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 journey through the city's underbelly was silent, save for the steady rhythm of Ash's footsteps following Kaito's lead. The neon glow of the corporate skyline faded behind them as they ventured deeper into the forgotten ruins of old districts—places untouched by the Keiretsu's iron grip.

Ash could feel the weight of his choice settling in his chest. He had stepped into a world that existed beyond law and order, a world of shadows where strength was not just a means of survival—it was the only currency that mattered.

Kaito led him to a concealed entrance within the skeletal remains of an abandoned structure. The air was thick with dust, the remnants of a time long past clinging to the walls like faded memories. A series of precise knocks against a rusted metal door sent a whisper through the darkness.

Inside, the chamber was vast, a hidden stronghold carved beneath the city's ruins. Ash's eyes adjusted to the dim glow of paper lanterns casting flickering shadows on the stone walls. Hooded figures lined the perimeter, their presence imposing yet silent. The Kaisho—warriors bound by blood and tradition.

Kaito stepped forward. "The heir has returned."

Murmurs rippled through the chamber. Some voices carried reverence, others doubt. A tall, imposing figure emerged from the shadows, his presence suffocating in its intensity. His mask bore the sigil of the Kaisho, a relic of their hidden order.

"He is untested," the masked man stated, his voice edged with skepticism. "Bloodline alone is not enough. If he is to lead, he must prove himself."

Kaito nodded, unphased. "That is why he is here."

The masked man turned his gaze to Ash, scrutinizing him. "You stand at the threshold of your ancestors' path. To walk it, you must pass the Trial. You will not be given special treatment. You will face the same crucible as all who seek the Kaisho's trust."

Ash straightened, forcing himself to meet the man's gaze. "What is the trial?"

A flicker of approval passed through the man's stance before he gestured toward an archway leading deeper underground. "Survival. Combat. Resolve. Prove you are worthy to claim the Kaisho's loyalty, or be cast aside."

The crowd parted as Kaito motioned for Ash to follow. "Steel yourself. The next time you stand before them, it will be either in triumph… or not at all."

Ash took a steadying breath. There was no turning back now. With his hand resting on the hilt of his blade, he stepped forward into the unknown, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

THE INITIATION TRIAL