Chapter 1 - Bonds

Cracked cobblestones echoed with children's laughter and brittle twigs snapping against each other. The weathered cottages and rickety shacks were sprawled beneath the shadow of towering walls. Beyond those walls lay danger— the kind of danger that kept the villagers' smiles nervous and their eyes always watchful. The chill of the Graybarrow air nipped at their faces, but Rozeree and Daglan barely noticed. 

"Yield, foul beast!" Rozeree brandished her branch-sword, jet-black hair dancing in the wind, framing her sharp blue eyes. She lunged at Daglan, whose gray eyes glinted with playful defiance.

"Never, mighty ascendent!" Daglan parried her strike with his own stick. His movements were swift, but Rozeree's were relentless, driving him back with every blow.

Silvas's sharp call came from the cottage, "Daglan! Rozeree! Lunchtime!"

Rozeree's shoulders stiffened, her expression darkening at the sound of her aunt's voice. She huffed, tossing her stick aside and stomping toward the small, battle-scarred home. Daglan trailed after her, his grin undimmed.

Inside, the warmth of the hearth was a welcome contrast to the brisk air. Silvas stood over a bubbling pot, carefully ladling stew into chipped bowls. Her muscular frame and black robes gave her an imposing presence, accentuated by her stern expression. "What were you playing?"

"Monsters." Rozeree barely looked at her aunt as she slumped into the chair. Daglan, ever the optimist, eagerly reached for his bowl.

"We're going to be ascendents like you and Koshu!" he declared, earning him a sharp glare and kick from Rozeree.

Silvas's spoon clattered against the pot as she spun to face them. "Where did you hear that?"

Daglan's enthusiasm faltered, "we found Koshu's journals," his gaze dropped to the table. Rozeree froze, her eyes widening as she stared at her brother, then her aunt.

To her surprise, Silvas's expression softened. "I see," she said, her voice uncharacteristically gentle. "Koshu and I… we've made lots of sacrifices to keep this town safe. Those journals… they're not meant for children." She sighed, ruffling Daglan's hair. "I'll talk to him about sharing some stories, but you two need to stay out of his things."

After lunch, Rozeree and Daglan slipped back outside. "Thanks for covering for me," Rozeree said, her tone begrudging.

Daglan grinned. "That's what brothers are for. One day, we'll prove ourselves and leave together."

Rozeree's gaze drifted to the towering walls that surrounded Graybarrow. "If they let us…"

Daglan sighed as he looked up at the walls that surrounded the town, protecting them from the monsters outside. 

"You know what?"

"What?"

"Let's go see dad."

"I don't know, Rozeree. We probably shouldn't. They're getting ready, and we aren't allowed." 

"It'll be fine, come on!" Rozeree grabbed his hand, yanking him down the road.

She pressed a finger to her lips as they approached their destination. There next to the tall wall of stone, wood, and metal, the hunting party was finishing up preparations. They were dressed head to toe in armour made from living crystals. A material harder than metals, that healed as if alive, and could be bonded to the skin and organs. 

"There he is!" Rozeree pointed toward a burly figure consulting plans spread atop a barrel. His dark black beard was thick and unruly, framing his face in a wild tangle of hair. His hands were large and calloused, covered in scars.

"Daddy!" Rozeree shrieked gleefully, charging toward her father, stick-thin arms windmilling. "We miss you!" Koshu exhaled in weary resignation and knelt to enfold his daughter in an embrace. 

"What are you two doing?" Koshu rumbled, his gravelly baritone at odds with his gentle manner.

"We want to go hunting!" Rozeree interjected brightly.

Koshu sighed again, his rugged features creasing into a frown. "You know I don't have time for games right now, Rozeree. In a few years I'll think about it."

"But Daddy–" 

"Enough, Rozeree." Koshu said sharply. Rozeree's lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes downcast as Koshu lowered her to the ground. She hugged her arms around herself, suddenly looking small and fragile. Koshu knelt to his daughter's level. "Now I know I told you both, do not bother us as we get ready. I can't risk missing or forgetting something while playing with you." 

Rozeree sulked, kicking stones as they stomped back from the wall.

