War
War is not just a battlefield drowned in blood and ash.
It is a curse older than empires, crueler than tyrants.
It is not born of a ruler or a people, but of a shadow lurking deep in the soul—
an insidious whisper that breathes hatred and ambition.
An old friend... once gave a name to this endless war.
The Devourer.
Not because it consumes bodies—though it does so without mercy—
but because it devours hearts, hope, and memory.
It advances without pity, draped in banners of ever-changing colors—
sometimes bearing the cries of a vengeful people,
sometimes the prayers of a king grasping for glory.
Bards sing of the exploits of fallen heroes,
of warriors who defied death and carved their names into legend.
But we... who have seen war, breathed it, lived it for two thousand years...
We know there is nothing poetic about it.
War has the stench of rusted iron and burning flesh.
It tastes of sweat and salt, the bitter tang of blood.
It speaks in silence—
in the hollow gazes of those who remain.
Throughout the ages, the Pendragon empires have drawn their swords,
swearing each time that this war would be the last.
Yet every victory raised its throne upon a mountain of ashes.
Every crowned king stood upon a land soaked in the blood of the conquered.
And each time we thought _the Devourer_ had finally fallen into slumber,
she opened her jaws once more, hungering for souls and vengeance.
Ao: “Geirford… where are you?”
Ao trudges through the mud, his boots sinking deep, each step heavier than the last.
Rain drips from his cloak, tracing slow rivers down his fingers as they clench into fists.
His breath is shallow, his gaze hollow.
He searches—not just for a body, but for something worse: proof.
Proof that his friend is truly gone.
They say there was once a man who tried to end this war.
He was neither king nor general, but a simple scholar,
a watchman of the stars.
He understood that war is not ended by steel or by sorcery.
It is ended by memory.
He thought "for as long as men forget the horrors of the past, they will repeat them."
"As long as children hear only the glories of battle—"
"and not the weeping of widows, the wailing of orphans—"
"the Devourer will always find her way."
Ao: Deep, shaky breath. “There.. you are.. my friend”
Geirford’s corpse lies motionless in the mud—breathless, bloodstained, silent.
His lifeless form is swallowed by the earth, shrouded in the trembling shadow of Ao
So the scholar sought to raise a great family across the kingdoms,
teaching their children of war’s atrocities.
He pleaded for an end to the warriors, the killing, the cycle.
He begged them to remember.
To set an example.
To forsake violence—never again, never again.
But the world is mad.
And one family is not a cure.
Again and again, _the Devourer_ took his loved ones,
tore them from his arms, erased them from history.
Again and again, he failed.
Until, at last… he understood.
Why fight to remind the world of war’s horrors,
when you can forget the concept of war itself?
A new project.
A final cure.
A man who forgets the Devourer.
Ao: Carries Geirford’s battered body. “Let me take you home…”
----- 13 Years Earlier -----
---- Library of Ancient Knowledge, Sun God’s Private Dimension ----
Sun God: “Did you understand the text about the Devourer?”
Ao (Child): “Y-Yes...” He hesitates.
The Sun God, dressed more lightly than usual, reveals his full face to his newly appointed disciple.
His gaze is calm, patient—inviting Ao to speak his mind.
Sun God: “You look uncertain. Is there something on your mind?”
Ao (Child): “I…”
He might get upset if I mention it…
Sun God: “I won’t be angry. Speak.”
A small, startled breath escapes Ao.
He.. can read my thoughts?
The Sun God lets out a quiet chuckle beneath his beard and gestures for Ao to continue.
Ao (Child): “Well… I talked to the servants about it before, but… I’ve always wanted to find another way.
A way to protect people.. without fighting.
I want to be like a hero… a superhero who doesn’t need to fight.”
He lowers his head slightly.
“But… this man in the text tried that, didn’t he? And he failed.”
Sun God: “That’s right.”
Ao (Child): “But… in all the ancient wars, they always ended in diplomacy.
Even after so much bloodshed, people sat down and made peace. Why not now?”
