PROLOGUE: A NEW WORLD.

The Figure was staring at a flame after just defeating his strongest opponent yet, The Soul of Cinder. He had driven his twin blades right through the old watcher's sternum, killing him but also imbuing the blades with immense power that could be transferred to the host "Hmph… I come this far and gain immense power, but I don't get a chance to use it… heh, doesn't even make their sacrifices worth it." He stated with regret, remembering his friends who had sacrificed themselves so that he could make it here "well… the flame isn't going to kindle itself…" the figure then walked over to the bonfire which contained the first flame. When he raised his hand to kindle the flame, immense pain shot through his body, he let out a stifled yell, trying to keep the pain low before it ultimately subsided, "what in the abyss was that?" a voice then rang through his head saying "are you the one who defeated the Soul of Cinder?" the voice was feminine in nature, but had an undertone of superiority, the figure "yes, what of it?" there was a brief pause before the voice spoke up again "would you like a second chance at your life, or should I say, undeath?" the figure looked around confused before asking "what do you mean by that?" the voice immediately replied "what I mean is, would you like to start life anew in a different world?" the figure was taken aback by this, and started to weigh his options, but ultimately he said "I will admit that I would prefer a different world, but…" "But?" the voice inquired "I would be throwing my friends sacrifices to the side when they wanted me to save this world. I don't want their sacrifices to be for nothing!" the voice took this into consideration, before saying "then link the fire, and let me take care of the rest." The figure didn't understand and was about to ask what before the voice explained "It's simple really, you link the fire and I'll trade places with you. I have a soul that's about as strong as yours anyway so I should be strong enough to serve as kindling, now will you take me up on the offer?" after hearing this he felt as if he should go through with it, but then realized something important "what's the catch?" this stunned the voice but before they could say anything he followed up with "there's almost always a price, so what is it?" they replied "I simply want you to watch over someone close to me, a girl called Clare. She's young and I doubt she'll make it far without your help, so please watch over her." The figure simply said "so, you want me to look after a girl who was close to you, and it doesn't involve harming innocents… I can get behind that. I'll take your offer! But you need to tell me your name." satisfied the voice then said "very well, my name is Teresa." The figure replies "Ash" "I'll send you to a forest not too far from a village, Clare will be heading there eventually. Please look after her." The figure, now known as Ash, simply walked over to the bonfire before raising his hand over it and asking "will I be able to keep my equipment?" she replied "it shouldn't be too much of a problem." The figure then stated the words required to link the flame "Bonfire Lit." flames then coursed over his body before turning to ash but also having the same feeling as when he touched the painting "I'm going to die aren't I?" he simply heard a chuckle before completely disintegrating "good luck Ash, may you succeed in protecting Clare."

END OF PROLOGUE: A NEW WORLD