Hello readers, I'm back with another new story. I recently found this anime, and now I am in the process of reading the manga and light novels. This story, while AU, still will contain spoilers, but I imagine if you were really concerned about that you would not be reading this. I took a small part of inspiration from the fanfiction story 'Everchanging Tides' by Encendrel. Just giving props where needed.

Thank you to QueenofCellos and xden1997 for beta work.

I do not own Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance(Bladedance of the Elementalers)

"I never realized how big the academy grounds were." Commented a young man to his companion as they trekked through the spirit forest on their way to the Areishia Spirit Academy. He was fairly tall with dark hair and eyes. While he was definitely a male, his features were quite effeminate. He was wearing a plain black short sleeved shirt and comfortable fitting pants. He had a dark brown leather jacket slung over his right shoulder and a black leather glove covering his left hand. "I wonder what that old hag wants anyway."

*smack!*

"Ow! What was that for?" the boy asked rubbing the back of his head where he just got slapped.

"Kamito, how many times do I have to remind you, always treat women with the proper respect. I don't care what your feelings may be toward them." A beautiful young woman scolded. She was a head shorter than Kamito with brilliant blue hair and mesmerizing silver blue eyes. She was wearing a knee length deep blue dress and midnight blue knee high stockings.

Kamito almost didn't see her suddenly stop and her lips turn up in a surprised smile. "Hey Iseria, what is it?"

"We're going to take a small detour." Iseria said as she started heading away from the academy building.

"Where are we going?" Kamito asked falling into step with Iseria. As far as he was concerned, the longer it took to get to their destination, the better.

"I just sensed a presence I have not felt in a millennia. If we can gain her cooperation, our goals will be much closer at hand." Iseria answered. 'I never would have guessed we would stumble upon her here.' Glancing at Kamito, another thought came to mind. 'I just hope she gives him a chance to prove that he isn't like his predecessor.'

Iseria paused for a moment, a frown replacing the smile that had been rigging at her lips. "We need to hurry, there is someone else there, and they are not strong enough to contract with her."

They arrived at the shrine in the cave just in time to witness a redheaded girl pull a sword out of a large stone. She was wearing a white school uniform with black trim adorned with a yellow bow on the front. Her hair was tied up on either side of her head with thin black ribbons in a twin-tail style. Her large ruby eyes burned with an inner fire that betrayed her fiery personality. Kamito couldn't help but think she was cute despite her apparent lack in the chest department.

"I don't know why, but that sword looks familiar for some reason." Kamito commented.

"It should, that is the demon slaying sword, the Sword of Severain." Iseria responded.

"I..I did it!" She yelled triumphantly breathing hard from the exertion of removing the sword. Suddenly the sword glowed brightly and exploded into dust. Kamito used thunderclap to catch the redhead before she crashed into the wall.

Kamito's face was covered by her hair, so he couldn't see where his hands were holding her. Feeling something soft and slightly squishy in his hands, he couldn't help and squeeze a couple of times trying figure out what he was touching.

"ooohh…" The young woman moaned in front of him.

'Wait, don't tell me that those are her…'

" .where do you think you are touching, you pervert!" The redhead screamed, blushing almost to the point of glowing.

"Rubia?" Kamito whispered before he could catch himself.

The girl stopped in mid rant when she heard that name on his lips. "How do you know that name?" her voice quiet coming out almost as a growl.

"Kamito! Above you!" Iseria warned.

"Shit!" Hovering far above them, the sword spirit was thrashing around madly. "Look, now's not the time. We need to get out of here before that spirit fully awakens." Kamito grabbed her arm and attempted to drag the fiery girl to safety.

Looking back up at the sword spirit, the girl slipped out of his grip and charged ahead.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? Sealed spirits are sealed for a reason. They have a tendency to try and kill those who try to tame them!" Kamito grabbed her arm again.

"I have to do this, I need a powerful spirit to become stronger!" She turned and punched Kamito in the solar plexus forcing him to release her.

"Guardian of the crimson blaze, Keeper of the undying heath! Now's the time to abide by the blood contact, come forth and do my bidding!"