"You know we'll never get to be ascendants, right?" Rozeree muttered, kicking another stone down the road.

"Of course we will! Koshu said one day, when we're ready—"

"He said that to shut us up. They'll never let us leave. Not unless they decide we're ready first."

Daglan opened his mouth to argue but closed it again, glancing back toward the cottage. "Maybe... we just need to prove ourselves?"

Rozeree laughed bitterly. "Prove it? To Dad? Silvas? They don't even care about me—they care about you." Her voice dropped. "Sometimes I think they wish you were their real kid instead."

"That's not true. They love you and you know it. You're just upset."

At home, Silvas awaited, her face a thunderous rage. "Where have you been? I heard you were bothering the hunters again?" Her eyes darted between them as she tapped her foot in the doorway.

Rozeree glared. "We just wanted to see Dad. Not like he cares anyways."

"Mind your tongue!" Silvas snapped. "I won't have you disrespecting him after everything he's done for you!"

"You're not my mom!"

"You know what. Both of you, outside. Now!" Silvas's eyes flashed with fury as she grabbed them by their shirts. With familiar strength, she yanked them off their feet and through the house. She hurled them into the backyard, sending them tumbling into the dirt. "Training time. River Style. Fifty repetitions. Now!" The River style was a challenging technique that demanded both flexibility and strength. The children flowed through unnatural positions, throwing punches and kicks from awkward angles.

Rozeree's strikes faltered as she followed Silvas's commands, her frustration mounting with each barked correction. "Sloppy. Again!" Silvas's icy glare bore into her. "You think Yokai will wait for you to find your footing?"

"I'm doing my best!" Rozeree snapped, her fists trembling.

"Your best isn't enough," Silvas closed the distance between them. "Daglan had this drill perfect in half the time it's taking you."

Rozeree felt the words sting. "Why do you care so much about what Daglan can do?!" she shouted, her voice cracking. "He's not even your real nephew!"

Silvas's expression turned cold as steel. "No. But at least he listens. Now do it. Again. Or we keep going until sunrise." Rozeree's scowl deepened, but did as she was told..

Meanwhile, Daglan finished and began a series of Soaring Style exercises. His face scrunching in concentration as he tried to absorb every detail of his surroundings. Despite the challenge, a small smile played on his lips. Only the sound of rumbling somewhere beyond the walls breaking his concentration.

"Daglan, focus!"

As the sun dipped below the treeline, painting the sky in vibrant hues of orange and pink, Silvas called an end to the session. The children sipped water from wooden cups while she assessed their progress with a critical eye.

"Daglan, your River and Soaring styles are great, but your Mountain Style needs a lot of work. Ground yourself more firmly. Rozeree, your Mountain and Soaring styles are progressing, but you lack the adaptability that is crucial to River style. In a real fight, rigidity can be your downfall."

Daglan grinned at his progress.

Rozeree's jaw clenched. Her eyes smoldering with suppressed emotion.

"Let me see your shoulder, Rozeree" Silvas's tone was gentler than usual. Rozeree hesitated, then stepped closer, a mix of wariness and curiosity in her eyes.

With surprising tenderness, Silvas examined her niece's shoulder, her touch light and careful. "The awkward angles of River Style are putting a lot of stress on you. It might be sore for a day or two." She glanced at Daglan, "fetch the jar of salve from the kitchen shelf."

Daglan nodded and hurried off. He returned moments later with the jar. Silvas applied a small amount to Rozeree's shoulder, her movements efficient but gentle.

"That should help. River Style is rough on the body, so try to relax. Now go prepare for dinner you two, Koshu should be back by now."

As they entered their room, Rozeree flung herself onto her cot, the worn springs creaking in protest. Her small fists clenched, knuckles white with frustration.

"I hate it here. Always training, Dad never plays with us, it's stupid! One day I'm running away for good! You'll come with me! Won't you?" Her glare softened as it met Daglan's gaze.

