Eclipsed

Chapter 1

In a world once rich with peace, four great kingdoms—Tsuroha, Kagetsu, Mizugan, and Ryouen—thrived, each renowned for its mastery over a mysterious and ancient force known as Hiraigen. This power wasn’t merely energy but a deep connection to the elements, woven into the land, passed down through generations, and cultivated uniquely in each kingdom.

Tsuroha, known for its agile warriors, wielded Hiraigen to move with speed and grace, their skills almost inhuman.

Kagetsu, home to seers and scholars, used Hiraigen to preserve wisdom and vision, guiding their kingdom with foresight and clarity.

Mizugan, a realm of healers, harnessed Hiraigen to mend and restore, a place where life was revered and protected.

Ryouen, renowned for its master craftsmen, channeled Hiraigen into unbreakable weapons and armor, each artifact a legacy of their spirit and skill.

Together, these kingdoms existed in harmony, until a man emerged whose hunger for power would cast a dark shadow over their world. His name was Yoruzen Akuma, a formidable warrior from Mizugan who believed that Hiraigen should not serve but dominate. Unlike others, Yoruzen discovered he could amplify his power by channeling not only natural elements but also the fear and suffering of others, bending Hiraigen into a dark and twisted form.

With this newfound power, he overthrew Mizugan’s leaders and declared himself emperor, leading his army to conquer the other kingdoms. His forces, empowered by his twisted Hiraigen, cut through the defenses of Tsuroha, Kagetsu, and Ryouen, subjugating them and enslaving their people. United under his rule, the once-proud kingdoms became a single empire, their cultures and histories erased beneath Yoruzen’s iron fist.

During his conquest, Yoruzen encountered Sayori, a noble from Kagetsu known for her courage and beauty. Drawn to her defiance, he forced her into marriage as a symbol of his control over her homeland. Her life became a constant torment; each night, she was locked in a cage, her spirit all but broken, and at eighteen, she bore Yoruzen’s child while he was off on yet another campaign. The boy, innocent of his father’s sins, was born in captivity, his fate uncertain.

Yet even in the face of despair, hope was not entirely lost. In secret, a coalition formed—a group of five warriors from the enslaved realms, each a master of Hiraigen, brought together by a single purpose: to end Yoruzen’s reign. These were the Chosen Five, champions of the kingdoms’ strongest virtues:

Kyoma of Tsuroha, the swift and silent warrior;

Airi of Kagetsu, the wise prophet and seer;

Jinbei of Mizugan, a healer whose compassion strengthened him;

Rikuto of Ryouen, a master craftsman wielding an unbreakable blade;

Hayato, a soldier who had lost everything to Yoruzen’s conquest.

The Chosen Five trained in secret, their resolve strengthened by the losses they had endured. Together, they devised a plan to confront Yoruzen, knowing full well they could not defeat him outright but hoping they could contain his power.

One night, they infiltrated Yoruzen’s fortress, and a fierce battle broke out in the dark halls. Yoruzen’s strength was beyond anything they could have imagined, his Hiraigen dark and consuming, countering their every move. But in a final, desperate act, they enacted an ancient binding ritual, pouring every last drop of their power into a spell that would imprison Yoruzen within his own stronghold. As the fortress trembled, Yoruzen was sealed away, his reign of terror brought to an end, though at a terrible cost. The five heroes were left drained and broken, barely able to walk.

In the aftermath, the Chosen Five found Sayori locked within the fortress, weak and silent, her spirit scarred by years of captivity. They freed her from her cage, and she accompanied them back to her homeland, where she would finally be safe. As they prepared to leave, they discovered the child—Yoruzen’s son, a small infant lying alone in the dark. The warriors hesitated, knowing the weight of his lineage. They could not bear to harm him, but they feared what he might become.