Nato7

The Awakening: Around 150 years ago, a mysterious event known as "The Rift" caused a dramatic shift in the world. This event opened portals from another dimension, bringing Essences—mysterious and powerful entities—into the world. These Essences granted some individuals extraordinary abilities and set in motion a global conflict.

Essence Warriors: These are people who possess the power of an Essence, which can take various forms depending on the individual’s soul and affinity. Some are born with their Essence powers from birth, while others awaken them later in life. These warriors are ranked according to their power level, and the rankings play a significant role in their status, training, and missions.

Essence Reborn

The storm had begun to settle, the thunder now a distant growl in the grey Tokyo skyline. Inside the sleek, black-and-silver compound just outside the Hayashi Clan's city, the newly founded guild — Raiden Edge — stood tall. Its design reflected modern elegance with ancestral homage: crystalline walls etched with clan runes, angular towers that pulsed with essence energy, and a massive steel emblem shaped like a rising blade splitting through a storm cloud — the symbol of the guild.

Inside the master room of Raiden Edge, Riku Hayashi lay wrapped in a light blanket, beads of sweat on his forehead, his breathing still shallow but steady. He stirred slightly, grey hair dampened against the pillow. The AI embedded within him — housed deep in his essence core — softly pulsed as it continued filtering and analyzing the rare sickness passed on from Veynos.

[Internal AI Diagnostics]: 68% complete. Essence contamination subsiding. Warning: Rest is still required.

Yumi Aoyama, still in her combat-ready outfit, knelt beside Riku, gently changing the cool cloth on his forehead. Her long dark hair swayed softly as she worked."Hang in there, Riku..." she whispered, glancing at the glow of their matching necklaces. The Hayashi crest shimmered between them — half on hers, half on his — united in energy and meaning.

Three figures stood at the outskirts of a shattered facility — their mission complete.

Takumi Kuroda cleaned the blood from his dual blades with a practiced swipe, his expression as unreadable as ever."No casualties. Five rogue Essence criminals subdued."

Renji Tatsuya, crouched over a knocked-out opponent tangled in explosive thread traps, grinned."They fell right into it. Trap-laced field, long-range Essence darts. Smooth execution."

Reina Aozora walked through the smoldering rubble, her music orb glowing as she sent soothing waves over the unconscious enemies to prevent death. Her calm voice floated in the air, humming a faint, melodic tune."I dulled their aggression and boosted your reactions. We made a good team."

Takumi nodded slightly."We're stronger than we were. Riku's training paid off."

Renji grinned wide."Raiden Edge's first mission: flawless victory. Hope the boss is recovering fast. Would hate for him to miss our debut headline."

Back at Raiden Edge

Yumi's voice stirred Riku slightly from sleep."They're back," she whispered. "They completed it. Just like you trained them to."

Riku didn't respond, but a faint smile curved his lips, almost imperceptible. The thunderstorm had passed, and Raiden Edge had taken its first step.

Outside, the rain turned to mist, and three figures walked through the fog toward the guild gates — Takumi's steps calm, Renji's full of swagger, and Reina humming a soft tune with her eyes on the distant window where their guild leader rested. The storm wasn't over... but the guardians of Raiden Edge were ready.

Chapter 154: Guardians of Raiden Edge