A myth…

No, a prophecy.

It was passed down from father to son, for generations and generations.

Through decades, centuries, and millenniums.

To the now head of the Nakiri family.

That one day, among their offspring, a God will rise. And with its alliance with a Demon, a new hope for the world will be born.

An endless, enormous power, resembling that of the First Creator will stand by their side. Freeing them from the rampage and tyranny of the other races, and save the world from its self-destruction.

The king, now standing in the middle of his daughter's room, recalled the words of his own father upon hearing the loud cries of the baby that just saw the light a few minutes ago.

His exhausted, sweaty daughter was holding her baby girl close to her, rubbing her cheek all around her daughter's face, ceasing her cries and driving her into a peaceful sleep.

The new born had beautiful golden locks, that shone like bright sunshine enlightening the room with its pure ray. Her skin was ivory matching her mother's white clothing. All her being glistened with hope and life.

When he was handed his granddaughter to bless her with his royal presence, he held her in his arms like if she was fragile glass. The little shuffle causing her eyes to crack open, revealing those incomparable, amethyst irises. Such a godly beauty!

-"Elenor" He muttered. " Your name would be Erina." He said under the blazing moonlight.

The world, as it is, isn't a simple place.

Many wars, conflicts, conspiracies.

It is a hard place to live in.

There are six races, and dominating species and governments in this world:

The Chronics, the priests of the time. They govern the time and space fabric as a whole. They are considered to be the first beings to exist in the world since its creation. Their powers and leaders are feared by all the other races. They can alter time, destroy civilizations like they never existed in history, control space, and change lands. They are known for great magic and limitless stamina. They rule over the skies as guardians of justice and truth.

The Dragons, the wild hunters. They rule over the Eastern Mountains, they reside in caves and in valleys. They are war beasts, always in thirst of blood and flesh. Their name comes from the fact that every one who dared enter their territory was hunt in the most savage of ways on the harsh mountains and split like meat between the packs. There huge power and blazing force made them terrifying monsters. They are some rumors that some dragons disguise themselves into other race in order to avoid the savageness of their wild life.

The Nymphs, the spirits of nature. They diverge into various types: Aquamarines, carolers of the seas, known for their melodious voice and unbelievable strength and endurance. Phytonomes, robins of the forests, they protect animals and vegetation, they are undefeated aimers, and have a high speed and agility. Irises, dwellers of the clouds, they control weather, they have infinite knowledge and wisdom, and the ability to fly.

The Nachtwolfes, the wanderers of the nights. They run around the different landscapes under the moonlight and the sparkle of the stars aimlessly. They devour the strays and protect the desperate souls in the nights. They are characterized by their bright shiny silver fur and fierce eyes. They have sharp senses and high physical power and a sixth sense allowing them to sense the danger and threat on 7 miles radius. They are ferocious and merciless when attacked, and soft and gentle with the mourning beings.

The Demons, the unwavering slayers. They reside in the gruesome underworld. They've exiled themselves from the rest of the world ever since the last Eternal War that caused the extinction of the Gods. They are the most dangerous, grueling foes in battle. None of the other races wishes to have them as their enemies, and they are so grateful that they no longer haunt the surface. No demon has ever been seen on the surface for the last 10 millenniums. Their powers are equivalent to those of the Gods, and capable of catalyzing the universe's mass destruction. Their anger is uncontrolled, and their magic energy is unbeatable. They are the most frightening creatures in the world.

And, finally. The Normas, the unblessed beings. They are the weakest of all races among all. Their physical power are minute compared to other beings. Their magic usage is little to none. They are weak in the battlefield. Their only power is their wit and thirst for knowledge. Their race almost knew extinction if it wasn't for the courageous act of the Nakiri Family, powerful God apprentices, that were able to preserve the remainder of the race within the Southern Lands, forming the kingdom of Normas Tootsuki.

All these races live in peace and harmony, fulfilling their assigned functions, with minor misunderstandings between the clans. These conflicts are generally due to the interbreeding between races, which is considered a violation of the laws of nature and an abomination of creation.

The Tootsuki Kingdom, home of the Normas, is a prospering kingdom. Using their intellect and brawns, they were able to become self-independent, having their new-time industries, and numerous fields of agriculture and harvest. The whole kingdom breaming with life and joy under the ruling of the Nakiris.

