The Shrine Keeper And The Demon

Prologue

 Before, I was in a large gorgeous field, the grass slightly damp and soft on my feet as I approached the vast forest of Vitae that hugged the bay. The spring breeze was wrapping over me like a thin blanket; as I recall, it was, comforting. The forest I had only heard about was towering over me and shimmered with life; with each step, the forest seemed to open up, welcoming me inside. The rain dropped from the trees, shimmering on the leaves and making them almost glow with beauty. Enclosing the tiny clearing that separated the shrine and the forest of knobby old trees that dwarfed any others I could remember. I could see smaller trees draped with moss from the edge of the open land, filling the spaces between them. Rising from the forest floor amid giant firs, emerald, and jade-colored ferns, some taller than me. Beyond the clearing, the forest was unexpectedly quiet. I could hear nothing but a few bird calls and crackling sounds.

  I approached a tree that, from what I could tell, was the tallest in the forest. Mama and Papa used to call it 'The Guardian Tree.' I crouched on the damp grass near it, clutching onto the lantern I had carried.

"Ex ignem dracones, fratre principis tenebrarum, Etherious Natsu Dragneel, COME FORWARD!"

  Opening my lantern, I quickly took out the candle, sparking the tree and setting it aflame. The flames danced up the tree, claiming every inch of it. As soon as it pranced up, the fire shrank in size as it carved the burning tree into the form of a demon. The face of a monster appeared in the fire, staring boldly at the one who summoned it.

 "Human girl," it spoke in a deep voice, barely loud enough to hear.

 " It has been a millennium since I have been summoned upon this ground; why have you summoned me?" 

 Staring intensely at the flame, I stood to my feet, putting aside all shock or fear at this supernatural being; I could not help but gape at its beauty. "Demon, I, Lucy Heartfilia, am a Shrine Maiden, born into a family whose purpose is to protect and honor your legacies power, have come forth to thou in search of only that of happiness and peace. I wanted to establish a connection with thy."

 I suppose at this point I should explain; my name is Lucy Heartfilia, and my family was well known for its riches and shrine. As their only child, I became the shrine keeper once they passed on to the afterlife. Soon after the shrines, God left mysteriously, and a godlike fire demon took its place. The ones who prayed at the shrine felt horrified at the thought of a monster ruling a holy shrine and became cautious of it. Throughout the rough times, I have held out praying to the demon, attempting to summon him, failing each time. Until now.....

"The power you wish, I shall grant this to thou; however, this comes at a price. If thou truly wishes, the price shall behalf of your life span, leaving you to live till the age of 49.""Fine, thy shalt take half of thy life span, demon...""Good choice. Now, step forward"