Chapter1: Troubled Winds

A cool breeze swept across the stadium field, kicking up loose turf and small bits of rubber. Trees surrounding the area danced to the winds enchanting tune. On the visitor's bleachers, two lone figures sat on the cold steel in the dark moonlight. One was a tall Asian girl roughly the age of seventeen. Her long black hair flew back with the twirling wind and green eyes blazed brightly, piercing the dark night. Next to her was a tall man. He appeared to be in his 30s but only a handful knew that his age stretched into the hundreds. The cloak wrapped around his neck flared and snapped against the rushing gusts. The smell of maple clung to their clothes as it trailed behind the wind.

A crackle of lightning shot through the haunting sky and struck the ground behind the home team's bleachers across the field from where they were sitting.

"You know what to do Mako. Let's not allow our guest to be lost on her first day." The man's voice startled the wind as he spoke in a low tone.

"Yes sir." The girl named Mako bowed before fading into the darkness.

The man smiled. This is going to be a good year, he thought. He stood slowly and with a wave of his hand, the wind died down instantly, leaving the trees to the task of dancing alone. Swiftly, he stepped down the bleachers and walked behind them over to a small shed. The scent of maple had left the now calm air and all that remained was the smell of ozone from the wormhole ripping through time and space. Without losing his smile, the man opened the wood door and stepped into the dark room.

In the parking lot, Mako stood in the dark next to a light pole. Glass surrounded her from when she had broken the light a few moments ago. 50 feet away in the center of the lot, a dark blue light split the air and opened up into a large vortex. Lightning sparked from the edges and took out nearby light poles. Mako watched without blinking as a girl glided out of the portal and landed gently on the pavement. Behind her, the vortex flashed and, in a bolt of lightning, vanished into the air.

The girl turned her head around, taking in her surroundings. She had short brown hair streaked with blond highlights pulled back into a small ponytail. A denim jacket flared open revealing a dark spaghetti string tank top. Her jeans hugged her limber legs, showing that even in those tight jeans she could move as freely as if she were wearing shorts. She quickly stepped toward the main entrance of the school, moving gracefully with silent steps.

Mako grinned at the pathetic sight before her. What was her master so worried about, this girl couldn't even dress for the right season. She drifted away from the pole and walked toward the new girl. With practiced stealth she caught up with her. When she suddenly appeared next to her, Mako was surprised to see the girl not even flinch.

"Hey there," Mako said with a sweet voice. "You must be Amber. I'm Tyla and I guess your guide and instructor."

Looking straight ahead, Amber stopped and said "Tyla you said. I'm sorry. I sense a hint of untruthfulness. Are you sure that is your name or do you not know?"

Mako's smile never faltered but inside, she was trying to hold back her body from choking the life out of the girl right here and now. "Sorry you feel that way but it is my name. I should know because it's mine."

"Yes, I suppose you are right. Sorry but I can't help but detect the lie. Just the way I am."

Only when Mako looked into the girl's grey eyes did her smile fade and she understand what she was talking about. "You're blind?" She blurted out.

Amber, still walking, turned her head toward her but said nothing. Mako stared at her for a second, slightly disturbed but unafraid. What is the master thinking, she thought.

"What exactly are you instructing me on?" Amber asked when Mako went silent.

Mako's smile returned. "Why, it's more of a test. Specifically, a test of your speed." With that Mako swung her arm around. Her nails were now claws and long canines peaked between her lips. Her hand swept around, aiming for Amber's neck. Amber quickly ducked and jumped back from Mako. Mako lunged after her, claws raised for a fatal impact but Amber flipped back out of reach of Mako's attack. Amber stopped a few feet away and took a fighting stance.

Mako stood facing Amber with spread claws, snarling menacingly. She ran and leapt into the air. At first she went straight at th girl then dodged to the left with amazing speed and aerial maneuverablilty, attacking her from her right. Amber appeared not to have noticed her movement but when Mako dropped her claws on the girl she was suddenly stopped and unable to move her arm. Time seemed to slow as Mako's smile disappeared again as she remained in midair looking down at Amber's blank face who had caught her deadly strike with one hand without even a changing her stance.

Anger rushed through Mako at the though of her being stopping so effortlessly. With a quick change of momentum Mako brought her leg swinging upward toward Amber's stomach. Just before she hit, Mako watched as Amber's left hand cross under her right and caught Mako's leg, freezing its movement instantly. Mako knew now that Amber, with both hands full, could do nothing else to block Mako's other free hand from hitting her. She put all her strength into her left arm and aimed it right at Amber's face.

A rush of wind raced through the parking lot. Clouds now blocked the crescent moon, cascading the parking lot into total darkness, except for the lone light poles that were still lit. Mako found herself suddenly lying on the ground, her left arm flexing uncontrollably. Amber looked down at her and smiled. Mako felt an unwanted presence in her mind and pain rang out of her head then flooded her body. She gasped for air and cried out.

"So, that's it is it? I guess now you know why your master sees me as a threat." Amber sneered down to her.

The pain in Mako's head suddenly vanished as fast as it had come and she lied there limp and exhausted.

The scent of cherry blossoms suddenly filled the air as a gentle breeze passed the two girls. The smell made Mako's nose cringe but she knew what was causing it. She looked up at Amber who looked fearful. Her eyes began to water and her lip trembled. She covered her mouth as if to prevent a shriek from escaping. Then she let out a startled cry and clutched her head. Then as the breeze faded, she fainted and fell to the ground.

Before she hit the pavement, a shadowy figure appeared next to her and halted her fall. Mako looked up at him and saw his handsome face filled with disappointment as he looked down at her.

Mako was not one to gawk over a guy but even her cold heart warmed at his beauty. "Art, so glad to see you." Mako said as she tried to regain her feet.

He cradled Amber in his arms, her head resting against his toned chest. "You should stop messing around. The master will be displeased." He glared at her before taking a step back into the dark night.

Mako continued to stand alone in the parking lot until the portal that Amber had come through earlier sparked back to life, signaling another newcomer.

It was time to go.

As she followed Art into the darkness, she wondered what aweful event Art had shown her with his mind; probably some tragic past experience. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a tall boy step through the portal.

"Another damn newbie."