In her hand, a long whip made of fire materialized. "Scarlet! That spirit needs a lesson in manners. It's time to hunt!" The whip dematerialized and reappeared as a red cat with flaming fur. The sword stopped its thrashing and aimed its tip at the redhead. The cat hissed and charged at the sword.

Watching from the shrine entrance, Iseria recognised the fire cat. "Ortlinde." Her whisper was lost in the sounds of the skirmish. "This day is just full of surprises." The small smile returning to her lips.

The sword spirit and the fire cat clashed several times in the air, each time throwing sparks into the air. "Eat this!" Searing Fireball! A large fireball appeared in the girl's hand which she launched at the battling spirits. The fireball struck the sword with a resounding explosion. She knew that no harm would come to her spirit because it was her natural affinity. The girl started walking to where her attack hit expecting to find the spirit defeated, but as the smoke cleared, it was evident that the sword was unscathed. It struck Scarlet with its flat side and dove towards the redhead.

"Look out!" Kamito yelled as he tackled her to the ground allowing the sword to pass cleanly over them. The sword buried itself in the far wall of the cave.

"Humph! Get off me! I didn't ask for your help!" she yelled at Kamito.

"That spirit is too strong for you. We need to get out of here now!" Kamito tried again to get her to leave, but the sword was able to extract itself from the wall and placed itself in their escape path. The sword seemed to hesitate now that Kamito stepped in, like it was trying to decided which was the more vital target of its wrath. The redheaded girl summoned her whip again and ensnared the sword spirit.

"Now Scarlet!" She called out to her contract spirit. The sword cut itself free from the whip and evaded the cat's claws. Before Scarlet could react, the sword pierced her side and the cat fell from the the air. "Scarlet!" The redhead ran to her fallen spirit's side and picked her up. "Scarlet!" she cried out again as the cat faded from view returning to the Astral Zero. With tears in her eyes, the young woman slowly turned her face to the sword spirit that was speeding at her, intent on running her through as it had just done to her spirit when a shadow blocked her view.

"Damn it! I don't have a choice!" Kamito yelled as he jumped in front of the girl and held his right hand up to the rampaging sword spirit. Watching in awe, the girl didn't even notice as some blood from Kamito's hand landed on her cheek when the sword pierced his hand. Kamito directed all his divine power to the palm of his right hand so the sword would not pass all the way through.

Oh holy spirit sealed in ancient sword! Thou shall accept me as thy master and I shall be thy sheath!

'What! A spirit contract! But how? He is a male.' the girl could not believe what she was witnessing.

Thrice I command thee, exchange vows with me!

The cave was bathed in a brilliant white light, and with a thunderous blast the sword vanished. Kamito looked at the back of his right hand as saw a bright green flash as the contract seal appeared on his hand. 'I'm sorry Restia, I had no other choice.' His world faded into darkness as he collapsed from exhaustion.

Kamito slowly awoke to the sound of angry voices.

"What do you mean I can't make him my contact spirit? He is the one that stole my spirit to begin with!" The fiery girl demanded.

"He just saved your life and this is how you thank him?" Iseria asked incredulously. "Besides, he is a human, how do you expect to form a contract with him?"

"I had everything under control! There was no need for him to interfere!" She insisted.

"Are you an idiot? Your contact spirit was defeated and had returned to Astral Zero! If Kamito would not have stepped in, you would have been killed." Iseria argued.

Kamito let out a groan as he tried to sit up. This caught the attention of the two bickering girls. Iseria rushed to his side.

"Don't try to get up. You used up a lot of your divine power back there. Just rest for a few minutes." Iseria insisted tenderly. The redhead stomped over and glared at Kamito with her arms crossed over her chest.

"You need to take responsibility. You stole my spirit." she huffed.

Kamito arched an eyebrow at her demands. "And you would be…?"

"I'm Claire Rouge, and you are going to be my slave spirit." Claire identified herself.

Kamito glanced up at Iseria, who had placed his head in her lap, as if to silently ask 'Is she serious?' She shook her head as she rolled her eyes. Returning his attention back to Claire "Sorry, but I think I will pass."

Claire moved to stand over Kamito trying to intimidate him into submission "Who says you get a say in the matter?"

Kamito looked up at her for a moment. "What daring underwear, they match your hair nicely."

