Prologue of Blood-Line "Family is blood, and blood is power..." Radical nationalism fuels a boy's intent to restore honor to his fallen House's name after a war that occurred long ago. His clan, the Kaidon Clan was once called the Kaidon House and was at a time one with the Fuyen House and together they formed the Deniji Clan. Descendants of either House both had ocular abilities, but they differed between the two houses. Nonetheless, both were united as one clan. This unity allowed the clan to grow strong and famous, its army without an equal and its leaders without match. The Deniji Clan formed alliances with other prospering clans and set out to unite the world under one ruling body. They called themselves the Expansionists. Soon enough, another group rose to meet the Expansionists, and they were know as the Legionists. They sought to sever the bonds between the wealthy and powerful clans from the poorer and weaker clans. They were lead by the cunning and shrewd Ghetsu Clan. Every clan had its unique skills that were granted to its people, thus known as a blood-limit. Some were born with it, other not. Those that were blessed soon started being instructed by the previous generation in the ways of their clan. Eventually, the clash was named the Blood-Limit War. Never had such battles great as these ever occur in the world's history up until then. The major turning point was the betrayal of the House of Fuyen within the Deniji Clan of the Expansionists. The blow to the Expansionists was enough to cripple their war effort. Secretly, the Fuyen had been conspiring and planning a coup and they became their own clan which fought alongside the Legionists. The double-crossing gave the Legionists the upper-hand, and within months, what remained of the Expansionists were forced to hide and flee. Several surrendered and joined the Legionists. When the war was declared ended, an estimated 4 million had died. The House of Kaidon became the Kaidon Clan and hid away with some of its remaining Expansionist allies while the Legionists did as they pleased and established two regions: The Ginryu and the Reyio. The Ginryu was saved for the prosperous and powerful clans while the Reyio served as the land given to inferior clans... Within nearly decades, hidden away, the Kaidon Clan has somewhat returned to its strength but remains hidden and is simply thought of as a myth. The Fuyen Clan has established itself as the Nation of Fuyen, and several other Ginryu clans have followed. Now, after several years of hiding away and honing their skills, the resurgence of the Kaidon Clan has begun, and one boy has made the commitment to bring back glory to the fallen Kaidon Clan... This is the story of Kaidon Ameyuri...
Chapter 1 "Rise from your kneeling Kaidon Ameyuri," said a cloaked figure in a stern voice, the darkness of the room obscuring the speaker's face. Ameyuri rose, his head carefully kept bent. Unlike the mysterious man, he was donning a dark colored tunic and matching pants. Sewn into Ameyuri's back was a crimson circle with a black line running horizontally down the middle, cutting the figure into two equal semicircles. "You have been assigned your first mission for your clan. Today, you shall join two more of your brethren and journey to Wirochi Forest. An important official belonging to the courts of the Ginryu nations is traversing these lands collecting taxes from the other clans. You must eliminate this vermin." "I understand, Kaidon-Ra," responded Ameyuri, his voice monotone. This mission was going to be Ameyuri's first and he was excited, but was trained to hide such emotions, only expressing them when around loved ones. The figure moved forward and thrust his hand out, revealing a sheathed short sword. "Since this will be your first mission and test, you shall be granted a Takucho. Equip yourself with whatever other necessary items that you will need." Reverently, Ameyuri clasped the intricate sword and sheath, bowing his head. A Takucho was given as a beginning weapon for those taking the test to become a full-fledged member of the clan's army. The sheath was dull and gray, but the blade was a shining silver with a splash design of black. The handle was made for loose holds and consisted of smooth leather. Sticking it into the side of his waistband, the figure clicked his tongue approvingly. "Your teammates await you on Kio Hill. Make sure to be quick." With those parting words, the stranger disappeared in a small flash. Ameyuri also left in the same manner and arrived outside the building. The skill had been a simple element