Hitomi Ichinohei Apparantly, someone has found out that I write some novels. I just had this file uploaded to my account in WordPerfect format. I appreciate that you like my writing, but providing the file to me without any indication of who you are indicates that YOU ARE PLANNING TO TRANSLATE COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL WITHOUT MY PERMISSION. I will let this particular file go since it is already done. But provide me with your e-mail address since the story is currently being translated by a contract. It will appear in it's original form sometime in the future as a full novel. Some points about this story. 1) Many liberties have been taken with the characters actions 2) While this resembles the original novels chapter one, it is not it. 3) The story is rewriten as an western team instead of the original team. Some points on the original novel. 1) It is being translated. 2) There was a limited supply of the original press run and there will not be any more. 3) THERE IS NO SEQUEL nor is there likely to be. 4) Questionable endings are what I like, it lets the person think. 5) I WILL NOT RELEASE MATERIAL THAT I WRITE TO SELL OVER THE NET. 6) ANOTHER VIOLATION OF MY COPYRIGHT AND I WILL ATTEMPT TO TRACK YOU DOWN TO SERVE YOU WITH A COURT ORDER. Mystic Justice Comic book based in 12th century Europe Character Names and race Kira - Human - Main character - Female - Fighter/magic User Father - Human - One shot character - Male Tanisa - Human - Recurring character - Female - High level magic user Taruan - Human - Main character - Male - Thief Cunumbulia - Human - Main character - Male - Priest Nancia - Human - Main character - Female - Wizardress Barnual - Dwarf - Main character - Male - Fighter Asaiya - Elf - Main character - Female - Fighter/magic user Dalshay - Human - Main character - Male - Wizard CHAPTER ONE: BEGINNINGS The tavern was like many others in northern Europe. Dark, smoky, interior with most of the light coming from the fireplace in the back wall. The air was filled with the nervous, forcibly happy, voices of men coming in from the fields. It was starting to get cold outside, and they were worried about the rumours of fighting going on nearby. The woman in the corner didn't help to allay their fears. She stood just over five feet, four inches, tall for a woman in an age where the average size of the men was five feet, two inches. She seemed happy and absorbed in her wine, not making any noise, not joining in with the rowdiness. Most men would have called her beautiful, with long auburn hair and greenish-grey eyes. Her features were delicate, a virtual princess, if a princess would ever show herself in a common bar. In many ways she would make the perfect wife. What got the men nervous was that she was wearing armour and wielding a very sharp sword that was half out of its scabbard. At the moment she was deep in thought, reflecting on her life and the mess it had become. FLASHBACK: Fade into a memory setting. The scene is the inside of a small keep with Kira shown at the age of ten. At this point in time, she does not have the musculature that she has now, nor does she have the calm, self assured demeanour that she portrays in her current life. She is wearing a long dress and talking to her father at the dinner table. FATHER: Well Kira, what did you do today? KIRA: I played with some of the other children Papa. It was fun, we were pretending to be great ladies of the court, with all sorts children, and beautiful clothes, and husbands, and everything. FATHER: (chuckles) As long as you had fun. Of course you won't be getting married too soon now, will you? KIRA: PAPA!! FATHER: No, I suppose not, not that you wouldn't make a lovely bride, but to me you are still my little girl. KIRA: (blushing) Oh Papa! I'm not going to be little much longer, after all, I'm already 10. FATHER: (Laughing) Yes you are, Your mother would have been so proud of you, she had your spirit, and your mannerisms. By the way, I have a present for you, if you can promise to be a good little girl. KIRA: PAPA!! PRESENT: The bar. KIRA: (thinking while drinking) To think that I was so innocent. Now it seems as though someone else lived that life. How could father have allowed me to be such a fool! (closes eyes and leans back into the wall) If only it could have lasted longer, I would not have had to take up these damnable weapons. I still remember that last day, father looked so handsome, and he finely found someone he could be happy with. FADE: Kira is now twelve years old. She is staring down from the top of the tower at her father and the woman he loves. Life has been good. The lands were calm, people were free, and schools were being set up so that more people could learn the ways of the wise. She herself looks up to her mentor with love. She steps back from the parapet, her heart filled with love, happiness, and the longing for knowledge. She takes a deep breath, her arms wide, as though she is trying to drink in sunlight. TANISA: (smiling) Well, young lady, what are you doing that you would lose track of time? KIRA: