10 Years Earlier – 2 Days into Ao’s Journey
Thomas: “Welcome to Nakagata, Ao.”
The bustling streets of Nakagata, the capital of Ilenkrad, stretched before them.
Neon signs lit up the alleyways, illuminating restaurants, hotels, cat cafés, and massage parlors with a rainbow of colors.
The sounds of lively chatter, clinking dishes, and soft music echoed in the background.
Ao, still a young boy, followed closely behind Thomas, his wide eyes darting around, overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of the modern metropolis.
He clutched the edges of his robe nervously, still disoriented from everything he had experienced since leaving the mountains.
Thomas: “Here, you have nothing to fear—”
He paused mid-sentence, glancing at Ao. The boy’s face was distant, his thoughts clearly elsewhere.
Poor guy... he’s still haunted by the little demon girl.
Completely lost, isn’t he?
Thomas smiled softly and waved at Ao, trying to ease the boy’s tension.
Thomas: “Come on, I’ll buy you dinner.”
Ao (Child): “Hmm... Dinner?”
Thomas: “Ahah, just follow me. You’ll love it.”
The hostess at the restaurant greeted them warmly, leading them to a cozy table for two.
The dim lighting and warm wooden décor made the place feel welcoming.
Thomas: “Two miso soups, please.”
Moments later, two steaming bowls of soup were placed on the table.
Ao stared at the bowl with wide, starry eyes, the fragrant steam rising to his face.
Thomas: “Here, let me show you.”
He demonstrated how to use the hollow spoon, gently scooping up the soup.
Ao copied him carefully, taking his first sip. His face lit up with pure delight.
Ao (Child): “This is amazing!”
Thomas chuckled at the boy’s reaction.
Thomas: “Told you.”
They ordered sushi next—a platter filled with colorful makizushi, nigiri, and sashimi.
Ao eagerly picked up the chopsticks, mimicking Thomas’ movements with confidence.
Ao (Child): “My master taught me how to use these. It looks delicious!”
Thomas watched with a smile as Ao devoured each piece, his face glowing with happiness.
For the first time since they had met, the boy seemed relaxed, even joyful.
Thomas: “Your master... is he the one who left you in the village where we found you?”
Ao’s face fell slightly, and he lowered his chopsticks. He hesitated before nodding.
Ao (Child): “...Yes.”
Thomas quickly raised a hand, his tone gentle but firm.
Thomas: “Don’t worry, you don’t have to tell me more than you’re ready to.”
There was a moment of silence before Ao spoke again, his voice soft but filled with sincerity.
Ao (Child): “Thanks for showing me around... I think I’ll stay here for a while.”
Thomas: “Ahah...” He raised his glass in a toast. “You’ll see, Ao. Life’s good here.”
This is how Ao lived in the capital of Ilenkrad for..
...
1 week
...
1 month
...
1 year...
Ao’s life in Nakagata was peaceful and full of discovery.
He spent his days exploring the city, enjoying its food, and learning from Thomas.
But that peace didn’t last.
The night was thick with smoke, fire, and chaos.
Explosions rocked the city as buildings crumbled, their neon lights flickering and fading.
Screams filled the air, blending with the sound of gunfire and distant war horns.
The once-thriving metropolis had become a war zone.
Thomas: “Ao, RUN!”
Thomas pulled Ao through the chaotic streets, weaving between panicked citizens and the wreckage of burning vehicles.
They ducked into a courtyard, the sound of explosions ringing in their ears.
Ao (Child): “What’s going on, Thomas?!”
Thomas: “They’re being attacked.”
Ao (Child): “By who?!”
Thomas: “I’m not sure...”
Suddenly, a green glow shot toward them from the smoke, screaming through the air like a comet.
Thomas’ eyes widened as he shouted:
Thomas: “Ao, take cover!!!”
But Ao didn’t run.
Instead, he stepped in front of the glowing attack, his small hands trembling but steady as he shouted:
Ao (Child): “Nova!!!”
Blue energy erupted from his hands, colliding with the green glow.
The blast lit up the courtyard as the glow shattered, revealing a knight clad in golden Pendragon armor.
A massive hole gaped in the knight’s chest, and he collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
Ao (Child): “Why... why are knights attacking us?!”
