†                                                         "  Ember..… "                                                                                       †                                                                              

        A pen pulled from light appeared in your hands. You took a curious look down at the enveloping sheets of iridescence; clamped in your hand. Slowly a thin sheet of equal eye-popping light blazed your sight.

"I Park ShiAe chooseth this fate of my own," the pen moved without your consent 

"What the----,"

"You're thoughts will answer for you; the light will only extract what it seeks to know all about you Park ShiAe," now this was just unfair. You couldn't even will yourself to write what you wanted to say only what was true and honest. Where was your free will? You don't have that. 

"You called upon us; you called for salvation? Do you remember why?" of course you did; swiftly you hand moved down to a large box

"I was born as the only child from a not so normal family.. My parents treasured me for the reason that I am going to be our next successor of our generation.. I was loevd by them purely...But due to our not so normalness people around us tend to discriminate and even hurt us not even trying to know us better than what they see..,"

"That is not what you were asked---you were asked why you called out for help," reprimands the mysterious voice

"I was getting to that you know," your hand found another box appear for you to write upon

"As I've told earlier my family and I weren't like those normal ones.. My parents were medium/mediators and as their off-spring I've also adopted that ability .. I was trained since young to talk with spirit of all kinds ,demons and etc. There was when this day that I've talked into a demon who I've tried my best to please to leave the girl that this creature have fallen inlove with.. I thought it was already done when he promised me not to harm her anymore and as he vanished from our sight I felt more relieve.. When I arrived at my house I was shovk to see my father holding a knife on his left hand and saw my mom lying bloodly on the floor.. I mean my dad loved her very much,to my surprise I saw him cryin which mad me backed off away.. He came near me and said "I'm sorry but I have to do this," I looked straight into his eyes with tears filling my eyes I ran into him and stabbed myself into the knife.. I smiled sweetly at him he was scared I can feel it,as I turned my gaze at his back I saw the demon from before.. He smirked and approached my father,he held his shoulder and ripped it.. My vision became blurred as I and my dad fell down the floor.. The demon kneeled down at me and held my chin up.. "You're beautiful and pure,but I can't just grant your wish to leave the only girl I loved.." after he said that I felt my body temperature getting hotter and after a few second.. I woke up here..Without my father nor my mother.."

"Oh I see," 

"Can I stop now?"

"Yes, yes; that is all we needed from you," the light burned out of your hand; blending in the air. You planned to remove yourself from the liquified solid bodied table of crystal but you found your mind prick sharply

"You don't get to venture around yet---so you must sleep again," you felt your lids close tightly---breaths were ceasing; and your mind was silenced of its thoughts.

✙✙✙

   Are you awake?

"Who's there?" there it was again the person in your mind. Your eyes stayed shut; even though you wanted to open them

I'm not really supposed to talk to embers; I'm only an apprentice. But the council left you without answers---so I wanted to help you. If thats fine with you?

"Who are you?"

They call me YongGuk. I would be happy to serve as your guide.

"Why can't I open my eyes?"

The council will be watching you if you're awake---and they'll know I'm helping you…

"Okay…,"

Those are the rules. But in the mean time I can answer any questions you have.

"What is this place?,"

Styx of Limbo is the land, the Crystal Decrescendo is where you reside…..

"What's a Shikigami?"

A demon, angel or dark angel that will protect you. They are human souls that took over the body of one of those; and gained it's powers---they all look human

"Why am I here?"

The council only calls upon people worthy of it. The moment you wake up they'll be watching you to decide what Shikigami suits you

"Why does it matter what shikigami I get?"

Because Shikigami will require something from you in order to protect----oh no we must part; but I'll talk you again Park ShiAe. Remember, as soon as you wake you will be watched and anaylzed.

"Wait YongGuk that's not----," before you were given the chance to finish, your eyes opened from their bleary blackness. A air wired in your chest and you looked up around you. Where ever you were, there was what seemed to you like a room where you laid in---a bed woven of feathers. Your heart accelerated to an astounding pound as you scrambled out of the warmth

"I wouldn't try the door," sighed someone to your left. You could see that there was someone else another person---the first person you talked to and could see.

"They locked the door. You're an ember correct?"

"What's an ember?"

"Us. We're chosen humans who've been saved for some reason. We'll be getting a shikigami soon,"

"How long have you been here?" you curiously asked

"I'm not sure. About a day. And since they won't let us out soon; we might as well get to know each other---we are roommates you know," this was annoying but you sat down.

"Interesting…"

"So I'm LuHan and you?"

"Park ShiAe. Pleased to meet you,"

"You sound like them. Ah whatever; so why're you here?"

"Why're you here?" you said back. Your roommate shrugged

"Guess thats personal. Well how old are you?!"

"I'm 16,"

"Do you have a birthday?"