King Senzaemon, controlled after the kingdom for about 120 years, he seemed to hold an eternal life. After the death of his sole daughter shortly after labor, his health kept going downhill. Nowadays, as the king is hospitalized by the kingdom wisest doctors and curers, his son, Nakiri Soe, took the bull by the horns and substituted his father on the throne.

-"Erina, Erina,…" the vixen called, bursting the door of her cousin's room open. " Come, come, I wanna show you something." She squealed excitedly at the blonde, who had her glasses hanging on the bridge of her nose, reading a book.

She couldn't even protest when her cousin ordered to her aid to drag her out of the room.

Unlike Erina, Alice wasn't a plain pure-blooded Norma. Nakiri Soe, a man compared in wisdom with the brightest of oracles, and a noble warrior with a brain that transcends mere logic, never expected that encounter in his life. His carriage driving through the vast icy tundra of the North, when a feminine form fell like a meteoroid breaking pass the carriage's ceiling and into the chamber, startling the horses and worrying the driver, who rushed towards his prince. He found him staring relentlessly at the fragile pale body that rested , sprawled out, on the floor.

Her long platinum blonde locks covered her face, her silhouette, tall and voluptuous, was covered in faint scars and bruises. She didn't have have wings even though she came from the sky high.

After she was brought to the Northern Embassy, and healed by the kingdom most talented alchemist, it was revealed she was a an Iris, one that got into a fight with one of Chronics and therefore lost. The prince and the Iris developed a deep relationship during her recovery. Thus resulting the birth of a profound love that manifested itself in the existence of Alice. She held the powers and intellect of an Iris, the looks of a Norma and the ruse of a Nakiri. Being a half-breed, the race of her and her mother were kept a secret between the members of the royal court.

As for Erina, being a Norma princess, she didn't have any special powers nor magic, she hated when Alice would show off her magical tricks to her and laugh at her low endurance. She sighed, the Normas weren't labelled the unblessed beings for nothing after all.

The only power she had, well she was told to have, is the power of words. Her tongue was said by different representatives to have the gift of chaste wisdom, her words dripping with intelligence and fluency.

Well, that wasn't a power. That was the blessing of someone of her knowledge.

The blonde princess thought all this through, as her wild cousin was flying her on the skies far above the clouds.

Well those are the Irises.

Just beside her, she could see Alice's aid, jumping in and out of the silk white clouds. He wasn't your usual Aquamarine with the melodious voice and the beautiful figure. Being one of the depths creatures, he is more of a warrior than a caroler. A muscular body, fierce red orbs like Alice's. She heard he was one of the few that equaled the prince in ferociousness on the field.

Well, after all these years, she couldn't care less about their powers. She got used to this feeling of inferiority. Well, not now when she is about 1300 feet up in the sky and feeling a little dizzy from her cousin's casual spins.

After a long flight, and a few hurls from the princess, they landed in the middle of the crops, on the urban regions of the capital.

-"A farm." Erina questioned incredulously, lifting a defined eyebrow at her smiling cousin.

-"Indeed, Erina." The Iris answered. " I heard from the locals that they serve here the most delicious eau de vie in all Tootsuki. Handmade by the way."

The blonde sighed, this really one of those moments when she wishes Hisako wasn't in her trip for the ultimate cure in the far forests. She had already told her that something like that was fictional, but she insisted she had to find a way to do it, it was het duty as an Arato healer.

She sighed again. She really was useless in this world.

-" Well, I guess I have no choice since you already dragged me here. Let's see if this liquor is worth the pain." She said, already feeling her dress being scratched on the dusty ground.

Oh how her cousin gets on her nerves.

-"Well, what kind of situation is this?" the brunet asked, sitting cross-legged on the green field.

-" What do you mean? Is there a problem?" the green-haired woman on his lap, replied, tilting her head in confusion.

In the middle of the large greenery, sat a smiling Ishikki Satoshi, his big coarse hands were wrapping around the petite form of a female Chronic.

Her short green hair with a small fringe partially hid her soft sparkling rose eyes, her fair skin merged with the her pure white dress that flowed over her body, falling to hide a small part of her cleavage that showed from the collar of her dress. From her back, a pair of white feathery wings completed her figure as a creature of the heavens.

-" Nene-chan, if someone sees me hugging this affectionately a Chronic, they might get the wrong idea. I will get in trouble then." He said, taking in the sweet scent of her hair.

