Of Assassins, Samurai, and Magic

A/N: Hi everyone. This is my first attempt at a MGLN fanfiction. This takes place in an alternate universe, a mix up of all the ancient Japan eras with magic thrown in. As I'm not too familiar with the olden days, specifically how they act and how they speak, a few modern age phrases and such may sneak into the fanfiction. Hopefully it doesn't throw things off too much.

I've tried to keep everyone as close as possible to their characters in the anime though I'm sure there will be a few OOC moments.

Comments and reviews are much appreciated. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: The characters and the worlds I write in do not belong to me. The stories that I write are intended for entertainment purposes. I do not make any money from them.

*** ~ Prologue ~ ***

Ancient Japan. A time of assassins, samurai and magic. Long ago, before magic had even been discovered, the oracle gave a prophecy. There would come a time when magic would enter into the world and cause great suffering. Families would be torn apart. Friends would become enemies. And demons would ravage the land bringing with them eternal suffering. A saint would arise as the stars and lightning clash, and only their unity could prevent an even greater evil from plunging the world into darkness. But if the darkness reached the saint first and turned saint to a sinner, all would be lost.

Upon the oracle's death, magic was discovered. Over the next hundred years, people learned to wield that magic, for better and for worse. Men fought men, each one trying to covet this magic for their own purposes. Clashes broke out into the streets and many innocent lives were lost over the years. In an attempt to stop further bloodshed and protect the people, the Empress formed the ranks of the samurai. Their duty was to find and seal all unstable forms of magic, especially the magical magatama jewels known as the Spirit Seeds. They were also to act as peace keepers for the state and to stop the killings. And like everyone else, they too wielded magic in order to keep the peace.

Many years have passed since the oracle's death and prophecy. The oracle's words have since then been forgotten, many claiming them to be myth and superstition. Only the history books speak of such omens now. Little do people realize that the time the oracle spoke of is now upon them. As the signs can no longer be ignored, the current Empress of Japan has sent out a plea to the entire world, asking for help under the guise of stopping the bloodshed.

It is here that our story begins, amidst the nation already torn by conflict only to fall deeper into the shadows…

A/N: And so the tale begins! Just a heads up to all readers, I'm already writing a fanfiction for the FFXIII universe. That fanfiction will take priority over this one, so I may not be able to post for this one on a frequent basis. I shall do my best however, not to keep you waiting too long. Cross your fingers and hope real life doesn't decide to throw me a curve ball and mess things up…