Welcome to the dimension of Pandemaceae;
An alternate version of Nephi
The 2 Worlds of magic…
A place wherein rings of infinite magic,
Ruled with their chosen masters…
A place where everything will happen...
The destiny of their wills…
A time where the trappers lived,
Reincarnated with their souls…
Pandemonium, Apocalypse, and Coriantumr settled…
The tripartite divides resembling the law…
Elite and a never ending war…
The Fights to seek for the end of sorrow to attain happiness,
Towards the Life, Death and Resurrection of a man.
CHAPTER 1 : YOMIHE’S TOME
A time ago, nobody knows when is the exact time and date wherein the powerful little ornaments which resembles a ring started to spread powers and magic to the people of the land of Pandemaceae. All the ways of how they live before had change. Dissensions, confusions and selfish ambitions arouse. One must never show their weakness, for they will soon encounter death. In short, the peaceful way of life they once had are now just a good dream of the past. Currently, they are living in nightmares wherein the weak struggles to live and the strong killed to be powerful.
This lead to the formation of the 3 orders of human society: The Third World which is consists of lower class of humans, Second World with the commoners, and the First World the most powerful and svelte one.
Each order summoned different kind of rings. Those ring where believed to be the scattered power of SHINHIKI, the greatest and mightiest god. Rings where put in the middle finger of the hand, either the left or right. There was that rule for if it is put in a wrong way, the ring will absorbed your life.
In the Third World, the lower people summoned the HIROTAKU rings. Hirotaku are nonsense and triffle. It is a worthless ring in the eyes of the higher orders. The color of its gem is white, which indicates that it is weak. Hirotaku rings have fewer powers and there are cases in which they just serve merely as display. According to their history, Hirotaku are just the saliva of Shinhiki, which where just waste powers given to poor people. Their powers are very limited. Some of the tricks they are capable of are: weak barriers, tourniquet healing remedies, and one KYOKU. Kyoku is the ability to survive from death. During the process the lost life of a human will return in 3 days. Thus for a hirotaku ring bearer, they had one chance to escape death by simply using their kyoku, but this is just a matter of chance. Due to the weak powers of Hirotaku and the low capabilities of its holder, Kyoku can be stolen or lost in them. For these kyoku are the common rewards during a fight. If they had lost their kyoku during a battle, his life existence or HAREM will be absorb by the ring of the winning bearer. This will give the winning opponent an additional power and an increase of rank in the ring society. Therefore, a way to gain a powerful ring is to smitten your opponent, because in this new situation of Pandemaceae, all must fight in order to live.
One cannot steal a ring, unless it chooses you to be its new bearer through a ceremonial process known as SHINJITSU. A stolen ring will absorb the criminal harem if it is wear in his hand.
In the Second World, the middle people summoned the Orikami rings, which means that they are of worth, quite valuable and more powerful than the hirotaku ones. Its gems are blue, which signifies freedom and respect. Orikami rings common abilities are intuition, telepathy, and some spirit apparition. They can also release a sword that is more significant than the Hirotaku which summoned a dagger. It is said that Orikami are the strip of hair of Shinhiki. They have two Kyoku and at times it increases because of their winning fights. Their bearers have stable life unlike the Hirotaku bearers that suffers difficulties.
The last but not the least division, The First World, lived the higher classmen and women bearers. They summoned the Shinjiki rings. Shinjiki bearers are considered by the whole Pandemaceae as the most powerful, strongest and treacherous order. They have 3 kyoku. The gems are of blazing red colors glittering at day and night. They signify courage, power and death. Shinjiki were said to come from the brain of Shinhiki, and unlike the Hirotaku and Orikami, Shinjiki rings have life and their own way of thinking. This caused these rings to have two kinds: the Wakai and Shenko Shinjiki rings. The Wakai Shinjiki rings are powerful rings that are easy to command. They never hesitated to follow their bearer’s request, because despite of their great power, they are dull and stupid rings. While on the other hand, Shenko Shinjiki rings are those who are very difficult to manipulate. They almost think as a human. They also chose their bearers and never think twice to leave them in the air if they are not satisfied with his capabilities. They are also dangerous, for some of them are self-thinkers. They leave their bearers at the middle of a fight because they don’t want to lose their kyoku and their purpose was just simply to kill. Still, there are some Shenko Shinjiki rings that are loyal to their bearers when they prove themselves to them.
