REDN

Ashen Blade: Legacy of the Forgotten is a dystopian cyberpunk thriller set in a future where the world has been reshaped by the unchecked power of corporate dynasties known as the Keiretsu (系列). These massive conglomerates have replaced nations and governments, molding the world through commerce, warfare, and control. In this new age, power is everything, and survival is earned—not guaranteed.

The social structure is brutal, built on a rigid hierarchy where strength and honor are the currency of survival. At the top are the Kurokenshi (黒剣士)—elite warriors who maintain their humanity despite advanced augmentations. Beneath them, the Integrated rely on cybernetic enhancements to survive, while the Unshackled, those without enhancements, struggle to cling to a dying existence. The lowest rung, however, is occupied by the Glitched—individuals who should not exist. Born outside corporate control or as failed prototypes, they are anomalies—threats in a world that cannot afford mistakes.

The story follows Ash Atsuyuki, the last of the Shirogiri clan, a once-proud bloodline of elite warriors now reduced to fighting for survival in a world that has moved beyond honor and tradition. His family’s name is little more than a relic, a fading echo of an era when power was earned through steel, discipline, and the ancient martial codes of Kurogami (黒神)—the planet that birthed his ancestors. With his father gone, his mother dead, and his grandfather clinging to life, Ash walks the crumbling streets of a city ruled by corporate power and surveillance, where history and bloodlines no longer matter.

Ash’s journey is one of reclaiming not just his heritage, but the very essence of power. In a world where only the strong survive, Ash must rise above the ruins of his family’s name, rediscover the forgotten martial techniques of the Black Gods, and reclaim his place among the elite. But in a world dominated by corporate overlords and enhanced warriors, can a fallen bloodline ever truly rise again?

This story is officially being posted on RoyalRoad.com under the account REDN_CHRONICLES.

Ashen Blade: Legacy of the Forgotten

The academy was a fortress of discipline and legacy. Its towering walls, adorned with banners of the Great Clans, stood as a constant reminder of where power truly rested. The hallways were alive with the rhythmic echoes of sparring matches, the clash of wooden weapons, and the murmurs of students who knew they belonged in this world.

He walked through the corridors like a shadow—silent, unseen, and unacknowledged.

No greetings. No nods of recognition.

Just the occasional whisper, cutting through the noise like a knife.

"That's the last of the Shirogiri, isn't it?"

"Can't believe he still shows up."

"Pathetic. His family should've disappeared along with the rest of the failures."

Ash had long since learned to ignore them. Words didn't feed him. They didn't pay for medicine. They didn't change anything.

His seat was at the farthest corner of the classroom. Not out of choice, but because it had become an unspoken rule—he was an outcast. No clan would claim him. No faction would welcome him.

The instructor entered, dressed in the dark robes of a senior mentor, and began the lesson without delay.

"The foundation of all combat lies in the mastery of one's own energy. Without proper flow, even the strongest warrior is nothing more than an undisciplined brute."**

Ash stared at the blackboard, but his mind was elsewhere.

His grandfather's condition was worsening. The medicine was running out.

What job could he take after school?

He wasn't strong enough to enter the professional fighting circuits—not yet. Not without proper training.

Courier work? Too dangerous. The city was ruled by gangs, and freelancers were easy prey.

Factory shifts? Barely enough to cover food, let alone medical expenses.

His stomach twisted at the thought of returning home empty-handed again.

A sharp voice cut through his thoughts.

His head snapped up. The instructor's gaze was on him, eyes sharp and expectant.

"Since you seem uninterested, perhaps you can enlighten us on the principles of internal flow manipulation?"

The class turned, waiting for him to stumble.

Some smirked. Others simply looked bored, expecting nothing from him.

He was tired—tired of the whispers, the sneers, the way they all assumed he knew nothing, was nothing.

"Internal flow manipulation is the controlled circulation of energy through the body's primary and secondary pathways. Proper regulation strengthens strikes, enhances agility, and stabilizes the nervous system to withstand high-intensity combat. Those who fail to regulate it experience internal damage, neural fatigue, or complete collapse."

The instructor's eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise. The students blinked, momentarily thrown off.

Someone scoffed under their breath.

Another muttered, "No way he actually knew that."

Ash met their gazes for a moment, then turned his eyes back to the window.

The instructor cleared his throat, nodding. "Correct."

The lesson resumed. The students, however, were slower to recover. Some glanced at him from the corner of their eyes. Others seemed annoyed, as if offended by the idea that he could know something.

He leaned back in his chair, watching the sky outside.

Somewhere beyond these walls, beyond this life—he would find it.

Nova Helix Academy