In a realm far beyond Earth, where worlds intertwine in ways that defy logic, chaos and ruin rule the horizon. This world, bearing not a single name but rather a cluster of overlapping dimensions, spans countless continents—each home to unique tribes and cultures with powers of their own.
Far from these bustling lands lies Haruja, the abandoned city.
Rain poured relentlessly on broken streets, seeping through the cracks of crumbled buildings. Winds howled between the ruins, and silence smothered the city like time itself had halted. Shattered windows whispered forgotten memories, and fallen power lines swayed with each gust. Haruja, once a beacon of civilization, was now nothing more than desolate rubble in a merciless world.
Through this ghost city walked Shinji, his steps heavy against the wet ground. His hands stuffed into the torn pockets of a battered coat, his deep, hazy eyes scanned every alley and every shadow—as if expecting something to emerge. His unkempt black hair danced with the wind, and though his frame looked frail from exhaustion, his gaze held an unbreakable resolve.
Shinji (internal monologue):
"Why this ruin? Why are there wars if all we want is peace?"
It was the question that had haunted him all his life. From the moment he was born, he knew he would die at a certain age... but why? The time had come for him to search for answers.
As he wandered deeper into the darkness of the city, he caught a glimpse of something moving swiftly between buildings. A shadow—too fast to follow—but something within it disturbed him.
Carefully, he moved through the debris, vaulting over shattered walls until he stood before a mysterious figure cloaked in the shadows. The figure's face was hidden beneath a dark hood, but its glowing blue eyes burned like otherworldly fire.
Stranger (calm but unnervingly powerful voice):
"You've come seeking answers, haven't you?"
Shinji stared silently, wary. The figure's cloak absorbed the light around it, and though it said little, Shinji could feel it held truths far beyond his understanding.
Shinji (defiantly):
"Who are you?"
Stranger (with a crooked smile):
"You're about to uncover something far deeper than you imagined, Shinji."
And with that, the stranger vanished into the shadows—like smoke dissolving into the night.
Shinji stood frozen. A strange sensation crept into his body—a burning at the core of his chest. Something unfamiliar surged through him. In his palms, a dim light began to flicker. Not just any power... it was dark, ancient, overwhelming.
His eyes gleamed with a cold blue glow.
In this world, spiritual energy ruled over all. But this energy wasn't bound by matter—it was tied to the soul itself. Every clan held a unique spiritual affinity, passed down through bloodlines.
Shinji, though he did not yet realize it, bore the combined power of two ancient clans:
The Soga Clan, from his father's side, masters of time.
The Kanamura Clan, from his mother's side, bearers of the eternal soul.
The latter, shrouded in mystery, had an unusual fate—over time, the birthrate of their women declined drastically, and they avoided marrying outside their bloodline. This secrecy led them toward extinction.
Shinji (whispers internally):
"What... what is this? Something feels wrong..."
Before he could process the surge inside him, a sudden movement snapped him out of thought. Something else lurked in Haruja. He wasn't alone.
And then, a memory surfaced—Goha, a once-mighty city that fell 250 years ago at the hands of the Soga Clan. Back then, Goha was considered the strongest clan in the world. Their destruction of the Kanamura lineage was brutal and complete. But no one ever understood why. What drove Soga to such devastation?
Shinji now knew—this world was far more complex than it appeared. Multiple dimensions, ancient secrets, and clans with motives hidden in forgotten ruins.
Suddenly, he was attacked.
A creature leaped at him from the shadows—humanoid, yet... wrong. Twisted. Its movements were unnaturally fast, rabid. A monster pretending to be man.
Instinct kicked in.
Without thinking, Shinji reacted—striking with terrifying force, driven by an unknown fury. His quiet nature melted into bloodlust. Within moments, the beast lay motionless at his feet.
Breathless, Shinji stared at the corpse. Then, pain.
A sharp sting in his chest paralyzed him. He fell to his knees, eyes wide with horror.
Shinji (barely audible):
"I… I killed him... what is this feeling? Where am I? Why… me?"
The energy inside him vanished. Something had been ripped from his soul.
He didn't think—he just ran.
The night deepened. Faint village lights shimmered in the distance. People saw him sprinting through the streets, but none dared to call out. Shinji was known for his kindness, always offering a warm smile. But this… this was not the same boy.
Among the onlookers stood Satoru, Shinji's only friend. He saw the fear in Shinji's eyes and gave chase.
When Shinji reached home, he slammed the door behind him, collapsed in a corner, and hugged his knees to his chest. His hands trembled violently.
Over and over, he whispered:
"I killed him… I killed him…"
Moments later, Satoru banged on the door.
Satoru:
"Shinji! Are you okay? Open the door!"
No reply.
Panic growing, Satoru broke in. He found Shinji curled up in the dark. He knelt beside him, his voice trembling:
"Calm down... Shinji, what happened? Who did you kill?"
But Shinji didn't answer.
He suddenly raised his head and screamed:
"I KILLED HIM!!!"
And then—he collapsed, unconscious