Even there are two classifications of Shinjiki rings, the fact remains that they are the greatest among all rings. Some of their powers are: Apparition of ghost and 4 elemental powers.They are trepidated by the other two lower orders. Each time they encounter a Shinjiki bearer; they say the word “AYATOLLAH” and then put their hand wearing their ring on their chest to show a sign of respect. If they don’t, the Shinjiki bearers have the right to curse their ring, and curse will caused a great decrease of power in Orikami or Hirotaku rings. The Royal family of Pandemaceae where among the Shinjiki bearers: the King (Czar) and the Queen (Czarina). But not all Shinjiki bearers are of noble bloods for they are free to choose even the less people of their land.
Aside from the three orders in Pandemaceae, there is another party manipulating the conflict. They are refered as the subhumans or UKOTSUKI. They are the greatest war-freaks of the land. Ukotsuki are beings lower than the evolutionary scale than mankind. In their real form, they usually resemble a creature that looks like a half human and a half creepy animal. During their turn coat, they communicate as real human to hide their true self. This is a kind of manipulative technique that is well performed by all Ukotsuki. Still, they have their weaknesses that differentiate them from us. Real humans slept at night, but these monsters do not. They never drink water especially when it is sterilized. Subhumans do not eat mushroom dish like stroganoff (beef cooked with mushrooms and onions in a sour cream sauce), and most of all, when they are wounded, there where no blood lust.
Ukotsuki also wears a ring, like real human does in Pandemaceae. They usually summoned Wakai Shinjiki and used this for their ambitious dark desires. Their rings are of similar but differ in color. Hirotaku rings Hirotaku rings are violet, Orikami are golden yellow, while Shinjiki where green. It is said that Ukotsuki rings are the sweat of God Shinhiki which is caused by his negative actions and way of thinking. Therefore, when the ring bearers of Pandemaceae got into confusions and negative thoughts toward life, the Demon Ukotsuki ring will supersede their birth rings along with their personality.
One may think that Ukotsuki has a great advantage towards the people of Pandemaceae, but in all games of life, for example when playing a chess, we can noticed that there must be the black and white knights. A game wouldn’t be interesting if there is no villain, the same applied when there are no heroes. If the Ukotsuki are the darkness then there must be the light. God Shinhiki had established the greatest rival of the Ukotsuki….The CHOSENS. These Chosens were in the side of real humans. They are the protector of Pandemaceae against the darkness. Chosens were the greatest, strongest and the mightiest ring bearers of Pandemaceae. They summones the Shenko Shinjiki rings. Chosens are the referred as a ring master for they can fully handle the uncontrolled Shenko Shinjiki rings. All ring masters have a swastika on their left arm. It is an ancient symbol which resembles as a cross that isn’t yet visible until the right time.
The Rings of Chosen or commonly referred as the Ring Spirits have their different and unique powers that will never exist in common rings:
1. Ring of Shenanigan => considered as the strongest and most powerful ring of all. It is a Shenko Shinjiki ring which resembles a very beautiful long haired girl with red eyes when released by her master. She has the power of the Four Elemental Elements or Shenanji (Fire, Water, Air and Earth), that when in used, changes the color of her eyes and hair. Shenanigan also summones trickery high spirits which possessed great powers of illusions. She uses a dark sword called “Shenan” during a fight which can cut and destroy the whole Pandemaceae in one strike. She is believes to be a stoic, a Shenko Shinjki ring who doesn’t shows emotions even in times of hardships. Shenanigan only shows emotion to Paradigm and her master.
2. Ring of Paradigm => the 2nd most powerful and strongest ring. Paradigm is a Shenko Shinjiki like Shenanigan. He resembles a very handsome eye catching boy with blue hair and red eyes. Paradigm and Shenanigan is believed to have a deep affection toward each other, which caused them to feel each other pains even they are apart. Paradigm uses an arrow named “Parad” during a fight which can directly hit its subject even in the most complicated points. He has the power to bring back time which can be use for only once. Paradigm has the perfect brain and is highly intelligent.
