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

Ash sat across from Kaito in a dimly lit chamber deep within the Kaisho stronghold. The glow of a single lantern flickered between them, casting shifting shadows over the stone walls. The weight of his trial still lingered in his muscles, but his mind was already moving forward. He had won his place among the Kaisho, but what came next?

Kaito studied him with a measured gaze. "You fought well, but a single trial does not define your future. Now that you stand as one of us, you must decide your path. The Kaisho serve the Shirogiri, but the world is not as it was. The Keiretsu's grip tightens with each passing day. If we are to reclaim what was lost, we must act with precision."

Ash exhaled slowly. "What exactly are we working toward?" He had trained for survival, for vengeance—but what was their true objective?

Kaito leaned forward slightly. "The Shirogiri name once commanded fear and respect. The Mori and other clans seek to erase that legacy, to take what remains for themselves. Your recent duel with Takeshi Mori was more than just a contest of skill—it was a declaration. You won the wager, and now Mori must honor his word."

Ash's eyes narrowed. "And has he accepted his defeat?"

Kaito's expression darkened slightly. "Not easily. The Mori do not take humiliation well, and Takeshi Mori is no different. But before the gathered witnesses, he had no choice but to kneel and acknowledge your victory. He may despise it, but he cannot deny it."

Ash leaned back, the tension coiling in his chest. He had bested Takeshi in fair combat, but the Mori would not forget. "What of the wager? He owes me something of equal value."

Kaito nodded. "That is where your advantage lies. He was prepared to strip you of your legacy, to take from the Shirogiri what little remains. Now, he must pay in kind. The question is—what will you take?"

Ash's fingers tapped lightly against the table. The thought of letting Mori name the price unsettled him, but Kaito was right. He had an opportunity to shift the balance of power. "Then I won't wait. I'll demand my prize first."

Kaito allowed a small smirk. "A bold move. What will you claim?"

Ash's mind raced. He could take land, influence, or force them to relinquish one of their strongest warriors. But no, there was something even more vital. Money. Wealth was power. Money could be used to rebuild, to strengthen, to forge the Shirogiri into something greater than before.

His decision was clear. "I want Mori's money. Not just a token sum, but enough to lay the foundation for the Shirogiri's resurgence."

Kaito raised an eyebrow. "An interesting choice. Money can be replenished, but the right amount can shift the course of a clan."

Ash nodded. "Mori sought to strip me of everything. Now, I take from him the means to strengthen my people. His funds will rebuild what he tried to erase. With that money, we can rearm, gather allies, and prepare for what comes next."

Kaito chuckled, a hint of approval in his tone. "You think like a leader. Taking a warrior from him would wound his pride, but taking his wealth cripples his future. The Mori will seethe, but they will have no choice but to comply."

Ash smirked. "Then let's ask for extra compensation as well—for sending assassins to kill me after the duel. If they thought they could silence me in the shadows, let them pay for their failure in the light."

Kaito's eyes gleamed with amusement. "A ruthless demand. I approve. We will make them pay for their treachery."

Ash stood, rolling his shoulders, feeling the weight of his decision settle. "Let them seethe. Money is power, and I will use it to reforge the Shirogiri."

Kaito inclined his head. "Then rest while you can. When the Mori send their response, we will be ready."

Ash nodded, but his mind was already set. The game had begun, and he intended to play it on his terms.

The Shirogiri legacy would not be erased.

THE PATH FORWARD