Taming the Storm (Crimson Storm Chronicles Book 1)

by Yumoyori Wilson

  "Can't we just kill her?" White Eyes asked.

  "No. Let her die. She won't be keeping this bad boy anyways. Why don't we have some fun first?" James suggested, while eyeing my pocket watch.

  He crouched down before me and placed his sword on the ground before pulling out a knife.

  "I heard it's a rather painful experience to take these little jewels out. Like ripping away one's magical essences?"

  He met my gaze before lifting my pocket watch in his hand and eyeing it. "Hmm. Red is my favorite color," he cheered, before digging the knife under the edge of the red crystal.

  I cried out, gritting my teeth in an attempt to fight the agonizing pain that ran through me. The red animal within me cried out in agony as it began to fade inside me. NO!

  "Stop!" I cried as tears tinged my eyes and blood continued to pool in my mouth. I screamed again and watched the red jewel finally pop out.

  I gasped and squeezed my eyes shut as I felt something forced out of me. I opened them up to see the red animal spirit of my phoenix hover over me before it began to fade.

  "NO!" I wailed, trying to fight my bonds.

  James laughed. "Aww. Bye, bye phoenix familiar. I'm impressed you have five of these. Hm. Let's go for blue next." He smiled and began to take the blue crystal out.

  My screams and cries echoed through the night, but no one came to help me as one-by-one, my familiars, the spirit animals that had loved me all their lives were ripped away, fading into the sky.

  As the gold crystal popped out, my scream was nothing but a silent plea. I watched my eagle look down at me with sad eyes before it too, began to fade into the sky.

  "One more," James sang, then paused. "Actually, I think I’ll let that one stay. It can die with her and mourn the deaths of its fellow familiars. I think that counts as torture."

  He rose to his feet and threw the blue crystal to White Eyes. "When you deliver the news about this to Konashi, you can give this to him as a little gift. He'll be happy to know his position will remain his," James ordered.

  "I'll put it in a nice little box for him. What about the watch?" White Eyes asked.

  "Let it stay with her. It's incomplete with the crystals gone. I'll just scatter these others across Homatomashi. Maybe even gift one to the two other organizations. It would earn me a nice promotion," James considered aloud.

  The magical ties that bound my hands began to fade the closer I got to death, having done their timely purpose. It was my chance to try and fight back, but seconds later, James’ sword was inside me once more and this time it didn't miss its primary target: my heart.

  I stared at him with wide eyes as tears rolled down my cheeks.

  "How does it feel? To watch the familiars you love and cherish fade away? At least, now you can die knowing those men are safe. Sadly, it won’t be for long. If they try and figure out who killed you, I'll hunt them down and kill them nice and slow." He licked my bleeding cheek before he yanked his sword from my chest, allowing my body to fall back to the ground that was already soaked with my blood.

  I struggled to breathe as the blood filling my lungs and mouth began to suffocate me. James and White Eyes came into my line of vision, blocking the black sky above.

  "Let's go. We'll be generous and give her a quiet moment to die in peace," James whispered. They both began walking away.

  I fought to breathe and struggled to turn my head to let the blood flow out. I coughed, which only made the pain in my chest worse as the air in my lungs leaked out and my bleeding heart began to fail.

  Tears rolled down my cheek and I looked back to the sky. I wouldn't survive this.

  "Uru...fu." I choked out the word and used the remaining magic within me to summon my last familiar.

  "Woof!" Urufu hovered over me and I saw the fear and sadness in those pink eyes. I smiled the best I could as my eyes glistened with tears.

  I'm sorry. I can't stay with you any longer. You have to find a new owner. Someone who will take care of you and love you. Please, move on.

  "Woof! WOOF!" Her barks eventually gave way to whimpers and she tried to stop the blood that leaked out of the two gaps in my chest.

  Uru... please.

  "Woof..." she whined and pressed her forehead to my cheek. I smiled and closed my eyes.

