Near the border of the Black Fang village.
The border village burned.
Screams pierced the night, choked quickly by steel and fire. The ground was littered with bodies, soldiers and peasants alike, torn apart as though by wild beasts.
At the center of the slaughter stood Kaku, his laughter echoing like a hyena's cry. His blade dripped red as he kicked a dying man aside.
Kaku: "Hyaah! Did you see his face? Like a pig squealing for mercy!"
He cackled, teeth gleaming under the moonlight.
Nearby, Takomi wiped his sword clean, his movements calm, deliberate — a predator savoring the hunt.
Takomi: "You waste too much energy, Kaku. A wolf kills cleanly."
Kaku: "And you're boring as hell."
Kaku spat, grinning as he skewered another wounded soldier crawling in the dirt.
Behind them, Midari stepped silently over a corpse, his eyes cold, his bladework efficient — no flourish, no beastly aura, no Ren. Just skill.
Ren — the beast within.
It was said that every man and woman carried a sleeping beast in their soul. To awaken it was to unlock Ren: a power that fused instinct with swordsmanship, turning ordinary steel into a weapon of primal force.
But Ren did not yield easily. Few could endure the trials to awaken it, and fewer still could master it. Those who failed were consumed, broken by the very beast they sought to command.
To fight against Ren was to fight not just a swordsman, but the living shadow of the beast within.
Kaku sneered, tilting his head:
"Oi, Midari… still no Ren? Guess you're just a cripple playing soldier."
Takomi smirked faintly, joining in:
"Maybe that's why he kills so quiet. Too weak to roar like the rest of us."
Midari's grip tightened on his hilt, but he said nothing. His silence only made their laughter louder.
Then a low voice cut through the chaos like a thunderclap.
Gara: "Enough."
The laughter died instantly.
From the shadows, two towering figures stepped forward — the Knights of the Hidden Demon Village.
Kaku, Takomi, and Midari — the special unit captains of the Hidden Demon Village.
Gara and Haido — two of the five knights of the Hidden Demon Village.
Knights were superior to elite squad captains.
Haido, with the Bull Ren: massive, shoulders like a wall, every step making the ground tremble. His eyes burned with the patience of a beast ready to charge.
Gara, with the Scorpion Ren: leaner, yet coiled with venomous precision, his gaze sharp and cruel, like a blade dipped in poison.
Haido glared at the captains, his voice deep, unshakable:
"Mock him again, and I'll break your spines myself. Ren or not, Midari is still a sword of the Hidden Demon Village. Treat him as such."
The air grew heavy, and even Kaku's laughter froze in his throat.
Gara smirked, folding his arms:
"Save your noise for the king's throat. We move soon. Black Fang won't know what hit them."
Silence followed — broken only by the crackle of burning homes and the whimpers of the dying.
The strike force of the Hidden Demon Village stood assembled, shadows stretching long into the night.
And their mission had only just begun.
(A moment of peace inside the Black Fang Kingdom.)
The clash at the border was far away.
Here, inside the Black Fang Kingdom, warmth and laughter filled the barracks hall.
Haruto sat at the long wooden table, a cup in hand, watching his comrades tease one another. The air smelled of roasted meat and spiced wine.
Beside him sat Riku, a young recruit with a reckless grin.
Riku: "Someday, Captain," he boasted, "I'll surpass even you."
The table roared with laughter. Haruto smirked, sipping slowly.
Haruto: "Then you'd better survive long enough to prove it."
On Haruto's other side sat Aya, a sharp-eyed swordswoman, her blade leaned against the wall within reach. Unlike Riku, she rarely spoke, but her presence was steady — a calm against the noise.
Aya: "You shouldn't encourage his foolishness," she said softly.
Haruto chuckled: "If dreaming keeps him alive, let him dream."
The night carried on with cheer. Dice clattered, mugs clinked, and music filled the room. Soldiers swapped tales of training and near-death escapes, their voices full of life.
Haruto leaned back, watching them all — his friends, his family in arms. For a fleeting moment, his scars didn't ache, and his burdens felt lighter.
Haruto: "If this is what we fight to protect," he murmured, almost to himself, "then every scar is worth it."
The hall erupted in agreement. Cups were raised, voices cheered.
In that moment, the Black Fang Kingdom was alive.
But beyond its walls, in the cold night, shadows moved closer…
The barracks hall glowed with firelight, the laughter of soldiers spilling into the night. Riku slammed his cup on the table, demanding another round, while Aya shook her head at his foolishness.
Haruto smiled faintly, savoring the rare peace. For a moment, he almost believed the world outside these walls could not touch them.
Then — thud, thud, thud.
