†                                                         "  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 Choi Seulmin 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 Seulmin," 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 to my parents, who were heavily in debt to the loan sharks. Mother said that she couldn’t even bear the thought of aborting me when she first heard that she was expecting again, despite the fact that she knew that they couldn’t afford to have another child. My brother hated me initially, of course, because having a younger baby sister meant having to give away more of his food to me, and in turn starving himself. My father… He, being the ignorant fool that he is, continued to owe the loan sharks, the Snakes, they called themselves, money. Of course, we had to get money someway, somehow to pay off my father’s debts. So, Mother held 4 jobs and brother helped too. But as a child, I remember, running for my life every single day. I remember fearing for my own life every second of the day, taking in every day as a blessing. As my brother grew older, he took on more jobs, to help Mother out with paying the endless debts that Father owed, I was still too young. One day, Father came home completely drunk. He held a bottle of beer in his hands and just drank away as we stared at him with cold, hard eyes filled with hatred. Yes, I hated my own Father. I hated him for making Mother, brother and I suffer so much. Mother, being the kind, positive, selfless and loving soul that she is, she started cleaning Father up with a smile on her face. When happened next, I will never forget. He smashed that glass beer bottle he had onto Mother’s head and started blaming everything on us, apparently the Snakes had came to find him. I don’t know how Mother could have been so optimistic about this, she never blamed him, all her life, she never did. We should have ran off that day, I know we should have ! Because… the next week, the Snakes found us again. They came, with guns and bats and metal rods in their hands. And they beat us up as Father watched, he had absolutely no emotion in them, not pity, not sadness, not even a sign of guilt lingered in them ! Oh how I hated him. The loan sharks wanted to leave this as just a warning, by beating us up and scaring us. But one of those fools messed up, they killed Mother. And through her last breath, she still didn’t blame Father. Oh God I hate him ! Mother shouldn’t have died, he should have been the one lying there with bloody pool surrounding him, not Mother ! Can you imagine ? 9 year old me, loathing her own Father, wishing death upon him and even witnessing her own Mother die before her very eyes… Since that day, my brother and I fled, taking everything we could find with us, including some of Mother’s things, and we left Father to even try and survive on his own, we’ve been running away from him and the loan sharks ever since. Brother quit school to work and earn money to support us both, to pay for the rental of the room we shared from an old lady, to pay for our food and water. I studied well and hard, of course, everything else, apart from money and my brother didn’t matter anymore. We scrimped and saved every penny we had, it was the only good for our own survival. Every time we heard that the Snakes came too close to where we were, we left town in search of another ‘home’. Huh, there is no home in this world to me,"

 

"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

"Well, it was Mother’s 10^th death anniversary. I missed her very much, I spent the entire day just grieving her death, wishing that she was still here with me. Brother grieved on his own, he went somewhere else. I couldn’t seem to function at all that day, all I could think of was Mother’s smile, her sweet and kind smile that never failed to seep warmth through my now cold and stony heart. Through these 10 years, I didn’t dare look at a single picture of hers though, I didn’t want to revisit that cruel day again, I couldn’t stand the feeling of being weak. I locked everything up every other day but on Mother’s death anniversary, it was a painful past to recall. But on that day itself, something just called to me. And so, I looked through the belongings that once belonged to Mother. Brother and I just took anything we could of hers when we fled that day, including this book. I never noticed it before, everything was just a blur that day. Apparently, it was some kind of spell book, I started to doubt that this was even Mother’s. Curiosity got the best of me and I started to try out all kinds of spells, I was completely immersed in the book. There was this one spell… It didn’t have a particular description on it, didn’t state what it was, or what it did. It seemed that none of the previous spells even took effect, so I just utilised that spell too. Turns out, it was a spell that summoned some kind of demon, a huge one with horns and a face that screamed ‘death’,  it’s eyes were bloodshot red, it had a gaping, big mouth with sharp teeth that could easily tear me apart. The first thing you do when you see a demon in your room is to run right ? And so I did, but unfortunately, the attempt was feeble and I was caught by its claws. I could feel it already crushing my bones, and its sharp claws punctured an artery, blood rushing out of it. With the sound of my heart pounding in my ears, accompanied with the ear-piercing shrieks of mine, I screamed out for help. The last thing that popped into my mind was death. And, uh, here I am.

 

"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 Suho. 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 Seulmin. Remember, as soon as you wake you will be watched and anaylzed.

"Wait Suho 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 Bom and you?"

"Seulmin. 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 27th. 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," the simplicity of these questions were strangely refreshing yet a little annoying from the increased exuberance of Bom. 