3. Ring of Pancea => the 3rd strongest and powerful Shenko Shinjiki ring. Pancea is a long black haired girl with blue eyes. She is a friendly ring spirit and a very good friend of Shenanigan (although not really.) Pancea uses the “Adze”, a sharp ax with a blade which can change its form into a giant crossbow scissor that she can command by just simply using her mind. Pancea has the power of universal remedy or HYGEA, which has the power to act as an effective healing agent on any wounds. Pancea can also revive life but in exchange it will consume her remaining existence.
4. Ring of Adamantine => the 4th strongest and powerful Shenko Shinjiki ring spirit. He is a blonde haired guy with sparkling green eyes. He has a secret affection towards Shenanigan. Adamantine is deeply jealous towards Paradigm. He uses a sledge hammer named “Adamant” during a fight, which can break even the hardest metal on the whole dimension. His body is as hard as a diamond which awes him not to be injured easily. It is believed that Adamant never suffers pain from outside, instead he suffers a lot of pain inside his heart.
5. Ring of Shrunken => Shrunken is the 5th strongest and powerful Shenko Shinjiki ring. She is a short green haired girl with violet eyes. This cute ring spirit used a long wand which she termed as “specter”, which has the power to cast surrealism (dream elements). She loves singing while putting rhythmic patterns on every chant she makes. It is said that Shrunken is unfriendly ring spirit.
6. Ring of Aureole => the 6th strongest Shenko Shinjiki ring spirit. Aureole is a long black haired boy with red eyes. He established a past with Pancea. They often quarreled but deep inside they really cares for each other. He uses the “shrapnel”, an artillery shelll filled with small pieces metals that scatters on impact. The scattered pieces of Shrapnel has a poison which can cause a trance. Trance is a state of unconsciousness. It can lead to death if the victim isn’t awaken in a period of 7 hours.
Even though they were the masters of the rings and well considered as the perfect bearers, still they have their weakness. Chosen’s were few in numbers. There were only six chosen of God Shinhiki compared to the uncontrollable number of the demon Ukotsuki.
The 6 Rings of Chosen resembled the gems of Pandemaceae Tiara. This tiara is believed to be the semicular crown of God Shinhiki and was considered as the most powerful asset of normal humans against the Ukotsuki, but the Tiara is still hidden. It was said that the tiara was submerged by God Shinhiki into the body of a mortal man that will be passed through generations in an attempt to protect it from the Goddess of Ukotsuki, Kirazherja. This demon goddess taunted and killed Shinhiki (A god can kill another god but a mortal cannot kill a God.) Due to the lost of the Pandemaceae tiara, this encouraged the light and dark to start their search that will assure victory to the side that finds it. The light will used the Tiara for goodness sake, while on the other side, they will used its incredible power to rule and reconstruct a new dimension in where they will spread their dark ambitious desires.
“What a very fascinating story…Grandma…this tome was incredible and well written.” a beautiful red haired girl with red eyes complimented towards the old woman beside her who was holding a very large book. The book has a golden silver cover with a scratch of a beast on its center. It seems old but the text inside are still visible.
“Do you think so? Well this book was really magical, and…heavy.” the old woman said while returning the large book on its book shelf. The red haired girl seems to be thinking deeply. She can’t get over of what she had heard about the history of their land from the Tome.
“Grandma what happen to the Chosen and Ukotsuki at the end? Who find and use the Tiara’s power?” the girl asked with such an unexplained expression in her face.
“It was unknown Akimo, but there were telltales that the villains were defeated. Still we can’t just sit back and relax for it is said that these history will repeat itself and will then again repeat. Just like a cycle, a battle that will never end.” The woman said while preparing some sushi in their old fashioned kitchen. Their house seems to be wreck by a storm. Its roofs have holes, the floor wasn’t cemented, and their furniture’s look like secondhand. Akimo seems to be disappointed upon knowing that her grandma doesn’t know the end of the story.
“So no matter how much we protect this land, it will still be engulf by danger in the future. Oh yes! I shouldn’t think such negative thoughts…that demon ring may supersede my ring..” Akimo said while touching her ring with care.
“You’re funny. Here’s your favorite sushi.” Her grandma said while giving a tray of freshly cooked sushis. Akimo enjoyed eating the most delicious food for her and it was made special because her grandma cooks it.
“Thank you Grandma! You’re really the best!” the girl said while raising her thumb to show salutation. Her grandma smile and touch her head.
“You’re welcome my child.” The old woman complimented. Akimo set a glimpse of the ring of her grandma located on her left hand.