  Urufu, my lovely familiar. Please forget this. Forget the men who killed me. You pursuing them would lead to your death too and I can't afford to lose anyone else. Find a new mistress and protect her like you would me. Love her like you would me. I love you...so much.

  She howled out her pain as I let the magic work on her. She whimpered softly, taking one last look at me before running off.

  I was alone in the cold night, staring at the dark sky. I reflected on my life, the good and the bad. I remembered the men who loved me, adored me, and treated me as their equal and not as some weak female.

  I would miss them. They were my life and we had become a family.

  I guess we won't be going on vacation. I'm sorry Akihiro, Yoshimitsu, Itsuki, Malachi, Haru, and Quillian. I failed you and now I'll leave you with such heartache.

  Tears blurred my vision as each gurgling breath led me closer to death. I had to do something with the small amount magic I had left. I couldn't leave this world with a lost legacy.

  I worked so hard my entire life. I didn't play with school kids or spend my childhood with a loving family. I stayed indoors and studied magic. I enhanced my skills and dedicated hours every day to become strong enough to avenge my parents.

  The N.R.O. stole them from me, and now they took my life too. They would sweep the whole matter under the rug, just like they did with my parents’ death. With time, everyone would forget about me, too.

  I'd be nothing but a sad tragedy and a name written on a fancy tombstone. I couldn't allow that to be my only legacy. I closed my eyes and tried to ward off the darkness that attempted to claim me. I concentrated on the pocket watch around my neck.

  Let the remainder of my magic and essence remain in this watch, the birthright bestowed upon me by my parents.

  Let the chosen person receive not only my magic and essence, but give her the ability to track the other stones that will make this possession whole again.

  Track the familiars locked within those crystal jewels and allow them to breathe and enjoy life once more. And most importantly...

  Avenge me. Don't let my life be for nothing. My struggle, pain, and sacrifice...let it all be worth it.

  I felt the last threads of magic enter the pocket watch and I opened my eyes to stare up at the sky one last time. The memory of Crimson Arashi came to my mind and I realized what a fool I was.

  I should have told her what she was. Maybe she would find a way to be able to fight and discover how amazing she was meant to be. She was humble and I could see the kindness in her eyes. We could have been good friends if things had been different...

  I took my final breaths as a thought came to my mind.

  Dear ancestors.

  If there is any justice in this universe.

  Please...don't let Crimson...Crimson Jiyuna die. Let her live and avoid what seeks to do her harm.

  Let my pocket watch reach her somehow.

  Let my magic be at her disposal and guide her to my loyal men who will not only protect her...but love her.

  Show her that this world isn't only filled with selfish people.

  Teach her that there are good individuals in this world who love not because of one's race or power, but simply because of the wonderful individual they are.

  And let my men move forward.

  Don't let them linger on the past, but focus on the present and future.

  Guide Urufu to her.

  Help them become a team...and bring peace to Nokamato...

  To Homatomashi...

  And...

  Please...avenge me.

  With that final prayer, the last of my tears rolled down my cheeks and I took my final breath.

  Gomennasai.

>   ~CRIMSON~

  "SHIT! Did we enter it yet?"

  "Fuck, I think so. Keep going. The cliff shouldn't be too far."

  My lips trembled from the freezing cold and my hair blew wildly in the blizzard, my body still being carried by the same shifter.

  I'd been able to move five minutes ago, but I needed the right moment and I prayed it would happen before we reached the cliff.

  My Kitsune was ready to fight for our life. I wouldn't die after finally being reunited with her after all these years. I couldn't be killed the day before my birthday. I knew I had an hour left before the clock struck twelve and I prayed the guys had figured out I wasn't in my room back at the shrine.

  How will they find me? I pushed the fearful thoughts to the back of my mind. It wouldn't matter if they found me if I was already dead.

  "I see the cliff! We'r— AH!"

  I felt my body fall forward and crash into the frigid snow. THIS IS MY CHANCE.

  "Fuck. How did you—" Henchman Two began, but was cut off when I scurried to my feet and summoned the harsh wind to gather and strike him in a quick slash.