The Sun God exhales slowly, as if weighing his words carefully.
Sun God: “The world is different now, Ao. You’ll understand soon enough.”
He studies the boy’s face for a moment, then nods.
"But the desire to seek peace before war? That is wise. Never let go of that instinct."
Ao (Child): “So… I’m not wrong for wanting this?”
Sun God: “No.”
Then, gently but firmly:
"But don’t mistake wisdom for naïveté. There will be times when combat is inevitable.
No matter how much you try to reason with your enemy… some will never listen."
"That is why I am teaching you to fight as a true Star Bearer—so that when the time comes, you will hold every card in your hand. So that you will never face the world unprepared.”
Ao (Child): “If I must fight… it will only be to protect those I love.”
A flicker of pride passes through the Sun God’s eyes.
But beneath it… something else. Something bittersweet.
Sun God: “Remember this, Ao…”
Ao (Child): “Hm?”
Sun God: “No matter how strong you become—sooner or later, you may have to bury the ones you love.”
Ao blinks. His master’s voice, always steady, wavers just slightly.
The slightest fracture in his unshakable presence.
A glimpse of something deeper—something heavier.
A lesson not from knowledge, but from experience.
The Sun God inhales, straightens, and forces a small, reassuring smile.
Sun God: “But I will prepare you, my boy. You will become a man worthy of my teachings.”
He places a warm, steady hand on Ao’s shoulder, a comforting weight.
Ao (Child): His hesitation fades. He straightens, voice clear and certain.
"Yes, Master!"
Geirford’s corpse lies still in the mud—lifeless, bloodstained, and silent.
The ruins of Artand stretch behind him, its walls shattered, its homes reduced to rubble.
Smoke rises in thick plumes, mingling with the cries of mourning villagers.
Yet Ao sees none of it. Hears none of it.
Only Geirford.
He kneels before his fallen friend, his hands clenched into fists, his breath shallow.
The rest of the world ceases to exist.
Ao: “No matter how well you prepared me… this pain…”
His voice wavers.
“The pain of losing someone you love… I’ll never get used to it.”
He exhales shakily, barely a whisper now.
“You must have felt it too, didn’t you, Master?”
A hand settles on his shoulder, breaking his trance.
Thomas: “Geirford… what happened to him.. it’s unfair.”
Ao does not move. His gaze, shadowed by grief and anger, remains fixed ahead.
Then, footsteps. Familiar ones. Unfamiliar ones.
They gather behind him.
Ao’s fingers tighten.
Arthur: “I… I’m sorry I couldn’t save him.”
Siegfried: “Don’t apologize, my king! You have Blue Light before you!”
He jabs a finger toward Ao, voice brimming with rage.
Arthur: “…What?”
Realization dawns.
He had just apologized… to the butcher of the Blue Light Massacre.
Arthur's expression hardens as he glares at his knights.
Arthur: Telepathically “What’s the meaning of this?! You were supposed to handle him!”
Siegfried: Telepathically “Blame William! We could have killed him when we had the chance!”
William remains silent, his stoic demeanor unwavering.
But before their argument escalates further, Ao moves.
Ao rises slowly. His body tenses.
His gaze locks onto Arthur’s group.
Arthur: Telepathically “Damn it. Is he going to attack?!”
Siegfried: Telepathically “I told you letting him live was a mistake!”
Then, in an instant—Ao vanishes.
Thomas: “AO, STOP—”
But Ao wasn’t moving toward Arthur.
His target was behind him.
Lirin barely has time to react before Ao’s fist stops just short of her face—lightning-fast, inches from crushing her skull.
For a brief moment, she exhales in relief.
Then the shockwave hits.
Her nose shatters.
The bones above her eyes collapse.
Blood spills from split lips as her face crumples from the sheer force of the attack.
She stumbles back, screaming in agony, clutching what remains of her features.
Ao: “You sent me into a trap, Lirin!!!”
His voice is low. Heavy. A storm barely restrained.