“I’m not anymore a child grandma Yomihe. I’m already 14. Don’t call me that way…”Akimo said with such a cute expression of embarrassment on her face. Her grandma chuckled.
“I don’t care. For me you’re still that child from the past…my cute granddaughter.” The white haired old woman yelled. Akimo loves her grandma. She is her only family left in Pandemaceae. She doesn’t what to do without her. Akimo stands at her grandma’s surprise going to conduct such a familiar gesture.
“Ayatollah Grandma.”The tall girl uttered. Her grandma doesn’t seems to be honored of what she showed her. Yomihe stand and immediately grabbed Akimo’s hand with an angry expression on her wrinkled rough face.
“What are you doing Akimo?! Are you going insane? Don’t you learn in Pandemonium that a Hirotaku shouldn’t perform the sign of respect to another Hirotaku bearer. This is crazy, if someone caught you…your ring will be curse! Don’t think as an immature akimo!” her grandma hallood in disappointment with worried expression on her face.
“I don’t care. No one see me, then, its fine Grandma. I will do whatever I wanted. No worries, we are here on our territory.” Akimo replied with an easy going expression marked on her face while munching a bunch of sushi in her mouth.
“Kid, you should be reminded of the rules. Promise me that you’ll never do that again.”Yomihe added still bearing a worried expression.
“I’ll try Grandma.” Akimo said. She’s obviously lying
“Akimo??!” her grandma clamored at her.
“Ok…yes. I’ll never do it again. I swear.” Akimo said with a glimpse of seriousness on her face. Her grandma was relieved. Then suddenly, they heard someone was knocking at their ruined door.
“Wait here. I’ll just check whose that monkey was.”her grandma said with a little sense of humor. This made Akimo laughed silently.
“Aye Grandma. I’ll just wait you here.” She replied. Yomihe proceed towards their door. Minutes had passed but her Grandma doesn’t yet return, but Akimo saw her Grandma’s shadows and her worries fade.
“Grandma seems to be busy talking. Haiyyy, I wonder what are the things that take her long.”she complimented while brushing long reddish hair. When her hair was reflected to the sunlight, it seems blazing like fire. Then she suddenly puts her attention on her ring. Akimo watch a white gem ring, simple but pretty enough to satisfied her.
“They’re right, those bullies in Pandemaceae. My ring is just like a simple display…no beauty, no worth, and no important powers.” Akimo concluded with a sad expression on her face. A minute of silence had passed and her grandma hasn’t returned yet. Akimo can still see her grandma’s shadow while it seems to be busy talking to an unknown stranger with a long robe. Then suddenly, Akimo was alarmed when she saw a spark of red light which reflects on her ring. She search for the source of that light and was antonished to found out that it was coming from the Tome, the large and heavy book that her grandma was reading about hours ago with her.
“What the…”she uttered in amazement while gazing at the source of light.
“Why the Tome was shining all of a sudden??..Oh,”she then suddenly smiled and felt relieved when she thinks of something.
“There maybe a flash light inside the tome.”Akimo concluded (Well she is somewhat stupid xD) and then return to her sitting position, but she was more alarmed when she noticed that her body was moving without accordance on her will.
“Wha..Whats..What’s happening??Are things going crazy??The tome…the tome is calling me..”Akimo yelled with mix of emotions. Then while her hands are shivering and cold, she grabbed the Tome. She is amazed when it is not anymore heavy.
“Why?”she asked with disbelief. A hard blow of wind was felt and the Tome opens its page in where the Rings of Chosen were defined and then her heartbeat went fast when she hear an unfamiliar voice.
“You…Its near. Your judgment is coming on your way.”the voice said. The words were seems to be echoing on her mind randomly.
“What are you saying?I can’t understand.”Akimo said while shivering. It is obvious that she was very scared. Is this is a paranormal activity?
“Akimo what’s happening here??You’re full of sweat,”the voice of her Grandma was heard. Akimo looks at her side and was relieved to view the soothing image of he grandma. The tome lost its light and Akimo runs as fast as she could toward her grandma. She cried in horror.
“Whaaaaa…The tome is speaking…A ghost is living with us grandma!!” Akimo complimented still shivering. Her grandma seems to be unaware of what Akimo is talking about.
“Ghost? It can’t be.” Her grandma said while calming her down.
