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

They clashed again. This time, faster. Sharper. Each blow from Kaito was an iron fist, a battering wave of power meant to break Ash's defenses. Ash, however, wasn't just reacting anymore. He was adapting, adjusting, refining his attacks mid-strike. His body was learning as it moved, the skills of the dojo now second nature.

Sweat streamed down their faces, their breathing ragged. Bruises were forming. But neither of them backed down.

Ash wasn't thinking anymore. He had stopped analyzing, stopped anticipating. He just moved. His body was a weapon, responding to the world without hesitation.

Kaito launched a feint—a jab to Ash's ribs, followed by a sweeping strike. But Ash didn't fall for it. Instead, he pivoted mid-motion, stepping into Kaito's range with terrifying speed.

Before Kaito could react, Ash used the Void Counter—redirecting Kaito's momentum against him. The move was seamless, perfect.

For the first time, Kaito stumbled back, his chest heaving as he caught his breath.

Kaito rubbed his jaw where Ash's fist had narrowly grazed him, his grin growing wider. "Heh. You're getting there."

Ash cracked his neck, steadying his breath. "I already arrived."

Kaito's grin deepened, and his eyes sparked with renewed fire. "Then prove it."

They moved again, the fight far from over. Each moment was an escalation, a deeper test of will, skill, and understanding.

Just as Ash reached for his towel, the dojo doors slid open. A figure stumbled in—a Kaisho clan member, one of Kaito's own. His face was pale, his breath ragged, a look of panic in his eyes.

Kaito's expression immediately shifted, the playfulness gone. "What is it?"

The man dropped to his knees, gasping for air. His voice trembled as he spoke. "My lord… your daughter… has been taken."

Ash froze, his heart skipping a beat. Kaito had a daughter? He had never mentioned it before.

The room fell into silence, the weight of the words sinking in. Kaito's fists clenched, his body rigid with tension.

Ash's gaze sharpened. There was a sense of finality in the air. The fight had just ended, but another war was about to begin.

The calm that Kaito had carried into the dojo vanished, replaced by a cold determination. His eyes, once filled with playful challenge, were now clouded with something darker, something more dangerous.

The real battle was only beginning.

PUSHING THE LIMITS