-" You're a Chronic too." She pouted. " I still don't get why you disguise yourself like a weak Norma when you have the world at your hands as a Chronic." She paused. " Beside, no one will see us. I got us out of the time fabric. We're completely out of this world's existence." She announced.

-" See," he looked up at the bird that seemed to freeze in the sky, like some rooms ornaments. " That what got me to leave." She looked up at her childhood friend. " It's just too much. The whole deal of the priests of time and justice, it's really annoying. I just wanted to rest a little, and have a little fun and space to breath. And you know, life as a Norma isn't that bad. They might be deprived of magic and physically frail, but their lives are much simpler than ours. This little farm is my pride. I live with my friends…" she pulled a face. " Not like you.." she relaxed herself a little. " I have a small industry and commerce I gain my living from. That is more than enough for me."

She turned her face away from him, and talked quietly:

-" They are hunting for you for high treason. You better stay low, the Ishikki's are after your head."

-" Did they ask you?" he questioned.

-" Yeah, but I responding any of their questions. My family's prodigy is enough to protect me from their magic and savageness."

He hugged her tighter: " Sasuga, Nene-chan."

She blushed under his touch. She muttered: " I miss you." He froze.

-" We knew each other even before we sprouted our wings. We have always been together. And, now, after all these years, you leave just like that. I still can't take it." She teared up a little.

But a tighter snuggle and deeper hug, was all she needed to stop her mourning.

-" You can't imagine how much I do too." She murmured in her ear. " It is really empty here. Whenever I stand in the wee hours, looking at the rising amber sun, I keep asking myself, is she up there , or is she down in some of the other kingdom?" he tugged at her shirt possessively. " How pathetic? Surmounting the rage of the Chronics and running out of the kingdom, and not baring loneliness and cold." He paused a few moments, her body following suit as both their bodies drowned in the other radiating heat. It was when her wings fidgeted a little, both their eyes snapped open. " It seems we have a visitor today. What an inconvenient situation!" He felt her body tense at his words. " Ne, Nene-chan, wanna come in?"

She was taken aback, does he know the weight of his words?

-" Demo, Satoshi-kun?" she was shushed by the finger on her lips.

-" Your magic power is almost equal to mine." She fumed at the 'almost'. " You can disguise yourself as a Norma. Just for the day, please, I want to spend more time with you." He pleaded with puppy cyan orbs.

She sighed. It's not like she didn't want to.

Murmuring the words " Morpha", and in the middle of a bright green dust, her wings disappeared, her skin lost its unhuman fairness. She changed her clothes into those of peasant. She stood up and looked at her friend who gave her a bright smile.

It was his fault if they get busted.

A rustic bar. That is all what Erina could say about this barn-like bar. Wooden tables, a counter with various types of alcoholic concoctions.

Even though it was old and dirty, Erina couldn't find it in herself to feel disgusted even so she was a royalty, her usual feeling of lack had her sympathize with the commoners and become one of them. She was casually named as the Voice of The Forgotten by many ministers and court members. For her, they wouldn't understand her reasons, sitting there in their high thrones.

These thoughts disappeared as she heard a bell ring that got her out of her revery.

-" Welcome to our bar, what are your orders?" the man greeting them, was a young light brown haired man, a little taller than them, a wide smile adorned his bright face.

Upon seeing Alice, he beamed and ran at them from his position at the other end of the bar.

-" Oh, this is our Princess Alice and Ryou-kun. Ohhh, Joy." He said happily, bowing at Alice with utmost respect.

Noticing the other royalty, he tensed at his own ignorance, and nervously bowed at the other.

-" Forgive my mishap, Princess Erina. I didn't notice your presence." She waved him back and bowed at him in greeting. " My name is Satoshi Ishikki, the owner of this farm and head manager of this bar." He introduced himself.

-" Satoshi-kun is a Norma from these regions. He built this farm as a project to provide nutrition to these isolated rural areas. Besides, he opens a pop-up bar that serves the most delicious of liquors." She drooled at the memory of those mind-blowing flavors of lime and sea salt.

Erina got excited at her cousin's reaction, her aid didn't react much, just that stupid panda-face, he didn't even utter a word this whole day. Weird.

-"Then, Alice-sama, would you like the usual." The brunet asked Alice, who nodded excitedly. " Well then, let's get this show started." At his words, and from literally put of nowhere, a group of various beings burst into the air screaming a collective "Yochee" with Alice following suit.