Thomas: “This armor... it’s a Pendragon knight.”
Ao froze, his mind racing. Memories of his master’s words echoed in his head.
Master: “If you see a member of Pendragon on your journey, tell them who you are, and they’ll welcome you with open arms.”
Ao (Child): “Pendragons are the good guys?”
Master: “Ahah! Yes, they’re the good guys. I’m a Pendragon too, you know.”
Ao (Child): “Wow! Does that mean they’re heroes like you, Master?!”
Master: “Exactly!”
The memory faded, replaced by the horrifying reality before him.
Another knight appeared in the distance, approaching a woman cradling the lifeless body of her husband.
Ao’s eyes lit up with recognition.
Ao (Child): “That’s the hostess from the restaurant!”
He tried to run toward her, but Thomas blocked his path, his voice low and firm.
Thomas: “Don’t go any closer, Ao...”
The knight stopped in front of the sobbing woman. He spoke softly, almost gently.
Knight: “Don’t worry, my dear lady. It’ll soon be over.”
For a brief moment, Ao thought the knight was going to help her.
But then, with a swift motion, the knight drew his sword and beheaded her.
Her body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
Ao: “No... no...”
Behind the knight, the smoke cleared, revealing more Pendragon soldiers slaughtering unarmed civilians.
Their laughter echoed through the chaos as they cut down anyone in their path.
Ao’s body trembled as he watched the horrors unfold.
Images of his peaceful days in Nakagata flashed through his mind—the laughing children, the warm meals, the safety he had found.
All of it... gone. Trampled.
Destroyed by the very people he had been taught to idolize.
An uncontrollable anger surged within him.
An immense anger, such as he had never felt before.
His small frame began to glow, a brilliant blue aura surrounding him.
His face twisted with rage as he stepped forward.
I
His hair burns with a blue fire, giving way to a brilliant blue hair color
AM
Thomas reached for him, panic in his voice.
Thomas: “AO GO AWA-”
But it was too late. Ao’s voice erupted, filled with fury and pain.
GOING TO KILL YOU ALL!!!
And Ao screamed—a scream unlike anything the metropolis of Nakagata had ever heard.
It ripped through the air, sharp and raw, drawn from the deepest depths of his soul.
The sound wasn’t just a release of anger—it was pure, unrelenting grief, rage, and despair.
It tore at his throat, shredding his vocal cords, leaving his voice hoarse and broken.
But still, he didn’t stop.
As his scream echoed across the smoke-filled city, it was joined by other screams—cries of civilians begging for their lives, of children calling for their parents, of soldiers falling to the chaos.
And in that chorus of terror and anguish, something happened.
The Pendragons would later name it:
The Blue Massacre
It was the night the urban legend of the Blue Light was born.
Back to Present Day
A gray dawn broke over the red desert of Artand.
The sun struggled to pierce through the thick layer of clouds, casting a pale, cold light over the barren landscape.
War horns had sounded throughout the night, a haunting backdrop to the death and destruction that undoubtedly unfolded in the distance.
The sound had ceased to be shocking; it was now a grim, rhythmic reminder of what was happening out there.
In the cave, Yumi sat near her brother Gin, who had finally succumbed to exhaustion.
She had stayed awake through the night, watching over him and Kin, her mistrust of Ao keeping her from even closing her eyes.
Her gaze occasionally shifted to the entrance, where Ao stood silhouetted against the faint morning light.
He hadn’t moved all night, his posture relaxed yet alert as he kept silent watch.
His face, partially lit by the muted sunlight, was unreadable, as if carved from stone.
But Yumi’s distrust burned bright.
Yumi finally broke the silence, her voice low and guarded.
Yumi: “Hard night...?”
Ao turned slightly, his piercing gaze meeting hers.
He studied her for a moment before speaking, his tone calm but with a hint of mockery.
Ao: “You’re not asleep?”
Yumi: “I don’t trust you.”
Ao’s lips curled into a faint smirk.
Ao: “Huh. Well, that’s clear enough.”
Yumi stepped closer, her eyes narrowing as she crossed her arms.
Yumi: “Do you want to explain what you did to my brother, Kin?”
Ao: “Do you really want to know? Or are you more interested in why I picked the three of you for my... experiments?”