"Yeah, its March 26. Does it really matter?"

"Of course---then I'll know when to give you presents," when did people ever get presents? What kind of human was this? 

"What's your favorite color?!"

"Um…Gold," the simplicity of these questions were strangely refreshing yet a little annoying from the increased exuberance of LuHan. 

"Thats so cool dude! Is there anything else you like other than that?"

"Um well I also like the stars,the sky,reading and music,"

"And anything you hate; maybe me and you share some of the same ideas?"

"Well now that I think about it I don't like bitter foods,dicrimination,bright colored things and sweating. Anything else you want to know?"

"Let's play a game!"

"What kind of game?" this person made you stare skeptically; 

"Scenario's game! OKAY you have to answer honestly,"

"What about you?"

"It's your turn first since I came up with this!"

"Fine. Ask away,"

"Question 1! If you had to choose who could be saved in a death situation---with your own life or your friend's life at stake---who would you want to be saved?! Answer honestly I promise I'll respect your answer!"

"Quite a question to start off with…," you pondered a moment before saying, "It should be my friend well, I don't care whatever happens to me just to save him or her,"

"Thats an interesting answer," they seemed to process it all before continuing on with

"Question 2!!Whoot! Whoot! So do you think you could except a demon, dark angel or heaven's messenger (good angel) more? That made no sense actually---um what I meant is that of those three---who would you trust more or except?"

"Is this a trick question----because I noticed you put demons in there," but thinking it over; wading over how forgivable; and allowing you could be---you said, "If I had to choose I'd choose a heavens messenger angel. And why I'd choose that one would be because; how would I trust the same creature who putted my family,myself that lead us to death? Well if I had to choose that is,"

"If someone does something or says something bad to you---did that make sense? Well anyways; what would you do? AND!" your friend saw you beginning to speak up to answer, "AND! What would you do if they said something untrue, cruel or harsh about your friend? Like if they said your friend killed someone and was a murderer even though they aren't?! Oooh wouldn't that be mean?" you simply nodded before formulating an answer and saying:

"Well first off; for me I don't know,maybe I'll just ignore them at first and stay calmed I'm not that kind of war freaked person as you see. And then as for a friend; I'd observe all things first before I make my move and if the person lied on what she's/he's saying about my friend I'll try to ask him/her why she/he did that just for me to hate my friend. And uh yeah,"

"SO thats what you'd do? Doesn't sound like something I'd do,"

"Probably not. You'd probably tickle them to death; or bake them cookies," you snickered at your snide remark and they smiled at your snarky comment

"I wish I were that sweet---but I'd probably kill them," they said in a cheery tone with sinister glee. You stopped laughing to stare in fear

"What?" you nearly choked to say---they skipped over an explanation for such a drastic measure and then said:

"Last Question! So do you think you'd ever fall in love?," they placed their pointing finger in the middle of your lips to hush you, "Not finished," they took their finger from your lips making the snarl chattering on your teeth drop to a hum

"And to just make it ed up," this angelic; yet sadistic psycho cussed? ,"What if you didn't fall in love with a human?" crazy-psycho roommate SAY WHAT? This was messed up.

"What if it were a heavens messenger or dark angel. OR EVEN WORSE?! A D-E-M-O-N! OKAY TELL ME I DON'T THINK I CAN CONTAIN MY EAGERNESS!"

"I'd never fall in love with a Demon and knowing me---if I didn't---well hypothetically speaking.; IF I didn't fall in love with a love with another human---thats if I have time for that stuff. Then I'd rather fall in love with a heaven's messenger or a fallen angel ,as of now that's all I can say. Good thing this is your last question,"

"I thought it was fun," your insane friend said. You cocked your brow 

"So its my turn!" though their smile turned cold and they looked at you crucially

"I don't want to play anymore,"

"But that's not fair!"

"Okay! Guess what! I know all the types of balances there is! Somehow the Shikigami council is going to choose a shikigami for you and me! But they have to study you first! They study to see what balance you correspond with and what one you are totally unalike!"

"Really?" you tilted your head

"There is Cadence, Harmony, Justice, Tenacity, Hubris, and Ardor,"

"I'm sorry I'm not a dictionary---you wanna' explain those to me?"

"Oh yes of course! Cadence is the fluency and smooth run in balance. Harmony is what inter connects, and stabilizes and keeps everyone and everything at peace! Justice is those who fight for the balance; justice balances right and wrong. Tenacity is the will power and determination to keep going which counters against those who give up which creates a balance. Hubris is pride that counter acts those of harmony; they are stand offish and have little connections but equally split and divide order in a balance. Hubris is prideful. And Ardor, the desire and lust for things it disrupts all justice, does not flow smoothly contradicting cadence and then the harmony is strengthened but in negative ways. But lust in a dark way pairs with hubris and tenacity since it requires some sort of desire to obtain tenacity. Understand?" you nodded wearily at their brilliance

"Which one do you think would be you?"

