The Akio Kurogane Past
> A Flicker in the Darkness
The battlefield sounds faded. The serpent's hiss, One Arm woman scream—it all blurred into silence.
Chain-wielder's body was broken, yet his mind… his mind drifted somewhere else. Somewhere warm. Somewhere far from blood and steel.
'Is this… the end?' he wondered. But instead of death, light blossomed inside him. A memory.
And suddenly, he was 12 again.
---
> Fifteen Years Ago – A Peaceful Day
"Akio! Wake up, sleepyhead!"
A little voice giggled, tugging at his blanket. Six-year-old Emi Kurogane bounced on the bed, her hair tied messily, her cheeks glowing with mischief.
Akio groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Emi, stop jumping! You'll break the bed!"
"But mama said breakfast is ready!" she chirped, puffing her cheeks proudly. "And if you don't hurry, I'll eat your fish too!"
Akio shot up immediately. "Don't you dare touch my fish!"
Emi stuck her tongue out, laughing as she ran out of the room.
---
Their home was simple but warm. Wooden walls lit by soft lanterns, the scent of miso soup and grilled fish drifting from the kitchen.
Their mother, Ayame Kurogane, stood by the stove, humming softly. Her long black hair was tied neatly, her hands moving gracefully as she plated the food.
"Good morning, Akio," she said with a gentle smile. "Training with your father today?"
Akio puffed his chest. "Yeah! He said we're practicing sword drills. I'll get stronger than him one day!"
Ayame chuckled. "Oh? Then maybe you'll protect this family instead of him, hmm?"
Emi, sitting cross-legged at the table, raised her hand dramatically. "I'll be the strongest too! I'll beat up Akio when I'm big!"
"Like that'll ever happen!" Akio retorted, ruffling her hair until she squealed.
Their father, Hiroshi Kurogane, stepped in then. Broad-shouldered, scarred, yet with a calm and steady gaze that carried safety in every glance.
"Akio," he said firmly, but warmly. "Finish your breakfast. Afterward, we train."
"Yes, sir!" Akio saluted with mock seriousness, making Emi giggle so hard she nearly spilled her soup.
For that morning, life was perfect.
---
> Training with Father
The sun climbed higher as Akio swung a wooden sword in the yard. Sweat dripped down his brow as he mimicked his father's movements.
"No," Hiroshi corrected gently, stepping behind him. "Your stance is too stiff. Loosen your knees. Flow with the strike, don't force it."
Akio adjusted, biting his lip in concentration. He swung again—this time smoother.
Hiroshi smiled faintly. "Better. Again."
From the porch, Emi clapped wildly. "Go, Akio! Beat papa!"
Akio turned red. "I'm not there yet!"
"Confidence is good," Hiroshi said, kneeling to meet his son's eyes. "But strength without patience is wasted. Promise me, Akio—you'll always fight to protect. Never to dominate."
Akio nodded seriously. "I promise."
---
> A Mother's Warmth
That evening, Ayame sat sewing by lantern light while Emi curled up in her lap.
"Akio," she called softly, "come here."
He hesitated but obeyed, sitting beside her. She stroked his hair, humming a lullaby.
"You have your father's eyes," she whispered. "Strong, but kind. And Emi… she'll need you, always. You're her shield."
Akio blinked. "Of course. I'll protect her forever."
Ayame smiled sadly, as if she knew something he didn't. "Good boy."
---
> The Night Everything Changed
It was supposed to be another quiet evening. But instead, the ground trembled under heavy boots.
The "Village Lord" arrived. An S-rank wielder, feared by all. Cloaked in black armor, his presence alone suffocated the air. Soldiers poured into the home, tearing through doors and walls.
Hiroshi grabbed his sword instantly, shielding his family. "Stay behind me!"
The lord sneered. "Hiroshi Kurogane. You defied my orders. You refused to pay tribute. You know the cost."
Ayame clutched Emi tightly. "Please! We only wanted to live in peace—"
"Silence."
The lord's hand ignited with raw shadow energy.
The strike was swift. Brutal.
Akio watched in horror as his father was pierced through the chest, blood splattering the floor. Hiroshi's eyes widened—then dimmed.
"Father!" Akio screamed.
Before Ayame could flee, the soldiers seized her. The lord gave no mercy. One slash. One scream. Then silence.
Her body collapsed, lifeless, beside Hiroshi's.
"Mother!!" Emi shrieked, her small hands reaching out desperately.
Akio's vision blurred with tears. He tried to grab the wooden training sword, tried to fight—but soldiers kicked him down, laughing.
"You're too weak, boy," the lord scoffed, turning away. "Leave the brats. They'll die on their own soon enough."
And just like that, they were gone.
---
> Left Alone
The house burned. The night howled.
Akio knelt between his parents' corpses, trembling. His tears wouldn't stop.
Emi tugged at his sleeve, sobbing. "Onii-chan… Mama… Papa… wake them up…"
His throat broke. He hugged her tight, shielding her from the sight.
"They're gone, Emi," he whispered hoarsely. "They're gone…"
Her tiny fists pounded his chest. "No! You said you'd protect us! You promised!"
"I—I couldn't…" His body shook with guilt. "I wasn't strong enough…"
Emi buried her face in his chest, wailing. And Akio, only 12 years old, could do nothing but cry with her.
---
> Wandering Shadows
Days turned into weeks.
Their home was ash. Their parents—memories.
Akio carried Emi on his back as they wandered through the shadow world, begging, scavenging, starving. Some nights, they had nothing but rainwater and roots to eat. Emi cried herself to sleep.
Yet Akio never let her go.
When she shivered, he wrapped her in his ragged cloak.
When she cried, he whispered, "I'm here. I'll protect you."
When she despaired, he forced himself to smile. "One day, I'll be strong enough. Strong enough so we'll never lose anyone again."
And even though his stomach twisted with hunger, even though his own tears fell in silence—he carried her. Always.
---
> Return to the Present
The flashback faded, like smoke dissolving into darkness.
Akio's final thought echoed as his chest stilled on the battlefield:
'Emi… forgive me. I couldn't protect Mother and Father… but at least, I protected you.'
Darkness claimed him.
And in the present, Emi's scream tore through the battlefield:
"BROTHER!!!"
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