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

Phase Three: Cybernetic Synchronization

The air in the dojo shifted as Kenshiko's voice sliced through the tension. "Integrating AI combat synchronization. All enhancements will now operate on real-time battlefield data. Adjust accordingly."

The room seemed to hum with the activation of the synchronization protocol. The Oni-Brigade's neural links flared to life as the dojo's network interfaced directly with their implants, their senses now enhanced by real-time data fed directly from the AI. Tactical overlays blinked into existence in their vision, glowing lines of red and green highlighting weaknesses in enemy formations, optimal attack angles, and predicted movements. It was as if the battlefield had come alive and was now speaking to them.

Ember was the first to test the system, her exo-frame whirring to life with mechanical precision. She wasted no time—her pistols tracking and targeting opponents with enhanced accuracy. With a flick of her wrist, simulated shots rang out, each one striking with pinpoint precision, leaving no room for error. Her movements flowed with robotic grace, each action in perfect harmony with the information pouring through her mind. She was the perfect embodiment of the system's potential.

Ghost followed suit, his movements fluid and instinctual. His system quickly calibrated, running complex predictive algorithms that anticipated his opponent's actions before they happened. As he moved, his strikes were preemptively calculated, the fight almost choreographed in its execution. He was a ghost, slipping between enemies with surgical precision, each motion deliberate and refined.

Drake, however, was a different story. His hulking frame shifted uncomfortably as he adjusted to the AI interface. The extra information coursing through his neural link seemed to be a hindrance, not a help. "It's slowing me down," he growled, his frustration apparent.

Kaito, standing nearby, couldn't suppress a smirk. "That's because you're fighting against it. The system is a tool, not a crutch. Let it guide you, but don't rely on it entirely. Trust your instincts."

Drake exhaled sharply, his chest rising and falling in rhythm with his frustration. He clenched his fists and adjusted his stance, letting the system take over his rhythm without surrendering to it. The next time he moved, it was different. He moved in harmony with the AI, the system enhancing his already formidable strength and reflexes. When he struck, his timing was flawless—no longer was he a slave to the AI. Instead, he was using it to amplify his own innate abilities, becoming a force of nature.

SHIROGIRI DOJO – THE ART OF WAR - 3