Chapter one

"What are you doing?" a shaded speaker was talking from the doorway to the hidden temple.

"Huh?" I looked up as he walked over, and blinked owlishly at Ryozo's displeased expression. "Uh…" I looked down at the book I had just opened. It suddenly disappeared. "Nothing."

"You're supposed to be guarding the Shokujin!" his angry cry echoed. A lot. The temple was huge. At first glance it was also decrepit. However, if you took the time to examine it, you would see that the plants growing on the walls were actually very well tended. No one took the time these days.

"Yes, well, I just got back with my new book and I really wanted to…" I stopped at the look on his face. "What, did I do something wrong?"

"You…left…it…UNGAURDED?!?" He was rather red in the face and his right hand was clenched around the handle of his sword.

It was a rather large sword, almost as long as I was tall. It was particularly wicked looking with a bone of unknown origin set in the handle, and a hooked tip that looked as if it would be just as efficient at disemboweling as disarming.

"Where is the Shokujin now?" he was as purple as a beet, and his voice cracked on the last syllable. I pointed to the back room where the alter was and scuttled out before he had a chance to throttle me.

I'd always considered myself a good fighter, and an excellent earth-mage, but some people you just don't want to get in a fight with.

My name is Sayuko Wazuka. I lead an unusual life, when not guarding that so-called sacred Shokujin, (I know I should be more respectful of the fire crystal, but…) I'm probably reading out in the wilderness somewhere. Though this may sound like a dangerous activity for a lone 19-year-old girl to do when all I carried in the way of protection was a simple short sword. I assure you, that I can take care of myself. This is due to my being an Adept-class Earth master; none better.

I wonder why he said that I have beautiful eyes? I thought to myself as I studied my reflection in the pond: the hazel-green eyes, the long auburn hair, the slight tan on her smooth skin So plain. People are always saying how gorgeous I am, but really, I'm ordinary.

Oh well, enough musing; now's the perfect time to read! I smiled fondly as I picked up my new book. It was leather-bound with arcane symbols all over the cover and I had been dieing to dive into it ever since I bought it from that creepy old man. But before, there was always an interruption: this or that.

This time however, I was going to…get interrupted again! A vein nearly popped in my head as I heard noise behind me. My blood cooled though when I saw Ryozo Himagata running down the hill towards me. He was quite an imposing sight with his spiky white hair going every which way and bottomless dark blue eyes, weighing nearly 200 pounds (nothing to scoff about as it was all muscle, not an ounce of fat) and having a 6'2 frame helped a lot too. He had that sword of his unsheathed and was yelling something incomprehensible at this distance.

He was coming closer at an awfully fast speed, and I decided it was time to go. Not that I was afraid he'd hurt me, we're really good friends, but he looked kinda scary at that moment and I am sure he wouldn't let me off the hook for the whole 'leaving the Shokujin unguarded' thing.

I turned around to get my book just in time to catch a glimpse of a dark-ogre demon hovering over the lake before its fist connected with my face rather painfully. I flew back a few feet and my eyes widened before closing slowly as my thoughts spiraled around in my head before falling into black oblivion why didn't I sense it…have to get my book back…sense it…my book…sense…book…