Yumi’s jaw tightened, her frustration building.
Yumi: “Yes. That. Why us?!”
Ao took a step forward, his expression amused but unsettling, his voice laced with mockery.
Ao: “‘Experiments, is it? Well then, isn’t it strange?”
Yumi frowned, confused.
Ao: “How come you were able to use a technique that supposedly didn’t belong to you?”
Yumi froze for a moment, her confusion shifting to anger.
Yumi: “I hate your riddles and guessing games! Just say what you mean!”
Ao shrugged, the smirk never leaving his face.
Ao: “You’ll have to deal with that for now. But think about it, Yumi. If that technique was never yours... how did it come back to you?”
Yumi: “How do I know this isn’t another one of your traps?”
Ao chuckled softly, a sound that only made her angrier.
Ao: “Maybe it is. Maybe it isn’t. Who knows?”
Yumi: “You’re unbearable!”
Ao’s smirk widened, but his tone suddenly turned sharp.
Ao: “Go wake Gin. We’re leaving.”
Yumi blinked, startled by his sudden command.
Yumi: “What? Leaving? Why? Shouldn’t we wait for Kamelott’s reinforcements?”
Ao’s gaze darkened, his expression almost sadistic as he stepped closer.
Ao: “Need I remind you who decides in this group?”
Yumi flinched slightly, the memory of her last fight with Ao flashing in her mind.
She clenched her fists, swallowing her anger.
Yumi: “And what about Kin?”
Ao: “I’ll carry him.”
He turned toward the cave, but Yumi stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
Her voice was quieter now, almost pleading.
Yumi: “And... what if we refuse to follow you?”
Ao stopped, tilting his head slightly as if considering her question.
Then he gave her a cold, humorless smile.
Ao: “Hmm... you have two options.”
He raised one finger.
Ao: “First, you wake Gin, I carry Kin, and we leave. Simple.”
Then, a second finger.
Ao: “Second, I put all three of you out cold, and the automatic tournament system disqualifies you. No prize for you.”
Yumi’s breath hitched as he stepped closer, lowering his voice into a whisper.
Ao: “The choice is yours, but either way... I’ll be leaving.”
Silence fell between them, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
Yumi trembled slightly, her pride clashing with her fear.
She wanted to resist, but deep down, she knew she couldn’t win. Not yet.
After what felt like an eternity, she stepped aside, her voice barely above a whisper.
Yumi: “Fine.”
Ao gave a curt nod, walking past her toward Kin’s sleeping form.
Yumi stood frozen for a moment, her hands balled into fists.
She hated the way he held all the power.
She hated how helpless she felt.
Gin stirred in the corner, yawning groggily as he blinked awake.
Gin: “What’s... going on?”
Yumi turned to him, her voice clipped.
Yumi: “Get up. We’re leaving.”
Gin: “Leaving? Why now?”
Yumi glanced at Ao, who was lifting Kin effortlessly onto his back.
Yumi: “Because he says so.”
Gin’s eyes flicked between Yumi and Ao, confusion clear on his face.
But he didn’t argue. He rubbed his eyes and stood, groaning as he stretched.
Ao walked toward the cave entrance, Kin slung over his shoulder like he weighed nothing.
He paused briefly, glancing back at them.
Ao: “We move now. The reinforcements will arrive in three or four hours. We can’t afford to wait.”
Gin: “Afford to wait for what?”
Ao didn’t answer.
He turned and stepped out into the pale, blood-tinged light of the desert.
As the group reluctantly followed him, Ao’s mind was elsewhere.
His eyes scanned the horizon, but his thoughts lingered on the three people behind him.
From what I can see, I haven’t completely freed them from the grip of engram and soul magic.
They’re still tethered to the Pendragons in ways they don’t even realize.
His eyes narrowed slightly, his expression hardening.
But... there’s still time. For now.
----- Kamelott’s Troop - En Route to Artand -----
The sound of hooves thundered through the landscape as Kamelott’s troop advanced, a formidable column of knights and their armored horses cutting through forests, muddy villages, swamps, and rocky roads.
The knights moved with precision, their banners flapping in the wind, the Pendragon crest glowing faintly under the pale light of dawn.
At their helm rode young King Arthur Pendragon, his golden armor gleaming despite the dirt that clung to it from their relentless march.
