Arc VIII Chapter 1

    VIII

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    Arc VIII Chapter 1

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    Amegakure offered a truly majestic sight. The forces of nature cloaked the city in a veil of rain, a common sight in the case of Ame. The scenery pleased her senses. Dark spires, silent monuments of forged black steel and human will, ascended from earth. Their imposing height challenged heaven itself. Shrouded in shadow, their cold silhouettes hid secrets forever untold. They were spires of desolation, of sorrow, of lost hope, of tragedy. Their soul resonated with her. The black towers invited her, welcomed her, and she accepted their invitation.

    Accompanied by her umbrella, a lone girl crossed the misty bridge leading into the village. This was Ame. This was the village hidden by the rain. This was her new home. The place where she was supposed to meet Akatsuki''s leader. Pain was his name, a self proclaimed god. How pretentious of him. Some nameless provincial upstart with delusions of grandeur declared himself a god in her presence. Such impertinence.

    Pain led Akatsuki and his goal was nothing short of world domination. An ambitious project for an equally ambitious man. Whether he would achieve his goal was different altogether. So far, every great conqueror in history had ultimately failed. Would he be another one? Only time would tell.

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    “Eh ...” Takuya yawned. Sleepiness overcame his drowsy eyes. Guard duty was such a pain in the ass. The very definition of mind-numbing and boring.

    “Tired, aren''t we?” Shizue laughed about his predicament.

    “Not really. Just the usual. Nothing makes you sleep better than guard duty.” Takuya was rubbing his eyes to fight his drowsiness, but to no avail. Serving Amegakure was an honour, but ... guard duty sucked big time. Standing watch day in day out was a tedious affair. Nothing ever happened.

    They guarded the village gate, checking merchants and other travelling folk, but he didn''t complain. He had a family to feed and a wife waiting for him. His post was safe. Minimal risk ...

    Footsteps resounded through the air. The rest of the checkpoint shared his reaction and snapped to attention, their drowsiness gone. Steps echoed across the empty bridge. They approached their position. The steps stopped and amidst the fog a lone girl appeard, armed with an umbrella.

    “...” Takuya spotted her petite figure. Her black kimono bore a familiar pattern. Her pale skin granted the girl a ghostly appearance. Her sheer presence sufficed to intimidate him. A cold, chilling, dark aura surrounded her.

    “...” Takuya gulped, resisting the creeping sensation of dread.

    Her saccharine smile greeted them. “Salutations, friends, I was invited to visit the beautiful village of Amegakure. I have arrived and now seek permission to enter.”

    ...

    ...

    ...

    ...

    ...

    “We know.” Konan maintained her emotionless mask. “Your little show of force displeased Pain-sama.”

    Asami responded with a smile. “Once again, my sincerest apologies, I never intended to offend Kami-sama. I didn''t know that I was watched, but now I do. Of course, I will refrain from such unbecoming behaviour in the future.” Her stare met Konan''s, neither of them prepared to yield.

    ...

    ...

    ...

    “...” Konan studyied her, scrutinising her. “Follow me. Pain-sama is already awaiting you.”

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    “What''s up, Takuya? You look pale. Have you seen a ghost, or what?” Shuji joked the moment he entered his bar. His old friend sounded worried.

    Takuya was completely soaked. His entire body shivered. Even his hands still trembled. It was obvious that he had clearly seen better days.

    He took a chair and rested. “Shuji, give me a drink ... No, make it two ... No, better three ... Give me the strongest stuff you have got.” He needed alcohol. He needed to forget. Amegakure gained a new angel, and her wings were blacker than the night.

    Amegakure

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    Check out my other novel and give it a try! =^.^=

    Villainess, noble girl, princess.

    Reincarnation is a fickle matter, unpredictable and capricious, uncaring and unforgiving in nature. Stranded in unknown lands, in a different time and age by the mysterious forces of magic, Aurora is reborn as the sole heiress of the ancient noble House von Schwarz, destined to enter the game of kings and queens, armed with pride, deceit, and an adorable doll.