Oh, Tanisa, it's such a beautiful day outside, I just wanted to bathe in the sunshine. (spins) You have to admit that such days are rare, even where the wise reside. TANISA: Remember Kira, the wise do not fool with the natural workings of the universe without a very good reason. Such magics are dangerous since they can destroy our world. KIRA: I can't see why making the sun shine would be bad for people, after all, it would be nice to have it shining everyday. TANISA: Think what it would do to the land, by stopping the rain, you don't water the plants, the plants die and the soil drys up. By having the sun without water to balance it, you create a desert where fire elementals are at home. KIRA: I read about the deserts in the books that you had me read, I still can't believe that such a place could exist. TANISA: Such places do exist, my young falcon. One day I'll take you there. In the meantime, it's time for practice. (leads Kira towards the staircase to the castle courtyard) KIRA: Now? TANISA: Now. KIRA: (on the way the staircase) Which spells will I be practising today? TANISA: Some of the more practical ones such as Levitation and Daemon Fire, then I'll teach you how to use the Disarm spell. KIRA: (climbing onto the horses) Can that spell really be used to make an opponent drop all their weapons? TANISA: (galloping out of the gate) Look behind you. SCENE: They have left the castle and are on the road towards the outlying woods. Behind them, the guards weapons have dropped from their hands, especially since they are using them to hold their uniforms together. THIS NEXT PAGE IS DIVIDED INTO SECTIONS ONE AND TWO. SECTION ONE DEALS WITH THE CASTLE WHICH IS TO BE DRAWN ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE PAGE AND SECTION TWO DEALS WITH THE ACTIONS OUT IN THE WOODS. Sec 1. A dark ominous cloud begins to gather over the castle. It sudden appearance causes the people to shudder. Sec 2. Kira casts the Kratota spell which creates a daemon out of green flame. Sec 1. The wizards are alerted and fire some counter spells as the cloud strikes the village with a massive set of beams. Sec 2. Kira is enjoying making herself float. She is looking at a squirrel who is peeking out of some leaves at her. Tanisa is below her looking amused at the innocence of her student. Sec 1. The castle and the village are being reduced to ashes. The wizards are now dead and horrible demons are striking at anyone in the streets. Sec 2. Tanisa is showing Kira how to cast the Disarm spell, with a slight variation of hers that also detaches the retainers on a persons armour. WE NOW RETURN TO THE NORMAL DRAWING STYLE OF THE COMIC BOOKS WE LOVE SO MUCH. SCENE: Tanisa and Kira are leaving the woods and heading towards the village. From where they are, they can see the devastation. KIRA: What happened? TANISA: I don't know, Kira, but lets, (she glances towards the castle) By the Goddess!! SCENE: Kira looks towards the castle. She sees the destroyed towers and screams, "Noooooooo...." and galloping off screams, "Father!" before Tanisa has a chance to calm her down or stop her. As she rides by, you can see the tears streaming from her face and the sudden hard look of determination she gets. She is no longer an innocent young girl, but a woman who has lost all she knew. She arrives at the castle and gets off the horse. She sees her fathers body in the ruins. He is dead and you can see some of the ribs poking out through his chest. A demon has ripped out his heart. By this time Tanisa has caught up to her and pulls her back before she can come close to the corpse. Kira screams "FATHER" and collapses into Tanisa's arms, crying hard. PRESENT: Kira is thinking back on those day's and a grim, wry smile comes over her face. KIRA: "If it wasn't for mother, I wouldn't have been able to face that horror," she thinks, "I would have killed myself then if she hadn't held me and comforted me. After we buried father on that hill, she took me back to the castle and that underground chamber. The surprises that were waiting for me shook the foundations of my life. FADE: Under the castle is a large chamber, a room filled with books, clothing and trunks. It is amazingly intact despite the ruined towers that are above them. KIRA: What is this place Tanisa? TANISA: This was once one of your mothers chambers, a specially spelled place that could not be destroyed by ordinary magic. KIRA: My mothers chamber? Why wouldn't father have told me of this? He said that she was pretty and beautiful. He loved her so much. TANISA: Your father didn't want you to follow in her footsteps. She was a warrior, who battled evil beings with her sword and her magic. These books contain all of her knowledge and her spells. and this closet contains her weapons and armour. They are yours now. KIRA: Tanisa, I never knew my mother, I don't even know what her real name was. To me you are my mother. I don't care about any of this stuff. TANISA: (blushing) I have come to think of you as my daughter, the child I could never have. However, this is your legacy, your past and your future. Do not give it