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 Mori representative had departed, leaving behind only the weight of negotiations and the cold promise of payment. The air in the Shirogiri manor's guest hall was thick with unspoken tension, the soft flicker of lanterns casting long, shivering shadows over the polished wooden floors. Two Kaisho guards stood at their posts, unmoving but alert, their silent presence a quiet reminder of the shifting power dynamics in the room. The manor, once a symbol of Shirogiri strength, now felt like a fortress waiting for its moment to rise again.

Kaito turned to Ash, arms crossed, his posture leaning against the cool, polished wood of the wall. His voice was casual, but his eyes held a sharp edge. "So, what comes next? You've secured the payment, humiliated the Mori, and taken the first step toward reclaiming what was lost. How will you use this advantage?"

Ash exhaled slowly, his gaze steady, eyes reflecting the flicker of the lanterns. His mind was already unraveling plans, calculating risks, and anticipating moves. "The Kaisho will handle the payment. But it's not just about money, Kaito. This is about power. With this wealth, we don't just take what the Mori had—we reshape the city's balance. We'll claim their business interests, their networks, their influence. What they once controlled, we will now seize."

Kaito's lips curled into a satisfied smirk, the idea settling in his mind. "A bold strategy. By controlling their financial streams, we bleed them dry and strengthen ourselves. The Shirogiri will rise once more, and alongside us, so will the Kaisho. We'll make sure they never forget who holds the reins."

Ash met Kaito's gaze with unyielding resolve. His voice, calm but firm, carried a quiet weight. "Exactly. Money is power. We'll use it to rebuild, rearm, and forge alliances that will bind this city to us. The Mori thought they could erase the Shirogiri. Now, they'll watch as we carve our path to dominance."

Kaito chuckled, his fist landing solidly on Ash's shoulder. "Well said. You're thinking like a leader, Ash. The kind who doesn't just survive, but thrives."

Ash allowed a brief, almost imperceptible grin to flicker on his face, but it faded as quickly as it came. His posture shifted, becoming more rigid, the weight of something unspoken pressing down on him. He hesitated, the room's oppressive silence stretching between them for a heartbeat longer than necessary. When he spoke again, his voice was quieter, more deliberate.

"Kaito... there's something else."

Kaito raised an eyebrow, his amusement shifting into curiosity. "What is it?"

Ash's gaze locked onto the far corner of the room, as though searching for something that wasn't there. When he spoke, his words were steady, but there was an unmistakable weight beneath them. "I need to graduate high school. I have unfinished business there."

Kaito blinked, his initial confusion quickly turning to a short, incredulous laugh. "After all this, you're still thinking about school?"

Ash smirked, a flash of humor cutting through his stoic exterior. "A warrior finishes what he starts."

Kaito shook his head, his eyes twinkling with amusement and a touch of exasperation. "Fine. But don't take too long. We've got a war to win, Ash. Don't get distracted by a bunch of exams."

Ash nodded, his expression hardening with a quiet, unspoken resolve. "I won't. This is just one more step toward the future."

As Ash turned toward the exit, his mind already racing with the next steps in their plan, the flickering lanterns cast shadows that seemed to stretch longer than the night itself. The road ahead was uncertain, but Ash knew one thing with absolute clarity—his future, and the Shirogiri's, was about to take a sharp turn. And no one would stand in their way.

THE NEXT MOVE