Erina was lost. In a minute, she found herself being carried by two forest trolls, servants of the Phytonomes, she was deliberately driven and seated on one of the wooden tables with Alice and Ryou joining her, their Phytonome, amber-haired mistress came from the ceiling, and fell tad in the middle of the table, almost exploding Erina's fragile heart.

-" My name is Yuki, I'll be your waitress for the day, your order consists of Sea Shore Agrume delicacy, it is a specialty of the house, would you like any side dishes with your order?" the joyful Phytonome seemed to question the quivering blonde, but the answer came from her cousin.

-" Beef jerky, Montego cheese, and some of the delicious jam tentacle pie."

-" Good choice madam." She jot down the order on her notepad. " your order will be here in no time, Ryoko?" the girl throw the paper like a finely aimed bullet, arriving straight in the hands of the skating blades Norma.

-" Order#1, Soma-kun?" the girl disappeared into the kitchen before rolling back at light speed.

-" Ryoko-chan, could you please take care of the costumer at table 3." The brunet pointed at the woman with green hair seating at the table? " Yuki-chan, look if Megumi-chan is on her way back here?"

-" Yes, Manager." Both women said, before jumping/rolling to their assigned missions.

-" This is ridiculous." The blonde shouted angrily. " Normas, Irises, Phytonomes, I've had enough. I'm going back." She stood up enraged.

-" But, Erina, how would you go back home, there is no locomotive here?" Alice asked her fuming leaving cousin.

-"I'll walk. I've had enough of this races shit, what the hell is this place, a melting pot. This is bullshit… Thh"

-" Order #1, jerky and… Ahh."

Again, who is the asshole who put the kitchen door near the exit. Someone who hates his job obviously.

The sound of breaking plates and the thud of two heavy bodies hitting the hard floor, filled the room.

-"Souma-kun, are you Ok?"

-" Erina, are you hurt?"

Both individuals kept hissing from pain, not noticing their compromising position.

-" Hey, what is wrong with you idiot?" the blonde screamed at the person beneath her. " Watch where you're goi.. Huh?" she had her breath stuck in her throat.

-"What's with you woman? Bumping into me and blaming me for your mistake? What is your… Huh?" he too couldn't speak a word when his eyes met hers.

Flaming red hair, golden orbs resemble the pool of the heavens as described in books, a deep scar on his left brow, and an addictive warmth radiating from his tall, toned, strong form. She felt taking away and charmed by his locks, and he seemed to trace her with his eyes as well, neither of them daring to blink an eye.

It was Alice's restrained laughter, that made them realize their inconvenient position. She was tackling him with her body, her breasts pushing him downward, his hands circled her waist like if they belonged there.

They got a little carried away in the moment.

They broke out of their touchy-feely position, only to be met with a smirking Alice, and a teary Satoshi rising a thumbs-up.

Ara. Ara. Erina, I didn't know you where quite a dirty little kitty.

Souma-kun, your senpai is really proud of you. Your growing up into a man.

They blushed fiercely at their relatives thoughts.

-" I got the replacement order #1." An emo boy really was their savior at the moment, coming with his stoic aura which broke the teasing mode of the present.

-" I will be in the kitchen, senpai." Souma sprinted toward the kitchen.

-" Come on Alice, let's have this drink and go." She went down to their table hiding her blush as much as she could.

Well,, we all expected Erina to be a lightweight, but damn, she can dawn bottles of liquor and still be able to protest her cousin's teases throughout the night.

It was already night.

Maybe it was a good move to send that steam message to Yuki-chan after all.

At least they won't worry about her now.

Megumi didn't expect her journey to take so long. She usually sets off at dawn and comes back in the afternoon. But the journey wasn't that easy this time.

Her accustomed short cuts were completely damaged. Maybe the deed of a dragon. She didn't know what a dragon would want with the nether lands, but she wasn't willing to know. Therefore, she had to take the longest way, through the rainy forest, she got the help of some Phytonomes when she mentioned Yuki's name, so she arrived at the shores just at noon. She wasn't one to break her promises. She was the one with the idea of the liquor bar, and she was the one that suggested the usage of sea water, she took it upon herself as the only Aquamarine in the team to bring them the Water Core, the essence they use in their concoction. She wasn't one of those ferocious Aquamarines with the thirst for battle, she can't kill a bug. If not for her water magic, deep connection with the sea and beautiful voice, she would be a Norma, just like senpai and Souma-kun.