up. (opens the closet) This was your mothers armour and sword. They are a bit big for you now, but you will grow into them. (the same armour and sword that she is wearing) We will seal this chamber to the outside world and build a magical gate between here and a dwelling place. There I shall teach you all about magic, and I will get someone I know to teach you the skills of a warrior. Will that be okay with you? KIRA: It's fine with me, mother. TANISA: (smiles at the new appellation) Then we shall take some of the books, the sword, and the armour with us. PRESENT: The bar. KIRA: It took us a long time to reach a quiet place, such a long time to travel through forgotten lands and mists like the dawn of time. (a disturbance in the bar) Eh? What's that? (Kira looks up from her wine) This looks interesting. SCENE: In the bar there is a commotion as the commoners gather around a blond haired man at the bar. He is a bit nervous, but has an air of politeness, and a open face. He is in a bit of trouble however. VILLAGER 1: You Thief! I just saw you pick that mans purse. TARUAN: I assure you sir, I did nothing of the kind. If the gentleman is missing his purse, it is because he lost it, not because I stole it. SCENE: Second villager checks for his purse. VILLAGER 1: Don't lie thief!! I saw you do it and you're going to pay, if not with the return of the purse, then with blood. VILLAGER 2: (pulls a knife) Hand me back my purse, or so help me, I'll slit you like a pig. TARUAN: (backing away) Now my good man, I'm sure that you are mistaken. I don't want any trouble, but as you can see all I have is my own purse. SCENE: Villager is about to use the knife when his hand is grabbed by Kira. KIRA: Stop this right now. (reaches for her purse and pulls out two gold coins) This should cover your losses. If there is going to be any bloodshed in this bar, I'll be the perpetrator. VILLAGER 2: (visibly shaken) Yes sir, I mean yes my lady. KIRA: (points at Taruan) Come with me, or do you want to take a chance on being gutted? TARUAN: Given the options, I accept your kind invitation. SCENE: Both of them walk back to Kira's table and the villagers now look both relieved and more nervous than ever. KIRA: So, my little thief, are pickings that slim that you would stoop to robbing peasants? TARUAN: Now, my good lady, Although I did not necessarily steal that mans purse, I am indebted to you. If it is not impolite, may I ask why a woman as lovely as yourself chooses to be a warrior? It is an unusual profession for a woman. KIRA: Now I know you are a thief. Flattery, contrary to popular belief, will not gain you good graces. Around me, it is more likely to lead to your death. TARUAN: (looking very nervous) I realize that you are probably on a quest of some kind so I think I'll take my leave. KIRA: Sit down, and have something to drink. A couple of my friends will be coming by, and I think I'll need someone with your skills. TARUAN: Lady, what skills do I possess that you need? KIRA: Your skill at not telling me your name. TARUAN: It is Taruan, My lady. KIRA: And mine is Kira. Now that we have been introduced, have some supper and a drink, you may find what my friends and I do rather profitable for you? TARUAN: My lady, ...Kira, I would enjoy anything that I can do for profit. (money signs above his head) KIRA: Then eat, drink, and be merry. When the two people I am thinking of arrive, we will discuss possible rewards and dangers. TARUAN: (in the process of ordering) Oh I don't mind discussing the possible rewards and (double take) DID YOU SAY DANGERS!! KIRA: (drinking) I wonder what Asaiya and Nancia will think of this one. FADE: It is several years later. Kira is now about fifteen and has a pesky young girl with her. This girl, about three years younger, is Nancia, who is fascinated with what Kira can do and looks at her as an older sister. Kira likes her company, but considers her a nuisance sometimes, as is the way with teenagers. With her is Asaiya who is training her in the art of the sword. ASAIYA: Hold the tip of your sword up, Kira. If you keep it like that in a fight someone will run you through. KIRA: I'm trying Asaiya, but this thing is heavy. ASAIYA: All swords are heavy Kira, The idea is to strengthen your arms and body to be able to take the weight. You also have to build your endurance. After all, most women cannot match the strength of a male. NANCIA: But boys are so cute, especially when you surprise them by appearing out of thin air. ASAIYA: Nancia, did you use that cloaking spell I was trying to teach Kira? (both Asaiya and Kira look up from what they are doing) NANCIA: (making a circle with her toe) Well, Kira was so busy, and there was nothing else to do, so I, well I ...I looked into her books and started reading up on what she does. KIRA: (getting a little angry) You looked into my books? ASAIYA: (raises her eyebrow and smiles a little) So you could understand what they said? NANCIA: Well, not a first, but Kira can do so many wonderful and amazing things, and I wanted to learn to be so much like her. KIRA: (now a little embarrassed) You