ArissaMay: Yes, I know this has taken a while to start. It's because I planned this in way more detail than I should have, and because I've got two stories in the works on my alternate account that I shall not name. And yes, I know this isn't Sheelos. It's Kraine. My Sheelos will come when this is done. I may not update as often as with Retribution, because, like I said, I have two stories under my alternate name to keep up on, but... Enjoy.
Chapter One (Prologue)
All was silent on the mana planet, Derris Kharlan. All was silent, as it always was. Not a single being moved on the stone walkways that laced most of the planet's surface. Not a single being existed. For the moment. Suddenly, the pounding of footsteps echoed across the deserted planet, first quiet, then progressively louder. Before long, what was for so many years silent was alive with shouts and protests, and more sets of pounding footsteps, shattering the silence like a large stone shatters a window.
A figure was racing through the labyrinth of paths, in what seemed to be no general direction, but his destination was set clear in his mind, as was a desperate urge to reach it. His upper face was obscured by unruly auburn hair, beneath which glowed similar eyes and a masculine face, it's otherwise handsome features contorted with pain and exhaustion. He was garbed in long white uniform-slacks and a similar loose-fitting shirt, though his entire torso was covered in a series of mana-enforced dragon-hide straps that made up his armor and completed his uniform. But while his armor protected his chest, his pants and sleeves were tattered in places, and blood soaked through the white material surrounding said tatters. Violet and cerulean wings of mana sprouted from between his shoulder blades.
Though he was near exhaustion and his vision blurred treacherously, the man refused to stop. Though he stumbled every few steps and with increasing frequency, he refused to cease running. Though the men pursuing him, angels as well and in similar uniform, were closing in fast, he refused to forfeit.
This man was Kratos Aurion. And he refused to die just yet.
A panicked voice rang out above the sound of his footsteps, and his heavy breathing.
"Catch him, or its your lives!" It cried, and the footsteps behind him drew ever-closer. But he couldn't die. For if he did, a secret that could doom the world would die with him.
There it was, up ahead. His destination, glowing like the light at the end of the tunnel. But his pursuers, they were so close... He put on an extra burst of speed, throwing himself into the ring of colorless light that signified the warp point and immediately feeling its mana seep into his body. He could hear the angels behind him pursuing with increased intensity. With all his remaining strength, the seraph imploded the warp point behind him, stopping his pursuers and cutting himself off from the silent world he'd grown to call 'home'. And Kratos Aurion faded into darkness.
ArissaMay: That was just the introduction. The next chapter is much, much longer.