A Light in the Darkness by Bluemonkey

The Attack

The world of Gamma was once one of peace. It was split into seven parts and seven wise, strong kings ruled. The agreed to send out some of their best men to patrol the land and to protect the people form dangers. And that is what they did. The soldiers soon decided to name themselves. They were called The White Riders

For a while all was peaceful and the knights did a great job, but one day one of the knights found himself consumed by greed and lust. Soon he drove the other White Riders to the same fate. Then the White Riders were no more. In their place the same group of men had a different name.......The Black Riders.

They sent the land into chaos as they thirst for blood and power. They began to over thow their kings slowly and a few were left.

When all thought that every hope was lost a prophet emerged. He said:

When the world is almost covered in darkness

And it seems all hope is lost

A light shall appear

It will be small at first and then it will grow

And the darkness will be no more

Many prayed and hoped that the light spoken of would appear soon. They waited, living pained, but hopeful lives until the fateful day the light would arrive

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Years Later

"What do you mean she's not here?!" King Higarashi yelled

"I'm sorry My Lord, but I can't find her anywhere in the palace or on the grounds!" the servant said meekly

"Then search town! I want my daughter found!" He ordered

"Yes My Lord." The servant bowed and headed for the door. She bowed again as a woman walked in

"You must clam down. I could hear you from my room." The woman said calmly

"The Dark Riders are heading this, our daughter is missing, and you want me to calm down?! If they find her they are going to kill her! You know they will!" Her husband roared.

"I do know, but I also know that yelling isn't going to make her come back any faster." Sakura reasoned

"No, but it will make the servants move faster!" He said still loudly

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In the Town

Two girls laughed as they walked through the market careful to keep their hoods up. One was dressed in a plain red cloak and the other in a similar green one.

"Princess, it's getting late." Kate said readjusting the red material she was dressed in

"Don't call me that, and it's barely after noon." Kagome said looking at the stalls for something she would want to add to the basket of things she carried

"But your father would have noticed your absence by now." Kate said desperately.

"So." Kagome said stopping to examine some of the clothe for sale, "I'm tired of being inside all the time. I just want to get out."

"But you are always outside at home. You always sneak out into the training area." Kate said looking away form her friend

"How do you know about that?' Kagome asked demanded

"All the servants know. Even your mother knows. I think you father is the only one who doesn't. You are very skilled with the bow."

"Is that all I'm good with?" Kagome said calming down.

"You do okay with the sword, but your archery skills are the best." Kate said smiling as she stood next to Kagome.

"Thanks" Kagome laughed. She turned away from her friend/servant. Her sharp eyes spotted something. "Look at that!" She cried grabbing Kate's writs and dragging her to the stand

"It beautiful." Kate said touching the delicate fabric of the dress forgetting her earlier worries.

"How much for these two dresses?" Kagome asked pointing to the blue dress Kate was admiring and a dark green one.

"20 gold each." The woman grunted

"I'll take the two of them." She said reaching into a pouch at her waist and took out the proper amount of gold. She then took the dresses and placed them into her basket.

"A birthday present for my best friend" Kagome said

"Did you really buy that for me?!" Kate gasped

"Yup, but you don't get until next week." Kagome laughed.

They continued to walk around the market talking and shopping. When her basket was full Kagome looked up at the sky and noticed that the sun was setting.

"We better start heading back now." Kate said

Kagome nodded and they turned and headed in the opposite direction that they were previously headed

Suddenly the sound of screams filled their ears. They turned and saw people running towards them. They stayed close together as everyone pushed past them. That's when Kagome's eyes went wide with fear.

The Black Riders rode towards them their swords in their hands swinging expertly and killing anything in its path. Finding the senses in her legs again she and Kate began to follow the villagers. They turned a corners heading towards the palace, but they found themselves face to face with a Rider. His face as hidden by his black cloak.

He raised his sword and brought it down towards Kagome. Before it hit her she felt herself being pushed to the floor. She looked up and saw Kate standing there with a sword in her chest.

"KATE!!" Kagome yelled for her friend.

Kate looked at her with sad, pained eyes. "Run." She said weakly, "Save yourself Princess." She said closing her eyes as the sword was yanked out of her chest and her limp body fell to the ground.

Kagome backed away slowly in shock as tears filled her eyes. Then movement caught her eye and she saw the Black Rider approaching. She waited for her death with her eyes shut tight. It never came.

THUMP

She looked down at her feet and the bloody body of the Rider. Her head went up and she saw a woman in a white cloak with spot of red standing in front of her. A stained red sword in her hand. She had her hood up so all her features were hidden.

"Are you Princess Kagome?" The woman asked lowering her hood. Dark blue eyes looked at her. Her long black hair was braided pulled up into a ponytail

"Yes. Who are you?" Kagome asked wiping some of the tears.

"There is no time for that. You have to get out of the city." She said, "Follow me."

Kagome stood there not knowing what to do. This woman saved her life, but she still had no idea who she was.

"If you want more of them to come for you" The woman began jerking her head towards the bloodied body of the Dark Rider, "then stay here. They are after you."

She turned away from her and started walked her hand hovering over the hilt over her sheathed sword. Kagome hesitated then she ran and followed.

She opened her mouth to ask a question, but the woman raised her hand telling her to be quiet. Someone in a white cloak riding a white horse came up to them. Their face was hidden by the hood of they cloak the same way her mystery woman's was

"Is this her, Nyoko?" He asked turning his head towards Kagome. She flinched under his gaze

"Yes. This is the princess." Nyoko answered. She turned to Kagome, "Get on his horse." She said.

"Why?" Kagome asked starting to panic, "Where are you going to take me?"

The man on horse sighed seeing that she was going to make thing difficult. He led his horse towards her slowly and in one swift movement he had her in front of him on the horse galloping out of the city full speed.

Kagome screamed in fear.

Nyoko walked over to where her own horse waited and followed them out of the city