Warning: AU, Fantasy, PG-13, Ran/Ken (I promise!)

Author's Note: Subtitles in italics are important.

Disclaimer: Weiss belongs to Takehito Koyasu and project weiss.

First Born: Sacred Flame

Prologue

14 Days after the Summer Solstice

It was chilly in the old stone temple, but Chiho tried to ignore it. It always surprised her now to find just how cold it was. Folding her light woolen shawl the young woman wrapped it around herself and recalled how hot it used to be. Only a few years ago the light wool of the sisters' vestments were too warm inside the temple and she used to wish for something lighter. But not now.

Sighing, she moved closer to the round intricately carved alter. At its center burned the tiny flame. The source of all the sisters' power and the reason their order even existed. And that reason was dying.

Over the last few years it had become frighteningly apparent that the Sacred Flame, after burning strong and true for a century, was failing. Every year it grew a little smaller, a little dimmer. Every year the air in the temple got a little cooler and the sisters' power diminished.

For the last fifty years they'd had no magic to speak of, but the flame had still burned strong. Fifteen years ago it began to die in earnest, and for the last ten their acts of charity and provision for the poor had stopped. Their numbers had shrunk so that there were barely enough of them to raise what they needed to feed themselves. Five years ago when Chiho had joined the order the temple was still warmed by the flame even as it shrank before their eyes.

Chiho sighed again, and shivered. It used to strike her funny that the very reason she was allowed to become part of the order was their lack of magic due to the flame's demise, but now she only felt deep sorrow. And she would gladly sacrifice her place beside the flame for its rebirth. Everyday she thanked the powers of magic for allowing an empty vessel like her the chance to serve. In the past it wouldn't have been possible for someone without a shred of potential to become a sister of the Sacred Flame.

In truth it wasn't what the sisters had lost that worried and saddened her. Or even what would become of them once the flame was finally gone. No, the ache she felt in her heart was for the flame itself. She loved it. She cherished the tiny fire in a way she dared not describe, even in her own most private musings. When she was alone in the temple, as she was now, she imagined that she could hear it speaking to her. Tiny, intimate words formed from its spit and crackle. Words which were getting softer, and soon would be silenced along with its light and warmth.

As if sensing her concern the little flame brightened momentarily as though it were trying to fight back against the dark shadows that threatened to engulf it. But the struggle proved too much and it shrunk back to its former size.

"Its alright," Chiho said softly. "I know what you're trying to do, but please don't over exert yourself."

There was almost an answer.

"Chiho."

The voice of their mother startled her. She jumped and let out a surprised squeak before turning slowly to face the elderly woman. In the dim light of the chamber the elderly nun's white robes glowed. She filled them well, but her eyes were tired and she moved stiffly.

"Were you talking to the Sacred Flame?"

"Yes, Mother," Chiho answered. "I know its foolish, but I can't help feeling like its alive and aware of us."

"And so it is, my child," the elderly woman replied. She came along side the young sister and joined her in watching the flame. "The Sacred Flame is born of pure magic. A magic that connects the upper world with the wild magic at its core. It keeps the world in balance and to do so must be sentient. But you know all this."

Chiho nodded.

"When we sing the scriptures and histories we're not just referring to the Flame's knowledge of the world, but to its intimate knowledge of each of us as well."

Chiho nodded again, but somewhat uncomfortably. She couldn't help but feel that her relationship with the flame was somewhat more personal than that of the other sisters.

"You were not at supper tonight," the older woman commented.

"No, Mother," Chiho replied bowing her head to hide her face. "I wasn't hungry."

"Have you been here since the ritual cleansing?" the mother asked carefully.

Chiho nodded.

"I see."

"Mother, isn't there anything we can do?" Chiho cried suddenly, desperately. She raised large pleading eyes to the elderly woman beside her.

The mother sighed.

"We have consulted the histories. We have written to King Renjiro. None have found any answers for us. There is nothing more we can do," she stated quietly. She sounded defeated. "Chiho, I know how you feel. I see you trying to hide it, but it is there. Believe me when I say we all feel the same. For uncounted millennia our order has seen to the Sacred Flame. Protected and cherished it. For most of that time we celebrated its renewal every five hundred years or so. If it is now time for its light to pass into darkness then it is only fitting and right that it is we who bear witness to its passing. But for the world's sake, as well as our own, we must be strong. Do you understand?"