The heavy doors burst open. A servant, breathless and pale, stumbled into the hall. His eyes darted across the room until they found Haruto.
Servant: "Sir Haruto!" he cried, bowing hastily. "The king… summons you to the castle at once. There is an emergency!"
The hall fell silent. Cups stilled, dice stopped rolling. Soldiers exchanged uneasy glances.
Haruto rose slowly, setting his drink aside. His expression hardened, the warmth in his eyes fading.
Haruto: "…I see."
Aya immediately stood beside him.
"What happened? An… emergency? At this hour?" she asked, her voice unsteady, a trace of fear lacing her surprise.
The servant shook his head. "I do not know, my lady. Only that the king demands Sir Haruto's presence without delay."
Riku's grin had vanished. He muttered, almost to himself, "An emergency at this hour… nothing good comes of that."
Haruto:
"Worry will cloud your blade, Riku. Save your strength. Whatever comes, we'll face it as we always have."
Riku met his gaze and, though still uneasy, gave a small nod.
With that, Haruto stepped out of the hall.
The heavy doors of the Black Fang castle groaned as Haruto stepped inside. His boots echoed against the marble floor, carrying him into the tense silence of the throne hall.
At once, his eyes narrowed on the man already kneeling before the throne.
Haruto: "Kurayami… you're already here?"
Kurayami: "When the King calls, I do not delay."
From the throne, the King leaned forward, his voice strained.
King Raizen: "Good. Two have arrived… but we wait still."
Haruto's brows furrowed.
Haruto: "Wait? Who else have you summoned, Your Majesty?"
The King leaned back into his throne, his voice steady but heavy with meaning.
King Raizen: "The two knights. They are already on their way here."
Haruto, eyes widening: "The knights…? Is the matter truly this serious, to summon them?"
King Raizen: "You will understand soon enough."
The massive doors of the throne hall groaned open, their echo rolling through the chamber. Two figures entered, and at once the atmosphere shifted, heavy and tense.
The first was tall and broad-shouldered, his gaze sharp and unwavering. Every step was measured, heavy with authority, his presence alone enough to command silence. Ezekiel Caddel.
Beside him strode a leaner figure, his posture relaxed but his face disturbingly alive. A crooked smile stretched across his lips, one far too sharp and lingering to be natural. His eyes gleamed with a manic edge, studying the room as though he were searching for prey. Drake.
The guards straightened instinctively, some averting their gaze, unable to withstand the weight of the knights' presence.
From the throne, the King's voice cut through the silence.
King Raizen:
"Now… we may begin.
I have received a letter from the border. The village has been destroyed—"
The King's hands trembled against the armrests.
"They say it was Haido and Gara, the two knights of the Hidden Demon Kingdom, accompanied by several special unit captains and their soldiers."
King Raizen's voice tightened, almost breaking:
"Their goal is still unknown… but hear me well. Capture them alive if possible. We cannot kill them."
A heavy silence followed. Even the torches seemed to dim.
Haruto, narrowing his eyes:
"Not kill them? You speak as if striking them down would bring something worse."
The King's gaze flickered, as if the very thought unsettled him. Slowly, he leaned forward.
King Raizen, grimly:
"If you slay them, you won't just earn the wrath of their people… You will answer to their king."
His words hung like a curse in the air.
King Raizen, lower, almost a whisper:
"The psychopathic sovereign of the Hidden Demon Kingdom… a man who would burn entire nations for sport. Do not give him reason to unleash his madness."
The hall grew colder, the weight of the command pressing down on every soul present.
And in that moment, each man knew — this was no ordinary mission.
King Raizen's voice lowered further, heavy with strain:
"Understand this as well… Even our own strength is thinned. The minister and Knight Ardel have gone on a mission far to the north… and they have taken my son with them. None of them will return quickly."
His eyes hardened, his tone sharpening to a command.
King Raizen, sharply:
"That leaves only you — the four blades I trust to hold this kingdom's borders. Fail, and Black Fang itself will be the next village in flames."
His eyes hardened, his tone sharpening to a command.
King Raizen, coldly, selfishly:
"So hear my will. Whatever happens, you will not allow your king to fall. Protect me above all else. The mission is simple — ensure that I live."
The words fell like chains on their shoulders.
Drake chuckled, his grin widening.
Drake, mocking, voice playful yet cruel:
"How disappointing. To face prey like them and not be allowed to kill… sad, really. But no matter."
He tilted his head, eyes gleaming.
"I'll make it interesting. I'll capture them half-dead."
The King said nothing, but the cold smile tugging at his lips betrayed his approval.
And in that moment, each man knew — this was no ordinary mission.
Ezekiel:
"Very well. If that is the mission, then… Haruto, you and that little shit will scout the villages. Report the moment you find them."