The name Lirin echoes through the stunned silence, leaving Arthur’s group bewildered.
They don’t understand—but they don’t need to.
Ao’s fury is answer enough.
Lirin: Garbled, through bloodied lips “You… b-bastard—”
Ao: “SHUT UP”
Teshi: “THOMAS! CONTROL YOUR BRAT!!!”
But Thomas remains silent, watching Lirin writhe.
He understands now.
The task he gave Ao was never what he believed it to be. And he…
He was responsible for it.
Thomas: “I should have… looked deeper into this mission.”
Ao: Glaring down at Lirin “Next time you lie to me about an operation”
His breath is hot against her bruised skin as he leans in.
“my fist won’t stop.”
Teshi: “Instead of whining, you should apologize for failing!”
Ao shifts his gaze toward Teshi, eyes burning.
Ao: “Failure? The mission is over. Your only job now is to dig the tournament prize out of the ruins.”
Arthur: “Blue Light”
A silence. A shift in the air. Ao slowly turns to face Arthur for the first time.
And what he sees… makes him pause.
Arthur’s sword gleams, pulsing with power.
Arthur: “You’re under arrest. Surrender.”
Ao’s eyes narrow.
He studies Arthur—not the man, but the aura surrounding him.
Ao’s Thoughts:
That sword… that energy…
It’s the same as my master’s.
But weaker…?
Ao: “Who are you?”
Arthur: “Arthur Pendragon! King of Kamelott, future Sun God!”
Future… Sun God?
What kind of nonsense is that?!
Arthur: “Surrender, or we’ll use force!”
Swords are drawn.
Siegfried smirks, stepping into a battle stance.
But Ao barely notices.
His mind lingers on one thing—the connection between Arthur and the Sun God.
Ao: “You… why are you linked to the sun?”
Arthur: “We’re not here to talk about me! We’re here for you, Blue Light!”
Ao: “I think… I’m starting to understand…”
Arthur: “ARE YOU GOING TO SURRENDER OR NOT?!”
Thomas laughs under his breath.
Thomas: “You just can’t help but meddle in other people’s business, can you, Ao?”
He steps forward, resting a hand on his sheathed katana.
Thomas: “Sorry, young Arthur, but I can’t let you take Ao.”
Ao: Smirking “Because you thought they were going to take me?”
Arthur: “I don’t care what you think. We’re ready to en—”
William: “No, my king.”
Armor clinks as the Pendragon troops turn toward William, who remains still, arms crossed.
Arthur: “What?”
William: “Consider the situation. We’ve lost enough today.”
Arthur glances around. The kingdom of Artand—once proud—is nothing but ruins.
Civilians sob over their dead.
The weight of their grief seeps into his skin.
William: “We fight now, and more will die.”
Siegfried: “Have you lost your warrior’s heart, William?! We have a criminal before us!”
William: “And he knew we would come. Don’t you think he planned for this?”
They turn to Ao… who simply tilts his head, feigning innocence.
Arthur: Clenching his sword
“Tch… I’m not strong enough yet. If I was, I could have saved them. Saved Geirford… and locked that bastard away.”
Ao watches him. Then, slowly, a smile spreads across his lips.
Just as I thought…
Since meeting Gin, I’ve known.
This kingdom—above all the others—has the greatest potential I’ve seen on my journey.
William: “Let’s go, my king. The rescue mission is complete.”
Arthur hesitates, frustration twisting his features.
Then, with a sharp turn, he sheathes his sword.
His Pendragon cloak flutters behind him as he strides away, his troops following in silence.
Thomas: Chuckling “He’s really playing up the ‘king’ act, huh?”
Ao: “He’s perfect.”
Thomas: “…Huh?”
Ao: “I’ve got somewhere to be. You can dig through the wreckage for your prize.”
Teshi: “And the civilians?”
Thomas: “Our superiors will handle it. But…”
He turns to Ao—only to find him gone.
