Beginning's End

Chapter 1

Yin and Yang.

Two entities that define omega and alpha. The peanut butter to the jelly sandwich.

I introduce you to Taneko and Tamero Aritado.

These twins, often overlooked as weak and practically unimportant, are (as obvious as it is) the holders of Yin and Yang.

The origin of their overwhelming power is quite the peculiar one, if I have a say. It all started with two children in need of fun and trouble.

Rotter village in the Warrot Valley was well known for its flourishing vegetation, picturesque views and architecture, and its inhabitants. The Otters.

Otters had been noted for their intellectual prowess and their enviable ability of being light-footed. Alluring huts stood proud and lined a distance between each other. Traditional ornaments and hunting skins lay on display from the Poles of Prestige. Proud warriors marched down the open path all the way into the Warrior Wing hut. Loud chatter surrounded the village, the source being all the aunties of the village outside doing their laundry.

Young children of Rotter were seen running about the open lands, occasionally weaving through the tropical foliage and saplings of Nandinas. Adolescents spent their time either learning teachings from their elders or more likely spending time with their fathers learning how to fish and hunt for game.

Taneko and Tamero, as children of no more than 8 in years, were expected to be out making mud pies or Taneko running away from Tamero who was rumored to have cooties, but unnaturally, they were secretly following those out to hunt. As much of a learning experience it is for the youngest of the village to endure, it was forbidden for those younger than the age of 12 to partake in such activities, much less without adult supervision.

Where were these children's parents? Well, long story short, they're dead. Yes, they are flying high in the sky looking up at an even higher cloud instead of watching over their children as the deceased are meant to.

Tamero, the more outgoing of the two, decided it would be best to take a minute detour in order to, in his words, "Get away with following them by covering our trail and tracks".

Taneko, the reserved one, saw this as a bad idea, yet followed on with it due to the exhilaration she felt from breaking the rules.

By now, dusk had taken over the skies, which in turn started the sparkle of the first few stars. It was quite a while before a clearing could be found, but once it was, only awe was present between the two inheritors.

A pond lay in front of them. Light from the ascent of the moon had begun to reflect on the crystal clear waters. Sparkles of glitter-like light danced on every last wavelet. A drizzle of snowflakes reflected the delicate moonlight, creating an intricate depiction of 'picture perfect'. A lily pad or two sat floating on the surface of the transparent pond. A few flowers falling from nearby sakura trees only decorated the area more. The sweet melodious sound of sedge warblers singing highlighted the outline of the scenic view.

Unknowingly, the two siblings had begun to hold hands, both in slight fear and pure admiration of the peaceful panorama. A step toward the edge of the pond started a chain of one more, followed by another and another until they could both practically breathe in the purity of the pond.

The twins sat on their knees, eyes darting about in curiosity. They both contemplated waiting a while before Taneko spotted two fish. Koi fish, to be specific. One entirely black, the other following the exact opposite suit, branding white.

The two fish moved in only a circular motion, making themselves appear even more out of place than usual. The two pairs of eyes simply stared, faltering their gaze for just a moment due to the disbelief in the fact that the koi may have been...glowing.

Just as curiosity killed the cat, it did the same to these unfortunate children. The reins of force rung themselves around the two necks, pulled by Curiosity. She spoke with a voice so captivating that it resembled that of a Siren's. As she drew them closer and closer into the depths of the water, and held out their two arms, a harsh tail-like entity wrapped itself around the two slightly chubby bodies, and pulled.

Struggle was the first thing that came to the minds of the twins. As their hands tugged and pulled at their restraints, air from their lungs began depleting at a rapid pace. They began to drown almost at once. This time, they both were at the point of a seizure with the level of desperation in their movements. Just as fast as the attack came, and the struggle of their voluntary apnea gone, the two inhaled the water which soon after killed them.

Or so they thought.

The powerful Koi continued circulating in their methodical formation. They, however, were rotating in the direction of the fresh corpses. They began spinning at a faster pace with each full rotation. Soon enough, they were a ball of light and dark revolving around the two bodies.

Yin (darkness/night) swam into Taneko's mouth, instantly sacrificing itself for the resurrection, health and strong growth of the young girl.

Yang (light/day) swam into Tamero's mouth, also giving its healing properties and power to the twin.

Not more than a minute had passed before both pairs of eyes shot open with a start, and their bodies began to float to the surface once more. Their eyes glowed with the colour corresponding with that of their predecessors. A hunger that had grown overtime from the beginning of their journey to the near end was satisfied with the help of the now dead Koi fish.

The fresh air attacked their lungs and the wind ate at their faces with a brute force. Neither Taneko nor Tamero bothered to care for all they could focus on was the foreign force coursing through their veins. Their hands interlocked, and they continued the tradition as the successors of Yin and Yang, causing the cycle to start once again.

As each rotation gained in speed, incoherent speech rolled out of both tongues. What started out as a whisper gradually gained volume turning the previously incomprehensible murmur into an amplification of speech that stretched across lands.

The pressure between them built up, not a single flaw in their performance. On the outside, the two looked as calm and collected as ever, however on the inside, their organs were playing gymnastics in their breadbaskets.

The moment the pressure was sufficient enough, the bond between the two snapped, sending both children flying directly into the cherry blossoms.

Not more than five minutes had passed before the elders, the higher council and four warriors found Tamero and Taneko. Elder Liyen and his wife Sister Avae had witnessed the 'possession' of the girls. Although Sister Avae knew what had happened, and saw it as a gift and a good omen, her husband could not find it within him to agree.

Elder Liyan saw them as harbingers of grim tidings. It was he who organized the Aritado's banishment from Warrot Valley. And it was he who nearly requested the death of the two when they prophesied death and destruction of the village.

It was now that the sun sank slowly, bathing the valley in blood red light, making even the desolation appear almost beautiful.