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

"Um well I also like the rain, y’know the weather, I know to others it’s gloomy and dull by I think of it as calm. Oh, and chocolates, they are the BEST food ever created, I can never get sick of them. And I love animals, I used to work at this pet shop in the neighbourhood, and I really enjoyed working with the animals. Oh but those cats are so lazy ! I’m definitely more of a dog person. Ah, and of course, clothes and makeup, especially eyeliner. But I never really get to experiment with them much since I could never afford to buy many of them, pity. Okay, this is weird, but I enjoy observing people, poor people, rich people, young ones, old ones, whatever. I get to understand people from all walks of life, and if you give me a description of a person, I could pinpoint to you their age, and of what class they are from. I really enjoy taking long walks too, that way I can be alone to think,"

 

"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 people who take things for granted, like as if things can just drop from the sky at the snap of your fingers, the world doesn’t work like that, you have to work hard for it. And I really hate it when people boss me around, I can make decisions on my own, it’s my life, no one’s the boss of me. I also don’t like overly perky people, they get my on nerves pretty darn easily, and they are so annoying ! I don’t like bugs either, especially ones that can fly, those tiny, irritating freaks. Ah, and carbonated drinks, the after feeling of the gas bubbling in my stomach, nope, don’t like it either.. 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, "My own life, of course. I still want to live life, I want to be able to complete and accomplish many more things in life. Sure, I’d grief over letting said friend down, but then I’d get over it wouldn’t I ? Don’t you think that this friend would do the same one day too ? They’d forget about you, so it’s definitely better to save yourself first. And who knows, maybe said friend could save his or herself, so my efforts would have gone to waste,"

 

"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; well, anyone in heaven trusts them enough to become their messenger right ? And I don’t think anyone bad would be in heaven, so, I think I can trust them more than any of the other options. One demon almost killed me, so I’m not even considering that one. Dark angels, they are tainted with some kind of darkness in them if they’re given the label ‘dark’ right ? So, I guess they’re in some way not as reliable, compared to a heaven’s messenger. 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’d just ignore the stupid bastard, I personally feel that giving this person absolutely no reaction would be the best. Bullies, or gossipers like to do what they do best because they want to see how you’d react to that, they take pleasure in seeing your pain, your sadness, your confusion. So, if they didn’t even get a reaction, I think they’d eventually stop, because it’s just boring to watch. They put in ‘effort’ into bullying you and you not giving them even a single look would kill them. If they do start trying even worse things, I think I’d still hold my head up and not do anything about it. Well, at least not in front of them, because I’d definitely report them or do something behind their back, of course. And then as for a friend; I'd stand up for my friend, of course. But, it depends on how badly in trouble I am if I get myself involved, I’m not stupid enough to get myself into a sticky situation voluntarily. Actually, I don’t think I’d even consider having a friend who gets themselves into such situations, it just screams trouble, and I definitely do NOT want to get myself involved in that.. 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 horned, bloodshot eyed, bigass demon, or any demon for that matter 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. I don’t know, sounds like it’d be fun to fall in love with a badass. But I do like peace from time to time though. 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?"

"Cadence, is my choice."

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

 

 

"…its not like you that much. BUT that makes it interesting. Why would you choose that one as a symbol of you? 

"I’ve been craving for some smoothness in my life lately. My whole life has been filled with too much edginess and sharp turns, too much grief and loss, I need to feel that sense of calm and fluency in my life. I’m just so sick of running away all the time, I just think it’s about time I stopped running. And speaking of a balance, shouldn’t it come soon now ? 

 

 

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

 

"You don't want me to give my honest opinion?" you mumbled at them

"Oh so its true then huh? Its not fair---I know you'll have no problem finding love,"

"How did we get to this topic ?" you snorted

"Um---I'm being honest with you. I mean just look at yourself! There's a mirror over on that wall,"

"I saw it," you breathed as you wished you could leave

"Come on you don't understand what I'm talking about! Come here!" your roommate moved over to the mirror pointing you towards it. Knowing they might never shut up about it or they were bound to do something crazy you obliged and walked over.

"There you happy?"

"Look at yourself----you'll see what I'm envious of,"

"Looks are so superficial there are more things to worry about,"

"We'll get to those later but for now----," you looked into the mirror against will and looked at yourself.

1 2 3 4

                

"Dude check it out I still have it! See my crown tattoo, it's just above my bum. I got it when I was 16, on my Mum's death anniversary. I just decided on that day that I'd get it because I remember how she used to call me 'Princess' all the time. It's ironic though, our lives were the complete opposite of being a royal. But she always tried her best to treat me like one,"

"These are the only things I have as reminder of my old life like this bracelet my Mother got me for my 8th birthday, it's funny how it still fits me perfectly. I remember when she first gave it to me, I was kinda pissed. Because she lied to me that it was fake gold, when it obviously wasn't. But now.. I'm glad she did. Because it's one of the only things I have left of her, so it's very precious to me and I take extra care of 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 Bom,"

"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 Hyunsik(BTOB)," commented the demon

"You can leave now Bom. 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?"

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

"I'm Hyunsik. 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," Hyunsik 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 Seulmin. Because you're going to do alot I can tell...,"

"How?"

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