Thomas: Sigh “Be careful..” Looks sadly at Geirford's body “not to rush too much.. Ao”
----- 20 minutes later -----
---- Inside of a large camouflaged ship ----
✦ “Master Ao is approaching” ✦
Akemi: “Already? I thought he was still in Artand.”
LarIa ✦: “He was. But something urgent made him—”
BOOM!
A violent explosion shakes the ship.
Akemi and four others immediately sprint down the corridor toward the sound, their boots pounding against the metal floors.
When Akemi kicks open the door to the structure’s main entrance, thick smoke greets her.
Akemi: “Who’s there?!!”
Ao: Coughing “Ouch!!!”
Kai: Stepping through the smoke “What the hell did you do, kid?!”
Ao: “Is it new to have a wall instead of a damn entrance?!”
The smoke thins just enough for Ao to stumble forward—hanging by one arm as Kai, the new captain of the **Starbreaker's ship**, hauls him out like a sack of cargo.
Akemi: “What do you mean, a wall?! You just missed the entrance, fool!!!”
Ao: “Ah… maybe, yeah”
Kai lets go abruptly—dropping Ao onto the floor with a dull thud.
Kai: “You need to stop acting like a damn child!
The Starbreaker protocol is almost finished. LarIa’s ready. We’re about to launch.”
Ao: Brushing off dust from his torn clothes “Yeah… about that. Don’t start yet.”
Akemi: “…What?! Why?!”
???: “Because my theory turned out to be correct… isn’t that right, Ao?”
A figure steps forward—a man with long, unruly hair, dark circles under his eyes, and a white lab coat that barely clings to his lanky frame.
Ao: “…Yeah. You were right, Tao.”
Tao: Adjusting his glasses “Of course I was. My calculations had an 82% accuracy rate.”
Kai: “What theory?”
Ao: “The point of my speech was to rally as many people to our side, not just the surrounding kingdoms, but also the citizens of Pendragon’s own cities, especially Kamelott.”
Tao: “And it failed. Because every city under Pendragon’s rule has a ‘Master’, someone capable of recalibrating the engrams of their citizens.”
Akemi: “…And in plain language, genius?”
Ao: “It means they erased or rewrote the memories of everyone who saw my speech.”
Tao: “Ensuring that no doubts about their empire ever took root. A brilliant failsafe, really.”
Akemi: “…Wait. How did you figure this out?”
Ao: “…I met the Master of the Kamelott Project.”
A flicker of tension passes through the room.
Ao clenches his jaw, recalling Gin and his sibling—their minds, their controlled existence.
His grip tightens.
Kai: “Damn it. We were supposed to start evacuating resistance fighters from Kamelott next. What now?”
Ao turns away from them, staring at the LarIa core—a radiant structure pulsating with years of accumulated Star power.
Ao: “We ask LarIa.”
✦ “Delighted to finally meet you in person, Master Ao.” ✦
Ao: “Just Ao. I only fixed you, that’s all.”
✦ “A feat beyond most human engineers. You should consider becoming an Archmage Engineer, Ao.” ✦
Ao: “…Maybe when the war’s over.”
His voice lacks conviction, but he quickly shakes it off.
Ao: “We need your light for our plan, LarIa.”
✦ “I have already analyzed the situation. There is one clear solution.” ✦
Ao: “We’re listening.”
✦ “Kill the King of Kamelott.” ✦
The room stills.
✦ “Then, destroy Kamelott entirely. Without its heart, the Pendragon Empire will—”
Ao: “Stop. Stop, stop!.. Ahem.. Let me get this straight… You want to start a mass execution?”
✦ “You said it yourself, Ao. This is war.”✦
Ao: “…That’s not what I meant, and I definitely embellished that speech to gain support.
I refuse to kill their king, and I refuse to destroy their capital.”
✦ “Yet, this remains the most efficient strategy—”
Ao: “Forget it, LarIa.”
Kai: “She has a point, Ao.”
The moment the words leave Kai’s mouth, Ao releases a shockwave—rattling the very walls around them.