Using her magic, she purifies the sea water and concentrates its essence into a big plush ball of snow that holds the full deliciousness of the sea water.

Now she was walking her back through the forest, the Phytonomes tend to hide in the night due to the hunting of the Nachtwolfes. Megumi herself was terrified, she knew how powerful they were, individually and worst in their packs. She had no chance in a fight. So, she walks quietly and steadily not to reveal her presence.

As she walked into the deep woods, the only sound audible were those of her feet on the ground. Suddenly, she started hearing other sounds. Not hers, they were those of hurried paws rushing towards her.

Nachtwolfes. A whole pack. And their howls where calling for rampage.

She ran as fast as she could aimlessly, she ran for her life, but as far as she ran, she couldn't escape the wolves howls. They kept getting closer.

She ran until she saw once again the bright moonlight. But her heart sank, as she saw the cliff that was right before her. It was the end of the path for her.

She hadn't done anything special in her life. What would Ishikki-senpai say, what would Souma-kun say.

Those thoughts appeared the moment her foot slipped and she felt in a deep hole.

It all went silent. The idea of death petrifying her body.

She twitched a little as she felt the earth quaking steps of the wolves that went pass her. She was praying all along not to be noticed.

After a adrenaline filled thrill, every noise stopped for a moment. To brutally emerge again as harshly as before since the wolves seemed to go back on their tracks.

Megumi was confused, why would the hunters of the night go back on their track? The cliff maybe? No, topography was never a challenge for these beast. The dragon from before? No, she didn't see it before she fell.

As her curiosity took the lead, she slowly and carefully lift herself out of the hole. And staggered with her minute bruises to peek from behind a tree at what made the pack leave.

What she saw shattered her heart.

Two Nachtwolfes. One sprawled out on the ground, his chest moving up and down as he struggled to take in a breath, his whole canid body was filled with bleeding wounds, that send the bluenette in tears.

Standing beside him, another wolf, he licked his friend's injuries emitting we1k pleading and whining sound as he shook him to stand again.

She couldn't stand it. Even these creatures they have these kind of emotions. And the pack that just came. Why didn't they help? Maybe it wasn't their pack. She heard rumors about the wolves collaboration, but only to their pack, as they consider other packs as a danger to they existence.

So, these two were left out, abandoned by their family. How.. How cruel!

The bluenette collected the remainder of her courage, and stepped out of her hide.

The standing wolf immediately sensed her presence, pulling the most threatening of face that promised savage death. His blue eyes were sharp and fierce, that yellow, blond contour around them made them even more dangerous.

She stepped back once in fear. But, knowing she could help, she couldn't leave just like that.

-" Shhhh. Hey, there my name is Megumi." He roared at her, lowering his body to intensify his attack. " I'm hear to help. Your friend looks to be in deep pain." She looked at the wounded monster. Looking at them from here, she could see that the one on the floor is stouter and more muscular, as for the one in attack mode is way more slim and fit. Really, even beast aren't alike.

-"I can… I can heal him, you know?" he seemed to lose his garde a moment, as if he understood her words.

She surprised at his comprehension, but taking the opportunity she rushed at the wounded, startling the other who seemed on the verge of digging him teeth ointo her flesh.

Her action were fast and accurate, she touched the wounds, and started singing her melody.

The wolf stopped when he noticed the pure blue light raying from the woman. Her fingers were producing water that seeped through the wound and healed them from within.

The injuries were deeper than she expected, so it took her sometime.

As she finished her work, she whispered the words " Te voula guèrit mon petit. Dors et ouvre les yeux pour un demain meilleur" that drove him into a blissful sleep.

Proud of her work and satisfied of the result, she looked at the other.

His eyes were welled up in tears, he sounded almost human.

He jumped at her, and lovingly licked her face, the tingle tickling her cheeks causing her to laugh. He gently rubbed his furry soft forehead on her cheek, sending a wonderful warmth throughout her body.

-" Maybe you are not that bad." She said to the beautiful creature. "I think I'll spend the night with you. The way is still long. The forest is dangerous. I won't like to meet another pack of wolves again. So…" she caressed his face. " I'll be you guest for the night. Treat me well."