Haruto walked through the village, a sense of pride swelling within him as he observed how much it had grown. The once simple settlement had transformed into a thriving community. Stone houses stood firm, replacing the flimsy wooden huts. Walkways paved with stone had made movement easier, and the village now had a carefully planned layout. Market stalls lined the streets, offering everything from fresh produce to finely crafted weapons. An irrigation system ensured a steady supply of clean water, and a newly constructed watchtower stood tall, guarding over the village—a symbol of its growing strength and security.
Haruto's gaze shifted to the craftsman's workshop ahead. The steady rhythm of hammers striking metal filled the air, mingling with the sharp scent of smelting iron. As he entered, the workers paused, smiling in respect.
"My lord!" one of them greeted. "What brings you here today?"
Haruto returned the smile, a glint of anticipation in his eyes. "I'd like you to forge me a sword. One that fits me perfectly."
The craftsmen exchanged excited looks, their faces glowing with eagerness. "It will be our honor, my lord! We will forge a blade worthy of you!"
Satisfied, Haruto nodded and left the workshop, his thoughts already drifting to the training grounds. He spotted Liora and Lunara engaged in a fierce sparring session. Their movements were sharp and fluid, a testament to their growth under his leadership. But his attention was drawn to a small Oni girl sitting off to the side, quietly observing their match.
Curious, Haruto approached her. "You're Lunara's sister, right?" he asked with a playful smile.
The little Oni stood up quickly, bowing respectfully. "My lord," she said in a soft voice.
Haruto chuckled and waved his hand. "You can just call me Haruto. No need for the formalities." He patted the ground next to him. "Come, sit with me."
After a brief moment of hesitation, the girl smiled and sat beside him, still clutching a small book in her hands.
"What's that book about?" Haruto asked, intrigued.
The girl blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting him to ask. "You don't know?" she replied, catching herself before she could sound rude. "It's a story… I could read it to you if you'd like."
Haruto smiled warmly. "Sure, go ahead."
She opened the book, and her soft voice filled the air as she began reading aloud.
---
The Tale of Creation and the War of Divinity
In the beginning, before time held meaning and the stars had names, there were two beings who shaped existence itself. Azumi, the Mother of Creation, and Vaelros, the Architect of Order. Together, they wove the fabric of reality, their wills intertwining in harmony.
Azumi breathed life into the world, shaping vast oceans, towering mountains, and endless skies. From her hands, monsters and beasts of all forms emerged, guardians of nature's balance. She sculpted humanity, fragile yet brimming with potential, and spread flora across the land, giving beauty and purpose to all things.
Vaelros, ever meticulous, crafted the foundation upon which existence could stand. He designed the System, a grand mechanism that governed power, abilities, and laws. He forged weapons of untold might, determined that order would reign supreme. Through his decree, balance was maintained—strength had a price, power had rules, and all things were measured.
For a time, there was peace. But as the world flourished, so too did the divide between them. Vaelros saw creation as something to be ruled, a grand empire where all life bowed to the System he forged. Yet Azumi desired freedom, a world where beings could shape their own destinies. She did not want shackles—neither of steel nor fate.
Their quarrel turned to conflict. Their conflict turned to war.
Vaelros summoned an army of White Knights, warriors clad in divine light, sworn to enforce his rule. Their blades sang with righteous fury, seeking to impose absolute order upon existence.
Azumi, in turn, called forth her creations. Monsters of all kinds, beings of chaos and raw instinct, stood against the celestial enforcers. They did not fight for dominion but for the right to exist without chains.
The battle shook the very core of reality. The heavens wept, the earth cracked, and the laws of existence wavered beneath the clashing of two primordial forces. But in the end, neither could destroy the other.
Realizing she could not defeat Vaelros outright, Azumi sacrificed her strength to seal him away, locking his power in an eternal prison. But even in exile, his essence resisted, seeking a way to return.
Before she was pulled into her own exile, Azumi crafted one final creation: a Demon forged solely to hunt Vaelros down, relentless and merciless.
In the final clash, the Demon struck Vaelros down, breaking him into pieces that were scattered across dimensions. But death was not absolute. Vaelros' essence lingered, waiting for the day of his return.
And so, the first war ended… or perhaps, merely began.
---
As the girl finished reading, Haruto remained silent for a moment, his thoughts heavy. He looked at the sky above, lost in thought.
"Azumi…" he whispered. "That name… it's the same as my mother."
The little Oni girl glanced up, sensing the weight in his voice. "Do you think there's a connection?"
Haruto paused. "I don't know. But there's something about this story… something that feels important."
The girl nodded, though she seemed unsure. Haruto's gaze turned distant, his mind racing with the possibilities. Could this be the beginning of something much bigger than he had anticipated?
the girl finished reading, she glanced at Haruto, who was deep in thought.
"Azumi... that's the same name as my mother," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else.
The little Oni tilted her head. "Really? Do you think there's a connection?"
Haruto gave a small smile, shaking his head. "No, I just thought it was a curious coincidence."
He glanced up at the sky, his thoughts swirling with the tale he'd just heard, the weight of the ancient conflict pressing upon him, but he left the thought at that. There was no need to dwell on it for now.
"Maybe… Just maybe."