Ao: “We are NOT killing these people!!!”
Kai: “What?! Because you’re attached to that kid you keep talking about?!”
Ao: His voice darkens
“We won’t repeat the mistakes of the past, Kai.
Your ‘brilliant’ plans failed. That’s why I took control of this clan, you remember ?”
Kai: Scoffs “And I’ve always said you’re too young. Too naïve.”
The tension thickens. The two lock eyes—neither willing to break first.
Kai: “And I bet you still haven’t dealt with that voice in your head either. Am I right?”
Ao: “…Why do you care?”
Kai: “Because I wonder if you actually have the shoulders for what’s coming.”
Ao: “We’ve been through this already.”
Kai: “Maybe if you stepped back, you wouldn’t have those nightmares keeping you up at night.”
Akemi: “Kai, stop.”
Kai: “No. What the hell is keeping you here, Ao?!
You could’ve gone back to your Master ages ago.
But no, you’re here, still trying to fix things while keeping your hands clean.”
His voice sharpens—his final blow.
Kai: “That’s NOT what a leader does.
A leader is someone who gets their hands dirty as many times as it takes.”
Tao: “That’s not entirely correct, Kai.”
Kai: “Shut the hell up, nerd.”
Frustrated, Kai storms out, leaving behind a tense silence.
Ao: Exhales, composing himself
“Well. LarIa, do you have a solution that doesn’t involve mass murder?”
✦ “You could infiltrate Kamelott and stop the Master controlling the city’s engrams.
However, based on my calculations, the security there is—formidable.” ✦
Tao: “You’d need to blend in, alter your engram, except we don’t have that kind of magic.”
Ao: “…It won’t be a problem.”
Akemi, Tao, LarIa: “What?!”
Akemi: “Don’t tell me you plan to fight in the capital?!”
Ao: “No. I’m saying he won’t attack me. I can feel it, I got a good feeling about him.”
Tao: “…You’re aware this Master is high-ranking in the empire hierarchy, right?
How can you be so sure?”
Ao: “That's the thing, i'm not really sure..”
The room falls into uneasy silence.
Akemi: “We don’t gamble on feelings, Ao. It’s too dangerous.”
Ao: “It could work, even if it goes—”
Tao: “We need certainty for a plan this dangerous, Ao.”
A pause, and a few sighs later.
Ao: “…Fine. We’ll explore more options.”
Akemi: “Good. Now go take a damn shower, you smell like burnt clay.”
Ao: “…Huh?”
Akemi: Poking his torn clothes “AND CHANGE. You look like you crawled through hell.”
Ao sighs, raising his hands in surrender.
Ao: “…I.. haven’t rested in days, that's not my—”
But Akemi growls, looking at Ao with disdain
I'm not going to add anything more.. Haha..
----- 3 days later, 11 pm -----
---- Guild Hall of the Shakespeare Guild, Kamelott ----
The hall is alive with music and laughter.
Dancers twirl under golden candlelight, the scent of spiced ale and roasted meat filling the air.
In the tavern corner, Yumi and William Shakespeare stand behind the counter, watching the revelry with soft smiles.
Then—William shivers.
A deep, involuntary reaction.
His bright green eyes widen for a split second before he forces his face back into a mask of calm.
Yumi: Concerned “Dad? Are you okay?”
William: Clears his throat, smiling “Ahem… Yes, everything’s fine.”
But something isn’t right.
A presence.
A shift in the air.
A sense that the final act of a long-unfinished play is about to begin.
Slowly, almost imperceptibly…
William smiles to himself, excitement flickering beneath his carefully composed features.
----- Guild Hall, 1 am -----
The party is over. Only the echoes of laughter remain, fading into the wooden walls of the guild hall.
Yumi and William clean up the last of the tables, stacking plates and wiping down surfaces.
A cool breeze brushes against Yumi’s skin, making her turn toward the still-open front door.
She hesitates, then closes it firmly.
