SFO Fanfic Scraps: Goodbye Arai, Hello Kura'i A-regna

It was an unusually quiet night on Mount Stormstraddler. No crickets chirped, no wind rustled through the tree branches, no frogs croaked in the ponds. The sky was a starless screen of black that allowed no light to shine through. It was almost as if some foul monster had thrown his mouth open wide and sucked in every tiny pinprick of light, no matter how small, until none were left.1

Kura'i A-regna's narrowed eyes glowed through the darkness, a jet black alight with unnatural fires that contained enough intensity to melt glaciers. A stony smile was frozen into place upon her lips. Standing next to the prophesied Dark Child was an extraordinarily large tiger of a smoky white color and hideous yellow eyes, her only true companion. His claws were drawn, ready to strike. They were coated with a deadly poison and sharpened to end in needle-thin points. The Dark Angel stroked the enormous feline’s fur, her cold fingers running softly over his back - one of the rare moments she could be caught being gentle. It was time.2

They threw down the door and strode out into the hall, the demon-consumed girl giving a low chuckle of amusement as she eyed the broken lock. Arai had said it was there to make sure that the Soul Force Organization did not get their hands on his prize. First of all, a lock like that would never have been able to hold a decent soul agent back, at least not one who possessed enough determination. And if she knew anything of her old teammates, they were nothing if not determined. Secondly, his prize? Kura'i A-regna was no one’s prize. Tonight, she would make sure he got that through his thick skull, which, most likely, would be the last thing to get through it.3

Two pairs of feet (or paws, as for the latter) creaked ever-so-slowly down the corridor, leaving an ominous trail of something fearsome in their wake. Blood was about to be spilled, and no small amount of it. As the two figures trod onwards up a continuously spiraling staircase, their footsteps sounded quietly, creating a hollow echo. Their blackened purpose was set out before them on a clear, straight path, and every moment they grew nearer to reaching its end.4

Soon they reached the top step, then stepped off, not breaking their pace. After walking a little ways farther, they came to the end of an overshadowed hallway to be greeted by twin curtains of rich crimson velvet that looked and smelled as if they had recently been bathed in fresh blood. A pale white hand thrust the curtains aside, and they waltzed on in, Smoke pausing to lick the velvet along the way.5

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Ryuu Arai awoke to the pressure of a vice-like grip enclosing around his neck. His infuriated grey eyes flew open not a moment later, demanding to find out who was responsible for this. They were met with two bottomless, never-ending pools of cold fire, charcoal ashes, and smoldering embers. The eyes of the Dark Angel.7

“Poor, simple unknowing Arai,” she breathed, slamming him backwards against the wall behind him in a single fluid burst of movement. “He still hasn’t realized that his…~prize~…is too much for him to handle.”8

Arai choked on his own blood while his body tried to force it out through his mouth. “Please…” he gasped, scarlet droplets dripping from his lips. “Listen to me. Aya, please…”9

The one who held his fate in her hands laughed quietly. “~Aya~?” she whispered, raising an eyebrow. “Aya is no more. You ripped this ~Aya~ from me years ago, in case you have forgotten, and her heart has been twisted, melded with that of four demons to form who I am now.” Her eyes sparked. “You speak to Kura'i A-regna! Hear my name and tremble…it shall be the last name you know before your worthless, pathetic little scrap of an existence is cut short.” Her lips cut a vicious smirk. “I must thank you for your pains, my dear Arai…Without your help, I would never have become this strong. I would never have gained the power to kill one such as yourself. You can thank your lucky stars I am grateful for what you have done for me, otherwise I would drag out your pain, and give you a long, agonizing death. But I think I will end this quickly…A second is all it will take.”10

Ryuu blanched, wide eyes pleading for mercy. A stream of bloodred light cracked through the air, illuminating the dark room; then he shuddered and was still.11

Smoke turned to look at Kura'i A-regna, the newly crowned Sovereign of Mount Stormstraddler, not to mention the multitudes of Dark Fighters who would flock to her side at a mere motion such as the snap of her fingers. He was surprised to find that she showed no signs of triumph, maniacal laughter, or any other such things that were often associated with the wicked.12

The Black Angel immediately read the question in his eyes, and looked scornful. “Killing him gives me no pleasure,” she murmured icily. “Such a disappointment…Certainly that snake acted high and mighty while tearing down victims far weaker than he, but when faced with something much more powerful…he was reduced to nothing but a coward. That’s all it comes down to.” She gestured towards the corpse with a careless wave of her hand. “You may eat him, if you wish. I care not.”13

The tiger licked his lips and downed the newly dead body in hardly a moment. The flavor of the blood was good…he hadn’t had blood like this in ages. It tasted of malice and was coated over with liquid death. His tail swished with satisfaction. Delicious.