Chiho nodded, ducking her head once more to hide her face. She mumbled something the older woman couldn't hear.

"What, my child?" the mother prompted resting a hand on her shoulder.

"Its just...since the Solstice...everyday its gotten smaller," the young woman said in a very small voice.

"Yes, I know," the mother said. "Thirteen days. I'm not sure it will last out the month."

"But what can I do!" Chiho cried, raising her head to reveal tear stained cheeks. She choked back sobs and forced herself to continue. "I feel it, Mother. I feel that there's something I should do, but I don't know what. I know its arrogant and self-centered to think so, but I feel it!"

"Dear, child," the older woman said and smiled sadly. She pulled the weeping girl against her ample bosom and attempted to sooth her. After many long moments Chiho's sobbing lessened and the hitches in her breathing moved farther apart. "There, there," the mother said, her smile turning gentle. "You have done everything you can, Chiho. You have preformed all your duties well, and have watched over the Sacred Flame more than any other sister. There is nothing more you could've done, my child. There is no need for guilt."

The younger woman blinked at her for a moment before ducking her head and nodding silently. Mother hadn't understood. She'd tried to tell her as clearly as she could, but it hadn't worked. She sighed heavily.

"Why don't you go and get some supper? A little food and a warm drink will serve you well," the mother said gently.

"But...," Chiho cast worried eyes toward the tiny flame.

"Don't worry. I shall stay. It won't fail tonight, I promise."

Chiho nodded again and moved soundlessly from the chamber.

Listlessly she walked down the long corridor that led from the sacred chamber to the main hall, and turned left. Outside the large windows the moon shown dimly in the newly returned darkness, making the dark interior bright enough to see with its cold blue light. Chiho always felt the return of the nights and the moon as most welcome, but this Solstice season they only seemed to herald the growing of the darkness within their temple. She shuddered to think about the Winter Solstice and the month of dark that accompanied it. Would their little flame even be alive to see?

As she passed the doors to the balcony she paused. Perhaps what she needed more than food was fresh air. Turning to her right she moved to the large glass doors and threw them open. Cool night air poured over her and Chiho inhaled deeply.

The night was clear and warmer than most nights. Their sanctuary was nearly as far north as it was safe to be. Beyond their mountains were the plains of ice and the frozen sea where only a few small tribes of nomads made their home. In the winter they would travel up the far side of the mountains and the sisters would trade with them, but it was summer now and the plains were not safe for travel.

Chiho looked to the moon and the stars and said a silent prayer. Deep in her heart she knew what would befall the world when the Sacred Flame died and she shivered.

Vessel

The young woman looked around.

"Is someone there?" she asked, but no one appeared.

Vessel

She looked to the south. Towards the mountains and listened.

The source is full

"The source?" she murmured and felt her stomach constrict with anticipation.

It is time for rebirth.

"Yes," she breathed.

Chiho was filled with a bubbly joy and she almost giggled aloud. The air seemed suddenly alive and her skin tingled making her shiver.

"I am ready," she said dropping her shawl and raising her eyes to the southern sky. This was why she was born. This was why she was here. She was an empty vessel waiting to be filled.

Above the mountains appeared a tiny light. It glowed a hot orange and moved like a shooting star, leaving a trail of tiny sparkles behind it. As it drew nearer it changed course, arcing toward her. She raised her arms to receive it.

"I am ready," she said smiling brightly.

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"Mother."

The elderly woman started. She hadn't heard anyone enter the sacred chamber. As she turned toward the voice she caught sight of the figure in the door and gasped loudly in shock.

Chiho stumbled toward her. The young woman was sweating and clutching at her abdomen as though in pain. She looked as though she were glowing, lit from within somehow. Her eyes an intense, bright orange.

"By the Flame, has it happened?" the old woman gasped moving toward her, hardly daring to hope.

"Stand aside," Chiho commanded. Her voice ringing with authority and muted power.

The mother stepped away from the young woman who staggered to the alter and gripped its edges with clawlike hands.

"I knew I was meant to save you," she breathed, staring blissfully into the flame. "I love you."

Chiho flung back her head as a blinding wave of pleasure ripped through her. The orange light poured from within her and onto the flame as she moaned loudly in ecstasy. She didn't see the little flame burst back to its full glory, enveloping the chamber in light and heat. Nor did she feel the hard stones of the floor when her body fell across them. All she knew was passion and love before the darkness took her.

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