Yumi: “What are you doing, Dad?”
William: Lighting a candle at the center of a tavern table “Just thinking.”
Yumi: Frowning “Are you sure everything’s okay?”
William: Softly “Yes, darling. Just need a moment alone.”
Yumi studies him for a second before nodding, then heads upstairs.
The moment her bedroom door clicks shut, silence consumes the hall.
Only the flicker of the candle remains.
Then—
Soft footsteps.
A shadow moves toward the candlelight. A familiar presence takes form.
William: Not looking up
“I’ve always admired Shakespeare’s works. His philosophy, his tragic depth.
Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet… both tales of choices leading to inevitable ruin.
Every choice we make in life shapes our destiny, just as Hamlet, blinded by vengeance, made endless mistakes that cost him his life, and those close to him.
A tragic massacre, which could have been avoided if Hamlet had made the right choices”.
The shadow reaches the table and slowly sits across from him. A familiar voice speaks.
Ao: “It has to be said… if Claudius hadn’t murdered and dethroned Hamlet’s father, none of it would’ve happened.”
William: Chuckles softly “Come now, Claudius had his faults, yes. But so did Hamlet and his father.”
Silence stretches between them.
The candle’s flame flickers, casting their faces in shifting light and shadow.
William: Calmly “I don’t want a fight. But if you force my hand, I won’t hold back.”
Ao: Leaning forward slightly “If I wanted a fight, I would’ve attacked you in Artand.”
William: Smirks “Mm… And yet, you looked so disappointed you didn’t get the chance.”
Ao: Embarrassed “That’s.. not true! Who told you that?”
William: Laughs “Still young. But you’ve seen far too much for your age.”
Ao: Studying him “…I get the feeling you know me.”
William: Nods “I do. I’ve kept an eye on you, despite your best efforts to remain a ghost.
Your ‘exploits’ aren’t as hidden as you think.”
Ao: Leaning back “Huh. I have an idea how you know, but I’ll keep that to myself for now.”
Another pause. Then, William’s voice drops, quieter, but sharper.
William: “Why did you come, Ao?”
Ao doesn’t answer immediately.
His eyes remain steady, filled not with hostility… but something else entirely.
Ao: “Tell me if I’m right… your engram is still intact.”
William: Without hesitation “That’s right.”
Ao: “So… you’re playing the role of ‘William Shakespeare.’ The loving father. The guild master. Even though that’s not who you really are.”
William: A soft chuckle “To be, or not to be… that is the question, Ao.”
Ao: Nods slowly “Indeed.”
William tenses—just slightly.
Ao: “I came here to finish the conversation you started in Artand.”
William: “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Nothing happened in Artand.”
Ao: “Do you think you can play your role in front of me?”
William: A slow exhale “It’s the only thing I have left, haha.”
Ao: “Not the only thing.” His gaze sharpens.
“If you’ve kept tabs on me… if you asked me that question in Artand… then it means you were interested in me for a reason.”
William: “You’re mistaken. I’m just a simple man, a father, nothing more—”
Ao: Interrupts, voice steady “I know your real name.”
The playful ease in William’s demeanor vanishes.
His fingers interlock, elbows resting on the table.
His green eyes sharpen, analyzing Ao with new wariness.
William: “Huh… You’re going to have to get better at bluffing, kid.”
Ao: Leaning in slightly “And you… are going to tell me what’s happening in this city.”
William: Smirks “Is that so?”
Ao: Eyes narrowing “Yes, Akhilleus”
A single name. A name buried in history, spoken aloud for the first time in years.
William freezes.
For the first time in a long, long time—his mask falters.
Ao: “And you’re also going to tell me…” His voice drops, almost a whisper.
“Why you chose to forget the Devourer instead of fighting it.”
A flicker of something deep and raw ignites in William’s—Akhilleus’s—eyes.
The flicker of a man who once held the weight of the world on his shoulders… and chose to put it down.
For the first time, William Shakespeare disappears.
And Akhilleus takes his place.
