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 softened to a quiet drizzle, its rhythmic patter against the tiled roof filling the silence between them. The scent of damp earth and aged wood mingled with the faint trace of burning wax from the candlelight flickering within Shirogiri Manor. Ash stood near the open veranda, his gaze fixed on the mist-shrouded horizon beyond the courtyard, where Raijū awaited him.

Kaede lingered just behind him, her hands folded within the sleeves of her silk robe, her presence as steady and unshaken as the ancient walls around them. The wind stirred the loose strands of her dark hair, carrying the chill of the encroaching dawn.

"You'll leave at first light," she murmured, stepping forward. It was not a question, merely an acknowledgment of the inevitable.

Ash smirked, turning just enough to glance at her from the corner of his eye. "Eager to see me gone already?"

Kaede exhaled softly, neither confirming nor denying. "You're chasing ghosts," she said instead. "If your father has perished, no justice will bring him back. If he lives..." She hesitated, her voice quieter now, touched by something unspoken. "He may no longer be the man you remember."

Ash studied her in the dim light, searching for something in her tone, some fracture in her usual reserve. But as always, Kaede kept her emotions locked away behind careful words. He took a slow step toward her, watching the candlelight dance across the sharp angles of her face. "Wouldn't you like to meet my father when I return?" he teased, a slight tilt to his lips.

Kaede's eyes flickered, betraying the smallest crack in her composure. "And if you do not return?" she countered, her voice softer than before.

Ash chuckled, though there was little humor in it. "Then I suppose you'll have to find someone else to sharpen your wit against."

A silence stretched between them, heavy with words neither dared to speak. The rain whispered against the roof, a quiet song of hesitation and regret. Kaede held his gaze for a moment longer before looking away. "You should rest. Tomorrow will not be forgiving."

Ash knew she was right. The road ahead would demand his full strength, yet he remained rooted where he stood, unwilling to end this fleeting moment. There was no point in pressing for something neither of them would admit—not now, not here.

"Goodnight, Kaede," he murmured before turning away, stepping into the shadows of the manor.

Kaede remained where she stood, watching him disappear into the corridors. Only when she was certain he was gone did she allow herself a quiet sigh, her fingers tightening briefly around the silk of her sleeves.

The rain continued to fall, whispering secrets neither of them were ready to hear.

She watched him go, his figure dissolving into the darkness beyond the courtyard. And as she stood there, alone beneath the lantern glow, she clenched her fists at her sides.

She had always known her place in this world—knew that emotions were a weakness, that attachment was dangerous. And yet, as Ash's form vanished into the night, a bitter truth settled deep within her heart.

And she feared what it would mean if he never returned.

Unspoken Bonds