of movement that nearly every blood-limit user knew. ••• When Ameyuri arrived at his small one-room apartment, he found his bag he had already stored with provisions ready. Next to it was an organized small weapons holster. Quickly, he belted the holster, double checking that his shards and knives were all accounted for. Shards were triangular pieces of thin, sharpened metal that were easy to throw and often used as a projectile. Knives were also able to be thrown, but came in handy for melee combat. Smiling to himself, he said aloud to no one in particular, "Finally, I shall return to the Kaidon what is rightfully ours." On his way out, Ameyuri stole a last glance at his room before he locked the door. ••• The streets of Kaidon never contained much activity, but there were the common vendors and children returning from the day's training. The buildings here were generally in decent shape, but several were in need of repairs. The land they had settled in wasn't exactly the best choice, but since it was surrounded by highlands, it had an advantage in hiding, but in a battle it would soon turn to a disadvantage. Kicking aside a piece of trash, Ameyuri casted on last glance to the highest building in the small town: The Central Kaidon Tower. That was where the clan's leader was based. He and his officials often discussed their actions with much caution so rarely was anyone permitted into the building. Leaving the main part of the clan's land, Ameyuri easily saw Kio Hill with two figures standing next to it. He quickened his pace while he wondered over who he might have been teamed up with... ••• After trudging up the hill, Ameyuri noted that one was a male and the other a female, and each one had a talisman with the clan's symbol emblazoned onto it which they wore openly and proudly; the male wearing his around his wrist as a bracelet, the female donning it as a necklace hugging her neck. The female introduced herself as Hitomori and the other was Rago. Rabo seemed more straightforward and immediately asked what his Helix level was. Both were surprised when he responded with level four. Helix level was the ranking of your prowess with your Helix; more or less your ability and skills that you could use. The Helix, which was the name for the blood-limit, affects light to a degree, allowing them to bend it slightly or make others see a tampered spectrum. In effect, the user's pupils become just like their crest: a blood red circle with a Stygian black cutting vertically through the red. "It's amazing," began Hitomori, "that every generation our clan's hatred and power is more vibrant." "Mm but we'll see how good you are based on your performance today kid," said Rago with a tone of disgust. Ameyuri got cocky and inquired, "And what was your first exam? Cutting down a tree?" Ameyuri smiled as Rago's face twitched after the fact that he had just disrespected him. "Kid, you better watch it, you'd hate to be on my bad side." With that he turned and marched in the direction of the forest, both of us in pursuit. While Rago was foraging ahead, Hitomori said to Ameyuri in a low whisper, "It's best not to provoke him while the mission has yet to be completed." Ameyuri nodded in acknowledgement. He figured that she was probably right and that the mission was the top priority at the moment. ••• After two days passed, Ameyuri, Hitomori, and Rago had finally reached Wirochi Forest. They easily discovered the tracks of the envoy and within two hours had discovered the slow moving group. Hiding in the large bushes, Rago proposed they ambush them during evening. "I disagree, Rago," said Hitomori, "It would be best to wait until the following morning. They will be still drowsy and more vulnerable. Often, people are a lot more alert during night because of the fear of an ambush." Rago consented and Ameyuri followed while studying how both the experienced members were observing the area, seeking areas of advantage and disadvantage. By nightfall, the trio made camp a little ways off the trail. Rago had gone to watch the enemy's camp to figure out a more precise plan. At the moment, they were going to rest for a few hours and strike right before the sun appeared, pleasing Rago and his wishes for a night assault. Ameyuri, for the most part, didn't have a say in anything. While he and Hitomori rested and Rago would watch, Ameyuri wondered what his life would've been like had the Legionists won. He guessed that it might've been easier and he would've actually known his family. In actuality, he didn't know either of his parents, and his only sibling