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 war was over, but the real test of power had just begun.

Ash Shirogiri sat at the head of the war council chamber within Shirogiri Manor, a room designed not for ceremony, but for command. The long, dimly lit hall was lined with holographic displays, projecting the full reach of his empire. Every territory, asset, and network under his control pulsed with data—each one a testament to the absolute authority he now wielded.

Around him sat Kaito, Kenshiko, Kaede, and the Oni-Brigade leaders—Ghost, Viper, Ember, and Drake. They were no longer just soldiers; they were the architects of an empire. The remnants of the old syndicates had been absorbed, their strongest warriors either pledged to the Shirogiri Clan or erased from existence.

Kenshiko's voice broke the silence, precise as ever. "With the fall of the last syndicate resistance, we now control 100% of the underworld's operations. However, control without direction is inefficient. What is your command?"

A question that only Ash could answer.

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the polished table. "This isn't about holding power. It's about what we do with it."

Kaito exhaled, arms crossed. "Then let's hear it. What's your vision for this empire?"

Ash's gaze swept the room, measuring each of his closest allies before he spoke.

The Path of Order – "We dismantle the old ways. We eradicate corruption, cut out the weakness, and establish a new, structured underworld—one that even the Keiretsu must acknowledge. We make crime an institution, ruled with discipline and efficiency."

The Path of Expansion – "We don't stop here. The underworld is just the foundation. We take corporate assets, infiltrate the Keiretsu, and break the chains of their rule. The Keiretsu shaped the world in their image—maybe it's time we reshape it in ours."

The Path of Chaos – "We let fear rule. We maintain control through unstable equilibrium—keep the weaker factions fighting, let them destroy themselves while we remain untouchable. We rule from the shadows, ensuring that no one else ever rises to challenge us."

A weighted silence filled the chamber. The choice wasn't just about power—it was about legacy.

Kaito cracked his knuckles, his expression unreadable. "You're talking about something bigger than just running an empire. You're talking about rewriting the rules of the world."

Kenshiko's holographic form flickered, her eyes glowing faintly. "Each choice presents a different outcome. However, I must remind you… there is one other path you have not considered."

Ash narrowed his gaze. "And what is that?"

Kenshiko stepped forward, her digital presence almost too human in that moment.

"The Path of Ascension."

"This world is ruled by the Keiretsu, but they are not invincible. Their control is based on perception, on the illusion that they are untouchable. But what if we shattered that illusion? What if we proved that true power belongs not to corporations, but to the one who can wield it?"

Ash leaned back, considering her words. "You're suggesting… I don't just rule the underworld. I become something more."

Kenshiko nodded. "Not just the underworld, but the world itself. Not a crime lord. Not a syndicate boss. But a Shogun of the new age."

The weight of her words settled over the room like a storm cloud. Kaede, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "And if we choose this path… what happens to those who stand in the way?"

Kenshiko's gaze flickered, a faint smile touching her lips. "Then they are erased from history."

Ash exhaled slowly, fingers tapping against the table. This was the moment—the first decree that would shape the future.

"Then let's decide," he said, his voice calm, absolute. "We choose our path. And we shape the world in our image."

THE SHOGUN'S FIRST DECREE