†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 Shin MinMin choosen 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 Shin MinMin," 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 into a poor family. Nothing had ever went correctly. My mother was doing anything to get money while my father was a heavy drinker and me, I was all by myself surrounded by mysterious voices creeping in my head always wanting me to do things I didn't want to do. Everything around me was a mess. No one ever told me about my father real being. he was a Changelingsand he all covered it up with drinking hoping no one would notice. He had the task to kill everything and everyone in his way. There was always the smell of blood, the red clothes, his overlong fingernails on his bone-like fingers.
He wanted me to be like him why he started to take me on his missions of killing. Breaking into a house, scaring the people by our sudden presence, scratching a scream and then blood. Everywhere was blood and me, I just stood in the corner watching it all even though my head was hanging low.
What did it bring me? Just that I can't smell blood anymore and the voices in my head cursing in my head wanting me to do the same. Everyone around me wanting me to be dead telling me I was just a nothing.
And then these demons and monster I could see everywhere with these smiles on their faces which just creep the hell out of you following your with their dark and empty eye holes."

"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

" My grandfather was able to control Hellhounds and raised them. He left over a secret book with all kind of texts, notes and receipts how to do create drinks and all of that there was something this book. A stone it was a small on and shined green yet yellow then orange. It changed its colors from to time. There was nothing written about that stone the only thing I knew was that no one should know that I have this book. One day I had taken out the stone to take a closer look at it.  I wanted to know more about it there was just something strange about that stone but at the moment I took out the stone something changed immediately.
I shoved the stone into my pocket and heard some noise in the house. The noise was made by something. It came closer and I heard it wasn't alone. I escaped through my window but it came after me it must have heard me. I ran but I was too slow I didn't want to know what that thing was which was chasing me. I had forgotten the book back in my room so it couldn't help me either. I felt myself lifted up and I flew through the air till I hit a tree and then the ground. I was hurt but still didn't wanted to give up. As the thing caught up to me again I noticed it was my own father and he was graving for the stone. I didn't want to give it to him so he hit me making me fall near the cliffs. I closed my eyes and waited for something to happen but all I can remember was a bright light and then darkness till I found myself here again."  

"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 Ricky. 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 Shin MinMin.Remember, as soon as you wake you will be watched and anaylzed.

"Wait Ricky 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 LeeHongKi and you?"

"Shin MinMin. 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 19,"

"Do you have a birthday?"

"Yeah, its May the 3^rd.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… Green and other really bright colors," the simplicity of these questions were strangely refreshing yet a little annoying from the increased exuberance of HongKi. 

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

"Um well I also like wide fields with high grass, windy days, the woods and rivers you can jump into and lastly I like freedom."

"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 bad smell or let's say the smell of blood everywhere I go, these voices in my head, small rooms in which you have to spend the half of your day inside, bullies oh and before I forget these little cute creatures which just try to kill you and creeping the hell out of you. You know these? Ah these cute little terror blushes. 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, "No one I never met someone really important to me besides my grandfather but he's dead anyways. I wouldn't even safe my mother in such a kind of situation for that I think my life is too precious",

"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 demon. And why I'd choose that one would be because; well you must think I'm crazy for giving an answer like that but you know I think they are kind of interesting. It may have a bad reputation but I think it will have one or two good sides too. It's a kind of strong creature and only the word let's your mind create bad and worse things about it. Maybe the bad people will stay away from me then. But I would trust it the most out of all. It's strong, mysterious and kind of scary.  It really must be great to have a demon beside you. I just can't really explain what's in my mind but a demon is mighty and that's what makes it all so interesting. And I hope it would give me strength a lot of strength. 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 would just ignore it even though it was a rumor like, I would just give myself to the teachers to get better marks, but I think that there will be a point where you just can't take it anymore and you just wanna break out. It once happened to me. The only thing which was in my mind make them shut up even when I have to sew up their mouth. I walked up to them and they tried to make fun out of me but began beating them in their face till I made sure their lips were swollen and  busted that they can't even say I single word and then I just warned them if they do it again it will end worsen than that. And then as for a friend; I'd listen to him first right? That's the thing you usually do. I would tell him that I'll be at his/her side believing him. I would stand up for my friend of course and would help him but I think he/she also has to do something against. It's his/her problem anyway. But if it would get worse, and the person is really important to me, then the person who did something bad to my friend would have to pay really high. And I would try to give my friend courage that he/she could protect himself/herself if I'm not there at the moment. And if I would see that someone would do something to my friend, than I would stop that person and beat the hell out of him/her no matter what or take out a knife and bring it with me every day.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 heavens messenger 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 dark angel or even demon. 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?"

"Ardore, is my choice."

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

 

"… ones pretty tough judging by what you told me. I guess I don't really know either; hehe,"

 

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

"You getting mushy on me again?"

"No, no thats not it. It just seems like it wouldn't be a problem for you. I think I'm jealous or something ," they said bitterly

"Why is that?"

"Well look at yourself!" you looked towards the mirror that the person pointed to which lied on the far-off wall.

"Me? But I just look like this," you looked into the mirror and looked at your face. You're reflection showed you,

1  |   2   |   3  |   4 . 

 

"Huh i still have these?" you looked at your ankle to see the ankle chain and the little tattoo a bit above the chain.

"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…

1   |   2   |  3  |  4

 

"Whoa is that a tattoo and a ankle chain?! Pretty awesome!"

Tattoo

MinMin has that tattoo because the bird stand for freedom for MinMin and the heart of course for love and warmth something she never had but want  to expirience.
That's why she has it.

Ankle chain

Her grandparents gave it to her putting a spell on it which is unknown to MinMin but she can't take it of whatever she does.
But now she just loves it.

 

                

   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 HongKi,"

"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 WooHyun," commented the demon

"You can leave now HongKi. 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?"

"Shin MinMin," then he smiled as he took your arm

"I'm Nam WooHyun. 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?"

             

"W-what would you want from me?" he coursed his cold but soothing fingers through your hair; smiling devilishly

"Your soul," you attempted to walk backwards but found yourself fall back onto that feather woven bed.

"M-my soul? Why?"

"It works like this. I keep you safe as long as you promise your soul to me. You may be emotionless and unfeeling but---as long as your safe it shouldn't matter,"

"What would you need with it?"

"I would need it for a lot of things; but you must give me consent to have it," he climbed on top of you making your mind fill with unholy, and sinful thoughts---yet delightful at what he might do to you.

"But I don't want to---,"

"----Its the only thing I ask from you,"

"But why should I give you what is mine?"

"Because you are mine; I protect you on this one condition," he leaned down, "Just let me have it,"

"I-I," you couldn't think clearly as he smirked

"Thank you," and his lips pressed against yours---

 

               

 

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," WooHyun  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 Shin MinMin. Because you're going to do alot I can tell...,"

"How?"

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