Chương 11: The Storm of Crimson Black
Days passed under the blessing of peaceful, altruistic dreams. For Aki, the serene warmth of his family's love created a cocoon that shielded him from the stormy realities of their world. His mother, Beniko, ensured his days were filled with joy and curiosity, steering him away from any talk of Qutb, their House, or the complex politics of the realms.
Yet Aki's mind yearned for more. His attempts to convince his mother to take him to the library of archives had been met with refusal—her protective instincts cloaked under the guise of "it's too early." Aki understood her concerns; he even appreciated her desire to give him a childhood free from the burdens of the House. However, his inquisitive spirit refused to be stilled. He had masked his intentions with childlike curiosity, hoping his charms would work on her. But Beniko's response was a masterful emotional speech, leaving him with no choice but to relent.
It seemed like the days of comfort would stretch on, uninterrupted. But life rarely adhered to expectations.
________________________________________
The Storm Named Niröhès
The first sign of trouble came as a faint rumble, like a low growl from the depths of the earth. Then came the fractures—tears in the fabric of reality itself. These "GAPS," as people called them, were anomalies where the world's runic structure had weakened. The fractures allowed horrors from Aniroid to seep through, threatening the fragile peace of existence.
Gaps were unpredictable. They could appear anywhere beyond a 100-kilometer radius from each Qutb division and at any moment. They were both a curse and an opportunity—treasures, elixirs, and ancient techniques could be found within the Gaps. But to claim these rewards, one had to face the guardian that protected the Gap. Failure to defeat the guardian in time led to catastrophe: the Gap would rip open, allowing Niröhès to pour through in an unstoppable tide of destruction.
One such storm had been brewing deep within the Forest of Disasters, a vast expanse that stretched across thousands of miles.
Near the southern edge of the forest, a guardian hovered before a Gap, its ethereal form radiating dominance and pride. The guardian's long staff, carved with flowing runes and draconian figures, pulsed with a radiant golden hue. Tendrils of golden hair spread from its faceless figure, dripping with light that flowed into the Gap in an attempt to repair the fracture.
But the repair was too slow.
A faint, ominous cracking sound echoed in the stillness. The rune in the center of the Gap flickered, struggling to hold its form. Then, with a final, shattering sound, the rune broke.
From the Gap spilled Niröhès—a chaotic horde of cosmic horrors. Their grotesque forms painted the world in crimson black, a hue of hunger and despair. Some had eyes filled with ravenous madness; others had gaping mouths or flailing tentacles. Some crawled, some ran, and some oozed forward like living nightmares.
Their destination was clear: the first citadel of Qutb they could detect.
For most, that destination was the Metropolis of Sakura, home to House Sakura.
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The Call of War
Unaware of the storm brewing in the forest, Aki was immersed in his training. Standing on one leg, he practiced a sequence of yogic and Shaolin poses from his previous life. Each movement was deliberate, aimed at familiarizing himself with his body and synchronizing his mind and spirit. His steady progress over the past few days had been encouraging.
"YOR, open quest window," he said, pausing mid-pose.
He was about to review his progress when the estate echoed with the sound of a loud, mournful bugle. The sound was a shockwave, shaking the tranquility of the estate to its core.
Beniko came rushing toward him, her face pale but resolute.
"Stay close, son," she said firmly. "Don't wander."
"Mom, what happened? What was that sound?"
"That," Beniko replied, her voice heavy, "is the sound of despair, grief, and separation. That is the sound of war."
Aki felt as if the ground beneath him had crumbled. He had never experienced war in his previous life. Though fascinated by its strategies and histories, he had only studied it from afar. Now, the reality of it loomed before him like a dark shadow.
Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to remain calm. "Mom, what does that mean? Is it something bad? You look worried."
Beniko gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Aki. War, no matter its cause, is never good. But you don't need to worry. Mom will protect you."
Looking into her eyes, Aki's voice was steady as he said, "No. I will protect you, Mother."
Beniko ruffled his hair, smiling softly. "My brave boy."
________________________________________
The Storm Reaches Sakura
Before Aki could process her words further, Osuke appeared beside them. His face was grave, and his aura bristled with restrained power.
"It's them," he said simply.
Beniko's expression darkened. "You have to go?"
Osuke nodded. "Yes. Take care of him. I'll be back."
With a reassuring pat on Aki's shoulder, Osuke vanished.
"Mom, what's happening?"
"Aki," Beniko said, her voice firm but kind, "our estate is about to manifest at the center of the metropolis. Just stay close to me. We'll talk about everything once this is over."
The entire estate shuddered. Like peeling the skin of an orange, the five estates of House Sakura emerged into the metropolis. This manifestation was not voluntary but a response to Qutb's origin pulses, designed to strengthen the protected spaces and prevent Gaps from forming.
Aki was awestruck by the sight of the metropolis. Its scale was beyond anything he had imagined—soaring buildings, flying vehicles, and a sprawling network of homes and markets stretched as far as the eye could see.
But his awe was short-lived. The bugle sounded once more, and he noticed the sky at the edge of his vision begin to darken. Crimson black bled into the horizon.
________________________________________
The Battle of Crimson Black
At the northern border of the metropolis, warriors stood in a defensive line. Though the preparation time had been short, their resolve was unshaken.
Commander Kaine raised his spear, his voice booming over the assembled soldiers:
"My soldiers, my comrades—is this where we die? Is this where our tales end, where these sons of horrors consume our families and friends? Is this where we taint our honor?"
"I SAY NO!"
His words ignited the soldiers' spirits.
"To these bastards, I will not die. I will crawl, protect, fight, and live on. My soldiers will not die. WE WILL SHOW NIRÖHÈS WHO'S THE BOSS!"
The soldiers roared in unison:
"Ei Ei Ohh!"
"Ei Ei Ohhhhh!"
"Ei Ei Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
As the bugle sounded one final time, the warriors charged forward, their battle cries piercing the air.
Myriad colors of magic and weapons clashed with the crimson black of the Niröhès. The ground trembled, and the air grew thick with the scent of blood and destruction.
Thus began The Battle of Crimson Black.
A/n: If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to add it to your library, leave comments, and vote! It motivates me to write more!
SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO 
BrawlingSlug
BrawlingSlug This is the first battle so Mc would not participate and he is only 1 year and few days old. No matter the thought process, participating in war is a different ordeal all together. Let's all hope for a good time ahead.
Creation is hard, cheer me up! VOTE for me!
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