"... ..."

It took a couple of seconds for his words to register and she slowly glanced down to see that, yes, he would easily be able to see up her skirt. "Eep!" Claire quickly backed up and pulled down on the hem of her skirt. Even with her face hidden by her long red hair, Kamito could see her crimson blush. When she looked up, he could see tears in her ruby eyes.

"Unforgivable, turn to cinders you pervert!" Claire shouted, her fire whip materializing in her hand.

The whip never made it to its target, instead crashing into a column of water. Iseria's eyes were narrowed in irritation and her hand extended in front of her. "You need to cool off before I do it for you." Iseria warned. Claire just nodded her head stunned at the power she felt from the woman.

"That's better." Iseria nodded. "Kamito, as much as I like having your head in my lap, we really need get moving."

"You're right. I guess we have kept her waiting long enough." Kamito slowly got to his feet, still feeling drained from using so much energy against that sword spirit.

They were about to start walking toward the academy when Claire stopped them again. "What business do you have at the school? A pervert like you has no right to step on that sacred ground."

"I received a summons from Greyworth. I have no idea what that old...lady wants with me." Kamito revised when he saw the warning glare from Iseria. He removed a sealed letter from an inner pocket of his jacket.

'Old lady?' Claire thought irritably. Greyworth Ciel Mais, also known as the Dusk Witch, is the current director of the prestigious Areishia Spirit Academy and a former member of the Numbers, who are the strongest of the spirit knights. As such, she is very well respected by the students art the academy.

"This is a first rank emblem seal of the empire." Claire stated in wonder. It is a seal comprised of spirits of the five elements integrated into a magical seal that is reportedly impossible to counterfeit. It is quite a rare sight because so few elementalists can properly perform the technique. Claire had never seen one in person, but she could not mistake the spiritual signature it contained.

The three of them walked in the direction of the school in silence for a few minutes when Claire asked a question that had been bothering her for a while. "Earlier you called me Rubia, how do you know that name?"

Kamito sighed "You look like someone I met a few years ago, she, umm, helped me out of a, umm, unpleasant situation." Kamito was not comfortable sharing his past, especially with someone he just met.

"Where is she? Where is my sister?" Claire asked desperately.

'sister huh. Well that explains the fiery disposition.' "Honestly, I don't know. I haven't seen her in a couple of years. Sorry I can't be more helpful." Kamito offered.

Claire's had dropped dejectedly "It's okay, it's enough to know she is still alive."

The rest of the to the academy was quiet. Claire was still upset about not gaining the powerful spirit, and she couldn't figure out how Kamito, a man, was able form a contract with said spirit, but she would force him to talk after he gets done with the headmistress.

Claire glanced at Kamito, and started blushing when she realized he was actually very good looking. He still had his jacket off, so Claire was able to see his well toned arms. Claire's blush intensified when she realized her gaze had drifted down to where she was staring at Kamito's ass. 'Get a hold of yourself Claire, there is no way you are attracted to this pervert. Besides, he stole my spirit contract.'

Throughout her inner musings, Claire failed to notice her eyes were still glued to Kamito's backside. "See something you like?" Kamito smirked watching Claire's reaction. After several moments of incoherent stuttering, Kamito chuckled. "Calm down, I was only teasing. I could tell you were deep in thought. Still thinking about your sister?" Kamito asked.

"N..umm, yes I was." Claire lied nervously, not wanting to admit she was checking him out. Walking through the gates onto the campus, Claire quickly made an excuse about having to meet someone and hurried away trying to hide her blush.

"That wasn't nice teasing her like that. You really need to be more considerate of the feelings of these young women." Iseria chided.

"We might as well go see Greyworth and see what was so important." Kamito shrugged. He really didn't feel comfortable being surrounded by so many young women who were starting to appear, curious about the only make on campus. Many of the students there had not had any contact with men outside their family, so their curiosity was only natural.

They made their way through the main facility sending up at the pair of large wooden doors belonging to the headmistress's office. Kamito was just about to open the door when he heard shouting from the other side.

"Headmistress, I have to object! What business does a man have here?" The voice of a young woman could be heard.

"Because I invited him here. That should be good enough for you." Kamito did not envy the person on the receiving end of that cold voice.