"Of course!" Daglan replied quickly, perching beside her. His gray eyes sparkled with excitement as his mind swam with possibilities. "We're going to become ascendants! Just you wait!" He swept her arm out, gesturing to an imaginary horizon. "Just picture it! We'll travel the world, see other countries, and save people from bad guys!" At his words, Rozeree sat up, a smile breaking through her gloom, caught up in his enthusiasm. 

For a moment, the cramped room faded away, replaced by visions of adventures that awaited them far beyond Graybarrow's walls.

The next evening Rozeree sat perched on a low stone wall, watching Daglan spar with Koshu in the yard. Her brother's strikes were clumsy but enthusiastic, each one accompanied by Koshu's patient corrections.

"What about me?" Rozeree called out, forcing lightness into her voice.

"Now, now Rozeree, You need to rest that shoulder."

Rozeree's heart sank, but she forced a smile. Turning away before either of them could see the tears welling in her eyes.

Just then a commotion outside cut through the morning air. Townsfolk shuffled about, peering toward the gates as guards labored to open them. With loud metallic groans, the huge doors slowly ground apart. Apprehension gripped everyone. 

Was it traders… or collectors?

Mayor Calin stood rigidly flanked by Koshu and Silvas as the gates finally creaked open. Beyond waited a sleek carriage led by a team of horses, their legs wholly replaced by shimmering constructs of metal and living crystal. Metics. 

"Could you imagine riding one of those?!" Daglan whispered to Rozeree.

Metics fused and regenerated like natural organs once bonded to a host body. The collectors bore similar enhancements, superhuman organs, limb replacements. 

"Mayor Calin." A collector emerged from the carriage, encased head to toe in armor that shone like mercury. Crafted no doubt from the same crystals as metics and the hunter's armor. 

It moved fluidly with his body like a second skin of steel. An elegant sword swung from one hip, while a pistol glinted at the other.

He eyed the townspeople disdainfully, spurred heels driving tiny furrows in the dirt. With a grimace, he spat, "I expect you have this month's tax ready to go? I would like to quit this shit hole sooner than later."

Mayor Calin drew himself up with an air of confidence despite the obvious shaking in his knees. "Indeed, sir. My men load your tribute now."

The collector's slit-pupilled eyes narrowed as he rapped his claw-tipped fingers against a steel-plated arm.

"See that they hurry." Casual malevolence edged his bored tone. "Else my men will have to… motivate them." One hand drifted toward the blade at his belt.

Just as the final bundles of food were being heaped into the wagon, Rozeree grabbed Daglan's hand and squeezed hard. Fire and ice engulfed her, she knew what was going to happen

"They're coming." She breathed. 

"Rozeree? What are you talking about?"

An ominous rumbling echoed over the barren plains beyond the barricades stopping Daglan in his tracks. The townspeople recognized the sound with horror, knowing all too well what approached.

Yokai. Monstrous beings that plagued the area. And not just any Yokai, Lasari. One of the most vicious breeds.

Panic erupted. 

Screams and fleeing figures scattered in all directions as a primal fear took hold. The startled collectors reached reflexively for weapons.

"Please stop! Don't harm them!" Mayor Calin threw his arms up desperately. "The people flee to safety, as should you! Yokai approach!" 

"Yokai?" One asked, obviously amused by the unfamiliar term.

"Shut up and listen to the man!" Another screamed as the rumbling swelled into cacophonous footsteps.

It was too late.

The nightmare was upon them. A herd of lasari came barreling through the open gates.

Their grossly long human legs supported snake-like torsos, with powerful human arms swinging above tiny, useless limbs that jutted limply from their hips. Flicking tongues sampled the air as they paused, inclining their gnarled heads in rasping sounds akin to laughter. Their faces were the most terrifying– skin sucked inward over empty eyes and dominated by jagged beaks crammed with teeth and oozing drool. 

Now those beaks gaped wider. Fangs drooled, ready to feast.

Daglan and Rozeree froze like frightened prey, hearts hammering wildly in their ears. They had never been this close during a yokai attack before. Their minds screamed to run but their bodies refused to respond.

In a blink.

The lasari struck. 

Their claws shredded through armor as they feasted on screaming collectors and villagers alike. Snapping bones punctuated cries while they shoved chunks of flesh into their beaks.