“But I’d experience it!!A paranormal activity!”Akimo yelled at her with watery eyes. She seemed to be serious
“Ok. Just tell me what happen…”Yomihe requested to her granddaughter who is still in a scared state. Akimo tried to remember everything.
“I was waiting for you to come back as what you had told me. Then suddenly I witnessed that the tome was shining all of a sudden with red lights. I thought you just inserted a flash light on it (are you crazy? Why will I insert a flashlight on a book…) then I calmed. A second passed then suddenly I was really surprised when my body seems to be moving out of my desire going towards the tome and then…it talks!!” Akimo exclaimed while retelling her experience. Yomihe has something on her mid but she cannot share it to Akimo.
“What does it told you?”Her grandma asked with unexplained expression on her face. Akimo exhaled before telling it
“You…Its near. Your judgment is coming on your way.”Akimo repeated the words as it what she had heard from the unfamiliar voice. She looks at the face of her grandma,
“Grandma you seem to be in a deep thinking. Do you know whose that voice was?”Akimo asked with an interested and worried expression. Yomihe doesn’t replied, she is thinking of something
“Are you listening grandma?”Akimo asked in a polite manner.
“Oh, sorry, sorry…I have no idea whose that voice was and those words that thing she had spoke of.”Yomihe replied hiding her lies. She’s uncomfortable for Akimo may finds out that she’s lying. In her thoughts she know whose that voice was and the meaning what is she talking about.
“Sorry to bother you Grandma.”Akimo insisted while she’s calming herself down. I’m relieved
“Maybe it’s just your imagination.”Yomihe complimented with a smile while looking at her depressed granddaughter. Then, suddenly, something had cross Akimo’s mind.
“Before I forgot…Grandma, I saw red lights around the Tome. Where did you get that Tome? I learned in Pandemonium that Tomes were commonly found at the libraries of nobles and there were only limited copies of them. Red lights are only found at the First world right? How can there be a red light here on the Third World?” Akimo burst out her curiosity. She watched her grandma as she put the Tome back on its right place. Yomihe put herself busy organizing the old books while she thinks of an answer for Akimo’s question. My grandchild isn’t that stupid as I think
“Ano…ehhh….The Tome is already here when we arrived at this house about 4 years ago, remember?” her Grandma said with an eerie expression.
“If that was true, how about the red lights Grandma???”Akimo asked eagerly which irritates Yomihe. Yomihe don’t know how to reply.
“Akimo as I said it’s just your imagination.”Yomihe replied while she is trying to keep her emotion secured
“No grandma! I know that I wasn’t dreaming! That’s not an illusion.” Akimo insisted. She wanted to win their conversation.
“Shinoru Akimo, stop thinking of futile things! Stop dreaming of being a Shinjiki bearer because YOU ARE NOT! You belong to the lower class of Pandemaceae! The saliva of our God! Put that in your imaginative mind!”Yomihe exclaimed angrily at Akimo. It’s Akimo’s first time to see the angry expression of her grandma. She was scared but she tried not to make it obvious as she can
“Sorry Grandma. I think I’d crossed the line. Sorry for intruding. I won’t b e doing this again. I’ll go to my room now. I still have classes tomorrow.” Akimo ended her conversation. She throws herself into her bed disbelieving what she had witnessed. She puts in her mind that those things where just really illusions. She also felt guilty of what she had done to her grandma.
All things will be fine now. I’ll stop thinking of it Grandma. I know those orders, especially the first world where out of my bounds. A Hirotaku ring bearer like me is no match.
Yomihe was left in the sala. She also felt guilty of her words but there’s nothing she can do. She doesn’t know anymore what to answer.
“You’d given me hard time…my God.” Yomihe whispered in the wind. She then enters their room where Akimo is sleeping.
‘Sorry Akimo. Sleep well; it’s the only way I know. It’s not yet the right time for you to learn, what are the lies hidden in its object.” Yomihe whispered far enough and soft enough to ensure Akimo will not be awaken. Then suddenly, Yomihe felt that the room was chilling. Its cold, Are you here? You dare again to intrude…can’t you wait? Yomihe said in her mind
“…protect as long as you can, say filthy lies as long as you can take, but remember, there’s one thing you can’t stop…the flow of water that will end in a drop.” the voice said calmly and minute passed, its presence vanished.
I know, it’s not my intent to escape my destiny. I’m just seeking for strength.
