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 transport platform surged forward, gliding atop the charged winds of Raijū's ever-raging storm currents. Ash stood unmoving, his gaze locked on the jagged peaks ahead. The Manor of the Stormclad loomed atop a cragged plateau, a fortress carved from the bones of the mountain itself. Towering gates of blackened steel stood flanked by massive statues of Raijū warriors—each frozen in mid-strike, their weapons poised in eternal battle against unseen foes, their eyes hollow yet filled with silent judgment.

Rin's voice crackled through his earpiece, her tone measured. "The manor belongs to the Stormclad Order—an elite sect of Raijū warriors tasked with judging those who seek entry into the caste. Expect trials. Expect scrutiny."

Ash exhaled, adjusting the collar of his cloak. The storm-winds tugged at its edges, lightning dancing in the distant clouds. "I wouldn't have come otherwise."

As the platform docked with a hiss of depressurization, Ash stepped onto the obsidian-stone courtyard. The air here hummed with raw energy, the scent of rain and scorched metal thick in every breath. The ground beneath his boots was a mosaic of battle scars—old marks from weapons and clashes long past, left untouched as a testament to those who had stood where he now stood.

Warriors in dark combat robes and gilded armor lined the perimeter, standing like statues, their piercing gazes following his every movement. They said nothing, but their silence was heavier than words. At the heart of the courtyard, a lone figure waited.

Clad in storm-forged plate, the warrior's presence radiated command. His armor bore no unnecessary ornamentation—only the jagged scars of battles survived. Deep crimson eyes locked onto Ash, dissecting him, weighing him as one would a weapon. This was not mere scrutiny. This was judgment.

Toru's voice rumbled like distant thunder. "I am Raiken Toru, Keeper of the Trials. You stand before the gates of the Stormclad. State your purpose."

Ash met his gaze, unwavering. "I seek the path of the warrior."

A ripple of amusement flickered through the gathered warriors, though none dared laugh outright. Outworlders were an anomaly on Raijū—outsiders rarely understood the way of the storm, and fewer still survived long enough to earn a place among its people.

Toru's expression remained unreadable. "Outworlders are rarely suited for such a life. If you wish to prove yourself, you will be given three paths. Choose wisely."

With a slow wave of his hand, three warriors stepped forward, each representing a different trial.

The Path of the Blade: A lean, battle-scarred warrior brandished a twin-edged katana, its surface crackling with residual energy. "Prove your strength in single combat. Defeat a Raijū warrior, and you earn your place."

The Path of the Storm: A hooded figure, their arms adorned with intricate runic tattoos, stepped forth. "Survive the Storm Crucible—an endurance trial through the heart of a charged maelstrom. Few emerge unbroken."

The Path of the Hunt: A warrior with a jagged spear regarded Ash with a wolfish grin. "You will be cast into the wilds beyond the city. Return within three days, bearing the fangs of a Thunderbeast, or be forgotten in the storm."

Toru folded his arms. "The choice is yours. But beware—should you choose the Hunt, you will not be alone. The Stormland Hunters will be released to track you down. If they catch you before you return, you will not survive."

The air pulsed with electricity, Raijū's endless storm watching, waiting.

Ash inhaled deeply, filling his lungs with the charged air.

The first step toward proving himself in the land of the Raijū.

The Manor of the Stormclad - Torii Bastion