  "ARGGH!' he screamed and his body fell back into the snow.

  I jumped back to gain some distance between us as I let the newly acquired magic reign free.

  It felt exhilarating to finally fight these men and let out my pent up frustration in battle while the blizzard continued to hammer down us.

  "This bitch!" Henchman One swore and his bulky body charged toward me.

  I sent more gusts of wind, the third one knocking him off balance. He slid back to the ground and the second slim built male ran toward me, pulling out a sword as he moved.

  My wrists burned and with a flash, my twin swords were in my hands. The pink to orange ribbons spun wildly in the wind that began to gather at my feet and the snow followed its lead.

  "You shouldn't be ALIVE!" the brown-haired henchman screamed over the loud breeze as he lifted his sword to try and slice me in two. I crossed my swords to block and took his attack head-on.

  This wasn't a training session with Malachi. Whatever I did now could cost me my life.

  "Sorry to burst your bubble," I snarled and I felt my Kitsune push forward. His eyes grew wide and I could tell by the fear in them that my eyes were no longer their usual turquoise color, but a glowing pink.

  "Im-Impossible! You're a human!" he challenged, using more strength to try and push me back, but I stood my ground.

  "You're right. I WAS a human. Not anymore," I growled and let my magic pool within my blades which began to light up.

  "Eric! She's not human! Tell Jam—" he screamed, but I didn't let him finish, shoving him back and releasing my energy in one clean sweep. He shrieked as his body flew through the hair and his limbs flailed helplessly. The man named Eric looked back to watch as his friend fell.

  But instead of tumbling to the snowy ground, he kept going. He disappeared over the edge and his shrill screams faded before we heard a loud noise.

  I gawked and realized I'd pushed him over the cliff. I just killed someone.

  Eric turned back to stare at my stunned face; anger bled into his gaze as he roared, charging toward me.

  FUCK!

  Storm's magic took the opportunity to kick in and I let my instincts take over. I flipped backward, pushing off the ground with my hands and flipping again so my feet were facing the snowy ground a few feet below.

  Eric pushed off the ground and dark green magic circles appeared beneath his feet as he raced upward toward me, each magic circle becoming a small platform for him to get closer and closer.

  I cursed and my body began to descend, but a pink magic circle formed beneath my feet and I began to levitate in place. I smirked before flying past Eric who groaned, before chasing after me. I turned my body around and lifted my blades defensively right when a fireball crashed into them.

  The blades deflected it, sending it back toward Eric who ducked and sent more fireballs at me as he ran on the magic platforms that appeared and disappeared with each step he took.

  I can't keep going this way. I can't see the edge of the cliff.

  My magic understood and my levitation powers shut off which made my body begin to plummet to the ground. NOPE, TURN BACK ON, NOW!

  Storm's magic took over again and a gust of wind caught me in a little funnel cloud when I was a just a few feet from the ground. I sighed in relief and dropped to the ground. I looked around for Eric, but I could barely see.

  Thanks to my magic, the winds seemed to have picked up even more and the snow made it almost impossible to see even two feet ahead. That also meant he couldn't see me.

  My blades glowed before they faded away, the two spheres of pink light returned to the tattoos on my wrist. I felt winded and my gut told me I had to end this now, or I wouldn't have any magic left for this battle.

  A gasp escaped me as the breath was knocked out of me; my body fell to the ground and whatever was gripping me held tight as we both tumbled over and over until we came to a stop with me pinned to the ground.

  My eyes snapped open and Eric was hovering over me with canine teeth that reminded me of a wolf.

  "I will end you," he snarled as his head began to shift. The sound of bones popping made me cringe and my eyes were as wide as saucers because of the wolf head that glared down at me. He opened his mouth to reveal his sharp teeth.

  Fear left me numb as I stared up at him, unable to think of a way out of this. A loud crack rang through the air and we both froze; our bodies began to slide backwards.