"Harmony, is my choice."

"Hmm…from what you've told me about yourself; I think that:," they looked into your eyes

"…it matches you perfectly!" 

"ShiAe? Do you think I'd ever find love?"

"What are you saying?"

"Do you see yourself? Ugh I hate to admit that I envy you,"

"Is that a compliment?"

"Its more like the truth then an implement of it,"

"Well thank you---that nice of you to say---I think," you touched your face as you spotted the mirror they were pointing you towards. You examined the features of this face they envied…

 †  | † |  †  |  † 

You started to check yourself for the art on your body when you heard:

"Whoa is that a  bracelet?! Pretty awesome!"

Dream Catcher on her left wrist , it wasgiven by her parents who passes that bracelet through their off-springs when the time comes that she/he'// be chosen as the next successor

   After looking in the mirror----there was a hollow knock that resounded through the door. You looked up at the same time; as the door flailed open, and you saw someone walk in---

"Which one of you is the ember?" asked the good looking creature to walk in. You raised your hand at the well groomed, and appealing to your eyes---male. You were surprised to find the person at your side---did not raise their hand…

"Did you hear him?! Raise your hand LuHan"

"But I'm not an ember,"

"What? But you said---,"

"I was only here to test you---I'm just a; demon," you're eyelids rolled with fear

"WHAT?!" you stepped away from them though they caught your arm

"But that shouldn't change anything," they grinned endearingly

"It changes EVERYTHING!" you snapped your arm back in your fear----they seemed so human like though! No wonder they said all those things like killing people over insults, they refused to talk about their past or play the scenario game; and knew so much about Shikigami's.

"She's been evaluated?" continued the male skipping the sudden and shocking discovery

"Yes, yes don't get your undies in a bunch YoungJae," commented the demon

"You can leave now LuHan. I have to talk to her," you saw the demon grin at you

"Don't have too much fun," they said only to be given a menacing glare from the male. The male shut the door behind himself (and when the roommate disappeared through it) before looking to you

"What is your name?"

"ShiAe," then he smiled as he took your arm

"I'm YoungJae. If I am to protect you you must gift me something just as precious to you as your life," you looked at him skeptically and despite he held you tightly you were scared...

"What?"

"What do I have that you want?" you decided to ask looking at his hand on your arm. In one gentle movement he sat you down on the bed; and sat next to you; and gave you a small smile of pureness.

"I want nothing more than to protect you---that is my first priority of course. But in return I just ask you keep my halo," 

"Your halo?"

"Yes,"

"How am I giving you something of mine then---it sounds like your giving me your most precious thing,"

"The halo you will wear around your neck---and other angels will know that you belong to me."

"Belong to you?"

"Yes, all I want from you is to give me love---even if you don't feel it now; just tell me you'll try. I want to bond with you; if its all right I'd like to finalize this contract,"

"What does that mean?" he held your hand tightly

"That I give you the kiss seal," he said.

"Kissing you?!" though on the outside and out of a humanly reaction you conveyed fear---when deep down you were almost euphoric in his presence. Rather than seeming rushed, and too soon it felt reasonable after he just nodded waiting for your approval

"I won't let you down I promise. Your life is in safe guard," he leaned in to your face after he saw you seemed to allow his touch; for his free hand caressed your cheek almost---lovingly.

"Thank you for allowing me to protect you---," he softly said before he kissed you with passion yet the awareness that he must be gentle; his hands had already reached your shoulders.

Before the situation could progress you heard the door open and a panting

"NO NO NO! GET OFF HER YOU PIG!" that was the sound of your roommate. In seconds the intertwining of tongues, and heated moments diminished; allowing you to breathe normally and for your shikigami to sigh.

"Ruining the moment here,"

"You can't just ually abuse her! You know your charms cannot be resisted---even by the most resilient,"

"The one thing good about being a shikigami," he seperated himself from you----you almost felt disheartened at the action

"Well I've finished the contract; I suppose I'll leave---unless you want to follow me so we can finish up what we started," YoungJae looked back at you and you felt almost obliged to get up from your bed to explore that wondrous feel you felt at his side...

your roommate shooed the shikigami away; that attractive, dominant, gorgeous and well built creature vanished through the door.

"You are not doing anything with my roommate you ual thing!" they called after him; deciding for you...

"I shall return," his voice only seemed to touch your ears only...with sincerity.

           "So you got your shikigami---you like him despite his drive?"

          "I suppose,"

"Good---I wish you all the luck with him ShiAe. Because you're going to do alot I can tell...,"

"How?"

 "Because you're special ShiAe. That's why you're here,"