Beside him, Siegfried Pendragon, the grand master of the adventurers' guilds, and William Shakespeare, the master of the Shakespeare guild, kept pace.
The grim determination in their faces reflected the seriousness of their mission.
Siegfried urged his horse closer to Arthur, his expression dark.
Siegfried: “Arthur, I’ve received a telepathic message from King Geirford of Artand.”
Arthur: “What does it say?”
Siegfried: “A message of deterrence. They’ve spotted our troop and warn us to come as friends, not as enemies.”
Arthur: “Tss. Are they mocking us? They let the Red Cult infiltrate an official tournament, one we gave our approval and trust for, and now they dare issue warnings?!”
His voice rose, a mix of anger and disbelief.
Arthur: “Ridiculous!”
Siegfried: “I couldn’t agree more, my king.”
William Shakespeare, riding on Arthur’s other side, spoke up, his voice measured but firm.
William: “Don’t forget, Arthur, rescuing our warriors is the top priority. Retaliation comes after.”
Arthur: “What if we do both at the same time?”
William: “You want to split the troop?”
Arthur: “Precisely.
I’ll deal with King Geirford and his guard.
You, Siegfried, and the rest of the troop will go through the tournament veil, rescue our warriors, and deal with this.. ‘Blue Light.’”
William: “Let’s do that, then.”
As Kamelott’s troop continued their advance, William suddenly stiffened.
A strange sensation coursed through him, a feeling he hadn’t experienced in years. It was faint, yet unmistakable—a powerful aura, dark and menacing, somewhere ahead of them.
William's Thoughts:
This... this energy. Could it be...
----- On Ao’s Side -----
The blood-red desert stretched endlessly before them, the horizon crowned by ominous gray and red clouds.
Ao and his companions trudged through the sand, their steps heavy under the weight of exhaustion and mistrust.
Kin remained unconscious, slung over Ao’s back like a sack of grain, while Yumi and Gin followed behind, their unease growing with every step.
Yumi: “You really don’t want to explain why we’re heading toward... that?”
She gestured toward the stormy horizon, her voice tinged with both fear and frustration.
Ao didn’t respond.
He kept walking, his eyes fixed ahead.
Gin: “Ao! Where we’re going, the Red Cult could attack us at any moment. Answer us already!”
Ao finally spoke, his voice calm but cold.
Ao: “As long as you stay with me, I’ll protect you from the Red Cult.
That’s all you need to know for now. Now shut up and move.”
Gin opened his mouth to argue, but Yumi placed a hand on his shoulder, shaking her head.
They reluctantly continued, their anxiety growing with every step.
As they walked, Ao’s thoughts turned inward.
Thomas won’t like what I’m about to do... but it’s time.
Time to declare war.. and wake them up.
9 Years Earlier
The once-thriving capital of Ilenkrad lay in ruins.
The streets were choked with smoke and ash, the air thick with the stench of death.
Thousands of bodies littered the ground, victims of what the terrified survivors had begun calling the Blue Massacre.
At the heart of the devastation, in the shattered remains of the Naka clan’s great square, two figures clashed.
One was a young boy—Ao.
His body crackled with blue lightning, his movements a blur as he attacked with relentless fury.
Opposing him was a man wielding a katana wreathed in thick, red smoke, his stance steady and unyielding.
Thomas, his companion.
Thomas: “Ao, that’s enough! There’s nothing more to be done!”
Ao darted around him, his speed leaving trails of blue light in his wake.
Ao (Child): “THEN LET ME GO AFTER THEM!”
He lunged at Thomas, his fists glowing with energy, but Thomas parried the attack with his katana, the clash sending shockwaves through the ruined square.
Thomas: “IT’S USELESS! YOU CAN’T DEFEAT THEM ALL!”
With a powerful swing, he knocked Ao back.
The boy stumbled, his breathing ragged, but he didn’t stop.
He charged again, his punches wild but fueled by raw emotion.
Ao (Child): “I’M GOING TO DESTROY THEIR WHOLE FUCKING KINGDOMS!”
“ONE!” Punch
“BY!” Punch
“ONE!” Punch
Thomas growled in frustration, finally stepping forward and grabbing Ao mid-attack.