  A thundering sound went through the air and then we were both falling. I screamed as Eric grabbed onto me in an effort to use me to cushion his fall.

  I. WILL. NOT. DIE!

  My magic flared and my body grew scorching hot. Eric screamed, letting go as we continued to plummet. I took advantage to grab onto his hip and rotate us so he was beneath me. I noticed the approaching ground and I realized neither of us would survive this.

  A single word came to my mind and I screamed it with all my might, knowing it could definitely be my last.

  "URUFU!"

  Something grabbed my waist and I came to a sudden stop, but my hands couldn't hold their grip on Eric who screamed and crashed to the ground. Blood sprayed everywhere and his half-shifted body was nothing but a flat disembodied mess of body parts and broken bones.

  His wolf head twitched and his now yellow eyes stared at me before they dulled. My body remained suspended above and I heard the flapping of wings.

  I slowly looked up to see a large flaming pink phoenix. I struggled for words, unsure what to say as tears streamed down my face.

  "Uru?" I whimpered and the phoenix bird's head lowered to stare at me.

  "Reeeee!" she cried out in response.

  I sobbed and my body relaxed. She flew me away from the bloody ground to a clear area, dropping me softly to my feet.

  I tried to remain standing, but my legs trembled and I collapsed to my knees, sobbing. I was freezing and felt so tired and the chilling cold of the blizzard wasn't helping me stay awake.

  Uru landed in front of me and I crawled to the warmth of her flaming body. Her wings wrapped around me; while they were hot, they didn't burn my flesh.

  "You found me, Uru. But what are we going to do now?" I asked her worriedly. I was already feeling the draining effects of her being in this form, and if she continued being a phoenix I'd have no magic left soon.

  As if she heard my thoughts, she screeched and her body was immersed in white light. I lifted my head up to see her wolf form. She closed the distance between us by brushing her still warm body against me. I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her.

  "Arigato, Uru," I thanked her with all my heart. She traveled into the depths of this blizzard to save me and I couldn't feel more grateful and loved to have her in my life.

  "Woof." She snuggled against me and we huddled together in the cold.

  Time passed, and I felt Uru lick my face before she began to
bark over and over again. I didn't want to open my eyes. It was so cold and being asleep meant I didn't need to feel it anymore.

  Uru began to howl and the sadness that resonated in the sound urged me to open my eyes.

  "Uru, stop howling. I'm cold," I complained as my heavy eyelids began to close once more. Her nose poked at my cheek over and over again until I opened my eyes again to stare at her.

  "WOOF!"

  "But I'm tired," I confessed. My mind was still hazy from sleep and my body began to tremble uncontrollably thanks to my drenched clothes.

  "WOOF! WOOF!" Uru stomped on the ground and began to whimper. Her eyes looked like she was on the verge of tears and that triggered something in me.

  I stared into those watery pink eyes and the world seemed to change. I was no longer on the snowy ground at the bottom of the cliff, but in the courtyard staring into Uru's sad pink eyes as they looked down at me. The dying me... Storm Yuna.

  It was like a lock had been broken and the door to her memories opened and hit me all at once. The good ones with the guys and the joyful bliss we shared together, as well as the sad ones.

  The death of her parents who were murdered, the heartache she felt when she watched from behind the window as all the children her age played with one another outside while she was cooped up at a desk learning magic spells and incantations. The numerous meetings and travels she and the guys had to make and the sad encounters each guy went through before meeting Storm.

  Now she was staring at the black sky and Uru was the last to see her alive. Those haunting pink eyes filled with desperation were the same ones that looked at me now in the stormy night.

  I couldn't do this to her. If I died, she'd have no one else. She'd be a stray and even if the boys took care of her, she too would slowly die because I was gone. We were connected and if I died today, she'd eventually fade away. She didn't deserve such a fate.

  She traveled all the way out here to ensure I didn't die like Storm. The least I could do was fight to live, rather than give up. My surroundings returned to reality and I reached out to give Uru a hug.

  She whimpered into my neck and I held back tears as I listened to her little sobs.