"But headmistress, a man's presence could taint the purity of many maidens' hearts. Men have no business here." the younger woman argued.

"ufufu. It sounds like you are ready to lose your purity to Kamito, and you haven't even him yet." Greyworth teased. After much stuttering, Greyworth continued "Calm down Ellis. Kamito is here because he is very special."

"You mean how he is a male elementalist?" Ellis huffed.

"That too, but he is special in other ways as well." Greyworth answered.

"You know Kamito, it isn't polite, or wise, to eavesdrop on a woman's conversation." Iseria warned.

Kamito was just about to respond when he heard footsteps quickly approaching the door. He jumped out of the way just as the doors crashed open and stared at the beautiful blue haired girl that still had her leg raised up from kicking the doors.

"Who's there?!" Ellis demanded. She was wearing the standard white uniform with black trim as well as a small breastplate and shoulder epaulet. On her hip was a one handed long sword.

"Black is a good color for you." Kamito commented as Iseria face palmed and shook her head.

"You're a man!?" Ellis quickly drew her sword and started slashing at Kamito who dodged each swing effortlessly. "Stand still so I can turn you into salmon fillets." Ellis ordered in irritation.

"Sounds tempting, but I do believe I will have to pass." Kamito replied leaning back to avoid a slash aimed at parting his head from his body.

"Ellis, stay your sword. This is not the proper way to greet invited guests." A cool voice spoke up from the doorway. Standing there was a mature woman with grey hair and eyes wearing a maroon dress suit and a monocle over her left eye.

" …" Ellis started, her sword still poised over her head ready to strike.

"Ellis Fahrengart, are you going to make me repeat myself?" Greyworth asked in a tone so cold that Kamito was sure the temperature on the hallway dropped.

Ellis quickly sheathed her sword and bowed deeply, her knees shaking in fear "No ma'am, I apologise for my actions."

Greyworth looked past Ellis at Kamito "Hello Kamito. It's been three years. You're looking good." Greyworth smirked.

"Hello Dusk Witch. You're looking the same as always." Kamito responded with a smirk of his own.

"Who is your friend he…" Greyworth stopped in mid sentence, her eyes growing in shock as she recognized Kamito's blue haired friend.

"Good day headmistress Greyworth, I am Atlantae, it is a pleasure to meet you." Iseria answered quickly with a perfect curtsey, locking her eyes with Greyworth's.

Greyworth nodded in understanding. "The pleasure is mine, I assure you. Please, would the two of you join me in my office, and at can get down there The reason for your visit."

"Headmistress, I really must object to you being alone with this rogue. What should happen if he decides to attack you in lust?" Ellis insisted.

Greyworth looked Kamito over for a moment. "I do believe I would rather enjoy that. Besides, I'm wearing my lucky underwear. Want to know what color they are?" Greyworth teased.

" ?" Ellis flushed bright red.

"If I remember correctly, you don't wear underwear." Kamito tried to sound confident, but he could not hide the blush that colored his cheeks at Greyworth's teasing.

Ellis was standing slack jawed and blushing even after the doors to the headmistress's office closed. Collecting her composure, Ellis decided to stand guard in the hallway incase she was needed.

"That Ellis Fahrengart, she can be quite overzealous, but she is very loyal if you can tame her. She is one of the daughters of the Fahrengart Dukedom and captain of the Sylphid Knights, who are tasked with keeping the peace on campus as well as the nearby town that supports this school." Greyworth informed her guests.

Greyworth motioned for Kamito and Iseria to take a seat after she had taken hers behind her desk. "I was beginning to think you were not coming, you know it is impolite to keep a lady waiting."

"I'll keep that in mind if I am ever visiting a lady." Kamito popped off earning a smack to the back of his head courtesy of his companion.

"I'm glad to see that someone has undertaken the challenge of taming this brat." Greyworth struggled to contain a chuckle.

"Someone needed to." Iseria glared at Kamito.

"Lady Iseria, it is a great honor to have you here with us, but I have to ask, to what do we owe the honor?" Greyworth asked.

"I have formed a spirit contract with Kamito." Iseria answered. To say Greyworth was shocked would be an understatement. She had never heard off a any one forming a contract with an Elemental Lord.