Kurayami finally lifted his gaze, his eyes dark and unyielding. His voice came low, calm, and certain:
Kurayami:
"…One day, I'll kill you."
The words hung in the air like a promise.
Haruto chuckled, amused. Drake burst into laughter, delighted.
Ezekiel didn't flinch. He stepped closer, towering over Kurayami, his voice cold.
Ezekiel:
"You can try, boy. But until that day comes, you'll obey. Remember your place."
Kurayami's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing more.
Ezekiel, turning away:
"Drake. You'll remain here. The king's safety comes first — you'll guard him."
Drake's grin twitched into something sharper.
Drake, mocking:
"Guard duty? Hah. How boring. But fine… if anyone comes for His Majesty, I'll keep him safe."
He licked his lips, eyes gleaming.
"Though I can't promise I'll leave them in one piece."
The king allowed himself a cruel smile at that.
Ezekiel gave a final nod, his tone sharp as steel.
Ezekiel:
"Then it's settled. We move at first light."
The meeting ended, and the throne room doors shut with a heavy echo.
Haruto and Kurayami walked into the cool night air.
The moonlight stretched their shadows across the stone path as they began their patrol toward the villages.
Haruto:
"He really hates you, you know. Ezekiel."
Kurayami's gaze didn't shift. His voice was low, steady.
Kurayami:
"I don't care if he hates me. I don't care if anyone likes me. One day… I'll kill him."
Haruto tilted his head, studying him. For once, his grin faded into something more serious.
Haruto:
"…He's too strong for you right now. You wouldn't last against him."
Kurayami finally glanced his way, eyes dark and calm.
Kurayami:
"Not now. But one day."
Haruto let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head.
Haruto:
"You're insane. But maybe that's what makes you interesting."
The two pressed on into the night, their words swallowed by the forest wind.
Inside the royal chamber – Night.
The hall was dim, lit only by torches that cast long shadows across the stone. King Raizen sat slouched against his throne, one hand pressed to his temple, the other absently touching the black patch that covered his right eye. His face looked older, harder, as though the fire of his ambition burned against a wall of old scars.
Ezekiel leaned against a pillar nearby, arms crossed, not bothering with ceremony.
King Raizen, low, strained:
"…I'm terrified, Ezekiel."
His voice was raw, almost too quiet for a king.
King Raizen:
"You know why I want them alive, don't you? Why I ordered you to hold them."
Ezekiel:
"Because you're still pissing yourself over the Hidden Demon King. You've never gotten over losing that eye."
The words hit like a blade, but Raizen didn't deny them. His hand tightened on the throne.
Raizen, through clenched teeth:
"That maniac would do anything. Anything. He's no human… I've seen it. I still hear his voice when I close my eyes."
The king leaned forward, shadows cutting across his face.
Raizen:
"I won't let that nightmare repeat. Until Silvestre and Ardel return with my son, we hold what we can. We use every pawn at our disposal. Do you understand me, Ezekiel?"
Ezekiel pushed off the pillar, stepping closer, his expression calm but cutting.
Ezekiel:
"Oh, I understand. You're terrified, and you want me to carry the weight while you sit here planning your grand conquest. Fine. I'll hold them. But don't mistake my patience for obedience. If this goes to hell, it's on your head."
For a moment, silence hung heavy between them — king and knight staring one another down. Then Raizen smirked faintly, hiding the flicker of unease in his eye.
Raizen:
"…That's why I keep you close. Because you'll say the things the others won't."
A village in the Black Fang Kingdom – Night.
The night was quiet, the villagers long asleep, their fields swaying under the moonlight. The peace lasted only until armored boots crunched against the dirt road.
From the treeline, the five emerged. Gara stopped first, his gaze sliding across the thatched roofs and weak wooden fences. His lips curled into something between a sneer and a grin.
Gara, cold, venom in his voice:
"…Let's burn this place."
A low chuckle followed immediately. Kaku's eyes gleamed with wild excitement as he stepped forward, almost bouncing on his heels.
Kaku, grinning wide, eager:
"Ha! As you command, Sir! Let's hear them squeal when the fire eats their homes."
Takomi:
"He's right. Fear spreads faster than any sword. If that is your will, sire, we'll make sure they remember this night."
Haido cracked his knuckles. Midari stayed silent.
Gara raised a hand, his tone final, absolute.
Gara:
"Do it. Leave nothing standing."
The night that had been so peaceful just moments ago erupted in fire as torches were hurled onto the rooftops. Screams split the silence, flames devoured the straw and wood, and chaos swept through the village.
The kingdom of Black Fang would wake to find its night swallowed by smoke.