was a childhood friend, Kellia, whom he considered his sister. Kellia was about Ameyuri's age and had also grown up without a family and both met in training facility two. The leader had all orphans already accepted by the facilities and provided them with clothes, shelter, food, and knowledge. It was there that Ameyuri spent 14 years of his life until he graduated. Kellia had also graduated at the same time. She was often called away to teach other facility children due to her amiable personality, thus Ameyuri's time with her was limited. He had actually planned to visit and meet her, but this mission had stolen his chance. Lulling himself to sleep, he thought hard about Kellia wondering how she was doing back home. And he wondered where he could take her to when he returned. Sighing he pulled the flap over his head and drifted away. ••• He woke up abruptly at 3:00 in the morning to find both Rago and Hitomori discussing further battle plans. Noticing that both had already stored their gear away, he hastily followed suit while eating a breakfast of water and pounded bread. When Ameyuri joined their little trust circle, Rago asked, "Are you able to create an eye clone?" Eye clones were an ability that allowed the Helix to bend light from the sun and project an exact copy of the user, but it was only an altered light spectrum so it wasn't solid. It was a staple skill needed to survive on the battlefield. Nodding, Ameyuri said, "Yes." Hitomori took charge. "Good. Since most ambushes start from the rear, the escorts will be expecting us from behind, but the eye clones will appear from the front surprising them. While their attention is diverted, we strike from behind-" "So essentially a double trick attack?" cut in Ameyuri. Rago sighed. "Duh, what else?" ••• When they reached the clearing where the entourage was resting, they created the eye clones. It was a painless procedure for all Ameyuri needed to do was to will his Helix to form within his eyes and them focus on a visible spectrum and force an image of himself into it. Within a few seconds, the three were done. They got into positions. Hitomori repeated the plan once more. "First, I'll give the signal and the clones will jump down, surprising those awake, and in turn waking up everyone else. Then, we jump down from behind and take then out. In that large pavilion tent will be the target and you, Ameyuri, will eliminate him." As he complied, a lump formed in his throat. Never had he killed anyone and now his first kill was going to be thrust upon him. He sighed off the thought and focused on waiting for Hitomori's first signal...
Chapter 2 Within seconds came Hitomori's first signal. Immediately, the clones jumped into the clearing, alerting the watchmen. In a minute, the entire escort was awake, drowsy but battle-ready. Ameyuri counted 12 guards, all bearing the crest of the Yagura Clan. Their blood-limit was the ability to take the energy out of plants and small organisms to coat their bodies or weapons with it to increase their power, but according to Hitomori, none of the guards were born with the blood-limit ability. As the escorts started to draw closer and closer to the clones, Ameyuri felt his body grow tense. This was the moment he was waiting for. As agreed on, Rago jumped out first, throwing an elongated knife at an unsuspecting guard in the back of the head. The lightly armored man fell, his gold-colored spear taken by Rago as he rushed forward. Hitomori jumped next, sending a spray of shards at the other guards as they turned to see what had just happened. Three more fell. Four down already, Ameyuri thought to himself, eight more to go. Then he jumped. Ameyuri sent a second wave of shards at the guards, adding two more to the kill count. With their initial assault, half the escorts were dead. Three surrounded the pavilion while the other half engaged the trio in combat. Rago was already fighting with one of the white clothed guards. It was obvious that Rago had more skill with the lance. Hitomori drew a hidden thin sword from her left sleeve and evaded the swings from the second lancer. Ameyuri clashed with what was most likely the guards' captain since he was using an axe and wore different armor. "It can't be! You are the Dark Clan Kaidon!" Smiling, Ameyuri unsheathed the Takucho and held it in his right hand. With his left, he reached to his back and drew a handful of shards. Swiftly, Ameyuri charged the captain, willing his Helix to appear. He instantly focused on a spectrum in his adversary's eye, causing the opponent to temporarily see two copies of