1Soul Hunter . Tamashii Karyuudo
Crescentlite
Found in an ancient manual buried together with the Murasenzo lies the roots of the Tamashii Karyuudo, also known as the Shiika. Shiikas are soul hunters. They collect souls and send them to Nisekai, the world where all souls go to for judgment after death. In a sense Shiikas act like Shinigami, the Gods of Death. But while a Shinigami sends the soul directly to Nisekai, Shiikas can choose to keep the souls at their sides for companion, protection or anything. Each soul has a rank from the weakest at ichihoshi, nihoshi, sanhoshi and shihoshi. It has been said that when one collects 10 000 shihoshi souls they will gain tremendous abilities like never before. Tamashii karyuudos around the world, both good and evil, each search for 10 000 shihoshis to fulfill their own agendas.
And that's where our story begins…
On the island Rakuen…
The morning sun shone hard on the grass patch wet with dew drops. Happy bird chirping sounds could be heard, so were the laughter of children and typical island sounds. Cheerfully running out of the house, Zenaku Akki stepped barefooted over the dewy grass.
"Umi nee-san, let me help you with the laundry!" Akki shouted and scrambled over to gather the clothes.
( Zenaku Akki, age 14, resident of Rakuen island )
"Akki you can help me lay the table for breakfast instead. I'm almost done with the clothes." smiled Jizen Umi.
( Zenaku Akki, age 14, resident of Rakuen island, orphaned after murder of parents, adopted by the Jizen family )
Akki nodded her head and went back into the house. Inside, the firewood cackled and the room was basked in its warm glow. The house was moderately small and had been significantly ravaged by time. It was here that Akki finally found some comfort after her parents' death 6 years ago. Akki set down the cutlery and sat at one of the wooden chairs thinking about her past. That fateful night 6 years ago changed her life entirely. Back then she had only been 8. There she had been, sitting at the table enjoying a feast of chicken with her family laughing as always when the sound of shattered glass split her ears.
"Otousan! Okaasan!" screamed Akki.
The dinner table broke apart and wooden splinters drove into Akki's body. Akki tried standing up but slipped on some water and knocked herself unconscious. The last thing she remembered was seeing her okaasan shout something and an aoi kiri evolving. When she woke up again, her house was falling apart and flames engulfed its entity. She just laid there in a fetal position until the villagers came to put out the fire…
"Akki?"
Akki broke out of her daydream. She didn't realize she had been crying until she felt the dampness on her clothes. Forcing on a smile she pretended that something flew into her eyes and that she wasn't really crying.
"I'm fine Umi nee-san… let's start breakfast! After that I want to go for a walk!"
Umi smiled sympathetically at Akki. Akki and she weren't really related. 6 years ago Akki's parents perished in the fire and none of the villagers wanted to associate with the child. It was all because of the symbol they found among the ashes of the burnt down house. It was the crest of the Kage no Ishi – an evil association bent on world domination. In this world, no matter who you are, a highly respected scientist, an S ranked Shiika or a young child, as long as the Kage no Ishi have connections to you, nobody wants anything to do with you. From then on, the villagers avoided Akki and told their children to stay away from her. Akki would have died if not for the sympathy the Jizens showed her. Though Umi was wary of Akki at first, interaction and time with Akki soon led her to accept Akki as part of her family.
"The eggs were delicious Umi nee-san! I'm going for a walk now!" said Akki and she left the house.
Walking slowly, Akki began humming a melody her okaasan used to sing to her.
"Ite…" she muttered and rubbed the back of her head. Soon more rocks were being pelted at her as the village children aimed their stones at the defenseless Akki.
"Leave this island before the Kage no Ishi gets here you devil!" shouted one boy as he aimed a rock at Akki's cheek.
"Yea! You troublemaker! Leave us alone!" screamed another one.
"Kazuno! Don't go near the devil child! Get back into the house!" said a frantic mother as she hurriedly steered her child away.
Akki dejectedly dropped herself on the dusty floor. The wounds drew blood but she didn't care. She was used to such physical attacks already, but each time the emotional attacks on her heart grew worst. Tears strewn down her cheeks and she covered her face, all the while sobbing uncontrollably. Her body shook like she was in terrible pain; nobody was there to help her.
( Zenaku Akki, age 14, resident of Rakuen island, orphaned after murder of parents, adopted by the Jizen family, shunned by the island )
001: I WANT TO GO!
The door to the Jizens' house creaked open slowly. Umi turned her head and was about to greet Akki when she saw the state the girl was in.
"Akki!' Umi said with concern.
