In a world shrouded in the darkness of ambition and betrayal, the echoes of an ancient legend resounded in every corner of the planet. The Tree of Eden, a colossus with roots that seemed to contain the very pulse of the earth, stood like an enigma in a forgotten corner of the world. For centuries, this tree had been the epicenter of the bloodiest struggles and the darkest alliances. It was the source of a power that few could understand and that all coveted.
It was said that the Tree of Eden was not of this world, having fallen from the heavens as a fragment of a divine realm, or perhaps as the punishment of a higher power. From its branches, a special fruit, known as Lux Aeterna, emerged every 500 years. Those who managed to consume this unique fruit acquired unlimited power, enough to shape the fate of the world. But the Tree had a darker gift: the mafias who swore allegiance to its shadow gained extraordinary abilities through an inexplicable connection with its roots. These abilities, called Gifts of Eden, ranged from control of the elements to more abstract powers such as manipulating time or materializing one's deepest fears.
In the shadows of history, the Tree had also sown chaos among peoples. The wars fought for its control devastated entire cities, leaving in their wake a humanity divided between those who believed in its divinity and those who feared its corruption. Over the centuries, mafias evolved, adopting dark rituals and pacts to maintain their connection to the Tree, becoming the masters of a world that would never know the truth.
A Story Written in Blood
It was said that in a distant age, a guardian had been appointed to protect the Tree. He was a warrior of unparalleled power, but even he had succumbed to the corruption emanating from the roots. Since then, no one had managed to master the balance between protecting and wielding the Tree's power. Each new attempt ended in endless wars, leaving behind a legacy of destruction and death.
One night, in a remote forest where the Tree had remained hidden for generations, a group of gangsters led by one of the oldest families entered to claim it. Among them, a young woman named Lucia, who had the ability to perceive the thoughts of others, stopped in her tracks when she heard a whisper in her mind: "Your wish will be your doom." Before she could react, the Tree's roots rose up, devouring the group in an instant. Since then, rumors spread: the Tree does not choose just anyone, and those who are not worthy meet their end in its shadows.
The Fall of the First Guardian
Now, the world was on the brink of another great struggle. The Lux Aeterna had begun to form again, and mafias on every continent were already mobilizing their forces. Time was ticking, and the fragrance of the fruit, said to be only perceived by those worthy of claiming it, had already spread on the winds. In every corner of the globe, rumors of broken alliances and new wars that would soon begin were heard. The shadows of the Tree stretched, and the world prepared for unprecedented chaos.
A City Under Shadows
In the heart of a city that never slept, between neon-lit alleys and shadows that hid more than they revealed, lay Akihiko Sora. At 17 years old, Akihiko was considered a prodigy within the mafia that raised him. His ability to manipulate the void gave him an advantage no one else possessed. Where others needed brute force or weapons, he could disintegrate barriers, create spaces of absolute silence, or even erase objects from existence itself.
That night, as the city bustled with nightlife, Akihiko stood on the rooftop of a building, looking out at the horizon with an impassive expression. From there, he could observe a meeting in progress at an exclusive club, where the leaders of several mafia families had begun to arrive. An important decision would be made that night: join forces to reclaim the Lux Aeterna or descend into an endless war.
The Void and the Decision
Akihiko gripped the handle of his katana, Kurai no Kiba, remembering his mentor's words: "The Tree gives us power, but it also takes everything away. Never forget that even emptiness can be filled with ambition." The night breeze stirred his black hair as he descended the building with a fluid, almost imperceptible movement. In the shadows, a hooded figure watched him.
Before Akihiko could react, a knife slashed through the air toward him. With a precise motion, he disintegrated the weapon in mid-flight using his ability, leaving behind a trail of darkness that dissipated like smoke. The figure retreated, but Akihiko didn't follow. He knew he would soon face threats greater than a simple spy.
"The game has begun," he muttered to himself as he headed toward the gathering. Inside him, an unknown restlessness began to grow. Something about the Tree, its very existence, seemed to whisper questions he'd never considered.
The war for the Tree of Eden had begun, and in his heart, Akihiko knew he would not be just another pawn in this deadly game.