During the year 2004 the earth was a peace aside from the typical warlord in some other country but one day that changed.
The sky turned blood red which naturally led to panic for the people of the world. But what came after was more terrifying as monsters and creatures of legends began arriving on earth but 3 months later humanity's hope had appeared.
Soul guardians, these few people were granted the means to fight back with magical abilities and their weapons called Hotoji's.
They became objects of worship from the people of earth and some even claimed them to be gods with their fantastic might.
Koji Stanton however was quite the opposite as he was huddled around a fire inside of a barrel.
To Koji this was his home with nothing but the worn clothes on his back and nightmares that visit him every night.
'If gods real then why do we suffer this curse? It's unfair.'
A few years after the first appearance of Soul guardians Koji's family were killed by monsters while he was left alone with nothing.
Ever since then Koji has known little happiness and even less about kindness from another.
"Why don't you homeless people go and die in a rift so you aren't an eyesore."
The man and his few friends began throwing trash at Koji and the few others around but what could Koji do? He was stuck in this life.
Or so he thought for years.
"Hey they are human beings too. So leave them alone."
Koji didn't bother looking and could only hear them talking before one of the men up on the ledge fell down and knocked over the barrel Koji was using to keep him warm.
Koji frantically tried to preserve the fire not even caring if he was burned before he heard footsteps behind him and thought it was the man who belittled him.
"Are you alright?"
Koji ignored the man completely as he kept trying to rekindle the flame on some burning wood but it was too late.
Koji wanted to cry but held it in and instead showed his anger as he threw the barrel into the river and covered himself in whatever he could. Once again Koji heard the same man's voice as a loud thud was heard.
"Let me help you."
Koji finally looked at the man and saw it was a very elderly man with a box of matches in his hands trying to light it while the same barrel Koji threw was in front of him.
After a few attempts the match was lit and the fire started but it surprised Koji to see the old man carrying a sword.
The old man noticed koji's gaze and smiled.
"Interested in my sword? It's name is Tanjoki."
Koji immediately backed away as he knew people nowadays would say their weapons had names if they were Soul guardians.
The old man saw the hate emanating from Koji as if he was screaming.
"I'm sorry if I upsetted you young man"
The man proceeded to pull out a wallet and tried to hand Koji some money but Koji finally spoke as he tossed it into the fire.
"Leave."
Koji had a deep hatred for Soul guardians and would rather starve to death then accept their help.
Once the old man left quietly Koji went to sleep after warming up but only woke up moments later to his nightmare that turned into reality.
Both a rift and a dungeon had formed in the center of the homeless camp.
What was the difference? In order to become a soul guardian you must first earn your Hotoji(Soul Weapons) inside of a rift.
But in such a moment like this meant a new Soul Guardian was to be named on this day.
Koji tried to run but felt his body being dragged towards the rift that was in the shape of a door. It had chosen him but Koji didn't want to be a soul Guardian.
However he had little strength to resist the pull and was sucked through the door where he landed on solid ground.
"Let me go! I want out!"
Most people wanted to become a soul guardian but not Koji.
However it was too late as the trial had already begun with Koji finding himself in a barren landscape with hundreds of thousands of swords and weapons planted firmly into the ground.
Koji yelled in anger.
"I don't want to be a soul guardian!"
It was truly odd as most would dream of what Koji was experiencing.
""Find me""
Koji started aimlessly walking as he already knew what to do, he needed to find his Hotoji.
A few months after the first appearance of soul guardians a young man took an interview where he shared his experience of the trial.
'I can't believe I'm going to be a soul guardian. Once I'm out of this nightmare Im immediately going to throw it in the river'
Just then a rush of pain happened to Koji as he heard the same voice as earlier.
""Find me! Use me!""
After the pain subsided Koji began hearing a soft melody and followed it until he had reached a tree with a handle sticking out before he grabbed it tightly and pulled.
All Koji wanted was to leave this place but that meant he needed to receive his Hotoji.
""I am yours to-""
"Shut up and let me leave!"
As the blade began to show Koji was amazed as it was at least a 7Ft long and 3ft wide greatsword with a serrated edge.
Naturally due to koji's physical body being practically skin and bones the sword was too heavy to wield.
But by some miracle Koji managed to drag the blade out the door to the rift only to be met by a group of reporters who began frantically trying to ask Koji some questions and take pictures.
"What's your name?! Do you have any ties to any guilds?!"
"What did you name of your Hotoji?"
The questions kept piling up on Koji before it was too much to handle.
With his remaining strength Koji brought the sword up as in he was about to stab someone before jamming it into the ground all the way to the guard.
The reporters and the surrounding soul guardians were astonished but yet confused before Koji simply walked past them and started walking down the river.
"…what happened?"
Everyone soon began following Koji down the river while the soul guardians present looked at each other before they looked at the Hotoji firmly in the ground.
Koji kept walking aimlessly while the reporters followed him. But one by one the reporters left until Koji was alone under a bridge where he finally let his emotions run wild.
"Why… why! Why did I become a Soul guardian!? Is god punishing me for something!?…!"
Koji soon realized he wasn't alone as the same elderly man from earlier approached Koji with koji's Hotoji in hand.
"You left this behind young man. Why don't you want to be a soul guardian? It is a great honour."
Koji once again kept his lips sealed and moved away every time the old man would reach his hand out.
'What has happened to you boy? Who wronged you?'
Anyone could tell that Koji was in a state that if they weren't delicate then koji's mind would be beyond repair.
"Have you heard of the Soul Guard Academy? We train new Soul Guardians to use their Hotoji's effectively."
Koji had little interest in attending a school filled with soul guardians. The only reason he would even consider attending was that there would be food to eat and a bed to sleep in.
But Koji wanted to be left alone after all he just became the one thing hated more then the beasts who killed his family.
Suddenly a large paper bag was set in front of Koji by the elderly man.
"Here's some warm clothes and a some other things to help you."
Koji was about to throw them into the river before he was stopped by the elderly man who grabbed his arm.
"Tell me why you won't accept my help? Tell me what is wrong."
Koji turned around and threw a punch to the man's face but it didn't even hurt the man and instead broke a few of his fingers.
Koji finally spoke as he held his hand away from the man.
"You soul guardians took away my family… your greed and lust for power causes more harm then you know."
The old man was shocked.
'A soul guardian did this to the boy? I see… I must help him to make amends.'
The old man then pulled out his sword and cut his hand before showing it to Koji.
"I will make a vow on my status as the 21st Soul Guard Commander. I will never turn my back on you and will help you find peace."
Koji knew what the old man had done by cutting his hand and letting the blood drip to the ground, he had made a Blood Oath.
After seeing the oath being made Koji then opened the bag and saw the traditional Japanese kimono as this was the uniform of the Soul guard academy and some extra clothes.
However Koji wanted something else.
"I want a mask and your word you won't tell anyone about my life. I don't want people being concerned about me."
The old man began bandaging his hand with a smile and nodded before leaving while Koji sat in front of his sword.
"Hatasho, that is your name."
Suddenly the greatsword began shaking until it started hovering on koji's back.
'I will avenge you both… I promise'