"How did he convince you to form a contract with you?"

"The contact was actually my idea. I had to convince Kamito it was for the best." Iseria informed Greyworth.

***Flashback-Three years ago***

"Congratulations on winning the bladedance Ren Ashbell. Your performance was awe inspiring." A disembodied voice sounded from within the True Sanctuary, the dwelling place of the Elemental Lords.

The True Sanctuary is the holiest of holy spaces in Astral Zero. Not even the personal priestesses of the Elemental Lords, the Elemental Queens, are allowed access to this domain. The only way for a mortal to gain access is to win the bladedance, which is held every few years. Along with being granted an audience with the Elemental Lords, the victor is granted one wish of whatever she desires.

Ren Ashbell, aka Kamito Kazehaya, was rather unique in the fact that she was not really a she, but rather a male. He was only the second known male capable of forming spirit contracts, the other was the Great Demon King, Sulaiman, who reigned terror upon the continent a millennia ago before he was defeated by the Sacred Queen."

"For winning the bladedance, we shall bestow a miracle upon you. Please state your wish and it will be so." The great voice intoned.

Kamito gripped the hilt of his elemental waffe, the highly specialized weapon form of his contract spirit, and closed his eyes to mentally prepare himself for what he was about to do. "Immediately after you state your wish, you must strike in order to have any chance of success. Target the Holy Lord Alexandros first as he has the most influence over the human world. Remember, I will be by your side the entire time. I have faith in you."

"Thank you Restia, I really needed to hear that. After this is all done, let's go off together, just the two of us." Kamito suggested to his sword spirit. He could feel her happiness through their link.

"I would like that very much, Kamito. It's time, let us free the Lords." Restia stated.

"Release!" Kamito muttered under his breath. This was a powerful self-suggestion technique that would temporarily remove his mental and physical barriers allowing him to surpass his human limitations. "I wish for the death of the Elemental Lords."

Kamito was on his feet in an instant and used thunderclap to ascend the stairs to the throne of the Holy Elemental Lord, but was stunned when he discovered it to be vacant. Turning quickly, Kamito leapt to the next throne that was enveloped in a blue glow. Thrusting his sword into the light, Kamito could feel it pierce flesh. The light dissipated revealing the naked form of a young woman with blue hair reminiscent of flowing water.

"Thank you." The girl smiled gently as she faded from view.

"Kamito, something isn't right here, we must make our escape." Restia said, worry evident in her voice.

"Alright, let's go then." Kamito leapt from the throne of Iseria Seaward, the Elemental Lord of water, just as black tendrils erupted from the space previously occupied by the Elemental Lord. "What the hell is that!?" Kamito moved as fast as he could, but the darkness was gaining on him. With the power of his 'release' command fading, Kamito was overcome with fatigue.

"Shit! Is this how it's going to end?" Suddenly, the Vorpal sword vanished from his left hand. "Restia!"

"Vorpal blast:Binding Lightning." Black lightning wrapped around the mass of darkness, halting its progress. A girl with black hair and purple eyes wearing a violet dress with black trim appeared before Kamito. He could see the look of concern etched on her face as she held off the squirming darkness with one hand, the other starting to trace a complicated design in the air between them.

Kamito recognised out as a teleportation spell. "Restia, no! I can't leave without you! There has to be another way. Please don't leave me!"

Before Restia could finish her spell, a blue light appeared behind Kamito. Relief flooded Restia's face as a pair of delicate looking arms wrapped around Kamito.

"Thank you, Lady Iseria, please the care of him. Kamito...I really wanted to see your dream come true and stay by your side forever, but.." Restia started, tears forming in her eyes. "but this looks like one dream that cannot come true. You must get out of here, I can't hold it off much longer."

"Restia!" Kamito cried out as the arms pulled him into a blue void. He tried reaching for Restia's outstretched hand, but he was already too far away. As everything faded into blue, Kamito watched Restia close her eyes, a peaceful look on her face.

"Please live Kamito. Your are the most precious person to me. I love you." Restia disappeared from view.

