Chapter One: An Adventure? Really?

In a sleepy village far away from cities, two twins were born. The mother died, so they were raised by a retired mage and a former knight who used to work for the king in the area. The demon children, at the ages of sixteen, would have their lives changed forever.

A young man with long purple hair was lying on a mahogany colored roof. Snow covered the trees, ground, and roofs, but the sun was casting a faint orange hue on the pure white. The temperature was below freezing, but the young boy thought nothing of it, even though he was wearing just a flimsy dark blue robe. He had large wings that he was leaning on, those similar to a bat's, and he had a second set, that was smaller and looked similar to a bird's. His eyes were piercing green, and there was a small red jewel in the center of his head. It was obvious that he was a demon. His name was Dmitrii Czatil, a young white mage who still had a long way to go.

There was a sudden yell in the distance, "'MITRII!" The young boy twitched and slowly sat up. His twin sister was approaching from a distance, her waist length blonde hair was bouncing as she trotted in her light silver armor. She had a small orange jewel in the center of her head that blended into her skin. Her eyes were a bright blue, and looked like they could pierce someone's soul. However, Bumblebii was more of a direct person than that. She fiddled with her sword and then looked up at her brother. 

"What?" he asked as he readjusted his shoulder blade length pony tail.

"Mother and Father want to speak with both of us," she gave him a grim look. "Have you done anything to piss them off recently?"

"Hardly," He raised an eyebrow, as he leapt off the roof and landed with a soft thud thanks to his wings. "You're the one who goes out late and comes home at odd hours."

"Very funny, I only assumed it was you because they wanted to speak with Sacheverell as well. He is your best friend after all."

"Really? That's odd," Dmitrii shifted his weight, "You know, the spread I threw an hour ago came out nicely--"

"But you have been wrong before!" Bii interrupted before waving a hand, signaling it was time to go.

He knew perfectly well that his sister would have nothing of readings and fortunes. She insisted on proving him wrong, and would only depend on her own physical strength. Since he was becoming a white mage, he would probably have to work with someone like Bii if not her. He sighed as he walked in step behind his sister. This was going to be a long night at the family cabin.

***

In the sleepy town of Sumptus a small wooden cabin was sitting among the trees. The snow covered roof off set the picturesque front porch. It was a homely looking place, and no one would have guessed who lived there. A former knight, who was wearing a white t-shirt and a pair of ragged jeans was standing in the corner by a whistling tea pot, his amber hair in the way of his green eyes. No one would have guessed he was married to the woman sitting at the table wearing a simple black dress. The woman, a mage, had her black hair tied back so she could read the letter that she held. "Allen," she said resting her chin on a hand, "What are we going to do?"

"Salix," He took the pot off of the stove and poured it, "There is nothing we can do."

She would have broken down into tears, but even through she was protective she had let them leave in the past. It was different then, through, they didn't have to face what they did now.

"Here they come!" said Allen while dipping the tea bags into their respective cups. 

Bumblebii and Dmitrii were debating with each other quietly as they approached the house. "You think this is bad?" the blonde girl asked her brother.

"I kind of doubt it," 'Mitrii paused, "Through, we don't have many "talks" alone with our parents. I'm surprised Sachie didn't come with us."

"He said something about his Mom having dinner with one of his customers. The one with horrible back problems that he can't even correct." Bii shrugged, "I'm still worried."

They finally reached the door, where the lock clicked open. Slowly the door slid open, ready for Dmitrii and Bii to enter. First, the young man peaked in, "Hello?"

"Dmitrii!" Salix said happily, "Bii! Come on in, before the door decides to shut itself."

The twins did as their adoptive mother said, listening the the door click shut behind them. The young blonde girl fidgeted as she sat down, still in half of her armor. She didn't like the small spaces of the cabin, she would have rather been outside or in a barn. Actually, anything was better than listening to her mother and father giving her a lecture.

Dmitrii sat down uncomfortably, these wooden chairs weren't made for him. Wings were such a hassle sometimes he wished her could just chop them off, however much that would hurt. He stared at the tea set down before him and looked from his mother to his father. "We know we're adopted," he said to his parents, "so what's so important that you needed to call us in before curfew."

"Well," Allen started, "The council..."

"The Magic Council needs to see you," Salix finished. "They need to tell you something we can't. They need you to fix something only you can."

"The Holy Order Magic Council?" Bumblebii raised an eyebrow, "You can't be serious! Why would knights, mages, and all sorts of high level people want to see us?"

Allen, still standing with his tea cup, leaned forward over Dmitrii and Bii from behind, "Remember when you two were little, and you could see things other people couldn't? Those things were real."

Bii nodded.

Dmitrii snorted, "I still see things."