He crushed the boy against his chest, pinning his arms to his sides.
Ao struggled, his aura flaring, but Thomas didn’t let go.
Thomas: “I know how you feel, Ao!
But even you—even with all your power—can’t defeat them alone!
They have warriors far stronger than you can imagine!”
Ao writhed in Thomas’s grip, tears streaming down his face as his anger consumed him.
Ao (Child): “I’m the disciple of a great sage! I WON’T LET THEM DESTROY THIS WORLD!”
Thomas: “The great sages are part of the Pendragon alliance!
The most powerful people in the world are in their camp!
You can’t overthrow an organization like that with just your anger!”
Ao froze, his mind reeling.
The weight of Thomas’s words crushed him, shattering the last vestiges of his defiance.
Ao (Child): “The... great sages... with them?”
His aura flickered and faded as he collapsed, sobbing into Thomas’s arms.
Ao (Child): “What... what can I do? How can I stop them? I’LL NEVER BE STRONG ENOUGH!”
Thomas knelt down, holding the boy tightly, his own voice filled with bitterness and resignation.
Thomas: “Now you understand, Ao.
This is the tragic fate of our world.
The Pendragons will dominate everything.
They’ll crush the independent kingdoms, kill anyone who resists, and conquer until there’s nothing left.
Not even the infection of the dark power will stop them.”
Ao’s sobs quieted, his grief giving way to a cold, steely resolve.
Master... Is this what you wanted me to see?
That this world is doomed to endless war?
Ao: “No... I refuse. I REFUSE!”
Thomas: “We must hide, Ao.
Swallow your anger, your sadness, your injustice.
If you truly wish to overthrow them one day...”
He placed a hand on Ao’s trembling shoulder.
Thomas: “Then we need a plan, and when you’re ready—truly ready—give the signal.”
Back to Present
The rain poured mercilessly from the gray sky, drenching the red desert of Artand in a cold, relentless downpour.
Lightning flashed intermittently, illuminating the ominous gray and red clouds above.
The air buzzed with energy as Ao and his companions stood before a towering structure—a grotesque red totem, pulsating faintly with an unnatural light.
It loomed over them like a harbinger of doom, its jagged, twisted design resembling a cruel idol of the Red Cult’s dark faith.
A shadowed silhouette stood nearby, watching silently from the edges of the storm.
Gin: “Wha... Where are we, Ao?!”
His voice trembled, his fear evident as he stared at the ominous structure.
Ao: “At the result of the ritual the Red Cult has been preparing all night.”
Yumi: “What the hell are we doing here?!”
Ao: “Igniting the wrath of the beasts of this world.”
Ao stepped forward, his body crackling with power.
He raised his fist, and a brilliant sphere of blue energy began to coalesce around it, growing larger and brighter with each passing second.
The energy swirled with glittering intensity, illuminating the desert in shades of sapphire.
Yumi: “Ao, stop! What are you doing?!”
But Ao didn’t answer.
With a sharp motion, he hurled the massive energy sphere toward the red totem.
As the energy flew, he incanted with a voice that seemed to shake the heavens themselves.
Ao: “Nova Star!!!”
The scintillating ball of energy roared through the air, slamming into the red totem with cataclysmic force.
The impact triggered an explosion of blinding blue light, the shockwave tearing through the desert. Sand was thrown into the air, the wind howled with fury, and the sound of the explosion rippled outward, reverberating across the entire tournament area.
The veil surrounding the tournament—a sinister construct designed to hide the Red Cult’s atrocities—shimmered violently as the explosion’s energy reached it.
The blue light seeped into the veil’s fabric, disrupting its enchantments and tearing apart the illusion.
Slowly, the veil unraveled, revealing the horrors of the tournament to every kingdom watching across the world.
----- A Hidden Lair in Chaos -----
In a dimly lit room filled with glowing monitors and wires, a spy frantically adjusted controls, her face pale with panic.
Her master stood behind her, his expression darkening with each passing second.
Anne: “MASTER, THIS IS VERY SERIOUS!!!”
Anne’s Master: “What’s going on?!”
Anne: “THE MERCENARY OF THE GOLDEN ORDER HAS JUST DESTROYED OUR DEVICE IN THE TOURNAMENT’S VEIL!!!”
Anne’s Master: “WHAT?!”
