God Hunter

Chapter 1: Loss and Renewal

The day was dark and rainy. The mansion's hallways were dark. Inside of the master bedroom, rain pattered on the massive window, reaching almost to the ceiling. Lacrim sat by the bed, holding his wife's hand. He wore his suit loosely, his red tie untucked from his jacket. His long white hair was kept in a ponytail. His long-pointed ears were drooping down. He kept his head in his hands. His green eyes could be seen through the opening in his fingers. Eliana looked at her husband. Her skin tone was gray compared to her husband's tanner tone. Her eyes were a piercing red and her ears pointed as well. She wore a simple white dress. Eliana took her husband's hand.

"It is alright my dear. I have accepted this fate for this is the fate of all mortals," she said.

"I know dearest.... I am just not ready to lose you," he replied.

"The universe is unfair yes."

Eliana coughs blood onto her other hand.

"I am thankful to have met you though. I thank the Nine Warrior Goddesses for saving us from the wrath of the Gods. If they had not, then we would not have had our life together. We would not have had our little girl together."

"I know Eliana. Damn it. Where is your father? He should be here," Lacrim said angrily.

"You know how busy he is. He works to save us all."

Lacrim nods gently and the two remain quiet for some time.

"Listen, Lacrim," began Eliana "When I pass into the spirit realm, just remember, I would want you to move on and be happy. Take your time to grieve and when you are ready happiness will emerge again when you least expect it."

Eliana's eyes begin to flutter.

"Remember Lacrim. I will love you. I will always love you."

"I love you too Eliana."

She then closed her eyes, never to open them again. She has a feint smile. Lacrim bows his head and weeps. From a small crack in the door, the young Anastasia watches. She looks much like her mother and wears a white dress as well. She then runs off to her room, jumps onto her bed, and weeps silently.

It has been several years since the passing of Eliana. Anastasia is now a teenager. She accompanies her father to a nearby temple. It is a stone structure with only a few benches and is largely candle lit. At the end of the building is a massive stone statue of a woman dressed in samurai armor riding on horseback wielding a naginata and carrying a sword at her side. They are the only ones inside.

"I am glad to see you are both here," said a voice suddenly behind them.

Anastasia and Lacrim turn around to see gray skinned man with pointed-ears and a woman with long blond hair, tan skin, yellow eyes, and numerous markings on her arms and legs and a few on her face. She had two horns sticking out from her forehead. Her attire was a simple bright golden robe. Anastasia rushed to the man.

"Grandfather!" she hugged him.

"Hello my dearest Anastasia. It has been some time," he smiled brightly at her.

Lacrim comes over.

"It has been sometime Akiran Jahlan," said Lacrim.

"Indeed, it has Lacrim. I am pleased you decided to meet me here at the temple of Tomoe Gozen," replied Akiran Jahlan.

"Yes. I could not refuse an offer to speak with you. Plus, it gave me some time to reminisce about Eliana and I had met."

"Yes. My daughter was quite the devote priestess of Tomoe Gozen. Even so, she abandoned that life to start a new one of her own with you. She made a good choice. I must apologize to both you and Anastasia for not being there when Eliana died. I regret not being there."