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 descent onto Raijū was unlike any Ash had ever experienced. The Kusanagi shuddered violently as it tore through the upper atmosphere, streaking past electric storms that crackled with untamed fury. Ash kept his grip steady on the controls, adjusting the ship's adaptive thrusters to compensate for the planet's volatile air currents. The shielding flared as it absorbed the raw energy of Raijū's violent weather, and for a moment, it felt as if the planet itself was rejecting his presence.

Then, the turbulence eased, and through the cockpit window, the surface of Raijū came into view—a landscape of jagged peaks, winding rivers of molten rock, and great storm-wrapped cities carved into the very bones of the land. It was a world sculpted by war and thunder, a realm where only the strong could claim dominion.

The Kusanagi glided toward the designated landing sector—Zagetsu Prime, one of the planet's only controlled access zones. This was where off-world visitors, traders, and diplomatic envoys were permitted to set foot. Beyond this boundary lay the true heart of Raijū—the warrior caste domains, where the unproven dared not tread.

Rin's voice echoed through the cockpit, precise and calm. "Your identity packet has been embedded into planetary systems. Your designation is Ashen Kai, a wandering mercenary seeking a place among the warrior caste. The credentials will hold under scrutiny—but be mindful. The Raijū are not fools."

Ash exhaled. He had no illusions about what lay ahead.

The Kusanagi touched down within the processing area, where towering Raijū enforcers, clad in dark battle-forged armor, patrolled the landing zones. The docking protocol initiated, and Ash descended the ramp, his cloak fluttering slightly in the charged air. The moment his boots met the ground, eyes were already on him—measuring, assessing.

A Raijū officer, his horns adorned with silver bands denoting rank, approached. "Name and purpose."

Ash inclined his head slightly. "Ashen Kai. I seek the path of the warrior."

A slow rumble of amusement spread through the nearby onlookers, a few warriors exchanging knowing glances. The officer scrutinized him before letting out a dry chuckle. "You off-worlders have strange ambitions. If you wish to waste your life, the path is before you." He gestured toward a nearby transport platform. "You will find your answer at the Manor of the Stormclad. But know this—Raijū does not suffer the weak."

Ash stepped onto the platform, unshaken by their skepticism. The manor awaited, and with it, the first step toward proving himself in a land where only the strongest survived.

Arrival on Raijū