His voice thundered as he slammed his fist on the table.
“CUT THE DAMN TRANSMISSION, QUICKLY!”
Anne: “THAT’S WHAT I’M TRYING TO DO, BUT WE’RE NO LONGER CONTROLLING THE VEIL!!!”
----- Kingdom of Kamelott – Tavern -----
In a bustling tavern in Kamelott, patrons crowded around a glowing screen, watching the tournament broadcast.
The jovial atmosphere quickly turned to dread as the veil’s trickery dissolved, replaced by the unfiltered horrors of the tournament.
Child: “Daddy, look! What’s all the red on the TV?”
The screen displayed blood-soaked sand, mutilated bodies, and terrified participants fleeing from Red Cult assassins.
Gasps filled the tavern, and mothers shielded their children’s eyes.
Child’s Mother: “Don’t look, darling!” She pulled her child close, her own face pale with fear.
----- Pendragon Alliance Headquarters -----
In the opulent war room of the Pendragon Alliance headquarters, chaos reigned.
High-ranking officials barked orders, desperately trying to jam the transmission coming from the tournament.
The room was filled with the hum of machines, the frantic tapping of keyboards, and the sharp voices of commanders.
At the center of the room stood two figures dressed in noble blue and gold attire.
One, a lean, sharp-eyed man, turned to his companion—a massive, muscular figure whose imposing presence silenced those around him.
???: “Are you thinking what I’m thinking, Master Denken?”
Denken: “If it’s what we think, the emperor will be furious... but yes, I also think it’s him.”
Back in the desert, the blue explosion subsided, revealing Ao and his companions shielded by a large shimmering barrier.
The sand around them had been scorched black, and the red totem lay in ruins.
Above them, the chameleon cameras hovered, their lenses zooming in on Ao from several angles, broadcasting his every move.
Ao: “Smile back there, you’re being filmed!”
Yumi: “Huh?!”
Ao gently laid Kin’s unconscious body on the sand before stepping toward the cameras.
He took a deep breath, standing tall as he prepared to address the world.
Ao: “Ahem... Look, I’m not great at speeches, so I’ll keep this short but good.”
His voice, though casual, carried a weight that demanded attention.
His eyes burned with determination as he looked directly into the cameras.
Ao: “Ahem.. I.. Um..
Look, I'm not made for speeches, so I'll keep my words short, but good enough..
My name is Ao Starbreaker.. Remember this name, because from now on, you're going to be hearing about us everywhere!
The newspapers will speak of us as terrorists, criminals, monsters..
But we're not what they say, I can assure you!
What happened here is awful.. but we're used to the awful reality the Pendragons have forced us to live with all these years!
For those who don't understand these words.. believe me, they will resonate within you, more and more each day!
This is what the Starbreaker clan has to say to all of you watching this transmission!
The Starbreaker clan will liberate all the kingdoms that have fallen under the forces of the Pendragon alliance, and we will put an end, once and for all, to the infection of dark power!
It's a promise: we'll do everything in our power to put mankind back on the right track!
To you who have lost hope,
To you who have lost your former lives, imprisoned by the lies of the Pendragons,
To you who try to be fair in these times of constant battle,
To you who are getting drunker and drunker, waiting for humanity's last hours,
To you who feel powerless in the face of all the horrors caused by this alliance,
The Starbreaker clan is coming for you! And we'll take back everything they've taken from us!
As for you.. the Pendragon alliance..
Send me your best warriors, your best inventions, your angels, your Soul Killer, your great sages..
NOTHING! WILL STOP ME FROM REDUCING YOU TO ASHES!
The history books will talk about what you did to the world, but they'll also talk about how the world recovered from your bullshit, and sent it all back to you.. A THOUSANDFOLD!
Pendragon Alliance, it's war!!!
Come and get me if you dare, or I'll come for you!!!”
...
...
...
Somewhere in the shadows of the world, a hidden force stirred.
In ancient halls, forgotten bunkers, and quiet villages, the Starbreaker clan—hidden for years—rose to their feet, ready to answer Ao’s call.
Voice 1: “You heard it... It’s the signal.”
Voice 2: “I know. Get ready.”
Ao’s words continued to echo in the minds of all who had heard them.
The war had begun.
