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 rain had ceased by the time Ash, Kaede, Kaito, and Kenshiko Ai gathered in the candlelit chamber of Shirogiri Manor. A hush settled over the room, the stillness broken only by the occasional crackle of the brazier's embers. The scent of burning incense lingered in the air, mingling with the subtle fragrance of cherry blossoms drifting through the open lattice windows. Outside, the storm had passed, leaving the night cleansed and waiting.

Ash stood at the center, his posture composed yet commanding, the flickering candlelight casting sharp contours along his face. He turned his gaze to Kaede, his voice steady and deliberate. "I have seen how you have changed," he said. "Once, you were outspoken and bold, but you followed your father's instruction—to be a silent observer, to watch and learn. You have done so. And now, the time has come for you to step forward."

Kaede met his eyes, her expression impassive, but within her gaze lay a spark—understanding, ambition, readiness. She did not speak immediately. Silence, after all, was a powerful tool. Instead, she nodded once, awaiting the next words that would define her path.

Ash shifted his attention to Kenshiko Ai, the elder woman standing with an air of quiet mastery, her sharp mind ever assessing. "It is time for Kaede to master the arts of diplomacy, politics, and manipulation. You will be her instructor."

Kenshiko Ai inclined her head slightly, a shadow of a smile playing at her lips. "Then she will learn not only to observe but to shape the tides themselves. To weave words as deftly as a master swordsman wields a blade."

Ash's nod was measured, approving. "The new Geisha Manor will be more than a place of culture and whispers. It will be an unseen empire of influence. Train both men and women—not just courtesans, but informants, strategists, and silent persuaders. Their beauty will be their weapon, their words their armor, their knowledge the deadliest of blades."

Kaede's lips curled slightly at the edges, her voice soft yet resolute. "A web of influence, spun across every court and council, every lord's chamber and tea house."

Ash turned back to Kenshiko Ai, his voice firm, his will clear. "And one more thing. The manor will need protection—unseen, but ever-present. Establish a new Guardian Ai, one that watches from the shadows, listens where others cannot, ensures that no threat takes root within its walls."

Kenshiko Ai's eyes gleamed with intrigue, the weight of responsibility settling upon her shoulders with ease. "A silent guardian, ever-vigilant. It shall be done."

Kaede inclined her head, her expression unreadable, yet filled with purpose. "Then let us begin."

Beyond the chamber walls, the storm had left its mark on the land, yet the world stood on the brink of renewal. The last remnants of storm clouds drifted beyond the horizon, revealing the pale glow of the moon. A new chapter was unfolding—one where knowledge and deception held as much power as steel and blood. And in the halls of Shirogiri Manor, the first threads of an intricate design were being woven, a design that would shape the fate of nations.

The Art of Deception