One lasari was wrenched violently from its prey. Koshu whipped the creature faster than eyes could follow. Its misshapen skull detonating against Silvas's knuckles, erupting in a hot geyser of viscous fluids across the townsfolk.

Daglan and Rozeree stood paralyzed as creatures ripped men limb from limb before them, entrails and severed body parts from both sides painting the landscape red. 

"Why the fuck do you still stand there?!" Koshu seized both children by their shirts, primal urgency bulging through eyes. "Get your asses moving!"

Fueled by his urgent command, feeling returned to Daglan and Rozeree's wooden limbs. Still clutching each other's hands, they fled from the bloodbath. Just as another gore-soaked lasari turned its eyeless skull towards them. 

"No!" Instinct overrode reason. He flung himself around his sister. Shielding her with his body as the lasari's claws sliced through the air.

Pain exploded across his back. A white-hot agony that stole his breath. The lasari's claws raked deep, carving through skin and muscle, exposing the stark, glistening bone beneath.

Everything went dim, the world spinning with each wave of searing pain. His breath came in desperate gasps, his vision a chaotic swirl of shadows and red.

A deafening, primal roar split the air.

The lasari's claws hovered above them, dripping with blood, ready to strike. But then, just as it moved to end their lives, a blur of motion—a scream of fury. Koshu's enraged form collided with the creature, his hands a blur of violence as he crushed its bones and ruptured its insides with a guttural force.

Amidst the chaos, a new figure emerged from the collector's carriage, catching Isodle's gaze. A man in an impeccably tailored suit, his dark hair slicked back, exuding an air of casual sophistication that seemed jarringly out of place in the bloodbath surrounding them. His eyes, cold and calculating, scanned the battlefield before locking onto Rozeree. The suave stranger's gaze lingered for a moment, a flicker of interest crossing his face. Rozeree found herself unable to look away from the man's mismatched eyes. 

Silvas, engaged in combat near the collectors, caught the man's gaze. Her eyes narrowed dangerously, a silent hatred burning in her aunt's eyes like she'd never seen. The stranger merely turned his attention back to the battle at hand, adjusting his tie with casual indifference.

Daglan's agonized screams snapped Rozeree back and Koshu scooped both children in his arms. Sprinting them away from the bloodbath in a blur of motion. Daglan moaned through gritted teeth, struggling to keep his eyes open against the agony pulsing through him.

"Stay with me, Daglan! Focus on my voice!" Daglan clung to his adoptive father's gravelly baritone like a lifeline against the pain threatening to drag him into oblivion.

Koshu careened the kids inside a cottage, gently laying Daglan on his stomach. Koshu vainly tried stemming the scarlet flow with scraps of his tunic. But the blood seeped relentlessly through the meager fabric.

"Look at me, Daglan!" Koshu gripped his son's face between calloused palms, willing the boy to keep breathing. 

Rozeree collapsed beside them, clutching her brother's limp hand with both of hers. "You can't die!" she pleaded between heaving sobs. her body shaking, her mind racing uncontrollably. "You promised we'd see the world! You can't die! Daddy!"

Daglan managed a faint, reassuring smile for her before his eyes rolled back and the light dimmed around him. Rozeree's heart dropped to her gut as that familiar warmth faded from his face and she exploded into tears collapsing to her knees. As Daglan's head lolled, Koshu vanished. 

"Please dont die… please… Who's gonna travel with me… Daglan…" Rozeree sat speaking fervent promises of future adventures like prayers. Pleading for his soul to remain tethered just a little longer.

At last Koshu returned, arms laden with bundles of bandages and salves. Shoving Rozeree aside in his urgency, he expertly cleaned Daglan's ravaged flesh, tightly winding cloth over wounds. Koshu secured the last bandage, staunching the bleeding from Daglan's failing body.

Daglan's breaths seemed less shallow, but he remained hovering at death's door.

"I'm so sorry," Rozeree choked. "I wasn't strong enough…" 

In response, Daglan weakly squeezed Rozeree's small hand. Though no words passed his colorless lips, she felt his resolution.