"Most of those things are from different dimensions," Salix explained, "You parents were responsible for closing the gates to those dimensions. It may be part of the reason why you can see the things."

"So Bishel are real?" Dmitrii asked with his head cradled in his hands.

"Darkelf dragons? Hakens? Are they all real like the books say?"

Both Allen and Salix nodded.

"What do we have to do--" Dmitrii started.

"--to see them," Bii finished. 

"You find out tomorrow," their mother said with a note of finality. She rose, taking her tea with her, and headed to her bed room.

"Good night then," Dmitrii waved and watched his dad follow close behind.

Bii crossed her legs, and took a sip of the scolding tea. The door shut with a resounding click, leaving the twins alone together. "So, you think mom and dad are afraid of us?"

Dmitrii nodded. "I don't understand it either. It's not like we're angels or something."

The guards let them into the Hall without event. Though, the twins were given uneasy looks, was it because of Dmitrii's wings or Bumblebii's armor? Neither of them were sure, but they could feel each others tension as their parents walked ahead of them. Everything inside of the Council Hall was elegant. Curving staircases, crystal chandlers, paintings of famous knights and heroes strung across the walls, it all made humble people feel small. Bii would have scolded the creator of this lavish place if her heart wasn't pounding so vigorously.

A woman with long white hair, flowing silver robes, and deep gray eyes was standing at the top of the stairway. "Caligo!" Allen said suddenly, breaking the eerie silence.

The woman gave a faint smile. "It's a pleasure to see the Czatils again. Now, shall we move to the chambers."

"You were always one for business," he muttered.

They all traveled up the stairs, through a few winding hallways, where they arrived at a door with the gilded letters "Chambers of Hiemare Stiria." The strange woman, Caligo, clicked the door open and held it in place. She turned to the twins and said in her monotone voice, "They want to see you alone, Young Master Dmitrii and Young Madam Bumblebii."

They looked at each other, silently they agreed. Entering the room, each in step with the other, they came face to face with with people sitting at a long curved table, all in hoods. In the center of the room was a man dressed in white robes with blue trimming, he had a set of white fox ears on his head, which complemented his white hair. He was sitting on the council table--obviously he was a younger member who disregarded the respectful air. He gave them a wide grin, "Byakko Akki Yorokobi the kitsune at your service."

Bii waved.

Dmitrii blinked.

"You two are a wonderful start to the group that's destine to save the world."

"I'm sorry," Bii said waving a hand, "group?"

"I should probably explain," he paused. "But I'm not sure if you know the history of this world, Hiemare Stiria. I'm not sure a foreigner like me should explain." He looked to Caligo, who gave him a dirty look that surpassed words.

"Fine. Our land was some how created with holes. The universal King, Hўădes, united all of the lands together and created the original gates. These gates, mainly the Gate of Time and Fate and The Gate of Holy Song, allowed people to travel from world to world at will. The Original Twelve, each having a special domain and location, were closed upon the kings death. Your real parents were forced to close the gates, as well as Sacheverell's father and the "dark" king of Kitsune." She took a deep breath, "You've been charged to find your older sister and to open these original gates."

That was a lot to deal with in a short period of time. "Sister?" Dmitrii asked, "I have another sister?"

"We have to make up for our parent's mistakes?" Bii said with an eyebrow raised. "What have you all been smoking."

Dmitrii nodded, "I'm with my sister on this."

Byakko smirked, "You're going to do this if you like it or not."

Dmitrii spoke with frustration, "How do we find the gates? How do we find our supposed sibling? Is there anything else we need to know?"

"Well," the white kitsune said, "We don't know how you find the exactly location, but you do have the ability of clairvoyance and white magic on your side. There is a possibility that there are sixteen gates total, some of which you won't be able to open." He stopped there. He had plenty of other information, but discussing it now would put the twins two steps behind rather than forward. The dangerous enemies they would be facing could shatter all their hopes and dreams.

"You could just sit back and allow people to call you freaks the rest of your natural or unnatural lives," Caligo smirked.

Bii remained silent, her rage slowly building up. They had a choice, go on the adventure and half fun, or have swords and knives pointed at their backs the entire time. "Let's do it 'Mitrii."

"Huh?" He looked at his sister shocked. For once they were not on the same wave length. He hesitated. He was a white mage in training, he had gone to school for his powers for a while but... was he good enough to help his sister on this quest? He closed his eyes, swallowed and said, "All right. We'll do what you want."

"Very good then," Byakko said, the other council members muttering in agreement. "Now you just need to meet another member of your group, before you pick up that shape shifter friend of yours."

Suddenly there was trumpet fanfare.

"What the--"

"--hell?" Dmitrii finished.