since the first. His mind could recall every meeting, every decision, every word he had ever spoken on that throne. Sometimes, at night, he could swear he heard the voices of the former Emperors, his ancestors, counciling him on his Empire and how to run it properly. Some of his greatest decisions were made based on his departed ancestor's advice. The Emperor carefully examined the intricate green Widow-Stain glass ceiling of which the powerful Jurai sun shone through every day, and the ivory floor, which shined like silver every night with the weak light of the Jurai moon. He recalled all the past ceremonies and victories celebrated between them. He was annointed Emperor in this room. He declared war on the Galactic Assembly in this room, and declared peace a decade later in the same spot. He'd fought more than a dozen assasins in this room, barely escaping on quite a few instances. Every night, he stared out at the sleeping Jurai Prime from the room, every day, he held meetings with commerce and tradesman in there. He christened his children in this room. Once, he even made love to his wife, Funaho, in this very room in the dead of night. He sighed, frowning at what he saw. All the glories were gone, all the victories were over with. There was no more war, no more battles of succesion, no more births, and no more love. Now, the throne room was empty, save a lonely Emperor and his memories. It had been this way for centuries, and would stay this way for centuries more. The sameness of it all was infuriating, and became more so with each passing day. He tossed a glance at one of the comfortable padded pillows lining the walls and it rose to the air. He squinted evilly at the object, scowling at its simplicity, and it burst apart, shredded into slivers of Jurai red silk and Hevesh feathers. "Finding your long life and infinite power to be boring, Emperor Azusa?" a soft feminine voice asked, her voice emanating from all corners of the room. Azusa's eyes went wide and sweat beaded up on his forehead as the voice struck him. "Wha… Who is this? Who's there?" Azusa demanded as he spun around. He was desperate to find the one who broke the sanctity of his throne room. Yet he found no one, no creature, no body, who dwelt within the room except his own. "One who made an agreement with you long ago. So very long ago," the voice replied, its tone cool and deadly, like ice across his flesh. "I have made no agreements with anyone!" Azusa screamed, sparks flying from the sphere of energy he encased himself in. He launched blast after blast of his tremendous power through the air, striking walls and gouging chunks out of them. Servants and advisors screamed in terror as they saw their mighty Emperor through the numerous holes. "Who are you?!" "Ah, but you have made an agreement with me, Emperor. At least, your blood has. Your Ancestor, Keiyal the first Emperor of Jurai made a pact with me many millenia ago, granting him the power you now wield," the voice told him. "That is a lie!" Azusa defended. "Keiyal found the world of JuraiHelm and earned his birthright power by the Goddess! He made no deal!" "He did, Emperor. He made a deal with me," the voice continued, the chill of her words cutting at Azusa's very essence. "I am the Goddess, Emperor, and I have come to collect my reward from the bargain." "You speak madness!" Azusa cried out. "No, I speak of Power, Emperor. The Power which you have and wield. Power which I gave to you, and others, in return for a favor to be repayed down the line," the voice answered, becoming easier to locate as the owner appeared before him. She was immense, filling the throne room from glass ceiling to ivory smooth tile flooring. She wore ribbons of energy across her smooth forehead and a gown of shimmering silk flowed across her body. Her long hair cascaded along her shoulders, hiding much of her true features. "You are the Goddess?" Azusa asked, for the first time in his life, showing true fear. "Yes," the being replied, "I am Tokimi." "I refuse to believe this!" Azusa shouted at the image, trying to hide the fear coursing through his blood. "Your beliefs do not matter, Emperor. Only your subserviance," the being told him, her face never changing as she spoke in ways other than speech. "I will never serve you!" Azusa screamed in defiance. "I am the Emperor of Jurai! I serve no one!" He launched a bolt of pure destructive force at the being, only to watch in shock and fear as it was absorbed into the aura surrounding her. "You can not fight your destiny, Emperor, no matter how hard you try. I gave you your power, you can not hope to defeat me with the same. You have served me in the past and you will serve me again, though it be for the last time." "I don't believe you!" "Believe as you will, Emperor. As I said before, it does not matter to me. You will repay me one way or the other." "What do you mean?" "I need your Power, Emperor," the being told him, holding out a hand larger than him. Sparks arched between her fingers and launched out at him. Azusa screamed as he felt his precious energies drain from him. His protective bubble faded away, dropping him uncerimonously on the ground. "You can't…" he blurted through the tremendous pain. Tokimi did not notice his pleading, nor cared even if she had. She only continued with her speech as the torrents flowed through him. "I need your Life, Emperor." The sparks increased in intensity, and Azusa could feel as the Black Essence was drained from him. His lungs went dry, preventing him from screaming, allowing only a few faint gasps escape as the sparks coursed through him. "Please, no…" Tokimi glared down at the miniscule creature she sapped energy from, true contempt in her eyes. The assault ended abruptly, leaving the Emperor an empty piece of flesh and blood. His eyes were white and his skin was pale. He still lived, however, and a breath still heaved painfully through his lungs. "And most importantly, Emperor, I need your Daughter…" Tokimi told him, then vanished, leaving the half-corpse of an Emperor behind. It would be twenty minutes before the chaos lightened enough for the servents to search the ruined Throne Room. It would be another twenty before they would find their Emperor. It would only take a single minute, however, before Princess Ayeka, Funaho, and Misaki were called.