Emberfall Chronicles

The road to A1 City stretched before Rajiv and Yokudo, lined with thick forests and winding paths. The cool night air whispered through the trees as they moved forward, the moon casting silver shadows across their path.

Rajiv was deep in thought. Kazuki's words echoed in his mind—"You need to find the right place to train." The competition in A1 City might be his chance, but something in his gut told him there was more to this journey than just a tournament.

Suddenly, a rustling sound broke the silence.

"Stop." Rajiv held out a hand, his senses on high alert. Yokudo halted beside him, gripping his blade.

From the shadows, figures emerged—five men dressed in tattered cloaks, their eyes sharp and hungry. One of them stepped forward, a rough-looking man with a scar running across his cheek.

"Hand over everything you have," he said, his voice firm.

Rajiv's eyes narrowed. "We don't have much."

The man smirked and raised his weapon—an unusual-looking gun, its barrel glowing faintly with a blue light.

"Then we'll take what little you do have."

Rajiv clenched his fists. He could sense the energy radiating from the weapon. That's not a normal gun…

Yokudo stepped forward, blade ready. "We're not going down without a fight."

The robbers hesitated. Then, another man, older and with a weary expression, raised a hand. "Wait. They're not nobles."

At the word nobles, Rajiv's interest piqued. "You have a problem with them?"

The older man studied him before sighing. "You wouldn't understand."

Rajiv met his gaze. "Try me."

A heavy silence followed. Then, the older man spoke. "We are from the Akaru Clan. Ten years ago, the noble clan destroyed our home, locked us away, and erased our history. They control everything—information, power, energy distribution. To the world, they are saints. But to us… they are tyrants."

Rajiv exchanged a glance with Yokudo. A noble clan with a perfect reputation… hiding a dark truth?

Yokudo crossed his arms. "So you turned to stealing?"

The scarred man scoffed. "What choice do we have? The nobles cut off our access to energy. They forced us into the shadows." He lifted his energy gun. "This is all we have left. No ammo, no real firepower—just scraps of energy we scavenge."

Rajiv frowned. "Then why don't you fight back?"

The older man shook his head. "We tried. We failed. And those who stood against them… vanished."

A tense silence fell over the group. The weight of their words settled in Rajiv's chest.

Finally, Rajiv took a deep breath. "Then let's change that."

The robbers looked at him in surprise.

Rajiv clenched his fists. "You're right—fighting them head-on won't work. But if we find their weaknesses, expose their secrets… we can bring them down."

The older man studied him carefully. "And why would you help us?"

Rajiv's mind flashed back to his training with Kazuki, the surge of energy he couldn't control, the feeling of something inside him waiting to be unlocked. He didn't fully understand his power yet—but he knew one thing.

"I hate people who act righteous while crushing others." His voice was steady. "If they've trapped your clan for ten years… then it's time someone set things right."

A long pause. Then, slowly, the older man nodded.

"Then we'll tell you everything."