Teiko had long been one of the most upright of disciples belonging to the Tengu Clan. She had done as her elders wished, learned of the secrets of searching souls, and was even talented at Soul Masonry. But one day, her grandfather said that she was to remain here until something special happened.

Her grandfather, Shouta, was a magnificent specimen of the Tengu Yokai. He had reached a level of soul searching to where he was even able to foresee the future! After one of his visions, he had made his only granddaughter stay at a remote location under the supervision of her uncle, Takumi. Takumi was more into Soul Masonry than anything else, so the location he called home became a hub for Soul Masons to learn the craft.

Teiko didn’t think today would be the day her grandfather’s vision would come true. She had spent these past 10 years protecting the mountains from those who would wish it harm. Even though she was only 15, she had already started to grow in. Sometimes, she was actually the reason some Demons caused trouble.

Not that she cared, she was too focused on her training for anything else. She tried to show her grandfather that she could be of use. She was never told the complete reason for her staying here. She was just told she would meet an amazing person.

Before her stood a Wandering Spirit, a Gryphon, and a small human boy. A wandering Spirit that radiates such an aura would be crazy strong, not to mention a Gryphon. But the weirdest part was the human from which she couldn’t feel anything.

Well, she couldn’t feel a soul anyway. She did feel disgust from his obvious staring at her chest. She tried really hard to flatten it using wrapping cloth, but it still showed her curves. These things just got in the way of her training and just gathered the eyes of men everywhere. It sickened her.

When the three just stood there, looking rather flabbergasted, she yelled again.

“Did you not hear me? I said get lost!”

At this, the boy spoke out,

“But I was wanting to learn how to be a Soul Mason.”

Now it was Teiko’s turn to be flabbergasted. A human, trying to become a Soul Mason?! She actually chuckled at the thought. That was when Takumi soared over from the workshop atop the mountain peak.

“Teiko, what’s going on? I can hear you all the way inside. Hmm?”

Takumi took one look at the tools the three had and started to drool. Literally.

“Would these young masters like to visit our mountain? Please, right this way!”

His attitude put the three off as they were a little confused about what to do. Melakios put the Soul Items away into a pack rat, but was surprised by the yelling that followed.

“What the hell is that?!”

“Ouch, Teiko, why yell?”

Her uncle was caught off guard.

“Isn’t that a version of a void bag?!”

Melakios settled down and began to converse with the lady.

“It is the soul spirit of a plague pack rat. It has the ability to store things in itself like a pouch. It does hold more than a 1st Tier void bag, but it also keeps things relatively preserved.”

Takumi’s eyes were lit up like a starry night sky.

“Please, please, we’ll talk more over a meal!”

The three were guided all around the premises, seeing the living quarters, the workshop, and then finally arriving at the hall. This was where the disciples and masters convened at supper to discuss other matters. Clair, Alkelios, and Melakios all sat at the far end of the table, since that was where Clair would have to sit anyway.

Teiko looked at Melakios the entire night with suspicion and frustration. Melakios would feed Clair and then look around the room, glancing momentarily at the fuming female. After the meal was over, the five of them went to a different room to speak about more private matters. Teiko and Takumi sat at two corners, while Alkelios and Clair sat at the others with Melakios was sandwiched between them.

Melakios told his story, while Takumi and even Teiko began changing their opinions. The night was filled with the exchange of ideas and processes, finally arriving at agreeing to teach Melakios how to be a Soul Mason. But Teiko spoke up just as everyone thought that it was over.

“You’re weak.”

Alkelios nodded, then replied,

“Yep, he is. We haven’t had time to actually teach him. I have been with him since birth, but I cannot seem to provide him with appropriate instructions.”

“No, as in his body is too weak. He can’t do anything like this. I will teach him how to protect himself and even share with him my insights on soul searching.”

Takumi was pleasantly surprised, since he thought Teiko would never accept a human, even less teach one. She prided herself on being a Yokai, but something about this boy seemed to call out to her.

“We can start your training now.”

“What?”

Melakios looked up, confused.

Alkelios put down his cup of Soul Fire, and stood up. Alkelios must be leveling up rather quickly, if he can already interact with outside objects.

“Hehe, good luck, boy! I am going to practice my routine.”

Clair went to sleep.

“Guys!”

Melakios was dragged off by the teenage Tengu.

They were on the highest point of the mountain. Sitting side by side, all by themselves, Melakios was, for the first time in his life, nervous. This girl was really forceful. She was also scary, but he couldn’t seem to look away from her. Seeing her profile outlined by the purple moon accenting her pretty figure mesmerized him. Melakios all of a sudden thought of Ashikalla which made him feel really guilty, for some reason. Shaking himself away from such thoughts, he began to refocus on his meditation.

Unbeknownst to him, Teiko was also feeling strange. She had never focused on a boy before. Not able to focus, she decided to check if Melakios was trying. When she saw him, his face was lit by the moon, turning his red hair a deep violet. She got lost in the moment as she looked at his aura. Aura did not come from the souls, because aura was something within all things, living or not.

The aura permeating from Melakios was a strange silver color. One she hadn’t seen for some time. Not since her grandfather. When she remembered her grandfather, she remembered his words.

“Little Teiko, one day you will find a man who you will be attached to by fate. You will help him and maybe even join him on his journey…Hahaha! As if some little brat is going to take away my little granddaughter!”

Her grandfather’s laughing smile filled her thoughts as she continued to look at Melakios, not realizing a smile was creeping onto her face. She was snapped out of the moment when she noticed Melakios’ eyes were open and staring right at her.