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 classroom buzzed with hushed voices the moment Ash stepped inside. Conversations that had flowed freely a second ago now faltered, cut short by his mere presence. It was impossible to ignore the shift in atmosphere.

Some students avoided his gaze entirely, pretending to be engrossed in their books. Others stole wary glances, uncertainty flickering in their eyes—respect? Fear? Contempt? He saw it all.

Sliding into his seat, he exhaled slowly, letting his body relax.

A familiar voice broke through his thoughts.

Ash turned to see Kenji leaning over his desk, the same infuriatingly smug grin plastered across his face.

"Hello, clan heir," Kenji added, tone dripping with amusement.

Ash rolled his eyes, rubbing his temples. "You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"

Kenji chuckled. "Can you blame me? One day, you're just 'Ash, the quiet guy,' and now?" He gestured vaguely around the room. "Now, people look at you like you're about to declare war on the whole damn school."

Ash exhaled sharply. "That's not what I was trying to do."

Kenji raised an eyebrow. "Doesn't matter. People notice now. And not just the students."

That last part caught Ash's attention. His gaze sharpened. "What do you mean?"

Kenji's grin dimmed just slightly, his voice lowering. "Teachers. Staff. Even the principal. Word spreads fast when someone like Takeshi Mori suddenly stops acting like an arrogant prick."

Ash leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms. So, even the higher-ups were paying attention? Not surprising. A Shirogiri heir stepping into their world wasn't something they could ignore.

Kenji tapped a finger against the desk. "Question is—are you ready for it?"

Ash glanced around the classroom, taking in the way eyes darted away the moment he met their gaze.

Ash's gaze found him near the window, sitting stiffly in his seat. The former school bully—the same Takeshi who had once tormented him—now refused to meet his eyes. His fingers clenched against the desk, his jaw locked tight, as if suppressing the humiliation still lingering from their last encounter.

"I don't have to be ready." His voice was calm, steady. Absolute.

Kenji let out a low whistle. "Damn. That's a little scary, you know?"

Ash shrugged. "That's their problem, not mine."

Kenji chuckled, shaking his head. "I gotta say, I liked you before, but this new version? Way more fun."

Before Ash could respond, the classroom door slid open. The whispers quieted even more.

Tall, graceful, flawless in every way society deemed worthy. The girl who had once been the school's golden heroine. The one who had watched Ash get bullied and then staged her 'heroic' rescue, earning admiration while he suffered.

She had used Takeshi Mori as a weapon. And when it suited her, she had "saved" Ash to build herself up even further.

Her blue eyes flickered toward him, the faintest hint of surprise crossing her face.

Not the weak boy she had expected, was he?

Ash held her gaze. Unmoving. Unwavering. Unimpressed.

Tsukihime's lips curved into a perfect, practiced smile. A queen addressing her subject.

A NEW SEAT OF POWER