ETREUM

Prologue

The Grail.

The one sought prized treasure. Each year, a team of the most powerful warriors would assemble to do bloody combat to win over the grail and fulfill one wish.

These battles would be great and mighty, but incredibly violent. Their violence spreading across the world. Causing massive catastrophe and disaster.

My name is Ethereum, Ether for short. I am what you can call an Etreum, a shadow based mage. I specialized in spy and reconnaissance missions. So upon hearing that the item I needed to complete my mission was a grail, you know what that means.

"You're going to steal the Holy Grail?!" Ashley yelped.

"Absolutely!" I said, standing tall and proud.

"How can you say that all high and mighty?! What happened to the grail being sought after by the most powerful warriors through bloody combat?" Jake asked.

"Well, you see..." I laughed nervously.

"I'm not exactly a fighter..."

Jake grabbed me by the collar.

"You idiot! But you said you were a damn Etreum with shadow magic powers. What do you mean you can't fight?!"

I suddenly dropped my airhead act. My grimoire materialized in front of me, opening and flipping to the page I wanted.

"Shadow Magic: Umbral Bind"

Black chains erupted from within the shadows of the room as Jake was tied up.

"Jake!" Ashley cried out, as she instantly burst into red flames.

"You dare attack my beloved, human?!" She snarled, as she leapt at me.

I reached within my trench coat and drew my Garrison M55. I took aim and fired, shooting her square in the chest and sending her crashing into the couch. Her wounds were already starting to regenerate. Made sense. I wasn't using Black Bullets. If I did, she would be dead. Which would instantly terminate my contract. Which would mean my sister was going to beat me up for failing to bring food to the table.

I broke open my gun.

"Let's not resort to combat!" I said, cheerfully.

I reached into my grimoire and pulled out several glowing dark bullets, loading them into my gun.

"I could easily kill you with my Black Bullets, succubus." I said, coldly.

Ashley calmed down.

I let go of Jake.

"Right now, what we're looking for is the Grail to turn her into a human. There doesn't exist magic that can change a succubus into a human. The only way is the Grail. And to speak the truth, I'm not a fighter. The only thing I can do is bind and shoot with regular ass guns. So realistically, the only way we can get a hold of it is to steal it!"

Ashley began to sob as she buried her head into Jake's shoulder.

"Oh Jake, I just... I don't want to be this thing anymore. What are we going to do?"

Jake stroked her head.

"It's going to be okay. It's okay. Ether is a moron, but he's a cunning one. He can help us."

"Hey, who are you calling a moron?" I asked.

I stepped into a shadow and began to dissolve, my body slipping into its subconscious as everything began to melt. Concentrate on that point. Concentrate.

Everything began to gain form, as my vision returned. I was in a dark closet. I creaked the door open as I peeked out.

No one in sight.

I slowly opened the wardrobe as I stepped out.

"Shadow Magic: Shadow Walker"

My feet became one with the shadows, lowering the sound of my footsteps as I snuck around the room. Suddenly, my foot got caught on a piece of fabric. I looked down.

"EEEUGH!!!" I yelped, nearly tripping over.

A bra! Oh god. Where the hell was I? Was this really the Grand Commander's Room?

Then it hit me.

The commander's name.

Oliviera Rentrace.

Oliviera.

I was in a woman's room!

Shit!

Calm down. Calm down. I can't let my shut in life get the hold of me. Just think that bra belongs to my sister. Not turned on anymore are you? Yeah.

Now I'm disgusted!

I cleared my throat, regaining my calm composure.