Akki turned her head and smiled at Umi. "I'm fine. I just fell down and scratched myself that's all."
Umi frowned and sighed. "Akki, there's something I really need to tell you. About your parents, about why we adopted you when so many others are afraid."
"Go on." Akki prompt.
Umi took a deep breath and launched into what became the explanation that would change Zenaku Akki's life. "Your parents Zenaku Ishita and Saeka Tomoe are tamashii karyuudos."
"Tamashii karyuudos?" asked Akki with a bewildered look of her face.
"Yes, they were shiikas. Very famous ones in fact. They were almost a legendary couple and were so close to collecting 10 000 shihoshis. Let me explain the whole thing to you. Firstly, shiikas are soul hunters that can choose to send souls to Nisekai or let them double as protectors. There is a legend that says that if you collect 10 000 shihoshis, you would be blessed with extraordinary powers!" exclaimed Umi loudly. A proud look adorned her face, as if she felt extremely honored to be the guardian of the Zenaku's only child.
"You know your adopted parents are merchants and they travel around to conduct their business. However, no matter how much trading they did, in their minds they could never earn enough. They made a stupid mistake and began dealing in the black market, partners with the Kage no Ishi. My parents sold them weapons and before long, they became very rich from these underworld deals. Unfortunately they got greedy and offended the Kage no Ishi. Zenaku-sama and Saeka-sama brought them out of the mess and made enemies out of the Kage no Ishi. They promised my parents their relationship with the Kage no Ishi will be kept a secret on this island." Umi continued, her hands clasped tightly.
Akki felt a surge of pride for her parents. She always thought her parents were the most ordinary people and thought the residents of Rakuen respected them because of their kindness. She never imagined them to be such strong warriors. She waited eagerly for Umi to complete her story.
"Everything was peaceful on Rakuen island. No wars, no famine nor drought. Everyone was amicable. Years after my parents stopped their trading with other islands, the Kage no Ishi found the people who caused them a great deal of damage – the famous Shiika duo, Zenaku and Saeka your parents. That was 6 years ago, when you were 8. The Kage no Ishi planned a sneak attack on your parents and killed them. Although the Kage no Ishi did nothing to the island, the residents felt the peace they once had was destroyed and they blame it on your parents." Umi's voice shook. "It was my parents' fault and yet you were the one who suffered the most! I can't forgive my parents!" Umi leaned her elbows on the table for support. Akki didn't know what to do. Now she knew what caused her parents' death, but suddenly she felt helpless and extremely vulnerable. It was one thing to learn your parents were great heroes, yet another thing to know that they died in vain. She felt indebted to the Jizens for bringing her up, but an uncontrollable rage directed at them simultaneously.
Umi finally looked up. "I've heard about this legendary school that hones the skills of people interested in becoming Shiikas. It's on Island Zero, a mysterious island that my parents have only been to once. It will probably take you 2 months to get there if you take the ship. I have some savings that should get you through, but you may have to take up some jobs to earn more." Umi rubbed her hands together nervously.
"But –" Akki started and was cut off by a flustered Umi.
"But of course you wouldn't want to become a Shiika, considering that you may meet up with the Kage no Ishi anytime. I haven't even asked your opinion and here I am, sprouting rubbish about training on Island Zero. It's too dangerous for a child anyway. So forget I ever mentioned it Akki. I'll go get you a glass of water now." Umi disappeared into the kitchen and bit back her tears.
For the first time since her parents' death, Akki felt excited again. What was this new world that had been hidden from her for so long? Suddenly she wanted to get out of Rakuen and explore the world! Get out and make friends! A fresh new start where nobody would know who she was and treat her like everyone else! And finally, avenge her parents…
"But! I want to go!" She shouted.
Umi dropped the cup upon hearing Akki's rather loud decision.
"I want to go to Island Zero and become a Shiika! I need to go there! I don't care what dangers may befall me but I want to go!" cried Akki defiantly. "I may look small but nonetheless I'm 14! I don't want to be treated like a child anymore."
Umi cracked a smile. She was glad Akki had been so forgiving towards the Jizens.
"Then go Akki. I will support you. Don't forget about me after you become a successful Shiika. I will be waiting for your good news." She smiled, her eyes turning wet with tears of joy.
"I promise I will return to Rakuen when I've defeated the Kage no Ishi. I will write as much as I can too. Thank you for everything Umi nee-san." There was a minute of silence as the words echoed around the house. That night, Akki couldn't get to sleep.
'Just 4 more hours… 4 more hours and I'll be on my way to Island Zero. Wait for me, Kage no Ishi!' she thought and finally drifted into sleep.