The Nothing World: Intertwining Fates

Chapter one: Decisions

The universe is filled with many different alternate universes and worlds.  To get to each reality, you had to go through a place called the Nothing World.  This place is magic, and has a very old spell on it.  The spell causes all humans to age at the same rate as demons, meaning that once they turned 20, their age rate would slow, and they would look like they were 20 for most of their lives.  This world is the juncture that connects all worlds; therefore, it is often under attack and lies in complete turmoil. There were many powerful demons that lived in the Nothing World, but they did nothing to stop it because no one told them to. What this world needed was a ruler, and one day a ruler was delivered.  One day a young girl of 10 suddenly appeared in the Nothing World, she was not demon, but she was not human ether.  She clamed her name was Ai, and she could help the suffering people.  She had the strange power to sense and control the emotions of people around her.  She was loved by all, and asked to become princess of the Nothing World, to which she agreed.  She was built a castle and given servants.  Over time demons and humans came and pledged their loyalty.  It was during this time that she met her two mages, Ki and Jason.  Ki was a demon mage that specialized in spells and barriers, and Jason specialized in healing.  This story starts six years after Ai appeared in the Nothing World, on her 16th birthday…

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When Ai woke up, she felt as if instructions had been imported into her brain, she knew what she needed to do.  Then, she remembered that it was her 16th birthday.  Yes, today was the perfect day.  She bounced out of bed and located her slippers under her bed, the floors of the castle floors were very chilly in the morning, then went down to breakfast with the other castle inhabitants.  She greeted Ki and Jason, noting that Ki blushed when she looked at him.  She sat down and started nibbling on a piece of toast.  She was wished a happy birthday thru out the day by servants, demons and humans who lived in various rooms and suites.  That afternoon, sitting in the garden grown for her by the fox demon Kain, who had the power to control and grow plants at a gesture, and could turn into a fuzzy demon fox, the very fox walked up to her and shyly handed her a brightly wrapped box. Immediately Ai knew something was up, Kain was usually an outgoing demon, not the shy fox that was before her. He managed to stammer
“H-happy Birthday P-princess.”  He blushed and his tail flicked nervously.  “I know that most people will give you their presents at the dinner celebration, but I wanted to give you mine now.”
“Thank You” she smiled and unwrapped the box and opened it. She gave a small gasp as she uncovered the present. It was a beautiful hand-carved comb.  The polished dark oak shined like the stars, and was decorated with tiny ivory roses.  “It’s beautiful! Where ever did you get such a thing?”  She asked, lifting the comb to examine the little details of the wonderful craftsmanship.
“I made it.” Kain said in a quiet voice, blushing.  Ai looked at the fox in wonder. She had never noticed it, but he was quite handsome.  He had a fair face and pail blue eyes, like two flower pedals.  He had long, golden hair that tickled the curve of his butt, and fox ears and a long tail that matched the color of his hair.  His nervous smile showed just a hint of fangs.  He turned bright red under her stare.  It wads then that Ai gathered her senses and said,
“I didn’t know you could do such great craftsmanship.  This is one of the best carvings I have ever seen.”
“Thank you Princess.”  He said, turning even brighter red.  “Well, I must get going, so see you at dinner.” He walked away quickly, still blushing.
“Yes, dinner…” Ai muttered quietly, thinking hard. She had read his emotions, and even if she hadn’t, it was obvious, and realized that he loved her. This was not going to be easy, because she had read Ki’s emotions, and they were the same as Kain’s.  She sighed.  This was not making her job any easier.  She got up and slowly walked up to her room to start preparing for the party, stalling as long as possible.