Ameyuri. Confused the man yelled and made a vertical slash which Ameyuri ducked. To counter him, Ameyuri threw the shards at the captain and watched as several buried themselves in the man's body with one cutting his chin. Ameyuri followed up with a jab to the throat, killing the captain. Throwing off the limp body, Ameyuri surveyed the scene. Several corpses littered the ground and he discovered that Hitomori had finished off all the other guards. Rago stood next to the large tent holding the flap mentioning for Ameyuri to enter. Swallowing an imaginary apple in his throat, the moment came for Ameyuri to finish the job. With each step, he comforted himself, silently saying that he had already killed one man and if he wished to bring about the renaissance of his clan, he would have to get used to it. Suddenly, Hitomori yelled, "WAIT!" Ameyuri and Rago looked towards Hitomori who was looking around. "What's wrong Hitomori?" inquired Rago. "Nothing," she began, "I don't know who said that..." Suddenly Ameyuri felt a surge of annoyance within him. He had been concentrating so hard but then Hitomori had just disturbed him. He wanted to kill her for annoying him. Instantly Ameyuri drew his blade and charged at Hitomori. Hitomori looked back just in time to see Ameyuri about to stab her. "Ameyuri! What the-" She was cut off as a figure appeared in front of Ameyuri. The figure caught Ameyuri's wrists. He saw that it was Rago. "Ameyuri... Are you betraying-" Rago cut Hitomori off. "No, this is the blood-limit ability of a Toremo." Ameyuri regained his senses and stopped struggling. "Wait, Hitomori, I'm sorry, I don't understand what happened-" "It was a Toremo, Ameyuri," responded Rago cooly, "their blood-limit ability is to suggest and influence your thoughts and actions. I believe I know who our enemies really are." He let go of Ameyuri and told them to prepare for the real battle was about to start. He explained, "Ameyuri, Hitomori, the voice we heard was another blood-limit user- a Ghyuru for sure. That distracted your thoughts, Ameyuri, then the Toremo took advantage of your scrambled thoughts and plugged in their own wishes." Ameyuri apologized again and Hitomori nodded in acceptance. Suddenly there was a clapping sound. Rago's voice resounded again, but it wasn't him speaking, "Impressive, you were able to read our combination. It is surprising to find one so inferior like you educated in deductions." Hitomori whispered, "Be at ease guys, they might be trying to draw us into an ambush." Suddenly, Ameyuri picked up something flashing towards them with his Helix. He focused on the light that was reflecting off it and noted that it was an arrow. Two others were speeding towards Rago and Hitomori. Tightening his grip on the short sword, he slashed upwards, deflecting the arrow. Ameyuri saw that the other two had survived the initial attack and Rago said, "We've got six more headed for us. Spread out and prepare, we don't know where they are, but use your Helixes to figure out where and when to expect them. They seem to be long-range fighters." Ameyuri dashed to the left focusing all around him for any incoming projectiles. Suddenly Hitomori yelled out, "Guys, it's the war platoon dubbed Chaos!" The name registered in Ameyuri's head. There were stories of a war platoon called Chaos made strictly of women. They were Reason, Barbie, Jennica, Gwynya, and Rei. The platoon was one of the several mercenary groups the Ginryu hired for high-priority missions, such as assassinations or escorts. They specialized in confusing the target and killing them off from afar. Rago sighed. "Listen up, both of you. They'll focus on who isn't steady, so always stay ready. Also, aim for finding any of them. Only one of them is skilled in close combat, while the others are primarily long range fighters." Ameyuri redoubled his efforts, but constantly blocking the incoming arrows stopped him from being able to focus. Within a few minutes, Ameyuri was starting to tire and a small pile of arrows had accumulated around his feet. Then, an arrow he failed to block grazed his cheek and he felt a sting. Breathing heavily, Ameyuri was able to see a glimmer in the distance... Suddenly he yelled out, "About twenty feet away north of Rago's position is one of them!" Hitomori immediately moved, heading toward the area, her sword deflecting arrow after arrow. Pretty soon, Ameyuri noted that only Hitomori was needing to deflect the projectiles. Rago, his head glistening in sweat gave Ameyuri a quick smile. "Let's join her kiddo." Both followed after Hitomori's lead...