Kamito's eyes adjusted to the light and he discovered that he was no longer in the True Sanctuary, but on a sandy beach surrounded with crystal blue water. He was laying on his back with his head propped on something soft. Tears fell from his eyes as he remembered Restia's lady words to him.

"Restia!" Kamito jumped to his feet desperately looking around for a way to get back to save Restia. He saw a beautiful young woman kneeling on the ground where he had just been laying. She had blue hair that looked like flowing water and eyes the color of the ocean. She was wearing a shimmering silk kimono of blue swirls. "Please!" Kamito pleaded dropping to his knees in the sand. "We have to go back and get her!"

"I'm sorry, but that is impossible, she has already been consumed by the darkness." The Elemental Lord of water apologized bowing her head.

"No...it's all my fault." Kamito said quietly in shock. "I wasn't strong enough and now she is gone." Kamito collapsed on the ground. "Restia, I'm so sorry." Kamito sobbed.

Iseria could feel Kamito's divine power start to spike as he cried out for Restia. 'This power, it can't be… This is not the power of a pure maiden, it's..it's..' power exploded from Kamito in waves. Kamito's eyes popped open revealing red irises.

Kamito threw his head back as he was overcome with overwhelming power. "Restia! AHHHHHHHH!" Kamito was enveloped in light as his power reached into the visual spectrum.

"The Demon King." Iseria whispered to herself staring at Kamito, realizing the gravity of the situation. Closing her eyes, Iseria could feel that Kamito was trying to resist losing himself the power surging through him. Deciding on a course of action, Iseria walked up to Kamito and placed a hand on his chest over his heart.

"Dark knight of pure heart, Slayer of evil! Accept my pledge and I will become your shield! I bestow upon you the strength to free this world from the darkness consuming it!

Thrice I offer myself to you, accept my pledge!"

A brilliant blue light flared around the pair on the beach. As it faded away, a blue circle illuminated under Kamito's shirt, just over his heart. The contract complete, Iseria collapsed from exhaustion into Kamito's arms. His eyes shifted from red back to their normal dark color. Looking down at the sleeping girl in his arms, he could feel her through their new link.

He felt a new power within himself, but it was no longer raging out of control, but felt as calm and deep as the ocean. On the back of his left hand, Kamito could see that Restia's contract seal was still there, even if he could not feel her presence.

Squeezing his fist so tight his fingernails drew blood from his palm, Kamito closed his eyes "Restia, it is my fault you are not here with me now. I swear I will find you, and i will become strong enough to save you. Please wait for me Restia, I love you." Kamito slipped into unconsciousness alongside Iseria.

**End Flashback**

"Hmm...so I take it that is you spirit mark on his right hand there then?" Greyworth asked.

"No, we ran into an issue on our way here. It couldn't be helped." Kamito looked away.

"I guess that this means you are finally giving up on your ghost hunt." Greyworth sat back in her chair crossing her arms over her chest.

"She is not a ghost. I will find her and I will rescue her." Kamito glared at Greyworth.

"There have been sightings of a young woman fitting her description over the past couple of years, but I'm sure you already know this." Greyworth said, waiting for Kamito to take the bait.

"I already know of those rumors, if that is all you have to offer, we will be on our way." Kamito stood up to leave.

"I suppose you can go, too bad though. I did find a very interesting tidbit of information concerning the strongest blade dancer attending the next bladedance in a couple of months. And she was sighted with a darkness elemental in the form of a young woman." Greyworth smirked as Kamito froze where he stood.

"Restia."

Well, this ends chapter 1, thank you for taking the time to read. In this story, Iseria had contacted with Kamito to help him control the power of the demon king that had awakened when he thought that Restia was gone for good. Iseria is not going to use her powers often because she and Kamito want that to be an ace up their sleeve for the upcoming bladedance. I plan on loosely following canon, with some changes to make it more unique. This will be a harem story, but I am undecided how big to make it. Kamito will be somewhat overpowered, but I don't plan on loading him with spirits in this story, just Est, Iseria, and eventually Restia again.

For my readers of 'A Dance with Death', fear not, I do plan on continuing that story for many more chapters. I also plan on trying to put out updates on a couple of other stories as well. This story along with A Dance will be my main focus though.

Thank you again for your time and have a good day