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As Ai soaked in the tub, watching the little replica of a waterfall that was poring water into tub, she reflected on the first times she saw Ki and Kain.  Ki had come to the castle, hooded and cloaked to hide his face, to pledge allegiants to her and ask to be her mage. She accepted his service and gave him a tower to study and work in exchange.  He had always been shy, probably because he ha an abusive childhood, and the fact that he was an orphan did not help.  Then her thoughts turned to Kain.  Sweet Kain.  Ai was only 12 when he had been mistaken for Kenji, his infamous younger brother, and hunted down.  Badly wounded, he came to the castle for protection.  Ai had nursed him back to health, for that he was grateful.  She sighed and decided she would figure this out later, so she got out of the tub.  She dressed in a green dress with gold embroidery that brought out the green in her emerald eyes, and complemented her golden red-tinted hair.  On top, she wore a heavy golden cloak.  She gracefully glided through the castle to the dining hall.  When she entered, a round of applause greeted her.  She beamed and held her hand up to silence the applause.  “Thank you.” She said in a clear voice.  “I am very happy that everyone has gone to such lengths to celebrate my coming of age.   So without further adieu, let the feast begin!”  Everyone piled as much food on their plates as possible and started eating.  Ai noticed that Kain was sitting near her, never taking his eyes off her while he ate.  She sighed and looked the other way, only to see Ki staring at her, but he blushed deep red and looked away when she glanced at him.  She sighed again and continued her meal.  At the end of the feast, Ai stood up and all eyes turned to her. “I have an important announcement, when I woke up this morning, I remembered something that had been implanted into my memory.”  She paused and felt the emotions around her.  Most were curious, a few concerned, but no fear, so she cautiously continued, choosing her words carefully.  “We all know that I am not a demon, but I am not human either,” she paused again, “six years ago I said I could help defend against the evil demons, I have now realized how to do that.  I don’t have my power for nothing, since I would be useless in war, I can ‘bind’ demons to me mentally, and I to them.”  She sent out a wave of calm and everyone relaxed. “I, of course, would never bind a demon unless they agree to it.”  Her people accepted it to Ai’s surprise, and there was no fear emitting from anyone. “Thank you for understanding.”  Suddenly a voice spoke up.
“When will you bind your first demon?”  It was Ki.
“I was thinking of asking someone tonight.”  On that note, everyone came up to her and handed her their presents. She unwrapped them and soon she was buried under presents.  She thanked them over and over again, but they replied that they were happy if she was happy.  After a time, everyone started drifting back to their rooms and posts, and Ai found herself in front of Kain’s room.  “I guess my feet have chosen my first male.” She muttered, and then knocked on the door.  She walked in when someone inside called “enter”.  She gasped and stood staring.  Kain stood in the center of the room, hair and tail dripping wet, clad in only a towel around his waist.
“P-princess!” he stammered, turning red.  Ai too could feel the heat creeping up her neck, turning her face red.
“Umm…” Dang. I can’t think strait. But that chest...  “I assume you heard my speech at dinner?” No duh he did.
“Yes.” He replied, realization appearing in his eyes.  “Is that why you’re here?”  She nodded, looking up at him.  His face lit up with a smile.  “I would love nothing more than to be your first male!”  He exclaimed, rushing forward, forgetting he was in only a towel, he picked Ai up and twirled her around. Ai saw something happening at the fox’s waist, and reached down just in time to grab the slipping towel.  “Whoops.” He said, setting her down and grabbing the towel.  They giggled like school children. Trying to get over the laughing fit, Kain asked, “W-why did y-you pick m-me?” he managed to gasp before laughing again.
“Because I like you…and I…know you love me.”  She stopped giggling when she saw his face.
“You knew?”
“Silly fox! Of course I did. Did you forget my power?  I felt it the secant you looked at me.”
“Oh…” He hung his head.
“Don’t be ashamed, it’s not you’re fault. I was borne with this power; I had no choice in the matter. The only choice I have is HOW I use my power.”
“Bind me.” His pale blue stare meeting her emerald one.  “Make us one.”  She smiled.
“Silly fox! That’s why I’m here isn’t it?” she reached out to him, filling the room with calm, trust, happiness and love.  Anyone who walked by the room would have gone away whistling.  He smiled and brought her to him, tilting her head back with a long finger.  Then he kissed her, so softly and tenderly that she barely felt it.  She felt as if she was on fire, and as she kissed him back, her power went crazy and created little fireworks all around the room.  Her power surrounded them, binding each to the other. As their minds became one, she was suddenly as aware of his emotions as if she was touching his soul, and he felt the same with her.  One of the maids outside had seen the fireworks, and the castle was a place of gossip. By mourning everyone knew in whose arms the princess had spent the night.