want to be like me? Why? NANCIA: You're so beautiful, and strong. All the boys like you, and the magics that you can do are so pretty. ASAIYA: It seems that you are able to enjoy the magics, and are able to perform them. You have a future as a magic user. NANCIA: But I'm not as good as Kira. ASAIYA: You have to find your own way. Not everyone can teach you about life, and magic is no different. Be yourself. KIRA: Despite what mother thinks, I'm not that good with magic, Nancia, I'm Just learning how to use a sword by itself, and, well ... you should learn something. You are my best friend. NANCIA: You don't mind if I read or use your books and scrolls? KIRA: (laughing) Not as long as you ask me first. PRESENT: KIRA: (sipping her drink) She certainly can surprise people, actua... (Her eyes are covered from behind) NANCIA: Guess who! KIRA: Hello Nancia, pull up a chair and have some wine. TARUAN: (startled) Where'd she come from? SCENE: Asaiya walks through the door and heads towards the table. She is shaking her head at Nancias' antics. Nancia is laughing at her little joke. ASAIYA: Don't mind her, she enjoys sneaking up on people. It's a very useful skill, (looks at the ceiling) if it isn't over done. NANCIA: Oh, not that again. KIRA: She's right you know. If you keep doing that, sooner or later someone will set up a trap for you. TARUAN: (stands) JUST WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE!?!? You (points to Kira) are a fighter, you (points to Nancia) appear out of nowhere, and you (points at Asaiya) I'm not sure what you are other than an elf, and I'm not sure I want to know. (Villagers are leaving the bar afraid that there will be a fight) KIRA: Sit down, Taruan, we are what we appear to be, and as you said, we are on a quest for justice. TARUAN: Justice depends on a point of view. All I'm into is profit. ASAIYA: If civilization is destroyed, how much profit will there be? Can you survive if no one is around? As it is, the world will lose a lot. TARUAN: What do you mean, 'The world will lose a lot?' KIRA: Knowledge, experience, liberty. These thing are already in scarce supply. How much longer do you think humans can last if we continue going as we are? NANCIA: Evil magic is destroying our world. Can you stand by and allow yourself to be destroyed? TARUAN: I guess I don't really have a choice do I? (looks grim) Where do we go and what do we have to do. KIRA: Then you'll join us? TARUAN: As I said, I don't have a choice. NANCIA: (giggling) Then I don't suppose that you mind having a different outlook on life? SCENE: Kira and Asaiya are now laughing out loud. Nancia's cast a spell that has added a donkeys tail to Taruans' bottom. TARUAN: (shakes his head) I don't know what you're laughing at, but do you think you can share the joke? SCENE: They all look at Taruan (empty bar) and start laughing harder than ever. Taruan has a confused, mystified look on his face. (his tail starts swinging about behind him) SCENE: The next day, as the sun rises, the adventurers are packing up their horses. They enjoyed themselves immensely the night before (who knows when they will see a civilized town again?) and Taruan has a headache from all the wine and ale he drank. (he is wondering about his sanity after hearing what they have to do) TARUAN: Lets go over this again, for my own sanity. KIRA: We need to find five items. A sword, a staff, a cup, a book, and cord. Then we go after the evil that has scared the land. ASAIYA: First, we have to meet some friends of ours. They have certain abilities and information that will help us. TARUAN: That's not exactly what I meant. NANCIA: Then what do you mean? TARUAN: We are trying to find items that no one has seen in hundreds of years and that might not even exist, going to fight sorcerous creatures that can easily kill us, and trying to find an enemy that is unknown and unseen. NANCIA: (smiling with her tongue sticking out) Exactly, I'm glad you paid attention. MYSTIC JUSTICE ORIGINAL STORY: ICHINOHEI HITOMI EDITED BY: TONY CHAN ORIGINAL ARTWORK BY: THOMAS CHAN ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: JUNE 17, 1993 TRANSLATIONS BY: TOTO SCRIPT FORMAT BY: RONIN APPOLOGIES TO THE AUTHOR FOR TAKING LIBERTIES WITH THE ORIGINAL STORY. EPILOGUE: This story was originally written by a young woman named Ichinoehi Hitomi, now based in Winnipeg. The story, which is quite intriguing, is about a fight for justice in a society where might makes right. The original novel left off with the characters facing a final battle. Unfortunately, there has not been a second printing of the book, as it only had a small press run. Toto (not his real name) and I, Ronin (not my real name) will translate and put this into script form. The story loses a lot in translation, unfortunately, as many references are made to thing definately asian in origin. The fact that the book never reached a conclusion leaves a question, will there be a second book. Maybe if all of us out there ask, she'll place the full story on the net and write a sequel. How about it Hitomi? Finish the story or give me permision to.